looking for a stock plywood cat design!

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Briggsm, Jul 12, 2010.

  1. Briggsm
    Joined: Jul 2009
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Crestview Fl

    Briggsm Junior Member

    I've been looking at all sorts of websites trying to find a catamaran design in the 28-32 foot range. I keep hoping I can find a bridgedeck cabin cat similiar in layout to the Woods Eclipse or the Waller 880 but built in plywood. I think something simple like a dory or V-hull would be Ideal. Something built using chines instead of stitch and glue or epoxy jointery would be cool also. I know I'm a dreamer, but if anyone has suggestions let me know.
     
  2. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 2,209
    Likes: 175, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1244
    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    I don't have plans (sorry for unintentional pun) for a design at the size you are after. But I am developing a new 34ft plywood chined design that will be somewhere between my Flica and Romany designs. There is a bit about it on my Latest News page, but still a long way to go before it is a marketable design

    I am also drawing an updated Sagitta which will be something like a 30ft Eclipse. But that will only be available in foam sandwich

    One reason you're finding it hard to find a boat in that size range is that most people want standing headroom on all bridgedeck cabinned catamarans. This isn't really possible at 30ft or less unless you have either a high boxy cabin or very low bridgedeck clearance. I don't like either of those options so Eclipse is currently my smallest design with full headroom on the bridgedeck

    Richard Woods of Woods Designs

    www.sailingcatamarans.com
     
  3. rasorinc
    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posts: 1,853
    Likes: 71, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 896
    Location: OREGON

    rasorinc Senior Member

  4. Briggsm
    Joined: Jul 2009
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Crestview Fl

    Briggsm Junior Member

    Thanks Richard,
    I really like your designs, and you seem to be the only designer actively promoting their product(That's a GOOD THING). A Flicka/Romany Hybrid would be way cool! My problem is that I need a custom design yet I keep looking at stock plans. The hulls are where standing headroom is important. the bridgedeck is just a sitting area right?

    Rasorinc,
    That looks like an interesting project. Please post some pics as you progress.
    I want to build a sailing catamaran, but I like anything to do with boats.

    Peace
    Briggs Monteith
     
  5. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posts: 2,209
    Likes: 175, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1244
    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    No, there will be full (well 6ft) headroom on the bridgedeck and 6ft 6in in the hulls

    Richard Woods
     
  6. Chris Ostlind

    Chris Ostlind Previous Member

    You might want to take a look at the work being done by Kurt Hughes.

    http://www.multihulldesigns.com/index.htm

    While Kurt does not have a specific set of stock plans for the type of boat you seek, there are, at least, a couple of designs in his vast portfolio that encompass that potential and could quickly be adapted to fit your design brief.

    Aside from that, I know the guy and he's as easy going a person as you would want for the kind of interaction that is likely before you.
     
  7. Tad
    Joined: Mar 2002
    Posts: 2,321
    Likes: 214, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 2281
    Location: Flattop Islands

    Tad Boat Designer

  8. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    While we all see Richard Woods here and know he's a good guy with good designs you can and should buy, I wanted to mention something about Kurt Hughes:

    I have gone through the process with Kurt and he was quite helpful in selecting the right plans from his site for our intended use. I purchased plans from him for the 45' bridgedeck cat and have no complaints at all. I can vouch for Kurt's willingness to help, easy going personality and fairness in all business dealings he does.

    It can't hurt to contact Kurt l or buy one or Richard's plans, too.

    In fact, those were the two designers I was down to at the end of my selection process. Kurt does prefer emails... if you contact him.

    I'm sure one of the stock designs could be modified at a reasonable cost to fit your requirements.

    However, just as Richard points out, it is exceedingly difficult to get standing headroom on the bridgedeck for a cat that size. Kurts plans show this as well. The smaller ones don't have deck houses.
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. Briggsm
    Joined: Jul 2009
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Crestview Fl

    Briggsm Junior Member

    Thanks everyone for all of your replies. I like The Hughes designs, they look really sharp. Actually veering off of the topic I started with, the Woods Mirage with a hard top like the one shown on his website might suffice for our family if it had an Isenglass/canvas enclosure...This would probably cut down on build time considerably and make for a more versatile cruising boat. Richard what are your thoughts on this?

    -Briggs
     
  10. DarthCluin
    Joined: Mar 2009
    Posts: 131
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 47
    Location: Florida

    DarthCluin Senior Member

    Have a look at Bernd Kohler's designs. The KD860 is a bridge deck design about 28', and it is plywood/fiberglass/epoxy.
    The website is here:
    http://www.ikarus342000.com/CATpage.htm
    The P95 also looks interesting, and the 11.5 meter Pelican looks roomy.
     
  11. DarthCluin
    Joined: Mar 2009
    Posts: 131
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 47
    Location: Florida

    DarthCluin Senior Member

  12. Briggsm
    Joined: Jul 2009
    Posts: 17
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Crestview Fl

    Briggsm Junior Member

    Holy smokes Batman, is that guy for real? Drawn on the back of a beer carton, liquid nails, AC plywood throughout, yet it looks great! I'm not sure I've got the balls to do it... impressive though!
     
  13. cavalier mk2
    Joined: Mar 2010
    Posts: 2,201
    Likes: 104, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 214
    Location: Pacific NW North America

    cavalier mk2 Senior Member

    Don't forget Ed Horstman, his catamarans are well thought out and have some of the best prices on plans. The are for either double diagonal ply or foam though.
     
  14. Jster
    Joined: Jul 2010
    Posts: 2
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Crestview, FL

    Jster New Member

    A message from...Briggs' wife.

    So, the original thought for a catamaran came from me. I don't have the sailing experience he does, but in order to pursue the dream of cruising, we have to plan for our family, which includes three growing children. I want them to have some amount of privacy which a monohull would not allow, so a catamaran is ideal...we could have four separate berths.

    So here are my specifications: four berths, and I like bridge decks that have both the galley and a sitting area. I really like the Flicka except that the galley is below...As far as layout, the Kelsall KSS 33s seems about ideal. But I don't have much practical experience with any of this, just a wife's demands of her poor husband...

    Briggs reminds me of the inherent extra work involved in each additional foot, while I try to remind him exactly how much we'll appreciate each additional foot when at sea with three kids. It's a balancing act, too be sure, but in your recommendations, please don't be as limited in the size as my dear husband would limit you...we may be pursuaded to a larger boat. I do have some sway around here...
     

  15. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    To get what you desire, you are looking at a 34 ft cat, min. Probably more like 38.

    I would also add that a 34' catamaran is quite manageable for a couple. My wife and I have owned a 34' cat and it wasn't all that difficult at all to use/maintain/dock/anchor, etc...
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.