Undecided between a monohull and a catamaran? Consider a side by side
comparison. Send three days aboard our luxury Catana 582 Mariah, and
three days aboard a comparable Ron Holland 80ft monohull
Lady-A.
This combination allows sailing in similar waters, with a similar rig
for side by side comparisons.
Ever sail along thinking "what would a cat do in this water"
or "would a mono hull be more comfortable today?" Wonder no
more. In less than an hour we can have both boats in open water experiencing
the sea swell. Feel the motion, and make your decision based on information.
Consider both Mariah, our luxury Catana 582, and the incredible Ron
Holland designed Lady-A both have-
* Tall powerful rigs
* Center boards
* Many notable ocean passages
* A good solid history
* Three luxury staterooms with head and shower
* A separate crew cabin with private deck entrance
We think when viewed side by side we will be able to help you make a
competent decision on your future sailboat style.
Offshore sailing skills
We provide you the perfect opportunity to master your offshore sailing
skills in a safe and secure environment while learning the art of “leaving
a clean wake”. A catamaran voyage is more than a catamaran rental.
Considering making the switch to a catamaran?
Considering a catamaran voyage?
Want to build sailing confidence?
Want to buy a catamaran?
Curious about what a stress free sea passage could be like?
Take a sailing trip aboard Mariah, a luxury Catana 582 and see what
a catamaran voyage could be like.
Scott Fratcher and Allison Thompson are lifelong cruising sailors and
key members of Team
Earthrace (holder of the round the world circumnavigation record).
We use our 58ft magnificent Catana 582 catamaran as a training ground
to help tune the skills of sailors the world over. Weather your skills
are beginning or expert spending a week or a month sailing with our
experienced team will help hone your skills and help build confidence.
We specialize in teaching families the skills of working
as a team.
Learn the basics of:
Sail handling
Take a catamaran voyage
Reefing
Use of lee boards
Storm management
Setting a drogue and a para anchor
Running a compass course
Dead reckoning
Gain valuable RYA sea miles or make an Ocean qualifying passage
Learn Celestial Navigation
Let us coach you on blind navigation
Learn to safely going aloft
A Catana 582 can motor at a high velocity. This speed allows us to
use our Catana 582 as a speedboat gaining experience as both a sail
and power vessel
Sail training, the real experience
Sail training is not a charter. Sail training crew area expected to
fulfill the role of a regular crew member. This includes
Helping with sail handling,
Standing watches,
Setting courses,
Catamaran voyaging
Meal preparation
Clean up, and
All other activities that help keep the vessel safe while on passage.
"We make any sail into an adventure"
Take a catamaran voyage
Surrounding Tonga are many beautiful islands that can be reached by
a short catamaran ocean passage. Most times we need to book our Catana
582 for two weeks minimum to reach the surrounding islands and the voyages
are weather dependent, but the options are nearly endless.
For example Western Samoa with its beautiful culture and history is
just 36 hours to the north, while American Soma directly next door is
an example of America’s largest fishing port and one of America’s
largest national parks.
Just 24 hours north is Niuatoputapu, often considered the “most
authentic” and untouched of the Tongan islands. Rarely visited
the friendly yet isolated people await your arrival.
Note-The population of Niuatoputapu is extremely isolated and have
almost no ferry or delivery service from the outside world, thus when
visiting we tend to carry mail, food, and other supplies to be delivered
to the island population. This kindness greatly helps our acceptance
normally resulting in a party feast thrown in honor of the boat.
To the east is the small country of Niue, one of the world’s
smallest countries with a population of only 1400. The idyllic harbor,
world class dancing and limestone cave formations are known throughout
the Pacific.
South of Vava’u is the capital of Tonga, Nuka’alofa on
the island of Tongatapu. For trips longer than two weeks, and depending
on the route chosen we are able to pick up or drop off in the capital
saving the short forty minute inter-island plane hop to Vava’u.
For those wishing an adventurous open ocean fishing expedition we are
able to travel to the Durham Shoals. Located directly on the top edge
of the Tongan trench with depths varying from over five miles deep and
shoals that poke to the surface covering over a 150 miles.
The Durham Shoals provide some of the world’s best open water
fishing with big game continually circling in search of the steady food
source provided by the endless swirling underwater currents.
Remote islands such as Tafahi, Niuatoputapu, Niuafo’ou, and Nuie
are on our charter route for a real sail adventure. All you have to
do is ask.
There are many other seamounts (underwater volcanoes that rise to near
the surface-perfect for deep sea fishing). We are able to visit these
remote and nearly “untouchable” in comfort for your pleasure.
Areas such as
Rochambeau Banc,
Hydra Seamount,
Zephyr Banc,
Fonualei,
Toku,
Late Island,
Durham Shoal,
Ta’fahi,
Niuatoputapu,
Curacoa Reef,
Curacos Shoal,
and even the far north Banc Pasco
Are on our yearly sailing route.
We can arrange diving, or fishing expeditions to these inaccessible,
isolated locations.
With prior permission we can also visit
Tutuila,
Manua,
Suvorov
Ta’u,
Ofu, and
Rose Island.
Suwarrow (Suvorov) was a stop on our last expedition of the Pacific
and it turned out to be a high point of the journey.
"Come have a sailing yacht vacation aboard our Catana
582, Mariah"
