Catamarans?

[RicknKarin]

My wife and I plan to cruise fulltime in 2011. There seem to be few cruisers on catamarans. Why not?

If you are cruising on a cat, let us all know what works or doesn't work. Also, makes and models and their benefits/deficiencies.

[Chuteman]

RnK:
Based on magazine reading & the internet, I would say that there has been a big shift in the last 5 years toward cruising with CATs.
Here are a few links if you have not sampled yet = this will answer all your Make/Model questions:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f48/

Not sending for the ad but the technical info & buying hints may help
http://www.bayacht.com/goodbad.htm#1.%20HOW%20FAST

Not sure what brand / model, you are considering but here are a few Cats sailing the world, each in their own way:
http://www.hackingfamily.com/

http://www.indigomoon.us/index.html

http://www.maxingout.com/index.htm

http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/corbetl/index.htm

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pages/2003/2003_10.html

http://www.tendervittles.net/

You will have plenty of Cat company especially if the current trends continue.
The mono vs cat debates can be lively & fun until a few extra excited Cat folk start looking down their nose................different strokes..........Enjoy

[Chuteman]

RnK:
If You have not started already, You can now "test drive" many Cats these days via chartering.
The charter fleets continue to add more & more Cats as the craze continues to explode.
So as You start sorting thru brands & sizes, you can take one for a week or two to see how it really feels. (if you have not done so already)
The boat shows (mainly east coast) - Annapolis & Miami are probably the best for Cat shopping will display many & even have test sails for interested clients before and/or after the show.
But there is nothing like chartering / living on one plus sailing in open water with one...........then you will get a sense of what your new home will be like in motion.
Good Luck.........that's what I call fun shopping

[RicknKarin]

We did charter a Lagoon 44 in the BVI's last June, and we are thinking it is way too much boat for the two of us. Also, the "flybridge" arrangement was fine for a charter with 9 people, but seemed like a bad idea for two people in a variety of weather conditions. Don't get me wrong, we have no intention of being in gale conditions in high latitudes (I know, we are wimps), but not every day at sea will be perfect.

Thanks for your replys, I'm still going thru everything. You're right, this is fun shopping.

[Chuteman]

RnK:
L440 - Cool boat for BVI with a crowd but You are right about long distance cruise.
I chartered a Lagoon 380 earlier this year in Antigua (just 2 of us) to see how it would handle open waters. The indigo moon link I gave You is for a great couple on a L380 that have been out for a couple of years full time cruising

I've also done a Belize 43 in Belize, sailed on a Gemini 105 locally & have been on a Bahia 46 a couple of times as a guest............other than that it has been all monohulls. Sure You have noticed the trend toward bigger & bigger boats of all types but there's lots of wisdom to buck the trend & find the one that fits you just right.

The Cruisersforum will cover a cross section of Cat sizes......and there are lots of couples out there too.

Here's another resource (if you have not seen yet) and a fun "dream machine"
Just hit the right criteria (play awhile) & it will show you what's out there
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/advancedSearch.jsp

I did a quick search = Sail, Multihull from 35-40', 1995-2007 and got 270+ results
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp?cit=true&slim=quick&ybw=&sm=3&Ntk=boatsEN&Ntt=&is=&type=%28Sail%29+Multi-hull&man=&hmid=0&ftid=0&enid=0&fromLength=35&toLength=40&luom=126&fromYear=1995&toYear=2007&fromPrice=&toPrice=&currencyid=100&city=&pbsint=&boatsAddedSelected=-1

Enjoy the shopping Fun

[Chuteman]

Here's the latest book written by well known CAT guru............you can find earlier ones that are helpful too but this is the latest & greatest.

http://www.sailcopress.com/cruising_Communique.htm

OK, that's it............Off You Go :cool:

[dadelo]

I read your posting about the flybridge on the Lagoon 440 and you are correct that cruising with a large group in beautiful weather it is ideal (great visibility). We initially thought it would be lonely for the skipper (me) on the flybridge while the rest of the crew enjoyed the rest of the yacht, but in reality, everyone enjoys hanging out up there.

I would agree that in rough conditions it is not the place to be. If you are serious about making passages on a Lagoon 440 consider one with a secondary set of throttle controls, steering, and autopilot in the galley at the nav station (our Lagoon 440 Catatonic is equipped like this) since is a much better set up for distance sailing. You won't find the charter bareboats equipped this way, but feel free to test out this setup on our Lagoon 440 Catatonic.

Dirk
http://www.coolcatcharters.com

[maranta]

My wife and I plan to cruise fulltime in 2011. There seem to be few cruisers on catamarans. Why not?

If you are cruising on a cat, let us all know what works or doesn't work. Also, makes and models and their benefits/deficiencies.

Caution with Lagoon 380 equipped with VOLVO D1-30. Some boats experience troubles with theirs engines. The constructor can't find any solution for 1 year. What a pity, it's a good boat for two people. My boat is concerned only by the port engine.

[Chuteman]

The L380 we were on had Yanmar engines...........which seem to have a good track record overall. You will be able to drill down on scan engines on many of the big forums to help with your boat search

Volvo is also known for expensive parts

[RicknKarin]

We actually have been in contact with a charter company to discuss buying a boat and putting it in their charter fleet, and taking full time possesion later.

Anybody have any experience with doing this, and can comment on the pros/cons?

I recognize there will still be things we will wish to outfit differently before we begin cruising, but the financial numbers look interesting.

BTW, Yanmar engines.

[Chuteman]

RnK:
Have considered that option but passed for preference reasons.

Moorings/Sunsail are more like a timeshare than ownership given their structure but You can take the boat away at the end.

TMM was attractive due to their size & key people. I like the flexibility offered for owner's use.

Just depends on your needs, boat selection, cruising / vacation plans, tradeoffs with boat in charter.

But certainly an option to consider.
S

[jay johnson]

Rather than buy a new boat and put into charter, why not buy one coming out of charter? Many if not most of the boats are really beat at the end of their 5 year charter life. As a matter of fact, Moorings ans Sunsail have lower prices for boats that are over three years old. Don't take the chance that YOUR boat is the beater, let someone elso take the chance and you can have your pick of the ones coming out of charter. The owners are really motivated because they almost never want to own them and they are making payments, paying for insurance and dockage and someone to maintain them. They want to sell them and there are many of the exact same boats for sale.

[Arni]

I have lived aboard my Manta 42 for three years, and we have cruised from the East coast of the USA to Australia so far. We are a family of four. Look at our web site www.camarni.com to see something of our voyage.
I can tell you that there are LOTS of catamarans ocean cruising, but they are not the same boats you see in charter areas.
We will be leaving here in May, and heading for Japan via New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands and Guam. All our monohull friends are envious of us in cats. We are also faster, and get the best anchorages. If you want to see what the speed thing is, go to the Gunboat web site, look at the gallery, and play the only video there, you'll get the point!

[mustang sally]

We had a Catalina 42 and sailed it to the Caribbean. Now on a Voyage 44 catamaran. Love the speed, inside room and stability when anchored. We will never go back to a monohull.

[tdreffin]

After having owned and cruised extendedly for 30 years on three monohulls of all available material, my husband and I just completed a world circumnavigation (yachtscud.com) with our teen sons on a 44' St. Francis catamaran. We'd never go back to a monohull. It's a delight to live a comfortable life while under sail, completing homeschooling, crafts, and projects.

[falcon rider]

I have lived aboard my Manta 42 for three years, and we have cruised from the East coast of the USA to Australia so far. We are a family of four. Look at our web site www.camarni.com to see something of our voyage.
I can tell you that there are LOTS of catamarans ocean cruising, but they are not the same boats you see in charter areas.
We will be leaving here in May, and heading for Japan via New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands and Guam. All our monohull friends are envious of us in cats. We are also faster, and get the best anchorages. If you want to see what the speed thing is, go to the Gunboat web site, look at the gallery, and play the only video there, you'll get the point!
Arni,
I am a nubi researching the catamarans cruising life. Mantas keep coming up in my search for a good cruiser. What has been your experience? Did you buy new or used? What did the boat need and didn't have for serious cruising? Any experience with the manufacturer?
What king of budget is needed for maintenance / upkeep? What kind of personal budget can one expect when cruising modest lifestyle??
Look forward to hearing from you.
Falcon Rider.

[Catatude]

Have a look at the Knysna 440/480 built in South Africa where we have to contend with notoriously rough seas. Exceptionally well built and the added bonus of customization (to a degree). The after sales service is excellent and with our weaker currency, the price is a steal if paying in USD.

see http://knysnayachtco.com or contact the factory directly via kevin@knysnayachtco.com.

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[fluidadventures]

My wife and I plan to cruise fulltime in 2011. There seem to be few cruisers on catamarans. Why not?

If you are cruising on a cat, let us all know what works or doesn't work. Also, makes and models and their benefits/deficiencies.

Hey Rick and Karin,
if your interested in getting some off shore blue water experience on a Catamaran to help you decide on a Cat, we have a 12 week trip planned May 2010....
contact us if your interested
www.247sailing.net
Pirate and the Angel