The Trimaran And The Whale

[BillAU]

G'day mates,

I'm still doing research for a suitable vessel to live aboard and after reading this true story: Sailor tells:

How the Whale Holed My Trimaran, I feel even stronger that a Tri would be the vessel for me. You can read the story here

So what if I do have a couple of extra hulls/amahs/pontoons to clean and care for, I'm retired and it would give me something to do...somewhere

Calm seas to you all.

Bill AU

[MMNETSEA]

Good story,

The Newick 31 was designed not as a long-term cruising boat - but a very, very good day cruiser - besides being able to lick the fleet in light wind races.

Here is a picture of one the builds - believe her name is "Aihe" :-



Bill, I had the pleasure of sailing her big sister the Dick Newick 34 in her pre-race trials with owners Tony Lough and Ron Jackson-Smith in Thailand. Although certainly a beautiful boat it could never be a live-aboard for more than a few days, There were no long-term facilities to speak of - here is the picture of the trimaran "Fine Pitch"



Richard

[BillAU]

G'day Richard,

Racing yachts are not for me, I like my comforts. I've had a couple of sports cars in my time but much prefered my Rover 3500 Vanden Plas or any of the Jags I have owned over the years, from the mark 9 to my last Jag, a 4.2S. I now own and drive a Land Rover Disco TDI and a SAAB 900i, (not at the same time )

I've been searching around, quite a lot, on Tri's, Cats and Monos and have found several that I believe would suit my needs (vessels that take my fancy). The five yachts are listed below, starting with a nice Mono...I think . But then I'm a full-on novice so what do I know about sailboats. Anyway here they are, they all look to be big/comfortable enough for one to four people.

(1)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...IT&viewitem=

(2)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1974/Custo...D/United-States

(3)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/Jim-B...attaya/Thailand

(4)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1970/Custo...Ensenada/Mexico

(5)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1976/Brown...C-Sonora/Mexico

All the listed vessels are offshore, in Thailand, the States or Mexico, for some reason similar vessels cost "two to four" times as much if bought in Australia

The age of the vessel is not a worry for me...just as long as she has been well cared-for. As I said in earlier post, I would live on the vessel full time, sell my home and spend the rest of my days on the water...In some place I truely like.

Anyway mate, I have a lot to sort-out "before" buying a vessel, although I'm tempted, I will not be blindly rushing in to buy any vessel!

One thing Richard, I take it that "Composite" vessels are fiber over ply, am I correct? Don't know why the seller do not just say "fiber over ply" .

Cheers mates and thanks to all for your views. Calm seas to you all.

Bill AU

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by BillAU

Racing yachts are not for me, I like my comforts.

I've been searching around, quite a lot, on Tri's, Cats and Monos and have found several that I believe would suit my needs (vessels that take my fancy). The five yachts are listed below, starting with a nice Mono...I think . But then I'm a full-on novice so what do I know about sailboats. Anyway here they are, they all look to be big/comfortable enough for one to four people.

(1)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...IT&viewitem=

(2)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1974/Custo...D/United-States

(3)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1990/Jim-B...attaya/Thailand

(4)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1970/Custo...Ensenada/Mexico

(5)

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1976/Brown...C-Sonora/Mexico

The age of the vessel is not a worry for me...just as long as she has been well cared-for. As I said in earlier post, I would live on the vessel full time, sell my home and spend the rest of my days on the water...In some place I truely like.

I take it that "Composite" vessels are fiber over ply, am I correct? Don't know why the seller do not just say "fiber over ply" .

Bill AU

"Composite" is one of those terms surely invented by brokers who don't have the faintest idea what the hull is made of. Generally it includes :- cores of bulsa wood or a product like AIREX° - An easy processing structural foam ... or one of many closed-cell, thermoplastic structural foams designed for use with all resin systems and processing. These are encased in GRP (fibre glass in an ortho or iso-thalic resin) nowadays vinylester resin recommended over others.

The use of thin layers of ply - which are saturated with epoxy are not called composite - but may be referred as a WEST system construction. Many Multihulls have been built with this material. And, of course many are now constructed using composite material in the hulls, then these are sheathed in exotic skins like carbon fibre - kevlar etc.

Age of a boat is very important relative to what era the boat was built in -- certain years produced in the long term osmosis in the hulls below the water line. Stainless steel rigging has a finite life in tropical seas. Teak decks may hide rot below. The onboard electrics in a marine environment often corrode causing all sorts of irritations. ETCCC...

[MMNETSEA]

Hello again,

Had a look at the internet search results :-

The first one had all the signs of neglect - the obvious evidence would alert the surveyor to potential wood rot.

The Columbia (at face value) looked the best of the bunch.



Whatever, history says there is only one way to buy a boat, and that is to lay your hand on it - smell the insides for that telltale musty smell, lie down on the bunks, work the machinery, and if you still like it, find your own surveyor (one that is familiar with that type of boat and build)

By clicking on the Multihull Forum's Sponsor - it should take one to Philip Berman's articles -

HERE