Advise on Catamaran for extended cruising

[Want2cruz]

Originally Posted by Sos

Have a look at the Broadblue range of cats.
These are long distance sail boats rather than designed for the charter market.

Keels!!??
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2004...United-Kingdom

[snort]

Originally Posted by Want2cruz

Keels!!??
2004 Broadblue 38 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Directional stability. It's either that or daggerboards.
That looks like a very good deal!

[rom]

Originally Posted by Sos

Have a look at the Broadblue range of cats.
These are long distance sail boats rather than designed for the charter market.

ok ... how many Broadblue are circumnavigating ? How many FP, lagoon, leopards etc ... are circumnavigating ? Their website: "Broadblue World Leader in Luxury Cruising and Performance Catamarans". yes, for sure. Are you selling something ?

[ausaviator]

It's 2018 and unless I'm mistaken, Leopard are still using Balsa cored hull construction, however the other big ones aren't.


Do you want performance, or an apartment on floats?

Those with Fusions or perhaps Schionnings or maybe an Atlantic would simply laugh at the speed and upwind performance of "the big 3," but it depends on what you want... a fast ride with daggerboards, ability to outrun a storm and get there potentially twice as fast in a less roomy boat with sloped windows and narrower hulls, or are you happy to plod along at your own pace, 45 degrees off the wind and be living in the equivalent of a 30 ft caravan when you're parked?

BTW, of course cats need to be 40ft to cross an ocean.

[tuskie]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

It's 2018 and unless I'm mistaken, Leopard are still using Balsa cored hull construction.

And Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon have joined them! Balsa core below the waterline.

[rallyman1122]

Originally Posted by Barra

Hmmm tell that to the family of the 44 delivery crew that was lost in Indian ocean a few years back.

Pretty sure they were more than just fretting....

There are many more factors related to the loss of that boat and crew than just the forward cockpit. Weather vs the pressure from the charter company to get the boat delivered being one of the largest.

[rom]

Originally Posted by tuskie

And Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon have joined them! Balsa core below the waterline.

You sure ? got a link ?

[ausaviator]

I don't think that's correct either.

There may be some balsa or timber above the water line, but don't think it's in the outer surfaces.

https://www.fountainepajot.com.au/about-us/technology/

[rabbi]

Originally Posted by rom

You sure ? got a link ?

A quote from the technical specification of the new Lagoon 40:
> Balsa core hull, white gelcoat

This could indicate that there is no solid glass under the waterline like it used to be in other boats.

Other specs are
Lagoon 42:
>Balsa core hull, solid laminate under water line, white gel coat

Lagoon 50:
>Balsa core hull, solid laminate under water line, white gel coat



I also checked the 380 spec sheet and it says
>Balsa core hull, solid laminate under water line, white gel coat


But: I am sure that our 2008 Lagoon 380 hull is solid glass below the waterline and foam cored with some balsa trim at the edges above the waterline. The deck however is balsa cored.


So either Lagoon change their build process all the time, or they just don't care about small mistakes in the documentation .


Edit: I just found a 2010 spec sheet for the 380 and it says foam cored hull above waterline, solid glass under water line. I am confused...

[ausaviator]

You said that FP are balsa? Doesn't say that on their website.

The TPI Lagoons were balsa from my recollection but I was not aware of any other Lagoon in recent times being balsa below the waterline.

[Want2cruz]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Maybe I'm missing something:
http://www.broadblue.com/wp-content/...5/DSC_5599.jpg

I was looking at a 38' on Yachtworld and it had no trampoline, but little space foward of the cabin.

[Want2cruz]

Originally Posted by rom

ok ... how many Broadblue are circumnavigating ? How many FP, lagoon, leopards etc ... are circumnavigating ? Their website: "Broadblue World Leader in Luxury Cruising and Performance Catamarans". yes, for sure. Are you selling something ?

Are you saying they are not up to blue-water long-range cruising? I don't know, either way, but want to absorb as many opinions and facts as I can.

[Want2cruz]

Originally Posted by snort

Directional stability. It's either that or daggerboards.
That looks like a very good deal!

Yes, but it is in UK, far from the Pacific.

This is where I noted the absence of trampoline.

2004 Broadblue 38 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Want2cruz]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

You said that FP are balsa? Doesn't say that on their website.

The TPI Lagoons were balsa from my recollection but I was not aware of any other Lagoon in recent times being balsa below the waterline.

I take it balsa core is bad?

[tuskie]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

You said that FP are balsa? Doesn't say that on their website.

The TPI Lagoons were balsa from my recollection but I was not aware of any other Lagoon in recent times being balsa below the waterline.

Most aspects of any boat which are "less appealing " are not detailed on their website. My comment was based on personal observation of some (though not all) newer FP and Lagoon models.

TPI built Lagoons are a relic of the past, but serve as a reminder that balsa cored boats CAN be durable. Leopard catamarans, similiarly, are well constructed and have a substantial layer of GRP protecting the balsa core. I've noticed and been told that they stand up quite well to the rough and tumble of cruising and charter work. I'd rather have a well made balsa cored boat than a poorly made alternative, but then again, my preference would be for a well constructed foam cored vessel, solid below the waterline.

Thanks Rabbi!