I've done 15 bareboat charters with Moorings, all on monohulls. It became apparent during my last 2 charters that maybe now that I'm in my 70s it might be time to turn to the dark side (just kidding) and charter a catamaran the next time. So I've got a bunch of basic questions that probably sound pretty stupid so bear with me and I hope to get some good information. We most likely will book a Moorings 4200.
We have a 4200 in the Moorings fleet.
What are the biggest differences in sailing. I know cats don't point as well and tacking is a bit different but this isn't a big concern. How difficult is reefing?
There are a lot of twists and turns to the single line reefing line and it can be a chore to shake out a reef without pulling slack at various points.
Unless you're in a big hurry I recommend leaving the 1st reef in, the penalty in light winds is pretty minimal.
We've done 2 charters on a 46.3 mono and loved the fact the lines all lead back to the cockpit. On a typical cat, are the lines, including the main halyard, in the cockpit / flybridge?
All the lines are easily worked from the helm (until something gets stuck :-))
I've watched videos and read about both anchoring and grabbing a mooring ball on a cat and figure we can learn the proper techniques pretty easily. Visibility from the flybridge would be my only concern.
Visibility ahead is better than on a typical mono... visibility is excellent to starboard and poor to port and astern from the helm. You will have spotters on the bow. Overall much easier to pick up a mooring on the cat, anchoring not so much.
I assume getting on and off from a dock is via the transoms. How difficult is this for a mobility limited person? How difficult is it to transfer luggage to the boat?
Similar question about getting on and off from a dinghy.
How difficult is it, once again for a mobility limited crew member, to get in and out of a dinghy if there is some wave action at the anchorage.
I would say these things are equally difficult vs. a mono with a swim platform.
Getting in and out of the dinghy is highly individual... consider renting a ladder at Moorings.
Outside of a nasty swell on the order of a Cane Garden Bay northerly swell (been there a long time ago will never do that again), how susceptible are cats to rolling at a "normal" anchorage? (Last trip a newbie had trouble sleeping in our mono if any sort of sideways roll.)
Cats are much much better in this respect. A heavy cruising cat is very stable and comfortable at anchor even in less than ideal conditions.
I really struggle backing into slips on a mono though the bow thrusters on the 46.3 made it much easier. How difficult is it to learn to use the dual engines for getting into a slip? Not sure I could master the crabbing technique but would be satisfied knowing how to back properly.
Keep in mind that you will center the rudders and use engines only for docking. Moorings will happily dock the boat for you. There is less to gain by backing, I usually turn at the slip. Visibility astern is not good. If you're driving, a starboard side approach is much easier.
Any other tips from mono / now catamaran sailors would be appreciated.
Keep in mind it is a very different type of boat, and the typical charter mono is a much more performance oriented design than the typical charter catamaran. It will sail very, very differently but it still can be sailed badly or sailed well so enjoy the learning process.
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