With apologies to......

[NautiG]

Bardo,

Like any boat, a catamaran is a series of compromises. I think if you had more time aboard one, you would discover the pleasures of sailing one. That said, I do occasionally miss putting the rail in the water and beating into the wind.

Maybe when I get home I'll get a dinghy or day sailer that I can get my thrills on. But for cruising the ICW, I wouldn't trade my cat.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision
Captain's Blog

[sailingdog]

You go chuckles...

A trimaran is either the best of both worlds or the worst of both... It heels more than a Catamaran does, but less than a Monohull. It moves faster than a cat most of the time, but has far less space... it can generally tack and point better than most monohulls... but doesn't punch through heavy chop like a leadmine does.

[Alden68]

Having done no research on cats prior to my BVI trip (Feb '08), I was expecting hair ripping, eye watering speed. Huh??? Well I researched the cats after the trip and found that many cruising cats suffer from poor hull design coupled with poor load carrying capacity (we had 8 people on board with enough gear to colonize Mars) and you get the equivilant of a garbage barge. Very unsatifying performance and the helm felt like a 1973 Chevy Impala wagon....no feedback whatso ever. BTW we were on a brand new Lagoon 42 hybrid.

However, given the lack of performance, I just can't imagine a better platform to coastal cruise from. Tons of room, minimal draft, the drinks don't slide around, no rocking at anchor, wonderful berths, great views, etc. We went with 2 boats and would often get all 16 people together for cocktail hour. The cat literally swallowed everyone up with room to spare.

I would imagine, now that I am back in the NorthEast, a well designed cat with just a couple (nice and light) could be a fast boat with all the above pluses. But you do miss the "sailing" sensation and god are they ugly. There is nothing nautical or "shippy" about a cat.

Plus, a lot of yards here invoice winter storage on a square foot basis....yikes!!!! And then there are 2 motors to contend with. However, the redundancy of the other motor, as well as the other inherent safety features seem to appeal to my "family safety" side.

Who knows....if they ever come down in price and someone makes one reasonably attractive I could see owning a well designed one....if only to keep the Admiral's knuckles a more natural rosey color

[chucklesR]

Alden,

Step this way and let me whisper the name Gemini at you.
Performance Cruising Inc. - The Official Gemini 105MC and Telstar 28 Web
at 34.5 x 14 and 9600 pounds I've had it at 10.3 kts close reached in 18kts of wind. Single diesel engine, heels between 5 and 10 degrees so you get some of the 'feeling'. Starts at 155k. Used, well equipped 5 year olds run about 140k.

Come to the dark side...

[Bardo]

My God, the Admiral is 38X23! And why on earth can I point higher with the headsail DOWN? I nearly cried when this pilothouse ketch started from the same point we did (Peter Island) and was heading to the Baths, just as we were. In an hour, he was abeam of the Baths, maybe half a mile out, while I was on my way to Beef Island trying like hell to point anywhere near East. I know that that was substandard even for a tub like this. But oh how I hated that cat while that beauty of a ketch went like a bat out of hell close hauled!

[sailingdog]

The boat will point higher since the headsail isn't blowing the bow down.

Originally Posted by Bardo

My God, the Admiral is 38X23! And why on earth can I point higher with the headsail DOWN? I nearly cried when this pilothouse ketch started from the same point we did (Peter Island) and was heading to the Baths, just as we were. In an hour, he was abeam of the Baths, maybe half a mile out, while I was on my way to Beef Island trying like hell to point anywhere near East. I know that that was substandard even for a tub like this. But oh how I hated that cat while that beauty of a ketch went like a bat out of hell close hauled!

[speciald]

Over 80 boats left Marigo and entered the Simpson Bay Lagoon thru the French side bridge on one afternoon in St.Martin. I had family on board - not great sailors. We sent most of last week in Oyster Bay. SunSail did not allow their charterers to leave after Tuesday.

[sailaway21]

"Beauty fades with age. Ugly holds it's own."

[bobwebster]

Originally Posted by Bardo

We chartered an Admiral 38, which did the trick as far as berthing, eating and hanging out is concerned, just fine. But as far as sailing qualities are concerned, I was deeply disappointed.

I think the Admiral 38 is not exactly a high performance boat. Try a Catana if you have the chance. They're not racers, but they perform very well.

[Stillraining]

THAT WAS ME!!


Well there for a minute I was dreaming it was anyway...

Originally Posted by Bardo

My God, the Admiral is 38X23! And why on earth can I point higher with the headsail DOWN? I nearly cried when this pilothouse ketch started from the same point we did (Peter Island) and was heading to the Baths, just as we were. In an hour, he was abeam of the Baths, maybe half a mile out, while I was on my way to Beef Island trying like hell to point anywhere near East. I know that that was substandard even for a tub like this. But oh how I hated that cat while that beauty of a ketch went like a bat out of hell close hauled!