Family of 5 - what make/model catamaran works well?

[Loz]

Hi to all cruising families...
We are an Australian family seriously looking for a production cat in the Caribbean to set sail in 2013 for a gap year. We are trying to avoid an ex-charter and prefer an owner's version however it would be nice to have a cabin for each of the 3 kids aged 7, 11, and 13.
It seems some cats have a small bench seat in the owner's hull that could work as a berth for a young child? The fallback position is to have the younger two share a cabin, which could be very challenging knowing our kids. Please can you share your thoughts on this... and offer any creative solutions!
Thanks
Loz

[deckofficer]

Seems to me your size family would be perfect for either an ex-charter boat or any four cabin cat. Every kid wants his/her own space at times, why go with a 3 cabin owner's version? They always cost more and you need the 4th cabin.

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by Loz

It seems some cats have a small bench seat in the owner's hull that could work as a berth for a young child?

We were thinking of something similar, but no benches that we've seen offer enough space for a 7 yo, plus all their things, plus all their toys, etc.

Some cats have space in the forward lockers in the hull(s) that has been converted into a crew cabin. So if you wanted to stick with an owner's version, you could look for an owner's version with a crew cabin. Just make sure that that cabin can be accessed from the hull and not only from the hatch on deck.

[rtbates]

Each night ONE child GETS to sleep OUTSIDE...How you choose is the question?

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by rtbates

Each night ONE child GETS to sleep OUTSIDE...How you choose is the question?

And if there is a squall that night, takes care of the shower issue.

[Loz]

Haha! Yes, we will be employing all these strategies, including at times a very long line to the dinghy!
What design configurations work best?
And, what make/model cat do you recommend we look at?
It seems to me most families out there cruising are sailing on cats?
What monos are a workable option?
Cheers
Loz

[Talbot]

Your info at the moment does not really contain enough data to give a good recomendation.

Catamarans are available with two of the following three options

Cheap
high performance
cruising load + toys capable

I agree with previous comments that going with a state room option and converting a boot cupboard for the youngest is not the best solution. It will also mean that you would soon have to buy a new boat. I strongly recommend going with a four cabin and two toilet boat.

I like the looks and liveaboard capability of the Privilege range, and a 45 in this is a great boat.

A St Francis 44 will provide what you need, and the Knysa is also worth looking at.

[Loz]

Thanks for that...
I have also been looking at FP's and Lagoons. The Bahia 46 Owner's Version has a couch that could possibly be used as another berth. The reason I'm interested in a 3 cabin owner's version is for resale value back in Australia. We could put up with some discomfort for a year, otherwise a 4 cabin ex-charter will be the most practical option.
Loz

Loz

[capcook]

From my research, the Lepoard 47 is 1st choice and the Lagoon 421 is second... still wrestling with the ex-charter vs Owner never chartered decision... lots of bucks difference...

Cheers

[boatsail]

Originally Posted by rtbates

Each night ONE child GETS to sleep OUTSIDE...How you choose is the question?

Silly question. Everyone knows you pick the child you like the least (jk)

Serious, I would have picked the outside had I been the child. In fact, I was that child when we would go to Rock Hall, MD in the summer for the weekend. We would actually fight to get the "bench". I was the oldest, so I always had "dibs"!

[offshorer]

You want at least two heads and four cabins and headroom, so the smallest to go would be a some 35 feet models that offer this but better look for something in the 40+ range because when cruising you spent 80% of the time lying and you want to have some space to spread out