First Cat - Meow

[vera libertas]

Hi everyone.

We're thinking about selling our center console to get back into sailing and the wife has agreed. We're planning to cruise extensively beginning sometime around 2020 so I want to get myself back in practice and start teaching my wife and kids about sailing, the life, etc before going to a larger boat and farther destinations.

I've done a lot of reading about multi-hulls but have no real practical experience with cats. I've been sailing monohulls all my life but with the family a cat seems like the most practical, comfortable, etc. That and my wife says she won't go on long trips if she has to live on an angle.

Long story short we want to eventually upgrade to a 45 or so foot cat but for the short term want something that will be a fun and enjoyable experience for all of us but also less expensive to buy, maintain, dock etc and something that we can use to cruise around the Keys and Bahamas without issue - i.e. seaworthy, shallow draft, comfortable.

From what I can tell a great first boat would be a Gemini 3200/3400/105. I'd like to not spend more than around 70k so it seems a 3200/3400 would be about right due to:

• 18" draft
• Good coastal cruiser
• Good acommodations
• 14' beam

Other cats, like a Prout Event, have deeper drafts and wider beams - which while somewhat insignificant can be all the difference in the world sailing in between the Keys or finding cheap dockage.

My real question is am I missing other good choices that fit our needs?

[Cotemar]

Maine Cat 30 may also work for you with a 18 foot beam.

Maine Cat 30 - Maine Cat Catamarans

[Factor]

Maine Cat would be particularly good in Florida.

[smj]

I also really like the Maine Cat 30 but the beam is 18' not 16'. Still that shouldn't be a deal breaker.

[ausaviator]

Gemini would be good from a brand perspective. Well known, more common and more likely to sell easily afterwards.

[smj]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

Gemini would be good from a brand perspective. Well known, more common and more likely to sell easily afterwards.

Depends where your located. In the US the market is absolutely flooded with used Geminis but the Maine Cat 30's seem to hold their value.

[vera libertas]

Thanks for all the replies.

The Maine Cat 30 seems like a great boat but the beam of 18' doesn't allow it to fit into a more standard slip and the prices seem to be well above 70k if and when one is on the market.

The more I search the more it seems like the Gemini 3200/3400 would be a great starter boat for cruising around the Keys and Bahamas.

[Catalysis]

For quality and resale value you might want to consider a PDQ LRC 32
Paul
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1997.../United-States

[OutOfControl]

Catalyst,
I might be looking at that specific listing this week.

[Catalysis]

We have owned an Antares 44i for the past 4 years and are impressed with the quality.

[pathlesschosen]

If I were looking for a smaller catamaran the 32' PDQ would receive a very serious consideration.

OutOfControl - give us a report regarding the listing (we will also consider silence a report...)

Nice boat Catalysis.

[vera libertas]

Originally Posted by OutOfControl

Catalyst,
I might be looking at that specific listing this week.

I'd certainly like to hear what you think as well.

[tomfl]

I looked at a couple of PDQs a while back and recall some had outboards, while the one you linked to had inboards. There are pros and cons to both. I am not sure how many or how old your kids are but you may want to think about who will sleep where and access routes to the head.

I have also been on some Geminis. They seem similar to PDQs in some respects, but a close inspection might reveal differences that are important to you.

The PDQ you linked to does seem to have an attractive price point. On the other hand you may benefit from spending a little more time walking the docks and looking at different cats. I would almost bet you could find some folks in South Florida who would take you out for a day sail or for a weekend on their boat. This would give you a good idea of what you are getting into with different boats.

[Svan]

Originally Posted by Catalysis

For quality and resale value you might want to consider a PDQ LRC 32
Paul
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1997.../United-States

That is a nice price on a very good boat.

[OutOfControl]

Earlier today my wife and I looked at the PDQ 32LRC mentioned above and a Victory 35 also listed by the same brokerage. We are just starting our search and at this stage looking at the different designs available in our price range. Our primary goal today was to get an idea of the space available and the layout.

The Victory 35 was very well laid out and seemed spacious. There were adequate storage areas and access to equipment was good. The boat appeared to be in good shape, updated, and cruise enabled. The only visable problem was the sagging headliner throughout a majority of the boat which can be seen in the listing pictures linked above.

The PDQ was on the hard undergoing a repair to the shaft and/or bearing. I uploaded a photo below. My wife liked the galley down design as well as the enormous amount of space in the settee when the table was dropped for bunkage. Our only concern was the headroom, even with the companion way hatch slid open access to the setee and/or either hull was still restricted. This particular listing, although equipped with a hard bimini, had no enclosure or dodger negating the companion way use during inclement weather.

As I stated above, we are just getting an idea of the size and lay-outs available in our price range and will narrow it down when we get closer to a decision. We both preferred the Victory overall, but these two models will probably be on the short list.
OutOfControl