I just bought one, i'm a sailing kook but have always wanted one of these small cats. I have been searching the internet and have found the NSW Maricat Association site, but would be curious to know if there is anyone else in here sailing one and knows of anymore information online regarding these?.
I just want to know basic stuff like modifications to get more speed, maintenance, or perhaps there are some sites that some of you know of that offer information like this for other types of small catamaran that I could adapt to my Maricat.
BTW, my name is Rod, i'm 29, and live in Auckland New Zealand - Cheers.
It can be tweaked very simply, similar to the Hobie 14 on which it was modelled. I think its a better boat than a H14, more comfotable , and less inclined to pitchpole. The Tips in Rick's book are very applicable to this cat as well.
Lay the Mast back using a pumb bob from the halyard, it should hang vertically over the rear beam or at a minimum the rear of the tramp. You may need to extend the forstays using forks to do this. Kick the rudders under about 50mm Once you've done this, then work on you sail[s]to ensure that that their level.
Maricats are Australian catamarans which were originally designed and built by the Mariglass company. The most common Maricat the Maricat 4.3 metre is a assymetric hulled catamaran. The M 5.0 (5m) is a rare form, with only 20-30 ever produced. It has a long flat hull shape and has centre boards making it look simular to a Taipan or A Class. There is also a Maricat 4.0 meter which has shorter and stronger hulls than the 4.3 and these are mainly used as a resort boat. All three classes of Maricat are built out of fibreglass.
Maricat 4.3 Specifications Overall Length 4.27 m. Max. Beam 2.35 m. Min. Weight 95 kg. Boom Length 2.65 m. Sail Area 10.9 sq m Construction fibreglass
Maricat 5.0 Specifications Overall Length 5 m. Hull Weight 115 kg. Sail Area 18.2 sq. m. Construction fibreglass
The Maricat 4.3m is a very versatile catamaran, being an ideal boat for family fun yet as it comes standard and it hcan be made into a top racing catamaran in the 14ft division. The trampoline joins smoothly into the curved fibreglass decks, styrene foam filled hulls will keep the boat afloat. As well as having sufficient buoyancy to sail in comfort with 2-3 people, features such as storage lockers in each hull, and the stability of the Maricat 4.3m have helped to make it Australia’s largest selling 14ft catamaran.
As to how well Maricats perform against other 14 ft catamarans,Maricats and Hobie 14s have simular performance as far as speed is concerned.
Maricats seem to perform better in light winds, and have a distinct advantage in these types of conditions over other 14' cats.
As these classes dont have dagger boards they have the same performance in terms of pointing when sailing close to the wind.
Sonicassasin, I'me surprised you've had so few replies. The Maricat is Australia's most popular cat ever, outselling all other catamaran classes by far. [Although the Windrush 14 is catching up] It's design and layup is very 70's but this is also part of its strength. Many of the original boats are still sailing, because of their robustness.
They may be low tech by todays production and design processes, but they have stood the test of time.
I saw in the ACT/NSW maricat association site that they have built around 3500 or so of them, they are not to common in New Zealand and I was a bit sceptical on purchasing at first, but for the money I had to spend ($1400) I looked at the hobies, and the Buffalo cats and the condition of this just blew all I looked at away. It tis practically new with no scratches, bent bits, or corrosion, delamination anywhere.
So i'm stoked really, but even on the internet there isnt much info on them, i'll have to find someone in New Zealand with one and hit them up for info/help.
But in the mean time theres a clean as 15 ft swell on the east coast (man I love south pacific cyclones) and a nice dusting of snow adding to a decent base on the Mountains already.
Thanks to the others who offered information as well.
Sounds like you got yourself a good boat there. Here in Oz you would pay about the same for a good Mari on a trailor. Is it sloop rigged? What sail No does it carry and are the sails colored or white? Check out the other web pages as well as the NSW assocoation pages[Although they give the best info as well as contacts.]
I sailed a Maricat for many years and the club I belong to has about nine racing around. You can catch a glimps of the waters where we sail in the attachment A great allround boat in the 14' division.When I dont have a crew for my big cat See attachment] I often wish I still had a Mari for single handled sailing. I also think it would be a buzz to put a spinnaker on one, like the Mystere 4.3 has.
You are in good company, because that is the boat that Darren Bundock started out on as a child and teenager. I borrowed the following link from rhodysail's post entitled "Youth."
You can see a shot of Bundy as a 16 year old next to his Maricat. He won the championship on this boat!!! TALENT There's a link to his Bio on this page as well. I've attached the shot for those who dont want to follow the link.
Lay the Mast back using a pumb bob from the halyard, it should hang vertically over the rear beam or at a minimum the rear of the tramp. You may need to extend the forstays using forks to do this.
Inland_Sailor,
Excuse my ignorance, but are you suggesting I have my mast raked back far enough so as the 'tip' of the mast is in line (vertical) with the rear of the tramp, or the horizontal bar contecting the two hulls?.
