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Nat · 15-06-2008, 06:30

hi looking for info on catalac or other potential first boat. thanks

Therapy · 15-06-2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

hi looking for info on catalac or other potential first boat. thanks

The local expert.

Catalac 8M, the best affordable cruising catamaran I could find

Soon to be Sullivan.

ssullivan · 15-06-2008, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therapy

The local expert.

Catalac 8M, the best affordable cruising catamaran I could find

Soon to be Sullivan.

Ha ha... yes.

I have yet to find anything of major concern wrong with the Catalac 10M after 2000 miles on her. I'm working it though.

Tropic Cat · 16-06-2008, 04:56

Thanks Therapy. I was wrapped up in boat projects over the weekend and didn't read this thread until this morning.

Nat, If you scan the pages on the the Factory Update page of my website, you'll soon develop a feel of what to watch out for when examining potential boats.

Most of the web pages have been recently updated. Email me directly if you have any questions.

syoung33 · 16-06-2008, 05:03

Nat, I've owned a Catalac 8m for the last 3 months or so and can heartily recommend it.

Theres a very good article/review of Catalacs in the July 2008 issue of Practical Boat Owner magazine. I've got a scanned version of it on my PC at home so I can send it later if you'd like a copy.

cheers,
Simon

Nat · 16-06-2008, 15:20

Thanks to all for replys. Have read the article mentioned in PBO which helped confirm this might be a good choice but thank you for offer of scanned copy.

Info on head height was also helpful rick means my head would simply be brushing the roof rather than doing the limbo. Don't suppose you know the length of double birth? believe 9m is 6' 6"

Have info on another. In middle of organising veiwing but its lying abroad so little more complicated. Anything in particular worth keeping an eye out for?

Many thanks

Talbot · 17-06-2008, 12:05

NAT, that article in PBO was about my 9m Catalac, which I owned for 21 years. Now sadly sold due to a major life upheavel.

Catalacs are good sea boats. They are good for living in (on a cost /space comparison. They are great for kids due to their design.
They can be surprisingly fast in the right conditions.

They are very susceptible to weight, and cruising weight really affects them

They are poor to windward - unless you can keep them light - but even then a short steep sea is time to turn on the engine.

The 9m is a better boat than the 8m

The 10m is a more modern internal design and sails much better. If I recall correctly, the 10m won its class in its first ARC.

The 12 m is rare (although most are in USA) but a good one is a really good boat.

I am very happy to discuss any aspect that you would like further info about.

Talbot · 17-06-2008, 12:14

NAT, The article quoted wrong numbers for the double berth size. It is 6ft 3" by 4ft 6 inches.

I was going to attach the article to here but at 1.27Mb it is above the forum limit.

ssullivan · 17-06-2008, 12:16

Talbot, can you attach it in 2 different files of 500K or so each? Would love to read that.

Talbot · 17-06-2008, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssullivan

Talbot, can you attach it in 2 different files of 500K or so each? Would love to read that.

I have attached the article from Practical Boat Owner and written by David Harding.

This was the third article about my boat, and the fourth time a picture of her appeared in that magazine. The previous articles were on the subject of marina berthing in a cat with one engine and lots of windage and appeared in Jan and Feb 06.

Nat · 17-06-2008, 13:03

Thanks talbot. Little worried about the bed length but am viewing one on the weekend so think it will be a matter of checking it out physically.

Looking at these boats because they seem to offer good layout and space for the money so seems to suit being used as budget conscious live aboard. Are there any other boats worth considering of this size and cost?

Talbot · 17-06-2008, 13:17

Prout Quest 31 and 33

both much better sea boats, but not so good accomodation.

Solaris more expensive but larger, about the same as aProut Snowgoose 37 - but cheaper than the Snowgoose Elite. (abt $100,000US)

I am over 6ft

Nat · 17-06-2008, 13:32

Thanks for that. Think the larger prouts out of my budget. Looking more towards the 8m catalac price range. As will be moored more than sailed that will hopefully keep mooring costs down too, as i understand ports tend to charge more for catamarans. Was that your experience?