Best simple 30' cruising cat

[frank smith]

What is the best simple build cruising cat in the 30' range .
Are vee or dory hulls any good ?

[luckystrike]

Wharram 30 comes to my mind first. Vee- or or very narrow doryhulls are ok if it is a cruising cat. If you want to have more space and interior volume take a look at Bernd Köhler's KD 860. (second thought). Especially the 30' Istambul version.

http://ikarus342000.com/P86page.htm

[Richard Woods]

Maybe you should also look at my Gypsy design?

Richard Woods

www.sailingcatamarans.com

[frank smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Woods

Maybe you should also look at my Gypsy design?

Richard Woods

www.sailingcatamarans.com

I have looked at all your designs . Could "Gypsy" be stretched to 30'+ ?
If not Gypsy , then Romany works , and I dont think the extra chine amounts to much more work .

[jamez]

If you're after something minimalist check out the Duo 900 of Bernd's.

http://www.ikarus342000.com/DUO900page.htm

[marshmat]

For sheer simplicity, and maximum "boat per dollar", it's hard to beat a Wharram. If you don't mind a bit more time and effort to build it, Woods' cats seem to be somewhat more sophisticated and will likely offer more living space for a given length (Gypsy - Eclipse - Romany combined fill in the 28-34' class pretty well). If you're not averse to slightly weird boats, consider looking at proas of 40-45' or so, which are about the same weight and volume as 30' cats. They're rare, but they do exist, and can offer excellent performance on a tight budget.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry too much about the time spent building the hull bottoms. Single chine, double chine or round makes a huge difference to the hull bottom build time, but only a very tiny difference in the overall build time and cost. Unless you have your heart absolutely set on a particular build method, I'd suggest picking the design with the layout and performance characteristics you're looking for, and adapt your build process to suit the boat.

[HydroNick]

Look at the K-Designs Duo 105. It's pretty smokin'. 10.5 m >34 ft.

[rayaldridge]

I'd cast my vote for a Woods cat. These are fast and seaworthy, by all accounts, and Richard prototypes his own boats, an increasingly rare, but very reassuring approach to design. He puts his money where his drawing board is, to put it another way.

[redreuben]

Nice New Zealand design here http://www.devilliersyachtdesign.co....31plycatamaran

[ruggerodn]

I like Kurt Hughes 30' demountable cat

http://www.multihulldesigns.com/desi...ck/30tcat.html

[Blacky]

if it neednt be demountable, take a look at: Jarcat CC29
simple to build, much room, real double berths, secure mid cockpit, about 1000kg load capacity

if a trimaran may come up as alternative: the one and only Searunner 31

[catsketcher]

It is a little hard to work out what the best design is with so few design constraints. The "best" design will be the one that fits as many of your needs as possible. First thing to do is really sit down and work out what you want in a multi and see how many of these can be achieved.

As for setting a length first - this is probably a mistake unless you own a dock or marina berth that can't take anything longer than 30ft. If you have selected 30ft because you think that is all you can afford then state that as part of the specifications. Length itself should be a little rubbery.

Take the Wharram for example. No Wharran will ever win a design competition with boats of the same length unless it is for economy. The large overhangs mean that a 30ft Wharram will be lighter, cheaper and less commodious than a 30ft cruiser from Richard Woods. So the Wharram is cheaper but also much less boat.

Sit down and write a full specification. If you have the money talk to a few good designers, if you don't go and earn some until you can afford good plans. You will save heaps in the long run.

cheers

Phil

[DarthCluin]

Eh?

http://wharram.eu//live//article.php...00715135624601
http://wharram.com/1982winner.html

[redreuben]

Here is a cheap, fast to build (no strong back) right in your size range.
http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/cheapcat.html

Cheers,
RR

[ruggerodn]

Originally Posted by redreuben

Here is a cheap, fast to build (no strong back) right in your size range.
http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/cheapcat.html

Cheers,
RR

nice, very similar to the Kurt Hughes 30D
I think using Cylinder moulding method, and without the pod it's possible to make a cheaper boat