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The holdem starting hand Four-Four (44). Pocket Fours.
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Small Sailboats
By John Hartley
Small sailboats are from about 10 to 18 feet in length (3 to 6 metres). Small sailboats are often called sailing dinghies, because almost all have open cockpits without any cabins. Small Read more...
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Catamaran Sailboats
Catamarans are among the fastest sailboats, specially the larger ones. A catamaran has twin hulls, but as these are very narrow compared with a monohull sailboat, they slice through the water with very little resistance. This is why catamarans are fast sailboats.
One of the most popular small catamaran is the Hobie Cat, which is about 16 feet long and a trampoline fixed between the twin hulls. The mast is mounted well forward on a crossbar between the hulls, to leave space for the crew of two – normally – to handle the boat.
You sit on the trampoline when the airs are fairly light, but lean out when the wind gets stronger. In strong winds, you need to be attached by a trapeze, so you can lean right out to counterbalance the effect of the wind.
Small catamarans like the Hobie Cat make for very exciting sailing. There are many other makes of catamarans of all sizes, for cruising and racing, but for the fastest ocean racing, trimarans are preferred.
Catamarans make good cruising boats because you get a lot of space below – well, not really below because the main saloon is above the water, between the two hulls. There is also room for sleeping cabins and the galley, etc, in the hulls.
Catamarans make fast cruising yachts
Catamaran are faster than monohull cruising or yachts owing to the two fairly narrow hulls. They have the speed and interior space of a larger sailboat. For example,
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a 28-foot catamaran has the space of a 36-foot monohull, but still usually with a wider main saloon, owing to the width of the sailboat.
The extra width is an advantage in interior space, but not in mooring, as catamarans are often charge 50 to 100% more than monohulls when moored in a marina – no problem with a small one, of course.
There are other problems with catamaran sailboats. They do not heel, and so you don't have the same warning that the wind is getting too strong, and can capsize easily. Not such a problem with a small boat, but even there, getting a capsized catamaran upright os not easy.
Also, as they are fast, larger catamaran are prone to pitch-poling – digging the bow in and turning right over forwards into the wave. In addition, if the bottom of the main cabin area is flat, the waves crash up against it, reducing speed. On some cruising catamarans, there is a third dummy bow in the middle, which normally rides above the waves, but in heavy seas, improves the way the boat rides.
Catamaran do not have quite such a smooth ride as monohulls, partly because they do not heel, but also because they are short compared to their width. As a result they pitch a lot, especially when sailing into waves.
Catamaran are best for racing and coastal cruising. If you want that space in a long-distance cruiser, then you must be prepared to reduce sail early, and if the wind gets strong, to motor.
Mini-Cruiser Sailboats
Do you love sailing, and want to cruise – but on a small budget. If so, a mini-cruiser sailboat could be for you. These boats are inexpensive, easy to handle, can be kept at home and trailed Read more...
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Catamaran Sailboats
Catamarans are among the fastest sailboats, specially the larger ones. A catamaran has twin hulls, but as these are very narrow compared with a monohull sailboat, they slice through the Read more...
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Mini-Cruiser Sailboats
Do you love sailing, and want to cruise – but on a small budget. If so, a mini-cruiser sailboat could be for you. These boats are inexpensive, easy to handle, can be kept at home and trailed Read more...
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Get a Sailboat and Enjoy Life on the Water!
Sailing a sailboat is one of the most enjoyable pastimes there is - you can be lazy, and just let the boat waft along on the breeze, race against other similar sailboats, or cruise along the Read more...
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