Added: 12/07/2005 |
Catamaran boat -for sailing vacationsThe demand for catamarans (or multihulls) has obviously increased over the last few years.
Catamarans are a relatively recent design of boat for both leisure and sport sailing, although they have been used for millennia in Oceania. Multihulls are quite popular for racing, especially in Europe and Australia, and are somewhat popular for cruising in the Caribbean. They're not seen very often in the United States, although they're gradually getting more popular. Until the 1980s most multihull sailboats (except for beach cats) were built either by their owners or by boatbuilders on a semi-custom basis. Since then several companies have been successful selling mass-produced (by boat industry standards) boats.
Sailing catamarans are usually classified according to their designs:
- Popular small racing catamarans:
Hobie cat (small racing catamaran)
International A-Class (open design; the fastest single handed racing catamaran boat in the world.)
Dart 15 and Dart 18
Tornado, Olympic class racing catamaran.
- Catamarans for ferries (catamarans for sailing vacations)
- Mega Catamarans - One of the biggest developments over the last decade in the yachting arena has been the rise of the super catamaran - a multihull over 60 feet in length which come in semi-custom and custom designs. This luxurious catamaran boat can be individually customized to suit the customer's requirements and tastes.
A sailing vacation aboard a cruising catamaran boat is like no other. Go where you want, swim, snorkel, dive, read, sun-bathe, sail, eat, drink, and be exceedingly merry. Such sailing tours are usually all planned just the way you want it. Catamarans enhance your vacation with their space, comfort and privacy. If you decided to hire a catamaran, you may choose from the several options:
Bareboat Catamarans that you sail yourself (if qualified)
Fully Crewed Catamarans with licensed captain and trained chef/hostess.
Captain Only Catamarans (if you would prefer to have an experienced and licensed seaman onboard for some or all of the duration of your stay) where you provision and prepare the meals.
Cabin Booking Catamarans for one couple or a single
Sailing your own catamaran boat is like no other vacation. You get up when you want to, sail where you want to, swim, dive, snorkel, eat, sleep, drink, beach comb, you name it, when and where you want to. So many who have experienced this wonderful trip come back again and again.
There are many advantages why you should hire a catamaran rather than a yacht or a caravan:
1- Level, stable sailing:
Leaning over at 25 degrees can be exciting and fun for a while. In a very short time the novelty wears off and the attraction of level sailing is pretty obvious. The cruising cat rarely heels more than 5 degrees and most often less. This makes offshore passages less tiring, helps drink and food stay on the table, sleeping doesn't involve a balancing act and reefing in heavy weather is not done on a rolling slippery deck. Consider the safety of your friends and family. The advantages are endless.
2 - Great sailing performance:
In most weather conditions, today's modern production built cats will sail at speeds 20 to 50% faster than a similar length monohull.
3 - Space / roominess:
The modern cruising cat is much roomier than its equivalent length monohull. In fact to get the same facilities as on the 33ft Seawind 1000 it is estimated you would have to go to a 45ft yacht.
4 - Shallow draft:
With shoal draft keels, the catamaran can be beached without damage. This is a real bonus for visting parks and beaches on your catamaran.
5 - Maneuverability:
With twin propellers the modern cat is a pure joy to maneuver and is superior to most catamaran power boats, let alone any monohull sailboat.
The list goes on and from these advantages grow many others. For many families the catamaran has meant they can bring their friends without overcrowding the boat. Guests do not have to be yachters to enjoy the day and entertaining can be done with style and without stress.
Once a cat sailor and you're hooked for life!
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