What's better Sail Or Power

[Adz]

Hi all just a quick question what's the best to go for?

1. Trimaran

2. Power cabin cruiser

Im not sure which would be better. I no that the power boat would use fuel and cost alot to run and the way thing's are going regarding the fuel price is a bit worrying.

Either of the boats would be used for coastal cruising and for trip's offshore/Island hoping.

Any suggestion's would be gratefully received

Best regards

Adam

[RThompson]

Mmm, well, you tell me:
Whats best, a long peice of string or a hose?

Quick question - quick answer.

Are you comparing a sailing tri with a power mono?

In any case there is no easy answer to your question.
Or one might say "The answer is, without doubt a sailing trimaran. But what is the question?"


On the other hand that's a huge can of worms up for discussion...

Rob

[marshmat]

a HUGE can of worms. Can't really compare sail vs. power side by side. You sort of need to figure that out before you go boathunting.

[Skippy]

Which bothers you more: the noise, expense, and range limitation of a motor? or the hassle and slowness of sailing?

[Adz]

Thats why i thought i would ask

Sailing Trimaran has range and speed depending on class. But what size of Tri would be best?

It's got to travel 180 nautical mile's over the northsea and up past the faroes which is a rough place to be and gets rougher the further north northwest you go.

[gonzo]

What can you afford? What accomodations do you need? I sail boats with no electric systems and very basic setups. However, most people seem to want the same stuff they have at home.

[RThompson]

Cruising the North Sea probably require's a tough boat, sail or power.

If you haven't yet get some sea time/cruising time on the style of vessel's you are considering. Yacht clubs etc will be only to willing to help that happen. Visit a broker and go out for a demo on some boats, see what you like.

In the mean time think about why you want a boat.

There's hundred of questions to ask, here's a few:

What kind of cruising: camping or 5 star luxury; marina to marina, or anchorages?
How many on board for how long?
How long will you cruise without re-supply?
Do you like time at sea or time exploring?
What berthage is available to you?
What's your budget to buy?
What's your monthly budget to own?

The next time you find yourself with some cash in your pocket _donate_ it to the nearest shop/person/rubbish bin. If you feel fine after that then you are over the first hurdle (that is, test your ability to hemorrhage cash -without grief...)

Rob

[Adz]

Was thinking about building it myself.

There in lies the problem which designer's should i look at regarding plans? any links?

I would think the tri would have to be in the region of 60ft with the ability to be single handed most of the time.

Probably need space for upto 6 adult's-incl self.

At sea for various duration's.

[Adz]

RS Thompson

What kind of trimaran's are used over your way?

And what size are they?

Are any of them used for crossing from Australia to Tas or Newzealand?

Thanks Adam

[Ssor]

Adz, The best and worst thing about trimarans is that they are very stable, either side up. I would not consider sailing in the open ocean in any boat that was not self righting.

[tspeer]

And I'd not consider sailing in the open ocean with any boat that can sink. What a tired old exchange - but I guess it has to be brought up every time someone mentions multihulls to those with no experience in them.

Instead of trimaran vs power cruiser, I'd consider a catamaran. It'd combine many of the virtues of both. Once you get above, say, 35 - 40 ft, a catamaran has more interior space than a trimaran. It heels less and with adequate bridgedeck clearance may well be the most comfortable of the three alternatives in rough conditions.

[tspeer]

The best material I've found on multihull seaworthiness are the model tests Barry Deakin did at the Wolfson Unit on the capsize of catamarans (also presented in 2001 at the Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium), and the outstanding article by John Shuttleworth on multihull seaworthiness (also a chapter in Adlard Coles' book, "Heavy Weather Sailing"). I believe Steve Dashew also talks about multihull seaworthiness, as well as monohulls, in his excellent books.

[Adz]

Been looking into catamaran's Sorry really dont like them.

Have decided i want a trimaran. Still unsure as to what size of try is best to go for.

Best regards adz

[D'ARTOIS]

You have already made up your mind: so asking what's best - a powered mono or a sail multi - an odd comparison - is a discutable question.
You are talking about one of the nasty's pieces of water our good Lord has invented. The tri, as well as the cat are unsuitable for cruising the northern waters. Not that they can't. They definately can. But the kind of waves building op the northern Scottish coast - in bad weaher - are particular unkind to the multi design. To say it nicely. I have an alternative suggestion: design a sub!

[RThompson]

Originally Posted by Adz

Still unsure as to what size of try is best to go for.

As big as you can afford. You mentioned a 60' trimaran, by the time you reach that size you have excluded yourself from most smaller marina's and anchorages - so you might as well take full advantage of that sacrifice. For the same accomodations/weight the bigger boat will probably go faster which helps when you are dodging nasty weather.


A side note re. multi seaworthiness (or Australian stupidity): a couple of years ago an Australian racing cat named XS went to Antartica two handed. It was between 30 - 35 feet long. Skipper was the designer Robin Chamberlain.
Quite similiar to a Tony Grainger "Raider" (lots of Grainger designs floating around the place)

http://www.graingerdesigns.com.au/racing/raider.htm

Jeff Schionning's designs are popular as well, but I don't know if he "does" tri's:
http://www.schionningdesigns.com.au/www/welcome.cfm

Rob