Absolutely confused

[Schmacko]

Hello....and I should start off by saying that this forum is the best resource I have found so far for answering all those nagging questions I have about sailing in general.
But my real dilema is that I have been looking for a catamaran for both local sailing, overnighting and general cruising and I had narrowed it down to a Fountaine Venezia that is until a Lagoon 410 presented itself....this threw the fairly simple brain into confusion.....so if I may can I ask the catamaran members to pass an opinion based on the following;

Location South Australia
Mission To sail open gulf waters and ultimately the South Pacific
Crew Generally short handed
Accom Minimum 3 double cabins with 2 heads/showers
Stability Catamaran only
Weather Not that bad really
Experience Enough to know that there is a lot to learn
Length Preferred 41' to 43'
Budget About 270 ~ 280k US Dollars
DOM No earlier than 1988
Electronics Normal stuff + radar + decent chart plotter + HF + VHF
Maintenance A documented history with recent upgrades
Layout Either 3 or 4 cabin
Battery Good storage facility with either solar or wind recharge
A/C Not required
Condition Want better than average given current economic climate

Can I ask you for your comments based on the above but remember the budget and I would really like to limit the choices to Lagoon & Fountaine.

Best Regards.....Schmacko

[Schmacko]

Sorry the Date of Manufacture should say not before 1998

Thanks

[St Anna]

Dont know the boats - seen a few on the coast. Just want to say good luck with it all.

[imagine2frolic]

You are in the land of catamarans. I would be looking at other boats designed, and built in your country. Many of those will be better sailors too.......i2f

[ozsailer]

Hi Smacko,
while not a catamaran sailer, Sue and I have long term plans to go this way in the future. From what you have written it appears you have quite a budget from my browsing of the Oz brokerage sites. Being in South Oz you may well be protectd in the main ports but when you get out into that Southern Ocean I would want a Cat with some serious blue water credentials. My local barber ( a cat freak ) has just returned from delivering a Lagoon 38 from Vanauato to Bundaberg. We had a good chat over the delivery trip and he was very impressed with the boats handling but dissapointed in its finish for the money you spend. The biggest sea they encounted was 4 metre on a 3 metre swell and they turned around due to the nature and size of the sea and 30 knot plus winds. The boat would have gone on but as they were doing a delivery felt it prudent to turn back towards port which was less the half a day sail.
Personally I am a fan of the Seawinds, they are built in Australia for all Australian conditions. They hold their value and have proven themselves time and time again in all conditions. There is not a report I know of where they pitchpoled, or were rolled. The 1160 and 1200 on the second market fit your budget from what I can see ( I stand corrected if I am mistaken) Dont get me wrong I would have either of the boats you have mentioned but to me its horses for courses.
Regardless of what everyone else says, at the end of the day you and your family have to be satisifed that the boat you buy is the boat for you. Electronics etc are just extras and can be installed or updated at any time. Always remember while you are not buying new you are purchasing dated electronics, motors etc which may have to be relplaced. We looked at an older Robin Chamberlain 45 ft Cat which we just fell in love with. It needed some TLC but at the end of the day the electronics needed replacing as did both motors and what seemed a great buy was just a great money pit.
Not knowing your sailing background have you considered chartering one or either of the cats your looking at to determine which may better suite your needs. While not a cheap alternative it may save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.

Regards
Greg and Sue
Cheiftain 38 Lake Macquarie NSW Oz