SV ABEONA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We seem to get a lot of the same questions from buyers and brokers, so we are going to make them available to all interested parties.
Performance / Sailing
Is she fast?
All performance catamarans are built light, with strong construction, slim/streamlined hulls, have a high sailplan-to-displacement ratio, and have daggerboards/centerboards. What this provides is for any given sea condition faster (and generally more comfortable and safer) performance versus the non-performance production boats, especially those that would qualify as “condo-marans.” This is especially true for upwind capabilities, where the latter can not even sail off a lee-shore.
And the C42 if the only performance catamaran built since 2010 under 45 feet.
The C42 is designed to perform, and you can read more about what the designers and industry experts have to say about that on the C42 page. In our personal experience, Abeona can keep up going to windward with our friends on mono-hulls which is very satisfying and allows us to sail with friends and plan itineraries that average catamarans are not capable of. She can also, in the right conditions, sail at 7 knots in 10 knots of wind on a beam reach. And once you get to 15kt she can cruise in the double digits. Reviews state that the C42 can do 20 knots, however, we are conservative sailors and reef sails so that we stay in the 10-12 knot range.
What about the daggerboards?
As far as I know, the C42 is the only production catamaran built in the last decade under 45 feet with daggerboards. This gives us quite an advantage when going up wind. We can point at about 35 degrees AWA. Which lets us keep up with cruising mono-hulls. It’s not just the daggerboards, the shape of the hull and sailplan are also designed for realistic upwind performance. You’ll hear owners of mini-keel cats claiming that they can achieve similar performance, but it’s simply not the case. Our friends with Lagoons have to turn on an engine to maintain a similar angle of attack when sailing with us.
As far as mechanics go, they are just big pieces of hollow cored fiberglass that fall through the trunk with the line clutch open, and that are winched up by a line that slides through a hull in the board. They are simple, which means almost nothing to fail. Down they probably add 5 feet to what the boat draws (and up allow the boat to draw less than 3 ft!). Catana recommends that they be matched so they are equally deployed (although in big seas, others say to only keep the windward one down). Catana also recommends that they be raised at least half way up at 9kt boat speed, and that they be retracted if the AWA is above 60, as they lose effectiveness and only create drag.
I am scared of outboard helms!
Over the last year and 3000nm of sailing between Grenada and the Canadian border, there have been only a few times where I would have preferred a fly/sport bridge to outboard helms. The number reason for me and other Catana owners like these helms it that it actually feels like sailing as opposed to driving a barge. Blasting along at 10+ knots with the wind on your face, view of the sails, feel of the direct-drive helm, and overall connection to the elements is what sailing is all about. Performance cruising cats are just more fun to sail.
The helms combined with the running rigging layout also is a very active sailing experience where you are moving and trimming. It’s like a standup desk as opposed to sitting in a cubicle. Similarly, I enjoy being connected to the crew (family) and the galley rather than being excommunicated to the fly bridge.
Add to this that it affords a wide and expansive cockpit. I haven’t seen a boat under 55 without outboard helms that has as much space as ours. The design also brings the boom down to chest height, when on the deck and never higher than waist height for its full length. This is in sharp contrast to some modern fly-designs where you might be 10 or more feet off the deck trying to unfoul lines at sea!
With autopilot, you just aren’t in the elements that much. In fact, with my remote I am often helming from the bow of the boat. And during squalls I stand inside the cockpit with a good view and am able to correct with the remote.
I was a bit skeptical of the helm layout when I bought the boat. But am now a fan and prefer it to fly/sport bridge option that dominates production catamaran design.
There are a number of threads on the Catana groups about this, and almost all of the responder/owners are highly in favor of the helms. A few have built sun shade structures.
All that being said, I would not recommend outboard helms, or our Catana, for high-latitude sailing.
Can she be sailed single-handed?
Yes! She is designed to be readily sailed single and short-handed with all lines leading back to the cockpit (under the deck - nothing to trip over). The reefing system is 100% cockpit contained and much more full-proof than other boats we've seen. Most of the time we are sailing, one of us effectively sails her single-handed.
All performance catamarans are built light, with strong construction, slim/streamlined hulls, have a high sailplan-to-displacement ratio, and have daggerboards/centerboards. What this provides is for any given sea condition faster (and generally more comfortable and safer) performance versus the non-performance production boats, especially those that would qualify as “condo-marans.” This is especially true for upwind capabilities, where the latter can not even sail off a lee-shore.
And the C42 if the only performance catamaran built since 2010 under 45 feet.
The C42 is designed to perform, and you can read more about what the designers and industry experts have to say about that on the C42 page. In our personal experience, Abeona can keep up going to windward with our friends on mono-hulls which is very satisfying and allows us to sail with friends and plan itineraries that average catamarans are not capable of. She can also, in the right conditions, sail at 7 knots in 10 knots of wind on a beam reach. And once you get to 15kt she can cruise in the double digits. Reviews state that the C42 can do 20 knots, however, we are conservative sailors and reef sails so that we stay in the 10-12 knot range.
What about the daggerboards?
As far as I know, the C42 is the only production catamaran built in the last decade under 45 feet with daggerboards. This gives us quite an advantage when going up wind. We can point at about 35 degrees AWA. Which lets us keep up with cruising mono-hulls. It’s not just the daggerboards, the shape of the hull and sailplan are also designed for realistic upwind performance. You’ll hear owners of mini-keel cats claiming that they can achieve similar performance, but it’s simply not the case. Our friends with Lagoons have to turn on an engine to maintain a similar angle of attack when sailing with us.
As far as mechanics go, they are just big pieces of hollow cored fiberglass that fall through the trunk with the line clutch open, and that are winched up by a line that slides through a hull in the board. They are simple, which means almost nothing to fail. Down they probably add 5 feet to what the boat draws (and up allow the boat to draw less than 3 ft!). Catana recommends that they be matched so they are equally deployed (although in big seas, others say to only keep the windward one down). Catana also recommends that they be raised at least half way up at 9kt boat speed, and that they be retracted if the AWA is above 60, as they lose effectiveness and only create drag.
I am scared of outboard helms!
Over the last year and 3000nm of sailing between Grenada and the Canadian border, there have been only a few times where I would have preferred a fly/sport bridge to outboard helms. The number reason for me and other Catana owners like these helms it that it actually feels like sailing as opposed to driving a barge. Blasting along at 10+ knots with the wind on your face, view of the sails, feel of the direct-drive helm, and overall connection to the elements is what sailing is all about. Performance cruising cats are just more fun to sail.
The helms combined with the running rigging layout also is a very active sailing experience where you are moving and trimming. It’s like a standup desk as opposed to sitting in a cubicle. Similarly, I enjoy being connected to the crew (family) and the galley rather than being excommunicated to the fly bridge.
Add to this that it affords a wide and expansive cockpit. I haven’t seen a boat under 55 without outboard helms that has as much space as ours. The design also brings the boom down to chest height, when on the deck and never higher than waist height for its full length. This is in sharp contrast to some modern fly-designs where you might be 10 or more feet off the deck trying to unfoul lines at sea!
With autopilot, you just aren’t in the elements that much. In fact, with my remote I am often helming from the bow of the boat. And during squalls I stand inside the cockpit with a good view and am able to correct with the remote.
I was a bit skeptical of the helm layout when I bought the boat. But am now a fan and prefer it to fly/sport bridge option that dominates production catamaran design.
There are a number of threads on the Catana groups about this, and almost all of the responder/owners are highly in favor of the helms. A few have built sun shade structures.
All that being said, I would not recommend outboard helms, or our Catana, for high-latitude sailing.
Can she be sailed single-handed?
Yes! She is designed to be readily sailed single and short-handed with all lines leading back to the cockpit (under the deck - nothing to trip over). The reefing system is 100% cockpit contained and much more full-proof than other boats we've seen. Most of the time we are sailing, one of us effectively sails her single-handed.
History
Was this boat ever chartered? Are you the only owner?
Most of these c42s were charter boats, and pretty much all the 4 cabins were. Including Abeona who was chartered with DYC in the French Island charter fleet until we purchased her in April 2019. At that point, she was in “average shape” for a non-charter yacht per the surveyor. We have since poured quite a bit of time and money into refitting her, remedying all non-cosmetic items identified in the survey, rehabbing the electrical/plumbing systems and adding new engines, new sails, new mattresses, new cushions, new ground tackle, and much more. As well as fine-tuning her for remote and long-term cruising over the 3000nm we have sailed her. She summered in Granada, wasn’t exposed to any major storms, and per the surveyor and my bottom painters, has no signs of crash/storm damage (besides some paint on one of the daggerboards that my wife ground off a sand bar while anchoring). Whoever the next owner is will benefit from a lot of hard work and upgrades that make Abeona truly cruise ready and possess a Catana that bears no resemblance to a charter boat. The broker that saw her recently said “I can’t believe this was a charter….” This boat is well priced for her condition. You can buy a bristol 3-cabin version that is pristing named VMG in Europe, but she is $455k Euros….
Most of these c42s were charter boats, and pretty much all the 4 cabins were. Including Abeona who was chartered with DYC in the French Island charter fleet until we purchased her in April 2019. At that point, she was in “average shape” for a non-charter yacht per the surveyor. We have since poured quite a bit of time and money into refitting her, remedying all non-cosmetic items identified in the survey, rehabbing the electrical/plumbing systems and adding new engines, new sails, new mattresses, new cushions, new ground tackle, and much more. As well as fine-tuning her for remote and long-term cruising over the 3000nm we have sailed her. She summered in Granada, wasn’t exposed to any major storms, and per the surveyor and my bottom painters, has no signs of crash/storm damage (besides some paint on one of the daggerboards that my wife ground off a sand bar while anchoring). Whoever the next owner is will benefit from a lot of hard work and upgrades that make Abeona truly cruise ready and possess a Catana that bears no resemblance to a charter boat. The broker that saw her recently said “I can’t believe this was a charter….” This boat is well priced for her condition. You can buy a bristol 3-cabin version that is pristing named VMG in Europe, but she is $455k Euros….
Equipment
Why new engines?
If a manufacturer offers you new engines for free, my advice is to take them! Volvo Penta had a campaign for US owners because a certain engines "might" have not met emissions requirements, and rather than face a VW scandal, they offered to replace the engines for free. The campaign ended on 7/1/19 and we received our new engines on 6/30/19, so we were the last lucky owners to have our engines replaced for zero dollars.
Does the boat have A/C? There is no air-conditioning on Abeona. I have actually not run into a Catana 42 with whole boaty A/C and I don’t believe that any of them were ever ducted for A/C. I know that some people buy portable/window units to be used in marinas that can be placed in the cockpit and there is a portlet that would be convenient for connecting into the two aft berths. There is a ton of space underneath the berths that would easily fit a unit that could cool the berth. There are some low-amp units which could be use off the right house bank for a couple of hours before bed. We didn’t feel the need for A/C at anchor, and our friends who already have A/C don’t run theirs very much at anchor.
Does the boat have a generator?
Without A/C, I’m not sure why anyone would need a generator in addition to our 1.2kW of solar and 850Ah battery bank. Our duty cycle is about 75a/h as we have a 12v refrigerator, 12V freezer, and LED lights. On a sunny day we can float before 10am. After which we can make water and/or heat water with the 750W heater using just the solar. And we sometimes use the 800W induction plate to make lunch. All with the sun.
Does the boat have 110v ac power?
No, this is a French boat and outfitted for French standards with a Victron 240v combi charger/inverter. We have DC chargers for everything that has a bettery. And we have French appliances (such as an induction plate and a mixer) that can be run off the inverter with more efficient 240v power. Many appliances can be bought that are dual voltage these days. We also have a step-down transformer that powers some USA based tools we have like our Dremel. Some people might tell you that you need to re-wire a boat with this set-up, but I and most other cruisers would disagree - for cruising internationally, this is a better set-up than 110v.
Why does the boat have so much new stuff?
Funny, I thought this would be purely a benefit! The new engines were a gift of Volvo and their emissions team (free). Everything else was either an upgrade or normal wear and tear as far as we know. While she was a charter in her previous life (see above) there is no sign of any crashes, storms, or unusual wear and tear. While some of the new items might not have needed replacing with a full-time cruising private owner, I actually think most of them are just a result of a boat this age that gets used. In addition to all the new equipment, the new owner will benefit from my rehabbing the electric system (not Catana’s specialty) and quite a bit of the plumbing and other systems. We’ve fine tuned her over 3000nm of travel over the last 15 months and whoever buys this boat inherits a cruise-ready boat that’s ready to sail away.
If a manufacturer offers you new engines for free, my advice is to take them! Volvo Penta had a campaign for US owners because a certain engines "might" have not met emissions requirements, and rather than face a VW scandal, they offered to replace the engines for free. The campaign ended on 7/1/19 and we received our new engines on 6/30/19, so we were the last lucky owners to have our engines replaced for zero dollars.
Does the boat have A/C? There is no air-conditioning on Abeona. I have actually not run into a Catana 42 with whole boaty A/C and I don’t believe that any of them were ever ducted for A/C. I know that some people buy portable/window units to be used in marinas that can be placed in the cockpit and there is a portlet that would be convenient for connecting into the two aft berths. There is a ton of space underneath the berths that would easily fit a unit that could cool the berth. There are some low-amp units which could be use off the right house bank for a couple of hours before bed. We didn’t feel the need for A/C at anchor, and our friends who already have A/C don’t run theirs very much at anchor.
Does the boat have a generator?
Without A/C, I’m not sure why anyone would need a generator in addition to our 1.2kW of solar and 850Ah battery bank. Our duty cycle is about 75a/h as we have a 12v refrigerator, 12V freezer, and LED lights. On a sunny day we can float before 10am. After which we can make water and/or heat water with the 750W heater using just the solar. And we sometimes use the 800W induction plate to make lunch. All with the sun.
Does the boat have 110v ac power?
No, this is a French boat and outfitted for French standards with a Victron 240v combi charger/inverter. We have DC chargers for everything that has a bettery. And we have French appliances (such as an induction plate and a mixer) that can be run off the inverter with more efficient 240v power. Many appliances can be bought that are dual voltage these days. We also have a step-down transformer that powers some USA based tools we have like our Dremel. Some people might tell you that you need to re-wire a boat with this set-up, but I and most other cruisers would disagree - for cruising internationally, this is a better set-up than 110v.
Why does the boat have so much new stuff?
Funny, I thought this would be purely a benefit! The new engines were a gift of Volvo and their emissions team (free). Everything else was either an upgrade or normal wear and tear as far as we know. While she was a charter in her previous life (see above) there is no sign of any crashes, storms, or unusual wear and tear. While some of the new items might not have needed replacing with a full-time cruising private owner, I actually think most of them are just a result of a boat this age that gets used. In addition to all the new equipment, the new owner will benefit from my rehabbing the electric system (not Catana’s specialty) and quite a bit of the plumbing and other systems. We’ve fine tuned her over 3000nm of travel over the last 15 months and whoever buys this boat inherits a cruise-ready boat that’s ready to sail away.
Pricing / Buying
How did you arrive at this price?
This boat was priced based on market info, some of which is not public, and a lot of feedback from cruisers, shoppers, and brokers. In general, we have been told over and over that the boat is priced well. Even by buyers brokers who have visited the boat.
Some price points:
Will you give me a price reduction?
Any and all offers are welcome and will be considered. And we would prefer to see Abeona with her new owners as soon as possible. That being said, based on much feedback, we are pretty certain that if listed with a broker she will sell eventually.
Will you work with a buyers broker?
Yes, we are happy to work with a buyers broker in a co-brokerage arrangement where we will act as the selling broker. Of course offers will be considered on a net (commission adjusted) basis.
I am worried about the FSBO buying process.
We were not very long ago inexperienced yacht buyers, so we can relate. We will do everything we can to work with a buyer to smooth the process. We now know a lot of fellow sailors and industry service providers who will help us take care of anything that comes up. We've already curated some resources and created a resources web page for prospective buyers who were interested in finding out about financing, insurance, and other purchase related topics.
This boat was priced based on market info, some of which is not public, and a lot of feedback from cruisers, shoppers, and brokers. In general, we have been told over and over that the boat is priced well. Even by buyers brokers who have visited the boat.
Some price points:
- The most recent sale of a C42 was a 2011 3-cabin version that has suffered from “benign neglect” and is proving to be quite a project. This was an off-market word-of-mouth transaction (and was therefore probably under priced) at $410k
- The next most recent transaction was Kairos5, a friend of ours in June. Kairos 5 was a nice boat, and like Abeona a retrofitted ex-charter 4-cabin with the VP recall engines. She was the earlier non-carbon version, really needed new sales, didn’t have over $10k of new beds and cushions, and didn’t show as well as Abeona. She sold for $340k in a private transaction.
- On 4/2019 a 2014 C42 was sold in USA for $456k. I believe the boat was named Mandrina.
- On 7/2019 a 2015 C42 was sold for $534k
- On 9/2019 a 2013 C42 was sold in Italy for $400k. I believe the boat was named Lily.
- On 5/2020 a 2011 C42 was sold in Montenegro for $385k. I believe the boat was named Kalima.
- Miss Catana, a 2014 Catana in Australia, was listed for $435k.
- VMG was just taken off the market, as the owners decided to delay the sale. She is a very well kept 3-cabin 2014 version, and a good indicator of the top-end of what a used C42 costs at $455k EUROS. And she was lying in Europe.
- Viramundo is also a 2014 owners version. This boat was originally listed for $435k EUROS (I believe). I think the price has been reduced. It’s in the south pacific though. I don’t know the owners of this boat or the condition.
- Umnyama is lying in Grenada and $475k EUROS. I don’t know this owner and can’t speak to the condition of the boat.
- It is my understanding that no C42 has sold for less than $400k in over a year except for Kairos5.
- We’ve been told “stick to the price, and the right buyer will come, if they really want a C42, they will gladly pay your ask” by an awful lot of industry folk.
- We’ve had 3 brokers say they would gladly take her on, and would actually list her for more than we are selling her.
- We don’t believe that there is any cruise-ready performance/cruising catamaran for sale in North America (and perhaps the world) for less than $350k. Other than Abeona that is. If you want a catamaran that can cruise and sail, your options are limited.
Will you give me a price reduction?
Any and all offers are welcome and will be considered. And we would prefer to see Abeona with her new owners as soon as possible. That being said, based on much feedback, we are pretty certain that if listed with a broker she will sell eventually.
Will you work with a buyers broker?
Yes, we are happy to work with a buyers broker in a co-brokerage arrangement where we will act as the selling broker. Of course offers will be considered on a net (commission adjusted) basis.
I am worried about the FSBO buying process.
We were not very long ago inexperienced yacht buyers, so we can relate. We will do everything we can to work with a buyer to smooth the process. We now know a lot of fellow sailors and industry service providers who will help us take care of anything that comes up. We've already curated some resources and created a resources web page for prospective buyers who were interested in finding out about financing, insurance, and other purchase related topics.