Does Yachting Monthly have a Cat phobia?

[Boreades]

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?

Also, Multimarine and DazCat in Torpoint are among the few remaining UK boatbuilders that are producing exciting and innovative boats. I have no personal interest in them, except for seeing their boats on the Tamar and admiring them.

 

[Cerddinen]

Would the 100-point test have to become the 200-point for a cat? And the 300 for a tri?

 

[webcraft]

.
I presume it reflects market share? Although I am sure YM used to do more Cat tests/articles in the 70s and 80s.

- W

 

[snowleopard]

Also, Multimarine and DazCat in Torpoint are among the few remaining UK boatbuilders that are producing exciting and innovative boats. I have no personal interest in them, except for seeing their boats on the Tamar and admiring them.

Given that James Jermain is one of those you see whizzing around the Tamar in a Dazcat and he has been YM's main tester for some years, it seems unlikely that there is a prejudice against multis. More likely it's down to the fact that so few commercial cat designs are being produced in Europe these days.

 

[puddock]

Take a look at your local Marina. Count the number of monohulls v multihulls. IPC are probably trying to reflect the interests of the readership (allegedly!).
I have seen a few reviews on cats over the past 12 months (in various "other" boating mags).
Personally, I have nothing against multihulls as such. I just can't get my head around the idea that it won't do something silly when one hull digs in and the other is happily racing along
That wasn't a criticism, more an admission of my lack of experience of the realities of multihull sailing - which is marginally more than my lack of experience in monohull sailing

 

[snowleopard]

Take a look at your local Marina. Count the number of monohulls v multihulls.

Then ask what the marina operators multiply the length by to get the charges and you'll see why most cats are kept outside marinas.

 

[Slow_boat]

I must admit, I'd like to see tests of secondhand cats because I'm seriously thinking about one for our long term cruising plans. At present I'm leaning towards a Prout Quest 33 but haven't been able to find any recent test on them.

(I'd like a Sunrise Solaris but unless the lottery comes up or swmbo sells the house even a secondhand one's out of the question.)

 

[puddock]

Then ask what the marina operators multiply the length by to get the charges and you'll see why most cats are kept outside marinas.

Which is why most people have no interest in getting a multihull ..... as I said, I have nothing at all against them.
I can also see why Marina owners charge more for a marina place for a cat - I would do the same ......... if I was a blood sucking, poverty pleading, owner of a captive market.

 

[Cerddinen]

I must admit, I'd like to see tests of secondhand cats because I'm seriously thinking about one for our long term cruising plans. At present I'm leaning towards a Prout Quest 33 but haven't been able to find any recent test on them.

(I'd like a Sunrise Solaris but unless the lottery comes up or swmbo sells the house even a secondhand one's out of the question.)

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

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

 

[trapezeartist]

I can also see why Marina owners charge more for a marina place for a cat - I would do the same ......... if I was a blood sucking, poverty pleading, owner of a captive market.

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.

 

[fergie_mac66]

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

 

[boatbuilder]

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?

Also, Multimarine and DazCat in Torpoint are among the few remaining UK boatbuilders that are producing exciting and innovative boats. I have no personal interest in them, except for seeing their boats on the Tamar and admiring them.

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

 

[Richard Shead]

I doubt it

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?

Also, Multimarine and DazCat in Torpoint are among the few remaining UK boatbuilders that are producing exciting and innovative boats. I have no personal interest in them, except for seeing their boats on the Tamar and admiring them.

As the Editor sails one, ok its go three hulls and James has two so I don't think there is.

But I am going to let Snooks or James jump in and answer this in full..

 

[westernman]

Take a look at your local Marina. Count the number of monohulls v multihulls. IPC are probably trying to reflect the interests of the readership (allegedly!).
I have seen a few reviews on cats over the past 12 months (in various "other" boating mags).
Personally, I have nothing against multihulls as such. I just can't get my head around the idea that it won't do something silly when one hull digs in and the other is happily racing along
That wasn't a criticism, more an admission of my lack of experience of the realities of multihull sailing - which is marginally more than my lack of experience in monohull sailing

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

 

[pendlecats]

I must admit, I'd like to see tests of secondhand cats because I'm seriously thinking about one for our long term cruising plans. At present I'm leaning towards a Prout Quest 33 but haven't been able to find any recent test on them.

(I'd like a Sunrise Solaris but unless the lottery comes up or swmbo sells the house even a secondhand one's out of the question.)

I would also be interested in a couple on test during the year, purely for a balanced view.

 

[puddock]

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

Along those lines ..........but on a larger scale !!!

 

[pendlecats]

Along those lines ..........but on a larger scale !!!

Like this then

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaKw-a2ZIM&feature=related

 

[SeamanStaines]

Like this then

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaKw-a2ZIM&feature=related

I guess if you are having a reasoned argument then there is no point in confusing you with the facts!

It is practically impossible to tip over over or pitch pole a modern cruising catamaran in the way you can a hobie cat, they are simply to heavy and to stable. I doubt you could tip one over even if you went out specifically to do it, the rigging would fail long before you overcame the inherent bouyancy in the leeward hull. Whilst you can of course pitch pole one in extreme conditions by going too fast, in exactly the same way as you can a monohull at least a catamaran has the advantage that it will still be floating at the end of the exercise!

It is of course fashionable for monohull sailors to have to find a way to justify there attachment to a single hull, after all, multihulls offer generally more speed, a stable platform, more space, better manners on an anchorage etc; etc;

Generally I am charged either nothing more for being a multihull, or at worst a 50% surcharge (mind I cant afford the south coast so maybe things are different there)

It is interesting though that many modern monohulls are becoming more and more beamy (a 35' Bavaria is on 12' beam compared with a Gemini catamaran at 34' on a 14' beam) , so perhaps they will eventually be charged more. The additional beam is using bouyancy to achieve stability in the same way as a multihull so should they be called single hulled catamarans?

 

[pendlecats]

I guess if you are having a reasoned argument then there is no point in confusing you with the facts!

It is practically impossible to tip over over or pitch pole a modern cruising catamaran in the way you can a hobie cat, they are simply to heavy and to stable. I doubt you could tip one over even if you went out specifically to do it, the rigging would fail long before you overcame the inherent bouyancy in the leeward hull. Whilst you can of course pitch pole one in extreme conditions by going too fast, in exactly the same way as you can a monohull at least a catamaran has the advantage that it will still be floating at the end of the exercise!

It is of course fashionable for monohull sailors to have to find a way to justify there attachment to a single hull, after all, multihulls offer generally more speed, a stable platform, more space, better manners on an anchorage etc; etc;

Generally I am charged either nothing more for being a multihull, or at worst a 50% surcharge (mind I cant afford the south coast so maybe things are different there)

It is interesting though that many modern monohulls are becoming more and more beamy (a 35' Bavaria is on 12' beam compared with a Gemini catamaran at 34' on a 14' beam) , so perhaps they will eventually be charged more. The additional beam is using bouyancy to achieve stability in the same way as a multihull so should they be called single hulled catamarans?

The OP was regarding adding some possible articles on multi hulls, which I agree with.
As for a reasoned argument I have not shown a bias against them, in fact I would consider them for the reasons of faster, less heel during sailing, grounding ability,,,, however I would like to read about some of the apparent negatives such as costly maintenance (eg. twin engines), marina fees (50% surcharge I've come across), safety/stability in a heavy sea (a mono hull may survive a knockdown however once a cat is over..).

Let me assure you facts inform and generally don't confuse me!

 

[fergie_mac66]

I guess if you are having a reasoned argument then there is no point in confusing you with the facts!

It is practically impossible to tip over over or pitch pole a modern cruising catamaran in the way you can a hobie cat, they are simply to heavy and to stable. I doubt you could tip one over even if you went out specifically to do it, the rigging would fail long before you overcame the inherent bouyancy in the leeward hull. Whilst you can of course pitch pole one in extreme conditions by going too fast, in exactly the same way as you can a monohull at least a catamaran has the advantage that it will still be floating at the end of the exercise!

It is of course fashionable for monohull sailors to have to find a way to justify there attachment to a single hull, after all, multihulls offer generally more speed, a stable platform, more space, better manners on an anchorage etc; etc;

Generally I am charged either nothing more for being a multihull, or at worst a 50% surcharge (mind I cant afford the south coast so maybe things are different there)

It is interesting though that many modern monohulls are becoming more and more beamy (a 35' Bavaria is on 12' beam compared with a Gemini catamaran at 34' on a 14' beam) , so perhaps they will eventually be charged more. The additional beam is using bouyancy to achieve stability in the same way as a multihull so should they be called single hulled catamarans?

Thats why they make great family boats. I found monohulls with a family can be hardwork, if your into racing then different things kick in different type of boats but In a 25 to 35 foot family cat then it becomes easy plenty of room to stretch rain or shine when your inside at anchor you can see out and watch the world go by the wind gets up your not on your ear standing on anything that you forgot to fasten down b ut different strokes for different folks

Edit : besides I have the best of both worlds I have a cat and a small westerly I enjoy both, Ones 50 years old the other 30 years old and neither cost me a lot to run (I really couldnt afford to run them without being a careful Yorkshireman)