Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
Any yet 99% (99.9%?) of purchasers do choose monohulls.
Any yet 99% (99.9%?) of purchasers do choose monohulls.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Here is proof that monos are not exempt from being whipped by the ugly stick.
It's not on every boat you find canting toilets...
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ubergeekian, I find the sales figures inexplicable, though I know they're true. When I recently asked a Beneteau 32 owner if he didn't fancy a biggish cat instead, his only voiced objection related to the mooring space required. That may be a fair point, but if finding 600 square foot of mooring space turns one off the prospect of enjoying that much room whilst aboard...well, I'd say such a person's glass was perpetually half-empty, not half-full.
Am I wrong in sensing that big cats' interiors and under-bodies have quite a lot in common with motor-yachts? And, maybe that easy, 'gin-palace' aura is the reason that so many don't choose one? Are we perhaps perversely addicted to the inconvenience of not being able to dry-out upright, and too purist to relish a large, square, level bridgedeck saloon and an interior helm?
I'd live aboard if I could, so maybe my ultimate choice would prohibit the eccentricities of layout that monohulls under about 50' carry by necessity, and which their owners are content to regard as loveable character. I rather enjoy camping too, but I won't pretend it's really comfortable, and I'm sure I'd always be much happier living in big square flat rooms. With a loo that doesn't slop its contents about...
Am I wrong in sensing that big cats' interiors and under-bodies have quite a lot in common with motor-yachts? And, maybe that easy, 'gin-palace' aura is the reason that so many don't choose one? Are we perhaps perversely addicted to the inconvenience of not being able to dry-out upright, and too purist to relish a large, square, level bridgedeck saloon and an interior helm?
I'd live aboard if I could, so maybe my ultimate choice would prohibit the eccentricities of layout that monohulls under about 50' carry by necessity, and which their owners are content to regard as loveable character. I rather enjoy camping too, but I won't pretend it's really comfortable, and I'm sure I'd always be much happier living in big square flat rooms. With a loo that doesn't slop its contents about...
Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
Well I could, but I'd be lying through my teeth. They are gorgeous.....
I could, and mean it.
Not what I would call a good looking boat by any means but very desireable for aevery other reason (except price, mooring fees, maintainance etc etc etc!!)
As I say, we shall be buying a cat for all the practical reasons but the row away factor ain't one of them!
Flying Penguin
Well-Known Member
Am I wrong in sensing that big cats' interiors and under-bodies have quite a lot in common with motor-yachts? And, maybe that easy, 'gin-palace' aura is the reason that so many don't choose one? Are we perhaps perversely addicted to the inconvenience of not being able to dry-out upright, and too purist to relish a large, square, level bridgedeck saloon and an interior helm?
I'd live aboard if I could, so maybe my ultimate choice would prohibit the eccentricities of layout that monohulls under about 50' carry by necessity, and which their owners are content to regard as loveable character. I rather enjoy camping too, but I won't pretend it's really comfortable, and I'm sure I'd always be much happier living in big square flat rooms. With a loo that doesn't slop its contents about...
I think you may have something there, I find it hard, personally, to get excited about bridge decks (most looking, quite frankly, like the bridge of HMS Belfast on a couple of canoes..), maybe it is the masochist in me that LIKES the heel, LIKES the motion, LIKES the fact that it's like camping. I think if I owned a cat it would seem almost too convenient, too clinical, at least if I wasn't living aboard long term, because sailing is, for me, about getting as far from the office/nice bar/comfy bed day to day dreariness, that I actually want to escape from, as possible.
However, for a liveaboard or a long term cruiser, or investing in a large boat (not an option at the moment!), I doubt I'd be so dismissive of the value of creature comforts.
As soon as I can convince enough of my family/friends to come sailing to make a Cat charter cost effective, I must try it, but I risk getting SWMBO hooked and refusing to go on Monos!
Jamie
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
Maybe we - by which I mean sailing folk in general - don't want these things? Maybe we actually like the look and feel of monohulls under way? For me most of the thrill of sailing comes from riding the forces of wind, water and gravity in balance, and I just don't think a catamaran would do it for me. Though I am always open to offers of trips, I hasten to add!
After all, most motorcyclists would, I am sure, recognize that cars are far more comfortable than bikes and most dinghy sailors would recognize that yachts (regardless of number of hulls) are more comfortable than dinghies.
It's really just an extension of the heavy vs lightweight (often presented as MAB vs AWB) monohull argument, and the answer's the same. We all choose boats to suit what we personally enjoy about being on the water, and nobody is stupid, ignorant or deluded for having different priorities.
RichardS
N/A
As soon as I can convince enough of my family/friends to come sailing to make a Cat charter cost effective, I must try it, but I risk getting SWMBO hooked and refusing to go on Monos!
Been there, done that ....... but no regrets!
Richard
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
How right you both are, Jamie and Ubergeekian.
A minute ago I was grinning with excitement at the very thought of climbing tentatively down a dark, narrow companionway into the cramped, inadequate cabin of a little monohull of my own redesign, sometime soon. The rig will be obdurate and inefficient; the interior lighting control panel will need a kick occasionally, and there won't be enough space to unfold an Admiralty chart, or sufficient headroom to unbend below decks. God, I'll be in heaven! Perverse, aren't we?
I'd still choose a big cat, for the long-haul, though.
A minute ago I was grinning with excitement at the very thought of climbing tentatively down a dark, narrow companionway into the cramped, inadequate cabin of a little monohull of my own redesign, sometime soon. The rig will be obdurate and inefficient; the interior lighting control panel will need a kick occasionally, and there won't be enough space to unfold an Admiralty chart, or sufficient headroom to unbend below decks. God, I'll be in heaven! Perverse, aren't we?
I'd still choose a big cat, for the long-haul, though.
Flying Penguin
Well-Known Member
Been there, done that ....... but no regrets!
Richard
Am desperate not to follow, seriously doubt I could afford to accommodate a SWMBO with a taste for Cats!
D
Deleted member 478
Guest
Something like this is afforadable, but ugly.Am desperate not to follow, seriously doubt I could afford to accommodate a SWMBO with a taste for Cats!
Flying Penguin
Well-Known Member
Something like this is afforadable, but ugly.
That fits into the category of "couldn't live with the shame..."
D
Deleted member 478
Guest
Bet you that it is actually quite nice inside and SWMBO would love the space. And when you're sitting in the cockpit, gazing into the sunset, rum in hand, you will not be able to see your own boat, so you will be oblivious to its ugliness.That fits into the category of "couldn't live with the shame..."
Sorted!
Flying Penguin
Well-Known Member
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Who gives a **** what the guy you've just overtaken thinks about your boat's looks?
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
Style, dear boy, style.
Croak
Well-Known Member
It depends on what you think beauty evolves from.
The sleek lines of a classic boat are appealing because they are practical.
I only see practicality when I look at a cat so that's appealing to me, but I'm free thinking.
The sleek lines of a classic boat are appealing because they are practical.
I only see practicality when I look at a cat so that's appealing to me, but I'm free thinking.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Me too, I love it, but wonder how practical it would be in real use as others have said.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Maybe we're being rather harsh on the idea of catamarans visually, just because for the most part nothing particularly pleasing has yet been accomplished using the format. But...whilst the Catalac (if as I believe, that's the slated vessel, pictured previously) mayn't be any great beauty, I've always thought the uniquely-styled Heavenly Twins cats were charming in appearance, as well as being seriously good long-distance cruisers.
As with any creation, some artistic imagination is required if it's going to have aesthetic appeal, but as I've noted previously, I reckon it's just the sheer paucity of catamaran designs, which has prevented many eye-popping lookers from emerging. There's still time to put that right...
As with any creation, some artistic imagination is required if it's going to have aesthetic appeal, but as I've noted previously, I reckon it's just the sheer paucity of catamaran designs, which has prevented many eye-popping lookers from emerging. There's still time to put that right...
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
'Beauty' in boats often seems to be how closely it resembles a 1930's classic.
Do you regard this as ugly:
Because it doesn't look like this?
As far as cats are concerned, the problem is the relationship between standing headroom on the bridgedeck and the overall size. Once you get beyond 50 ft it's no problem but for smaller boats you have a choice of doing without:
fudging it with low headroom and an immersed footwell
Sticking with sitting headroom
Or putting up with the snide comments while you enjoy the comfort.
Do you regard this as ugly:
Because it doesn't look like this?
As far as cats are concerned, the problem is the relationship between standing headroom on the bridgedeck and the overall size. Once you get beyond 50 ft it's no problem but for smaller boats you have a choice of doing without:
fudging it with low headroom and an immersed footwell
Sticking with sitting headroom
Or putting up with the snide comments while you enjoy the comfort.
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
'Beauty' in boats often seems to be how closely it resembles a 1930's classic.
Do you regard this as ugly:
Because it doesn't look like this?
No, I just think it looks ugly full stop. The Jag doesn't really do it for me either. But then, I have one of these (with a white roof)
opinion on which divide the sophisticated from the savages very clearly.
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