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

[gram rupert]

Are you looking at all the mid forty foot sailing catamarans just now  
coming out of charter service?

Something like that, yes, as it seems to be a sensible way forward. I  
have heard that there are also quite a few on offer at the moment.
Thanks,
Cheers,
Rupert.

On 13 Mar 2008, at 15:57, Candy Chapman and Gary Bell wrote:

> 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