Hi All,

I'm new to this forum. I traveled a lot in a lot of forums, at the end I came into this. I think you are the right people can fix my problem. So goodbay to everybody.

I want to build a cat for camping for two people and I want to be able to transport the cat on top of my car. After a lot of discussions I came up with the conclusion that I need a cat 5 meters long at least. My problem is that for italian law I cannot have more than 4 meters on top of my car. I was thinking to scaling a TORNADO down to 4 meters, but I was discouraged by the tornado-ers because of the unknown performances. So the question for you is:

Could I build the 6 meters hulls for the TORNADO, then cut them in two half, installing two robust walls at the end of each half hull and assembling the two half hulls with (let's say) 8 bolts ? I know it will become heavyier but will fix my top car problem and on the sea I will sail a 6 meter cat.

I don't want to build a proa, but give a look at this link http://www.instructables.com/id/ERIIBDCCOTEPUCHZ1K/?ALLSTEPS

I know that proa is rough, but I can take the idea and implement something more clean and applicable to a Tornado.
What do you think?

I will really appreciate your feedback.
NINO.

Have you thought about an inflatable? Check out posts by Nail, Nemo and Vlad. Sailors in Russia/
Ukraine have inflatable catamarans like the Ducky.
Link

I am sure it can be done, This guy has a clever method of braking down a kayak http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1883861.htm

The problem is then what do you do with the mast, you could of course use a biplane windsurfing rig and four hulls like this clever chap has done www.4hulls.com <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gareth

There certainly are many ways to make a six meter cat and an eight meter mast fit within the four meter limit. In my opinion the big problem will be the time and work it will take to assemble and disassemble the contraption.

The Tornado is definitely not the boat for this. It is too complex, its floats lack enough flotation to carry camping gear and it is built for speed, not to take the abuse of daily journeys and night camping.

The closest match to your needs are the Supercats / ARCs. They were designed and engineered to be fast, simple, efficient and easy to assemble/disassemble. A Supercat / ARC 19, 20, 21 or 22 halved in the right place, properly engineered for re-assembly of the floats and rigged with a two part mast would probably be your best bet.

If you find a used one close to home, contact the factory (Aquarius Sail) and discuss how to cut the floats and mast to fit within the four meter limit while still keeping (or improving) the safety factors.

If there are no used Supercats / ARCs in Italy, you don't need to build the entire boat. Find a suitable cat with high flotation floats, simple and easy to assemble / disassemble. When you find it, sail the boat, learn all you can about it and then discuss the best way to cut the floats and mast here, or in other fora, like the Multihull Builders Yahoo group, for example.

Good luck,
Luiz

You know? You could hand build a trailer in less time than it would take to find a way to cut a boat in two in such a way that it can be reassembled. If you then factor in the extra time you spend setting it up and tearing it down, you'll probably find that the trailer makes a pretty fair trade-off.

Good advice, trailers are good for moving boats.

If you have your heart set on cutting the boat in half...look at how the rowing 8 shells are put together.

Basically they are in two pieces with significant structural bulkheads at the cut end of each part. Many bolts are fastened around the perimeter of the bulkheads. This means you don't have to worry about re-sealing the hull each time you put it together, the bulkheads keep it watertight.

Here's the answer;

http://www.smartkat.at/en_smartkat.html

14 foot Tornado...That's just silly.
The basis of your idea suggests that inflatable is the way to go.

Some analysis:

INFLATABLE will not work for my pourpose because I need to gain a lot of pockets and mini lockers inside both hulls to store sandwitches, water, my wife's camera and beer for two days.

TRAILER: if I can own a trailer I will not have any problem. But, I don't have enough space in my box for a trailer.

So, stil thinking about sectionable hulls. I just need to find the right boat which will have enough performances for camping and sail and the right method to fit the two half hulls.

If it will work I think we all open new opportunities for a lot of people. If someone thinks about inflatable or the four hulls, this means that the problem exist for a lot of people.

So please give me your suggestion on which boat and expecially the method you think to fit the hulls (this will be very interesting).

Discussion is open

Thanks

NINO.

Wouldn't it be much easier all the way around to get the inflatable cat and strap a couple dry bags on the tramp? There are no "mini lockers" of any size on the average beach cat...at least here in the US, and the only pockets you will find are already on the tramp. Because of the extreme light weight of the Smartkat, it would be logical to assume it to be less weight sensitive. Also face the facts that if you are going to load down a Tornado like a "Party Barge" its performance is going to suffer considerably.

I have to say I am a bit amazed that the Smartkat has the level of performance shown in the video. The rig looks Mickey Mouse, but the proof is in the pictures.

The Smartkat seems to be made to order for your situation.

Regards,
Bob

NINO, with all respect and some admiration.. I think you are crazy... good luck on your project.
About space for storage, I think there are still possibilies for inflatables, I´ve seen pictures of devices to adapt a cooler to the front beam. Also here is a patent for wings with volume for storage, it might be a good idea too.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5540168-description.html
Storing stuff inside the hulls is not that easy anyway, normal inspection ports with sleeves do not provide a lot of volume and something bigger would require special care to make a good seal or maybe separate compartments.

But my impression is that the major challenge would be to split the mast, the junction has to be strong and also the mast should be sealed, to avoid turtling.

What about a sectionable trailer?

A hinge in the keel will allow a halved float to fold keeel-to-keel.

Cut each float in two near the chosen bulkhead. Laminate a new bulkhead to the part left opened for watertightness and strength. Attach the two halves with a strong hinge near keel level.

Choose one of the many alternatives to lock the half floats in position at deck level. It can be done outside the float. A webbing and ratchet like that in the kayak you indicated could work. Maybe laminate a pair of "external extensions" to the bulkheads and bolt them together.

Keep dreaming.

Hey Pete - Thanks for posting those pictures. Now I have to go home and gouge my eyes out. bleghhhhh!!!!

you could put a square pocket inside a hull with a small drain tube to the outside through the side of the hull. Then the lid wouldn't need to be completely waterproof.

C'mon! They guy wants something he can: put on top of his car, carry beer and sam'iches for two days, and build at home! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I get that...but the the old wrinkled guy with the string bikini in the picture! What's up with that?!?!?

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> That would be James Wharram, and his son, after 50 years of sailing cats.

Guys, just to let you know that I really appreciate your feedback, even if you say I'm right or even if you say I'm crazy. I know I can do it. IT's just depend on money, weight, time building and time rigging and performances. So I opened this discussion to evaluate all the possible solutions with all of you. And evaluate with all of you what I can gain and what I have to pay. So still many thanks for all your effort

About the pockets and lockers I was thinking about O-ring sealing them. But this is a second step (or third) on my project. Fisrt item is:

How can I safely connect the two half hulls?

NINO

wouldn't it be easier to make a break down trailer than a break down boat.