Welcome to me
Been lurking around here for a few weeks and decided you guys have knowledge and experience, I don't, so I'm gonna try and pick your brains.
Soon to become a free agent I've decided to have me an adventure. I have some, but limited sailing experience, but have spent a lot of time on the water in other craft.
Here's the plan. Go to Europe buy a 9 metre Catalac - I've had my eyes on a few and made up my mind that is the boat I want. Gather a crew with proven experience and get them to help me bring it back to Aus. I understand any "Delivery costs" will help offset import duties. Nothing like it available here at similar prices. I get hands on experience on the way back win win.
Of course its not going to be that simple, is it. I'm hoping you guys can come up with a dozen reasons why that's not such a good idea, or why it is! and give me something to work from/toward. Thanks in anticipation guys.
Cheers John.
Oops! edit: www.catamaransite.com/catalac_9m.html
I would be concerned about pitch polling a cat with a water line length such as that cat in ocean passages.....and be prepared to get real friendly with crew.
I would argue that there are some comparable ( better?) cats locally ( google crowther cat).
But don't let that get in the way of some adventuring !
Enjoy , I am envious as hell and can I recomend jimmy cornell's " world cruising routes " great dream fodder and give you some idea what to expect.
Hey Tater!
It's thursday evening, we came 2nd in the mid week race, and I've had a glass of red after the beers with a delicious dinner cooked by my lovely wife. Go for it!!!!! 
**
Poods
** May not be reliable, sound or sober advice
Tater, go for it,
I have met guys from states and hollland in FNQ on something, I wouldn't
take across the Bay.
BUT be aware....
25 foot water line, low sitting Cat. Biscay-Atlantic-Pacific and crew with
proven experience ?
Guess you on your own.
How lucky are you? You will need more than one persons usual share.
Can you, your boat and your unknown crew handle 50 kt winds and associated seas? Do you know what 50 kts feels like? It is nearly 3 times 30 kts. 6 times 20 kts.
I love adventures, provided you know and can plan for the risks.
List all the potential hazards, the risk they pose and what you can do to get them down to what you consider acceptable. Then you will know if it is silly.
I think your idea is good, but your choose of boat I would have resavations with. By the way, there is no import duty (5%) on an a boat built in the USA, only GST (10%). So the Virgin Islands may be a better place to look for a boat. If I was looking at a mono hull I would want at least 36ft, unfortunetly I am not experinced with cats that far off shore to give you a lenght,, but I would be supprised if anyone would said 30ft is enough.
Just add to your lurking.
All stupid stuff have been acomplished, only reason to spend 10 month maybe more is what.
Get some homework done or ask smart question, you can get here professional answer.
Do you have enough .....what it takes....
Last time I check rules, when you own the boat over a year, you pay no import tax.
Check what's is currently in place.
I know of a simular style of cat which had no mast and motored across the Tasman from NZ to Sydney. I think with more good luck than good management.
What is your motivation??
Cheap boat or uncertain adventure??
If it is the former you need not leave these shores to find one, with which you can then leave these shores for the latter.
Ok, in no particular order : motivation, I've never done it before. Soon to find myself with time, freedom to do something, might as well at least plan this. If it comes to nought at least I can go and do a year or three in the Med on one of these boats. I will have no timetable and am still eligible for a Euro passport.
Pitchpoling, only 1 of 600 built has pitchpoled and that had an "extended mast". The design brief was all about safety, performance would not be exhilarating. Durability has been proved in a boat this age, a survey obviously would be required.
Uk built, at least 60 have crossed the Atlantic, some a few times over. Never been reported to have flown a hull.
Looking now for jimmy cornell's " world cruising routes, thank you. I'll be keeping an eye on your thoughts and probably hitting you up with more specific questions as time goes by. Appreciate the initial interest.
Cheers John.
