Pahi 26 Questions

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Anonymous (not verified)
Pahi 26 Questions
I have been looking at either building or buying used a Pahi 26 for living in the Caribbean. And have a few questions for any owners/builders out there. 1. Junk Rigs - I prefer a Junk Rig, I have more experience using this type of rig. I am looking to use a Fenix or Sunbird Rig purchased from Sunbird Marine, with a small flying jib up front. Anybody had experience with this configuration or a similar one??? 2. Beaching - Having spent most of my sailing days on a mono, I have no experience in beaching a catamaran, any ideas or tips out there??? 3. Building - What am I getting myself into when it come to a Pahi 26? Cost, Project size, etc. Anyone built one recently? As far as propulsion I am using said Junk Rig, but the engine will be all electric, with large battery bank, back up propane system/gen and solar. Any tips on wood selection to keep costs down? I have a friend that is doing the glassing so it saves me headaches from inexperience. 4. W. C. - As far as a marine toilet, I am planning on trying a composting toilet, anyone have experience with these? Thanks for any help you guys can throw my way and I hope to see some of you soon in the Caribbean!!! Scott.
Anonymous (not verified)
Re: Pahi 26 Questions
Scott I built a Pahi 26 in Washington state USA off the grid using solar energy and simple hand tools and it took me four summers at a cost of about $14,000 US. This included a new trailer, 9.9 hp Yamaha, 5 hp Mercury, used Acchilles, 2 AGM batteries , VHF, used aluminum Z Spars Nicomat mast, 4 inch cushions throughout w sunbrella covers. new sails w sunbrella covers, polypro tramps, spantex nonskid, and top of the line standing and running rigging. We launched 'RAGA' in 2004 and have sailed in Puget Sound and the Florida Keys. I cannot see how any rig could improve on the wishboom cutter rig as designed for ease of handling and power. I built the lee boards but never used them as she points very high and foots well. Our top recorded speed is 8.6 kt. under staysail and single reef in a twenty kt. breeze and a light chop. We use a small portapotty. Keeping the weight down is essential in a boat such as this so I could not recommend a large battery bank, as space and weight are restricted unless you can afford lithium-ion batteries. We have considered an electric motor also but would use solar panels which weigh less than bateries. The 9.9 Yamaha weighs about 125 lbs. with 6 gal of fuel, and we motored 45 miles in 7 hours against the wind and tide using only a bit over 2 gal. of fuel. That was at half throttle. I chose the enging because it has an alternator and is extreemly dependable. The Gulf Stream and shoaling waters of the Bahamas and Carribean can become very uncomfortable in a boat of this length when the wind picks up. The winter noreasters can produce winds of twenty plus kts. that last for weeks and weeks. We do not consider our boat overloaded but fully loaded and I would suggest raiseng the waterline about four inches to keep the sides of the hull clean. We did. If you are serious about living and cruising with all the gear you mentioned I would suggest the 31 fool design in ethier the Pahi or Tiki. The Tikis are easier to build and less costly. I have built wood and composite sailboats since 1980, 38 in all 4 of which were cats. The designer knows best !!! Follow the plans or get the plans you want, or have the designer modify the plans for you. I have seen many disasters and broken hearts not to mention ugly and dangerous craft built by amatuers who think they know more than designers. Lastly we try not to beach or boat as it wears away the bottom paint which is etreemly costly. A large tide in the Carribean is 2 - 3 feet with 1 foot more common. Our pahi draws about 15 inches depending on the temperature ans salinity of the water and we have awoke sitting on the bottom after anchoring in 3 feet of water, no problem if the bottom is kind. When we return home next week I will post some photos for you. chuk
Anonymous (not verified)
Re: Pahi 26 Questions
Thanks Chuk, This was very informative. I have thought much about the size and find I have no problem with a small boat in Caribbean conditions. Being a single handed sailor I think the benefits of a small boat outweigh the disadvantages. The tip on raising the waterline is great! This I will do as I am a large Welsh man and tend to weigh down everything I'm in, lol. I have been building battery packs for awhile, starting with RC cars and then moving into Electric Go-Cart and Scooter racing. We've been working with Li-Po batteries which will give me an advantage in weight to power ratio and a convenient 48v system to match Kaneca 3x3 solar panels. I can't wait to pics, and thanks again. Also where abouts in the Keys did you sail, I lived on Big Pine Key right across from No Name Key, we could see the bridge from our house. Also right down the street was the No Name Pub... best pizza in the Keys.