Hi to all, I'm new here and at the sailing scene, I have owned and worked motor boats for many years, and now offshore in the oil and gas industry. I'm now in a position to fulfil a life long dream to buy a yacht and sail around Australia then up into the Pacific and beyond. I have been looking on all the sites with yachts for sale, what I would like is your opinion on what to get. I can't decide between mono hull or multi hull. All tips and advice will be much appreciated.
Cheers
Busaman12
Multi's are good for Pacific Islands with reefs and draft access issues. But expensive.
The open living area is also a plus.
Mono's with large Centre cockpit probably the best choice on a Budget.
South Coast 36, Jarkan 10.5, and Martzcraft 35 are 3 good mono hull cruising yachts. All 3 were Australian Made and have good reputations. I don't have a lot of multihul experience. There were some early spectacular failures in the 1970s with fatalities, mostly Trimarans. Yes they do sail on a more level plain, have a lot of room, and are generally faster, particularly off the wind. They are not as forgiving as a Mono and can be easily dismasted if you are caught with way too much sail up. Some designs won't point as high to the wind and are more difficult to tack.
Before deciding on anything, what is your sailing experience and how many people?
I have many years experience at sea but only a few months sailing when I worked on the Mediterranean on a yacht called "Saphire". I will be alone to begin with , just going through a divorce then will buy my dream.
Have a read of this article, has some interesting information to add to the mix.
www.atlantic-cruising.com/good-cat-bad-cat/
Thanks BPBperth for that link, has helped a lot. I have been leaning towards a cat, have had my eye on one in Queensland.
For comfort and hanging around islands, living on board etc go cat but when it gets realy rough you want to get off.
II you want a true sailing expierience go mono, with all the discomfort of a boat leaning over at45deg.
If you are going to buy a boat for long term cruising, can I suggest a flight to BVI, you will be blown away, not only the price but the amount of boats you can buy, well worth purchasing boat overseas if you are planning on sail around world anyway.
Don't be put off buying a plastic fantasic as hundreds of them sail around the world each year and a cat is fine, I would still buy a mono due to cost. But do avoid slow old full keel design boats, they belong in the past, leave them there.
Good luck
