HUNTING THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAT'

"Built with quadriaxial fibreglass and balsa core, the Wildcat 350
is a fast sports cruiser that will tack through 90º.
According to the designer, she will sail at 8 - 10 knots to windward
and 10 - 13 knots off the wind with a No.1 genoa in a 15 knot breeze.

Sails are by either North or Doyle, hardware by Harken and Anderson.

MODERN CAT

"The Wildcat 350 is the latest in a large range of modern catamarans,
designed by Schionning Boats of Australia, built in South Africa by Charter Cats SA,
and marketed by Charter Cats SA.

Wildcats are renowned for their safety, high levels of comfort, and their speed.
Charter Cats SA have, so far, taken orders for in excess of 30 of these boats and constructed 20 -
a number of which have been for export - and as a Rand / $ hedge, the Wildcat 350 cannot be beaten."

LETTER OF COMMENDATION

I was recently asked to deliver a Wildcat 350 from Durban to Richards Bay for the new owners.
I arrived in Durban to do the last preparations before we were to set sail.

I took the time to go through the boat Clandara thoroughly to make sure I knew where all seacocks,
switches and equipment were to be stowed.

I cannot say that I was happy with the sliding cupboard doors as it took some effort to slide them open.

This was since adjusted. The heads had no door and only curtains to cabins,
which I also found rather strange on a very well laid out boat.

The latest cats all come out with doors. I believe that other similar boats have curtains,
which most people find quite acceptable.

The cabins are all very spacious with plenty of headroom.

Talking of headroom, one must however, be careful when walking from the cabin area up the stairs
to the saloon so as to watch not to bump ones head on the rather low arch. However, this is a small price to pay for the benefit of the spacious walking area alongside the coachroof.

The layout of the boat is well designed and it is to owner’s specifications.

The deck is well laid out with the deck clear of unnecessary fittings and hatches.

The stern of the Wildcat has the new design of the sugar scoops, which make it very easy to get out of the water.

I think it is important to be able to help someone onto the boat in a rough sea.

I have heard of so many sailors falling overboard and when the crew tried to get them on deck,
they get pounded against the side of the vessel, resulting in injuries.

Well, let us get to the boat out on the water, after all, that is where it all happens:

When leaving Durban I was told that I was going to sail on a very big sea, this however did not worry me,
as I have sailed multihulls in very big seas including my own boat "Starfish" a Prout 38’ which I have had for some years.

We cleared the harbour entrance at 23H55 and set course for R/Bay.

The wind was between 30-35 knots SE with a 2-2.5 meter swell, which was not big at all.

We had decided to put two reefs in the main and a full foresail, not knowing what to expect of the new boat.

On the radar we picked up another yacht about three nautical miles ahead of us. At daybreak, we had passed the keeler by about two miles.

The wind had dropped to 12 knots and I decided to pull out the "bag".

With the wind at 120 degrees we filled the bag and our boat speed was 8.5 knots SOG.
I took time off from the helm to walk about, and could not believe the performance of the boat.
We would sail down a wave with the bow dropping down into the trough but with the boats buoyancy,
she just lifted her bow and raced down the wave leaving white water behind her as we raced home.
Later the wind picked up to 38 knots and I decided to see what she had in her,
so we pulled up the mainsail and kept the foresail furled in and got a surprising 12.8 knots SOG with an average 10 knots SOG.
The wind was at 80 degrees to our starboard and she was cooking.
The wind dropped to 35 knots and we had full main and foresail up with the wind at 110 degrees.
Clandara sailed home at an average speed of 9 knots.

In my opinion, this is a very exciting boat with a price tag to suit the owner’s pocket.
If you are in the market for a new boat, don’t miss the opportunity to try this little baby on the big blue.

GREG TAYLOR  (Commodore Zululand Yacht Club)

DELIVERY EAST COAST ... "STARDUST" – WILDCAT 350 ... SKIPPER: BRUCE ARDERNE

Left Durban at 4 am in 10 knots South Westerly wind and beat into 15 knots apparent wind with full main and genoa into 3m plus swell.

The boat speed was 7 knots and with no slamming – only the odd slap under the saloon floor.

There was no slapping under the cockpit floor due to the inclination of the floor.

Towards evening the wind changed to a gentle North Easter. Dropped mains’l and hoisted asymmetrical Spinnaker.

Started surfing at 8 to 10 knots. The boat loves to surf and will stay on a 1m wave for 20 to 30 seconds.

The boat is very easy to steer, even for the novice crew.

Arrived in East London at 10 am on Sunday carrying the bag right through the harbour entrance,

past the yacht club who were having their annual opening cruise and braai. Everyone gave Stardust a resounding welcome.

After reporting back to Eric, the builder, he decided to join us for the leg to Port Elizabeth.

Left East London in calm conditions at 8 am. Motored for 2 hours until Easterly came up.

Hoisted the spinnaker again. Over the next 6 hours the wind increased to 35 knots true.

Boat speed was 12 to 15 knots – apparent wind 20 knots. Carried on in these conditions for the next 10 hours.

Eric and crew were sitting on the side deck with their backs against the cabin top – perfectly dry with no wet weather gear and no spray hitting them at all.
Wind died just past Bird Island. Motored into Port Elizabeth arrived at 1 am.

Waited for next weather window. Motored out of Port Elizabeth at 4 am.

Continued motoring for first 40 miles then wind filled in from the East. Sailed with main and genoa at 6 – 8 knots.

Apparent wind speed 10 – 12 knots. Wind gradually swung around to the North East. Dropped main and genoa and hoisted the spinnaker.

Big swell + - 4 to 5m. Some crew seasick. Boat surfed along happily again at 12 – 15 knots.

Prolonged surfing at 17.1 knots (see photographs).

Wind increased to 35 knots. Dropped spinnaker. Sailed under furled genoa at 8 – 10 knots, surfing at 12 knots plus.

Wind peaked at 50 knots. Sailed like this for 2 to 3 hours. Wind died quickly and became North West 5 knots.

Motored last 2 hours into Mossel Bay, arriving at 5 minutes past midnight – taking 20 hours to do 195 miles.

Waited 2 days in Mossel Bay for front to pass. Left Mossel Bay at 11 am.

Motor-sailed into South West 8 – 10 knots for 12 hours. Wind veered into South East. Still 8 – 10 knots.

Carried on motor-sailing to keep speed up due to front approaching Cape Town – due the next evening.

Rounded Cape Agulhas. Wind became SSW 15 knots. Sea flat. Spinnaker up. Boat speed 8 – 10 knots surfing at 12 – 15 knots.

Carried these conditions to Clifton. Wind died. Motored into Royal Cape Yacht Club. Tied up at 10 pm.

Total 35 hours Mossel Bay to Cape Town in conditions not ideal for the boat.

Boat very easy to sail short-handed. Extremely forgiving. Never got wet the whole trip.

NOTE

Bruce Arderne is a delivery skipper with over 200 000 miles in his own boat and deliveries and has been sailing for 30 years out of Durban,

South Africa and Perth, Australia.

His impression of the boat is that he hasn’t sailed a boat where he’s had so much fun to the point that he didn’t want to give the wheel to anyone else.

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