Catamaran or Trimaran

[markmark]

Is it true that Catamarans and Trimarans are more stable then a mono-hull sailboat. What are some drawbacks, I've read that docking might be an issue.

[imagine2frolic]

Just watch a wake pass through a marina......i2f

[Jerry Woodward]

Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

[imagine2frolic]

Jerry,

We can try, and make it fun.....i2f

[Jerry Woodward]

My (admittedly) limited experience is that I was able to cook a pork tenderloin dinner on Imagine out in the Gulf Stream. In contrast, last time I chartered a monohul, I couldn't ever put my wine glass down, even at anchor. Kinda forces you to finish it quickly

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Jerry Woodward

Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

Woohoo!

[cdennyb]

I was on a Tri for about 2 hrs... enough for me. The swells were timed perfectly and my friend says it doesn't happen like that very much, but I think he' lying. The center section would ride up on a swell, the trailing pontoon would be down and the opposing one UP, way UPPP. and when the vessel rolled over the swell, welll... it slapped the water with a thunderous thud.
I like my Cat, two hulls, straddles those same swells and only on a rare occasion does it slap between them... mostly flat and easy to tolerate.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Hi Markmark,

As you have asked such a broad question I have posted the following links to a couple of articles which will give you a lot of the information that you are seeking.

Once you have read these please come back to us with any other questions that you may have.

http://www.bayacht.com/mono-cat.htm

The following one was written by a multihull company which needs to be kept in mind.

Catamaran Vs Monohull

Regards,
Steve

[Cats Eye]

I live on a Cat now. My husband and I started on a small Chris Craft - then went to a 46' Morgan - Then we got a 38' Cat. I like the Cat for the comfort it offers. We are cruising right now and have covered 3200km in 7 months and have love every comfortable second of it. I know this has NOTHING to do with how the boats compare in sailing and all that good stuff BUT for me to live on a boat and cruise I needed to have more comfortable space. I did not grow up sailing so it was easy for me to cross over to a Cat. AGAIN I am NOT comparing the performance of the boats just the comforts for me living aboard. We have been on our Cat 6 years and I love her. I loved the Morgan tooo but the more open floor plan and not having to be down blow to be in the galley are all things that I have learned to really get spoiled with. Also when we crossed the Mona passage and I was able to cook over easy eggs with no problem and make coffee that was nice. I am not doggin monohulls - they are just not for me.

[RTB]

With i2f's permission, Mel shot this video on our way to Colombia aboard their cat, Imagine.

water on the glass.mp4 - YouTube

Later last year, I crewed on this Pacific Seacraft 37 in the Harvest Moon Regatta. The rail was in the water for 150 miles and about 27 hours. We all got beat up pretty good, never had a hot meal, and no coffee.

Mono hull sailing next to Lagoon 420 Catamaran in the 2010 Harvest Moon Regatta - YouTube

Cooking has to be a major task aboard a mono when it's bumpy. There was never a day (for 3 weeks), that we didn't have coffee and hot meals aboard Imagine.

Cats make a nice swim platform, btw!



A down side (upside down side) might be....

[imagine2frolic]

RTB,

I never saw that video. Do you remember our speed during it?......i2f

[RTB]

I don't recall the speed....just that the wind wasn't on the nose, and the engines weren't running.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by RTB

snip
Cooking has to be a major task aboard a mono when it's bumpy. There was never a day (for 3 weeks), that we didn't have coffee and hot meals aboard Imagine.

Cats ....

I have ofter had hot meals on monos at sea even in bad weather. Mostly microwaved of course , but still quite a few on the stove. One just has to plan and prepare accordingly With respect, not having a filled thermos or two on board and at hand borders on bad planning on the skippers part.

[Wavewacker]

How often do monos capsize compared to multis in similar conditions?

What happens to a mono if holed compared to a multi?

Of comparable length, which carries more weight for provisions, gear, etc. ?

The OP did not mention length....size matters doesn't it?

How about a poorly designed cat compared to a well designed mono? Or a tri?

And, in such matters, how does the tri compare to the cat?

[imagine2frolic]

Docking isn't ann issue. In most cases it is much easier with 2 engines. As far as finding space. In nearly 9 years from the Caribbean to Florida, and then back down to Panama, and into Costa Rica it has never been an issue.

Of course you can have warm meals on a mono in snotty weather. The highest percentage of the time it will just be easier to prepare a nicer meal on a cat than a mono. Just take a look at that glass of water sitting as we scoot along. Seeing iss believing, and I've done it both way. Tucked into the corner of the cockpit with my feet bracing me in while I eat of a pan where my premade spaghetti was made. Sipping soup, or hot drink out of a thermos in the same corner. Finding a place to wedge what ever I am consuming when the boat needs me, as to just setting it down.

The o.p asked about stability, and that's what I am answering. As far as all the holed multi, sunk mono, and all the other debates. That has been gone over hundreds of times here. I can admire a good mono just as well as a good cat. They both come in bad forms too. Everything is a compromise......i2f