After much thought...need more advice.

[JB83]

Hi all,

Thank you all for you advice regarding my first post "Help us set sail". After much consideration, I have stumbled upon another consideration....what would be the drawbacks from a Fountaine Pajot 36 or 41....I really like them and have two ( one of each) that I am currently getting information on, but I wanted everyone's advice in opposition for the monohulls we have discussed. I await your comments.

[Faster]

I'm late to your discussions, but just read your original thread and all the great advice you got there.... FWIW we've done over a thousand miles in the Eastern Caribbean on a smallish (36.7) Beneteau and it's been great - but this is short hop island hopping and apart for some localized squalls and large seas that's not a "difficult nor extended passage" situation.

If your plans include the Bahamas then the shoal draft of a catamaran is going to be an obvious advantage. Also the general layout of these boats, esp if intended for charter, provides the closest thing to real privacy on a boat under 60 ft with the similar cabins at the '4 corners'.

I'm not sure how these cats compare to newer monohulls in storage capacity - sorely lacking these days compared to older designs - so that's something to look into, and once 'loaded' these multis won't necessarily retain the expected speed advantage over quick-ish monohulls, esp on typical reaching legs between islands.

It would be interesting to hear of anecdotal experience with the cats in the possibly boisterous Gulf Stream on a bad day.. and how they behave compared to a good mono.

Stateside is where the big cats run into some issues, primarily finding moorage. Unless things are changing lately most marinas are not set up for the extra beam, certainly in our area (PNW) moorage is very problematic for these boats. Of course there's always the anchoring off possibility.

btw I commend your plans and intentions, I think your children will thank you for it as they grow up. You obviously have the experience and where-with-all to pull this off if anyone can.

[TQA]

There is a great deal in favour of a cat for liveaboard crusing esp. if you plan to live on the hook as much as possible and so avoid the inflated fees the marinas charge cats.

Lots of room, stable platform on passage and at anchor even if there is some swell.

Downside is mainly cost related two engines to service etc.

Go for the biggest cat you can afford. I talk to lots of people and I know at least 3 on sub 40 foot cats who are moving to 45 or longer as they sail MUCH better esp. when loaded up.