Dinghy multihulls: Average Cat Speed?

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Average Cat Speed?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Multihulls
Forum Name: Dinghy multihulls
Forum Discription: For those who prefer two (or more) hulls to one!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12020
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 7:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Average Cat Speed?

Posted By: fish n ships
Subject: Average Cat Speed?
Date Posted: 28 May 15 at 10:58am

I'm looking to plan a long offshore trip of around 80 miles around part of the UK. As a starting point I'm looking at what type of boat to use. I think this will heavily influence all the other decisions (e.g. estimated time schedule, safety cover needs, accommodation (if needed) etc...)

A cat (e.g. F18) would obviously be a good way to cover the distance as they are relatively stable (compared to a fast mono) and very quick. My question is assuming a constant reasonable wind speed (say F3-4) what kind of distance might be expected to be covered per hour?

I know that this is far from a simple answer as it depends on whether you are beating, kite angles, sea state etc. However there are quite a few long distance races out there so using them to get a rough idea of the time taken to cover that kind of distance, what are people thinking?

I know the Anglesey Offshore race is 30 miles for cats and doesn't take all day, but i can't find any times as last year the course was reduced due to weather and only mono's entered. I don't know enough about the other races to be able to judge anything from them.

Replies:

Posted By: a_dowley
Date Posted: 28 May 15 at 1:46pm

Here are the East Coast Piers Race results from last year.

We sailed to Clacton and back. About a force 1-2 going out, 3-4 coming back.

The full race is 48 miles round trip but we stopped at the turn mark before that so probably around 38 miles.

http://www.eastcoastpiersrace.com/html/results/ecpr/2014-ecpr-results.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.eastcoastpiersrace.com/html/results/ecpr/2014-ecpr-results.htm

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Posted By: fish n ships
Date Posted: 28 May 15 at 2:30pm

Thanks, so based on all those results, an average of 5hr 15mins for 38 miles would be around 7.2 mph would be around 11 hours for 80 miles.

Gives me a starting point, thanks!

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 28 May 15 at 3:04pm

And take enough food to last you rather longer...

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 31 May 15 at 5:57pm

Lochness 50 miles ish , circa 4 hours As far as i can remember

, windward leeward so sailed considerable further , tacking upwind and gybing down

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Posted By: fish n ships
Date Posted: 01 Jun 15 at 9:48am

That's encouraging, what was the boat and wind speed? I know the flatter water helps but still a good time.

Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 01 Jun 15 at 1:52pm

flat water !!!! lochness 25 miles long on section we raced , so 25 mile fetch for waves , wind force 4 to 6 (proper ) did first year in hurricane 5.9 sx , second time solo in stealth sxl , both circa 4 hrs , 2nd race off to slow start, but wind soon kicked in , these times with 3 capsizes thrown in both races !! , both times ahead of any f18s (actually passed when suffered triple capsizes at finish race 1 through sheer fatique !), but they werent up to much in those days (rocket ships now , guess as quick if not quicker than tornado ) , first year was won by an auss pro in a Tornado who was off the planet speed wise , I thought he had retired as sooo far ahead I couldnt see him , i was second until wheels fell off my wagon with 2 miles to go !!!

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Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 01 Jun 15 at 2:14pm

truth will out ,

2nd was won by aussie

first by A class champ Chris fields crewing in a tornado .

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/14582/Loch-Ness-Monster-Race%20" rel="nofollow - http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/14582/Loch-Ness-Monster-Race , I clocked 55 miles on gps

2nd race

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/138174/Loch-Ness-Monster-Race" rel="nofollow - http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/138174/Loch-Ness-Monster-Race , stealth overtaken by 2nd a cat on finishline whilst capsized !!, mr brown too far back to see whit going on ;)

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Posted By: fish n ships
Date Posted: 03 Jun 15 at 3:37pm

Thanks for this, were the speeds due to the extreme winds? I only ask as it is unlikely that we would set off if the winds were much above a F4.

Looks to have been some epic racing though!

Posted By: catmandoo
Date Posted: 04 Jun 15 at 10:40am

sorry for getting soo carried away with Monster tales , it was truely epic racing which anyone who has done it will attest too :)

Reckon you will get best out a cat in real solid F3- F4 ,

vmg's down wind improve dramatically in stronger winds as you can almost dead run (assuming you flying kite )

80 miles in a full F4 in waves could be interesting :)

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