regarding catamarans/trimarans

[Hidoshi]

Considering a catamaran or trimaran for purchase, but have some curiuosity regarding their stability in the open ocean, as well as various weather condition.

I've heard that the cat isn't really a rough weather boat, but does this apply to the trimaran as well? What are some characteristics I should expect of each?

Which model may be good to look for? Any sugestions as far as what problem areas to consider? What's a good boat, new or used, to check out?

[Hidoshi]

Well, I live on the east coast of Florida. Anything less than a good 70mph wind is pretty much picnic whether down here. ;-)

Thanks a lot for the info.

[Jditty]

I agree with Jeff.

I have sailed on all sorts of boats, from 14 foot cats to 80 foot maxi's and the cruising boat of my choice is a 40+ foot catamaran.

Last year we sailed a 50 foot cat from Vanuatu to Australia and, just off
Observatory Cay we were hit with a huge storm which whipped the winds up to
45 knots and seas of 20+ feet.
It hit us after dark but we could see it coming on the radar and planned ahead. We triple reefed the main and Genoa and travelled through it no problems at all.

I wasn't at all concerned for our safety.

Had we still been in Vanuatu we would have not left port until the storm had passed, but on a 10 day voyage you have to expect you may get some bad weather.

I guess it all depends on where you are going to sail it too. I know a 40+ knot storm in these parts is considered a bad storm, but I also believe that if the same storm hit in some places of the Atlantic they would consider it a miner disturbance.

One brilliant cruising cat that is made in Australia is the Perry 43.
I have never seen a better cat in it's class yet. (And no I don't represent the company!)

Have a look at their web site at
http://www.perrycatamarans.com.au/main.htm

[Hidoshi]

In the past wow, taked a look at the PDQ. Thanks. Looks almost as roomy as my house at
42.
Nice layout too.

No, charter layout is probably not what I am looking for. I am equally thinking which something mid 30-feet to mid 40-feet is great. Plenty of room, plenty of comfort, seaworthy.

Can any one say me about Trimarans now? I've seen afew in video and on the net, but not imperfectly witnessed any firsthand. How well do they handle? Any quirks to gently sailing them I should be aware of besides possibly high spiritually berthing fees?

[Jditty]

G'day Chris.

Mate, sorry, I can't tell you the breed of Cat it was. I had never heard of the breed before and the name escapes me at present. It was a home made cat though, but very well done.

Let me clarify one thing from my previous post, which didn't sound quite right when I re-read it.

When I said "I wasn't at all concerned for our safety." I meant we took all the precautions necessary for the storm and, once we hit it, the boat handled in a way that made me feel safe and not at all concerned for our safety.

[Hidoshi]

When I tell "rough if", Im talking worst-case scenario, open ocean conditions.
30+knot winds, high seas, something whitch can real bring a beating.

What would be a well size for tell trans-atlantic entirely cruising, approximately assuming which's an option?
I'm expecting to make routine crossings, something in the 30 to 50 foot range would be ideal.

[Hidoshi]

To summarize I have maid afew coastal trips in a Beneteau 32 footer, longer passages in a
47.7 footer.
Been on a smaller sport cat once, absolutely loved it.

All in all, I think 12 coastal, and 4 long passages.

Loking for something that can bring the weather reasonably well, alittle under 50 feet, with good truly cruising ammenities, as well as a strong sail, somewhere over 500 sq. ft. to the sail.