The first thing you must do when you get a foldable cat is to epoxy it together. Just a millimeter play in the joints represents 10cm of movement between the two bows. When you are racing on calm days and you catch a little gust the rigging twists and groans but nothing happens, if the beams are glued to the hulls and you catch a gust you dart forward. When looking to purchase a cat, lift one of the bows up and measure how far you have to lift before the other hull starts to rise, if it is more than 10cm then the beams have worn joints or the boat is soft somewhere. Maybe more rot resistant? More like it is rot resistant. Go check wrecks in the boat yard, the ones that are beyond redemption are always wooden cores, you cracked the deck last time you used your boat, you didn't notice, it's summer again and oh dear my boat is a complete right off...or will be in a few years. Mistakes happen. if you use your boat everyday and maintain it weekly then wood could be great but for most people when you see it, it's already too late.
