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CATAMARAN DESIGN and BRIDEDECK CLEARANCE

22K views 46 replies 18 participants last post by  pdqaltair 
#1 · (Edited)
Open for discussions and opinions

(1) Interested in comments from Catamaran owners re Bridge deck clearance. I have heard reports
about low bridge deck clearance causes Slamming and pounding of significant proportions when sailing to windward. Comments please.

(2) Some designs have .500m clearance others .700m and I notice the latest designs on some are rising to .950m and 1.2m
bridge deck clearance. Comments please.

(3) I have noticed quite a few catamarans stay in port while Monohulls make passage to their next port. When asked why they are staying in port
I,m told waiting for for less wind and a better wind angle. Supposedly this has something to do with Slamming and pounding? Comments please.

(4)Galley preference. Main bridge deck or hull. As a interested cook and have cooked on numerous vessels I ponder the merits in having the galley within the bridge deck. Re heat transfer- Condensation- Moisture- the heat generated from the galley causing condensation on the ceiling, moisture gathering in drapes, upholstery plus smells and vapours, books in library pages being affected and absorbing the moisture. As usually with most modern designs the chart table and electricall main board and electronics are also positioned in main saloon - bridge deck, I wonder the wisdom re this.
I would have thought the galley in the hull would be preferable with higher head room - hatches and extractions fans and more ventilation - thus removal and moisture control would be more efficient, plus providing a larger lounge area in the main saloon. After all the kitchen in most homes is not in the lounge. Plus normally in the tropics if one does not have air conditioning one gathers with chilled drinks in the cockpit area with sea breezes and a view and possibly to be a nosey parker while the cook cooks. Comments please.

Below are some hyperlinks to a new design with increased bridge deck clearance. How ever I,m would have thought for offshore passage and in moderate to heavy seas a clearance around about 1.6m to 1.8m
would be needed to avoid constant bridge deck slamming when going to windward or even slightly cracked
sheets. Comments please.

http://www.schionningdesigns.com.au/1700c

http://www.schionningdesigns.com.au/gforce-1800

http://www.schionningdesigns.com.au/1200

Thanks in anticipation.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~philclarke/flag%20ETIQUETTE.htm--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__________________
"Let the sun shine, let the rain cease, let the lakes and rivers run dry so 2012AD, 2013AD & 2014AD are good vintage years and gold, elite gold medal winning years for N.Z.wines" Now!!

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#3 ·
It's not a function of size, just look at some of the condomarans with 40' loa and 10 inches of clearance.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the absolute minimum bridgedeck clearance you want is 19", from the lowest point of the bridgedeck to the water. This includes any Nacelle (spelling?) hanging down from the bridgedeck.

If you really want to understand this issue go to boatdesign.net and do a forum search, there is lots and lots of data, much of it from NA's and designers (richard woods posts there frequently) and you will get a fuller understanding of the issue.
 
#19 · (Edited)
...If you really want to understand this issue go to boatdesign.net and do a forum search, there is lots and lots of data, much of it from NA's and designers (richard woods posts there frequently) and you will get a fuller understanding of the issue.
For Richard Woods thoughts as well as Terho Halme's catamaran design formulas look here,

Catamaran design

I have to make a comment here. At 20 years old I loved the feel of a tiller in my hand of a boat designed to point as high as possible.

In my 30s I noticed my wife wasn't as appreciative as I was of this point of sail..

In my 40's, I couldn't get a lady on the boat to save my life.

In my 50's I bought a catamaran. The Lady loves it and at 40 lbs heavier than I was in my youth, I am no longer appreciative of beating my brains (and my butt) going to weather either.

So, It depends where you are in life and your point of view (Pun intended)
 
#4 · (Edited)
I don't know enough about the bridge deck issue to comment on specific heights but insufficient height is a major problem from what I do know.

Regarding the interior, I'd favour a downstairs galley. My biggest complaint about catamaran layouts is the restricted seating space in the saloon where much space is taken up by the galley and/or nav station. Must say I do like the layout of the Schoening 1320 though I know nothing about the boat itself. The 1700 is for my money absurdly large, but then I only think about space for a couple plus very occasional guests.

The way I figure the galley is this. Down below gets it out of the way with one major drawback being heat in warmer climes. For me that is negated by the fact that in summer we always cook outside and with a cats cockpit even preparation outside is simple.

Others might say that the galley in the saloon allows more interaction twixt the cook and the crew. Fair enough I guess but I still don't think that outweighs the other issues.
 
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#6 ·
I don't know enough about the bridge deck issue to comment on specific heights but insufficient height is a major problem from what I do know. {Thanks}

Regarding the interior, I'd favour a downstairs galley. My biggest complaint about catamaran layouts is the restricted seating space in the saloon where much space is taken up by the galley and/or nav station. [Agree my thoughts exactly] Must say I do like the layout of the Schoening 1320 though I know nothing about the boat itself. The 1700 is for my money absurdly large,[ I think you need it if your doing offshore passages and have extra crew to help with watches so one does not get tired and irritable, and depending on your age.] but then I only think about space for a couple plus very occasional guests.

The way I figure the galley is this. Down below gets it out of the way with one major drawback being heat in warmer climes. For me that is negated by the fact that in summer we always cook outside and with a cats cockpit even preparation outside is simple.[ Most boats these days have a BBQ,s hanging from the stantions or pushpit.]
Others might say that the galley in the saloon allows more interaction twixt the cook and the crew. Fair enough I guess but I still don't think that outweighs the other issues.[/QUOTE][ Good point agree.]

Oceancruiser.
 
#5 ·
Most any catamaran will pound in certain sea states.
If you're looking to eliminate pounding, buy a monomoran.
I dont have rules of measurement that I can help you with but common sense should prevail. If the bridge deck clearance looks low, its going to pound more that one that does not look low.
Galley down works for us. Its open and inclusive of folks working in the galley with those living in the saloon. When I was chartering catamarans for vacation sailing, I prefered galley up. Living aboard, galley up is a deal breaker. I dont want to cook in my living room. We comfortably seat 6. 8 is a push, but doable for dinner.
 

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#7 ·
My comments about Bridge-deck clearance comes from the lips of designer comments I have read. They also come from a Cat sailor who owns a Catana 381 that has 2' 6" clearance and it does not slam, I know because I sail it like the Tornado Olimpis Cat I used to race.

I am just about to Launch my Website which tell you what Cat NOT TO BUY, depending on your requirements of course, if you want a Condo, have one, if you want to sail sideways have Skegs, if you like Hobby Horsing or slow Cats there are thousands out there, mostly from the Production boat department.

Watch out over the next few months when I launch my Web site, type in Catamaran and you will find me.

As for the topic in question: there are 6 main things you need in a good Cat design and one of them is NOT low bridge-deck clearance. Most Cats have none of the 6 requirements, they either have Fat hulls, Skegs, reduced Sail area, bad Bridge-deck clearance, too heavy and wide open slot and they all sail like floating Homes.

I have 200 Cat listed on my database all with designer calculations saying which one is capable of sailing well, assuming 'well' is whats wanted.

I'm looking at 6 Cats I might buy in the 45-48' range, they must have at least 4 to 5 of the 6 design requirements listed above, if they don't I move on.

I have been told my requirement is very high and most Cats don't have what I want, that is true. I can find only 10 Cats that come into my top ten for sailing ability and the all have High Bridge-deck clearance.

I sail at 35deg to wind beating of Monohulls who try to get near me, to windward of course, I sail higher than them.

I don't want to give too much away in Loo of my Web site Launch. There is a small fee but it's worth it.

Regards

Barry Parkinson Ex Tornado helm and Catana 381 owner.
 
#8 ·
Quote:

I can find only 10 Cats that come into my top ten for sailing ability and the all have High Bridge-deck clearance


Interested to see your top 10 sailling ability Cats and the hights of there respective bridge deck clearance.

I also notice from the Catana Web site there new design has reversed bows and they have increased there bridge deck clearance. Not to dis-similar from the design above hyperlinked. Interesting !!

Be interesting to see how yourwebsite goes-- Fee/ pay by credit card. I don't think so
 
#9 ·
I am interested to see those 6 requirements as well.

The problem with catamarans is that in order to retain the excellent performance that multis are capable of, the catamaran has to have certain features such as narrow hulls, low windage (ie minimal bridgedeck), daggerboards, etc. These very features mean that to have comfortable accomodations the cat has to be very big. Otherwise something has to give. And once you get big, most boat owners get priced out. You need bucku bucks to buy a 50' catamaran, and even more to find a place to keep it. So, as with everything in life, compromise is required. Some compromise better than others, but since the charter market seems to drive catamaran sales, the accomodations are favored over the performance/safety in most commercial designs. I personally am a sailor, not a on the hook cruiser or live aboard, so even when cruising I can't tolerate a poorly sailing vessel and would never get a condo maran. But others, particularly those who charter, may have different priorities.

For this reason I think a trimaran is the way to go if sailing performance is what you want. Most trimarans are not built for anything but true sailing ability. Those who buy a tri generally want to go fast and have fun. The arms fold up so you can find a spot in a marina. The accomodations are more like a smaller loa monohull, and way less comfortable than a cat, but that is the kind of compromise I am willing to make personally.

If you want that standing headroom bridgedeck, the compromise is high windage and poor bridgedeck clearance, at least until you get to a really big cat IMHO.

BTW, "The Cruising Multihull", by Chris White, is an excellent book on this subject, and is available as a pdf download or else used on amazon for $10 when I bought it. It's a wonderful book and you should def read it before buying any multihull, it addresses all these issues and compromises from the standpoint of a designer and full time cruiser. Great read too, not overly technical and very enjoyable.
 
#18 ·
...

For this reason I think a trimaran is the way to go if sailing performance is what you want. Most trimarans are not built for anything but true sailing ability. Those who buy a tri generally want to go fast and have fun. The arms fold up so you can find a spot in a marina. The accomodations are more like a smaller loa monohull, and way less comfortable than a cat, but that is the kind of compromise I am willing to make personally.

If you want that standing headroom bridgedeck, the compromise is high windage and poor bridgedeck clearance, at least until you get to a really big cat IMHO.
....
I agree. If you want to have performance and seaworthiness on a cat you would have to look over 40ft, more likely 45ft.

You can have that on a 35ft trimaran and even on a 32ft one. But the prices will remain very high and a 35ft trimaran has the interior space of a 32ft monohull.

Regarding price a very good 32ft cruising trimaran, like the Dragonfly (with a very good cruising interior, even if small) it will cost as much as a 41ft performance cruiser like the Salona 41 and almost as much as a 45ft main market mass production sailboat.

The seaworthiness of the 32ft trimaran will permit it to be sailed offshore and even cruise Oceans but has nothing to do with the seaworthiness of some monohulls with the same price.

So, if you have the money it is your pick. I confess that it should be very funny to oversail with a 32ft trimaran a top performance 50ft cruiser:D



Regards

Paulo
 
#10 ·
Hi petercheck,

I have read your thread and I bet you are interested in my top ten Cats and the 6 requirements for quick Cat sailing, thats why I am launching My 'What Cat not to buy and why'

Lots of Cat buyers are sold up the river by Brokers who say 'have a nice day' but don't mean it. I got fed up listening to the garbage Brokers talk over the past 5 years, and that is the main reason for Launching my Website.

The other one is because a Great Cat in the West Palm Beach in the Cracker Boy Yard, has been butchered by the Loving owners, I wanted to but it until I put it through my Spreadsheet to get a 'Bruce number' (Power to weight ratio) and it sucked.

I asked the Architect what was in the original design and found they had cut the Dagger-boards in half and poss the rudders as well, loaded the weight up from 10 Ton to 12 Ton, reduced the sail area and generally messed up a very good Cat that cannot sail well anymore.

I wanted to expose people and Brokers like this to the budding Cat sailor who has a lot to learn about Cats and end up buying things that float, thats why it is called a boat, but it does not sail well because the production Cats do not have any of the 6 requirements I talk of.

I could talk for a week on Cat design but this is not the place to do it.

All I want to do is give potential Cat buyers somewhere they can go to ask questions about potential Cat purchases they might make, before they make a mistake, like so many Cat owners who are disappointed with what they bought, for one reason or another.

I know the answers, with 200 Cats on my database I should do, and soon I will be able to let the Cat buying public know what Catamaran/Multihull not to buy.

Give me 2 weeks and I should be Online with my Website but, there is a small fee, but you said you did not thinks so, I take it you don't thing buyers will pay $50 to find out what I know, we will see.

It's been great talking, no doubt we will do more. I am looking forward to helping cat buyers choose the correct boat before they buy.

Best regards

Barry Parkinson
 
#12 · (Edited)
Hi petercheck,

I have read your thread and I bet you are interested in my top ten Cats and the 6 requirements for quick Cat sailing, thats why I am launching My 'What Cat not to buy and why

I asked the Architect what was in the original design and found they had cut the Dagger-boards in half and poss the rudders as well, loaded the weight up from 10 Ton to 12 Ton, reduced the sail area and generally messed up a very good Cat that cannot sail well anymore.

I wanted to expose people and Brokers like this to the budding Cat sailor who has a lot to learn about Cats and end up buying things that float, thats why it is called a boat, but it does not sail well because the production Cats do not have any of the 6 requirements I talk of.

.

All I want to do is give potential Cat buyers somewhere they can go to ask questions about potential Cat purchases they might make, before they make a mistake, like so many Cat owners who are disappointed with what they bought, for one reason or another.

Give me 2 weeks and I should be Online with my Website but, there is a small fee, but you said you did not thinks so, [ No that was me] I take it you don't thing buyers will pay $50 to find out what I know, we will see.

I am looking forward to helping cat buyers choose the correct boat before they buy.

Best regards

Barry Parkinson
Hi,

I said I don't think so. The reason being as a non professional I assume you are going to have a on line pay by credit card details.

Will this site be secure and what are the chances it will be hacked un be known to you for a third party to have access to all your credit card details should anyone give their details.

2nd warning bells: You have not stated whether you have at least 4 endorsements from Multihull designers and have been reviewed by them, your formular to give credence to your claims.

3rd Warning Bells: How are you going to assure people and guarantee that you will not sell all the submitters credit card details to a third party, particularly on the internet with all the scams that are going on.

If you are in fact genuine and I appreciate what you are trying to do and whish you all the success possible to wish.

Have a suggestion for you which I think will help overcome the above reservations.

(1) approach some non profit organisations to see if they would agree to be in partnership. Hence you would give the submitters say four choices with hyperlinked loggos to donate to and they would receive a code to enter your web site once they had donated. The Charities would have have a separate space next to theirs in a high profile area. You would negotiate with them a % of the donation to be forwarded to you say every three months. The % would be in the vincinity of 20%. You don,t mention any amount on your web site. You may find if you can pull it off, [need to be a good salesman and professioal ] people will donate $1000, $1500, $2000, $4000 and a occassional $10,000 donation providing they where worthy causes.

Here are some hyperlinks to worthy causes,

The RSPB: Save the albatross: New Zealand

WWF New Zealand - Hector's and Maui's campaign

Little Spotted Kiwi - BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust
 
#13 ·
Hi again petercheck,

CREDIBILITY was my first requirement 5 years ago when this all got going.

I extracted the design mathematics for my 'Power to Weight Ratio' spreadsheet (Bruce number) from the design pages of a top quality Catamaran designer in Australia, there on the web for all to see.

I built my Spreadsheet using this information that they use when designing Cats/Multihulls to establish what works and what does not. I am not preaching MY thoughts and feelings, I am preaching THEIR design knowledge, not mine.

I am not presumptuous enough to think anybody is interested in my views, that is just like another Blogger saying what he thinks, and whats the value in that, it's not credible.

Your right, nobody knows who I am, I could be any old Blogger voicing his opinion, it will take time for my reputation to filter through but, I can tell you it stops the Brokers dead in their tracks, when you ask the questions I ask and request the data I require for my 'Bruce number' calculation.

The method of payment I will use is via PayPal which I am told is secure, I don't see the Credit Card details, only the payment. Then I send my report to the potential Catamaran/Multihull buyer, telling them what NOT TO BUY if there is something that shows up in my calculations, and you can't get that for 2 cents on the Web anywhere.

I have met hundreds of new Cat owners who are disappointed with their purchase. They think all Cats are fast, it's a misconception that many fall into, blinded by Broker and Press garbage they talk and publish.

Try me out for FREE, send me some details of a Catamaran you would like to buy, send it to my bazcatana@yahoo.co.uk Email and I will send you a Form to fill in. Return that to me and I will tell you what I think.

Don't play around, try and be serious, I am trying to HELP buyers choose a Cat that they will be happy with, I'm not selling anything, just helping buyers find the ideal Multihull.

Regards

Barry Parkinson
 
#15 ·
I have met hundreds of new Cat owners who are disappointed with their purchase. They think all Cats are fast, it's a misconception that many fall into, blinded by Broker and Press garbage they talk and publish.

Try me out for FREE, send me some details of a Catamaran you would like to buy.

Regards

Barry Parkinson
Have you had a chance to rate this particular design. If so could you please advise how it matched.
 
#14 ·
Try me out for FREE, send me some details of a Catamaran you would like to buy, send it to my bazcatana@yahoo.co.uk Email and I will send you a Form to fill in. Return that to me and I will tell you what I think.

Don't play around, try and be serious, I am trying to HELP buyers choose a Cat that they will be happy with, I'm not selling anything, just helping buyers find the ideal Multihull.

Regards

Barry Parkinson[/QUOTE]

You will have 11 after viewing this Cat

Young Yacht Design

Be interested to know if it passes you scrutiny.
 
#21 ·
I have paid a great deal of attention to the cats cruising the Antilles over the last 3 years. 90% of them are just floating condos, without the ability to go to windward or down wind well, unless the have down wind sails specifically built. Few have 1/2 enough clearance under the "bridge deck" to be comfortable in a 3' chop, let alone an average tradewind day down here. Most are rigged so you can't let the main out far enough to comfortably sail on a broad reach, and almost every single one we see sailing interisland has at least one engine on, even on a breezy tradewind day.
Most have a very sharp, jerky motion which must be horribly uncomfortable under way or in a rolly anchorage. There are a few designs which have dagger boards and enough freeboard to quite possibly sail decently, but they still don't seem to have the speed to make up for the difference in the pointing ability of a good monohull.
As for trimarans, there are good ones and bad ones, like any other type of boat. If we exclude racing tris and concentrate on cruising tris, none have the speed or agility to sail safely through pirate filled waters (pirates usually operate on calmer days, certainly not in the gale force winds it would take to get away). Unless you have several very, very experienced crew on board a tri at sea, most cruisers would not be able to maintain the 16 to 25 knots it would take to out run a storm. It certainly would not be prudent to put her on autopilot or a windvane at those speeds, IMO.
I do think a well designed cruising tri is a far superior sailing vessel to any cat out there, and a much more stable platform from which to set sails.
I sailed a Brown Searunner 37' from Pago Pago to the VI, crossing 1/2 the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Med and Atlantic. I sailed her out of a hurricane in the Indian Ocean, 1200 miles hard to weather up the Red Sea and through many a gale without any problems. Inside the reefs of New Caledonia, I had her up to nearly 25 knots, but that was flat water in perfect conditions. At sea, I would never let the mindless machine (the windvane) sail the boat above 10 knots, period. Best of all, I could sail in light air, when every monohull and cat was motoring, usually making around 5 knots.
It was the most wonderful cruising boat I've ever sailed, but they must be kept very, very light. Pretty much bare bones sailing with few mod cons, which is why I've gone back to a monohull in my old age.
If you want to SAIL, then you are better off choosing a monohull or trimaran. If you are just looking to move to a mobile house on the water, then the majority of the cats out there are the perfect choice.
Every boat is a compromise.
 
#24 ·
Strange.

I sailed on a Chris White 56 ft tri ocean going . No problems reaching 12 knts boat speed 12 knts slight cracked sheets, wind speed. 18 knts, boat speed at 19 knts wind speed.

At 12 knots forward cabin berths uncomfortable to sleep and at 16 knts had to be strapped on. Although no lee clothes or straps where standard equipment. I rightly or wrongly put this due to the chine design main hull near waterline bow to mid ships. We either slowed the boat or move aft.

Had a turbo charge engine and at cruising revs 66 2/3 12 knts at full revs 16 knts.

At 6 knts wind speed achieved 6 knts boat speed.

Most watches where single person watches and usually on auto pilot.

So I guess if people are going to sail through pirate territory a chris whit tri should give some self confidence and added safety as a worth while consideration.

Thanks for your comments.
 
#22 ·
Well, there's the 'rub', so to speak. Unless you've bought yourself a new America's Cup class catamaran, a catamaran sailor isn't going to be arguing his boat goes to weather better than a monohull.

But the question is ... is that how you define the boat you want own? How high she points? That doesn't even make my top ten list. Finding a boat that my lady can't wait to sail on rates a lot higher, as without her, I'm not going anywhere. Comfort while cruising is high on he list as I just can't picture her standing on a bulkhead for days at a time. And whether you sail one hull or two, sailing (relatively)small FRP boats is all about picking a weather window.

I'm at that stage of life where I know how to pick my battles... and boats ...like life ... are all about compromises, right?
 
#23 ·
With a cat it's not so much how high you can point but VMG. The cat may sail 5 or so degrees more of the wind but will reach their destination quicker.
True, the trend nowadays is for the condo cat, but there are still some performance oriented cats still around. It's been my experience that we usually sail past the monos that are motor sailing.
The cats must have some appeal as a lot of the experienced mono hullers are transitioning toward cats. Not everybody's cup of tea though.
 
#25 ·
Thanks, but I'm really looking for owners with Cats to confirm slamming re their owned vessels and the designs bridge deck numbers and owners that have sailed to windward with 36 knts on the nose wind with no slamming and the bridge deck clearance numbers.

On a long passages there is always on the wind part sailing even to enter port on most occasions. VMG is important unless you want to change your port on entry. I have known mono hull sailors vessels to do so to the protests of the crew. His argument he did not like to sail on the wind. The crew argued "you guaranteed the place as a stop over and we accepted your vessel as crew and are paying $30 per day other wise we would have chosen another vessel".

As for sailing not so high I would respectfully disagree.

Some years ago a racing cat design By David barker and the fastest cat around at the time, Auckland to Suva just under three days 1300 nms did the numbers.

Had a girl friend at AMP computer room feed all the points on sail from hard on the wind to reaching to determine the increased speed he would have to achieve to be ahead.
The computer print he stated stretched the entire width of Sydney harbour.

He spent days trying and never achieved any of the speeds that where required according to the computer results.

Thanks for you expanding comments.

Kind Wishes.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~philclarke/SAILING%20MECCA.htm
 
#27 · (Edited)
Yes, someone is going to beat into that. Well, it was 30kt, not 36. It was a Gulf crossing/delivery, and we didn't have the luxury of heading off. Boat is a 1992 Catana 40S.

In this vid, we are motorsailing. By this time the wind had cocked slightly east of exactly, directly, in front of us, so we did hang some laundry, but for probably 8 or more hours before the wind had been directly on the nose (frontal passage) and we just doused and engined into it.

Despite the high bridgedeck, and believe me I don't load my boats down, she did some banging, although I believe had the wavelengths been longer, banging might have been less. The Gulf of Mexico has a surprisingly short wave pattern, short and steep.

Apparently TropicCat is quite lucky to be able to make the choices he apparently does.
As for the rest of us, sometimes you just gotta get there.

 
#34 ·
Yes, someone is going to beat into that. Well, it was 30kt, not 36. It was a Gulf crossing/delivery, and we didn't have the luxury of heading off. Boat is a 1992 Catana 40S.

In this vid, we are motorsailing. By this time the wind had cocked slightly east of exactly, directly, in front of us, so we did hang some laundry, but for probably 8 or more hours before the wind had been directly on the nose (frontal passage) and we just doused and engined into it.

Despite the high bridgedeck, and believe me I don't load my boats down, she did some banging, although I believe had the wavelengths been longer, banging might have been less. The Gulf of Mexico has a surprisingly short wave pattern, short and steep.

Apparently TropicCat is quite lucky to be able to make the choices he apparently does.
As for the rest of us, sometimes you just gotta get there.
Thanks for your contribution much appreciated. Can you remember or know the bridge deck clearance numbers. Save me googling it. The numbers do help when replying and what additional clearance in your opinion would have eliminated the some banging.
 
#35 ·
If you don't have speed you have nothing let alone safety.

Firmly believe boats should have enough speed to sail around a cyclone or a storm or get to port before the storm arrives at your sailing course / path.

NOT ONE FOR WAITING FOR 42 DAYS OR MORE FOR A WINDOW TO SUIT A SLOW CROSSING. berth age fees for multihull vessels are far to expensive for long port stays and one seems to spend the time when waiting for a weather window partying, which is also expensive during long stays at ports.

WITH RESPECT AGAIN, WHEN I'm IN A HURRY I catch a commercial airline jet.
 
#29 ·
Sailed a 44' aluminium cat to India from Thailand. Sometimes you couldn't put your coffee cup on the table for the slamming. Got real tiring. Condensation was bad and ventilation at sea minimal or wet. Great on the hook for entertaining and lots of storage space on board as long as you don't put anything in it. Saw another cat (sleek Italian job) with a bloody big gen set in one hull and a washer/dryer/freezer in the other. Neither of these vessels sailed worth a damm. And didn't even have the classic good looks and comfort of my homebuilt gaffer.
 
#33 ·
Thanks for your comments. I do not like cleaning and the kitchen is my domain also for hygiene reasons, so parting at the kitchen is a no no. Use the Cockpit BBQ when parting. I have and always try to party at the cockpit area as the guests quite correctly are not asked to clean the mess they leave when parting. Accordingly the bucket and lanyard or pressure hose does the trick especially when some can't hold their drink and vomit.

Best regards.
 
#37 ·
I don't know how high my bridge is, and to be honest, it really doesn't matter.

I may stand corrected here, but I'd bet that there is no such thing as a cat which doesn't suffer some slamming, if the conditions are right for her to slam. Of course, the lower the bridge, the more often that slamming will occur. It's fairly obvious which cats are low and which aren't, just by looking. A few cm one way or the other ain't going to tell any tales.

BTW, the answers you seek are already discussed ad nauseum online, and there are plenty of books on the subject. If you find it painful to Google, I find it painful to repeat freely available information.
 
#38 · (Edited)
quote=Multihullgirl;2300938]I don't know how high my bridge is, and to be honest, it really doesn't matter.

I may stand corrected here, but I'd bet that there is no such thing as a cat which doesn't suffer some slamming, if the conditions are right for her to slam. Of course, the lower the bridge, the more often that slamming will occur. It's fairly obvious which cats are low and which aren't, just by looking. A few cm one way or the other ain't going to tell any tales.

BTW, the answers you seek are already discussed ad nauseum online, and there are plenty of books on the subject. If you find it painful to Google, I find it painful to repeat freely available information.[/quote]

Thanks for your comments.

A proven and now accepted as the best and fastest cruising catamaran designer states his Catamarans do not slam. His designs have bridge decks clearance between

.950 and 1.2 meters and he states bridge deck clearance does matter and I attend to agree.

The numbers have not been discussed ad nausea online as can been seen from the posts so far. Even your posts do not quote the numbers.

Been to the manufacturer Catana website which does not quote a 40s model and the length vessels that are their models, custom built vessels specifications bridge deck clearance are not mentioned on all the designs.

With respect I'm actually trying to find a Catamaran owner with bridge deck clearance .950 or more that can state / verify his vessel does not slam going to windward sailing or motoring with heavy seas or confused seas / or heavy confused harbour waters. Is this not what forums are for. Trying to establish what the manufactures claim to be correct or incorrect.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~philclarke/americascupstats.html
 
#41 ·
With respect I'm actually trying to find a Catamaran owner with bridge deck clearance .950 or more that can state / verify his vessel does not slam going to windward sailing or motoring with heavy seas or confused seas / or heavy confused harbour waters. Is this not what forums are for. Trying to establish what the manufactures claim to be correct or incorrect....
Why? Are you writing a class paper, or are you boat shopping? Or God forbid, are you yet another guy planning a catamaran build project?

Did you review the hull design link I posted?

Do you understand windage and the balance which has to be struck between it and bridge deck clearance?

Do you you understand why?
 
#39 · (Edited)
Gavin le Sueur, MULTIHULL SEAMANSHIP
Rudy Choy, CATAMARANS OFFSHORE
Chris White, THE CRUISING MULTIHULL
Derek Harvey, MULTIHULLS FOR CRUISING AND RACING
Rob James, MULTIHULLS OFFSHORE

that should get you started. BTW, manufacturers don't really lie outright, but they stretch the hell out of the truth...

I reread my post. I'll clarify my point:

when I said 'it doesn't matter,' I mean, the numbers don't matter. I can see the difference between a high and a low bridge cat. That isn't the only consideration for a seagoing cat.

I believe there is no such thing as a cat with a high enough bridge that will never, ever slam. I believe it is best to get a high-bridgedeck cat to avoid slamming, but I find it hard to believe that there is a cat that will not find itself doing some slamming at some point.

I went to the Miami show and looked at the new cat designs, and with one exception, I'd be damned if I'd go to sea in them, frankly. And the bridgedecks weren't the worst problem these boats had IMO.
 
#40 ·
QUOTE
and with one exception, I'd be damned if I'd go to sea in them,


Care to name the design and provide a hyperlink to the designer.

Interested as to what you would choose to sail across oceans. Plus other members would also be interested I presume.

I look forward to your reply.

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