A cat, as a catamaran, is affectionately known is a multihulled boat. Pretty much up until now our research has centered around monohulled 35′+ yachts. These boats have specific characteristics. The list of them might look something like:
- beam: width of the boat
- Loa: total length of the boat
- engines: typically 2 either diesel or unleaded running from about 225HP each
- water capacity: the amount of water the boat can carry
- gas volume: the number of gallons of gas the boat can carry
- draft: how much of the boat is below the water line.
- top speed: often expressed in knots, this is the speed the boat would do if you floored it
- cruising speed: this is the sweet spot of the boat for cruising.
- weight of the boat
The way it works then is that for most monohull boats of cruising class A or B made from 2005-2009 of this size (35-45′) these are the generalities (if you will):
- beam 13-16′
- LOA 36-47′
- engines: diesel 250-400 hp twins
- water: 100 gallons
- gas: 300 gallons
- draft: 3-3.5ft
- top speed: 28-29kn
- cruising: 17-22kn (not including Trawlers)
- weight: 25k-44k
Now as to classification, there are ratings that say what the boat is good for. However, most Americian produced boats, seem to not list this information readily. Im not sure why this is, but all the Euro boats have this info up front.
- A- is a blue water boat, can go anywhere and do anything
- B - coastal cruiser
- C- fresh water only, rivers…
The other D and E, I cant recall and don’t much look at those boats.
Even to the casual observer, you might note then that A class boats, might be a bit more costly. In fact, that is the case. Specifically, there are a number of specific types of boats that easily fit this class.
Now people buy boats for lot of different reasons. Here are some of the classes then of the boats by purpose:
- Fishing
- Cruising (sport and motorboat)
- Blue Water
- Speed
Now, what we are looking for is a live-aboard. In fact, some of the cruising, fishing, blue water boats, all fit the live-aboard category. However, when one comes to space our opportunities are getting limited. Refer back to the definitions above for beam. Beam (along side LOA) basically indicates just how much room you will have when you want to use the spaces below deck. Like how much storage, how much bathroom space, how much bed room space. So, the holy grail is mucho beam.
BUT.. think back to your rubber duckie days. A monohull can only be so wide before it becomes too heavy, too deep, or requires more more length. All of which, are not good. BUT.. a multihull, well we can do things there. We can add a hull, put a bridge bridge between the hulls and resulting in more BEAM, while keeping a similar draft, and the same boat lengths. The result is a more stable boat in calm waters, more roomy cabins, a shallow stable draft; this oddity of the ocean is a catamaran.
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