Living space while sailing

In my mind, this is one of the greatest advantages of cruising cat's. In light winds, all the crew can move around the large cockpit / upper cabin area with little risk. The crew has enough space in the cockpit to spread out (I mean literally lie back) and enjoy the sail, or as sometimes happened, lie down to deal with some queasiness. On many light-wind days, the kids have gone to the front (with their life jackets) and lied down on the trampoline to get real close to the water. If you have never experienced the thrill of having dolphins swimming in between the hulls just a few feet underneath you, the "fishy" smell as they break the water, it was a-once-in-a-lifetime event for all.

On days where the weather isn't cooperating, then the crew can still "lounge" around the upper cabin without much discomfort, reading, playing games, etc., keeping the moral up.

On heavy weather days (and the worst I've experienced to date is 35-40 knots winds, with 8-10 feet waves), the cockpit was still a safe place to be (though a little more tense ! ). In one foray into the Gulf Stream, some of the crew (4 of 6) needed the space to lie around and deal with the 6-8 feet waves !!

Living space while at anchor

OK, given that one tends to spend alot of time at anchor, this is probably the best reason to sail a cat. On a 37' cat, you have a 37' by 21' area on "two" floors !! I figure that's easily around 1200 sq.ft. of space for the crew, to spread out, on top of the surrounding anchorage !!

If you find that hard to believe, then let me share with you some of the everyday ways we use the space at anchor, especially the kids.

Of course, the topsides give everyone plenty of room. The kids can be up on the net, and the parents are back in the cockpit, with the cabin acting as a "sound barrier" :). With two couples on a cat, the same happens, when you each need some quiet time together to relax and take in the incredible setting.
And when everyone wants to be together, then the cockpit, or the net is big enough for all. We have even sat on the sides, with our backs against the cabin windows to get a good view of the anchorage at the "cocktail" hour, or just to get in the shade at sunset. The cabin roof has worked real well for the kids, and the transom steps from the two hulls works for cooling off.
Some of the best moments have been right after dark, when the night sky comes out in all it's glory, and we all just sit back on the net, with a light breeze, the sound of small waves lapping the boat, the sound of the rigging swaying in the wind, and watch for shooting stars and satellites, and just talk about anything.
Inside, there's just as much usefull space. The kids have spent hours down in their "rooms", playing or reading or just resting from the day's activities. My wife and me at times have looked at each other wondering if we were all alone on the boat !

And when the weather turns on you, there's still plenty of room for everyone inside.

CeBe WebDesign November 12, 2007