On Tue, 25 Mar 2014 14:33:52 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 25 Mar 2014 13:27:46 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Mar 2014 10:53:53 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:


I mentioned this boat recently. Claims 19 mpg at 8 knots.
http://www.multihulldesigns.com/desi...ock/38tri.html

Looked around a bit, and only found
http://multihullblog.com/2013/07/mor...maran-trawler/

The boat was sold last year - cheap, about $15k.
Sarasota Craigslist. Had 2 9.9 Yahahas on it.

Looks like there will never be "owner" reports on
seakeeping, accommodations and mpg.
Too bad. Have to assume the boat just isn't "practical"
enough to take hold.

===

Kurt Hughes used to offer a video on the consruction of one of his
multihull designs. I'd suggest that you try and find a copy and
review it. I did, and found his construction methods to be
unconventional to say the least, and not in a positive way. Trying to
insure one of these boats might very well be impossible.

I'd also take serious issue with someone trying to promote a boat as a
long range cruiser that is powered by two small outboards. Outboards
are totally unsuitable for going offshore in big waves. The props are
not far enough underwater to avoid pulling out, and the engines lack
the torque and clearance to swing a big, slow turning wheel which is
what you need for making headway in rough conditions. In addition,
stern hung outboards are very vulnerable to being pooped and flooded
by big waves.

There are very good reasons why you don't see people cruising in boats
like that.

You might be able to avoid some of that with a tunnel hull like a
mullet skiff that mounts the motor inside the transom.
OTOH there are plenty of offshore outboard sport fish boats that
manage to get home in pretty nasty weather and the CG uses outboards
on the boats they take out, while everyone else is coming in.

===

That's all true but the coast guard (and off shore center consoles)
are using engines that are designed for that kind of service, not
little 10 or 15 horse motors. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe
that large outboards get their intake air through some sort of remote
pickup inside the boat which makes them less vulnerable to being
pooped by a wave.

Sailboats with outboards have always been notorious for having their
props pull out when pitching through large waves.