Lake Michigan often has some pretty serious chop. And the issue with a catamaran is they are pretty binary, either on their feet or on their sides. So your family may be uncomfortable with heeling in a monohull, but will they be comfortable with a capsize? Reefing the sail (I had reef points added to my Getaway mainsail) reduces, but doesn't eliminate the possibility of a capsize. Also, cats are a very wet ride, particularly on choppy water. I don't think of catamarans as "stable", they just have higher "initial stability". The heeling action of a monohull is spilling wind and lowering the possibility of capsize. If you are going out on the big lakes when the wind and chop is up, a keelboat is safer than a catamaran in my opinion. You will heel, but not capsize (in reasonable weather).
_________________ Yet another Bob! "Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker "Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft) Too many canoes and kayaks
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