Upgrading/outfitting mono vs. multi?

[utchuckd]

The last week or so I've been looking at the mono/multi debate. I'm really liking the idea of cruising in a cat right now (my plans don't really extend past Florida and the Caribbean). So far the concensus seems to be buy a boat, and keep 20% of purchase price for fixes/upgrades/getting it the way you want it. Assuming roughly the same age/condition:

Is that true for all boats, mono's and multi's?
How different is working on a mono vs. a multi?
Do they both face the same issues and needs (and possible problems) as they get older?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by utchuckd

The last week or so I've been looking at the mono/multi debate. I'm really liking the idea of cruising in a cat right now (my plans don't really extend past Florida and the Caribbean). So far the concensus seems to be buy a boat, and keep 20% of purchase price for fixes/upgrades/getting it the way you want it. Assuming roughly the same age/condition:

Is that true for all boats, mono's and multi's?

Yes, that rule of thumb is a pretty good one regardless of the type of boat in question.

How different is working on a mono vs. a multi?

Most of the systems are the same. Major differences are due to the differences in design. Some catamarans have two engines or a single engine and a sailleg, or in rare cases a single engine with two hydraulic drive units... but most everything you deal with on a sailboat applies to either monohulls or multihulls.

Obviously, some things, like keelbolts won't be an issue on a multihull. But the electrical, plumbing, engine systems, rigging, etc, to a point are going to be very similar.

Do they both face the same issues and needs (and possible problems) as they get older?

There may be some issues that will vary. Keelbolts are not generally an issue on multihulls. However, crossbeams aren't generally an issue on monohulls. Either are folding akas, and so on. However, all the other things will be similar if not nearly identical.

This is coming from someone who has sailed and worked on both multihulls and monohulls for a long time.