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Catarmaran or Monohull? #17161
07/31/2012 06:16 PM
07/31/2012 06:16 PM

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Hi,
Trying to organise our 1st family Caribbean sailing holiday for next July. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We've chartered a yacht before in Greece, hubby has lots of sailing experience around UK but us family haven't much.

I'd personally love a cat, for the space and to try it out but he's unsure about sailing it. Is there a lot of difference we should consider? Does it cost more in mooring fees? (In the UK it certainly does, and they're not so available here or in Europe)

Thanks

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Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? #17162
08/01/2012 07:17 AM
08/01/2012 07:17 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Only slip fees are more expensive.

If you can sail a mono, you can sail a cat. A Cat will go you more room and more stability.


Matt
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: maytrix] #17163
08/01/2012 10:12 AM
08/01/2012 10:12 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 369
Close to the water as possible
Flotsam Offline
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Close to the water as possible
There are obviously some differences but they're easily learned, particularly by an experienced sailor who will undoubtedly have a list of good questions for the briefer. If you're still uncertain, do what I did and hire a skipper for the first day or so. Having someone to watch over my shoulder for my first time mooring, anchoring, docking, reefing, etc. was a great way to gain a lot of knowledge in a short time.

And trust me, the difference in room is worth it! The only time we cruise on monohulls now is if a cat is not available in the area.


Flotsam

Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: maytrix] #17164
08/01/2012 01:44 PM
08/01/2012 01:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
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Quote
maytrix said:
Only slip fees are more expensive.


The charter fee is more expensive as well...I know the OP didn't ask that, but it may not be obvious if they haven't done any research yet.


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: DawnB] #17165
08/01/2012 03:39 PM
08/01/2012 03:39 PM

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Many thanks indeed guys.

Yep I'd discovered the cat is about 1K more expensive but as our Son is now 6 ft 2" and 17 yrs (so possibly may get taller) I definitely think the space inside the main and sleeping cabins will be worth it.

I'll pass on your suggestion about hiring a skipper as that sounds like a great idea.

Back to the research it is then <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? #17166
08/01/2012 04:43 PM
08/01/2012 04:43 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
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My boyfriend is 6'3" and he has no trouble fitting in most mono hulls in the salon - not always in the berths though...

You can always ask for that as a criteria when inquiring about boats from any charter company - I do.

If that's your only criteria for picking a cat, I wouldn't do it...but that's just my $0.02


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: DawnB] #17167
08/01/2012 05:15 PM
08/01/2012 05:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
Twanger Offline
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Twanger  Offline
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My $0.02 ...

2-4 People - go monohull
5-8 People - go cat

More than 8 - you're nutz!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: Twanger] #17168
08/01/2012 05:29 PM
08/01/2012 05:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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Quote
Twanger said:
My $0.02 ...

2-4 People - go monohull
5-8 People - go cat

More than 8 - you're nutz!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />


Count me in as nutz then, we had 9 on a Moorings 4600 one trip. Really no worse than 8 was.

I also think you can do more on a mono, but you just need to go bigger. The 50-55' mono's can easily accomodate 8 people comfortably.


Matt
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: maytrix] #17169
08/01/2012 07:53 PM
08/01/2012 07:53 PM

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We don't really want a cat just for the height.

We've never sailed in the Caribbean before and I'd like a Cat (simply just "fancy" one) as it looks much more spacious everywhere, and in Europe isn't as available.

We're a family of 4 (+ girlfriend of 18 yrs) so could fit easily into a mono.

Hubby loves to sail (and race) I just love to holiday in the sunshine!! Children both enjoy sailing.

He wanted to know if the cats do sail ok or if you require lots of wind....he won't want to be turning on the motor if at all possible. He gets the final say as it's to celebrate his 50th b/day.

Cheers
Ju

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? #17170
08/02/2012 11:24 AM
08/02/2012 11:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,336
Port St Lucie, FL
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Richieg1g Offline
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Our preference is for a cat due to the fact that my wife does not like the heeling of a monohull. She preferes the more stable platform of a cat. The cats do not point to the wind as well as a monohull and do not tack quite a well as a monohull. Its just a little different from my perspective as the only sailor in the group.


[Linked Image]
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: Richieg1g] #17171
08/02/2012 12:03 PM
08/02/2012 12:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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Whichever you go with, you'll have a fun time.

I'd suggest looking at the available options and costs. Then determine what the trade-offs are with the options that meet your budget.

For instance, for the same cost, you might be able to get a Mono where everyone has their own cabin and head. But in a Cat for the same cost, you may have a shared head between cabins.

We've mostly chartered Cats up until our last trip on a 43 Mono. Every trip was great and I've enjoyed each boat. So it really won't matter what you choose, you'll have a fun time!


Matt
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: maytrix] #17172
08/02/2012 05:10 PM
08/02/2012 05:10 PM
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Posts: 846
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The motion on a cat in a seaway is quite different than a mono. I haven't been seasick in 30+ years but my first time making a passage on a cat I was queazy for the first 24 hours. You can't beat the room and if you are planning to charter in the BVI's or other sheltered waters it may be the way to go.


Drink all day at home, your friends worry about you; do it on vacation and they say "what a good time you're having". Save your friends needless worry, travel more!
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: Sunset_Sammy] #17173
08/02/2012 08:17 PM
08/02/2012 08:17 PM

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Crikey that's weird that you felt queezy on a cat, I didn't expect that!

Just showed photos of a cat to our Son and although he loved heeling on the boat he's impressed with the space available.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? #17174
08/03/2012 05:24 PM
08/03/2012 05:24 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline
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The motion on a catamaran can feel a bit more herky-jerky in a seaway because they aren't displacement hulls. You're riding more on top of the water. However, you aren't transiting at 15-20 degrees of heel either, and you can do things inside the boat (make lunch, play cards, etc) while underway that I would never consider doing in a monohull. The only time I really get quesy on a boat is when I stay below too long in a monohull. If you have non-sailors in your group, they will probably enjoy the cat better. Can't beat the space, especially at anchor. They also don't rock at anchor like monohulls do. Don't get me wrong, I love monohulls. Have owned and raced many. When it comes time to go cruisin' however, it will be on a cat, most definitely!!

Rob


Rob
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17175
08/05/2012 06:34 PM
08/05/2012 06:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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"and you can do things inside the boat (make lunch, play cards, etc) while underway that I would never consider doing in a monohull."

really?

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: sail2wind] #17176
08/06/2012 08:58 AM
08/06/2012 08:58 AM
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SeaSeaRider Offline
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Absolutely! The motion of the monohull in a seaway heeling at 20 degrees with hatches closed to keep spray from getting below makes me ill.


Rob
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17177
08/06/2012 04:49 PM
08/06/2012 04:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
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I'm lucky in that, so far, being below while underway has never been a problem for me. I have a harder time cooking on a non-gimbaled stove in a Cat while underway than I do in a mono...


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: DawnB] #17178
08/07/2012 08:53 AM
08/07/2012 08:53 AM
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SeaSeaRider Offline
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I think my issue is more about fresh air than motion. We find ways to leave hatches open in a cat that we can't seem to with a monohull.

Cat stoves gimble too (is that a word?). I've always seen a gimble bolt on them.

If I were chartering (not cruising) and it was just my wife and I, or two couples with a lot of sailing experience, we'd probably get a monohull. For cruising, in the future, we plan to live on a cat, just a personal preference I guess.


Rob
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: SeaSeaRider] #17179
08/07/2012 10:35 AM
08/07/2012 10:35 AM
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Posts: 2,654
Kitchener, Ontario Canada
DawnB Offline
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I agree it's personal preference. I can't afford to buy a cat, and since I want to retire on a boat I guess that's why I am a staunch mono-huller! ~grins~


Dawn

Email me~ dawncustode@gmail.com
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: DawnB] #17180
08/07/2012 06:49 PM
08/07/2012 06:49 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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I agree as well.

We prefer a Cat, but own a Monohull. We plan on cruising in 5 years. We'd prefer to do it on a Cat, but if selling our Mono and buying a Cat isn't in the finances, then we'll stick with our Mono.

Might even stick with it anyway since any money saved by sticking with it is money that we can use to extend our cruising time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Having spent time on both - either are great for a vacation.


Matt
Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: maytrix] #17181
09/11/2012 03:54 PM
09/11/2012 03:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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WOW Dawn, we finally agree. even if we won the lotto we would buy a beautiful well equipped mono, just not a big cat guy.

"heeling at 20 degrees with hatches closed to keep spray from getting below makes me ill." Don't know why, but as a sailor this quote amuses me. Who is sailing the boat? Plenty of wind on the deck.

Re: Catarmaran or Monohull? [Re: sail2wind] #17182
09/11/2012 05:27 PM
09/11/2012 05:27 PM
Joined: May 2004
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SeaSeaRider Offline
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Quote
sail2wind said:
"heeling at 20 degrees with hatches closed to keep spray from getting below makes me ill." Don't know why, but as a sailor this quote amuses me. Who is sailing the boat? Plenty of wind on the deck.


Who is sailing the boat? spouse, friends on the charter with us. Not sure why that wouldn't be obvious.

Plenty of wind on deck - right, but when you're cruising, you can't spend all your time on deck. I was just saying I prefer being inside a moving catamaran to a moving monohull. Done plenty of mono daysailing and won a lot of races, just not interested in cruising in one.


Rob

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