How is the boat rigged for sail handling?
Exhilarating to sail in a variety of conditions the boat is impressive even in the lightest winds. As a fully loaded cruising cat we recently did a light wind passage from southern Mexico to Puerto Vallarta. With 5-8 knots on the beam the boat still made over 4.5 knots. When the breeze gusted to 10 knots she quickly accelerated to 6 knots.
Excellent light air performance means we rarely motor. On her South Atlantic crossing she added only a handful of engine hours; instead we spent much of the passage at a comfortable 6-8 knots in the 12-15 knot breezes.
Despite being a light boat, she’s done well in heavy weather. In
+20 knots of breeze and large seas she provides a comfortable ride at 8 knots but will happily do more.
Unlike many cats, the Meander’s deep dagger boards means she can point as well as a typical monohull and has proven to be equally, if not more, comfortable in upwind conditions. Downwind we out perform them every time.
Designed to be sailed by one person, all mainsail reefing is done from the cockpit with separate reefing lines for the clew and tack. This design means less friction and faster reefing. The genoa and staysail are both on furlers which are also operated from the cockpit.
You only need to go to the foredeck to raise the spinnaker. The spinnaker uses the superb ATN snuffer which means one person can easily hoist, deploy and snuff this sail. The tri-radial spinnaker is a great sail, pushing the boat along at 4-6 knots of wind when there is virtually no apparent wind and your flag is hanging limply. No pole is needed. Gybing simply means switching lazy sheet and guy and turning the boat. Your monohull friends will be envious
There are two ways you can make a catamaran fast – big sails or light weight. As many catamarans have grown heavier in recent years the big rig option is chosen more and more. But the drawback is the sails are massive and the loads are as well. This boat has a modest rig which is less work – but she still out sails most similarly sized boats.
The cutter design, with the small mainsail well aft, a big genoa, and staysail, means that unlike catamarans with big unbalanced mains Ceilydh is able to perform exceptionally well down wind.
This big genoa is poled out with a 4’ long carbon fiber whisker pole attached to the top of a daggerboard. This is usually enough sail area to sail the boat without the mainsail except in very light winds. The mast has in line spreaders and fixed twin backstays so the main can go far outboard for wing-on-wind sailing in less wind.
ABOUT THE BOAT
We're proud to offer Ceilydh, a well equipped and affordably priced 40 foot cruising catamaran. She's in great condition and is ready to help you to fulfill your sailing dreams.
PRICE REDUCED: $99,500!
After a successful 8 year, 31 country circumnavigation our growing teenage daughter is ready to finish high school on land. This means our Woods Meander 40 is on the market and we're eager to find her a good home.
Built in Canada in 1987, the hull and deck are made with Klegecell PVC foam core and laminated with biaxial stitched/mat fiberglass. The vessel was extensively refitted and had a diesel engine and bridgedeck cabin and cockpit constructed from vacuum bagged Corecell foam core, triaxial stitched fiberglass, and epoxy resin added in 2008. The hulls, deck, and cabin have just been painted with 2 part polyurethane paint so she looks
great.
High load areas like chainplates, the mast support beam, deck stiffeners are locally reinforced with carbon fiber. The bridgedeck cabin and galley furniture is all carbon fiber with Nomex honeycomb core.
She has three doubles and one single bunk. The starboard hull has a large galley with ample counter space and huge amounts of storage. In the port hull there is a large head with shower, a workbench and a desk with generous shelving. The saloon includes seating for eight, a large chart table and a roomy hanging locker.
Maintained by a mechanical engineer and naval architect--the mechanical and electrical systems were carefully designed and installed. The boat is well maintained, thoughtfully equipped and is ready for immediate cruising.
She is located in La Cruz Marina, just outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The boat is now being sold by Pacific Yachts Mexico, www.yachtworld.com/pacificyachtsmexico. Please contact them for further details. If you have found the boat through this ad or a link from cruisersforum.com, sailinganarchy, craigslist etc. then please let the brokers know you found us here first - it significantly affects the commision paid to the broker if we bring the buyer in, and thus gives us more negotiating room!
The owners will be available by email or phone to answer any questions the purchaser may have as they familiarize themselves with the boat.
This is an exceptional opportunity for sailors who are looking for an affordable performance cruising catamaran.
What is the boat like living at sea and at anchor?
Ceilydh is a comfortable home at anchor and at sea. Her hull design means the motion is gentle in a variety of sea conditions; while her cabin layout offers amazing visibility and excellent ventilation.
Large front and side windows make it possible to see everything that's occurring outside boat, while eight opening hatches keep the air flowing.
The galley down was designed for easy accessibility (and great meals). It's eight feet long and has plenty of counter space. This means two people can cook at the same time and any mess is left out of sight during meal times.
Four bunks, each with ample storage, means Ceilydh is roomy enough for a family or for visiting guests.
The cockpit has an awning, seating for six and a freshwater shower. The foredeck doubles as a lounge space and has a trap-door swim ladder for easy ocean access.
How does she perform?
Stability: Will it flip over? What about sinking?
Who is the Designer?
The boat was designed by experienced multihull designer, Richard Woods. He doesn’t design slow, fat condomarans but instead combines comfort and performance in smaller volume catamarans with long slender hulls. He’s been a multihull yacht designer for decades and you can read about his experience here: www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/biography
Here’s the Meander design (though this boat has a bridgedeck cabin added):
www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/5-catamarans-over-40ft/189-meander
faqs
The boat has quick release genoa sheets as a safety measure, their use can help keep her from becoming overpowered. Her sail configuration means she's well balanced on all points of sail and in all conditions.
The boat has seven watertight compartments (4 in one hull, 3 in the other). It has false foam bows like a car bumper, which can absorb an impact with floating debris without damaging the structural bow which is 4” behind the false bow. So even if one compartment was damaged she'll continue to float.
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What's the story with the single engine?
There is a single diesel engine in one hull, and an outboard on the back beam on the other side of the boat. Both engines have remote throttle and gearshifts at the helm chair.
At sea, or driving around anchorages, we only use the diesel. The outboard is used to give us twin engine maneuvering in tight quarters like marinas. It can also push the boat at 3.5-4 knots all by itself, giving us a useful backup. ALmost all cats run a single engine at sea, to save fuel and reduce total engine running hours anyway.