Small Liveaboard Cat search - Page 3

LookingForCruiser · #21 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009

I think I saw you posting on the Iroquois mailing lists... living aboard an Iroquois would be a challenge. More of a weekender kind of boat in my opinion. Some guy did circumnavigate though, and occasionally people cross the Atlantic in them.

It's very confined. You have to stoop over in the salon, it's about 4 and a half feet tall. Not sure how you'd do a separate shower, if that's what you're asking, really isn't much room for that. There's also not much tankage (water, holding, or fuel) in the boat, you'd have to add all that. And that of course adds a lot of weight, and starts to destroy your sailing performance...

Don't get me wrong, I do like the boat. I wouldn't consider it for liveaboard though.

sailingdog · #22 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009

Not familiar with the Prout Ranger series. They weren't very common on this side of the pond. Their Snowgooses are fairly common over here, but not the Ranger. I have been on the Snowgoose, and do like it...but it's a bit bigger than the Ranger.

LookingforCruiser's points about the salon headroom in the Iroquois is a good one, but again it really depends on what your priorities are.

djeeke · #23 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

LookingforCruiser's points about the salon headroom in the Iroquois is a good one, but again it really depends on what your priorities are.

I agree salon headroom might be a showstopper, we'll know more once I visited one with my mrs...
Not sure the Ranger has standing headroom either, I guess we'll plan to go and see that as well in a while... (unless it's sold in the mean time...)

djeeke · #24 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009

What about the first series Gemini Catamarans?
Some are some within my budget...
These do have standing headroom I believe but then also a solid foredeck, is this very negative on this boat as I read they still perform quite well...
As usual all feedback is welcome

sailingdog · #25 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009

Djeeke—

The major differences between the 3000 series of Geminis and the 105 series of Geminis is the hull shape IIRC. IIRC, the change in the hull shape shifted the center of buoyancy for the hull outboard a slight bit, making the boat more capsize resistant. The solid foredeck is slightly more prone to slamming, but that is just because it is a solid foredeck.

twisty2 · #26 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by djeeke

What about the first series Gemini Catamarans?
Some are some within my budget...
These do have standing headroom I believe but then also a solid foredeck, is this very negative on this boat as I read they still perform quite well...
As usual all feedback is welcome

The one thing that is making me hesitant from grabbing up a gemini is that you have to look through the cabin to see forward. I'm short and I have been told the plexi eventually weathers making it even more difficult to see.

twinsdad · #27 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009

We took a look at the Gemini and thought the same thing. Had a tough time with the visibility, and the cockpit area felt a little cramped. My daughter felt the inside was also a little cramped. Also didn't have the feeling of sailing. Several people advised me against it, suggesting they don't last as long as other boats. I can't tell you whether that is accurate or not. However, there were also a lot of positives, starting with the price. I thought the stateroom was very comfortable and my wife loved the refrigerator/freezer. The relatively narrow beam is also a plus for slips. I also have to say that the people at Performance were very nice.

We opted to go with the Seawind 1000XL. The biggest drawback is price. Stateroom is not as nice as the Gemini, and the wider beam will prove more difficult obtaining slips and having choices of boat yards for maintenance and winter storage. Nonetheless, we felt it had some key advantages. Seems to be built better, very open feel in combined cockpit/salon, and forward hatches can be open in salon providing more of a sailing feel. The visibility was substantially better than for the Gemini. For a dedicated monohull sailor, it was a very fun sail. Love the idea of sleeping in the salon, making up for the lesser stateroom. The built in BBQ is a nifty feature, especially since we are usually on a mooring. Most importantly, it met with my wife's and kids' approval!!!

MSter · #28 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009

Take a look at the Victory 35. Although I have never seen one personally, they seem to be well designed and have a wider beam than the Gemini. They seem to have a good reputation and owner reviews. Although, I am not overly excited about the aux power setup as it employs a single, steerable, Sonic Cat Leg Drive.

These "cats" seem to be quite elusive even when just looking for internet pics. I am not sure how that would translate into support but I am sure there are owner groups.

Here's one I found for comparison: Sail Boat in Herrington Harbour North Yacht Yard, Maryland - 2001, Victory, 35 - Used Boats - Boat Classifieds - Buy a Boat - Sell a Boat

djeeke · #29 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSter

Take a look at the Victory 35.

Thanks for the hint but any 35 ft will probably be over my budget

30/32 ft might match my budget but no recent build either...

therapy23 · #30 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSter

These "cats" seem to be quite elusive even when just looking for internet pics. I am not sure how that would translate into support but I am sure there are owner groups.

Here's one I found for comparison: Sail Boat in Herrington Harbour North Yacht Yard, Maryland - 2001, Victory, 35 - Used Boats - Boat Classifieds - Buy a Boat - Sell a Boat

I have some pics of one I took for someone in Colorado to save him the first trip.
Don't know if the boat is still for sale though.