What’s it really like to go from a monohull to a catamaran? A liveaboard cruiser’s lessons learned

For over a decade, my spouse, Rachel, and I lived aboard what may aptly be described as a conventional bluewater cruising yacht. Our 1984 Tayana 42, Agápē, was a superb alternative for us to start our cruising journey.

All the things about her was strong and designed to resist a long time of abuse from the relentless ocean. We sailed her by means of Mexico, Central America, and into French Polynesia the place we’ve got spent the final 5 years exploring numerous distant islands and anchorages.

The longer we spent on the water, the extra we fell in love with the cruising life. But concurrently, the distant life-style left us eager for family and friends. A sailor’s life is crammed with farewells as new pals sail out and in of one another’s orbits.

Two years in the past, after we determined to make cruising a everlasting transfer, we began taking up increasingly crew. This was not as a result of we wanted assist crusing, however to forge and strengthen friendships made alongside the way in which. Coincidentally, round this time, I developed a severe situation: I used to be bitten by the ‘larger boat’ bug, generally known as ‘Two foot-itis’.

Sadly this situation impacts the a part of the mind chargeable for rational pondering!

An even bigger boat

I started exploring totally different yachts that will supply us more room for guests. I additionally hankered after one thing that would sail sooner than our 16-ton cruiser was able to. Right here in French Polynesia, we generally navigate passes the place the present exceeds 5 knots, and our means to motor at simply 5.5 knots has prevented us from visiting some locations we’d hoped to. We realised that reaching all of the area we wished would require a 55-60ft monohull.

Steadily, my consideration turned as a substitute to catamarans. I beloved the area and stability catamarans supply however was involved about their efficiency in foul climate.

As soon as we determined to give attention to catamarans, I started making an attempt to get on board as many alternative fashions as doable. This isn’t tough, as catamarans now represent roughly 40-50% of cruising yachts. All the things involving boats is a compromise, and stepping aboard totally different fashions gave us a clearer thought of what we really desired or may stay with out.

The couple are eager divers and admire the additional area a catamaran provides. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

This proved invaluable, as design options we would admire for his or her crusing traits might be much less sensible for day-to-day life. After a decade aboard our Tayana, we had a superb grasp of what was vital to us, however transitioning from monohull to multihull opened an entire new world of questions.

Narrowing the search

Rachel and I spend the vast majority of our cruising time at anchor, hardly ever tying up at docks or marinas. This meant our subsequent vessel wanted to operate extra like a floating apartment than a weekend racer. We wished one thing that sailed properly, however equally vital was having a cushty and welcoming house to take pleasure in and share.

One of many first issues I reconsidered in our search was the place I wished the helm place. Initially, I favoured older Catanas and Nautitechs with their decrease booms and extra performance-oriented look. Nevertheless, on each manufacturers, the helms are uncovered on the stern.

Catamarans can typically get into shallow, sheltered anchorages in out-of-the-way locations – and a few fashions may even be safely beached .Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

Whereas advantageous for viewing sail form and trim, I felt they’ll impede ease of motion when embarking or disembarking, particularly when carrying heavy dive tools – diving is one among our passions. Mixed with the expertise of an autopilot failure necessitating hours of hand steering, I started to prioritise a cushty and guarded helm station.

Steadily, we narrowed our search, and centered on just a few fashions that suited our life-style greatest. It’s not that they have been superior boats, however they aligned extra intently with our wants. Sadly, most have been half a world away and out of doors our price range.

With cyclone season quick approaching, we listed Agápē, hoping to promote earlier than the season started, which might enable us to go away French Polynesia in quest of our new house. Finishing the previous few tasks earlier than sale proved unexpectedly difficult, as I discovered myself desirous to do increasingly. Posting her itemizing felt like a betrayal.

Giant genoas want cautious administration when the wind will get up. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

Whereas I cherished our monohull, she was ageing, and each boat reaches a degree the place an homeowners’ affection now not justifies the associated fee required to take care of it to a sure commonplace. Promoting Agápē was – on paper – undoubtedly the proper choice, but emotional attachments to a ship are exhausting to sever. Older boats possess extra character and might really feel like a part of the household. The concept of changing the hand-finished strong teak inside with laminate and glassfibre was tough to just accept.

Serendipity

One night, the whole lot appeared to fall into place. Whereas having fun with sundowners on the seaside, some cruising pals requested which dealer we have been utilizing, as they too have been considering promoting their boat, a 2012 Leopard 46.

We’d spent many evenings aboard their catamaran, sharing meals and video games, and over time had assisted them with a number of smaller tasks. A number of months earlier, our boats had even been facet by facet within the boatyard for backside jobs, permitting me to examine theirs intently.

Rachel and Joshua Shankle are delighted with their Leopard 46. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

As we mentioned the gross sales course of in French Polynesia, a worth was talked about that we may afford. From there, the choice was straightforward, as this catamaran was already in French Polynesia, sparing us a big price in taxes and simplifying the shifting course of. We’d put aside 1000’s of {dollars} for flights to examine boats globally and ship our belongings, funds we may now allocate to creating the Leopard match to develop into our new house.

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It took me three days to meticulously examine each sq. inch of the catamaran, testing the whole lot I may earlier than reaching a choice. Whereas this may increasingly appear intrusive, particularly when the homeowners are pals, it’s a necessary step. Personally inspecting a ship as comprehensively as doable is essential; surveyors are invaluable for insurance coverage functions, however nobody must be extra dedicated to uncovering the boat’s true situation than its potential new homeowners.

Having not too long ago bought one boat and purchased one other, I can attest to the truth that I forgot or was unaware of points on our personal monohull, in addition to discovering neglected particulars on the catamaran. These are nobody’s fault (until intentionally hid) – it’s simply the character of boats.

Catamarans supply loads of dwelling and cabin lodging. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

Though it received’t be possible for everybody, I used to be very grateful we may spend the evening on board earlier than we purchased the boat. We’d stayed on just a few of our pals’ catamarans over time and the good thing about having the ability to spend time on the Leopard – simply listening to the noises or how passing wakes may slap the sugar scoops – can’t be understated. It additionally provides you time for the ‘wow’ issue to put on off and begin to discover the small imperfections.

Shakedown sail

As soon as we dedicated to purchasing the Leopard, the whole lot progressed swiftly. With cyclone season approaching, we solely had just a few weeks to finalise Agápē’s sale and put together our new catamaran, now named Agápē Nui (Nui that means ‘massive’ in Tahitian), for a 1,000-mile sail from Tahiti to the Marquesas Islands towards the commerce winds.

This passage served as a radical shakedown for each boat and crew. With my dad and mom aboard, the additional palms and relaxation have been welcomed. We examined the whole lot, from reefing traces and deck hatches throughout headwinds and waves to engine efficiency through the calm of the final 36 hours of the journey. The passage gave us loads of time to be taught the Leopard’s crusing traits as my dad and I performed with totally different angles and trim. As typically is the case, we found the boat may endure greater than we may. Usually, we wanted to decelerate to take pleasure in a smoother trip towards the swells.

House to unfold out makes upkeep simpler. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

Six months later, we’ve sailed our new house over 3,000 miles from Tahiti to the Marquesas and again, by means of the Tuamotu archipelago. I proceed to be impressed with how properly she sails and the consolation a catamaran offers. Nevertheless, it’s not been with out its challenges.

The toughest factor for me crusing the catamaran is there may be little or no feeling to the boat. On our monohull, I may stroll away from the helm and know if she was overpowered or if the wind had shifted by the way in which she would transfer. We additionally had a built-in security margin in the way in which a monohull can heel in a giant gust. This isn’t the case on a catamaran.

We’ve needed to undertake a extra conservative strategy – particularly when working downwind on squally nights. We don’t have radar to see squalls approaching and because the wind pace picks up so does the boat pace. When deciding to reef, turning into the wind exposes the boat’s beam to its full power, highlighting the overwhelming impact of the huge mainsail. The rig masses are additionally formidable. On our cutter-rigged monohull, I may modify the mainsheet by hand; on the catamaran, each manoeuvre requires a winch.

A catamaran has allowed the Shankles to spend extra time sharing their cruising life-style with family and friends. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

One other problem has been anchoring. On this mannequin of catamaran, the anchor curler sits behind the trampoline, a design that has its professionals and cons. The heavy anchor shouldn’t be stowed as far ahead when crusing, which is sweet for weight placement, however makes it harder so as to add floats to our anchor chain (vital to maintain it from damaging or turning into entangled in fragile coral reefs). We’ve managed a workaround, nevertheless it provides time when elevating the chain.

On our monohull, the curler was on the bow, so if the boat drifted resulting from wind or waves, we may wait a second for the boat to appropriate itself. With the catamaran, we are able to’t enable the boat to float, or we threat the chain turning into taut towards the hulls. This implies when choosing up or reducing the anchor in windy situations the helmsman should use extra throttle than regular to maintain the bows into the wind. We’re studying and getting higher however, since anchoring generally is a flashpoint for a lot of cruising {couples}, any extra stress on this space is greatest averted.

We’ve typically heard that catamarans imply extra work, however I’ve discovered this to be solely partly true. Whereas we now handle two engines and a diesel generator, the elevated area round these motors makes routine upkeep considerably simpler and faster. The bigger area makes it simpler to maintain the world clear, serving to to identify any leaks or points instantly. In any other case upkeep is roughly the identical – apart from waxing the hulls, which accurately is twice the work.

It’s regular to take time adjusting to a brand new yacht, particularly when transitioning between differing types. Maybe over the subsequent few years, I’ll come to understand the delicate nuances of the Leopard as deeply as I did our beloved Agápē.

‘Exhaustion is the largest problem cruising sailors face’. Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

In consolation and firm

Probably the most important change by far, and one which outweighs any negatives, is the consolation.

Exhaustion is among the most formidable challenges cruising sailors face. On our monohull, even easy duties throughout tough passages, reminiscent of utilizing the heads, may show daunting. Dwelling aboard whereas heeled at 20° generally felt extra like a battle for survival than a interest.

To this point, on Agápē Nui, we haven’t encountered something like that. Whereas situations can nonetheless be tough and considerably uncomfortable, neither of us has been tossed from our beds. Extra importantly, we arrive at every new anchorage drained however far much less exhausted than earlier than.

By way of consolation, the catamaran really shines at anchor. We now take pleasure in double the refrigeration and freezer area, two watermakers, even a washer. Our photo voltaic capability has doubled to 1,800W, and we’ve got plans to extend it to just about 3,000W. This enables us to function all our home equipment sustainably and stay way more comfortably than we may have dreamed of simply 10 years in the past.

Anchoring their catamaran has dealt some massive classes! Photograph: voyagesofagape.com

Prior to now six months alone, we’ve welcomed 19 pals, members of the family, and fellow creatives aboard, many staying for weeks at a time. This was one of many most important causes we selected a catamaran – to share our lives with family members – and having these plans come to fruition has been extraordinary.

There’s ample room for everybody to unfold out and work or calm down. We totally take pleasure in having friends on board, however having area to retreat to ensures we are able to host for even longer. Few issues are so rewarding as attending to share the magic moments of cruising life with those you cherish.

Simply six months in, we’re nonetheless within the honeymoon section of possession, however we’re satisfied that selecting a catamaran was the correct choice. Our catamaran ticked way more containers than it left empty. We now have the area to host family and friends for months, utilizing photo voltaic power alone to satisfy our each day wants.

I like the way in which she sails and having the ability to cowl extra miles in additional consolation permits us to benefit from the locations we arrive at sooner, and expertise for longer. Each time I step onto the deck, I’m astounded and grateful that we now name Agápē Nui our house.

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