50 ft Cat in the Med, a charter enquiry

[apex1]

Hi folks.

Many times, in several Catamaran related threads, I was named biased against Cat´s. Some of the Cat designers assumed I had never sailed one, some made guesses if I´ve seen one. Although these assumptions came from people which never met me, nor wasted a thought about their permission to judge me, it was a bit bothering, why? Well, my skills are way below my motor vessel knowledge that is true.

Now I decided to have a few days off duty and go sailing a bit. Having no own vessel since a few years I have to charter, or use my demonstrators. The latter reduces value in a senseless figure, so the former is the choice.

Now my question:

does anyone around here know of a Cat for charter in the Mediterranian Sea? Preferrably the Eastern Med (in case I have to see my yards it was convenient to be not in Portugal).

I know there are hundreds of charter agents, all happily offering what I look for. But I thought I will give all of our Cat advocates a chance to convince me of the merits of their toys.

Of course I´ll pay the usual rates and deposit, insurance and the like. (MYBA terms). Due to the fact that there must be no broker fee, I guess I will save some € anyway. The market asks for a bit over 10.000€ for a 50´per week.

The crew: my Girlfriend and me, a friend, and a couple, so five people. The friend is a cat sailor, the other guy and spouse seasoned mono sailors, my Girl a young, skilled mono Deckhand, I have a Master unlimited (but as mentioned nearly no cat skills).

The boat: from 50´ on to be comfortable, fast and sufficiently equipped. Radar is obligatory!

The time: from 12.08.2009 about six weeks (I´m a bit flexible here).

So then, who is bold enough to offer me his design for a six weeks critical scrutinizing? Remember I´m a Mono-Motor-Man.

Regards
Richard

[apex1]

Not all together mates. :)

Where is our Cat pack? Sailing?

100 hits, but all mono sailors, obviously.

[marshmat]

Hey Richard,
I don't have a cat in the Med (I wish I did, though), but curious, are you looking more at a luxury island-hopper, or at an offshore performance type, or....?
Most of the cat charter ads in the magazines seem to have "condomarans" featured prominently in the pictures; I too would be interested to know if there are any companies offering charter cats designed with more serious sailing in mind.

[apex1]

Hey Richard,
I don't have a cat in the Med (I wish I did, though), but curious, are you looking more at a luxury island-hopper, or at an offshore performance type, or....?
Most of the cat charter ads in the magazines seem to have "condomarans" featured prominently in the pictures; I too would be interested to know if there are any companies offering charter cats designed with more serious sailing in mind.

Thanks for your reply Matt.
I am completely open for any offer. There is no big difference for me whether I find my fun in sailing fast for a day or five, or just putter around (as I do with the motoryachts I owned), both is relaxing. When I go for the standard market offers of course I´ll find the standard "apartement with a view" crap only.
That was the main reason to ask here, it might be possible to find something different.
At least I hoped so, but the reaction by so far was not overly enthusiastic.

Regards
Richard

[yipster]

apex1 i've been playing with that idea for years now but "things" get in between
no dont know of med charters and walking the marina's for "a vendre o a louer" isnt wat your after i guess
geez even my french gets worse, plz share your checklist with us later on

[apex1]

You are right, I´m in Istanbul at present and here EVERY boat is at least "a louer", but here 95% of the boats are motoryachts (Turks cannot sail, in fact they hire comm. Masters even for 12m motorboats). Dar zijnd deze Mannekens nog n beetje te dom vor.

So, thats no way to find a boat.
But it seems this is´nt one either! Where are all our Cat proponents? They pop up like corn on a bar b q grill when you say "Cats are crap" but duck like suricat here.
Of course I like to share my "checklist" when the trip is done.

Richard

[floyd]

Try this http://www.capriole-2.de . Maybe to small for you.

Or here ist a 55 available: http://www.outremer-location.com/article.php3?id_article=2

Or Catana 50 at Dream Yacht: http://www.dreamyachtcharter.com/location_voilier/en/turquie/boat.asp?dp=CA&id_boat=12842

[apex1]

Try this http://www.capriole-2.de . Maybe to small for you.

Or here ist a 55 available: http://www.outremer-location.com/article.php3?id_article=2

Or Catana 50 at Dream Yacht: http://www.dreamyachtcharter.com/location_voilier/en/turquie/boat.asp?dp=CA&id_boat=12842

Thank you very much floyd. Yes the first vessel is much too small. And I know where to charter a boat, there are thousands on offer and half of them are available.
When you read my post completely you will understand what I´m looking for!

Richard

[CDK]

Sorry Richard, the only cat I know of here has 350 seats and two very big engines. But I heard a peculiar story that explains why some boats are offered for charter but are hardly ever available.
I local company with shares on the stock exchange has a row of 37 ft. sailing ships for charter, but they ask ridiculous prices, so they sit quietly in the marina. Their value is depreciated by 25% each year, so next year one of the company managers buys them at a bargain price and immediately sells them!

[apex1]

[QUOTE]Sorry Richard, the only cat I know of here has 350 seats and two very big engines.

That sounds quite promising Cornelis! I may assume there is no obligation to use every seat permanently!?

But I heard a peculiar story that explains why some boats are offered for charter but are hardly ever available.

I meant, that half of the existing fleet is´nt chartered at present, I have the widest choice one could ever choose from, and I can have every second boat today!

I local company with shares on the stock exchange has a row of 37 ft. sailing ships for charter, but they ask ridiculous prices, so they sit quietly in the marina. Their value is depreciated by 25% each year, so next year one of the company managers buys them at a bargain price and immediately sells them!

Thats not too uncommon, several megayachts have been aquired in a similar way. And there are almost all megayachts permanently on the market, many of them extremely overpriced, tax advisors know why!

But I must say, I´m very impressed how quiet the Cat - Pack:D remains. Usually the loudest gang around here, now "calm is the sea".

Regards
Richard

[petethai]

Hi Richard
why so call Cat-Pack should be excited?
When I go on vacation, the only person who is excited is my daughter, because she may use my sport car.

[Ad Hoc]

Luxury/pleasure craft is not my field. But I've just emailed my best mate, who is a successful yacht designer and knows most of the "usual suspects"...see what he comes back with.

[apex1]

Thank you John, but I know how and where I could get a boat for charter. I thought I give our honorable members a chance to convince me of their wholeheartedly praised boats. Obviously most of them are sailing at present, so there is no boat available.

Does´nt matter, I´ll go for "Plan B" then and consolidate my biased opinion, charter a comfortable, good old mono instead.

[Ad Hoc]

No prob's Richard...i'll let you know what he digs up anyway :)

[waynemarlow]

Thank you John, but I know how and where I could get a boat for charter. I thought I give our honorable members a chance to convince me of their wholeheartedly praised boats. Obviously most of them are sailing at present, so there is no boat available.

Does´nt matter, I´ll go for "Plan B" then and consolidate my biased opinion, charter a comfortable, good old mono instead.

Not sure I would want someone with no big multihull experiance chartering my yacht for 6 weeks, perhaps the quietness has a reason :) :) :) :)

[apex1]

Not sure I would want someone with no big multihull experiance chartering my yacht for 6 weeks, perhaps the quietness has a reason :) :) :) :)

Thats IT Wayne! They leave their boats in absolutely EVERY idiots hand as long as the idiot has a sort of boat license, and mom can hold a rope, but have it difficult to entrust it to five seasoned sailors.
No, I know the background mate.
But thank you for contributing..............;)

[Boatpride]

Hi Apex 1,

I can suggest a chartering company that suits your requirements.

Boatbookings Mediterranean Catamaran Charters (http://www.boatbookings.com/yachting_content/catamarans.php?brr=j2smt958bz1w414)

They are a friendly company, who can work to your budget through out the quoting process. They have a range of sizes, including your 50'.

Let us know who you pick!

Cheers

[apex1]

Thank you Chris, I know them already, they have only one boat on offer in my range, the 62ft Anassa. (Eastern Med).
But I was not looking for a charter agency, I know plenty of them. I thought our Cat gang here would be pleased to convince me of their design/s. But straight nothing....................................................

And thanks to all the other contributors as well! We have a boat from next week on, a mono of course.

Regards
Richard