Reply To: Potential Cat Owners

Dear David

Welcome to the site. Advantages and disadvantages…how long have you got? Advantages are the amazing amount of accommodation for the size of vessel. The lack of heeling. The ability to run downwind without all that rolling gunnel to gunnel. Shallow draft so you can creep into little used anchorages. You don't really have particular problems in light winds, just need to put up a big light wind sail to get speed. Disavdavntages…Cats (with the exeption of the very new ones) do not point particulary high to windward without losing speed and performance. It it usually better to crack off the wind and get speed, but do more distance. The result will be much the same, but more comfortable. Also the low freeboard cats (again the older ones) have a tendency in a small chop to slam, as the confused waves slap under the bridgedeck. This is worst on solid bridgedeck cats, ie those without trampolines. The answer again is to crack off from that angle to the waves and to do more distance. It will avoid punishing the structure and give you a more pleasant ride. The twin engine models have better fuel consumption, and you can turn them on the spot. Great manoeuvrability. The single engine ones have more of a problem in tight manoeuvring, especially in a lot of wind. The bulk of the boats usually necessitates carrying a larger anchor than you might on a monohull, so you can rest easy at anchor.

That's all that comes to mind at the moment, but if I think of anything else, then I'll get back to you.

Good luck in your boat search. Regards Chrissie