[PCW] Convert sail cat to power part 2 - was hulls

[Candy Chapman and Gary Bell]

gram rupert wrote:

> Thanks very much for these valuabkle comments, Gary. So, in effect 
> what you are saying is that if one has no hurry, one can forget the 
> saIls and use the smallish diesel engines and potter along on the 
> sailing cat, but thinking of it, as it were, a powercat?
>
> Rupert.

Yes.  To use a sail cat in place of a slender hull power cat one gives 
up some interior space and the ability to power at higher speeds.  The 
speeds will be similar to those of the large displacement trawler type 
cruising monohulls.  Fuel economy will be splendid.  In fact this is the 
way sail catamarans frequently achieve coastal cruising, sailing being 
more fuss and winds are frequently unfavorable. 

If you want the planing hull type of power catamaran performance, forget 
sail catamaran hulls unless you are willing to invest in producing a 
hydrofoil supported boat with a proportionally huge motor.  It would 
probably be easier in such a case to start from scratch. 

Are you looking at all the mid forty foot sailing catamarans just now 
coming out of charter service?  Me too.  The Admiral and I are looking 
retirement in the face, and we have always dreamed of exotic tropical 
islands.... pretty much out of reach on our PDQ without Dockwise.

Cheers
Gary