Small (under 20ft) Catamaran curiser, what do you recommend

[kayak_4_3]

So after some consideration I am looking at building one of the small cruising cats. I've looked at several of the design and was wondering if anyone had particular recommendation for one design over the other.
My wife and I are looking for the central cabin as opposed to the hull berths so, alas, the Wharrams and most of the Woods designs are off the list (for now).
We are looking for something suitable for
- 2 adults+ minion
- Less than 20ft in length (build space requirements)
- Suitable for sailing and motoring with a 9.9 (or less) outboard.

Important note: we are looking at cat designs for space, stability, and relative efficiency. Speed is not a factor...we like a relaxed pace

Here are the designs I have looked at in no particular order.

• Double shuffle 5.6 http://www.teamscarab.com.au/5.6cat/design.html
• Jarcat 5 http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/m...gallery?KID=63
• Jarcat 6 http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/m...gallery?KID=63
• ECOnomy 5 http://www.ikarus342000.com/ECOpage.htm
• ECOnomy 6 http://www.ikarus342000.com/ECO6page.htm

Which would you recommend? Or do you have any other plans you would suggest?

[rberrey]

Jarcats

[Corley]

Seconded on the Jarcat front Ross Turner has put together a package which is hard to improve on in that size and offers a good spacious double berth/creature comforts and good sailing ability.

[kayak_4_3]

Would you recommend the Jarcat 5 or Jarcat 6?

[Corley]

I'd go the J6 as the extra waterline and extra space and load carrying ability are a positive the boat only weighs another 100kgs. These little cats spend most of their time overloaded (it's just too tempting to take extra gear, coffee machine, bottles of red) so you want to put everything in your favour from the start.

[kayak_4_3]

Good advice

I'd like to think we wouldn't over load it (to date we have been mainly kayak campers, our gear is relatively light and compact)

But let's be honest my kayak is probably over loaded as well.

[dstgean]

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

Dan

[Arbee]

I researched the same issue for ages and ended up with a mono, just couldn't come to grips with the physics of these narrow cats. Having said that, I would personally choose the Jarcat 6 over the rest (I also passed on the Waller after communicating with some ex-owners), perhaps followed by Double Shuffle. Jarcats don't seem to fall over very often and they seem to have built a huge following over many years. IMO that counts for a lot, the design is proven and so flexible as a motor sailer.

Robert

[oldsailor7]

Ditto on the Jarcats.
I owned a Jarcat 16 for three years and it is a great little cruiser.
At no time was there any fear of capsizing.
Definitely not a racer, but a well thought out boat for a small family.
Go for the 20' one if you can afford it and have a bigger car. They both tow well.