Catamaran newbie: tips&hints

[kingfisher]

Well, our little italian party seems to be growin. We're now eight to go sailing in Naples. With this size of group, I'm thinking a catamaran is the only option. So I'll be skippering a Lagoon 380 soon.

I've never sailed a catamaran before. Any hints and tips?

Anchoring: bridle or one anchor from the centre stem?
Beaching? In Italy?

Manouevering? I imagine you use the power of twin engines above all? Does it come natural, or does it take a bit of adjustment?

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Aramas]

Just remember you're trying to manouver something the size of a tennis court and you'll be fine. The hulls usually have as much windage as the rig, so manouvering in a wind should be entertaining.
Just like with any other boat, get it into some open water and practice.
Good luck

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[Twister_Ken]

Leave plenty of room around yourself at anchor

Cats do tend to skid around more at anchor than keel boats

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[kesey]

Anchoring: use the bridle. It will keep the load balanced. Very easy to use it.

Don't be afraid to use a second anchor if the wind looks like getting up. Easiest way to set a second is to use the dinghy and set the anchor at 45 deg or so to the first. The chances are that the primary anchor will do the job fine, but there's no harm in ensuring a good night's sleep.

Give a good read of the reefing instructions. There will be a schedule of the wind speeds at which it is advised to shrink sail. No point in leaving a good rig lying all over the shop. Tends to scare the hell out of the boss. If you're over on one hull just remind yourself you left the Hobie back home. Politely ask the crew to reef down.

The twin screws make scooting around very handy. You'll get the knack in no time. Ideally practice playing in a harbour. Drive around slowly, going in between the boats with plenty of space between them. If necessary, send someone over in a dinghy with a measuring tape to make sure you have 22" clearance before you put the boot down.

Enjoy the holiday.

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[jamesjermain]

Hey, Man!

Just sit back and relax; wave to all the monos as you scoot past them with the lightly chilled Sangiminano safely at rest on an unfiddled table; absorb the unstinting praise of the rest of the party as they enjoy the acres of sunbathing deck; nod self-depricatingly as the SWMBOs swoon with delight at the spacious, light, airy galley; wallow in blissful slumber in the spacious double cabins; invite your friends to an impromptu party in the huge cockpit (huge saloon if wet) - in short have a wonderful time.

Sailing a cat is a bit weird at first - the short, quick motion can catch you out on deck and she will feel vast until you get the measure of her. The helm will feel dead and you will find it difficult to keep her on a heading, but remember, cats run more or less on rails if left to their own devices so don't try to oversteer. The twin engines actually make her far easier to handle in a tight space than a mono but beware of side slipping in a cross wind if reversing into a tight mooring. Leave the helm amidships and do all the turning using the engines.

I believe it is best to anchor using a bridle to limit the sheering but it is not necessary. Allow plenty of swinging room because you won't always lie in the same direction as monos. One great thing about cats is; you don't have to worry about rolly anchorages - cats don't roll.

Do obey the reefing instructions to the letter. You may be surprised at how generous they are. Most charter cats are quite under canvassed and can hold on to full sail in stronger winds than a mono - often up to 23 to 25 knots.

Don't try to sail too close to the wind. Particularly in light airs, it pays to crack the sheets a touch and sail full until you have built up some useful apparent wind. Tack down wind - it really pays in a cat.

Enjoy!

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[kgi]

James's reply just about covered it, but remember its a cat, i don't know what she draws but most cats can go closer to the beach than your average mono, so you don't have to swing with the crowd in the busy part of the anchorage, and if you do happen to go a tad close and ground it, she won't fall over......keith

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[graham]

Remember that if you are reaching downwind at speed theres going to be a lot more wind than you think when you round up.

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[mikewilkes]

Anchoring great with a cat, just go in close to the beach, throw it over the bow and you can see it bite in. Failing that just hop over the bow and push it in with your foot!
Mike

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[Birdseye]

1/ dont pinch when hard on the wind - you will point just as high as many monos but you will make a lot of leeway, and you will stop real quick if you luff up a bit too much.

2/ reef strictly according to the wind speed indicator. cats dont give much sign of stress when overcanvassed and something nasty happens suddenly.

3/ tacking requires slickness because of the lack of momentum through the wind. make sure you have good speed first

4/ anchor further into shallow water than the monos, but remember the wakes from stinkies and try to avoid bouncing on the rocks!

5/ 2 engines are not the total answer to manoeuvering in harbour - you will still drift sideays in the wind at an alarming soeed. the answer is to drive her more like a stinkie - ie go in faster than normal and stop quicker.

6/ keep the weight down to avoid damaging the performance

7/ beware - if you get a decent cat, you wont want to return to monos! the problems above are very few really, and the advantages are huge.



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