Are there latitude limits for cat sailing?

[Run4fire]

I have been enjoying the multihull forum for long enough to know there is some danger that

[neilpride]

Same as for many monohulls ...I wont take my Mono to the Southern Ocean, i guess all depend how well the cata is fited for this latitudes, there is no limits if the boat is made and fited for that...

[boatman61]

Seem to remember an English lady taking her husband and 2 kids round the 'Horn' in a 30ft plywood Bobcat back in the 70's...
Guess times have changed..

[Run4fire]

Originally Posted by Run4fire

I have been enjoying the multihull forum for long enough to know there is some danger that

Oops misfire:

There is some danger that this will cause some monohull sailers to wax eloquent on the advantages of their boats, so let me attempt to short circuit that with the clear statement that the Admiral is committed to a cat and last time I checked Admirals outrank Captains in all strategic decisions. My question is can a 40 to 44 foot Cat safely navigate round the Horn? Is it a better plan through the straits of Magellan? It stands to reason that at least the South African cats can go round the cape. I am also wondering about the northern Norwegian fjords. If the answer to these questions is yes then for the experienced cat cruisers out there I am wondering what cats are out there that are designed to make these types of voyages. If the answer is no then I hope to see you out there somewhere in the equatorial trade winds.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Run4fire

Oops misfire:

There is some danger that this will cause some monohull sailers to wax eloquent on the advantages of their boats, so let me attempt to short circuit that with the clear statement that the Admiral is committed to a cat and last time I checked Admirals outrank Captains in all strategic decisions. My question is can a 40 to 44 foot Cat safely navigate round the Horn? Is it a better plan through the straits of Magellan? It stands to reason that at least the South African cats can go round the cape. I am also wondering about the northern Norwegian fjords. If the answer to these questions is yes then for the experienced cat cruisers out there I am wondering what cats are out there that are designed to make these types of voyages. If the answer is no then I hope to see you out there somewhere in the equatorial trade winds.

Summers no sweat... winters... save time and jump of the Empire State...
Stay S/N of the berg limit and you'll be fine..

[Sand crab]

The South African cats aren't better built structurally than the rest. And not worse either. If you stroll through Yachtworld then you will see many cats from all the countries of manufacture half or all the way around the world. I'll bet some of them hit bad weather along the way. A berg will screw up just about any boat (Titanic!) so don't hit them. Kinda wot Boatman said.

[44'cruisingcat]

This boat : http://www.catchcryhamm.com/old/imag...996-hobart.jpg

Went to the Antarctic ice cap. That's probably the limit.

[Lagoon4us]

More likely the limitations are in the crew and the planning, i for one have no desire to sail those latitudes.....

[yeloya]

As I am planning (dreaming..) a circumnavigation with a cat including the southern ocean, I did some research.
I found so far to cat who did it so far, one is german custom made 44 ft cat and to my surprise, an elderly aussy couple who did on Orana from FP.
Another article on southern ocean states that out of 10 mono that tried this route 7 have knocked down (4 came out dismasted) and one has never been found. No data about cats..
The way I understand, the challenge is the need to go south to find westerlies while ice limit can extend up to 48 th lstitude even in summer. The other problem are the huge waves that are not following always the wind direction..Most people advocates the cats with dagger board rather than fixed keels would be safer..
Cheers
Yeloya

[Jeannius]

Well I know I've seen photos of a Catana surrounded by icebergs. Can't remember where it was but think it was Magellan Straits or somewhere nearby.

[simons]

A Catana 431 appeared to have gone to the Antartic peninsula.

Double Magic - Weltumseglung stories 22 to 24 describe the trip.

[gosstyla]

Check:Alwoplast S.A.

They are located in Southern Chile and many of the power and sail cats sail the southern waters.

[captain58sailin]

The only limit is good sense.

[belizesailor]

Preface, I sail and own both cats and monos so no bias here.

Personally, extreme latitude sailing is one scenario where I might choose a big heavy traditional mono, preferably steel, over a production cat. It could certainly have potential advantages in huge sea, big winds, and ice.

[JJ77]

Originally Posted by Jeannius

Well I know I've seen photos of a Catana surrounded by icebergs. Can't remember where it was but think it was Magellan Straits or somewhere nearby.

this one?

from ; http://viaboat.com/ a nice blog from a catana 52 owner,this fantastic picture was taken in Alaska if I am not mistaken
and it is on my desktop..

cheers,
JJ