35' Racing cat mods

[SpiritWolf15x]

A fellow club member has recently finished MAJOR modifications on the front and rear beam fittings on a foam/glass 35' racing cat.

They've added ALOT of weight and changed the fittings from clamps, that allowed SOME movement (play) and changed them to fittings that now do not move at all, with no play in either fitting.

I'm concerned with the heavy air/rough water integrity of the new fitting system, as I was always taught that having a small amount of play in beam fittings was desired, as they would be less likely to break under extreme pressure.

What are the thoughts from the boat building/designing gurus?

All input welcome. Thanks.

Spirit.

[oldsailor7]

Originally Posted by SpiritWolf15x

A fellow club member has recently finished MAJOR modifications on the front and rear beam fittings on a foam/glass 35' racing cat.

They've added ALOT of weight and changed the fittings from clamps, that allowed SOME movement (play) and changed them to fittings that now do not move at all, with no play in either fitting.

I'm concerned with the heavy air/rough water integrity of the new fitting system, as I was always taught that having a small amount of play in beam fittings was desired, as they would be less likely to break under extreme pressure.

What are the thoughts from the boat building/designing gurus?

All input welcome. Thanks.

Spirit.

Are you talking about Bad Kitty by any chance.?
I don't think that is a problem sinnce aluminiulm tubes have a degree of flexibility in themselves.

Lock Crowthers "Buccaneer" series all have alloy tube crossarms, which are rigidly strapped and bolted into the chocks on the floats. I have never heard of any problems with them.

[SpiritWolf15x]

Originally Posted by oldsailor7

Are you talking about Bad Kitty by any chance.?
I don't think that is a problem sinnce aluminiulm tubes have a degree of flexibility in themselves.

Lock Crowthers "Buccaneer" series all have alloy tube crossarms, which are rigidly strapped and bolted into the chocks on the floats. I have never heard of any problems with them.

Yes I am talking about Bad Kitty. I'm concerned they've made the boat too stiff. I'd hate to see my father's boat, a boat I still have part ownership in, be the victim of beam fitting failure.

[oldsailor7]

Originally Posted by SpiritWolf15x

Yes I am talking about Bad Kitty. I'm concerned they've made the boat too stiff. I'd hate to see my father's boat, a boat I still have part ownership in, be the victim of beam fitting failure.

In MHO a catamaran can't be two stiff. (Wharram would not agree with me).
A "Twisty" cat plays hob with the set of the rig and sails in a seaway.
I would like to hear Richards view on this though.

When I was in Toronto we built a 52"Tehini for a client.
He didn't trust Wharrams flexible wooden beam attachments. He took the advice of a structural engineer and put on steel "I" beams, rigidly thru bolted to the hulls and put a powerful sloop rig on it. Transformed the boat.