Speed while sailing
Certainly, one of the most touted advantages of a Cat is their
ability to go fast, real fast ! I guess everything is relative, since I can't comment on 60' Whitbread boats,
or those 100' trimarans, but for a cruising sailboat of the 37' to 45' category , I can see some clear benefits
of having a Cat. A few more knots on average towards your destination , makes for a shorter, less risk
trip.
I've had two key experiences which have sold me on a Cat's ability
for speed.
First time was on a crossing of the Bahama Bank from Bimini
to the Berrys, about a 75 mile leg. We had planned to leave at 6:00 in the morning, but because
the captain wasn't feeling too good, we only left at around 9:00 AM after all the sailboats had already
left. We had 20-25 knot wind from the NW because of a cold front coming through which would "push"
us all the way to the Berry's. With the auto-pilot on and our bearing for about 1km north of the
NorthWest Channel light at the end of the bank, we all sat back and enjoyed the boat (a 37' FP Louisianne)
doing between 12 and 14 knots of speed. Because the bank is no more than 15' deep, the waves
were only 2-4', and gave us a smooth, level ride.
What really made the point, was when we passed the 3 sailboats who
had left earlier than we did, one after the other, heeling over, spray coming over the cockpit, with
the crews looking like they were working hard.
We eventually sailed into Chub Cay at about 7:00 PM in the falling
darkness (shouldn't have left so late), and gratefull that we had had that speed !!
Second time was just for fun. We were in the BVI's on a
Lagoon 37, coming from The Baths on Virgin Gorda and sailing into North Sound going to The
Bitter End. The wind was coming from the east at a little under 20 knots. We had just cleared
the last buoy off the Colquhoun Reef and I just let the boat go into the sound. There were no waves, the boat
wasn't really loaded up as we were on a 1 week charter, and we just picked up incredible
speed. We hit 14 knots without trying. Beautifull !
Level sailing - the only way to go
Nothing beats been able to sail on the level. In normal
sailing conditions, a Cat provides a stable platform for the crew to enjoy. Any sail work is done
in a safer environment. Going forward is far safer, even on lighter days, quite enjoyable for the crew
who can lounge on the trampoline net in the shadow of the jib.
Even though everything should be stored away for any sail, it's
always better in my mind, that on most sails, your "storing" strategies don't even get tested !
Even your drinks hardly ever spill :-) .
Seriously, I've found that all the crew, captain included, stay
much more relaxed in a level environment. Of course in rough conditions ( 20 knots and above,
and waves 6' and above), your drink may not stay on the table, but again, the conditions are alot
less streneous on the crew, moving about is still easy, work in the galley is manageable, and all
stay focused on sailing the boat. Though these are conditions I try to avoid, when we do encounter
them, the consequences are less severe.
On one memorable occasion while trying to cross the NorthWest
Channel from the Berry's Islands to Nassau, it became clear to me what level sailing was all about.
We had winds gusting to 45 and 50 knots, waves in the 10 to 12' range, and we were trying to
beat to Nassau against those conditions ! This was not very comfortable, but we had a plane to
catch (yeah, I know, never sail on a schedule). It was when the jib ripped completely and starting
to flog all over the front of the boat that we decided to turn around and head back for cover.
Fortunately, cover was a beautifull bay on one of three deserted islands forming a protective
triangle, with 3 to 6' of clear, turquoise colored water all around. (Yes, life was rough !). With
the wind at our backs, the Cat just sailed beautifully in those conditions, with only the reefed
mainsail. No heeling, just a sensation of "trucking" back to our refuge.
Tacking is a problem
I've heard it mentioned many times that Cat's don't tack
very well in to the wind. And they are right ! If you don't have enough speed when you begin your
tack, you will likely not make the tack and find yourself in irons, then falling back.
I remember one instance when I was practicing with the crew.
We were on our way
from Marina Cay, Tortola to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Having worked our way towards the Dogs
on a port tack, it was time to move to a starboard tack to make The Baths. There was about 10 knots
of wind, so I wasn't particular worried about it and with the crew (the 2 kids) ready, I turned into
the wind. Well, we didn't make it the first, the second or the third time !
We did finally get our timing right and made the tack. It's
actually quite simple if you get the timing right :
I have not had any real problems with tacking in
all sorts of wind conditions even light ones, just as long as the forward speed is good (of course
relative to the wind strength), then your OK. And if it doesn't, you still have those 2 engines !
Slamming while underway - depends
All the Cat's I have sailed have been with trampolines
instead of with hard bridge decks in the front, so my comments may not apply to those Cats.
I've sailed cruising cats in 2 foot chop, in 6'-8' waves going
up the GulfStream just east of the Florida coast, and in 10' waves trying to cross the NorthWest
Providence Channel in the Bahamas.
I all cases except one, slamming was not a problem. The
only time it was during the GulfStream sail, and that was because of an inexperienced skipper, me.
It was my first time as skipper in such conditions, and my handling of the boat in these
conditions was less than ideal, with lots of hard punching through the waves, and occasional
slamming under the cabin. The minute the experienced captain we had hired for this time out took
the helm, the boat was completely different. The ride was smooth, the boat wasn't trying to
punch thru the waves, and there was no slamming. The captain just knew how to finesse the
boat in those conditions.
Experience made all the difference.
CeBe WebDesign November 12, 2007