Cruising in Catamarans

Rating:
Summary: Good book for serious cruisers and live-aboards
Review: And isn't that exactly how you want your marine surveyor to be? Mr. Kanter is a well known US marine surveyor specialized in multihulls. He has strong opinions borne out of his own experience and well laid out in the first few chapters on the features of good catamarans. He has a few pet peeves (e.g. the lack of rub-rails) and a tendency to get carried away (after the chapter on good/bad helmstations he could not bring himself to review any Catanas), but the information is very solid. He then reviews a number of catamarans built over the last decade, both in and out of production. Each catamaran gets a thorough write up typically based on several surveys/test sails - a welcome relief from the flimsy politically correct reviews of most sailing magazines. My only wish for this section is that the information be a little more standardized and complete (that would have earned the book the fifth star). I would have also liked details of Chuck's own catamaran "La Forza", which he often references in the text.

Having said all this, I think that this is currently (03/03) the best resource available for someone looking to buy a catamaran. I will know who to call when I buy mine.

Rating:
Summary: Opinionated but Very Good
Review: And isn't that exactly how you want your marine surveyor to be? Mr. Kanter is a well known US marine surveyor specialized in multihulls. He has strong opinions borne out of his own experience and well laid out in the first few chapters on the features of good catamarans. He has a few pet peeves (e.g. the lack of rub-rails) and a tendency to get carried away (after the chapter on good/bad helmstations he could not bring himself to review any Catanas), but the information is very solid. He then reviews a number of catamarans built over the last decade, both in and out of production. Each catamaran gets a thorough write up typically based on several surveys/test sails - a welcome relief from the flimsy politically correct reviews of most sailing magazines. My only wish for this section is that the information be a little more standardized and complete (that would have earned the book the fifth star). I would have also liked details of Chuck's own catamaran "La Forza", which he often references in the text.

Having said all this, I think that this is currently (03/03) the best resource available for someone looking to buy a catamaran. I will know who to call when I buy mine.

Rating:
Summary: Good book for serious cruisers and live-aboards
Review: This book is an excellent, highly independent criticism of the pros and cons of various sailboat designs, with a strong and logical argument for cruising catamarans.

Mr. Kanter makes some keen observations, not only about catamarans, trimarans, and monohulls, but also about the people who buy, sell, design, and build them. From the viewpoint of someone relatively little experience with catamarans, but extensive experience in monohulls, these observations have a ring of truth to them. They cut right through the marketing B.S. to the reality of cruising. In addition, he has a sense of humor and enjoyment about those unique cruising experiences that all sailors can appreciate.

The book is best for intermediate or advanced sailors.

Rating:
Summary: Cruising in Catamarans
Review: This is the most comprehensive study of sailing catamarans on the market today. It gives a detailed account of many of the different makes and models of cats which are for sale. The average consumer can draw from Charles Kanter's extensive experience as a marine surveyor and knowledgeable sailor. Mr.Kanter is always very forthright with his opinions about boats and boating. As brokers in South Florida we have used Mr. Kanter's books and knowledge to assist many of our customers. We reccommend it as the best source for detailed information about catamarans and the art of sailing catamarans. If anyone is considering buying a catamaran to cruise, to daysail or to livaboard this is the book to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Cruising in Catamarans
Review: This is the most comprehensive study of sailing catamarans on the market today. It gives a detailed account of many of the different makes and models of cats which are for sale. The average consumer can draw from Charles Kanter's extensive experience as a marine surveyor and knowledgeable sailor. Mr.Kanter is always very forthright with his opinions about boats and boating. As brokers in South Florida we have used Mr. Kanter's books and knowledge to assist many of our customers. We reccommend it as the best source for detailed information about catamarans and the art of sailing catamarans. If anyone is considering buying a catamaran to cruise, to daysail or to livaboard this is the book to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant Surprise
Review: Wow, All the questions I ever had about cruising catamarans but did not know who to ask, now I have a source for the answers. This book impressed me as real information without any hint of a sales pitch. That alone is refreshing. It also outlined a thoughtful method of comparing one vessel to another based upon my personal needs. I love the easy to use forms. The chapter on how to handle the twin engine boats under popwer is dynamite. I am all prepared now when I charter this year in Thailand. Could go on and on but I sure do say Thanks Chuck, thanks for my enlightenment.