Sell me your catamaran --- Next in line!

[sailorgal]

Since Sully has found his catamaran (I'm jealous) I thought I'd borrow the title of his former thread and put in my own pitch!

We are now ready to seriously begin the process of buying our catamaran. We have narrowed down our choices to:

Catalac 12 or 10 (hey Sully -- although I know you don't want to sell your new baby!)

Solaris 40 Sunstream (I love the layout of these)

Prout 39

I check Yachtworld every day, and have also been doing google searches. There are a few of these out there. We'd prefer finding one near Florida or U.S. East coast/Gulf Coast (after Ike is gone).

Anyone out there have one of these or similar that you're looking to sell? Or maybe there's one sitting at your local marina or dock that looks like it might be for sale?

We want a live aboard for long-term cruising around the Carribean and central America. I like the solid British built cats.

Any leads or suggestions? PM if you want.


Thanks!

[Southern Star]

No leads Sailorgirl, but I'll keep my eyes posted. I think you've made some pretty sound choices and, as the owner of a Sunstream 40, I agree with you about the layout.

Mine has the tub room forward in the starboard hull - I am installing water tight doors in the lockers, some additional cupboards forward and will be using it as the sole interior shower in the boat. I can also tell you that she tacks easily in as little as 5 knots of wind, has a comfortable motion and that the hull/deck are extremely solidly built (my only area of delam was a small one in the aft deck due to improper installation of some davits by the previous owner; the only stress cracks are some small ones on a couple of hatch covers).

The only one I know of for sale at present is overseas and, for its condition, seems a bit overpriced. I should also say that the original interiors use a great deal of carpeting and vinyl headliners that tends to deteriorate over time. I have removed all of mine and installed frp panels that are more attractive, easy to keep clean, and are easily removable in order to get at deck hardware. On the other hand, it is a HUGE project.

Finally, I should also say that I have come to appreciate the cutter/'Prout' rig for reasons already mentioned in an earlier thread on the topic. All of the boats you have listed tend to have rock solid construction, a similar rig, tempered glass fixed portlights and pretty impressive safety records. They are also, as you are aware, typically available for less than most of the newer designs in their size range.

Good luck and we'll keep our eyes peeled....

Brad

[sailorgal]

Thanks Brad

I saw the Solaris you mentioned on yachtworld. Its over in Spain. There was one for sale late last year (Ladycat) that I really liked from the pictures and description, but we weren't really ready to buy at that time.

I looked at a Prout 39 in Ft. Lauderdale a couple of months ago. I liked it too, but it has since sold after being on the market for almost 2 years. We have our eye on the two others currently for sale in Florida.

We were in communication with the owners of a Catalac 12 that's listed in the Houston area, but it now has a contract pending, although that might change after Ike comes ashore tonight.

Luckily, although we are ready to buy, we aren't necessarily in a hurry and can take our time to find the perfect boat for us.

[Nordic cat]

Sorry if I cause a small diversion here.

Brad, do you have any more info on the carpeting/headliner replacement you did? My boat has the carpeting that is starting to go.

Thanks

Alan

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by sailorgal

We were in communication with the owners of a Catalac 12 that's listed in the Houston area, but it now has a contract pending, although that might change after Ike comes ashore tonight. .

There are very few 12M's around. By last count only 12 were located in North America. If you find one, jump on it as it's one of the great liveaboard boats out there.

I saw a 10M for sale in Pensecola, FL a while back with an extremely low price on her. There wasn't much information in the write up and I have no idea what condition she was in. It may be worth googling and see if you can track her down.

Sean's 10M is in Bristol condition and is the finest example of a 10M I've seen. Heck when I saw the boat, I was more than a little envious .
Had I seen his boat first........ (just funnin with ya Sean...)

[tyrntlzrdking]

This Catalac 11M looks nice to me.
Long way to go if you want to look at it though.

1994 Catalac 11m Boat For Sale=

[Morgan Paul]

Check it out

BoatUS Classified Ads

[sailorgal]

Rick -- we did call about that boat. It had been neglected for a while and sold several months ago for a very low price.

Paul -- that boat is one we've had our eye on. We're in contact with the owner, but it's a long way away.

Thanks

[Southern Star]

Allan, I removed the vinyl/carpeting, groung off the adhesive (couldn't find a solution that would remove it without also damaging the fiberglass), installed wood screw strips with epoxy where necessary, made templates out of cardboard/bristolboard, then cut out and installed frp panels available at Home Depot for under $50.00 per 4X8 sheet. The panels are very flexible, have a pattern similar to frp headliners and can be installed with screws, epoxy or 'frp panel adhesive' also available at Home Depot.

The material is extremely durable and is used for interiors of industrial refrigeration units (amongst other things), so it is not sensitve to temperature. Seams can be caulked with a good white silicone bathroom caulking ( I use GE which has an indentical colour). It is a neat, clean permanent repair and allows removable panels in order to access deck hardware.

Cut it slightly oversize and sand to fit with 80 weight paper (the edges sand very easily). I even sand the straight edges along a board to ensure it is smooth and true.

Sorry for getting us off topic, but it is a useful way to deal with the saggy headliner problem on many older cats, including the ones that Sailorgal is looking at.

Brad

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by sailorgal

Rick -- we did call about that boat. It had been neglected for a while and sold several months ago for a very low price.Thanks

Yeah, I imagine being dismasted is a type of neglect. Captainsully emailed me with the particulars, and photos. Apparently, the new owners bought her for 60% of the 'good condition' boat value. I figure they made out very well and will have her sailing in short order.

How come I never find these 'deals'???

I have dibs on the first 10M that appears on the market... you can have the next one

Originally Posted by Southern Star

.......then cut out and installed frp panels available at Home Depot for under $50.00 per 4X8 sheet. The panels are very flexible, have a pattern similar to frp headliners and can be installed with screws, epoxy or 'frp panel adhesive' also available at Home Depot.
Brad

Hey Brad, what's the brand name of those FRP panels? Is the stuff flexible enough to bend around the coach roof to cabin sides using wood battens to hold it in place?

[Nordic cat]

Thanks Brad, I will look for something comparable in Europe..

Alan

[ldrhawke]

Hey Brad, what's the brand name of those FRP panels? Is the stuff flexible enough to bend around the coach roof to cabin sides using wood battens to hold it in place?

This is what the HomeDepot FRP panels look like installed. I replaced the original plywood covered with vinyl that were starting to fall apart. I used the original panel as a pattern, and the install was cheap and easy.

[mangomuffins]

check this out...

You might get a deal after Ike.


2 Hulls Inc

[sailorgal]

Thanks Mangomuffins

I have been in contact with the owners of that boat and there is currently a sale pending.

[Southern Star]

Rick, I am not sure of the brand name but they are very flexible. On the other hand, in order to cover the sides of my coachouse I have installed wooden 'vees' on the curve to the deck and run the panel down to a straight edge with a slight overhang. I then installed teak trim on the edge.

I'll try to get some photos taken and posted in the next couple of weeks.

Brad