[MHml] 2 vs 3 hulls

[ph holcomb]

ROY & JERRY

As a former F-24 and F-27 Owner and now as a Karmin Cobra 35 Ft Cat  I suppose
I can give an experienced reply-  the cabins on the trailer tris (all of them)
are extremely narrow as they have to fit the 8 ft road dimension-  so even the
31 is a long narrow cigar cabin -  and less space than a comparable length
monohull.  The  F boats are lighter, and indeed go better to weather.
(athough I have been beaten by a well sailed Crowther cat)   In heavy weather,
the F boats lean over quicjkly and one has to keep the lee hull from burying-
and sail reduction is important.  Personal agility is essential on  a F-boat.
Trailerability is indeed their greatest advantage.  I trailed one 1000km each
year to race Kings Cup in Thailand.

My 35' Tiger Lily" however, is inherently heavier and more stable- but  is
still fast - My boat has spartan accomodations with a small doghouse cabin
which could be made larger as on most Cobras-  But I still have a queen size
bunk,   an igloo frig and small chart table.   The hulls can accomodate 4 crew
members in coffin shape bunks.    The biggest advantage is that I can take a
dozen people sailing and no one gets into anothers way.  also the boat doesn't
lean in gusts-  but spurts forward.  It has a big boat feel and great water
clearance.  The long waterline provides more speed potential.  As a senior
citizen with some physical limits-  the Cat is a total pleasure to sail and
cruise on.

The bigger the cat (40'+)  the accomodations  can become truly sumptuous -  but
here is where some designers get carried away-  they raise the coach roof and
lower the deck to water clearance (ie: Endeavour Cats)  to make more room and
the whole thing starts looking like a condominium-  sailing poorly and pounds
in heavy chop..

Good luck

Roy Mills wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jerry Chessler <jc at parview.com>
> To
> > I found the statements below on Farrier web site in the Q&A section.
> >
> > Snip:
> > "How Do Trimarans And Catamarans Compare?
>     Snip again
> > Comparing accommodation, the tri is best below 12m (40') while the cat is
> > better above. The tri offers more accommodation in the smaller sizes,
> while
> > maintaining a consistently better all round performance."
> > End of Quote:
> > Is there general agreement on this response?  I was very surprised to hear
> > about more accommodations in trimarans vs. cats each under 40'
>
>     I have seen this quote before, a friend of mine has an F24. I agree with
> his sailing comparisons, I have never understood how he comes to the
> conclusion about accommodation. To me the cat wins hands down, especially at
> bed time. Also he does not mention the better load carrying ability of the
> cat over the tri, nor does he comment on the possibly theoretical advantages
> of the cat in really heavy weather.
>
>     Re your query about retirement and a Farrier. I guess a lot depends on
> the health and strength of the indidvidual, but several years ago there was
> a good series in MM from a chap and his wife who retired, sold their house,
> bought a pickup, a fifth wheeler and a Dragonfly tri. They would tow the 5th
> wheeler to their next destination, then he would drive back and bring the
> Dragonfly. I believe they got up into the Canadian lakes at one time. I also
> have a recollection, which may not be accurate, that they did this for about
> 5 years before the inexorable pruning knife of time whittled him down to the
> point that it was just too much effort any more and they sold up. Ava can
> probably give you chapter and verse if she has time.
>
>     Roy Mills
> >
>
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