Hey Tim,
You are confusing yourself with the details.
The basic answer to your question simply is (as was stated earlier) :
Both boats are symmetical relative to their centerline and as such the centre of gravity lies at the same point with both designs, namely on the centreline, and because they are also equally heavy and equally wide both design will have exactly the same righting moment.
For our discussion let's say at 10 knots of true wind, the cat fly's a hull. Will the Tri also fly the center hull at the same 10 knots?
I the rigs are the same in all important aspects (height, area, shape, stuff like that), Yes !
Now in my little mind, I'm thinking the tri might have a little more righting moment because of the added weight of the center hull being lifted out of the water, but if both craft are of equal weight, ....
In science it is not unusual to feel differently about something then what the numbers are actually saying. Still just like any good pilot you need to learn to trust your instruments (numbers) our you feelings as feelings (just as your senses) can easily be tricked by the circumstances.
Afterall, house hold items like Television and pictures dependent on this ease of tricking the senses. An even stronger example is the professional flight simulator that can simulate utterly believable rapid decelleration while being almost as good as motionless itself. I'm sure you are familiar with the latter example Tim.
Wouter
