Moving to a catamaran (Prout ?)

[KellysEye]

>Suggest you look at more than a Prout. They were never built as sailing boats.

That would be why we saw some in the Caribbean having crossed the Atlantic.

 

[Neeves]

And we even have some in Australia.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well my coffee pot has never gone over no matter how much we heel .
Maybe it as some thing with the super glue we use .

 

[cueball]

I used to have a performance cruiser, now made switch to a cat (prout) love it for all the reasons you mention, fast, easy to single hand, pm me If you have any specific questions or would like to experience a sail.

 

[pragmatist]

Thank you to all of you who have posted so far - please do keep them coming. It is a subject HWMBO and I have discussed endlessly over the past few years and lately it has become almost the sole topic of conversation ! It is great to hear from cat sailors especially that they do go to windward. Especial thanks to the all - will definitely pm you. Be prepared for a raft of questions !

We hope to cruise the UK and maybe even European waters. More later when this SWMO has made lunch ?

 

[FalMince]

Even at 40 feet, some are beauties:

:encouragement:

Richard

Can I ask what make and model she is?

 

[RichardS]

Can I ask what make and model she is?

She's a Leopard 40/Moorings 4000 built by Robertson and Caine in Capetown. Designed as cruising cat so not the fastest but not the slowest .... but what she does have is a lot of room for people and their stuff in comfort. 4 double berths and 2 singles, 2 full size heads and 2 separate shower cubicles with full height glass doors .... a similar size cubicle as a home shower. This needs a lot of water, of course, hence the 2 x 400 litre tanks .... but you still need to economise on longer passages.

Richard

 

[pragmatist]

I used to have a performance cruiser, now made switch to a cat (prout) love it for all the reasons you mention, fast, easy to single hand, pm me If you have any specific questions or would like to experience a sail.

Many thanks cueball - sorry about delay - my tablet decided to die on me but now back in office ! PM sent. Penny

 

[Tomahawk]

She's a Leopard 40/Moorings 4000 built by Robertson and Caine in Capetown. Designed as cruising cat so not the fastest but not the slowest .... but what she does have is a lot of room for people and their stuff in comfort. 4 double berths and 2 singles, 2 full size heads and 2 separate shower cubicles with full height glass doors .... a similar size cubicle as a home shower. This needs a lot of water, of course, hence the 2 x 400 litre tanks .... but you still need to economise on longer passages.

Richard

So she is 40 ft. QED.

At 30 ft they look like bricks or you have to compromise on issues like having a level cabin with a galley up top.

 

[boatmike]

Thank you to all of you who have posted so far - please do keep them coming. It is a subject HWMBO and I have discussed endlessly over the past few years and lately it has become almost the sole topic of conversation ! It is great to hear from cat sailors especially that they do go to windward. Especial thanks to the all - will definitely pm you. Be prepared for a raft of questions !

We hope to cruise the UK and maybe even European waters. More later when this SWMO has made lunch ��

This question comes up regularly and attracts a lot of comments, some sensible, some prejudiced and some outright daft. You need to start from the basis that there is no perfect boat. There are pros and cons of just about every make and type of boat there is. As you mention Prouts especially I think I an qualified to give you my opinions based on experience.
1. They are CRUISING boats, not racers. There are other cats out there that go faster, slam less in a big sea and go to windward closer. There are very few that can be purchased for the price of an older snowgoose or event. So the first comment would be, for a cruising cat on a budget they are excellent value.
2. They will generally go to windward as well as the average bilge keeler. Fin keeled boats will sail closer to the wind without a doubt.
3. They are extremely safe boats to sail and many have crossed oceans where trade wind sailing is generally downwind anyway. Under these conditions they are comfortable, and easy to sail. With the wind on the nose most cruising boats resort to engine anyway....
4. As an English channel cruiser, they offer superb accommodation and comfort but beware of marinas that will charge you a premium. This is offset by the fact that you can "park" at anchor close inshore for free loads of places where the absence of roll makes it a delight to be there rather than on a monohull.
5. You need to recognise that weight is an issue with any cat. If you load her up with stores and cruising gear like a monohull you are likely to get a severe loss of performance. This will be more of an issue with an Event than a Snowgoose but both will suffer if you overdo it.
6. If you find one with twin engines, snap it up. They are a rarity in older boats but the handling is no comparison. The rather agricultural Sillette leg fitted on most needs a lot of attention and probably the worst aspect of owning one. Having said that if you look after them they work ok and come (almost) clear of the water when sailing which helps performance.

in summary, a lot of boat for the money and great to own.

 

[pragmatist]

This question comes up regularly and attracts a lot of comments, some sensible, some prejudiced and some outright daft. You need to start from the basis that there is no perfect boat. There are pros and cons of just about every make and type of boat there is. As you mention Prouts especially I think I an qualified to give you my opinions based on experience.
1. They are CRUISING boats, not racers. There are other cats out there that go faster, slam less in a big sea and go to windward closer. There are very few that can be purchased for the price of an older snowgoose or event. So the first comment would be, for a cruising cat on a budget they are excellent value.
2. They will generally go to windward as well as the average bilge keeler. Fin keeled boats will sail closer to the wind without a doubt.
3. They are extremely safe boats to sail and many have crossed oceans where trade wind sailing is generally downwind anyway. Under these conditions they are comfortable, and easy to sail. With the wind on the nose most cruising boats resort to engine anyway....
4. As an English channel cruiser, they offer superb accommodation and comfort but beware of marinas that will charge you a premium. This is offset by the fact that you can "park" at anchor close inshore for free loads of places where the absence of roll makes it a delight to be there rather than on a monohull.
5. You need to recognise that weight is an issue with any cat. If you load her up with stores and cruising gear like a monohull you are likely to get a severe loss of performance. This will be more of an issue with an Event than a Snowgoose but both will suffer if you overdo it.
6. If you find one with twin engines, snap it up. They are a rarity in older boats but the handling is no comparison. The rather agricultural Sillette leg fitted on most needs a lot of attention and probably the worst aspect of owning one. Having said that if you look after them they work ok and come (almost) clear of the water when sailing which helps performance.

in summary, a lot of boat for the money and great to own.

Thank you for your detailed reply boatmike. We aren't looking for a racer though our current and last boat originally did well as cruiser/racers (Rival 41 and Sadler 29) but a cruiser with a deck saloon which still sails. We both enjoy the "put your shoulder down and fling the spray about" but recognise that it is only comfortable for a while, these days ! Interested in your comment on twin engines. This seems to be a perennial discussion point. Interestingly the original Elite brochures recommend the single engine - most people posting seem to prefer twin engines. Given the issue of weight in the ends, how do twin engines affect the sailing performance (and of course the inability to lift them out of the water) ?

Penny

 

[boatmike]

Thank you for your detailed reply boatmike. We aren't looking for a racer though our current and last boat originally did well as cruiser/racers (Rival 41 and Sadler 29) but a cruiser with a deck saloon which still sails. We both enjoy the "put your shoulder down and fling the spray about" but recognise that it is only comfortable for a while, these days ! Interested in your comment on twin engines. This seems to be a perennial discussion point. Interestingly the original Elite brochures recommend the single engine - most people posting seem to prefer twin engines. Given the issue of weight in the ends, how do twin engines affect the sailing performance (and of course the inability to lift them out of the water) ?

Penny

Sailing performance should not be an issue Penny. You dont need more than 40 HP absolute max and 2 20 HP saildrives are only marginally heavier than 1 40HP (talking snowgoose, less for Event) they are also mounted further forward which helps. Props are important but good quality folding props (not the monster duck bill things) are very efficient and don't restrict sailing performance. If you see a really good boat with a sillette leg don't walk away though. But examine it very closely for condition. If its an early one it has straight bevel gears and is very noisy. Later ones are spiral bevels and a bit quieter. Its still a bit like being followed by a tractor though....