Beachcomber 25 cat ketch

[Garry]

Graham,

I came across a cat ketch design built back in the 80s which seems similar to the P28 design. There are two interesting differences.

The cabin is full width for more space but more treacherous deck work.

The sails are furled by rotating the masts with a furling wheel and continuous line. Do you have any experience with this furling system?

Here are some links:

http://www.catketch.com/Beachcomber25/Sidelineartforweb.jpg'>http://www.catketch.com/Beachcomber25/Sidelineartforweb.jpg

http://www.catketch.com/Beachcomber25/SailingtheBC.html'>http://www.catketch.com/Beachcomber25/SailingtheBC.html

http://www.catketch.com/Beachcomber25/

[Designer]

Gary,

I have seen the Sandpiper 31 which I think is a big sister to the Beachcomer 25. The owner lives on board and likes the boat. When I talked to him about the rig he was currently looking for a crane to take the sail down so that he could work on it. Yes the sail is a sleeve luff and it can't be taken off the mast without a handy skyhook. That and the fact that he can't take the mast down for trailing or passing under low bridges lost a lot of value for me.

The sails cannot set as well rolled around the mast as can jiffy reefed sails, so the only value that I can see is being able to reef from the cockpit. I don't think that it is worth the trade off.

[Garry]

Tradeoffs! Compromises! :evil:

What is it with you designers? :roll:

You can't promise everything? :wink:

But, seriously...

You are right. The rig lost some luster when I looked more closely at some of the pics. The wishbones can't be supported from the rotating masts. The rollers for the wishbones to roll over the sail as it unfurls look like a maintenance problem. The wishbones are supported by struts since they can't be attached to the rotating masts. And I agree, no cranes wanted!

The wide cabin definitely adds room, but it does look precarious to go forward. And the skimpy little lifeline is laughable!

P28 is still looking good!

PS - The model does have a coat of glass over it. But right now its wrapped in bubble-wrap ready for our move to Florida.

[Don Silsbe]

I just came across this old thread, and feel obligated to chime in.  
 

I’m a retired automotive engineer.  The design process involves many trade-offs.  Aesthetics must give way to functionality, and vice versa.  The ideal location for a automotive seat attachment might be smack in the middle of an intersection of multiple panels of body sheet metal.  The ideal location for a cleat might be right where you will sit for rowing.  It is all part of the design process.  It is these challenges that make the design process challenging.

 

So, what did you end up building?