Centre cockpit ketch

[bg9208]

I think that with the Amel Maruma and the Colvic Victor that I may have found my short list for what I will buy but would appreciate some feedback from owners, admirers etc or ideas of other similar centre cockpit ketches which should be considered.

TIA

[camaraderie]

BG...I have a CC ketch and in a larger boat I think the ketch rig makes a lot of sense for cruising and a short handed crew. I am not familiar with the Colvic Victors but the Amel Maramu's have a great reputation for build quality and sea-worthiness. They are not to everyone's taste in terms of style or arrangements, but will get you where you are going.
I looked at a Colvic 40 ketch listing and I must say that it looks like a floating condo and designed for light duty. Yet other Colvics look much better. What SIZE boat range are you looking at and what price range? Ketches only?

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

BG...I have a CC ketch and in a larger boat I think the ketch rig makes a lot of sense for cruising and a short handed crew. I am not familiar with the Colvic Victors but the Amel Maramu's have a great reputation for build quality and sea-worthiness. They are not to everyone's taste in terms of style or arrangements, but will get you where you are going.
I looked at a Colvic 40 ketch listing and I must say that it looks like a floating condo and designed for light duty. Yet other Colvics look much better. What SIZE boat range are you looking at and what price range? Ketches only?

... and for ICW sailing as they are typically shorted masted and larger boats will fit under the bridges.

Cam, do you actually find it easier to sail a Ketch rig short handed? I have never sailed a Ketch, but it would seem more difficult to handle yet another group of sail.

Just curious.

- CD

[camaraderie]

CD...while the added mast and lines etc. add complication...the mizzen sail once raised is pretty much self tending and so you just sail as you would with a sloop. Assuming you have a decent way to furl or reef the sail without much ado...sailing a ketch is easy.
While there are other advantages to a ketch...the big advantage on a larger boat in handling is that the size of the main is reduced and it is easier to raise and reef and tack. This is a big issue on a large boat...and something you don't even think about on most <40' boats.
We were shopping for sloops when we found Camaraderie and I had never sailed a ketch before. You do lose a bit of performance to windward but otherwise I think there are lots of advantages for a big boat. I don't see much reason for them (or yawls) on boats under 40'.
Finally...you don't have to sail it as a ketch unless conditions are right. So there is no added complication until and unless you want it.