Catamarans

[tyce]

I have never really fancied the idea of a cat, but lately i seem to be drawn more to the idea to allow more cruising with the wife and young kids.
But i dont want to miss the performance and racing ability i have with my current boat, so anyone any ideas of a good cat in the 28 - 33 foot range with a bit of speed and lots of comfort.
Are any of the flashy french boats coming into the below 45k price range.
All ideas welcome

 

[oldsaltoz]

If I was asked 12 years ago 'would I consider owning a cat' my response would have been, "why? do I look like I need training wheels."

Having done a few deliveries and in very good time with much comfort it was not long before I was a convert.

However not all cats are equal, some have trouble sailing out of sight on a dark night if sailing to windward. Others are pure pleasure; fast, comfy and lots of space.

You need to look at as many cats as you can and list the good and bad points on each, cost is a major factor, so is clearance under the bridge deck, get these two right and your over half way there.

When it comes to cat designers there is only one for me, and not because I know the bloke (Jeff Schionning) but because he has managed to put together some very special cats both super fast for the sports, and supper pretty for the posers. and they all sail beautifully.


Have a look, web page here

 

[boatmike]

If you want comfort and speed, you need to think very carefully. Cats need to be kept light to go fast and perform well generally. Mine is a Prout 37 and can tolerate a considerable amount of payload due to its soft bilge wide hull design, but it's not the fastest thing on the water. It's a comparative thing though. I still show a clean pair of heels to most cruising monos off the wind, especially in a F5 or above. To windward I would say it's as good as most bilge keelers of the same OAL.
The bad news though is that there are very few cruising cats under about 35 ft that really perform well. It's a waterline length thing related to wave periodicity that causes little ones to hobbyhorse more. There are some though like the Prout Quest 31 and 33CS that are not bad. In the price range you are talking about though you won't get a "french tart". What you might get is an older Quest that needs some work or something similar. Cats tend not to be cheap I am afraid.

 

[MacMan]

I have a Prout Quest 33

Top speed surfing (GPS) has been 13 knots so far with a sustained 9.5 knots for over half an hour BUT this was with a decent wind up the backside. (Reefed Genny only)

Was quite amused the other day when a Bavaria 44 could barely keep up with us.

In light airs she is OK downwind with our large cruising chute set but struggles to get to windward at any decent pace. Many boats will point much higher when beating, the angle you can sheet the Genny into is a big restriction but this is helped when you pop up the Staysail.

Plenty more text and piccies on the our blog below.

I have no doubt "French" cats would be quicker but more expensive and do not have the same build quality.

We wanted and now have a cruising cat. We aren't races and suspect "racey" type might be disappointed. But I was on a friend 33 foot mono the other day and 5 mins convinced me we have made the right decision.

 

[willie4646]

I have owned an Oceanic 30 since new (1970), not the fastest of boats but it is built like the proverbial brick ****house and is very comfortable. Our children (along with many of their friends) grew up with and enjoyed the space that the boat has to offer. Now our grandchildren (and their friends) are now doing the same. I agree with Mike, on a broad reach with good wind you will stay ahead of most mono-hulls. I would advise you to get one with full head room throughout. I would reccommend a cruising cat to anyone, the space and comfort beats anything that a mono of comparable size has to offer. Photo http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/willie4646/DSC_0028copy.jpg
Willie

 

[flaming]

You mentioned racing as one of your aims. Unfortunately there is very little multi racing in the UK for anything other than beach cats.

If you're prepared to give up that side of your sailing (at least on your own boat) then a cruising cat could be good for you, but I suspect you'd be sorely dissapointed with racing a cruising cat.

 

[wotayottie]

there is a much bigger difference between cruising and cruiser racer cats than there is with monos. in part this is because cruising cats are made with small rigs and usually fixed keels to give easier handling and less capsize risk.

another factor is the scarcity of cat racing and the pointlessness of racing cats and monos in the same fleet - if indeed its even allowed.

you could have a look at the Banshee or one of the smaller Woods cats but I cant think of a French one that fits your requirements.

 

[tyce]

excellent replys all, thanks.
I am getting the feeling that in the aim of trying to get the wife and kids settled and happy on the few trips they would do, i could well end up disappointed as performance is a big factor to me, i do alot of solo and club racing and would hate to lose the competitive element.

 

[boatmike]

In which case you are right. Solo racing a cruising cat would be a nightmare. Tacking is never much fun and difficult solo. Racing Hobies and Darts is awesome but there is no class that I know of for racing something that has 3 double beds, fridge, cooker and dining facilities for 6-8 people! You have to either give up round the bouys racing or buy a "performance" monohull big enough for wife and kids.
Why not keep your existing boat and charter a cat in the Med for family holidays? This would also give you experience of multihull sailing.