TwoSail 1 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 We have decided we are only interested in cruising, whether its offshore or up and down the coast. Ive also considered cheaper older hulls and modifying/renovating/fixing one up.What used models should I consider that can be sailed 1 handed but usually minimum 2?Is it possible to sail from NZ to Fiji in a Cat? (dumb question maybe but have not owned a cat before)How many knots generally do you need to get a Cat moving? I know they arent easy to get going.Thanks for any tips, we are looking at buying in a year or 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,184 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Cats sail in all oceans. Not many in high lats, lots and lots in the tropics. Personally I've sailed them from Fiji, to Hawaii etc etc. Some are slow pigs, really motorsailors, some are very high performing indeed! Your questions about wind speeds required cannot be answered unless the specific design is mentioned. Cats have different motion in a seaway, their movements can be quick and sharp. Not better than a mono, not worse, just different. Of course healing is limited. Charter a few cats,find out what you like. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TwoSail 1 Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 Charter a few cats,find out what you like. Fantastic Idea, a trip out to GB. I was thinking a Lagoon 410, I like the internal layout, but they maybe one of the slow pigs you are refering too. What the Mrs likes is a cat that has that indoor/outdoor flow, nice entertaining and kitchen, dont ask me why this is important. A lot have great seating at the stern and then have those wide doorways into the lounge/dining area with the kitchen to the side, thats ideal for her. For me I want a tramp and solar. Otherwise Im easily pleased. Yeah sorry about the speed question, its simply I know cats are harder to get underway than monos, as you cal them pigs, I agree, so I wasnt sure which brands are pigs was more the question. I presume the one designed for Cruising the Mediterranean are more looks than performance. I kind of want both but definitely dont want something that is impossible to get going in a good wind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TwoSail 1 Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 This is helpful. That new Seawind 1160 looks very nice. But the older models can go for under $400k. https://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboats/40-best-catamarans-and-trimarans-ever#page-22 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 348 Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 There are a lot more cats available in Australia, check out www.yachthub.com Couple of boats worth looking at are the Seawind 1200(a massaged Grainger design) and the Fusion 40, noting that the latter is typically closer to $400k. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 226 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Defining what you really want is important. If sailing is important then it limits your options somewhat. If a cat doesn’t have boards it will struggle to point upwind. And if you want boards the options are again more limited. I’d have a Seawind over a lot of the European production cats, most of which are very charter, floating apartment oriented. At least the Seawinds were designed & built to sail, although they are also quite charted boat oriented. As mentioned, Fusion 40 are a good all rounder. Also some of the Schionnings are great boats, but not production so you’d have to check out the build quality. They are also quite lightly designed & built, to me a better coastal cruiser than an offshore boat. But plenty of people will rightly point out they do lots of offshore miles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,184 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Seawind is also really a coastal boat, imo. They can pound the bridge deck pretty hard in a decent seaway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El Toro 97 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 The more space you have, I guarantee your wife will fill with sh*t you dont need..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 The farrier 41 is a good offshore sailing cat but normally over 300 k Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Greg Mann 0 Posted January 23, 2019 Share Posted January 23, 2019 Hi, I'm looking in the same price range. I've been targeting specific experience and now have over 5,000nm across 7 different Cat types, sizes etc. Although I'm confident I'm up for full time live aboard, I realise this is likely too bigger jump for my wife who now has a fair level of background experience. Grand children also make that commitment less practical. In short I'm looking for a 50/50 partner and would propose each partner have 3 months exclusive use during our Winter in the South Pacific and then the same over our Summer (annual haul out excluded). Note 50% share in the $200,000 - $300,000. Happy to talk further offline if this appeals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addem 86 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 I'm looking at a Farrier 41 listed on TM: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/yachts/multihull/listing/3405488575. Does anyone have any ideas on the good points/bad points on this design? Usual story, has to be sailed by the two of us (Husband and wife - hitting 60). Just thinking 41 feet might be a lot of boat to handle. Cheers A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,523 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 That looks like a sweet boat. I'd have no worries single handing that to Fiji and I'm older than you. Concessions to age : a very good windlass and good sailhandling hardware. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,523 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Just read the specs, go for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkside 59 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Just buy it. We circumnavigated a 46' Grainger a while ago and that looks a good deal to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Addem 86 Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Have signed up for it. Now for survey. Anyone know the best approach/person in Whangarei? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 362 Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Burch and Mason Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkside 59 Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Good one. Hope the survey goes well for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 I crewed a f 41 back from Fiji. Best alround cruising cat I have been on. Not slow and good bridge clearance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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