Hull #10
Walking on Water
Meg and Chris Chesley
Keep track of the Chesley's MC41 adventure by going to their blog.
I'm always happy to talk about boats, multihulls in general, and Maine Cats
in specifics.
I've been boating all my life. Grew up in Maine for the first 25 years and
then moved to the NW for 10 years and balanced here in California with a 2
yr period in Hawaii. I sailed Hobies (17 & 18) in Hawaii and have had a
Yamaha 25, J-105, and F-28 CC here in California. We sold the F-28 a year
and a half ago so that we could work towards the 'ultimate' boat. I originally
pursued a custom catamaran design but abandoned it for the MC 41 in
September after seeing and sailing on the MC 41.
We chartered a MC 30 this year in the Bahamas in early May and truly enjoyed
our week aboard, could have stayed another week or three! However, from the
beginning I was convinced that the 30 lacked the load carrying capability that
I
wanted for stores, fuel, water, and possibly a generator (okay, so definitely
a
generator). It would have been perfect for the usual daysailing, weekending
and two-week summer cruise for two plus 1 or 2 others but we want a little more
potential weight capability. Meg (my wife) doesn't want the revolving boat
scenario (anymore) and so this one has to be right.
We've been lurking around Maine Cat for quite some time and visited the new
factory several years ago while out in Maine (must have been 2000/2001 or
so). Racing is not our thing but you know how it is when two boats come in
close proximity.... it's a race. Actually, we did the Around Catalina Crew
of 2 on the J back in what, '98 I think. After a long hard beat to the West
End, I came to the conclusion that only a multihull would be acceptable in
the future and a fully enclosed dodger as well. We also liked the Summer
Splash event a couple years ago to Catalina. Mine was the only F-boat with
tanbark sails and a custom dodger... my 'racing' statement!
I haven't seen another boat like the MC that comes so close to my wants and
needs. The whole concept for the MC is so superior to anything else on the
market or even on the custom market. It makes sense and allows one to enjoy
the 360-degree view while sailing and relaxing. Plus, it's well built, simple,
easy
to care for and maintain and well thought out. However, if your concept of a
yacht is fancy wood cabinets and "yotting, dahling" then the MC isn't
for you.
It's for someone who doesn't want to crawl around in cramped spaces while
doing their own maintenance and who does want to be able to easily see and
access every part when necessary but concentrate on cruising and sailing the
rest of the time. The only negative is likely to be an upside-interior storage
space is possibly a smidge light. Of course, that's the way it should be for
a
multihull anyway. (Meg has been properly trained though with the F-28) Our
contact with Dick and Lynn V has given us great confidence in their integrity,
common sense and genuine desire to build a great product that we and they
can be proud of. Just look at how it's equipped and the short list of add ons,
it's how I would equip a boat given a blank sheet of paper. We're planning on
adding a generator, heating system and water maker, not much else but
doubtless we'll think of something like a base cell phone antenna and/or
satellite phone for Meg's business.
So, to answer part of your question... We didn't actually decide until we
sailed and crawled on the boat for a couple of days at the Newport Boat
Show. It sails much nicer than the 30 in my opinion (which wasn't bad but
wasn't the same as the 105 or F-28 either). The 41 has great helm feel and
tacks simply, quickly and decisively.
Having the electric main halyard makes the boat virtually single hand-able
and the screecher resolves the light air, off wind limitations of a cruising
cat. The transoms were well clear of the water even with 15 people aboard
and the boat had a lot of 'life' to her when sailing. Over the course of the
day, we sailed upwind and downwind with a single reef and without, with
the screecher and without in winds varying from 5-20+ knots. There's
nothing finer in all conditions! I'm pretty particular about sailing
capabilities and 'feel' and wouldn't accept anyone else's word for it but
that's just me and I'm VERY satisfied. It's also one of the reasons a
custom boat grew intimidating, no guarantees until AFTER you've spent the
money, on how she would sail, look, feel, etc. The likelihood of numerous
headaches and cost overruns started to get me ancy too. I'm actually
thrilled to be in line after the first 5 boats...we'll have an even better
product!
Our plans are a little loose but definitely include the first spring/summer
2006 in Maine and Nova Scotia, after that we'll see. Ultimately, I hope to
end up in the Pac NW.