In a recent issue of Southwinds there are two boat reviews--the Beneteau
First 36s7 and the Packet Cat 35. Displayed side by side so to speak
were two radically different vessels of approximately the same overall
size, cost, and complexity. Having the two boats together in the one
issue gave me an example of why I consider the catamaran configuration
the best for cruising.
Some of the popular voices in the multihull community sneer at what
they call "condomarans" and wish they weren't called multihulls due to
the lack of high performance in many of the current designs. I believe
the best use for catamaran technology is for cruising, not ultimate
speed. The current buying public certainly seems to prove this point.
There is no question that those considering a cruising catamaran must
learn a different aesthetic appreciation. There are no cats whose
appearance will recreate the aura of our romantic seafaring past. The
same can be said for the incredibly swift sport trimarans which more
closely resemble space ships rather than sailing ships.
There are people who buy boats for the sheer pleasure of working on
them. These people are in love with the look and feel of ancient
technology and view their boat as a hobby, family member, love affair,
or a myriad of other reasons for owning a classic boat. I make no attempt
to persuade this group to buy a catamaran.
On the other hand, there is a larger group of people who buy a boat
for its utility, much the way powerboats or automobiles are purchased.
When it comes to utility, especially cruising utility, the catamaran is
without peer.
Referring to the diagrams, here are two vessels of approximately the
same length and almost the same beam. By placing the two vessel layouts
next to each other, you can grasp the enormity of the layout advantages.
Gone are the skinny little uncomfortable vee berths. Gone are the
claustrophobic aft berths and enter the extraordinary cruising catamaran
advantage of panoramic visibility while seated at the dinette table.
Then there is the issue of draft. Please understand that with
six-foot draft you are limiting your choice of the best anchorages, the
best cruising grounds, and access to some marina fuel docks. Forty
percent of Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are four feet deep or
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One monohull manufacturer recently introduced a new cruising monohull model, the Jeanneau 40 DS, which tries to emulate the best features of a cruising catamaran. You can see the bulkhead mounted helm, the raised coach roof, the panoramic windows, and the other features so dear to the cruising catamaran sailor's heart.
However, even though this beautiful vessel is 40 feet long, it still does not equal the accommodations, layout, or utility of the lower priced Gemini or the comparably priced Packet Cat. You still can't see out the windows while seated, must deal with top-loading refrigeration, have a skinny vee-berth forward, must clamber down a companionway ladder, heel under sail, and roll at anchor (not to mention the limitations of six-foot draft).