None of the older commercially built cats fill the bill for me due to issues like bridge deck clearance, overall beam, and in many cases a solid bridge deck forward. Of them, I could probably live with the Iroquois 30 best. The bridge deck clearance is a bit less than I would like (pounding), and the length to beam ratio is not enough for really good stability like your Edelcat.... at about 14' compared to over 18' for the cats I'm looking at. For coastal sailing, and venturing to the Bahamas and the Caribbean in good weather conditions....... fine. For crossing the Atlantic or Pacific, or sailing north or south outside the ICW via Bermuda.... I don't think so. Some things are easily modified. Overall beam is NOT one of them.... bridge deck clearance is another. The Gemini, Prout, Catalac, Oceanic and most others don't even come close as far as I'm concerned.
A lot has been learned since the early commercially built cats....... Economics has pushed the small cat into the realm of the home builder. Your Edelcat lacks the cabin that spans the hulls, which is important to me, but has the beam. The foot well / pod hanging down, looks like a problem with slamming in some conditions. I see it as a "summer fun" boat that could possibly be modified into a serious cruiser.
Don't think I'm starting out with the idea of building........... I'm being pushed in that direction............. Going on 63, I don't plan on owning more than ONE cat. It can't be perfect in every way, nothing ever is, but I do know what I want.
H.W.
On 06/02/2018 04:02 PM, carlosproacarlos@yahoo.com [harryproa] wrote:
It might be cheaper to buy a used catamaran of 30 - 33 ft length. You can get a fixer upper for about $12K, add another $10K in parts and material and live on it for 3 to 5 years. Then you will know exactly what is what you value. Iroquois are plentiful in Florida, I have a EDELCAT33 and it sleeps 3 in each hull, 2 in the cuddly cabin. One head was eliminated and the kitchen was moved from the cuddly cabin to the stand hull, two burner stove with oven, a large domestic refrigerator, and plenty of space for anything a live a board needs.
I wish I had saved for an edel35 but I am happy with what I have since is way to maintain, is relatively fast and at 33x19 is stable
If you are into building, then forget my post - I understand your craving, but remodeling boats have been very similar than when I built from scratch
Posted by: StoneTool <owly@ttc-cmc.net>
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