Sailing Dog and Mulit hull owners need advice buying blue water cat.

johnnymac · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Hi there folks,iam looking to buy a muilti hull. I was hell bent on a mono hull up till 1 month ok, but the interior size and stability and draft is a winner for me.So iam looking to buy a used 40/42,i don't want a coastal cruiser Here is John Neals list of cats for blue water. Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction I tried to attach just the cat section but no go sorry its at the bottom of the page.My budget is around 200 to 220 so i will be looking at older cats.i wil be living aboard for many years with my girl in the Med and Caribbean and eventually circumnavigation Tahiti ect.The Catana 41/44 is a nice cat 1996/1988 the dagger boards are nice for heavy weather and speed.and the Fountaine pajot 40/42 are nice looking and cheap although they will be x charter??? iam not sure about blue water though.I know there will be a trade of as i will be living aboard and need space but still looking for a cat to be safe of shore.I haved worked on many boats and iam prepared to put it on the hard for a month or so and work on it, engines, top sides, rigging, rudders ect.Your input would be great as you folks have them and know the in's and out's,and the difference between coastal and of shore cats.
thanks. johnny

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Here's the list for all:

imagine2frolic · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Depends on where you want to buy the boat? This list isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Pun intended, because downunder are tons of cats that may appeal to you.

Imagine was built in Berlin, and I found her in St. Maarten. I at the time lived in S.F. Ca. She was only 3 years old, and within the month she was mine. So I started my cruising in the Caribbean...how sweet is that?.......i2f

Cruisingdad · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Depends on where you want to buy the boat? This list isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Pun intended, because downunder are tons of cats that may appeal to you.

Imagine was built in Berlin, and I found her in St. Maarten. I at the time lived in S.F. Ca. She was only 3 years old, and within the month she was mine. So I started my cruising in the Caribbean...how sweet is that?.......i2f

Wait... you tellin' me that big red thing floats!?? HEHE!

- CD

pdqaltair · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymac

Hi there folks,iam looking to buy a muilti hull. I was hell bent on a mono hull up till 1 month ok, but the interior size and stability and draft is a winner for me.So iam looking to buy a used 40/42,i don't want a coastal cruiser Here is John Neals list of cats for blue water. Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction I tried to attach just the cat section but no go sorry its at the bottom of the page.My budget is around 200 to 220 so i will be looking at older cats.i wil be living aboard for many years with my girl in the Med and Caribbean and eventually circumnavigation Tahiti ect.The Catana 41/44 is a nice cat 1996/1988 the dagger boards are nice for heavy weather and speed.and the Fountaine pajot 40/42 are nice looking and cheap although they will be x charter??? iam not sure about blue water though.I know there will be a trade of as i will be living aboard and need space but still looking for a cat to be safe of shore.I haved worked on many boats and iam prepared to put it on the hard for a month or so and work on it, engines, top sides, rigging, rudders ect.Your input would be great as you folks have them and know the in's and out's,and the difference between coastal and of shore cats.
thanks. johnny

I think a charter and some day sailing aboard cats would be your best first step. Some of it should be in rough water.

imagine2frolic · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

CD,

Only when I am not aground, or on the hard!

pdq,

I went from a 30ft. mono to my 46ft cat. My only experience on a cat was taking a ride on S.F. Bay. IMHO I think if you already have good sailing skills making the jump is just common sense, and a little homework.....i2f

johnnymac · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

I think a charter and some day sailing aboard cats would be your best first step. Some of it should be in rough water.

I haved sailed the cat years ago in rough water i know whats up.i want to buy one thats it.

pdqaltair · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymac

I haved sailed the cat years ago in rough water i know whats up.i want to buy one thats it.

That could be taken as an insult and I did not mean that at all. I meant they are different: different motion, different maneuvering, different use of space, and different in heavy weather. Just different, and some monohull sailors simply do not like them. I do.

No insult intended.

johnnymac · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

PDQ,
No insult taken, what your saying is right,although i know i want a cat/opposed to a mono hull.The PDQ is a fine cat but out of my price range.
cheer's johnny

thesnort · #10 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009

Kanter's book, "Cruising Catamarans Communique" is a good resource for what's out there. I listened to Kanter's talk when he was out in Oakland, CA back in April for the Strictly Sail show and he spoke highly of the old Sailcraft catamarans (i.e. Commanche, Iroquois, Apache, etc...) for an inexpensive entry into catamarans.
The best thing to do is to go out and look at what's available in your area. You'll soon detect things you like and things you don't like about different catamarans, and differing build quality and finishing are also apparent to the discerning eye.
I think tank volume (water, gas or diesel, and holding) are important considerations for crossing oceans. That said, there are people crossing oceans on almost every sort of production catamaran.