Does Yachting Monthly have a Cat phobia?

[trapezeartist]

When I first came to big boat sailing, I had a completely open mind about what type of boat I would buy. The claims for catamarans seemed very appealing on the surface:
Faster
More space
SWMBO less likely to spill her wine

However on looking more closely, it became apparent that the "more space" claim is based on a length for length comparison. But the cost to buy, cost to maintain and cost to berth of a 30 foot catamaran are more comparable with a 45 foot monohull. At that point it becomes apparent that the total space is about the same, but the monohull gives more flexibility in the design of that space.

In the end I opted for a monohull. No disrespect to anyone who chooses the other option.

 

[David_Jersey]

I think it's simply a market thing - Cats too niche in the UK to merit more than a mention now and again.

Could wrap them into a warm water Charter trip report though..........

 

[Alfie168]

All I can say is..Thank heaven McGregor don't build a cat. This forum would melt with the heat generated

Tim

 

[Adonnante]

All I can say is..Thank heaven McGregor don't build a cat. This forum would melt with the heat generated

Tim

Flame suit on --http://www.bwyachts.com/Mac%2036%20Cat%20Project.htm

Peter.

 

[snowleopard]

So would I ........ when I realised that one cat takes up the same space as two monohulls of similar length.

I guess that if there were enough cats around, an enterprising marina could build a special pontoon for them, with fingers an appropriate width apart. As that doesn't seem to happen, there is only room for a kayak alongside an average cat on an average pontoon.

Of course it's entirely fair that if your wide-beam cat occupies 2 slots between finger pontoons you should pay for 2 berths but when you're tied alongside and take up no more berthing space than a mono of the same length but they demand 50% or even 100% more you're entitled to feel aggrieved. Some marinas actually charge according to whether you're taking 1 berth or 2, MDL for example.

 

[snowleopard]

Before you rush into buying a Prout you must read this website:

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Prout/

Ouch! It sounds as though the Snowgoose was their peak and it was downhill from there. I've met owners of the Event 34 and the 45 who seemed happy enough. Maybe these people got a rushed build when the company was on the way down.

 

[TamarMike]

I know this might be dumb question and/or one that's been asked many times before, but...

As the magazine is called "Yachting Monthly" and not "Monohull Monthly", why does only seem to feature monohulls? Is there a different magazine in the IPC group that has the exclusive on multihulls?

Presumably they need to arrange with PBO to make sure they also review the same cats that month!

 

[Boathook]

we have a cat,, touchwood never been charged anything other than per meter with no multiplier .Guess if your on the south coast.

I'm on the South Coast and rarely pay extra for being a Cat. There again I'm not much wider than a modern mono of around the same length. Most Cats get the extra space by being wide for the entire length rather than just in the middle. Brand new Cats where the beam seems nearly the same as the length is another matter and that would cause problems in some of my prefered mooring places.

 

[fergie_mac66]

I'm on the South Coast and rarely pay extra for being a Cat. There again I'm not much wider than a modern mono of around the same length. Most Cats get the extra space by being wide for the entire length rather than just in the middle. Brand new Cats where the beam seems nearly the same as the length is another matter and that would cause problems in some of my prefered mooring places.

Happy new year once again Peter Fair winds !

 

[Boreades]

Millbrook not Torpoint, it's only 7 miles, but we think it's importent.

Sorry, I should know better, because on a clear day from the north end of Mayflower's breakwater, I can see the MultiMarine yard

My feeble excuse: the address mentions both
http://www.multimarine.co.uk/contacts.html

 

[jamesjermain]

No, there's no cat phobia. Others have made most of the points. Over the years we have had considerable multi-owning representaion on the staff, including three of the last four editors (Geof Pack, myself and Paul Gelder).

But it is difficult to put more cat articles and reviews in. First because there are so few, relatively, second because there are not many new cats and tris introduced each year and third because we only have 12 slots a year for new boats so if the ratio of cat ownership is, say 20 to one, then one review every two years is the most we should do. Many of the general and seamanship articles are relevant to cat owners, particularly those that deal with small anchorages a creek crawling

Having said that, I do think YM is overdue a secondhand boat test on a cat.

There are magazine that specialise in cats, notably Multihull Review http://www.multihullreview.co.uk, published monthly on the internet and quarterly in printed form, which is British based, and Multihulls Magazine http://www.multihullsmag.com, which has been around for 35 years and is published worldwide on line and in printed form from its American base.

 

[snowleopard]

Sorry, I should know better, because on a clear day from the north end of Mayflower's breakwater, I can see the MultiMarine yard

And Mayflower is one of the charge-double-alongside brigade.

 

[Bajansailor]

All I can say is..Thank heaven McGregor don't build a cat. This forum would melt with the heat generated

Tim

As Adonannte has shown in his link, MacGregor did used to build a cat.
A 36' high tech (for it's time) cat, that would go like a bat outta hell.
And they built a lotta them.
OK, not quite like an Extreme 40 - they were called 'cruising cats', sort of, as they have basic accom in the two hulls.
The one in Adonannte's link http://www.bwyachts.com/Mac 36 Cat Project.htm looks rather turbo charged in every way, from sail power to motor power to lavish accommodation......

There are 2 MacGregor 36s here in Barbados available for day charter cruises - here is a link to one of them called 'Why Not' : http://www.barbadosahoy.com/whynot.htm

 

[multihullsailor6]

There are magazine that specialise in cats, notably Multihull Review http://www.multihullreview.co.uk, published monthly on the internet and quarterly in printed form, which is British based, and Multihulls Magazine http://www.multihullsmag.com, which has been around for 35 years and is published worldwide on line and in printed form from its American base.

And not to forget that there is also the French produced "Multicoques Mag" / "Multihulls World", in French and English versions, supplied both in printed and digital format.
http://www.multihulls-world.com/us/

 

[RichardS]

When I first came to big boat sailing, I had a completely open mind about what type of boat I would buy. The claims for catamarans seemed very appealing on the surface:
Faster
More space
SWMBO less likely to spill her wine

However on looking more closely, it became apparent that the "more space" claim is based on a length for length comparison. But the cost to buy, cost to maintain and cost to berth of a 30 foot catamaran are more comparable with a 45 foot monohull. At that point it becomes apparent that the total space is about the same, but the monohull gives more flexibility in the design of that space.

In the end I opted for a monohull. No disrespect to anyone who chooses the other option.

Those are valid points but I think that there is another - ease of handling. In my experience with both monohulls and cats with just the two of us, I reckon that 40ft - perhaps 45ft if you're confident - is the most that can be handled without too much stress. By handling I mean sails, anchoring, mooring, berthing, manouvering, windage etc.

In many ways I reckon the same length cat is easier to handle - a stable platform and twin-engine manouverability and you get 25% more cabin space and a lot more flat deck space. To get that much space in a monohull you would probably be looking at 50ft - 55ft or more and that would be a big ask for me and the missus!

Although we chartered monohulls for 15 years, when it came to handing over the hard cash we went for a cat and haven't regretted it.

Whatever floats your boat I guess!

Richard

 

[Kilter]

You mean like this (15secs into the video)?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVkqpzI3lbg

I don't like to boast but I managed a much better pitchpole than that in Orient Bay, St Martin while racing a Hobie! Sadly no known video exists!

 

[Garold]

Cats vs monohull .... who knows?

Cats are ideal for those who value space, like sailing upright, and want to anchor out.

In the UK, if you voyage only from one marina to another, it is a bit expensive, you do sometimes struggle to get an overnight berth, and you do often have to remind marina staff about your beam measurements when they try to slot you into a monohull berth.

On the other hand, laying to anchor or a mooring buoy is just such a pleasure in a cat because you have a bit more space inside and out, rocking and rolling is largely avoided, and one often has enough kit to be self sufficient.

We made the transition from monohull to cat a couple of years ago and are currently just upgrading to a slightly larger cat. It's not about better or worse, more like identify the features of each type of vessel and decide what your priorities are.

Since changing to a cat we have become a bit more adventurous because the marinas have less to offer. We'd much rather anchor in the Beaulieu river, Chichester Habour, or off Swanage in decent weather than be tucked up in a marina.

Then again when the weather is rubbish, and we just feel like getting off the boat and spending the evening in a restaurant, trying to get a last minute convenient berth in any marina is a bit hit and miss. And then they may (50%of the time in the UK south coast) charge you time and a half for the pleasure. That's definitely when it would be better if we had stuck with a monohull. And as for paying to service two engines ..... just take it and smile!

So, 'compare and contrast' as I remember from school. And then make your own decision. Because on certain days you will probably think that maybe the other choice would be better.

And, by the by, we have a new Lagoon 400 arriving in late May and if Yachting Monthly want to do any kind of sail test on probably the fastest selling cruising catamaran so far produced (check out the Paris Boat Show sales figures), I am happy to help out. I guess it must have something new if people are parting with their money at the minute.

Well that's my twopennyworth.

Cheers

 

[westernman]

I don't like to boast but I managed a much better pitchpole than that in Orient Bay, St Martin while racing a Hobie! Sadly no known video exists!

I have done a few pitch poles in a Hobie FX One myself. Also no video

However, what I like about this one, is just before the pitchpole the catamaran looks to be perfectly level and balanced - and then it goes a**e over t*t without any apparent warning.

 

[Adaero]

The only half decent Multihull magazine we have found is Multihull World which normally has 3 tests per month.
My only gripe (and its the same for all magazines) is that every test is a PR exercise and never a true indication of the boat. Magazines are too dependant upon the advertsising revenue from the manufacturers to give a decent idependant report. Have anyone ever seen a test where they hated the boat with a passion?

If you need info on all things Catamaran then try the multihulls4us forum. Through this forum you can also get a discounted price for subscription to the Multihull world magazine.

If you need really technical multihull data then try the Multihull Dynamics site. You have to pay for data but if you want to compare 2 specific boats they have all the info you will ever want.

 

[Dan the man]

I thought this post was about the feline variety...was excited.