I've been looking at aluminum catamaran designs for about ten years, and David's design are by far the simplest, safest, and most attractive that I've seen. Start looking below the waterline first, then go up. From the safety of the rudder and props all the way up.... I've chatted with David before and I'm still interested in getting one of his designs.
Look at the Cyber 48 by Tim Mumby. If you want simplicity, reliability, safety and blue water capability, hard to beat. Kick up rudders, hand push-down daggerboards, 48 FT at 6.1 tons empty.
We have walked Elcie, the boat he mentions, now called Sea Legacy I, a 62' cat and it's absolutely brilliant, stunning, and next level in design. We ended up buying a Chris White Atlantic 42, but if we had more money we definitely would have bought David' 62 footer. Just amazing boat.
Lovely episode.David I didn’t know you were an ex saffer . I’m out cruising on a Catana 47 in south East Asia and bump into many saffers out here as well. If I had many more years I possibly would love an Ali cat but not working anymore I need to enjoy what I have.. 😂
He was very interesting. Thanks for the video. I am much less concerned with the production value than I am with the content. I subbed up and hope to see more content like this and, with experience, I think the production quality will increase to satisfy the larger audience. Good luck!
@David de Villers, I hope someone or myself, will one day commission you to design a 52 feet aluminum sailing catamaran with a saloon that is essentially the main berth too. During the day, it's the salon, at night, it's the main berth (bedroom). Why? I can't stand enclosed areas and berths are located in the hull with a 'wall' on either side. I am ware that the SeaWind 1260 has an island berth, a hatch above this berth all the windows (port holes) in the hulls are large. How these berth are designed. I also like the galley in the hull. A blend of the SeaWind 1260 and your 525... all in aluminum. And if it's safe, for a bluewater sailboat, to have two outdoor motor instead of the inboard motors? I'm not a sailor yet... so I'm not sure if outdoor motors would be advisable on bluewater sailboats.
All of your comments are logical and could fit your lifestyle well, but also consider that most people spend only a small part of the time sleeping, and a salon as common area (great room) with galley is great for socializing. On land, most people tend to congregate near the kitchen, etc. Thus the trend towards great rooms in modern home design. (Most people don't sleep in the great room on land, though of course you could, depending on circumstances, which are different for everyone.) So not disagreeing, but pointing out that use cases may be different for different people. Diesel inboards are generally considered more reliable for bluewater cruising.
Hi Large Appreciate the feedback. Some of our subjects are less show business types but extremely knowledgeable. Hope you enjoyed the quality of the information shared by David. I thought his focus on simplicity even for very large catamarans was novel perspective compared to what you see mostly out there. There is a struggle between weight and performance on catamarans even at the larger end. Also as aluminum construction is a recent trend, hopefully his explanation of the differences between fiberglass and aluminum construction were educational. You can look over our other interviews, and some subjects are very polished. But I understand your feedback, and we obviously have room for improvement. Hopefully we have improved since our initial interview and will continue to improve. Richard
I tend towards ply/epoxy as my welding is restricted to steel. But I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and his simplicity and truth. Now to find Dudley Dix.
@@jasonstrong4610 Plastic composites are a fantastic material in terms of function, shaping and durability, but the environmental impact of using them is bad. Metals used for boats tend to be highly recyclable, and marine Aluminum is very durable due to inherent corrosion resistance.
@@CatamaranSite Keep doing as you are doing - there's nothing to be gained from rigid formulas. Dynamic interviews that adapt with the interviewee are far more interesting. Bravo to you.
If you want to be a minimalist that's fine .try selling a boat to people that doesn't feel like a home but more like living in a tent and it will take a long time .
You have to be crazy to build catamarans that are under 100ft in aluminium, its to heavy to noisy to hot or cold and electrolysis is always a problem especially in structural areas that you can't see. I could say a lot more but I have better thinks to with my time. This is a bit like watching the blind leading the blind.
By 'electrolysis', do you mean 'galvanic corrosion'? Electrolysis lays deposits. Galvanic corrosion removes minerals. These two opposite processes can happen simultaneously, resulting in a structure quite different from the original.
