Gougeon 32 catamaran

[rapscallion]

After watching the promo video of the Gougeon 32 catamaran I have to say that boat is pretty damn clever, and with a PHRF rating of 21, the boat has to be fast as well.

If I could find one for sale I would buy it; but with only 14 in existence, I'm not going to hold my breath. Are there any home build designs out there that are similar to the G-32?

I know of the Jarcat and the Ecocat, I was thinking of something a bit larger.

[cavalier mk2]

If you find out, let us know how they built the roller furling for the main. I've got a ancient Scottish unit I use for going past the second reef. Its strong but the gearing is slooow and it requires standing at the mast.

[rapscallion]

sure,

The rig on the G32 is pretty interesting. It cants sideways so the boat can be righted at sea. Another source of info on a roller furling boom is the designer of the L7 trimaran. The rig for the L7 also has a roller furling boom.

[basil]

Isn't it the same system used by Farrier on his tri's?

[Steve W]

The roller booms that they have been using for years use a large diameter home made line drive drum at the gooseneck that use a bunch of clam cleats sandwiched between a couple of discs of plywood or other sheet material,i believe they use small spinnaker pole end fittings for the gooseneck,the tube is just round tube and they build up the diameter at the outer end to encourage the sail to move forward as the sail rolls up so that the full length battens stack uo against the discs, nice and simple and must work well as they have been using these booms for 40yrs on all their boats while everyone has been grumbling how roller reefing dosnt work and you must use slab reefing. I am going to build something similar for my Lindenberg 26 but will probably use a shaft thru the mast with a socket for a winch handle on the front to get the bolt rope closer to the mast track on t he standard mast, the Gougeons mostly use homegrown wingmasts and the track may be further aft. I plan on using a prefeeder and entering the track a lot further up than it currently is to create a fairer lead into the mast. As has already been mentioned, Corsair has been using roller reefing/furling since day one.
Steve.

[Steve W]

Rapps,i think Roger Simpson had a design for a 8ft 6" beam x 24ft cat like a big Jarcat, not sure if the plans are available though since he stopped designing.
Steve.

[cavalier mk2]

Thanks Steve, my furler does the job well but not quickly, I'll start playing with the idea. The 32 is a great boat but must have been expensive because of the low quantities. Hard to sell to the masses and a bit ahead of its time. Maybe they should try again.

[redreuben]

Simpson plans are here : http://boatcraft.com.au/Shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32_33

Still very good boats imo.

RR

[Steve W]

I dont see all of simpsons boats listed on the boatcraft site,the one im thinking of was not in his catalog but in a supplement so maybe it was not a completed design.
Steve.

[redreuben]

Kendrick has some nice cats, there is a 24 but that needs a fancy trailer as it has "full" beam.
http://www.teamscarab.com.au/5.6cat/design.html

[rapscallion]

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=100106

Here is the wood/carbon fiber racing version of the Gougeon catamaran...

[rapscallion]

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=81925&hl=gougeon%20catamaran&st=75

here is the mockup for the bowsprit. It will be equipped with water ballast like the G-32.

[redreuben]

Mmm, no pics for me ?

[rapscallion]

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=100106

does this link work?

[redreuben]

Got it ! WEIRD !
RR

[rapscallion]

Really weird. But I get it. I'm so tired of being all stressed out over rising slip costs and the potential lack of slip availability, along with being at the mercy of the crane operator's schedule every spring and fall. I need people to help me raise and lower the mast every year. I have been lucky, because there have been people nice enough to help. But a boat that can be trailer launched and ready to sail in minutes???!! A fast boat that is easy to own!!! For that kind of awesome I can embrace the weirdness with a kind of fondness reserved for a new grandparent that gets to hold their grandson for the first time, and gets to hand the grandson back to the parents because grandbabys diaper needs to be changed... and grandpa isn't about to deprive the parents of the honor. I get it.. and it is a thing of beauty!!

[Plodunkgeo]

Mr. rapscallion,

It would seem that your search is defined by the performance envelope more than the utilitarian as a day sailing boat for pure pleasure. That choice would put you into the fringe of the genre if you are not able to spend large sums of money on a given project.

With the G32 well out of production, are you not skating on the thin ice of a new day, rather than basing your efforts while looking to a functional solution that is more affordable? I believe you have mentioned the L7 previously and I wonder why that boat does not fit your needs from a performance, as well as price point?

[rapscallion]

The L7 is a great boat. I would be very happy with a boat like that if I had one. Given the L7 design and the G32 design, I do believe one fits my personal needs better than the other.

[basil]

What about a stretched one of these.

http://www.wallerdesign.com.au/tc670.html

[rapscallion]

That is essentially what a G32 is... but wow, the design weight seems heavy! The G32 is less than that fully loaded and on the trailer. But, yes, other than the weight, that is what I'm looking at.

The other option is a Kelsall approach using KSS panels and building a POD cat with AMAs that slide from a 8'6" to about 12'. Derek has yet to build one of his KISSKATS but the idea of building a racer intrigued him.

I think a POD cat similar to the KD800 would fit what I'm thinking rather nicely.
http://www.ikarus342000.com/KD800page.htm

But, if you are going to the trouble of adding the complexity of a variable beam in the form of a folding/sliding system are you better off with a catamaran or a trimaran in this size range? Which one of the two would give you a better performance/ease of use/interior space combination? That's a tough question.. It's like asking how long is a piece of string.

Traditionally, trimarans have dominated this market segment, and with good reason. In the 22' to 30' size range I believe a trimaran COULD give you more useful space given an equal level of performance when compared to a catamaran... but then again doesn't the 8.5 meter box rule class seem to prefer catamarans?

At the end of the day it really comes down to this: I'm looking for a clever design that can be truly trailer sailed... meaning the boat can be launched from a trailer and sailing by 1 person in minutes... I would like the boat to be "fast" and have enough accommodation for 2 for a weekend of spartan camping.

"Fast" and "accommodation" are the two nebulous criteria here, A quick setup and launch is the part of the design that can't be compromised.

I think the G32 fits, the L7 probably fits (I have never seen someone set up and launch one, so I don't know exactly what is involved) the KD 800 approach fits, heck even the DC3 and seaclipper 24 have a shot as long as the rig is engineered to raise and lower quickly and easily. Although, I believe I would be happier with the performance of the L7 vs. the seaclipper. Nevertheless, from a cost benefit perspective, the DC3 and seaclipper 24 are notable designs.

And a 26' to 28' Jarcat with water ballast would most likely fit the criteria, but at that point a low budget L7 type trimaran may start to make more sense from a performance/dollar spent perspective, especially of the Waller weighs 800 to 1000 lbs more than the L7 would. But, if the waller was built to be light, by default it would be a strong contender. My criteria may seem murky but they really aren't. The selection criteria do not contain a discrete answer. It is more like a series of differential equations that can be solved in terms of one another to yield a solution set instead of a single answer.

Cost and grief of ownership must be minimized. The G32 wins there... by light years. The L7 is most likely another very strong contender along with a light waller/jarcat.

Fast! The L7 and G32 win there too.

Accommodation.. waller/jarcat are strong, the L7 and g32 pass as well in my opinion.

Sticker price. Based on what I know all of the designs are within budget, although I don't have a feel for how much building a kelsall would cost.

[jamez]

Have you checked out the forthcoming waters 22?
http://www.smalltridesign.com/W22/W22-Trimaran-Design-Approach.html
Similar build idea to the L7, but you build your own pans. Mike infers that it should be possible to use an L7 style sliding I beam if desired.

[BPGougeon]

Hi Rapscallion, I know of an older gentleman (almost eighty) in southeastern Michigan who has a G32, and last I heard was entertaining the idea of selling it. If you're serious I'd be happy to track him down for you.

Ben Gougeon

[rapscallion]

BPGougeon! I sent you a PM with my contact info.

[Steve W]

Raps, Go for it, looks like an opportunity to me. Good luck.
Steve.

[redreuben]

Raps,

Check this out, also a 7m version.

http://www.surteesmultihulls.com/9m-folding-catamaran

Cheers,

RR

[themanshed]

The Reynolds 33 Catamaran R33 has a really slick reefing boom rig.

[Steve W]

The Reynolds 33 Catamaran R33 has a really slick reefing boom rig.

Care to elaborate.
Steve.

[rapscallion]

Alas, no G32 available at this time. What a great boat!

[rapscallion]

Well, I was lucky enough find a G-32 owner willing to part with the boat at a price I could afford! And if everything goes according to plan I hope to pick her up in the next week or two... I'm buying Janet C, Meade Gougeon's G32! Talk about buying a boat with Provenance! Meade mentioned there are a couple of things that have to be attended to before racing her seriously, and that he would coach me through the process.... How cool is that!!! I have always been a huge fan of the Gougeon brothers.... the Mad scientist sailors from the midwest who can build the fastest and most beautiful wood boats in the world...

just to put things into perspective... Adagio, the 35' trimaran Meade and jan built in 1969, has a PHRF rating of -66!! Not bad for an old wood boat! Wood is still very fast if built correctly..

[HASYB]

Hey Raps,

Congrats on acquiring such a classic beauty.

Enjoy, big time! Happy sailing!

Cheers,

Hielan

[rapscallion]

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320091_296752590353475_100000562085350_1163548_812692724_n.jpg

My new spaceship!

I couldn't be happier with the boat. I picked it up yesterday and plan on taking it out today for a bit :)

[cavalier mk2]

Well done! Now you don't have to wait for Scotty to beam you up.

[Doug Lord]

Congratulations!!!! That is terrific..

[dstgean]

Nicely done Raps! I'd love to get a look at your new ride some time. I'm down in the Chicago area. Sweet ride.

Dan

[rapscallion]

dstgean, send me a PM; I'll give you my contact info. I'd be happy to take you out for a ride once I get comfortable with the boat.

and thanks guys!

[outside the box]

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320091_296752590353475_100000562085350_1163548_812692724_n.jpg

My new spaceship!

I couldn't be happier with the boat. I picked it up yesterday and plan on taking it out today for a bit :)

Perfect outcome look forward to further updates... all the best

[Paul B]

My new spaceship!

I couldn't be happier with the boat. I picked it up yesterday and plan on taking it out today for a bit :)

It appears you are trailering the boat with the mast butt still attached to the tabernacle. This is giving you a long section of mast overhanging the car. I suggest you un-pin the mast base and walk the rig back while trailering. The way you are doing it can hook things while cornering, and appears to be in a position that would be illegal in some states (excess overhangs).

If you are going to be doing much trailering you might also want to add some air shocks to your car so the tongue weight doesn't compress the suspension like it is doing.

[rapscallion]

It appears you are trailering the boat with the mast butt still attached to the tabernacle. This is giving you a long section of mast overhanging the car. I suggest you un-pin the mast base and walk the rig back while trailering. The way you are doing it can hook things while cornering, and appears to be in a position that would be illegal in some states (excess overhangs).

If you are going to be doing much trailering you might also want to add some air shocks to your car so the tongue weight doesn't compress the suspension like it is doing.

Thanks for the advice. I'm getting torsion bars to level out tie car, and ill look into the legality of leaving the mast hooked up.

[dstgean]

Thanks for the advice. I'm getting torsion bars to level out tie car, and ill look into the legality of leaving the mast hooked up.

I wouldn't worry much about the legality, but rather if you'd hook something with the tip of your mast while cornering--say making a right hand turn onto a 2 lane road. You have to think of your rig as you might a semi truck now.

I've nearly gotten hit by the reverse of the above situation. School buses have a short wheelbase relative to their length. When they make sharp 90 degree turns, they can often take up an arc of space that they did not when motoring straight ahead. Your mast will do the same, but the arc of space vacated by your car might be occupied by someone or something. Just as a reality experiment, you might try to see what your rig would look like when your car is at 45 degrees or even more. I'd hate to see you lose your mast, damage the boat, and something else stationary.

Dan

[cavalier mk2]

Best to leave the jousting to the renaissance fairs...

[rapscallion]

I wouldn't worry much about the legality, but rather if you'd hook something with the tip of your mast while cornering--say making a right hand turn onto a 2 lane road. You have to think of your rig as you might a semi truck now.

I've nearly gotten hit by the reverse of the above situation. School buses have a short wheelbase relative to their length. When they make sharp 90 degree turns, they can often take up an arc of space that they did not when motoring straight ahead. Your mast will do the same, but the arc of space vacated by your car might be occupied by someone or something. Just as a reality experiment, you might try to see what your rig would look like when your car is at 45 degrees or even more. I'd hate to see you lose your mast, damage the boat, and something else stationary.

Dan

You are quite right about the need to be careful while turning! I live in a heavily wooded area, and it took a great deal of care to back the boat into it's new temporary home.

[bruceb]

I am quite jealous, and I expect you will have great fun with your new "ship". I would be very careful if that is your normal tow car. I think it is a front drive model, and they are not the best choice. Traction on ramps can be a problem, as well as rain on the road. Be careful! B

[rapscallion]

I am quite jealous, and I expect you will have great fun with your new "ship". I would be very careful if that is your normal tow car. I think it is a front drive model, and they are not the best choice. Traction on ramps can be a problem, as well as rain on the road. Be careful! B

I fear this is my normal tow car for now... My other car is a 2010 prius... so... out of the two this is the better choice :) I'll most likely get something like an RX400H once my laser 28 sells. But until then, I'll muddle through with the Deville.