Some years ago (almost six now) when I was considering what kind of power cruising boat to purchase, I gave considerable thought to the benefits of a power catamaran. The apparent hull length of two hulls gives many performance benefits: higher speed than a monohull at higher power settings and lower fuel consumption at lower power settings. The lateral stability of the wide beam precludes the need for stabilizers and provides a fairly comfortable anchorage. I researched the claim that cats were more prone to capsizing and concluded that, without a mast and sails, they were not, particularly after seeing several tank tests on hulls. Cats do have a problem with heavy seas. Most cats have an anti-slam nacelle under the bridge to ameliorate the slam of water that comes up between the hulls in a head sea. I have to admit never having been on a cat in such seas, but I've asked those who have. Apparently this slam can be quite uncomfortable and even dangerous. One of the all aluminum power catamarans used as a dive boat in Maui had to be sent to Oahu and be re-welded because head seas caused the cabin to break away from the hulls. While there are many advantages to a cruising power catamaran, there are also significant disadvantages which contributed to my decision to go with a conventional monohull. Scott is correct when he says that berthing in a marina is a major problem. The ride in heavy weather was a factor. While a cat might make a wonderful coastal cruiser when you can pick and choose your weather, I question its comfort when crossing oceans. The last disadvantage is a big one: marketplace. While much is being done with catamarans down in Australia and New Zealand, they haven't received wide acceptance in North America. When I retire from cruising, I'd like to be able to get a fair value for my boat. Phil Eslinger Flat Earth N50 Ko Olina, Hi

> Cats do have a problem with heavy seas. Most cats have an anti-slam > nacelle under the bridge to ameliorate the slam of water that comes > up between the hulls in a head sea. I have to admit never having > been on a cat in such seas, but I've asked those who have. > Apparently this slam can be quite uncomfortable and even dangerous. This slamming business is the factor which will bring your traveling to a halt. I have one experience with a 32' power cat brought up the Calif/Ore coast. We had to fall back to the last harbor due to slamming in an 8' head sea. It would have been a problem in a mono hull, but the slamming can't be avoided in the cat, whereas the mono hull could have been worked ahead if so desired, without the slamming. The situation is actually a bit more complicated that what I have indicated, but the summary above is pretty accurate. There is one issue which has been overlooked in most of the prior discussions. A cat can be overturned in high winds, especially if there is a lot of gustiness. The situation will be even worse if there is a lot of heavy steep sea running. The cat is really vulnerable if the boat gets up on a steep wave and a gust gets under the hull, where it can be flipped over. This is most likely what happened to the 50'? "Cat Shot" which was lost off the Oregon coast in December. Regards, Mike _____________________________________ Capt. Mike Maurice Beaverton Oregon(Near Portland)