Hi All

I currently sail a trailer sailer in Westernport Bay.

Thinking of getting a catamaran (maybe a Simpson Cloud 9 or 10), and have a couple of questions - if anyone can help:

- how would a 32' catamaran go sailing Westernport, Port Phillip, Wilsons Promontory, Lakes Entrance

- how would it go sailing beyond Lakes Entrance i.e. a cruise up the east coast

- is there a better option than a Simpson

Any other information about a suitable cat for Victorian waters - or any information about cats - would be much appreciated.

Thanks

hi there you will find that the cloud cats have very low bridge deck clearance ,so will pound in a seaway
have a look at the seawinds much better boats

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radar said..
hi there you will find that the cloud cats have very low bridge deck clearance ,so will pound in a seaway
have a look at the seawinds much better boats

Thanks for the input, Radar

Do you mean the Seawind 1000?

This is about the same length as the Simpson; but has a broader beam. Probably a safer option for Victorian waters.

Anything I should be aware of when looking at these? I'm very hesitant when I see one that has been in the bare boat scene.

Thanks

Seawinds are excellent cats. Sailed on 1000 Portt Phillip and Westrport.
Sailing 1000 around AUS, pure luxury. Sailing beyond the horizon,
Seawind 1160 would be much better option,
I know Westerport every corner of it, any smaller cat is ideal boat.

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Charriot said..
Seawinds are excellent cats. Sailed on 1000 Portt Phillip and Westrport.
Sailing 1000 around AUS, pure luxury. Sailing beyond the horizon,
Seawind 1160 would be much better option,
I know Westerport every corner of it, any smaller cat is ideal boat.

Thanks, Charriot

I'm pretty confident about a small cat in Westernport; but I would like to get out into the Strait to go to e.g. Refuge Cove, Port Phillip, Lakes Entrance.

What do you think about a small cat doing that?

Sorry, don't know small cats, but personally I would feel more comfortable
on T/ S than small cat.
Sailing small boats is all about weather, sheltered anchorage and waiting for window.

A/ This website is close now... Halcyon Adventure.
I started a 12 month sailing trip on the 5th of January with the aim of sailing as far around Australia as possible in my Southern Cross 23, Halcyon. After leaving from Williamstown in Melbourne and having some interesting times in Bass Strait I have finally arrived at Eden in NSW.
There is still a few youtube.

B/ Nice reading.. "Sailing to Cairn" or Little ship big trip by Diane Andrews on Kindle
Sailing from Sydney to Cairns.

Good T/S is capable, my Aquarius 23 was across BassStrait, Lakes and Refuge.

hi again relackson, seawind have some excellent small boats,the 850 has been sailed around australia ,and the 1000s have been sailed round the world
they are an easy boat to sail with the best visability at the helm of any bridgedeck cat anywhere, the cockpit is huge and safe and there has been no recorded
capsize of a seawind ,dont let ex charter boats put you off I have freinds with ex charter seawinds and they are as strong as brick outhouses,all seawinds are built to survey even the private use boats .We have had our 960 for 4 years and it has been in charter as a dolphin watching boat in sydney when launchled
and adelaide sa just before we bought it .so it has seen abit of the aussie coast too .we are based at lake maquarie nsw so if your ever up this way we would love to take you sailing on a seawind if you interested in finding out about the best aussie built catamarans.850s prices start around the $70000 mark and the 1000s start from $150000 our 960 is a one off .the 1160 starts around $300000 for a 2004 model, cheers ray

If you want something bigger and faster than a Seawind 1000, check out the Lightwave 38 (also Australian designed and manufactured).

You'll have no difficulty sailing it anywhere around Australia. Mine, "Arriba," has sailed down the East Coast from Airlie Beach to Adelaide, and all over South Australia since. We hit 5m seas off Coffs Harbour and took it in our stride, and 3m seas is a typical day in Backstairs Passage which I've sailed many times.

A few things I personally prefer over the Seawind:

1) raised helm with incredible visibility (and a huge ice box to boot)
2) much more spacious cockpit (which instantly sold my better half)
3) faster sailing!

Bridge deck clearance is 75cm, albeit 10cm less than the Seawind, but I have not found that to be an issue sailing even in the very messy/choppy waters of Backstairs Passage. Occasionally slamming of the bridge deck is a fact of life sailing all cats.

PS The preference for a single raised helm may seem controversial to Seawind owners accustomed to two helms, but having sailed both, I can attest to the value of having a single, elevated helm. It affords great visibility and eliminates the need for either peering through windows and/or peering down the side of vessel, while freeing up more cockpit space.

Scruzin....you have a point, comes down to individual preferences, wish to try Lightwave.

Hello ...hello..... Relackon...where are you ?
What you reckon about all suggestions ?

hi all ,it all comes down to dollars and cents and the cats he was asking about are well under 100 000 dollars

Hi Charriot - and others. I'm back.

Been doing a lot of thinking.

Scruzin, thanks for the info on the Lightwave. But as Radar states, dollars and cents have a bit to do with it. Yep, was initially looking around/below the $100,000 mark. But might be able to convince the admiral to go more.

A few of the considerations I'm becoming aware of (apart from the dollars) are:
- safety in Bass Strait (concern about Simpson Cloud)
- able to sail it single handed (Seawind 1000 seems OK for this)
- will have to put it on a mooring
- marina maneuvering

I really appreciate your input, fellas. Please keep it coming.

Thanks

The other consideration which has not been mentioned is slipways. There are not many slips that can handle larger cats so if your not planning on drying on a beach somewhere it might pay to find out where you can slip this cat. Moorings are another matter. Cats need more space as they will be effected by tide and wind different to nearby yachts.

I'd better reply to this one, as it's getting close to home.

I pretty much had the same priorities, and achieved the following:
-Cat around 30'
-Moored in PPB (well Corio Bay actually)
-Able to single hand
-under 100K
-able to slip/cradle it without mega $$
- Sleep family of 4

To your list I added:
-must be wheel steer
-must actually sail with proper cat performance
-must have daggers
- must have a decent profile and look ok (subjective I know, but not like a condomaran)
- simple systems onboard wherever possible

The answer was a Schionning Wilderness 9.3.
Like any boat it needed some finishing, but it was all cosmetic, and so far after 2 years, it's still the best boat decision made.

Older picture above, second one after roller paintjob 10 months ago.

PM me Relackson if you need more info.

Have to agree that boat has a very pleasant profile.

Thanks, Crustysailor

I like your list - and the look of your boat. But, from my research, your boat has only one motor. I would really feel a lot safer with 2: marina maneuvering; and having a spare if one gives up.

How do you go with the mooring? How do you leave and re-connect when single-handed? Do you leave your dinghy on the beach, or do something else with it?

Have you been out in Bass Strait? If so, how does your boat handle it?

Lots of questions - thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.

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Relackson said..
Thanks, Crustysailor

I like your list - and the look of your boat. But, from my research, your boat has only one motor. I would really feel a lot safer with 2: marina maneuvering; and having a spare if one gives up.

How do you go with the mooring? How do you leave and re-connect when single-handed? Do you leave your dinghy on the beach, or do something else with it?

Have you been out in Bass Strait? If so, how does your boat handle it?

Lots of questions - thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.

Yes, it does only have one motor (a Yam 9.9 high thrust), but most mono's only have one motor also

The larger 10m Wilderness often had 2, with a different arrangement for door access to allow for the pods.
Marina's a bit freaky in general, I'd probably feel the same whether 1 or 2 outboard.
Actually the boat handles surprisingly well for single outboard, you just learn to do things differently, we normally reverse in and step off aft steps with lines in hand (remember your freeboard is higher than normal, so you don't really want to jump from deck level if you have windsurfer knees).

Mooring is easier, the boss drives and aims basically straight for the mooring, and you just pick it up.
Single handed is ok, nothings hard, just takes a bit of practice. Dingy stays on the mooring as usual.

Boat came from Queensland and sailed down.
Our sailing is family and pretty much bays only, so we make an effort to keep everything simple (no fridge,hwater, 240V or gas).
I want to sail and not maintain stuff if possible.

Plus lighter is more speed. Nothing worse than slowing a cat down with crap.


If I was doing a lot in Bass Strait, I'd probably look for twin outboards too.

Hi Ramona

I think Yaringa will be able to handle a cat - will contact them to make sure. Also exploring where I can get/put a mooring.

Question of someone with a mooring: you obviously get to your big boat by way of a dinghy; where do you leave your dinghy when your big boat is moored? Do you leave it on/near the beach somewhere, or do you take it home ? What is your process for getting to the big boat?

hi again ,we throw the dinghy in the ute others leave theirs chained up on shore near by there boat,
some councils have dinghy racks on shore near by, we also only have one engine ,a yamaha 9.9
highthrust and they are great we get 7 knots flat out and 5.5 cruising with about 1.2 liters per hour
fuel usage ,I have found that in reverse you have way better manouverbility at low speed in confined space
but two yamys would be awsome like on the seawind 1000. once you have confidence ,picking up a moring single
handed is no big deal even in a bit of a blow cheers ray

My dinghy is chained to a tree on the fore shore amongst a dozen others - I even leave the oars underneath.

I leave mine in this dinghy shed across the road from home

Regards Don

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Lazzarae said..
My dinghy is chained to a tree on the fore shore amongst a dozen others - I even leave the oars underneath.

Around here the original Australians would borrow your oars to use with a dinghy less well secured to cross the river to the mission. I haul my cat tender up on to my boat trailer and take it home. We do have dinghy rack here and its close to the carpark to allow the ease of theft. Best to have a tatty hard dinghy painted kacky yellow well secured and take your outboard with you.

Whilst exite is a great looking boat

Seriously, two outboards is the way to go

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Relackson said..
Thanks, Crustysailor

I like your list - and the look of your boat. But, from my research, your boat has only one motor. I would really feel a lot safer with 2: marina maneuvering; and having a spare if one gives up.

How do you go with the mooring? How do you leave and re-connect when single-handed? Do you leave your dinghy on the beach, or do something else with it?

Have you been out in Bass Strait? If so, how does your boat handle it?

Lots of questions - thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.

I sail "Arriba", my Lightwave 38, singled handed all the time. Here are changes I made to make life easier when solo.

1) reliable autopilot (installed on it's own circuit so you can power-cycle it separately without killing other instruments)
2) halyards and reefing lines run back to the helm (so raising sail or reefing can be done while steering at the helm)
3) self-tacking jib (a godsend)
4) jacklines running down the length of both hulls and across the width of the stern
5) enough winches to enable simultaneously sheeting and furling/unfurling headsails, esp. your genoa or gennaker
6) lazy jacks, so the reefed mainsail falls down in place by itself, i.e. without the need for another person to slab reef
7) (optionally) electric winch, located at the helm (pressing a button while steering is easier than grinding a winch)
8) (optionally) remote control for the autopilot (so you can steer from anywhere on board, not just at the helm, admittedly, a bit of luxury)

As a result, I seldom have the need to leave the safety of the helm/cockpit area when sailing. Of course, if I do want to go up to the bow to spot dolphins, etc., I have my nifty remote control to steer with :-)

(I know you the Lightwave 38 was over your budget, but the principles apply to any cat).

Big thanks to everyone for your valuable input.

Pretty much decided on a seawind 1000.

if you know of any for sale, please let me know

yachthub.com/list/search.html?action=adv_search&s_region=&se_region=oceania&Make_Model=Seawind+1000&new=New+and+Used+Boats&cate=All&hull_material=all&statE=all&Lengthfrom=&Lengthto=&feetfrom=&feetto=&yearfrom=&yearto=&price_from=1&price_to=1000000000&poa=yes

Regards Don

Thanks, Don.

Have checked that site out - a few times.

Would be good to get one in Victoria...... ???

I will keep looking on this site, and others.

HEY GOOD CHOICE MATE YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED , CHEERS RAY

Multihull Central is worth a look as well www.multihullcentral.com/used-boats/

You will also find the majority of cats in the northern states of Australia

The other option would be to find a cheaper one in the US and sail it home

Regards Don

Jeepers! You could get a very nice late model mono hull for the same price as them seawind cats.

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Relackson said..
Hi Ramona

I think Yaringa will be able to handle a cat - will contact them to make sure. Also exploring where I can get/put a mooring.

Question of someone with a mooring: you obviously get to your big boat by way of a dinghy; where do you leave your dinghy when your big boat is moored? Do you leave it on/near the beach somewhere, or do you take it home ? What is your process for getting to the big boat?

I have mine Dingy padlocked on a beach up near Sorento if you have a a really nice Dinghy you might loose it I was lucky enough to gove mine away to Mangrovefrog

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southace said..
Jeepers! You could get a very nice late model mono hull for the same price as them seawind cats.

True! But believe it or not, there are sailors that prefer cats to monos, regardless of the extra price :-)