Interesting boat, Patin de Cataluña
I have posted about this boat before, but it got buried in the depths of Sailnet, so I decided to post it again, hoping more people see it again.
It is a rather interesting design and a really fun boat to sail, because you really need to know hoew to sail before you learn to sail this.
Because of this boat, I entertained and maintained very interesting long conversations with the late Robert Gainer here at Sailnet. That brought good memories. What a guy he was.
Anyway...
So here is is, enjoy, El Patin de Cataluña
It has no rudders, no jib, no fins not boards nothing...
tack, sail and steer only with mast rake, main sheet and body weight...get in around in one of these, go, and come back...then you can trully say you know how to sail a cat..
this is a very interesting boat, its called a Patin de Cataluña, from Spain. Its a narrow beam catamaran with no rudder, and a mast with rake adjusted by a direct line.
PATIN
You steer with mast rake, as you have a line that pulls the mast forward and backwards, the main sheet, your weight in the pontoons, and a trick...you dip your foot in the water to help turn.
And here
Let me tell you...you're not a sailor until you can do a racing triangle with one...I fell 3 times in 3 days sailing it...but because you keep the sheet in your hand you pull yourself back fast...I don't care who you are or what you sail, get one of these and we'll talk....what a blast, and it makes you a better sailor...guaranteed.
And for the wood lovers..they are 100% wood, no FG on these puppies..
Give me plenty of sea room and I would have a go at it.
I would also require a chase boat in case I can't get back to the beach!
I can't imagine trying to manauver in tight spaces????
Yes, Yes, the old drag a foot in the water to turn. I remember doing that on the Sunfish a couple of times. Not to turn so much but more to try and stop before hitting the pier or something else stationary. Hey I was twelve.
Interseting boat Alex, it should come with a disclaimer, "Experinced Sailors Only"
Last edited by Sailor Tim; 08-25-2009 at 04:15 PM.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
If a man is to be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most - E.B. White
Cool little boat. That's one cat I'd like to try sailing. How many have been built? are they factory built or are they also available in a kit form?
s/v Maeven
Tartan 34C Yawl #282
They are hand made only by a few...most are wood
they don't make that many..but are raced strong and in large numbers in Spain
They are not THAT expensive, but it's not a cheap boat, and defenatly a boat to learn or for beginners..experience in trim and sail/boat behavior is required, otherwise, you just go straight forward.
I had lot of fun, and managed to steer, but took me a good 10 minutes to get it, mostly because you need to know where your feet are, because you walk up and down the amas as you sail, and have to be all over..and as you can see...in the middle its open.
You don't sit..you sail standing up, most of the time...walking requires a good knowledge of where you are in the boat, because you spend more time looking where to step, rather than looking at the mast and sail
Last edited by Giulietta; 08-26-2009 at 03:27 PM.
Originally Posted by Giulietta
I'd end up being the first guy to take one of them trans-atlantic while I was trying to figure out how to steer!
s/v Maeven
Tartan 34C Yawl #282
Its very simple to steer once you get the hang of it..
You rake the mast and change sheet tension.
The boat will obviously turn to weather when the rake is greater than should. You ave several lines that allow aft and forward rake. You also tack by racking the mast as far aft as possible, and while standing on the inside amas, you dip your foot as to help the boat turn..just imagine steering instead of using a tiller sideaways, steering using the mast forward and aft movment..
Then you use the sheet for balance...a lot of rake is possible with a lot of sheet in in stronger winds, and so forth..
yes..you do need basics of trimming..
I'm thinking of taking one of these around Cape Horn. Is there a version with a watermaker?
sorry man...wrong site.....
BFS, fighting sailors, Blue water Optimists and the likes are found at the neighbors house.
Last edited by Giulietta; 09-09-2009 at 01:36 PM.
Looks like an old hobbie mono cat in a way.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Albert Einstein
yeah..in that both float...but other than that...
Looks like an old hobbie mono cat in a way.
HAAAAA HAAA
Alex likes a catamaran, says it makes a sailor out of ya.
I've got a screen shot of that.
I bet if you took the LOA and Beam they would have almost the same ratio. The position of the mast looks similar as does the sail area to LOA as it appears. I'd be willing to bet an AS Bergee to a bottle of wine that I'm right.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Albert Einstein
Steers like a windsurfer. Me? I'd put a rudder on it.
Tools needed for boat repairs: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the Duct Tape.
Alex, do you have any pictures of the boat under sail? Even better would be a video so we could see how it is controlled.
no, unfortunately the risk of bringing a camera when I went sailing was too great
It took a while to get used to it..but once you get the hang of it, its amazing
I am wondering whether Hoyle Schweitzer sailed one of these before he applied for his patent for the windsurfer back in the 70ies. Seems like windsurfing without the balancing act (That took me quite some hours back in the days) and, of course withiut the universal joint for the mast. +ould be a nice starte for windsurf school to teach the concept. I think it could be fun, even in close quarters. Could be also a nice kit boat in Plywood/glass .
You took the words right out of my mouth.
"THE fog comes on little cat feet." Carl Sandberg
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