What is the down side of a Catamaran?

[Bubba1235]

I've been reading a long article about hull design and in it the catamaran/tunnel design gives the best fuel efficency for a given HP. It also said it gives better handling at speed than most hull designs. Unfortunately, it didn't point out any down sides to them so I am wondering if they over looked any negatives or if they really don't have any? Anyone that can comment?

 

[ziggy]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

Anyone that can comment?

hope i qualify...

a couple of guesses. perhaps flat turns at high speed. along with maybe a wider turning radius than a v... i'd think that there may be differences among cats too. are we talking about a go fast 30'er or a deep sea fishing type cat.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

Most require twin engines but the smaller ones like 15's&17's can operate efficiently with a single outboard. In the smaller hulls however, the tunnel may create a hump in the cockpit deck that is an obstruction. I really like the stability of cats. Good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

strange ride, you have 2 hulls in the water wanting to do different things. hitting waves at different times.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

limited cockpit and storage space.... no center mounted inboard engine

They seem less versatile to me.... more designed for specific water conditions... That part is more of a gut feeling tho than based on any experience

 

[rbh]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

To much hull to polish.

 

[lkbum]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

Depending on the make and the conditions, they can "spit" spray in front of the boat. As the cat comes back into contact with water after going over a wave, the attitude of the boat is such that spray is forced forward versus exiting the rear of the boat (the rear is already down and as the bow comes down it forces spray in the tunnel out the front of the boat). Offshore sail boaters will always pick a monohull vs cat because of potential structural failure of a cat (vs monohull) in very severe conditions (like 20' to 40' waves).

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

Having only ridden on one, a World Cat 27'ish fishing cat in gulf waters is my only comparison to a simularly sized V hulled fishing boat.

The Cat is like driving a Izuzu box truck off shore. It seems slow, and beats it's way to the fishing hole. Once onsite their is alot of room for the deed. Occasionally the tunnel will bottom out on a wave and it's a harsh smack from underneath.

I like to fish on it but I wouldn't want to own it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

limited cockpit and storage space.... no center mounted inboard engine

They seem less versatile to me.... more designed for specific water conditions... That part is more of a gut feeling tho than based on any experience

Yep, Limited cockpit and storage space. Only does 44 mph

We use the neighbors 26' Glacier Bay for tournaments. Better fuel usage than a mono hull by a good bit.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

Having only ridden on one, a World Cat 27'ish fishing cat in gulf waters is my only comparison to a simularly sized V hulled fishing boat.

The Cat is like driving a Izuzu box truck off shore. It seems slow, and beats it's way to the fishing hole. Once onsite their is alot of room for the deed. Occasionally the tunnel will bottom out on a wave and it's a harsh smack from underneath.

I like to fish on it but I wouldn't want to own it.

cats may be a little slower but ride a hell of a lot smoother on rough conditions and are much more stable platform.
Cats world wide are used offshore for this reason

 

[Noob82]

Re: What is the down side of a Catamaran?

I'm in the market for a boat right now having previously owned a Larson 18' bowrider tri-hull design. On the river where I operated the boat, the Larson was much smoother than a comparable V-hull. I

I'm back in FL now. In watching boats go in and out of the Sebastian inlet during rough conditions, the cats appear to have a much easier time handling the waves.

Since a lot of people own boats where I live, I've been talking to them and getting impressions, etc. One guy sailed around the world in his 45' sail-cat. He recently sold it and is looking only for a power cat.

About the only disadvantage from the people I've spoken with is the cost of the boat and usually having to have two engines.

I guess it might be good to take one for a test drive and decide for yourself.