[PCW] Fuel economy, Chrysalis across the Atlantic

[John Holbrook]

Georgs Kolesnikovs wrote... But your numbers do point out that, for trans-oceanic passagemaking, 
power catamarans don't offer as huge an advantage in performance as many people would expect. Power cats do of course have other compelling features, such as space, comfort, stability, shallow 
draft, etc."
 
It is also interesting to look at the other features that you have mentioned plus build cost in the context a true trans-oceanic passagemaker. 
 
Looking at the plans for the 60ft Wild Wind on Malcolm's site it would appear that the inside space is about the same as a 60ft monohull... possibly the spaces on a monohull have more headroom. I'm only looking at plans here and would be interested to here from people who have been aboard both. 
 
Stability, Bluewater and Seahorse are both equipped with stabilizers and the use of the same is included in their fuel burn figures. Paravanes are a hassle to deploy and fins appear to be high maintainance cost wise. What is more comfortable? a catamaran or a stabilized monohhull? 
 
Draft, personally 3'6" or 6' draft would not make a big difference for me. 
 
Cost, it appears that cats are costing more vs say Nordhavns but that may be because there are all custom builds at the moment. 

Thanks for your thoughts
John


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