Liveaboard/cruising Cats w/kids

[pangaea6]

Thanks for the replies. I talked with a few boat folks and even the guys at Manta and they said it was very possible to create bunks in teh kids cabins of a 3 cabin cat. I figure if they start off small, that's what they'll be used to. Besides we parents are used to our 'space' so it'l be a lot easier on us to have more room on our side. The Manta is as small as I would want to go, just b/c it seems like it may be easier to sail and all of the other 'Manta' company factors, Harriet you know what II mean I suppose.
As far as chartering, that's not really viable at this point as I don't fly. So I was hoping to get some insight in other ways, this being one of them. I could live with galley up or down I suppose but was just hoping to get others opinions on either what they have experienced or heard from others. I'll be checking out the Prout and BB this week to know about their space for sure. I'd like to know about quality and reliability of the boats over time most importantly, and that's hard to get chartering anyway I suppose. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

[Sunspot Baby]

Pangea:

I just left you a private message with more about this subject.

Sunspot Baby

[dana-tenacity]

Slightly off topic but you did ask. Our girls were liveaboard from ages 1/6 to 9/14. Absolutely the best thing we ever did for them, both way ahead of their peer group academically on return and so many other advantages i couldn't list them here. Free advice, no television on board but plenty of good books.
I've sailed a Catana 431 from the factory to San Fran. Great boat, I would cheerfully single hand it, but can understand the other opinions stated earlier.

Good luck.

[Moby Dick]

Broadblue would customise the 435 to your spec - bunks, work room with bench, etc etc, but maybe too much for your budget new.