Probably a Dumb Question: Why Are Edel Cats So Inexpensive ?

[ggray]

Originally Posted by smj

The older Edels with the pods do have a low bridgedeck clearance. The open bridgedeck Edels have great bridgedeck clearance, just imagine if you were to remove the pod in the picture. The older Edels were pretty basic boats. The ones I know of were solid glass and are considered beam boats. Three parts, two hulls and a bridgedeck structure attached to three beams and bolted together. They sail very well and have a nice motion which I contribute to the fact that the hulls are able to move independently of one another.

We had an Edel 35 for 10 years and were very happy with her, although as others have noted, at times waves would slap the bottom of the main cabin, sometimes rattling your teeth!

SMJ has an accurate critique, except for for the last dozen words. The hulls do not move independently of each other. Both sides of each hull are clamped securely to the crossbeams.

[smj]

Originally Posted by ggray

We had an Edel 35 for 10 years and were very happy with her, although as others have noted, at times waves would slap the bottom of the main cabin, sometimes rattling your teeth!

SMJ has an accurate critique, except for for the last dozen words. The hulls do not move independently of each other. Both sides of each hull are clamped securely to the crossbeams.

Maybe my wording was incorrect. The Edel has a lot more flex than a cat built in the conventional way. Maybe this is because the hulls are bolted to the bridgedeck but on our Edel 43 you could definitely feel the boat work in a swell. Our Seawind 1000 is the same type of construction but doesn't seem to flex as much. Sorry but i can't find the right words to describe the flexing feel of the boat. Either way we really liked the Edel.

[happyendings]

I now own SMJ's Edel 43 and concur that the motion is outstanding for a catamaran. Wood and fiberglass are not inherently good materials for cyclic loading whereas some metals are. The crossbeams on my boat are cut-down large maxi-yacht mast sections center and aft and a smaller section forward. Mast sections are great for cyclic loads and are lighter than the glass/wood/foamcore that they replace. My boat was delivered at under 14000 lbs for a 43' by 24' catamaran. Auxilliary equipment and my crap have swelled her to 16000+ but she is still light and very fast.

The bridge deck clearance on my boat is no less than most South African cats and the contoured center pod takes seas much better than the flat under sections on those boats.

As delivered, this boat was well laid-up by not well equipped in other areas. After spending considerable time and money, she is now a much easier boat to sail. If you buy a similar older cat, expect substantial re-fit costs for the lower priced boats you are seeing.

As for appearance, someone here thought the Edels were ugly. I've attached a photo of my boat for you to judge. She attacts positive attention wherever I go.

[JJ77]

I am a bit confused about Edel,who is building them?
This yard in Cherbourg;
index

or this one in Beauvoir sur mer;
portfolio

the latter has got the Edel 28&33 in its portfolio.

Cheers,
JJ

[happyendings]

The modern boats are entirely different and I'm not sure who's building them. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

[smj]

Originally Posted by happyendings

The modern boats are entirely different and I'm not sure who's building them. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

Hey Z are you in Guatamala or the Keys?

[deckofficer]

Thanks for all the input, fast, possibly noisy, and a decent price. I'll keep looking at the Edel.

[happyendings]

In the Rio, AJ.

[deckofficer]

14 years old, $78K, looks to be a fast cruiser, you just won't be entertaining the masses on board. A picture worth 999 words.
1997 Edel

[deckofficer]

Seems easily driven at speed.

Edel catamaran - YouTube

[happyendings]

That is a good price for what looks to be a nice 35. You will blow by anything else within 50 grand of the price you are paying in the same size range.

[Southern Star]

If she is in decent shape and suits your needs, no doubt she is great bang for the buck. For me, however, the need to go on deck in order to enter either of the hulls would be a deal breaker: workable, if inconvenient, in good conditions; a real nuisiance whether underway or under anchor, when conditions deteriorate.

Brad

[deckofficer]

My budget is around $250K, but living in the land of "health care for profit", it is reassuring to know I could still get out in a solid, fast cat for <$100K.

[TOM]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Thanks. Old and not well known isn't a negative, as I am also.

You are a funny man.

www.byamee.com

[HapaPops]

I'd be very happy with that Edel - it would fit my needs perfectly. Performance - but adequate niceties to make the family happy. Looks like you'd really "feel" the sailing.

Unfortunately, they're all in Europe or eastern carib. if/when the tri sells, I'd really have to look at a Caribbean based boat - and figure out how to deliver to the West Coast US - over say the course of a year - with me flying in for 2-3 weeks at a time.