PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

[Old PDQ Message Board]

PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by David Hendriks on December 01, 2003 at 09:55:00:

I have been researching catamarans as liveaboards for over a year now and have
looked at two PDQ's 36's

My question is does the 36 have enough room and storage to liveaboard cruising
for six months and at marinas the rest of the year. The multi-hull sailors guide
is very biased against the 36, alluding to low volume hulls which will not carry
a load

I really like the 36 and can't make the jump to the 42,Any advise would be
appreciated.

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Nando Iannarelli 19:10:03 12/07/03 (1)
Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Mike Tyler 16:56:23 12/30/03 (0)
Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Sharon of Lead Free Too 18:43:55 12/04/03 (0)
Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Roger Ford (kokomo) 04:22:20 12/02/03 (0)
Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Rick Kilmer 14:09:02 12/01/03 (1)
Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Colin Swithenbank 08:34:30 12/06/03 (0)

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Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Nando Iannarelli on December 07, 2003 at 19:10:00:
In Reply to: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by David Hendriks on December 01,
2003 at 09:55:00:

I purchased a used 36 earlier this year, then sailed with one crew from Tampa
Bay to Philadelphia to move aboard. Much of the trip was offshore. Once I moved
aboard, I started moving south, some ICW, some outside. I consider my boat to be
a 2 bedroom condo that floats. She is a great sail. Rarely do I go below 6K

Frequently, I see double digits. A great coastal cruiser with offshore
potential. In a heavier sea, she will pound. As far as load capacity, how much
stuff do you really need?

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Mike Tyler 16:56:23 12/30/03 (0)

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Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Mike Tyler on December 30, 2003 at 16:56:00:
In Reply to: Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by Nando Iannarelli on December
07, 2003 at 19:10:00:

I have been interested in the PDQ 36 as a boat to be used by my family [ wife,
15 year old daughter and 13 year old son ]on weekends at dock at a resort where
we have a dock and for cruising limited to a week or two at a time. It is
important to have three cabins and would be nice if the children could on
occasion bring a friend for each of them. Is the small aft portside cabin
serviceable as a cabin with bunk beds for teenagers?

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Sharon of Lead Free Too on December 04, 2003 at 18:43:00:
In Reply to: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by David Hendriks on December 01,
2003 at 09:55:00:

I'm not sure who u are reading but there are a good number of PDQ 36 owners that
live aboard. We lived 9 months out of the year on the PDQ 32 for 2 years. We
then realized that we were motoring most of the time moving from Michigan to the
Bahamas so now live on the PDQ 34 Power Cat. We cruise on it 9 months out of the
yr. and while in the Bahamas have family come visit, 2 at a time. The boat is
still comfortable when they stay a week

If u purchase a new boat I think u will find the PDQ staff to be very helpful
and comfortable with which to work

Good luck with your decision

Sharon of Lead Free Too

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Roger Ford (kokomo) on December 02, 2003 at 04:22:00:
In Reply to: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by David Hendriks on December 01,
2003 at 09:55:00:

The 36 is VERY comfortable as a live-a-board for 2 adults. See our site at:[/i]

http://catamaran_kokomo.tripod.com/
We have lived aboard for 3 ½ years while working in Baltimore. We sail the
Chesapeake most every Friday through Sunday from April to October. After 4
years, we'll be casting off for good in June 2004 to cruise the east coast and
Bahamas

There are many 36's being used for 6 months + of cruising by couples.

Follow Ups:

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Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Rick Kilmer on December 01, 2003 at 14:09:00:
In Reply to: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by David Hendriks on December 01,
2003 at 09:55:00:

David,
You certainly won't go wrong with a PDQ 36 as a liveaboard. Many of our POA (PDQ
Owners Association) members live on thier boats either year round or for very
extended trips. Hopefully Roger Ford, Colin Swithenbank, and/or Lee Henderson
will respond. You should get lots of response to your question

Rick Kilmer, Commodore, POA

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard Colin Swithenbank 08:34:30 12/06/03 (0)

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Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard

Posted by Colin Swithenbank on December 06, 2003 at 08:34:00:
In Reply to: Re: PDQ 36 as a liveaboard posted by Rick Kilmer on December 01,
2003 at 14:09:00:

David: We retired in 1996 and bought a PDQ36 with a view to spending the summers
home on the Chesapeake Bay and the winters in warmer climes. Don't want to sound
like salesmen, but we have been pleased with our choice. So far, we have spent
three winters in the Bahamas, one in the Keys, one on the Great Circle Route,
and one to the Virgins, back via DR/PR and the Bahamas. We carry the usual a
full complement of food, drink, books, parts, etc. which puts us significantly
lower in the water than a stripped hull. In calculating out the loads, however,
these may not represent the bulk of the load. The water tank holds eighty five
gallons and the fuel tank fifty five for a total combined weight of twelve to
thirteen hundred pounds. A reliable water maker could reduce weight
sigificantly

In spite of the weight, performance does not seem to suffer compared to other
cruising cats. One 9.9HP Yamaha pushes us at six knots in flat calm, and two
give us seven and a half to eight. She sails better than she motors and we are
significantly faster under sail than other cats under 40' we have sailed with

In company with Kia Orana (another PDQ36), we made the Norfolk to Bermuda run in
96 hours which is an excellent time. I don't think you will be dissappointed
with the performance of a cruising-loaded PDQ36

There is never enough storage space on a boat, however, we carry bicycles, scuba
compressor, generator, laptop with internet connection, etc. We frequently (and
comfortably) host 2 guests, sometimes 4(rather cramped). We think storage on a
PDQ is better than on most similar-sized cats, particularly in the galley. The
only thing we really miss is a bathtub!
Hope this helps,
Colin & Ruth Swithenbank
I