Cat Boats

[elcamino12sec]

My Father is looking at Cat boats, we have always had mono hulls and been very happy. He took a test ride on a Cat boat and was so impressed he wants to buy one in the next year or two, most likely around 26-28 ft. My question is: if they are so great, than why do you never see them, are there any bad things about them compared to mono hulls? personal opinions are greatly appreciated!!! He is aware that twin outboards are a standard and price is not too much a concern, he knows they are more expensive than mono hulls but he says it will be the last boat he buys, I just want to make sure he is making a good decition on the boat he buys, he likes the World Cat and the Baha Cruisers, but no final decitions yet, any comments would be great, thanks and happy boating.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cat Boats

Cats are great rough water boats,so the advantage is if he were planning on some rough water.If he is boating primarily in calmer lakes there is no advantage.Charlie

 

[JB]

Re: Cat Boats

A little terminology.<br /><br />A "cat" boat is a particular sailboat with a single sail.<br /><br />Twin hulled powerboats are called "catamarans".<br /><br />Less confusion if we use the right term.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cat Boats

JB The "Cat" that he is referring to is the manufacturers name,not the descpiption of the hull.Charlie

 

[KCook]

Re: Cat Boats

True JB. But if you wanted examples where "catamaran" had been contracted to "cat" I could easily cite several hundred. <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Cat Boats

Yup, JB. Whenever I see “cat boat” I think about those little fishing boats from Latin countries of Europe…and every romantic movie that ever featured one in the background….

 

[JB]

Re: Cat Boats

Calling it a cat doesn't make it one. Cat boats were sailing the world's seas long before twin hulled powerboats were thought of.<br /><br />Catamaran is what Gar Wood called them when he invented them by splitting a hull lengthwise, swapping sides and adding the space between.<br /><br />If you speak to a sailor about a "cat" boat he will definitely think you are speaking of the sailing rig.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Cat Boats

but if you talk to any modern powerboater about a "cat", he's going to understand you're talking about a power cat. we don't even talk about sailbloaters.<br /><br />cats are great rough water boats. the best out there, hands down. but their capabilites come with quite a few negatives. they give up a lot of interior space. they are expensive. and most powerboaters can't accept their look. only a handful of manufacturers produce and rig quality rig. make sure you do your homework.

 

[elcamino12sec]

Re: Cat Boats

Ok guys, Im talking about CATAMARANS, yeah, the big ugly ones with twin outboards that have big ugly trailers that weight too much and cost too much, yeah, those. I have seen them and I personaly dont like them, I also agree that they have less room than traditional mono hulls inside, but again, its my father, and it may be a year or two before hey is ready to buy, I just need some good and bad feed back that I can relay to him, this way we might be able to look at things we may not have thought of, good and bad, thanks and happy boating.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Cat Boats

One disadvantage is that people argue over what to call them. This could lead to fistfights at the docks, ruined fishing trips, and broken homes. This may be closer to resolution though in a year or two when your father is ready to buy. How does he plan on using the boat?

 

[dwci97]

Re: Cat Boats

Well for starters I love my catamarran. I looked at boats for a long time then I ran into Splendor Boats and it was an easy decision for me. Check their web site at www.splendorcats.com<br /><br />I have a 240 and I disagree about losing space with a cat hull. I dont see myself going back to a V-hull ever. The ride on the catamarran is just like riding in a car with a suspensio. The tunnel between the catamarrans impacts air and absorbs shock to smooth out the ride. The bow rise is 3degrees as compared to 15-20 degrees for a V-hull. Ever wonder why they have those stand up seats on a big powerboat? You cant see over the windshield when you are on plane. <br /><br />The cats cost more for the simple reason they cost more to manufacture. Fiberglass is expensive and there is a lot more fiberglass in a cat hull. The guy that slips his boat behind mine saw my 240 Paltinum SplendorCat liked it so much he bought one. They are a great boat and a great company to deal with.

 

[BillP]

Re: Cat Boats

Power cats seem to be a love or hate situation. My problem with cats is in their tricky handling in big following seas. It's a common trait of ALL multihulls...none are exempt. <br /><br />The USCG uses cats for regular service but still use monohulls for severe weather rescue. The reasons are safety and handling. Monohulls make it back to the dock.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Cat Boats

A catamaran is a sailboat or powerboat with two hulls of the same size. A trimaran is a boat with three hulls; the two outer hulls are called the ammas. A monohull has ONE hull.<br /><br /> Catamarans are very very stable, BUT when catamarans do flip over they ten times more stable upside down. Something to think about before going out into a storm.

 

[Scooby]

Re: Cat Boats

Just tell your father to call his insurance company for a quote, that should change his mind back to a V-hull pretty quick. They are a very good rough water craft but for the inexperienced "cat" driver they usually become a coffin. Have him get a couple years hands on before setting out on his own with one.

 

[airman]

Re: Cat Boats

I've read that catemerans are very sensitive to weight. If you like to carry lots of stuff then they lose their speed/efficiency advantages very quickly.