Any issues with this custom catamaran for circumnavigation?

[fursoc]

Thanks yargesol. Is an aft room any different to a front room on a cat? Isn't a middle room what you want?

[YARGESOL]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Thanks yargesol. Is an aft room any different to a front room on a cat? Isn't a middle room what you want?

I can't see how far forward are placed the bunks in those boats. If they are closer to amidship - it's OK. In my case,at the front cabin - I have a queen size bank amidship ...that is not that bad,but sometimes the loaded mast foot squeaks and it's not nice to hear that jazz all night long.Another single bunk just after the bulkhead-this is good at anchor,or in calm weather.
After cabins are Ok even when it's rough (you may sleep well, if you trust the watch). But, you still have to used to waves knocking the bridge - sounds like a blast. No,problem with my 6 y.o. son - I explained him, that the Waves becomes angree due to Makosha (our cat) cuts them with two hulls and they strike her.
All above is important , if you'll have a multy-days run,with a 2-3 watch turns.
At anchor the forward cab is even better - due to exelent ventilation.
When you'll go to the seatrial,as all fellows stated is a must - will be good, if you'll have some wind swell with 6-7 sec period(not long ocean waves). You lay on the bunk and feel how is it.

[fursoc]

Thanks mate

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by smj

What I find funny, is a lot of the people that have no use and can't understand why someone would own a plywood/cold molded catamaran, are floating around in a mass produced balsa cored catamaran.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Andrew Grace]

Originally Posted by smj

What I find funny, is a lot of the people that have no use and can't understand why someone would own a plywood/cold molded catamaran, are floating around in a mass produced balsa cored catamaran.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

And even more funny is that someone would suggest the OP should sail the world with his family with such a vessel

[UNCIVILIZED]

One thing worth looking at closely on the boat is how accessable all of the hulls & beams are for inspection from the inside. Though not necessarily 100% of the beams of course, if such would diminish their structural inegrity. Meaning don't go adding inspection ports anywhere you like without talking to the designer.

Anyway, the reason for said access is both for ventillation, & as importantly, in order to be able to inspect the wood for degradation, damage, & or insects, every so often. Well, those things, & in case you need to do repairs, or want to bolt something to various sections of the boat. Which on some multihulls can be tricky if they have skinny hulls. Usually one doesn't run into problems with the structure (much), but if/when you do, good access is paramount.

This is true even if you do have a built in 10yr old for doing work in the boat's more svelte regions. You never know when & where you might punch a hole in her via an unseen piece of rebar on a commercial pier. Or get kissed by a jet ski. BTDT. Hate those things.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

And even more funny is that someone would suggest the OP should sail the world with his family with such a vessel

I'm sorry if you don't understand the strengths of this type of construction. We have owned 2 Seawind 1000's and found them to be extremely well built, well designed and seaworthy, so I do appreciate your choice of vessel. I also appreciate that the plywood/cold molded construction is pound for pound stronger than steel. This means you can have a very lightly built vessel with extreme strength.

[YARGESOL]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

And even more funny is that someone would suggest the OP should sail the world with his family with such a vessel

as I remember many minesweepers during the WWII were built of plywood

[Andrew Grace]

Originally Posted by YARGESOL

as I remember many minesweepers during the WWII were built of plywood

Correct , but how many were sailing 10 years after the war,plywood just doesnt have a very good shelf life or appropriate bonding to fibreglass strength at adjacent angle joins , even with expoxy.

[spiv]

Sorry about repeating other view, but I want to put it all in a simple list.
The problems I see:

• No lifelines
• Short bows (the tramp is too small, a big wave can hit the rigid deck and push your bows down, serious problem).
• Stringers (do they have a lot of glass reinforcement as well?)
• Bed forward
• Galley down
• Slim design (not enough payload for a family of 4)
• No watermaker (now, don't let anybody convince you that a 30 L/h 12V can do, no way, you need a 240V model and then a Genset, where will you put it?

My next cat will have outboards and I am OK with glass on ply only if 100% of the build was done with epoxy, but you must get it checked by a professional.

Your wife and kids will not enjoy sailing as you might, unless you provide some comfort.
There are many bigger cats for sale in Europe at the same or better price, why don't you consider starting your sailing in the Med, then Atlantic etc etc.......

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

Correct , but how many were sailing 10 years after the war,plywood just doesnt have a very good shelf life or appropriate bonding to fibreglass strength at adjacent angle joins , even with expoxy.

Actually there was one for sale not that long ago that someone shared on here. (Tried to find it, but I couldn't). It had been built as a coastal minesweeper, then transferred to the naval academy where it became a training boat, then it was sold into private ownership.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

Correct , but how many were sailing 10 years after the war,plywood just doesnt have a very good shelf life or appropriate bonding to fibreglass strength at adjacent angle joins , even with expoxy.

There are plenty of pretty old Wharrams and other ply boats that have done huge miles. Like any material it needs to be correctly used, but when it is, it's very good.

[Andrew Grace]

Originally Posted by smj

I'm sorry if you don't understand the strengths of this type of construction. We have owned 2 Seawind 1000's and found them to be extremely well built, well designed and seaworthy, so I do appreciate your choice of vessel. I also appreciate that the plywood/cold molded construction is pound for pound stronger than steel. This means you can have a very lightly built vessel with extreme strength.

What are you talking about , ?

Seawinds are not ply boats,

You seem to not understand English very well

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by fursoc

I don't want this to be an outboard vs inboard discussion. I am more interested in the fact that it is a custom design, not a well known production boat.

As a custom it has no provenance and you have no references to assess latent defects.

Sounds like you need to plan for a detailed survey prior to purchase.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

What are you talking about , ?

Seawinds are not ply boats,

You seem to not understand English very well

There were two separate subjects there. Seawinds, then ply boats.

Probably should have been separate paragraphs too, but I got it.