TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Switching from monohull to catamaran

After several charters of a monohull in the BVI, we're thinking of getting some instruction with a live aboard captain on a catamaran this summer so in the future, we can enjoy the comfort of space and private cabins with several couples. Would love to hear from others who have tried both. A friend who has spent years sailing monohulls told me she could never relax on a cat because "they are too fast, and can easily tip." The folks I see on cats look pretty relaxed to me! Any thoughts on what is lost and what is gained by switching from mono to cat?

No steps to climb down to go inside, and your drink won't spill on a Cat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

"they are too fast, and can easily tip." you sure your friend was not talking about a Hobie Cat. Large cats rigging will break before a roll over.

We did a catamaran in December for the first time. I have always said I was a mono sailor for life. With close to 20 BVI mono charters going back 25 years I wasn't going to change. Well I don't know that I will go back to a mono in the BVIs. The additional room, shower size, genny and AC are hard to beat. The fact is that most of the people I charter with are more interested in being comfortable than putting a rail in the water and having fun.

After a couple of trips to the BVI we decided we should try exactly what you are planning to do. We had an extra couple who were not sailors coming on our next trip and thought the space and amenities would be exactly what we wanted. It was perfect. There were two fridges, a great kitchen, notice I did not say galley. Every stateroom had its' own head with a huge shower. We were in dockside nirvana. Well until we got sailing anyhow. Wow, that is when things changed for us. We knew there would be compromises in the sailing characteristics but it was just too much for us. Every evening we loved the boat. Every day we hated it. But that is just us. We have a close friend who sails at least as much as we do who swears by getting catamarans when in the BVI. It really depends on your group. We have since gone back to monohulls and our friends who were new to sailing still come with us and love sailing on a monohull. I am happy we tried it, even if it was not for us and it is true, your drink will not spill on a Cat! Have fun with whatever you decide. url=https://flic.kr/p/q7tB42][/url]BVI 2011 by kimshand, on Flickr

We were long time mono sailors and tried a cat a couple of charters ago. Will probably never charter a mono again and if and when we buy our own boat for cruising it will be a cat. They are easy to live on and with twin screws are very maneuverable. Some cats perform better than others so if you are concerned with that do your homework. If I wanted performance I would look at the Catanas from Dream Yacht Charter or the Voyage boats.

Also, I feel that cats are safer than monos. Aside from the very light, high performance cats, they just won't capsize. Even if you did manage to somehow get one upside down it will continue to float. They are stable and comfortable under sail and much easier to handle under power IMO.

As far as the captain, you probably won't need one for more than the first day. Most mono skills will cross over and the new skills are quickly learned. I took a weekend mulithull course before our first cat charter and even with several other students in the class we were able to cover the new information very quickly. With a teaching captain focused solely on you I would imagine you will be able to cover everything within a few hours.

Whether cat or mono - have fun!

I have owned both, and I always say that if I am going sailing for the day, give me a mono. If I am chartering for a week or more, give me a cat. Modern cats are really easier to sail than monos, albeit a bit different. In reasonable sea conditions, they won't tip, they point okay, tack easily, and are fast, but certainly not scary.

For the average charterer, if you have engine failure, you always have another to fall back on (speaking from experience) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We just finished our first charter on a 444 cat after many years on a mono. Transition very easy and we opted not to take captain. Twin screws made maneuvering under power very easy.
I agree with all the benefits from above, room, stability, etc. our top end speed was just shy of ten knots.

Two downsides from mono that I experienced - minor items - just FYI - cats do not sail to windward as well as a mono (can't point as high); boat was harder to handle in the upper range of sail configurations (litterature said full main and jib to 20 knots, I found putting first reef in main at 15 knots improved handling and performNce). We had winter winds the whole week with speeds ranging 15-25 knots.

We will be on cats going forward creature comforts are top priority for my family.

Cheers,

After delivering a few cats over the years I chartered a 41 last month on the instance of my kids. They complained about the hobby horsing in significant chop under sail compared to a mono. They however loved the social aspect of the all on the same story feature.

We are chartering a cat for the first time this May.....we don't expect it to alter our plans to one day own a mono <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Not that much of a transition other than getting used to driving a tennis court around!

You go girl. Just don't get spoiled if the sea's are flat in May. I would rather have a 2 dimensional movement than a 4 in rough conditions.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> agree

We shall see <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Of course, it depends what your long term plans are. If you are always simply going to coast hop then a mono is fine. If you start crossing oceans then, believe me, living at an angle ceases to be 'fun' once you get beyond the third day or so out at sea. If you want to cross oceans - particularly with a small crew - the second hull makes life much better.

Ditto on Mike and Frank's comments.
We are new to cats, I had chartered cats four times before but had always owned mono-hulls and to me that is real sailing. But, as Mike said, a long crossing sail on a cat is much more comfortable.
We now own a cat and I am still getting used to it. It is bigger and more comfortable, but it still feels like driving more than sailing.
Having owned both a mono hull and a cat in charter in the BVI, there is no question about what people want. Our cat is chartered back to back through the whole season.
So, as an owner, a cat is a better investment. As a sailor, I still prefer a mono.

Yeah, prefer to sail a mono, but when we have landlubbery guests aboard the cat is the choice.

I get a cat when you have 8 plus people. I get the stability. I still love the feel and responsiveness of a mono.

I'll second that.

On a cat that can hit double digits I loose my love of real sailing for the exiliration of speed.

At anchor, with a few exceptions, I love the stability all night long.

at anchor or moored, have you ever heard the water slapping between the hulls. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Agreed... At home I sail a mono, on vacation, a cat.

That slap takes some getting used to BUT the bridge deck Bangs underway in more than a 2' chop will get your attention.

Our first time on a low Voyage Cat, we were sailing along smartly when we caught one under the bridge deck and my wife came out of the cabin with a real concerned look on her face and said "what the *&^% did you hit???" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> shook the whole boat!

What fun!!

IMHO - Cats are just big pontoon boats with sails.
So there.... I've said it. Let the hate mail begin!

i have never spent more time on auto-pilot, than I have when sailing a cat.

to some, boring is good. peace..

All sailboats are for pussies. You want excitement, then ride a motorcycle!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
But seriously, arguing about the type of boats you prefer is pointless. We all love being on the water, the wind in our face, the sun on our shoulder, and a drink in our hand. Peace.

I really don't think there is any arguing, we are stating our opinion. Monos are just better <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Like my friend (Prospector) said the Cat's are great for the creature comforts, but if you love sailing the experience is not the same. So with 21 days to wheels up, I'm hoping we get some rails in the water experience.

Lifelong mono owner who always charters cats. There are so few downsides on a charter that compared to all the upsides it is a no-brainer. If you go out for 3 hour day sails, or race, or weekend cruiser w wifey, mono fits the bill but a week long charter w 6 or more quests, the cats are awesome. One downside that can be addressed only with the Lagoon 440/450, and as oft discussed on this forum, I really hate the off center, hard top helm. I dont feel the elements, trimming is un natural and the rest of the crew/friends/family are scattered around the boat out of convo room distance. I feel alone (sympathy please?) whereas on the flybridge, everyone sits w me (till they tire of me) I take the bimini down in most conditions and feel the weather and CAN SEE THE SAIL! Just my 2 cents...

My sympathies Captn.

I was wondering if being up on the flybridge would be too far away from the action in the cockpit and thought the off center helm would at least put me within eyesight. Is it the hard top you really don't like?

It probably doesn't matter either way, I'm usually alone at the helm anyway and it's giving me a complex!

Everyone sits up at the flybridge, no one ever sits w me on the off center one (except the Moorings 460 which is kinda roomy). I can see and talk to anyone upfront on the trampoline. Most of my crew does not hang out in the cockpit - they want to be out where you can see things. But yes I do not like the hardtop - would be great if I lived on the boat or serious crossings etc - but for a week (after feet of snow and a Vit D def) I want to feel and see the weather and the world.

another plus for monos <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, Evan...can you imagine our epic sail to Jost without all of us laughing ourselves sick in the cockpit??

I think we are going to need a bigger boat <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> , yes and it will be a mono

I guess it's crew dependent. I almost always have someone sitting with me at the helm. Might have some at the bow and some at the stern too, but someone always sits with me too.

Mono is good for this though since there's really no where else for anyone to go.

Windward2c - nice to hear someone else with the frustration of a hard top helm. On our sailing school trip, we had this set up. When our instructor would tell me to look up at the sail I'd have to contort my (short) body out from under the top to see the sail. Without falling off the helm seat. I learned to rely more on where the wind was hitting my body (right shoulder, left arm etc). Not an ideal setup at all.

On the charter cats just overtrim everything a bit and forget about it. If you are really worried about speed on the charter cats run one or both of the engines to make the speed you think you need. If you are really on the trip to sail? Charter one of the few better performing monos's. Most of the sails are not what you would call performance cut and cloth anyway.

I think the main we had a couple of years ago was made of spandex, really difficult to trim proper...