Luxury cat

Cat people are special. That's common knowledge. Some sailors get bitten and they never return to monohulls. They spend their lives trying to convince all the other "normal" boaters that cats simply are better, faster and more fun. Me? I was never very fond of cats, but this one made my day...

A giant cat

Oh yes it's big. Perhaps not as tall as Craigs J, but the interior... While the J is huge on the outside, this monster cat is a giant on the inside. It's almost unreal. It just begs for someone to move in. Permanently. Let's move a little closer.

What's missing?

First you'll notice the Zodiac; Then there's the huge deck area with sunchairs. There's also a "winter-garden" with lounge chairs and spices growing in pots. If anything is missing it would be a windsurfer or some other small wind-toy. A Flying Fizz would be nice or perhaps a 2.4mR.

The spicy loungy area

It seemed noone was onboard, so I sneaked on board to have a closer look. Gotta try those lounge chairs and they are comfy. I could easily see myself having a nice little cocktail party here, but where's the pool? Oh, we'll come to that. First let's check out the bar...

The bar

You probably guessed it: It has everything. Fancy chairs, ice-cold champagne, loads of bottles with a diversity of liquids with which you can mix pretty much any cocktail or drink. In the back there's the captains chair with myriads of controls and stuff... way too complicated for me. I prefer a tiller and a couple of sheets to pull.

And there's two of these

Let's go find that pool. Here's a shot from the hall in one of the hulls. It doesn't look much like the inside of a sailboat, huh. In the hall there's a couch, stereo and TV plus lots of closets for all sorts of gear. Diving gear included. Note the oxygen-bottles on the "Winter-garden" picture.

Dining area

After a few cocktails or 25 I tend to get hungry. It's a good thing this cat sports a pretty nice kitchen and dining area. I didn't check all the drawers, but I have a feeling that not much is missing here either. It looks like an italian boat. There's a whole italian ham there at the back, and on the shelf there's one of those famous round italian winebottles with "straws" on the outside.

zzzzz

In the other end of this hull there's the master bedroom. Complete with huge closets, Botticellis Venus on the wall and the other wall is one giant internetscreen. Note the clock radio on the night-table, hehe. One of the things I love about sailing is that time is not important. I'd probably throw the clock radio over board.

The other hull

Here's a shot from the hall in the other hull. Not much to see here. It looks kinda like a bathing area. I cannot identify that picture there; Dunno if it is quite as famous as the Botticelli in the master bedroom.

Moving on...

The pool

Ahh, finally: The pool. It's perhaps not the perfect pool for a cocktailparty, but its' nice and loungy nevertheless. There are huge windows with remote controlled blindfolds so you can have privacy, or you can have an ocean view if that's your thing. What you (probably) can't see is the water running from the lion in the back. It gives a soothing sound of running water, and...

The sauna

... ofcourse there's a sauna. What's better after a nice swim in the pool to sit in the sauna and get overheated whilst enjoying a cool drink and a fantastic view out those huge windows. Push a button and blindfolds appear from the top. Just in case you're in the sauna with the love of your life. Too hot for you?

Shower the people

You can always get a cold shower to calm - I mean cool - yourself down. This sorta completes the tour of this totally unreal boat; Probably the best liveaboard vehicle I ever saw in this world. The only downside is that the harbour fee is gonna be rather expensive, but then again boats are made to sail not moor.

Sunset

What's that saying? Boats are safe in the harbour, but they aren't meant to be there. Something like that. Here's me enjoying the sunset from the deck of this giant cat; Have a great weekend, and go sailing... soon. Spring is nearing. Woohoooo!

The Trudeau Twelve

Everybody knows what a T-1000 is, so here's a post on the T-12. Something entirely different. For starters, it's a boat from the past, not a robot from the future. Let me just add that it is a pretty boat, kinda Cat-like. Here's a picture:

Miauw...

See? Cat-like. It is of course the Trudeau 12. That's probably why it looks a bit like the Trudeau LeetleCat II, only this one has a jib. Once again, I was actually at Tradewinds YC to test Traps navigation thingy, but sailing the T-12 was too much of a temptation. I can get back to that (lovely) Nav thing soon enough.

Off to see the islands...

Off we went. Rounded that little island out there, and tried different wind forces and angles. The boat has to be sailed pretty actively, which I like. I mean, it's not a car. What I don't like about the steering is the lee helm. Experienced sailors see that as an indication of bad setup of the mast and rigging. A slight weather helm means good trim.

Winging

The crew can move about to balance, and the beautiful sails must be trimmed, reefed even if winds are too strong.Downwind sailing is a breeze. Always is, but the T-12 can wing the jib, much like the Quest-2m; Nice option to have, when there is no spin to hoist. We're a bit off balance here, as you can see. However, I am not sure how to balance a T-12, so then again, maybe we're good.

reaching

The sailing is good. Nice sounds, realistic movement, and the fact that the crew has to be part of the balancing makes sure noone falls asleep. The windvane at the top of the mast works, but it is a little unstable, probably by design. Maybe it just needs ironing. Dunno.

Almost there

Feedback to the trimmer is not very realistic. The sails have no telltales, but there is a hud with angles an stuff. It is nicely made, but huds... they just aren't my thing. I want to feel the boat, not read it on a display. Yes, the sails flap when loose, but there is no indication of too tight; Except excessive heel. Those lines in the sail are reefing lines - in case you wonder.

Sails down, and off to explore the island.

All in all this is a very nice, easily sailed little cruising boat, and I'd choose it anytime for a comfortable afternoon cruise with tea and bisquits. Should you end up in vacuum, there is an inboard engine. If you get lost, there's a cockpit tent. However, inexperienced sailors might miss a trim indicator. For racing I'd miss a vane, compass, telltales and also vinddrift. Thanx for the ride, Trap.

Update: According to Orca the lee helm has been fixed.

A little Cat in the North Sea

I've  been meaning to post about this little boat for a while. At the same time, I've been eagerly awaiting a new ocean called the North Sea; A few days back I got a note saying the North Sea was open. What a great opportunity to sail the Leetlecat II from Trudeau! So, - I logged in to Tradewinds Yacht Club and found my LeetleCat. Packed a sandwich and an orangina. Changed to something warmer, because I know the North Sea can be rough, tough and cold; Took off, and here I am...

Me and my LeetleCat in the North Sea.

Whoopsidaisy! Thats not a cat... Right, - it is not a cat as the ones they sail in AC. It is a so-called catboat, and it is a very nice one; A true Trudeau. Classy and with beautiful lines, only smaller than the J-Class. Not a computer designed plastic critter from outer space. Ok, I am sure AC45s can be fun to sail too, but helmets?  Anyway, - cats capsize as we've all seen lately. This LeetleCat does too. So beware; U need to trim correctly and balance the boat. And remember to drop the centerboard, or you won't go anywhere but sideways.

The North Sea ahead.

Palmtrees? Hey, maybe I can take of my sweater. Maybe later. In a post called "Taking off my sweater". Not. Back on track: This does not look like the North Sea at all, but who am I to complain. A nice and warm North Sea is much more fun than a cold one. Never thought I'd wanna go night swimming in the North Sea, but this... As you can see the boat is pretty well balanced. Even on a reach it is dead easy to steer - with the feet. I kinda like that. Much easier for me to eat my sandwich that way.

Leaving the palmtrees behind.

The steering is easy on an upwind course as well; Just remember to reverse the default steering. Most boats in SL will go to starboard, when you push the tiller to starboard. This one is different, and it makes perfect sense, because it is like a real boat: "Push left to go right". I can appreciate that. Only thing is, I've gotten so used to the "wrong" kind of steering. I guess I can be trained back to normal again...

Nice view; The vane works.

The sail looks nice and pretty, and the vane at the top of the mast seems to work, though it does appear to be a bit unstable. Perhaps a vane looks better on a catboat, but I would prefer a Windex. Just as I would very much like to have a few telltales, - or just one. The animation and sound when the sails luff is good, but when the sails luff, it is kinda too late to correct the trim. At least when racing. What else? Oh, wind drift. There is no wind drift. Very unnatural. If I just let the sails flap, the boat will stay still as if anchored. So, matchracing is out. Currents? Not supported either. Realistic racing and tactics are out? I spoke with the builder, so I know it is by design. Also, the waves aren't felt much.

Going back home to Tradewinds YC after a lovely day cruise.

The LeetleCat seats several persons, so it is good for cruising; No bunks, so it's a daycruiser. Balancing is supported. The crew takes part in the balancing, so again... It's actually fun and demaning to sail. Too bad there is no support for wind drift, currents and  telltales. The overall sailing experience? It is good. Very good. Nice sounds, nice looks, many features, - reefing event. Steer, trim and balance, - or capsize. On  top of that, there is a well working mouseview mode allowing you to look around - as in a real boat. All in all this is a very nice little leetlecat boat. A little more lively than the popular Trudeau-One. If you are a sailor, you will like this leetle beauty.

The North Sea? I love it. Set viewing distance to max and see nothing but water. I like. Eventually, it will have several race courses and probably some islands surrounding it. That's very nice too. Now all we need is a ferry crossing the North Sea; Tax-free shopping and London as the destination.