Size matters ?

[redbreast]

Hi all have narrowed my search down to a few makes of cats now for our voyage.
One question remains what size there is only 2 of us
possible over the pond use
38' or 40' to 42' ???
Any views please.

[Factor]

Go the biggest boat you feel confident handling alone, its not necessarilly about length its also about systems etc,

[pilot]

My personal opinion, it´s not nesessarily length, but "operational handling design".
I have chosen the MANTA 42 for different reasons, but one for sure is "operational handling characteristics" for a small crew. I my case: 2 persons.
Good luck with your pending decision!

[Southern Star]

I have to agree - LOA is decidedly not the issue when one is considering varying designs of cats between 38 and 42 feet. There can be significant differences in construction, bridgedeck clearance, displacement, performance, layout, etc., etc. Why not share your short list?

brad

[DWT]

As to the size of a cat. The 1st. is can I single handle the boat... is it set up for that and 2nd. being my biggest problem is where to dock or store the boat. The canal system I am on can handle a 23' wide but, the boat I would like to have is close to 25' and I am not sure the neighbors would like that. Something else maybe to think about.

David
69 Morgan 30'
CarolAnn

[imagine2frolic]

I am 46ft X 23ft 3in, and finding a spot to haul is more difficult. Also my wife, and I sail the boat alone. Which mostly is me single-handing with an extra pair of eyes, so I can sleep.

My 2 headsails are roller furling, and the main is slab reef which is from the mast. At times it can be a WEE BIT JERKY at the mast when the seas are on the beam. I don't like it, but it is what I have for now. Reefing from the cockpit is next years goal!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dworkman]

Good point on haul-out spots. We have been able to squeeze our Leopard 38 (21 FT 3 IN) into yards that advertise a 21 FT beam max. For some reason, this seems to be a common "max" from the Keys to BVIs. Any larger, and our haul-out options would have gone down significantly.

[2Hulls]

Where to haul out big beam cats & tris is a real issue if you limit your hauling hardware to the typical travel lifts. Don't overlook the advantage of having a boat typically much lighter than a similar length mono >>> you can haul using a crane (many monos can do this as well). You can also haul using a trailer set up to lift on the bridge deck.

Hauling with a crane with slings positioned just like in a travel lift is straightforward, and the boat won't know the difference. Just make sure the crane is using spreader bars to keep the inward component from exerting too much "squeeze" on the hulls. Tris can lift from just the center (narrower) hull which reduces this concern.

Catanas have lifting eyes built into the side shroud chain plates specifically for lifting with a crane. These carry approx. 98% of the load with the rest expected to the stern, obviously dependent on distribution of "transient" weight aboard the boat. Pads on the rear crossbeam are used to balance the lifted rig. See pic below. On this lift the weight was slightly forward, but almost exactly balanced - note the slack in the forward rigging. Forward deck cleats were used for balancing.

See also pic below of a trailer style hauling method. Self explanatory.

Bottom line - don't think you're limited to using a extra wide travel lift to haul your boat.

Dave

[colemj]

Maybe it's my eyesight, but that boat doesn't seem to have rudders or saildrives.

[2Hulls]

Yep, I think you're right. Not my boat. Maybe it has warp drive?

Seriously, that would explain why this lift was balanced or bow heavy - if the engines or drives + rudders were removed.

Dave

[imagine2frolic]

Had the boat hauled in St. Maarten with an antique crane. The man handling the crane was an artist. This was before I painted the boat, and changed the rest of the canvas.

In the slip in St. Augustine with only room left for the straps.

[sandy daugherty]

There are only three or four marinas in the Chesapeake bay that can handle more than a twenty foot beam. There are slips for wider boats, but they are few and expensive. While its very possible to buy a boat that needs more crew than you have to safely handle, you should remember that the longer waterline will have a better motion in short choppy waves and wakes. On the other hand, provisions for four are a lot lighter and easier to store than for six or eight. Consider four people the minimum crew for watchstanding longer than a few days.

[fastcat435]

Bigger than 40 ft makes the cat in general more comfortable look at the lenght to beam ratio , a minimum of 50 % beam is preferred but 55 % is even bettter
Greetings

[redbreast]

Ok so views on ratios for the Catana 411 or the Outremer new to all this so any thoughts please.

[dana-tenacity]

I'm probably a lone voice in the wilderness here, but I would be more concerned with the complexity of systems than a few feet of length as this will have a much greater impact on your enjoyment of the cruising experience.
Every piece of equipment you add needs to be purchased, installed, operated, serviced, repaired and replaced. Read time and money.
Ports around the world are full of cruisers waiting for parts. If you don't have it in the first place you could be out cruising instead.