Chartering a catamaran

[jimi]

Many of the extended family are non sailors and we often charter a villa for a joint holiday. I had wondered whether for a bit of variety to charter a cat in the med. I've never handled a cat at close quarters so wondered if it would pose a problem, or whether just to pay the danage waiver and go for it.

Any advice?

 

[Perry]

A cat with two engines is a delight to handle once you have got the hang of it, ask the charter co to give you a quick demo before you set off and then have a good play around to get the hang of it.

 

[jhr]

Two hulls means double the number of holding tanks!

 

[snowleopard]

Remember you'll need to reef when the toe rail goes under

 

[Deleted member 478]

Catamarans are much easier to drive than monomarans. Stick one engine in reverse and one in forward and the babe will spin on its own axis.

In very light wind conditions, you can "walk" a catamaran sideways by alternating from fwd to reverse with the one engine doing the opposite of the other engine. All done with very low revs. eg port engine fwd for 20 secs-ish while starboard eng in reverse. As the boat reacts, change propulsion direction on both engines. As the boat reacts, change propulsion direction on both engines..... ad infinitum or until you have perfected the technique. Then place bets for beers with monomaran owners that cats can be driven sideways.

 

[Deleted member 478]

The BIGGEST problem with a catamaran is that SWMBO will love it and demand that you buy one.

 

[Seajet]

The BIGGEST problem with a catamaran is that SWMBO will love it and demand that you buy one.

Simple cure for that; just show her another thread currently running

 

[r_h]

One drawback of cats in the Med can be finding space to park them in busy harbours - in effect you need two adjacent spaces to be free. It's a different matter in the Caribbean, where you're much more likely to anchor or be on a buoy.

 

[snowleopard]

In very light wind conditions, you can "walk" a catamaran sideways by alternating from fwd to reverse with the one engine doing the opposite of the other engine. All done with very low revs. eg port engine fwd for 20 secs-ish while starboard eng in reverse. As the boat reacts, change propulsion direction on both engines. As the boat reacts, change propulsion direction on both engines..... ad infinitum or until you have perfected the technique. Then place bets for beers with monomaran owners that cats can be driven sideways.

...with the helm over to provide sideways drive from whichever engine is in forward.

Then there's getting off a quay - no springs, just use the inner engine to hold position while the outer pulls bow or stern out.

 

[bbg]

or whether just to pay the danage waiver and go for it.

Any advice?

You've answered your own question.

 

[capnsensible]

I'm fortunate enough to do lots of sailing on all sorts and I have always said that for a family charter I would do catamaran. Ideal for that purpose.

 

[G-Force Marine Valeting]

I remember skippering a 40ft catamaran in the med for two seansons and if you are not tied up on the pontoon by 3pm latest, all the flotilla boats will end up taking all the space plus cause a load of choas. The wind only pick up late afternoon which means you don't have to use those noisy engines.

 

[WoodyP]

handling Cats is a dangerous business. Big Cats especially so. What you need is a chair and a whip. Oh and a hat.