Dock side appeal of three cats

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by colemj

Sorry Dave, but shirtless, bald head and no hat, sitting in the sun all day is the antithesis of our sailing strategy...

Mark, who does that?

Sitting up against a bulkhead on the wrong side of the boat with poor visibility and shitty helm feel is the antithesis of our sailing strategy....

Dave

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by Factor

The Freydis should outperform the Catana easily,

Well, I'll have to respectfully disagree; go sail them both in similar conditions and see what happens.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

Have you tried them, spiv?

The outboard helms on my boat are the most popular seats on board - both are usually occupied unless it's really snotty, then only the leeward one is.

Dave

You obviously don't sail in the lower lattitudes.

[spiv]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

Have you tried them, spiv?
Dave

Well, the truth is: No.

However in 5y living aboard of my Salina, I would have spent 2h sitting on the bowsprit (similar conditions), the rest of the time in some sort of protection from the elements.

We forgot how many times we dropped anchor under heavy rain from the comfort of our enclosed helm (which, BTW, seats 4 and it is the most popular place when underway, sometimes even when at anchor on a starry night).
I know that even you probably spend most of the time underway in the saloon, on autopilot, but when I MUST steer, I prefer to be under cover.

Don't get me wrong, I do like Catanas, I have close friends with Catanas, but, I am not the only one that calls the Catana's helms "Rambo's helms"....

[Steel sails]

Freydis core is foam looks like what I call Nidacore
I am obviously biased but my ranking would be
Freydis
Catana
Lagoon

Regards
Paul

[Steamer]

Originally Posted by canadian cat

...
I believe same build quality and materials ( polyester).
...

Lerouge are usually built in better resins.

Anyway

1) Freydis
2) Catana
3) Lagoon

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by StuM

You obviously don't sail in the lower lattitudes.

No I don't, and I have no desire to. But the former owner of my boat took it around Cape Horn east to west.

The helms are the most "discussed" feature of the Catanas and whether you love them or loathe them is a personal preference. After my 5 foot Admiral first sat at one (when we were shopping for boats) she wouldn't consider anything else - she could see. Like most cruisers we let Otto steer most of the time and we can also "helm" from the saloon with Otto 2. But when it's a nice day and we want to hand steer we like to feel the wind on our face and see unobstructed upwind for the wind on the water - all while having direct mechanical linkage to the large rudders. For our preferences that is sailing, not merely driving. On clear nights on bluewater passages the stars are the ceiling and the only danger is flying fish - I've been hit on several occasions which is why the upwind helm is avoided at night. Docking and picking up moorings is much easier when you're helming from the outboard edge.

Like everything else, personal preferences are rarely the same and none are "wrong" - some are just less appreciated than others.

Dave

[Factor]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Well, I'll have to respectfully disagree; go sail them both in similar conditions and see what happens.

I have.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

No I don't, and I have no desire to. But the former owner of my boat took it around Cape Horn east to west.

Dave

That's HIGHER latitudes. I'm talking about the sub-tropics and/or tropics where sun protection is essential. No way would you catch me sitting out all day shirtless on such an exposed helm on a typical day in this part of the world!

[2Hulls]

Originally Posted by StuM

That's HIGHER latitudes. I'm talking about the sub-tropics and/or tropics where sun protection is essential. No way would you catch me sitting out all day shirtless on such an exposed helm on a typical day in this part of the world!

Yea, duh. My oldstimers disease. Actually we spend most of our time in the tropics and the sun exposure admittedly is the weakest link in our helms - but it's not like we sit out there all day shirtless. Who would do that? We don't have to. Do you ever go snorkeling all day shirtless? Only at night?

Dave

[StuM]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

Do you ever go snorkeling all day shirtless? Only at night?
Dave

Nope, I wear a rashie when I'm snorkelling during the day. I learnt that the hard way, many years ago.

(BTW, my avatar is how I dress for an open helm - and that orange thing in my right hand is a large container of SPF 50+)

[downunder]

Originally Posted by spiv

1 -Freydis 46 (Sleek, fast, enough accomodation)

2 -Lagoon 47 (the best Lagoon?? Probably)

3 -Catana (who likes the Rambo style steering in the sun/rain/sprays??)

Outremers and Atlantics, do not have the accommodation and the living ergonomics, like you said, 90% at anchor (with other cruisers... sundowners .... pot lucks, dinners.....)

[Pacey16]

Freydis, Lagoon, Catana. 3 nice boats, pretty much what my list looked like before buying a Freydis. The styling is just down to personal taste, Freydis looks fast tied to the dock, Lagoon has great classic looks and the Catana has a functional look but I just couldn't bring myself to admire the step in the top sides below the portholes.
The main differences are as discussed the Daggerboard / keels and helm position. I initially thought I wanted daggerboards and outboard helm for sure but after much thought settled on fixed keels and bulkhead steering.
The deciding factor for me was the reality that I am now a cruiser and because of the added buoyancy of the keels , once loaded up she will not be much slower at all, the less maintenance, beachability, less risk of damage in a grounding made sense for remote area cruising.
On the helm position I am very thankful of the protection it offers and am glad I did not go for outboard. For the few hours a day you might want to have fun steering when the weather is favorable then the approach Outremer takes would work. I plan on fabricating an emergency tiller and seat to give me this option.

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[rassabossa]

Not to go all Casanova on the subject but this is like asking which one of 3 women has the most "appeal". Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....and in reality, all three are fine in their own ways.

[Sailingcouple13]

Best dockside appeal has as much to do with where the dock is....

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