catamaran boat wiki

Catamarans: A Complete Guide to Multihull Boats

Catamarans have been a part of sailing history for centuries and continue to be popular for their stability, spaciousness, and performance. Developed by various cultures around the world, the principles of catamaran design have evolved over time to become optimized for both pleasure cruising and racing. This complete guide will help you understand the essentials of catamarans, their unique characteristics, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

From the basic concepts of multihull design, performance, and handling, we will explore the advantages and benefits of a catamaran in terms of safety and comfort on board.

Along the way, we will discuss maintenance considerations, distinctive catamaran brands and models, and how a catamaran lifestyle can compare to more traditional sailing options .

Finally, we will provide learning resources and frequently asked questions tailored to both seasoned sailors and newcomers to the world of catamarans.

Key Takeaways

• Catamarans are known for their stability, spaciousness, and performance
• This guide covers aspects like design, handling, safety, and choosing the right catamaran
• Resources and frequently asked questions provide additional insights for potential catamaran owners

Understanding Catamarans

Design Characteristics

Catamarans are known for their unique design, which features two parallel hulls connected by a deck. This design provides several advantages over traditional monohull boats, such as stability and speed.

With their wide beam, catamarans have a reduced risk of capsizing and can access shallow waters due to their shallow drafts 1 .

One of the notable aspects of a catamaran is its twin hulls, which offer increased living space and comfort compared to a monohull. Additionally, catamarans are often favored by recreational and competitive sailors for their excellent maneuverability 2 .

The materials used for constructing catamarans range from wood to fiberglass, and even aluminum for high-performance vessels. Aluminum catamarans are known for their strength, lightweight structure, and resistance to corrosion 3 .

Hulls and Construction

The hulls in a catamaran are crucial to its stability and performance. These hulls help distribute the weight evenly across the water surface, minimizing drag and allowing for smoother sailing.

In general, the hulls can be categorized into two types:

• Symmetrical Hulls : The hull shape is similar on both sides, which enhances balance and stability in various sailing conditions.
• Asymmetrical Hulls : One side of the hull is designed differently than the other, which can be advantageous when sailing upwind.

The construction materials used in building catamaran hulls also play a vital role in the boat's performance and durability. Common materials include:

• Fiberglass : A popular choice due to its lightweight, strength, and ease of maintenance.
• Wood : Traditional material that offers a classic look, but requires more maintenance than fiberglass or aluminum.
• Aluminum : Lightweight and strong, aluminum is an excellent choice for high-performance catamarans 4 .

Multihulls vs Monohulls

There's often a debate between the benefits of multihull boats, such as catamarans or trimarans, and monohull boats. Here are some key differences between the two:

• Stability : Due to their wide beam and reduced heeling, catamarans offer improved stability compared to monohulls. This makes them an attractive option for those who want to avoid seasickness or feel more comfortable on the water 5 .
• Speed : Multihull boats are known for their speed, which results from their ability to minimize drag and maintain a level sail.
• Living Space : Catamarans and other multihulls generally have more living space, as both the hulls and the connecting deck can be utilized for accommodation and storage.
• Maneuverability : While monohulls are known for their agility and ability to point close to the wind, catamarans can still offer exceptional maneuverability when properly sailed 6 .

Performance and Handling

Speed and Efficiency

Power catamarans have gained popularity for offering a unique combination of speed, efficiency, and stability. Their dual-hull design allows for less water resistance, which directly translates to higher speeds and better fuel efficiency compared to traditional monohull boats.

In addition, the wide beam provided by the two hulls ensures a stable ride even at higher speeds. This makes power catamarans ideal for cruising, fishing, and watersports ( Boating Beast ).

Sailing Dynamics

When it comes to sailing catamarans , the performance is affected by factors such as keel, rudders, mast, and sails.

Their wide beam and dual-hull design provide inherent stability and reduced heeling effect, making them less likely to capsize compared to monohulls.

I should also note that catamarans have a shallow draft, which gives them the ability to access shallow waters that may be off-limits to other boats ( Navigating the Waters ).

In my experience, the lighter weight of a catamaran and its aerodynamic design can contribute to remarkable sailing performance under different wind conditions.

The larger sail area relative to hull weight allows them to harness more wind power, further enhancing their speed and agility on the water.

Maneuvering and Docking

Maneuvering and docking a power catamaran involves understanding its unique handling characteristics.

The presence of two engines in separate hulls allows for more precise control in confined spaces such as marinas.

The maneuverability of these boats is typically improved by the use of dual rudders that are located close to each powered hull for efficient steering ( BoatUS ).

When docking under power, I find it helpful to carefully assess the wind and current conditions beforehand.

This is because catamarans can be more sensitive to windage due to their larger surface area above the waterline.

By understanding how these forces may affect the boat, I can make adjustments to my approach and successfully dock the catamaran without any incidents.

Safety and Comfort on Board

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority when sailing any type of vessel, including catamarans. A well-built catamaran offers several features aimed at ensuring the safety of those onboard.

First, catamarans have inherent stability due to their wide beam and twin hull design . This makes them less prone to capsizing than monohull boats. This stability allows me to confidently navigate various water conditions .

In addition to stability, catamarans are designed with positive buoyancy, making them almost unsinkable . Of course, safety equipment such as lifejackets, flares, and first aid kits should always be onboard and well-maintained.

Furthermore, you should also stay updated on weather conditions, avoid sailing in high-risk areas, and learn your boat's safe sail limits.

Living Spaces and Comfort

When it comes to living spaces, I value comfort and practicality as essential features for my time on the water. Catamarans offer a unique advantage in this regard, as their dual hulls create spacious living areas.

Most catamarans are designed with separate cabins in each hull, allowing for privacy and comfort when sleeping. Additionally, these boats typically feature shallow drafts , which means I can access shallow waters and anchor close to shore.

The main living area, or salon, is situated on the bridge deck between the hulls. It usually includes a seating area, a dining table, and a galley (kitchen). Large windows provide ample natural light and panoramic views, making the space feel open and bright. Some catamarans even have the option for an additional living area on the upper deck where you can enjoy the sun and breeze.

One aspect of catamaran living I truly appreciate is the ample storage available. Each cabin typically has built-in storage spaces for clothes, gear, and personal items. There are also designated areas for equipment such as spare sails, tools, and water toys. This makes it easy for me to keep my belongings organized and make the most of my time on the water.

Maintaining a Catamaran

Routine Maintenance

In order to keep my catamaran in the best possible shape, I make sure to perform routine maintenance tasks. These tasks are essential to extend the life of the components and ensure smooth sailing:

• Cleaning : Regularly cleaning the deck, hulls, and sails prevents buildup of dirt, algae, and other debris that could affect performance.
• Inspection : Periodically inspecting my catamaran allows me to detect any potential issues before they become significant problems. I pay close attention to the rigging, sails, and lines on my boat.
• Lubrication : Keeping all moving parts lubricated is vital to prevent friction and wear on components such as winches and pulleys.
• Antifouling : Applying antifouling paint to the hulls of my catamaran helps prevent the growth of marine organisms that can damage the boat and reduce its speed. Make sure to do this at least once a year.

Dealing with Wear and Tear

Despite my best efforts to keep my catamaran well-maintained, wear and tear is inevitable. Here's how I deal with common issues that could arise from regular use:

• Repairs : When I notice signs of wear on sails, lines, or rigging components, I make it a priority to repair or replace them promptly. Neglecting these issues can lead to more significant problems and affect the boat's performance.
• Hull maintenance : If I find dents, scratches, or stiff rudders on my catamaran's hulls, I address them immediately. Repairing any damage not only ensures smooth sailing but also prevents further issues from developing.
• Sail care : Over time, my sails can become stretched, torn, or damaged due to exposure to sun, wind, and saltwater. Regularly inspecting them for signs of wear and making any necessary repairs or replacements helps maintain optimal performance.
• Rust and corrosion prevention : Since my catamaran is made of various metal components, I need to protect them from rust and corrosion. I routinely check for signs of corrosion and apply anti-corrosive treatments when needed.

Catamaran Brands and Models

High-Performance Models

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in high-performance catamarans. I have seen a variety of brands and models that have impressed me with their performance capabilities. One notable brand is Fountaine Pajot , which has a long history of producing a range of sailing catamarans and power catamarans. Some of their popular models include the Tanna 47 and the Bali 4.4 .

Another high-performance catamaran I've come across is the Leopard 40 . Known for their speed and exceptional handling in various conditions, the Leopard brand started with sailing catamarans and has since expanded to include power catamarans. Their models range from 40 to 53 feet long, offering both power and luxury for those looking for a thrilling experience on the water.

Cruising Catamarans

When it comes to cruising catamarans, the Lagoon brand is synonymous with luxury and comfort. With a range of sailing catamarans from 40 to 70 feet long, Lagoon offers spacious catamarans for extended bluewater cruising. Their 60- and 70-foot power catamarans are equally impressive, providing ample living space and smooth sailing experiences.

I've also found the Aquila 42 PC to be a remarkable cruising catamaran. With a focus on design and innovation, Aquila has produced catamarans perfect for exploring the open sea with friends and family. Their spacious, stable designs allow for a more enjoyable and serene journey, ensuring you arrive at your destination comfortably.

The Catamaran Lifestyle

Anchoring and Cruising

I find catamarans to be a fantastic choice for cruising and anchoring , which is a critical part of living the catamaran lifestyle . Catamarans have several advantages when it comes to anchoring and cruising, such as:

• Stability : Due to their wide beam and twin hulls, catamarans remain stable during anchoring, which reduces the risk of seasickness.
• Shallow draft : Thanks to their shallow draft , catamarans can anchor close to shore, enabling better access to protected coves and more beautiful beaches.
• Speed : Despite their large size for cruising vessels , catamarans are generally faster than monohulls. This is a result of their slim hulls and reduced water resistance.

When it comes to anchoring, catamarans can make use of their shallow draft to anchor in locations that other boats cannot. This allows for a greater range of cruising spots, which makes the overall experience much more enjoyable and unique.

Living on a Catamaran Full-time

For many catamaran enthusiasts, the dream of living full-time on a catamaran is entirely possible. While not without challenges, there are several factors that make living aboard a catamaran an enjoyable experience:

• Spacious living areas : Catamarans generally have more living area compared to monohulls, providing ample space for the whole crew.
• Privacy : The separate hulls allow for private cabins, ensuring that everyone on board has their space.
• Stability : As mentioned earlier, catamarans are stable vessels, making living on them more comfortable than monohulls.

Choosing Your Catamaran

Comparing Models and Features

When I start to look for the perfect catamaran, the first thing I focus on is comparing various models and features .

I determine the key factors that are essential for my needs, such as size, passenger comfort, and performance. By doing so, I can identify which catamaran models are most suitable for me.

For example, if I plan to sail with a large group, I would look for a catamaran that offers ample space both inside and out.

To help me with my comparisons, I usually create a table or list of the different models and their features:

This visual aid makes it easier for me to sort the options and prioritize my considerations, such as price, yacht type, and brand.

New vs. Second-Hand

Another critical aspect of choosing a catamaran is deciding between a new or second-hand boat.

Both options have their pros and cons, and ultimately it depends on my preferences and budget.

If I can afford a new catamaran, I get the advantage of the latest design , features, and technology. Plus, I typically receive better warranty coverage and support from the manufacturer.

However, new catamarans are more expensive and can have long wait times due to high demand.

On the other hand, purchasing a second-hand catamaran can save me a significant amount of money, and I might find a high-quality boat with low mileage or well-maintained by the previous owner.

However, this option carries more risks, as I need to be knowledgeable about potential maintenance issues and conduct a thorough inspection before purchase.

Learning Resources

Books and Manuals

When it comes to learning about catamarans, there are plenty of books and manuals available.

One of the highly recommended books is Multihull Voyaging by Thomas Firth Jones. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of multihulls, including catamarans, and is an essential guide for any beginner sailor.

Another great book to check out is Catamarans: The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors by Gregor Tarjan.

With a foreword by Charles K. Chiodi, publisher of Multihulls Magazine, this book covers all aspects of cruising catamarans. It includes detailed information on design, construction, and maintenance, as well as tips and tricks for sailing a catamaran.

Here are a few more books that I find valuable:

• The Catamaran Book by Tim Bartlett, an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced sailors
• Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish by Phil Berman and Lenny Rudow, a comprehensive guide to both catamaran racing and cruising

Online Content and Photography

In addition to books, you can find plenty of online content and photography about catamarans.

Websites like Sailaway Blog and Boating Guide offer tips, techniques, and how-to articles for sailing catamarans.

Many of these sites also include stunning photography, showcasing these beautiful vessels in action.

For those who prefer Kindle or e-books, many of these resources are available in digital format.

This makes it easier for you to access them anytime, anywhere, allowing you to keep learning and improving your catamaran sailing skills.

To further enhance your knowledge, you can also join online forums and communities dedicated to catamarans.

These platforms provide invaluable advice and first-hand experiences shared by fellow sailors, as well as recommendations for additional learning resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should be considered when choosing a catamaran for full-time living?

When choosing a catamaran for full-time living, consider its space and layout , as it will become your home.

Look for a design with a comfortable living area , ample storage, and sufficient berths for the number of people living aboard.

Also, consider fuel efficiency , ease of maintenance, and the catamaran's cruising range .

Lastly, the overall cost of ownership , including insurance and mooring fees, should be considered.

How do catamarans perform in rough sea conditions?

In general, catamarans are known for their stability, which is primarily due to their wide beams. This makes them less prone to capsizing when compared to monohulls.

However, their performance in rough sea conditions will depend on the specific model and design of the catamaran. Some may perform better in certain conditions than others, so researching and selecting the right design is essential.

What are the key differences between sailing a catamaran and a monohull?

One of the main differences between catamarans and monohulls is stability.

Catamarans have a wider beam , which makes them more stable and minimizes the risk of capsizing.

They also have shallower drafts, which allow them to access more shallow waters compared to monohulls.

Additionally, catamarans often have larger living spaces, making them more comfortable and suitable for cruising and full-time living.

What are the advantages of catamarans for long-distance cruising?

Catamarans offer several advantages for long-distance cruising.

Their wide, stable design provides a comfortable ride and reduces the risk of seasickness.

They can also attain higher speeds due to their reduced drag and generally sail faster than monohulls on certain points of sail.

The shallow draft allows them to explore more coastal areas and anchor closer to shore. Lastly, their spacious interiors make them ideal for extended cruises and living aboard.

How does one assess the value of a used catamaran on the market?

Assessing the value of a used catamaran requires thorough research and inspection.

Start by comparing the age, model, and condition of the catamaran to similar listings on the market.

Take note of any upgrades or additions made to the boat, as these can affect the price.

It's essential to inspect the boat in person or hire a professional surveyor to ensure there are no hidden issues that could affect its value.

What essential features should be looked for in a catamaran intended for ocean voyages?

For ocean voyages, look for a catamaran with a strong, well-built hull designed to handle rough conditions.

Safety features such as liferafts, adequate flotation, and sturdy deck hardware are crucial.

A reliable engine and well-maintained rigging and sails are also essential.

In terms of living space, opt for a catamaran with a comfortable, spacious interior and ample storage.

Last but not least, good navigation and communication systems are necessary for long-distance ocean voyages.

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A Complete Catamaran Guide

• Post Written By: Boater Jer
• Published: January 26, 2020
• Updated: November 27, 2020

Disclaimer: You might notice that we recommend products in some articles. We may earn a commission for referring you if you click the link and buy a product.

We only recommend products we’ve tried/tested/own (that’s why you won’t find thousands of affiliate links on my site). If you have experience with one of the products we’ve mentioned, please share your experiences in the comments at the end.

There you are, out on the water when a strange craft approaches.  Is it a sailboat? It sure looks like one until it turns to face you.  That’s when you notice this boat doesn’t have just one hull. It has two hulls and it’s called a catamaran.

Catamarans are unique, and highly stable watercraft.  We’ll explore all the ins and outs of sailing the waters in one of these weird, and awesome multi-hulled craft.  Join me as we explore the wild world of sailing catamarans.

A History Of The Catamaran

It is believed that the first people to use a catamaran design were those living in Australasia.

The succession of boat design in this region was actually very interesting.  The beginning of boats in the area was simple, albeit conventional rafts. These were fashioned from logs strewn together with plant fiber lashings such as those formed using bamboo fiber.  

Catamaran Evolution

The conventional raft gave way to a minimal raft.  This design was basically a conventional raft with two cross beams added in the form of logs.  These would be eventually hollowed out to improve buoyancy.

The next step in the evolution of boats in the Australasian region was the double canoe.  This proved to be the first real catamarans.  

After some time, the form evolved further into the asymmetrical double canoe design.  In this design, one canoe was large and the other attached canoe was smaller.

The asymmetrical design quickly evolved into the single-outrigger boat like the one shown in the photo below.

The final stage of the evolution of the catamaran in the region was to gain a second outrigger.  This in effect created the trimaran with the single central hull and dual outriggers.

Eye Witness Accounts Of Catamarans

In 1697, William Dampier wrote of witnessing a type of seafaring vessel off the coast of Coromandel.  He noted how the locals called the type of boat a catamaran. He also noted that it had multiple hulls (logs) and that they were small vessels that the person operating would have to hang partway into the water, straddling the hull (log).

The name catamaran came from the Tamil.  And yet, it was easily applied by the European visitors to the two hulled sailing vessels that sped across the water in the region.

Although Dampier may have described the catamaran in the 1690s, the type of boat was actually used as early as the 5th century by the Tamil Chola dynasty.  They used boats to move their troops from one island to another. Using this design of boat allowed them to travel heavy, travel quickly and was partially responsible for the conquering of neighboring Burma, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Building A Boat – Basics Of Catamaran Construction

A boat is usually thought of as being a single-hulled vessel that travels along the surface of the water.  It can have multiple types, shapes, and designs of the hull. However, it is often only thought of as having a single hull.  But, what if it had two hulls? Would that be like taking two separate boats, and making a raft over both of them? In essence, that is exactly what a catamaran is:  two boats made into one.

Advantages Of Multiple Hulls

• More stability than a monohull
• Wide supporting base allows for larger sails than monohull craft of the same length
• Hull does not require the deep-running keel of a standard monohull sailboat
• Less hull drag in the water than a monohull
• Less power required to drive a catamaran forward than a monohull boat

Disadvantages Of Multiple Hulls 

• Due to multiple hulls, construction is more expensive than a monohull design
• Catamaran speed relies on lightweight materials to make a lightweight craft.  This also drives up the cost of construction.
• Extra engineering requirements for multi-hull craft also increase the cost of construction.

Conclusion?  Well, it looks to me like everything about catamarans points towards superiority over monohulls in nearly every way.  But, you get what you pay for. I think the same thing likely applies to cars too. For instance, I have a performance car that cost me about 10k more than the equivalent non-sports car within the same class. 

Yet to drive the vehicle, it performs so much better than the normal version of the car, it really speaks volumes to the difference between a common vehicle, and a performance one.

Speaking of performance vehicles, let’s take a look now at the different kinds and uses of a catamaran.

Catamaran Types

Commercial catamarans – ferries.

One of the most common uses for a catamaran is the commercial use of the vehicle design when it comes to ferries.  This is likely due to the wide, flat deck possibilities of a catamaran versus a monohulled boat. Not only that, but the catamaran is also a much more stable bodied vessel.  This again makes it a superior design for transporting larger land vessels like trucks and so forth. They can easily drive on the ferry without fear of the ferry tipping over.

Some ferries are designed for taking vehicles, like the one you might find in the city of Toronto.  Where it transports cars from the mainland to Toronto Island. Others are designed specifically with the sole purpose of transporting people. I took a look at one such ferry that operates in Germany.  Take a look at the following case study.

Commercial Use Case Study – The Ferry

The FRS Helgoline is a ferry catamaran operating out of Flensburg, Germany, close to the Danish border.

According to the ferry company’s website, the ferry runs using four main engines which are run to a capacity of 12,182 hp combined.  This blasts this ferry at a speed of 35 knots or 65 km/hour. This is equivalent to 40 miles per hour. That’s pretty good considering the size and weight of the ship body this catamaran can carry.

Speaking of capacity, the ship can carry 680 passengers. At 56.4 meters long (185 feet) by 14 meters wide (45.9 feet), that’s a decent passenger capacity. 

Catamaran Passenger Capacity Versus Monohull Boat Passenger Capacity 

The general rule for calculating passenger capacity for a boat is as follows.

Length x Width / 15 = Passenger Capacity

Therefore, the FRS Helgoline should have a calculated capacity calculated as follows.

185 x 45.9 / 15 = 566  

But it actually has a capacity of 680 which is a 20% increase in capacity over a standard monohull.

For comparison, let’s look at a superyacht.  A 48.5m (159 feet) long by 10.7m (35 feet) beam (width of the boat) Palmer Johnson Supersport 48 (valued at about $28.5 million dollars) should have a capacity calculated as follows.

159 x 35 / 15 = 371

In short, 26 feet of difference in length equates to 309 fewer passengers.  It is almost half of the capacity of the catamaran at 26 feet longer length.

Photo courtesy of https://sysyachtsales.com/

Commercial Catamarans – Service Vehicles

Although Catamarans are typically used as ferries due to their stability and ability to carry wide loads on their flat decks, there are many different service catamarans out there as well.  From a support vessel to a crew transfer or search and rescue, catamarans are a solid and stable platform to build a ship on.

This is the Ardea which is a 20 meter (65.6 feet) catamaran to be used for crew transport and as a support ship.  This ship was built by the Echo Marine Group and delivered to Western Australia in early 2019. This particular vessel is in the service of the Cape Preston Sino Iron Project.  

Catamarans are used all around the world, for a variety of tasks, not just ferries or support craft.

Commercial Catamarans – Cruise Lines

Now these are the catamarans we all want to be aboard, aren’t they?  Due to the wide stance, these ships can feature massive halls and wide-open interior areas.  These ships are stable, and some would say even more stable and safer than monohull design ships.  

There are many cruise ship catamarans in use today around the world.  Some of the more ‘famous’ catamaran cruises are those which investigate the Galapagos Islands.  There are several high-end, small fleet, cruise lines operating to the Galapagos which utilize catamaran design vessels as their primary ship type. 

These ships can be extremely comfortable and stable and often offer some reprieve to those who may otherwise feel seasick. It won’t stop the feeling, but the more stable the hull, the less the boat rocks around.

Military Catamarans

Catamarans make excellent military transport vessels.  They are stable and the potential to have a large, flat and wide deck for transporting land craft, troops or acting as a landing pad for vertical take-off aerial craft.  The stability of the two hulls makes the vessel an excellent candidate for military use, and thus it is used for said purpose.

As you can clearly see in the image of the USNS Spearhead, the rear of the vessel has a moveable ramp that can be used for loading and unloading land vehicles.  The interior bay of the craft is visible in the image as well, a large area for storage of vehicles, supplies and more. The crane arm on the back of the ship also shows how it is a versatile craft, set up to act as an excellent support craft with a helicopter landing pad and ample storage and freight capacity.

Recreational Catamarans

Catamaran Personal WatercraftThe wind is in your hair, the warm spray from the hull cutting over the edge of each wave as you skip over the water.  That is life, let me tell you. Personal watercraft have come a long way over the years and the small one, two, three and four-person catamarans have come a long way as well. 

Depending on the options, you can get a small one or two-person catamaran for as little as $1500 new.  That might be an inflatable though. There are some very nice, rigid hull designed catamarans for 1-4 people that range from $3500 to $15000.  And these are basically open, personal watercraft like that shown in the image below.

Using a small catamaran can be quite challenging to learn at first.  Sailing is not for the faint of heart. It requires skill, technique, knowledge of the wind and sea, and a bit of hard work.  But it can be fun, rewarding and a great way to catch some sun and fresh air out on the water. It’s a relatively GREEN sport as well.   Given the use of sails over gas-powered motors that is.

‘Sailing Cats’ – Sailing Catamarans – Yacht & Luxury Class

Here’s where we get into the dreamy boats of the rich and famous.  I priced out a small 43’ luxury Leopard 40 sailing catamaran. Even before I added any extras at all, the base price was $399,000 USD.  I imagine if I added a few of the multiple extras available, and some tax, freight and that sort of thing, I’m easily in half a million dollars.  And that’s the smallest base model.

There are all kinds of luxury catamaran shipbuilders across the world.  From Asia to Europe and The Americas, it seems any major boating country has at least one company building luxury catamarans.  It’s weird that you don’t see more of them on the water though, don’t you think?

Being sailing vessels, these luxury cats require some training in sailing before you get behind the wheel.  And considering the price point, I would definitely want to be at least a semi-decent sailor with some good few years experience under my belt before I would comfortable at the helm of a half-million-dollar sailing cat.  It’s all relative I suppose. I imagine a billionaire might bat an eye at the prospect of wrecking a half-million-dollar boat. But to me, and most of you reading this, that’s likely a lot of money.

‘Power Cats’ – Powered Catamarans

The powered catamaran is one of my favorite boats.  They have sort of a muscle car appearance with the wide and often tall front end of the boats.  I find it to be reminiscent of a large air intake on the front hood of a rally race car like the Subaru WRX, for instance.  These boats are fast, they are stable and handle very well. Catamarans are often considered the boat of choice for long sea voyages due to their stability.  

A powered catamaran will definitely cost more than a powered monohull boat of the same length.  Why? Well, the powered catamaran has one crucial downside. That is, it needs two engines. One for each of the two hulls.  Otherwise, it’s off balance for propulsion. These two engines or motors have to be in sync with each other or again, the propulsion will be off-balance.  Because they have two motors, they have double the maintenance when it comes to maintaining the propulsion system.

More components also means a greater chance of things breaking down.  In essence, it doubles the chances of the ship having a motor break down. The saving grace is that should one motor break, they have a backup, even if it does mean very unbalanced propulsion.  In contrast, a monohull vessel of the same length may only have half the chance of motor failure due to only having one motor, but if that one motor breaks, then what? Call for help, that’s what.  A cat would have a struggling chance to get itself back to port. A monohull would be dead in the water unless it was carrying spare parts or another motor onboard somewhere.

Catamaran Frequently Asked Questions

What is a catamaran cruise.

A catamaran cruise is simply a cruise on a dual hull design boat.  Often used for river cruises, the catamaran which is used as cruise ships are often considerably smaller than their giant monohulled counterparts.

What is the purpose of a catamaran?

A catamaran is a design for a boat that utilizes two hulls.  Due to the flat, platform-like-potential for the deck of the boat, the catamaran is often purposed with transporting materials, vehicles, and people.  For instance, catamarans are quite often used as ferries.

Is catamaran safe?

Catamaran are very safe water craft.   The design of riding on two hulls separated by a gap in between, in essence is like giving a car a double-wide wheel base.  The wider the stance, the more stable the craft, from side to side anyway. And if the length of the boat is proportional to the width, then it becomes an extremely stable craft.  That is why catamarans are often considered the best to be used for long voyages. Yes, catamaran are safe.

What is the difference between a catamaran and a sailboat?

A traditional sailboat is a deep, monohull vessel that has at least one mast extending high into the air above the deck to hold sails.  A catamaran refers to the design of a dual-hull boat and really has nothing to do with sails. Although, catamaran do make excellent sailing boats as well, they are quite capable of acting as power boats and do not require sails if they have the correct amount of powered motors to propel them.  Sailboats, although also able to be powered if a motor is provided, are traditionally monohull and wind-powered exclusively.

Do catamarans have small interiors?

The size of an interior cabin on a boat is typically proportional to the size of the boat itself.  If a catamaran has above-deck cabins, they will likely be able to be of a larger design than those you would find on deck of a monohull boat.  This is because a catamaran has a much wider footprint than a monohull boat of the same length. This extra width would allow for larger on deck cabins.  

How much does a catamaran cost?

A personal watercraft (1-2 person) inflatable catamaran will run you anywhere from $1500-$12000 USD, depending on the quality and features.  The rigid hull catamarans of the same size start at about $4500 USD.

A small cabin cruiser type of catamaran will typically start at about $60000 for a small base model and the price just goes up and up depending on size and features.

For Instance, a 40’, 3 cabin with 1 washroom cat will cost you about $500,000 USD for the base model.  They are considerably more expensive that a monohull of the same length. However, the trade-off is greater stability and a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Is a catamaran more work to maintain?

Technically yes.  Due to having two hulls and if powered, two motors and likely also water jets, this means you have double the oil changes of a boat that would have a single motor.  Once you get past the basic engine and hull maintenance, a catamaran is not that much more work than a monohull ship of the same length.  

The trouble with catamarans in terms of maintenance, is that once they reach a certain length, the width becomes more than a standard lane on the road.  That being said, if you ever need to transport the boat via land, it can be quite the challenge. Especially if you need to pay to have a police escort for an extra-wide trailer.  And special licensing might be involved as well.

What is the difference between a catamaran and a trimaran?

A catamaran is a dual hull boat.  In other words, it has two hulls. A trimaran has three hulls.  

Is a catamaran considered a yacht?

According to Oxford dictionary, a yacht is a medium-sized sailboat equipped for cruising or racing.  A catamaran, on the other hand, is a boat with two hulls. Therefore, a catamaran can most certainly also be a yacht.  And likewise, if a yacht has two hulls, then it is a catamaran as well.

Can you get seasick on a catamaran?

Seasickness occurs when a person feels nauseous from the swaying motion of a rocking ship.  These feelings may be lessened on a catamaran, due to their extra stability. However, a catamaran may be slightly more stable than a monohull of the same length, but it is still a boat.  And it will still make someone who experiences seasickness continue to feel the ill effects.

Are catamarans more stable in rough seas?

Catamarans are known to be more stable than monohull ships of the same length.  This is why catamarans are often the ship type of choice for long sea voyages due to their stability.

Why do catamarans capsize?

Catamarans are not known for capsizing.  The larger vessels that is anyway. But, it does happen from time to time.  Catamarans are known for their stability, so typically if a capsize event should occur, it is typical for them to be extreme circumstances.  

Personal watercraft catamarans are a different story though.  These are in fact known for tipping over. Not because they are less stable than their monohull counterparts of the same length.  But instead, because they are able to go considerably faster than monohull personal watercraft of the same length (not including powered craft though).  This is due to the sailing cats being able to have a larger sail than a small monohull sailboat of the same length.

Due to the extra sail, they are able to travel faster than monohull sailboats of the same length.  This allows them to whip around on the water and at higher speeds, whipping your cat about quick can easily send it over sideways. Extra speed means fast turns carry momentum in the direction of travel and that extra speed equates to tipping over if turned too fast.  To sum up, they capsize due to user error or extreme events.

Which is safer, a catamaran or a monohull?

Due to the extra stability of having a wider footprint than a monohull, a catamaran of the same length is the safer vessel.

Are catamarans safer than sailboats?

The same rule applies to stability versus the length of the hull.  A cat will always be the more stable length for length. However, due to their ability to go much faster than a monohull sailboat, this kind of cancels out some of the added safety due to stability.  With that in mind, they may just be about the same but there is one generalization we can make when comparing the safety of catamarans vs sailboats: At the same speed, and of equal length, sailing or power catamaran will be safer than a monohull sailboat.

How fast can catamarans go?

The speed a catamaran can go is entirely dependent upon the hull design, weight of the vessel, the strength of propulsion (be it wind or powered) and so on.  The general rule is that in terms of sailing cats vs monohull sailboats, a cat of equal length can typically go faster than a sailboat.  

In terms of powered cats vs powerboats, a powered catamaran will typically require less energy to move forward than a monohull of the same sort of hull design (but monohull of course) and thus a cat should, in theory, be able to go faster than a monohull when both are using propulsion that is equal in power.

Bibliography

• Wikipedia – Catamarans
• Mahdi, Waruno (1999). “The Dispersal of Austronesian boat forms in the Indian Ocean”. In Blench, Roger; Spriggs, Matthew (eds.). Archaeology and Language III: Artefacts languages, and texts . One World Archaeology. 34 . Routledge. pp. 144–179. ISBN 0415100542 .
• Wikipedia – Spearhead -class expeditionary fast transport
• https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/169516/Origin-of-the-catamaran/#vars!panel=1620923!
• https://www.austal.com/ships/passenger-express-56
• https://www.adventure-life.com/galapagos/galapagos-catamaran-cruises

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What Is A Catamaran Boat? (A Comprehensive Guide)

Are you looking for a smooth, stable, and spacious boat? Then a catamaran boat may just be the perfect choice for you! Catamaran boats are becoming increasingly popular for their impressive stability, roomy design, and superior performance.

In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the facts you need to know about catamaran boats , from the different types available to the advantages and disadvantages, as well as important information about maintenance and care.

By the end, you will be able to make a well-informed decision about whether a catamaran boat is right for you.

So, let’s dive right in and explore the world of catamaran boats!.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

A catamaran boat is a type of vessel with two parallel hulls of equal size.

It is typically used for leisure, sport and racing.

Catamarans are known for their stability and speed in a variety of water conditions.

They are also known for their shallow draft, making them a great choice for cruising in shallow waters.

What is a Catamaran Boat?

A catamaran boat is a type of vessel that is characterized by two parallel hulls.

This unique design provides the boat with exceptional stability and ease of maneuvering.

As a result, catamarans are becoming increasingly popular for leisure and commercial purposes due to their comfort and safety.

The design of a catamaran boat allows it to be much larger and heavier than traditional monohull boats, yet still maintain a higher speed and efficiency.

This makes catamarans an ideal choice for a wide range of activities, including sailing, fishing, and water sports.

Additionally, the two hulls can be configured to provide living spaces that are much larger than those found in monohull boats, making them an ideal option for long-term voyages and other extended trips.

Due to their stability and maneuverability, catamarans have become a popular choice for a variety of commercial purposes, such as ferry services, as well as for recreational activities.

As such, they are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations, from small models designed for sport and recreation to larger vessels designed for commercial use.

No matter what type of activity youre looking to do, a catamaran boat can provide you with the stability and comfort you need to enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience.

With its unique design, a catamaran boat can provide you with an efficient and enjoyable way to explore the seas and waters around you.

Types of Catamaran Boats

Catamaran boats come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, making them a great option for a variety of recreational and commercial activities.

There are two main types of catamaran boats: sailing and power catamarans.

Sailing catamarans typically feature two or more hulls connected by a frame and are propelled by the wind in the sails.

These boats are ideal for sailing, fishing, and other leisure activities, and they provide increased stability, speed, and efficiency compared to traditional monohull boats.

Power catamarans, on the other hand, are powered by motors and are designed for speed and efficiency.

These boats are often used for commercial activities such as ferrying passengers and cargo, as well as for leisure activities such as fishing and water sports.

Some power catamarans feature specialized designs for specific purposes, such as dive boats or luxury yacht charters.

No matter what type of catamaran you choose, its important to make sure that it is properly outfitted for your intended activity.

For sailing catamarans, this means checking the sails and rigging for wear and tear, and for power catamarans, making sure that all of the mechanical components are in good working order.

Safety is also a key consideration when choosing a catamaran.

Make sure to check and follow all applicable safety regulations and equipment requirements.

Additionally, its important to make sure that the boat is properly insured and that all of the necessary safety equipment is on board.

By doing your research and making sure that the catamaran you choose is the right one for your intended use, you can ensure that your time on the water is enjoyable and safe.

Advantages of Catamaran Boats

Catamaran boats offer a range of advantages over traditional monohull boats.

For starters, they are much more stable than their monohull counterparts.

This is due to the two separate hulls that provide balance and stability, even in rough water conditions.

This makes them ideal for activities such as sailing, fishing, or water sports.

Additionally, catamarans are much faster and more efficient than monohull boats, which makes them perfect for long-distance sailing trips.

Catamarans also provide more space than traditional vessels.

This is due to the two hulls, which allow for larger decks, cabins, and other amenities.

This makes them ideal for larger groups of passengers and more activities.

They are also much more comfortable than monohulls, as the two hulls provide more cushioning and less rocking.

Finally, catamarans are becoming increasingly popular for both leisure and commercial purposes.

This is due to the fact that they are much more stable, efficient, and comfortable than monohulls.

They are also much more affordable than traditional vessels, making them an attractive option for both recreational and commercial boaters.

With all these advantages, its no wonder why catamarans are becoming increasingly popular.

Disadvantages of Catamaran Boats

Catamaran boats are an excellent choice for recreational and commercial use, but there are some disadvantages that must be taken into consideration.

First, catamarans are typically larger and heavier than traditional monohull boats, making them more difficult to store and transport.

Additionally, they can be more expensive to purchase and maintain than other types of boats.

Furthermore, although catamarans are known for their stability, they are not as good at handling rough seas and can be more easily affected by wind and waves.

Finally, catamarans may not be good for people who want to go very fast, as they are not as fast as some other types of boats.

In summary, catamaran boats have some great advantages, such as their stability and comfort, but they also have some drawbacks that must be taken into consideration.

They are more expensive to purchase and maintain, they are heavier and more difficult to store and transport, and they may not be suitable for people who want to go very fast.

How to Select the Right Catamaran Boat

Choosing the right catamaran boat is an important decision.

You need to consider your budget, the size of the boat, and the type of activities you plan on doing.

When selecting a catamaran, you should consider the following: 1.

Budget: How much money do you have to spend on the boat? This includes the purchase price and any additional costs, such as maintenance and repairs.

Size: Catamarans come in a variety of sizes, from small sailboats to large luxury yachts.

Consider the size of the boat and how much space you need for passengers and gear.

Usage: What type of activities do you plan on using the boat for? If you plan on using it for recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, and watersports, you may want to select a boat that is specifically designed for those activities.

If you plan on using it for commercial purposes, such as ferrying passengers or freight, you may want to select a boat that is designed for that purpose.

Design: Catamarans come in a variety of shapes and designs.

Think about the type of boat you want and research the different types of catamarans available.

Performance: Performance is an important factor to consider when selecting a catamaran.

Research the boats speed, fuel efficiency, and maneuverability.

By considering these factors, you can ensure that you select the right catamaran boat for your needs.

Be sure to also research reviews of different models to make sure you are getting a quality boat.

With the right catamaran, you can enjoy a safe and comfortable experience on the water.

Maintenance and Care of Catamaran Boats

Maintaining and caring for a catamaran boat is just as important as selecting the right model for your needs.

This type of vessel requires regular care and maintenance to ensure it remains in excellent condition and safe to use.

Proper maintenance and care will also extend the life of the boat and help prevent expensive repairs in the future.

When it comes to maintaining a catamaran boat, the most important step is to inspect it regularly.

This involves looking for any damage, such as cracks in the hull or any other signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to check the rigging and make sure any ropes and lines are not frayed or worn.

If any damage is found, it should be fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

In addition to inspecting the boat, it is important to regularly clean and wax the hulls to prevent a buildup of dirt and grime.

This will also help to maintain the boat’s appearance and protect the surface from UV rays.

It is also important to check the engine regularly to ensure it is running properly and to check the batteries for any damage.

If the engine is not running properly, it is important to have it serviced immediately.

Finally, it is essential to ensure the boat is stored properly when not in use.

This includes covering it with a tarp or boat cover to protect it from the elements.

It is also important to ensure the boat is secured in a dry, well-ventilated area with no direct sunlight.

This will help to protect the boat from corrosion and other damage caused by harsh weather conditions.

By following these simple maintenance and care tips, catamaran boat owners can ensure their vessel remains in excellent condition and safe to use.

Regular maintenance and care will also ensure the boat lasts longer and remains reliable for years to come.

Popular Uses of Catamaran Boats

Catamaran boats are becoming increasingly popular for both leisure and commercial purposes due to their stability and comfort.

They are an excellent choice for those who enjoy recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and more.

Catamarans are typically larger and heavier than traditional monohull boats but are much faster and more efficient.

Catamaran boats offer superior stability, which makes them ideal for activities where you need to remain steady, such as fishing and water skiing.

For those who want to take it a step further, catamarans are also great for racing, due to their speed and maneuverability.

In terms of luxury and comfort, catamarans are a great choice.

They offer a larger interior space than a traditional monohull boat, meaning you can fit more people and amenities on board.

Catamarans also offer more living space in the form of a larger deck and greater headroom.

This makes them perfect for entertaining and relaxing, as well as providing plenty of space for fishing and other activities.

Catamarans are also becoming increasingly popular for commercial purposes.

They are great for ferrying passengers and cargo, due to their larger capacity and greater stability.

This makes them perfect for island transport and other commercial applications.

Catamarans are also becoming popular for eco-tourism, as they offer a quieter, more eco-friendly way to explore.

Overall, catamaran boats are a great choice for those who want to enjoy recreational activities, entertain, or transport passengers and cargo.

They offer superior stability and comfort, as well as greater speed and efficiency than traditional monohull boats.

Whether youre looking for a recreational boat or a commercial vessel, a catamaran is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts

Catamaran boats are an increasingly popular choice for leisure and commercial activities due to their stability, speed, and comfort.

There are a variety of catamaran boats to choose from, each offering their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

To make sure you select the right catamaran boat for your needs, its important to consider all factors, such as size, cost, and maintenance.

With proper care and maintenance, catamarans can provide years of reliable and enjoyable service.

Now that you know the basics of what a catamaran boat is, why not take a look at the different types and find the perfect one for your next sailing adventure?.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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What Are Catamarans And Their History?

Catamarans are boats with two connected hulls that are joined by a bridge. Because they are faster, more stable, and capable of carrying larger cargo than their monohull counterparts, catamarans are growing in popularity.

As a result, designers and owners have greater freedom to accommodate space needs in terms of size and usefulness than they would with single-hulled vessels.

The name catamaran came from the Tamil word “kattumaram” which basically meant “logs which were bound together”. These traditional watercraft were basically used on the south coast of India and Srilanka. They were dated back to as early as the 5th century when they were used to transport troops from one island to another.

Let us get into more details to learn more about the different types of catamarans and their functions.

What are the different types of catamarans?

Catamarans are mainly divided into two categories: sailing and power catamarans, however, both categories can be split into smaller groups by their size and use.

Sailing catamarans

These types of catamarans are mainly propelled with help of sails. The sails act as wings with which the vessel moves forward with the help of wind energy. The sailing catamarans have advanced significantly in recent years in terms of both design and performance attributes. Sailing catamarans are further subdivided based on their dimensions and functions and are classified into,

Small, mini, or sports catamarans

Depending on the size, these are also known as leisure catamarans and can carry a load of 6 persons on average. You’ve definitely seen some of them speeding through your local beach waters on hot, sunny weekends; some of them are made to be driven by one person. Those designed for use in sports have a trapeze that enables one to hike out and serve as a counterweight.

Small-day sailing cats are well-liked because they offer a secure and straightforward learning environment, and you can see fleets of them in resorts where guests with little to no sailing experience utilize them. These little cats are often made of roto-molded plastic or fiberglass, and as they frequently lack auxiliary motors, sails are their only means of propulsion

A trampoline that spans the two hulls of the sports catamarans acts as a bridge so that individuals can move from one to the other without falling into the water. They may be launched and landed from a beach as opposed to a dock because of their modest size. They have a rotating mast and a mainsail with full-length battens.

Cruising Catamarans

In the worlds of long-distance cruising and bareboat chartering, larger cruising cats have dominated. These are more stable than their monohull competitors, allowing them to securely transport people across continents. These are more stable than their monohull competitors, allowing them to securely transport people across continents.

For maneuverability, charter cats frequently have two engines—one in each hull—as well as a mast that holds a mainsail and at least one headsail.

Nowadays, cruising catamarans are more widely available than monohulls at bareboat charter firms with tropical bases, and those numbers are rising in places like the Mediterranean.

Power catamarans

Power catamarans, often known as “multi-hull powerboats” or “power cats,” are vessels without masts or sails but with larger and more powerful engines. They can be the most perfect choice for your first boat if you enjoy offshore fishing or other water sports. You get a great balance of performance, stability, and maneuverability with these powerboats. Power cats come in a range of different sizes and shapes. In terms of dimensions and functions, they are also divided into,

Center console fishing catamarans

The fishing industry is flooded with smaller power cat brands, while bareboat charter and cruise platforms are seeing the emergence of larger ones. The multi-hull performance boat frequently has a center console driver layout.  They can reach higher top speeds thanks to their higher horsepower, but these cats also need to be strengthened hulls to support the weight and power of these engines.

When used for fishing, normally lesser than 50 ft, there are several options available for live wells, rod holders, gear storage, and built-in coolers for both fish and beverages. Depending on the length and design elements of the boat, certain consoles may locate closer to the bow or aft of the vessel.

Offshore powerboat racing catamarans

Offshore powerboat racing is the aquatic equivalent of off-road auto racing. Since its inception in the late 1960s, offshore racing has changed drastically.

Though V-bottom powerboat classes still exist, twin-engine catamarans with top speeds of 170 MPH in the most powerful classes dominate the sport.

The offshore race course may be the most dynamic setting in all of the motorsports because of the constant fluctuations in a swell, wind, tide, current, and other factors. The track might abruptly change from being friendly to antagonistic.

These boats are designed and built such that they are both lightweight but extremely strong using the most advanced materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar . Manufacturing methods such as infusion are adopted to make sure the properties of the materials are not lost during the production stages.

Motor yachts and ferries

For their roominess and speed, catamaran designs have also become popular among motor yachts and commercial passenger ferries. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient, and are fairly intuitive to run.

Motor yacht catamarans have been designed with larger living spaces in mind, as well as more outdoor recreation places. The huge fly bridges provide additional space for relaxing and socializing, and electric boat davits make lifting the dinghy simple. Daily tasks like cooking can be done with ease because catamarans don’t heel.

Why Is There A Shift In Trend From Monohulls To Catamarans?

Recently, more and more often you can find catamarans in the harbors of large cities and small resorts. It can be unequivocally argued that catamarans are gaining popularity among both beginners and experienced sailors and even celebrities. But what makes them gain this popularity?

Catamarans In Terms Of Function And Utility

The enormous interior space expansion can provide the owners considerably more freedom to select furnishings without regard to size limits and more room for additional appliances like washers and dryers, which can make life on board much easier.

Due to their broader decks and roomier interiors, catamarans are frequently employed as party boats. The deck can accommodate more people without giving them the impression of being crammed into a small space.

In terms of storage, catamarans offer more alternatives than monohulls because both hulls can serve a variety of purposes, increasing the vessel’s overall capacity as well.

Catamarans are typically utilized as party boats since they have bigger deck spaces and greater room for movement. The deck can also accommodate more people without giving them the impression of being confined in a small space.

If any equipment breaks down, there is always a backup. For instance, if one of the engines on the port hull fails, we can always use the starboard engine to re-enter landfall. Likewise, if a generator breaks down, there is always a second generator that can be utilized as a backup.

Catamarans In Terms Of Performance And Stability

Due to the narrow hulls of catamarans, which serve to reduce drag forces, they frequently outperform monohulls. On performance power catamarans, the area in between the two hulls known as the “Tunnel” is built in a similar way to an aerofoil so that it behaves like a wing, boosting the aerodynamic lift forces and enhancing the overall effectiveness and top-end speeds of the craft.

Due to their stronger lift forces and lower water friction than monohulls, catamarans typically have a better fuel economy. This is because the strain placed on the engines as a whole is reduced, resulting in less fuel being used.

In terms of roll stability, catamarans are often more stable than monohulls. This offers them an advantage in terms of comfort and the ability to carry out various activities onboard the vessel with ease, as well as lowering the possibility of passengers falling on board. Because they are less likely to make passengers seasick, catamarans are typically used as ferries or passenger ships.

Catamarans provide a more comfortable ride whether they are in shallow water, deep water, or at anchor; they have a decreased chance of keeling over or capsizing in heavy winds.

Also, catamarans have a much lower draft when compared to their mono hull counterpart’s allowing them to easily ply over shallower waters.

What Are The Potential Drawbacks Of Catamarans?

Catamarans have a few minor limitations, much like any other kind of boat:

Finding dock space is frequently challenging and expensive for catamarans because they take up more room.

Power and sailing cats can both smash into the bridge deck when heading to the weather because of the way that they are built.

Additionally, because they have two hulls instead of one, sailing cats can’t necessarily aim as high into the wind as monohulls can.

Overall, a catamaran allows for greater speeds, but at the expense of much-reduced vessel control. Knowing when to accelerate and when to slow down is difficult when sailing a catamaran. A catamaran can be readily overturned in sea conditions that a monohull can maneuver securely in.

Finally, while it may be alluring to add more weight in a catamaran due to the space it provides, doing so will almost certainly degrade the performance of either power or sailing cat—something that is less of an issue on their monohull counterparts.

Catamarans are a growing trend due to their better advantages over their monohull counterparts. Despite having an ancient fundamental design, catamarans are a modern boating alternative that can be used by any boater for both commercial and leisure uses.

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Catamarans are increasingly popular for sailing and commercial use, but what sets them apart from monohulls and other multihulls?

A catamaran is a twin-hull boat with two equally-sized hulls placed side by side. They’re powered by engines, sails, or both—and they’re known for efficiency and speed. Catamarans are the most common kind of multihull boat.

In this article, we’ll go over the characteristics of catamarans and how to differentiate them from other types of boats. Additionally, we’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of catamarans and compare them to trimarans and monohulls. We’ll also go over the most common types of catamarans and their uses.

We sourced the information in this article from marine design guides, boat identification resources, and the online boating community.

Table of contents

‍ How to Spot a Catamaran

Spotting a catamaran is easy. Simply look at the hulls and count them. Catamarans have two hulls side by side and a relatively large gap between them where you can see light on the other end. Catamarans are distinct from trimarans, which have an additional hull between the two outer hulls.

How do Catamarans Work?

The principle behind the catamaran is simple. You can think of catamarans like cars and monohulls like motorcycles. Catamarans distribute their weight between hulls on either side, whereas monohulls utilize only one hull.

Evidently, cars are much more difficult to tip over and can hold much more weight. Additionally, cars are wider, as they have much more contact with the road. Catamarans work in a similar way, as they have a wide stance and contact with the surface on both sides.

Obviously, that isn’t the most precise comparison. But the basic principle is the same, and catamarans have a few notable benefits over monohulls.

Catamaran Vs Monohull

Catamarans are easy to distinguish from monohulls. A monohull is just a regular old boat with a single hull. The vast majority of boats and ships are monohulls. Catamarans have two hulls, which are usually sleek and narrow.

Here are some comparisons of catamarans and monohulls, along with the advantages twin-hull designs have over most single hull types.

Benefits of Catamarans

Catamarans have numerous benefits. The first is speed. Catamarans produce less drag than monohulls and thus can achieve excessive speeds both under sail and power. They don’t need to plane like monohulls to achieve these high speeds, and they use less fuel.

Catamarans are also much more stable than monohulls. They have a wide stance and shallow draft, and many waves and swells can travel between the hulls instead of below them. This effectively reduces an entire axis of movement and prevents catamarans from rolling excessively.

Drawbacks of Catamarans

Catamarans aren’t advantageous in every way, or else we wouldn’t bother building monohulls. The disadvantages of catamarans limit their use to niche commercial applications and high-end yachts. But what are the drawbacks of a twin-hull design?

Sailing catamarans don’t follow many of the traditional boat handling rules and characteristics that sailors pass down for generations. Some, such as hull speed limitations, are good to do away with—while others, such as responsiveness, are not.

Catamarans aren’t as quick to the helm or responsive as monohulls. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, you’ll get a lot more feedback from a single-hull vessel. Additionally, the large section of deck between the hulls of a catamaran is prone to pounding in rough seas, which is loud and uncomfortable.

Catamarans can sometimes be twice the width of an equivalent monohull sailboat, which can increase mooring fees and limit docking options.

The final major drawback of catamarans is a consequence of their stability. Traditional full-keel monohull sailboats have a very low center of gravity, which makes them roll in heavy seas but ensures a recovery.

Catamarans have a higher center of gravity, and they can’t right themselves after a knockdown. And though catamarans are less likely to roll, a severe list on a multihull is a much more serious concern than on a ballasted monohull.

Catamaran Vs Trimaran

Catamarans and trimarans are often lumped together, but they have very different design and performance specifications. Trimarans have three hulls, whereas catamarans have two.

Trimarans look a lot like catamarans from the side, but a quick glance at the bow or stern can set them apart. Trimarans are faster than catamarans, as they distribute their weight across three hulls instead of two. This helps them stay centered and reduces interference from pitching and rolling.

Catamarans are fast, but they lose out to trimarans when going head to head. However, catamarans are much less expensive to build and maintain and often have roomier cabins due to their larger hulls.

Types of Catamarans

There are numerous types of catamarans, and their uses vary widely. The catamaran is one of the oldest and most useful hull types, and some variants have been used for thousands of years. Here are the most common kinds of catamaran boats and their uses.

Sailing Catamaran

Sailing catamarans are probably what you think of when you hear the name. Sailing catamarans are sailboats with two identical hulls connected by a center deck. The largest sailing catamarans are spacious and stable vessels that are capable of serious offshore sailing.

Sailing catamarans have a number of notable advantages over monohulls. Monohulls, which are traditional sailboats with a single hull, are limited by a simple concept called hull speed. As the bow and stern wave of a monohull intersect, they cause drag which limits the top speed of the boat.

Catamarans are not bound by hull speed limitations, as they have two hulls. Catamarans can go twice or even three times as fast as similar monohulls and achieve excellent travel times.

Catamarans are also more stable than monohulls, as their wide stance and shallow draft reduce the effect of rough water. They don’t heel, as the force of the wind is counteracted by the double hulls. Additionally, modern sailing catamarans can ‘wave pierce’ by cutting through swells instead of riding over them.

Sailing catamarans come in many shapes and sizes. Small sailing catamarans, such as those used in races and regattas, are known for their speed and relative stability compared to light racing monohulls. Sometimes, they feature a smaller second hull for stability—these are called outriggers.

Sailing catamarans have spacious interiors thanks to the large cockpit between the hulls. This cockpit usually contains cooking and eating spaces, a place to sit, and a hallway between the hulls. The hulls usually contain living quarters and often mirror each other.

Power Catamarans

Power catamarans have an even greater variety than sailing catamarans. These vessels are used for everything from party platforms to ferries and patrol boats.

Power catamarans are a recent development, as engineers and marine architects now realize they have numerous hydrodynamic advantages over other hull types.

Catamarans are much more efficient than other hull types, as they have less drag relative to their size. Additionally, you can build a much larger catamaran with less material. This makes them popular for car and rail ferries, as builders can construct a very wide vessel with two small hulls rather than a narrower vessel with a large single hull.

Military and Commercial Catamarans

Even the military has found a use for the catamaran hull shape. The Spearhead class EPF is an expeditionary fast transport vessel designed for carrying capacity and speed. It has two sharp hulls and a huge cargo capacity.

The Spearhead class EPF is 337 feet long, which is about the same length as a WW2 escort destroyer. Yet despite having a similar length and displacement, these catamarans can travel more than twice as fast—43 knots, or nearly 50 miles per hour. Their great speed is a direct consequence of their catamaran hull type.

Power catamarans are also used as patrol and utility boats on a much smaller scale, with either outboard or inboard motors. The State of Texas uses catamarans to patrol shallow rivers and lakes. Texas Game Wardens utilize state-of-the-art aluminum catamaran patrol boats, which are fast enough to outrun most fishing boats.

There’s another form of power catamaran that you may not have considered. Pontoon boats are technically catamarans, and they’re enormously popular on lakes and rivers throughout the country. Pontoon boats aren’t known for speed, but they’re a great platform for a fun and comfortable outing.

Catamaran Houseboats

The final common type of power catamaran is the two-hulled houseboat. Houseboats don’t always use the catamaran hull type, but it’s common enough that most major manufacturers offer it as an option.

Catamaran houseboats have a few notable advantages over monohull designs. For one, they’re easier to build—especially when pontoons are chosen. Additionally, they’re better suited for navigating shallow water. These vessels can support more weight across their two hulls, offer increased stability, and they’re also efficient.

Why Aren’t Catamarans More Common?

With all the advantages listed in this article to consider, it may seem strange that the use of catamarans is still somewhat limited. At the end of the day, it comes down to economics—as monohull boats and ships are simply cheaper to build.

Additionally, catamarans have some distinct limitations. Monohulls have lots of storage space in their hulls and can carry thousands of tons of cargo safely in all weather conditions. Catamarans lack this space and low center of gravity, so they’re not ideal for transporting cargo past a certain point.

Additionally, monohulls work, and many people are reluctant to experiment with new designs when old designs work just fine. This rule applies to both large and small boats.

A large monohull sailboat can be constructed at low cost from stock plans and reliably sail almost anywhere. Very little complex structural engineering is involved, and looser tolerances reduce cost and maintenance requirements.

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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A catamaran (from Tamil kattumaram ) [1] is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or Vakas , joined by a frame, formed of Akas. Catamarans can be sail- or engine-powered. The catamaran was first discovered being used by the paravas, a fishing community in the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India . Catamarans were used by the ancient Tamil Chola dynasty as early as the fifth century C.E. to move their fleets to invade such Southeast Asian regions as Burma , Indonesia , and Malaysia .

Catamarans are a relatively recent introduction to the design of boats for both leisure and sport sailing, although they have been used for millennia in Oceania , where Polynesian catamarans and outrigger canoes allowed seafaring Polynesians to settle the world's most far-flung islands .

• 1 Multihull component terms
• 3.1 Pontoon Boat or Hydroairy Ship
• 4.1 Sailing Beach Catamarans
• 4.2 Catamarans for passenger transport
• 4.3 Powered catamarans
• 4.4 Cruising Sail Cats
• 4.5 Mega catamarans
• 7 References
• 8 External links

In recreational sailing, catamarans and multihulls, in general, have been met by a degree of skepticism from Western sailors accustomed to more "traditional" monohull designs. [2] The main source of that skepticism was that multihulls were based on concepts that were completely alien and strange to them, with balance based on geometry rather than weight distribution. The second source of that skepticism is that catamarans work better than traditional designs, and with less weight, therefore ridiculing the traditional concepts. In the realm of fast ferries, where their powering characteristics and spacious arrangements are of value, the catamaran has become arguably the hull form of first choice.

Multihull component terms

There are three terms that describe the components of modern multihulls (catamarans and trimarans): vaka , aka , and ama . [3] The term vaka , like the related terms aka and ama , come from the Malay and Micronesian language group terms for parts of the outrigger canoe, and vaka can be roughly translated as canoe or main hull. [4]

• Aka [4] - The aka of a multihull sailboat is a member of the framework that connects the hull to the ama(s) (outrigger). The term aka originated with the proa, but is also applied to modern trimarans.
• Ama [4] - The term ama comes from the proa. The vaka is the main hull, the ama is the outrigger, and the aka [4] or iako (Hawaiian) is the support connecting the two (not three) hulls. The term ama and aka have been widely applied to modern trimarans.
• Vaka [4] - A proa consists of a vaka, the main canoe-like hull; an ama, the outrigger; and akas, the poles connecting the ama to the vaka.

Semantically, the catamaran is a pair of Vaka held together by Aka , whereas the trimaran is a central Vaka , with Ama on each side, attached by Aka .

The English adventurer and buccaneer William Dampier , traveling around the world in the 1690s in search of business opportunities, once found himself on the southeastern coast of India, in Tamil Nadu. He was the first to write in English about a kind of vessel he observed there. It was little more than a raft made of logs.

”On the coast of Coromandel," he wrote in 1697, "they call them Catamarans. These are but one Log, or two, sometimes of a sort of light Wood ... so small, that they carry but one Man, whose legs and breech are always in the Water.”

While the name came from Tamil, the modern catamaran came from the South Pacific . English visitors applied the Tamil name catamaran to the swift, stable sail and paddle boats made out of two widely separated logs and used by Polynesian natives to get from one island to another.

The design remained relatively unknown in the West for almost another 200 years, until an American, Nathanael Herreshoff, began to build catamaran boats of his own design in 1877 (US Pat. No. 189,459), namely 'Amaryllis', which immediately showed her superior performance capabilities, at her maiden regatta (The Centennial Regatta held on June 22, 1876, off the New York Yacht Club's Staten Island station [2] ). It was this same event, after being protested by the losers, where Catamarans, as a design, were barred from all the regular classes [2] and they remained barred until the 1970s.

This ban relegated the catamaran to being a mere novelty boat design until 1947. [5] In 1947, surfing legend, Woodbridge "Woody" Brown and Alfred Kumalae designed and built the first modern ocean-going catamaran, Manu Kai, in Hawaii . Their young assistant was Rudy Choy, who later founded the design firm Choy/Seaman/Kumalae (C/S/K, 1957) and became a fountainhead for the catamaran movement. The Prout Brothers, Roland and Francis, experimented with catamarans in 1949 and converted their 1935 boat factory in Canvey Island, Essex (England) to catamaran production in 1954. Their Shearwater catamarans won races easily against the single hulled yachts.

The speed and stability of these catamarans soon made them a popular pleasure craft, with their popularity really taking off in Europe, and was followed soon thereafter in America. Currently, most individually owned catamarans are built in France , South Africa , and Australia .

In the mid-twentieth century, the catamaran inspired an even more popular sailboat, the Beach Cat . In California, a maker of surfboards, Hobie Alter produced (in 1967) the 250-pound Hobie Cat 14, and two years later the larger and even more successful Hobie 16. That boat remains in production, with more than 100,000 made in the past three decades.

The Tornado catamaran is an Olympic class sailing catamaran, with a crew of two. It has been in the Olympic Games since 1976. It was designed in 1967 by Rodney March of Brightlingsea, England, with help from Terry Pierce, and Reg White, specifically for the purpose of becoming the Olympic catamaran. At the IYRU Olympic Catamaran Trials, it easily defeated the other challengers.

The normal catamaran multihull, powered or not, consists of two Amas separated by two Akas, which may suspend a platform or trampoline between them. They can be of various sizes and recently, they have become very large.

Pontoon Boat or Hydroairy Ship

The hydroairy ship appears to be nothing more than an upgraded and enlarged pontoon boat with a formed and shaped underplatform. The general architecture is identical, consisting of two flotation chambers, for the Amas, joined by a load carrying platform, which carries the superstructure.

In 1952, Minnesota farmer Ambrose Weeres had an idea that if you put a wooden deck on top of two columns of steel barrels welded together end to end, you would have a sturdy deck that would be more stable on a lake than a conventional boat. [6] Weeres was walking the same idea paths as the early Polynesians, while proving that the ideas behind the multihull are not all that counterintuitive.

These sorts of boats are cheap and easy to make, require no ballast, and thus have good performance. Although, this design is almost exclusively restricted to power boats. It is still, essentially, a catamaran. No displacement is lost towards ballast, therefore yielding huge operational efficiencies.

The Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) is a hull form used for vessels that require a ship of a certain size to handle in rough seas as well as a much larger vessel. An added benefit is a high proportion of deck area for their displacement—in other words, large without being heavy. The SWATH form was invented by Canadian Frederick G. Creed, who presented his idea in 1938 and was later awarded a British patent for it in 1946. It was first used in the 1960s and 1970s as an evolution of catamaran design for use as oceanographic research vessels or submarine rescue ships.

Catamarans provide large, broad decks, but have much higher water resistance than monohulls of comparable size. To reduce some of that resistance (the part that generates waves), as much displacement volume as possible is moved to the lower hull and the waterline cross-section is narrowed sharply, creating the distinctive pair of bulbous hulls below the waterline and the narrow struts supporting the upper hull. This design means that the ship's flotation runs mostly under the waves, like a submarine (the smooth ride of a sub was the inspiration for the design). The result is that a fairly small ship can run very steady in rough seas. A 50-meter ship can operate at near full power in nearly any direction in waves as high as 12 meters

The S.W.A.T.H. theory was further developed by Dr Thomas G. Lang, inventor of improvements to the semi-submerged ship (S3) in about 1968. Basically, a SWATH vessel consists of two parallel torpedo like hulls attached to which are two or more streamlined struts which pierce the water surface and support an above water platform. The US Navy commissioned the construction of a SWATH ship called the 'Kaimalino' to prove the theory as part of their ship research program. The Kaimalino has been operating successfully in the rough seas off the Hawaiian islands since 1975.

Usage and Application

Sailing beach catamarans.

Although the principles of sailing are the same for both catamarans and monohulls, there are some "peculiarities” to sailing catamarans. For example:

• Catamarans can be harder to tack if they don't have dagger boards or centre boards. All sailboats must resist lateral movement in order to sail in directions other than downwind and they do this by either the hull itself or else dagger boards or centre boards. Also, because catamarans are lighter in proportion to their sail size, they have less momentum to carry them through the turn when they are head to wind. Correct use of the jib sail (back-filling the jib to pull the bow around) is often essential in successfully completing a tack without ending up stuck in irons (pointing dead into the wind and sailing backwards, see: No-Go Zone).
• They have a higher speed than other sailboats of the same size. This is because they can have a much larger sail area due to the larger righting moment. They can reach over 1.5 times the speed of the wind.
• Catamarans are less likely to capsize in the classic 'beam-wise' manner but often have a tendency to pitchpole instead—where the leeward (downwind) bow sinks into the water and the boat 'trips' over forward, leading to a capsize.

Teaching for new sailors is usually carried out in monohulls as they are thought easier to learn to sail, a mixture of all the differences mentioned probably contributes to this.

Catamarans, and multihulls in general, are normally faster than single-hull boats for three reasons:

• catamarans are lighter due to the fact there is no keel counterweight;
• catamarans have a wider beam (the distance from one side of the boat to the other), which makes them more stable and therefore able to carry more sail area per unit of length than an equivalent monohull; and
• the greater stability means that the sail is more likely to stay upright in a gust, drawing more power than a monohull's sail which is more likely to heel (lean) over.

A catamaran is most likely to achieve its maximum speed when its forward motion is not unduly disturbed by wave action. This is achieved in waters where the wavelength of the waves is somewhat greater than the waterline length of the hulls, or it is achieved by the design piercing the waves. In either case pitching (rocking horse-like motion) is reduced. This has led to it being said that catamarans are especially favorable in coastal waters, where the often sheltered waters permit the boat to reach and maintain its maximum speed.

Catamarans make good cruising and long distance boats: The Race (around the world, in 2001) was won by the giant catamaran Club Med skippered by Grant Dalton. It went round the earth in 62 days at an average speed of eighteen knots.

Catamarans for passenger transport

An increasing trend is the deployment of a catamaran as a high speed ferry. The use of catamaran for high speed passenger transport was pioneered by Westermoen Hydrofoil in Mandal, Norway , who launched the Westamaran design in 1973. The Westamarans, and later design, some of them consisting of a catamaran hull resting on an air cushion between the hulls, became dominant for all high speed connections along the Norwegian coast. They could achieve speeds comparable to the hydrofoils that it replaced, and was much more tolerant to foul water and wave conditions.

Powered catamarans

A recent development in catamaran design has been the introduction of the power catamaran. The 'power' version incorporates the best features of a motor yacht and combines it with the characteristics of a multihull.

Usually, the power catamaran is devoid of any sailing apparatus as demonstrated by one of the top-selling models in the United States, the Lagoon Power 43. This vessel has now been introduced to a number of charter fleets in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and is becoming an increasingly common sight.

Smaller powered catamarans are becoming quite common in the United States with several manufacturers producing quality boats. A small "cat" will almost certainly have two engines while a similar sized mono-hull would only one engine. All mid-size and larger cats will have two engines.

Cruising Sail Cats

Below a minimum size, about eight meters (24 ft.), the catamaran's hulls do not have enough volume to allow them to be used as living space. At the same time, the bridgedeck area isn't sufficiently sized to make effective live-aboard space either. This limits their use to beachcats and day sailors. However, once one gets above that, both the bridgedeck area and the hulls gain sufficient size for use as compartments and navigation decks. These are the cruising catamarans that are being seen more often at yacht clubs that host circumnavigators.

While more popular in the EU, they are gaining popularity in the US as well due to their superior comfort, stability, safety, and speed, over monohulls. These boats can maintain a comfortable 300 nmpd (nautical miles per day) passage, with the racing versions recording well over 400 nmpd, and they do this while being unsinkable. This is extremely desirable, for circumnavigating the world. In addition, they don't heel more than 10-12 degrees, even at full speed on a reach.

Even without the actual need to circumnavigate, these catamaran megayachts allow a level of comfort and life-style not possible on a monohull sailboat and only previously possible on large power cruisers. This is their attraction.

Due to the perceived need to retain single-handed sail handling, 45 m is expected to remain the upper limit for this class of yacht.

Mega catamarans

One of the biggest developments over the last decade in the yachting arena has been the rise of the super catamaran: a multihull over 100 feet in length, in semi-custom and custom designs.

Various international manufacturers are leading the way in this area including Blubay, Yapluka, Sunreef, Lagoon and Privilege. A catamaran 150 feet in length is under construction at Derektor shipyards in Bridgeport, Connecticut .

The emergence of the super or mega catamaran is a relatively new event which is akin to the rise of the mega or super yacht which was used to describe the huge growth in luxury, large motor yachts in the French Riviera and Floridian Coast.

One of the reasons for increased mega catamaran construction was The Race , a circumnavigation challenge that departed from Barcelona, Spain , on New Year's Eve, 2000. Due to the prize money and prestige associated with this event, four new catamarans (and two highly modified ones) over 100 feet in length were built to compete. The largest, "PlayStation", owned by Steve Fossett, was 125 feet long and had a mast which was 147 feet above the water. Virtually all of the new mega cats were built of pre-preg carbon fiber for strength and the lowest possible weight. Top speeds of these boats can approach 50 knots.

Types of sailing vessels and rigs Barque ·Barquentine ·Bermuda rig ·Bilander ·Brig ·Brigantine ·Caravel ·Carrack · ·Catboat ·Clipper ·Dutch Clipper ·Cog ·Corvette ·Cutter ·Dhow ·Fifie ·Fluyt ·Fore & Aft Rig · ·Full Rigged Ship ·Gaff Rig ·Galeas ·Galiot ·Galleon ·Gunter Rig ·Hermaphrodite Brig ·Jackass-barque · ·Ketch ·Longship ·Lugger ·Mast Aft Rig ·Mersey Flat ·Multihull ·Nao ·Norfolk Wherry ·Pink ·Pocket Cruiser ·Polacca ·Pram ·Proa ·Sailing hydrofoil ·Schooner ·Ship of the Line ·Sixareen ·Sloop ·Smack ·Snow ·Square Rig ·Tall Ship ·Thames Sailing Barge ·Trimaran ·Vinta ·Wherry ·Windjammer ·Windsurfer ·Xebec ·Yacht ·Yawl ·Yoal ↑ Catamaran Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved June 17, 2008. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 L. Francis Herreshoff, The Spirit of the Times, November 24, 1877 (reprint). Marine Publishing Co., Camden, ME. Retrieved June 17, 2008. ↑ The Tridarka Raider Tridarkaraider. Retrieved June 17, 2008. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 A primer on proas Proafile. Retrieved June 17, 2008. ↑ The UCI later created this same sort of ban, in 1934, when it invalidated Faure's record of 45 km in one hour, in July 7, 1933, on a Recumbent bicycle, with rule changes specifically designed to exclude the Recumbent bicycle, where Recumbent bicycle technology was similarly repressed. ↑ WEERES History Retrieved June 25, 2008. References ISBN links support NWE through referral fees Berman, Phil, and Bradford Scott. 1999. Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish . New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co. ISBN 9780393318807 Marchaj, C. A. 1980. Aero-Hydrodynamics of Sailing . New York, NY: Dodd, Mead. ISBN 9780396077398 ———. 2003. Sail Performance: Techniques to Maximize Sail Power . London, UK: Adlard Coles Nautical. ISBN 9780713664072 ———. 1986. Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor . Camden, ME: International Marine Pub. Co. ISBN 9780877422273 Tarjan, Gregor. 2007. Catamarans . Camden, MI: International Marine. ISBN 0071498850 External links All links retrieved November 30, 2023. Catamaran Sailing at TheBeachcats.com Site devoted to all types of small catamarans known as beachcats. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards . This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here: Catamaran   history The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia : History of "Catamaran" Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed. Physical sciences Transportation technology Pages using ISBN magic links Yacht Charter Yacht Experiences My Boataffair What Is a Catamaran? If you’re thinking of chartering a catamaran on your next trip, read through our guide and get up to speed on two hulled yachts! We offer Catamarans for charter in over 60 countries and the entire selection can be seen on our Catamaran charter page. A Catamaran is a sail or engine-powered boat with a double hull, a distinct feature that makes it immediately recognizable once you're aware of the design. People often question whether a catamaran is a yacht, and due to the sleek style, versatility, speed capabilities, and comfort, a catamaran definitely earns the yacht stamp of approval. Due to these same characteristics, catamarans are becoming an increasingly popular choice among avid leisure and sport sailors. The elegant and unique catamaran style isn't a new development - it's actually a centuries-old design that's been modified and built upon to become what it is today. The first Catamaran was created in India, borrowing its modern name from the original Tamil word kattumaram, meaning "logs bound together". The first design was simply a raft made of tree trunks, built in the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu in southern India and used to invade several Southeast Asian countries as early as the 5th century. The kattumaram quickly became the favoured vessel style throughout Polynesia and Micronesia. Evolved by American Nathanael Herreshoff in the 1870s and further developed in the 1950s, the catamaran concept really took off in the 20th century. It was soon functioning as a full-fledged yacht, able to compete in the racing arena with mono-hulled boats without compromising luxury. Nowadays, catamarans attract both sport and leisure boaters with its versatility, speed, and comfort. What are the Characteristics of a Catamaran Hull? The most obvious characteristic of a catamaran is the twin hull, but there are more benefits to the cleverly crafted underside. When compared to a monohull yacht of the same size, the catamaran hull has several big advantages. Catamaran hulls are noted for having less volume, lighter displacement, and shallower draft (ie less of the boat is below water) when compared to monohull vessels. The shallow draft is especially appealing, allowing for use in shallow water and giving the captain the option to pull the boat right up to shore without worry. Additionally, because of the hull design, catamarans boast a smaller hydrodynamic resistance, ultimately making them more economic since they don't need as much fuel to propel them forward. And for those sailors still strengthening their sea legs, the double hull increases the catamaran's overall balance and stability by reducing the amount of wave-induced motion. So long seasickness! Catamarans have a lot of space. The living area in between the two hulls offers a dining and lounging area as well as a spacious kitchen. You also find outside lounging areas at the back and in the front of the yacht. The various places to relax mean a lot of privacy on board. The two hulls further increase the privacy aspect because the cabins are separated by the central living area and each hull has their separate entrance in most cases. This makes the Catamaran the ideal yacht to charter for two couples, two families, a group of friends or a large family. The cabins in the hulls are spacious and comfortable and their sizes vary with the exact Catamaran model. So in summary, catamarans: have two hulls, usually connected by a bridgedeck can be sailed in shallow water use less fuel, because they have low hydrodynamic resistance tend to be very stable have a lot of space for dining and lounging and preparing food offer greater privacy than monohull yachts To give you an idea of the space and amenities on board a Catamaran, do have a look at the many pictures of our Fountain Pajot Alegria 67 for charter in the British Virgin Islands . How to Sail a Catamaran You're sold on the idea of a catamaran, but now comes the question, how hard is it to sail a catamaran? Learning how to sail a catamaran is relatively straight forward if you're already trained in the basics of sailing. Although it does differ from monohull vessels, the idea is the same. Be prepared to tweak your sail trimming skills and get used to the difference in motion (or lack thereof) with the catamaran. The catamaran is gaining popularity because the better-balanced hull and twin engines make it arguably easier to operate than a monohull yacht. Fluid maneuverability means that even one person can sail a catamaran as long as they've built up enough sail experience. Still, it's never a bad idea to get some formal training; the ASA and RYA both offer catamaran sailing courses to help enhance your skills. How Fast Can a Catamaran Sail? Catamaran's can cruise! Their speed is just another reason why the boat has become so sought-after in recent years. A sailing catamaran can typically perform 25% - 30% faster than a monohull of the same size. So just how fast can they go? Cats average about 10 knots with top speeds reaching around 15 knots. Just keep your weight in mind - catamarans respond sensitively to heavy loads and will perform slower if overweight. Why Charter a Catamaran? When compared to a monohull boat of the same size, a catamaran has a tendency to be a bit more expensive to charter. However, your trip itinerary might require certain criteria that make spending a bit more worth it. For example, the flat plane and stability of a catamaran are ideally suited for a family to enjoy their holidays in a lot of comfort. It is also ideal for a scuba diving holiday , allowing divers to gear up and enter/exit the water with ease. Additionally, big parties usually find catamarans better suited for their needs in terms of deck space and overall comfort. A Catamaran is the ideal yacht for a relaxing vacation as it boasts a lot of space, stability and living spaces - it truly is your floating hotel. But note that a catamaran holiday does not need to break the bank and is very affordable in comparison to a vacation in a hotel or a villa depending on the type and size of a catamaran you decide to go for.  *************************** Catamarans are a fun alternative to the traditional sailing yacht and the value for money is unrivalled for a yacht holiay. They provide comfort, flexibility and a lot of space to spend your time on the sea. You can also check out this Comprehensive guide to chartering a yacht for more information. Curious? Check out Boataffair's huge choice of catamarans to charter in the world's most sought after destinations. Frequently asked questions Yachts for Charter Experiences E-Gift cerificates Browse yachts by type Terms of Use Privacy Policy Terms of Use E-Gift Card Boataffair AG Schuetzenstrasse 43 5454 Bellikon Switzerland Send a message [email protected] +41 78 612 29 19 Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Average from 180 reviews See our customer reviews Catamaran Parts Explained: Interactive Guide (For Beginners) As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Learning a new skill can sometimes be time-consuming, and learning to sail also means learning a new language with tons and tons of new words that, in the beginning, makes no sense at all. Some of the words you will read about in this article stem from the early days of sailing. Some are only a decade old; in this article, I have tried to compile all the basic terminology that I believe a beginner needs if he or she wants to understand sailing and catamarans. Feel free to use this article as a resource and come back to it when you want to look something up or just to learn more! Table of Contents Main sections on a catamaran Hulls; are what separates a cat from other sailboats, a catamaran has two hulls, a trimaran three, and a regular sailboat, aka monohull, has one. The hull is the part of the sailboat which makes it float and to where all other things are attached. The hulls are usually divided into sections, such as usable and non-usable area. An example of a usable area is the engine room. Cockpit ; is from where the boat is maneuvered; it is to here that all halyards, sheets, etc. go. The cockpit contains navigation and steering equipment and is from where the sails, rudder, and engine are controlled. Deck; is the top part(roof) of a catamaran covering the hulls and bridge deck. The deck is made hard enough to walk on. To the deck, attaches lifelines and other equipment. Sugarscoops ; are the aftmost part that gets their name from their scoop-shaped appearance; this is where the deck/cockpit meets that water and usually encompasses a stair or ladder for easy access depending on the size of the boat. Cabin; is basically any area on the inside of the boat that is protected from the weather and is made to offer the crew space to rest, eat, and hangout. Inside the cabin, you will find berths (beds), a galley (kitchen), and sometimes specialized areas for repairs or storage. Bridgedeck; connects the two hulls; the inside is the cabin, the top part is the deck, and the entire unit is called the bridge deck. Bridge deck clearance, the bridge deck’s height above the water, is an important factor on a catamaran since a too small clearance will create excess noise and vibrations and fatigue not only the crew but also the boat. Main areas on a catamaran Bow (front). Nothing complicated here; the bow is just a nautical term for the foremost part of your boat. This is where the waves and the sea first meet the hull and depending on the type of boat, the bow(s) can be shaped differently. Center (Middle) The part between the bow and the stern is rarely called the center part( middle) of a boat; more common is to speak about the specific area situated within the middle part of the vessel, such as the cabin or the mast. Cockpit; as mentioned above, here you will (usually) find everything that you need to maneuver and navigate the boat, such as a compass, GPS, sheets, steering wheel, and throttles for the engines. Some boats may not be set up this way and require you to move around the boat to access certain controls. Cabin (inside of the boat) The boat’s interior is where you will find everything that is made for the crew’s enjoyment; it is a place to eat, sleep, rest up, and hide away from nasty weather. Berths; is a bed; sailors need to sleep too! Galley ; is another name for kitchen, usually set up in a very primitive way with a gas stove on a stabilized platform to ensure your food won’t get tossed around. Navstation; or navigation station, is a place, usually with a table, chair, and equipment for planning and logging a journey. Stern (Back) Stern is the name for the rearmost part of the boat; there is no clear definition as to where the stern stops and other parts begin, so it is something that the crew will have to figure out on their own through good communication. Communicating directions on a sailboat Not only will you have to know the different names of different areas on the boat, but it will also be essential to communicate clearly in what direction something is happening, for example, in a situation where you, the captain, want the crew to observe in a specific direction or pick up a piece of gear somewhere on the boat. Communication on a sailboat is vital when you want to sail safely and efficiently; here, I have listed the words or phrases used to communicate a direction. Forward; easy as it sounds, it is the same direction as where the bows are pointing. When giving directions towards or beyond the bow, you will use the word “forward” for example; the fender is located forward of the mast. Aft ; is the behind the boat. When you are giving directions towards the stern, you will use the word “aft”; for example, the cockpit is located aft of the mast. Port ; this will be your left side. Fun fact, in the good old days, you would always dock with the port on your left side; hence port is the left side. If you ever forget which one is which, “port” has 4 letters and so has the word”left”! Starboard ; is your right side! Types of sails Sails come in very different shapes and sizes and are a science in itself; in this article, I will focus on the mainsail and three common types of staysail. Mainsail; is, per definition, the sail attached to the mast; its sideways movements are controlled by the boom. When the mainsail is triangular in shape, as on most modern sailboats, it is called a Bermuda rig. Most mainsail uses something called battens. Staysail; mainly comes in two versions, a staysail that does not overlap the mainsail is called a jib. A staysail that is larger and thus overlaps the mainsail is called a genoa. Spinnaker ; is a big balloon-like sail that replaces the jib when sailing downwind. Parts of a sail Luff; the front part of the sail, is connected to the mast through a rail system which makes it possible to hoist or reef. Leech; the back part of the sail. Foot; the bottom part that reaches from the clew to the tack. Clew; back bottom corner. Tack; is the front bottom corner (remember “tacking”?). Head; is the top triangle of the sail and this is where the mainsail halyard attaches. Battens; are pieces of flexible material sewn into the mainsail to increase its aerodynamic shape. Battens can be full length or partial length. Standing rigging Everything that keeps the sails and mast upright are parts of the standing rigging; it is comprised of wires, cables, and lightweight metal structures. Forestay; usually a metal wire running from the top of the mast to the bow, is sometimes combined with an inner forestay that connects to the mast at a lower point. If the forestay attaches to the top of the mast, the setup is called a masthead rig; if it attaches lower, it is called a fractional rig. Backstay ; same as the forestay but attaches to the stern; most catamarans do not employ a backstay system but instead moves the side stays aft. Shroud ; much like the forestay but stabilizes the mast sideways and runs from the top to the port or starboard side. Spreaders are used to change the angle of the wire against the mast and better support the mast. Sidestay ; connects to the mast below the shrouds and is not pushed outwards with spreaders. On a catamaran, these attach aft of the mast to eliminate the need for a backstay; this makes it possible for a fully battened mainsail with a large roach. Jumpers; are used on a fractional rig with diamond shrouds to add structural integrity to the mast without adding excess weight. Bowsprit; is a pole amidship at the bow that allows for separation of the tacks (foremost, lower part of the sail) for increasing sail efficiency when using two headsails. Other stabilizing parts Spreaders; act to lessen the angle between the shrouds and the mast; a wider angle will result in forces acting sideways (stabilizing) instead of up and down (bending). This increases stability and decreases the risk of unwanted bending of the mast. Running rigging The running rigging on a catamaran is any piece of equipment used to control the shape of the sails, including what is needed to raise them. Sheet; are the ropes (or wire, cables, etc.) that connect to the clew of a sail; on a catamaran, it connects to the staysail (genoa or jib, depending on the shape). Mainsheet ; is the rope that makes it possible to change the mainsail’s angle; the mainsail can only move in a port to starboard direction(right and left) and not up and down. Staysail sheet ; is called after whatever type of sail it is connected to, i.e., jib sheet or genoa sheet. Worth notice is that since the staysail operates on both sides of the catamaran (depending on if your tacking or gybing), it is connected with two ropes, one for the port side and one for the starboard side. Halyards ; are the ropes that connect to the top of a sail and make hoisting (or raising) possible. Halyards have different names depending on what sail they are raising, such as Mainsail halyard or jib halyard. Not to be confused with sheets that act upon the sail once they are already hoisted. If the staysail is using a roller furling, then “hosting” is done differently. Furling line; is used together with a roller furling and makes it possible to spool up the sail on the forestay instead of raising and lowering. This makes for a faster and easier way to reduce sail area. Reefing lines; reefing is when you lower parts of your sail to reduce the sail area and reduce the boat’s power and speed; reefing lines are put through holes in the mainsail and attach to the boom. Boom vang; is connected between the boom and deck; it is used to change the mainsail’s shape by pulling downward on the boom. (not very common on Catamarans) In this category, we will look at the hulls and some of the vital parts that attach to them under the waterline. Hulls; differ in their shapes depending on the boat’s purpose, a racing cat would have narrower hulls to reduce drag, and a cruising cat wider hulls to encompass more storage. Rudder; is what changes the direction of the boat. When water passes around the rudders(two on a catamaran), it creates a “pushing force” that makes the boat turn. The rudder is connected to a steering wheel or a tiller at the cockpit through chains and linkage. Centerboard and daggerboards ; are sorts of keels that can be raised or lowered to attain certain sailing characteristics. When the keel is up, drag is lower, and so is the draft (how deep the boat sticks in the water). A small draft makes it possible to travel in very shallow waters. The difference between a daggerboard and a centerboard is that a centerboard swivels into place, and a daggerboard is pulled straight up. Mini-keel; is just what it sounds like; it is a keel but very small (a few inches deep) and has no ballast. Crossbeam ; is a multihull-only feature and keeps the two hulls from moving in relation to each other. If the crossbeam is damaged or nonexistent, the bridge deck is the only thing that keeps the hulls in place. This will increase wear and sooner or later lead to cracks, or even worse, separation of hull and bridge deck. Most catamarans have two engines, one on each hull aft the stern; usually, they are internal with only the propeller in the water. The other option, which is cheaper and most often found on smaller boats, is to have one outboard engine placed amidship (middle). Inboard ; engines are situated in a compartment inside the boat at the stern. On an inboard engine, the propeller and the shaft are the only parts outside the hull. Sometimes the prop shaft (propeller shaft) is replaced by a sail drive. Outboard ; is a standalone engine usually mounted on the bridge deck amidship(if only one is used) or mounted at the sterns when used in pairs. They are linked together with pushing rods and wires so it can be manipulated from the cockpit. Saildrive ; is a type of gearbox that is quieter and vibrates less than a regular propeller and shaft setup. Propeller and shaft; are the most common and cheapest way to propel your boat. It is basically just a watertight axel that sticks out of the hull, and at the end of it, you’ll find the propeller. There are so many pieces of gear aboard a catamaran that an all-encompassing article would probably fill up the entire internet. Below I have listed the most common equipment that you will most likely encounter on any sailboat. Winches; makes handling lines and ropes much easier. Instead of pulling them with your bare hands, you loop them around your winch and use the handle to crank. Winches come in mechanical style or electrical style. Anchors ; is basically just a big hook made to stick to the bottom of the sea. Anchors have different shapes and weights depending not only on the seabed but also on the boat’s weight and size. Navigation ; compass, GPS, and maps are all vital pieces of equipment making your trip safe. Cleats ; is any equipment that is made to fasten a rope. Cleats come in different configurations; jam, cam, rope clutch, or the most common horn cleat. Block ; is a device that can be used in pairs as a pulley (to reduce the force needed to lift something) or on its own to reduce the friction of a rope when the rope can not be drawn in a straight line. Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran! Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Recent Posts Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors! Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. 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The first World Cat is built in Greenville, NC with a new mold and new hull. By fall of 1998, the World Cat brand is launched with three models: the 246 Sport Fisherman (SF), 266 Sport Cuddy (SC), and 266 Sport Fisherman (SF). The 246DC Dual Console launches. A World Cat wins the Bermuda Challenge – a run from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda. The acquisition and renovation of a new facility is the start of transitioning production to Tarboro, NC. Chris Peters sets the World Record Maco Shark in a 246SF. World Cat launches the 33’ TE Center Console, an innovative performance boat. At the time, it was the largest outboard boat in production and the first outboard boat to feature the new Suzuki 300HP 4-stroke engines, an absolute game changer. World Cat introduces a truly complex and innovative design with the 320EC, featuring World Cat’s first hull with a cabin and separate head. World Cat secures its staying power by acquiring Glacier Bay and Livingston Catamaran Boats, while reinforcing its commitment to A Better Way To Boat™. World Cat launches its first family fish friendly hull and deck design with the new 320CC Center Console. World Cat officially enters the inshore audience with the launch of the 230CC and 230DC. For the first time, World Cat launches a boat that does not focus on fishing first with the 230SD, featuring a refined family and cruising boating experience. World Cat launches the largest dual console outboard boat on the market with the 320DC. The 280CC-X and 280DC-X is launched, featuring a new hull style line, designed to deliver a refined look at top speeds. The new flagship 40’ hull emerges with the launch of the 400DC-X, becoming the largest dual console catamaran to ever hit the market. Quickly following was the 400CC-X Center Console featuring the innovative Cat-Track™ seating. World Cat celebrates their 25th Anniversary year. World Cat introduces the all-new 260CC-X. World Cat introduces the all-new 260DC-X. Yachting World Digital Edition James Wharram: life and legacy of the iconic designer January 29, 2024 Julien Girardot meets Hanneke Boon in Cornwall to discover the legend and legacy of pioneering catamaran designer James Wharram Falmouth, Cornwall, 1955: a legend is born along Customs House Quay. A smartly dressed young man with wild, curly hair has launched a 23ft catamaran, built in just a few months for the modest sum of £200 (the equivalent of around £6,500 today). Rigged as a ketch with battened junk sails, the aptly named Tangaroa (meaning ‘God of the Sea’ in Polynesian) marked the beginning of the epic Wharram story. At the time, catamarans were considered dangerous and eccentric, while yachting was a pastime largely reserved for high society. But sailing already has other visionaries. On the deck of Tangaroa, beside James, are two young women: Jutta Schulze-Rhonhof and Ruth Merseburger. In puritanical post-war England, setting off to cross the Atlantic with two young women – and German ones at that – was downright shocking! But these three young people care not a jot about conventional thinking. They dream of adventure and their enterprise is an act of defiance. For years James Wharram has nurtured a passion for the history of sailing pioneers and the ethnic origins of the multihull. Devouring every book on the subject he could lay his hands on, he discovered the story of Joshua Slocum, the first solo circumnavigator (1895-1898), and the voyage of Kaimiloa by the Frenchman Eric de Bisschop. The tale, published in English in 1940, of de Bisschop’s attempt to prove the seaworthiness of double canoes by making a voyage from Hawaii to France on a catamaran he had built on the beach, became Wharram’s primary source of inspiration. Riding out the storm: James Wharram at the helm of Tangaroa in Biscay in 1955. Photo: Julien Girardot Wharram disagreed with many assumptions of the time, and his first Atlantic crossing was an opportunity to refute Thor Heyerdahl’s theory on the settlement of the Pacific islands. Wharram contested the assertion of the Danish anthropologist who, after his voyage aboard the Kon-Tiki in 1947, affirmed that the boats used were simple rafts. Wharram was convinced that the boats were more akin to double canoes with sails, capable of going upwind and holding a course. These early multihulls, consisting of two hollowed-out tree trunks, were connected by crossbeams bound together with plant fibre. The sails were probably made from what is known as ‘tapa’ in Polynesia, hammered tree bark, which was also used to make clothes. The three young adventurers left Falmouth on 27 September 1955 on a boat loaded with books, basic foods, and very little else. Despite a fraught passage, encountering storms in the Bay of Biscay and being suspected of being spies by Franco’s Guardia Civil, the trio successfully crossed the Atlantic and reached the island of Trinidad on 2 February 1957. Without a penny to their name, they adopted a simple island life, and Jutta gave birth to her and James’ first child, Hannes. The unconventional polyamorous family lived aboard a raft inspired by the floating dwellings of the Pacific, nicknamed ‘the paradise island of the South Seas’. Tangaroa, now tired, was abandoned, as Wharram decided to build a new catamaran. By chance, two solo sailors came to anchor in the bay where the Wharram tribe lived afloat, and the legendary Bernard Moitessier and Henry Wakelam helped Wharram build his new design, Rongo. Wharram, Merseburger and Schulze-Rhonhof aboard Tangaroa in Falmouth, 1955, before their Atlantic crossing. Photo: Julien Girardot Thanks to the experience of his first transatlantic voyage, as well as knowledge gathered from Wharram’s endless reading, Rongo was much more accomplished. While Tangaroa was flat-bottomed, Rongo has V-hulls. To prove the design’s seaworthy qualities, Wharram decided to tackle the North Atlantic, sailing from west to east with his two companions. This route was known to strike fear into the hearts of multihull sailors of the time, as the two previous attempts had tragically ended in two deaths. The crew left La Martinique for New York on 16 April 1959, one year after Rongo’s construction began. The return voyage to Conwy in Wales took 50 days, but the gamble paid off, and Wharram’s new design was the first to achieve what many thought impossible. The curly-haired eccentric became something of a celebrity, and following his great Atlantic adventure, James published his first book, Two girls, Two Catamarans. The years that followed were Wharram’s golden age, with plans released to suit every budget and every dream. Soon there were Wharram designs all over the world, connected by a powerful community spirit. Drawing a Wharram My own journey to this remote corner of Cornwall began decades before. After 15 years of travelling the world, inventing and reinventing my life, including many years living in the Pacific islands, I felt the need to capture these experiences by creating the boat of my dreams. Illustrations inspired by a visit to the Wharram design office in Cornwall. Image: Benjamin Flao While living in Tuamotu, I was involved in several incredible projects to build traditional sailing canoes under the directive of talented local Tahitian boatbuilder, Alexandre Genton (now chief of operations at Blue Composite shipyard in Tahiti). At first we launched small single-seat sailing canoes with two outrigger floats. These are the simplest way to sail: a sheet in one hand, a paddle in the other, which you plunge over the side of the canoe into the water, and it makes a perfect rudder. Then we built a larger version, Va’a Motu, for a hotel in Bora Bora, of splendid stripped kauri planking. Finally, we worked with the local population to build an ambitious 30ft Va’a Motu with a single ama, on the atoll of Fakarava in the Tuamotu archipelago. Curiously, after many experimental trials at building and sailing canoes, my imagined ideal yacht turned out to be something very close to a Wharram design, which I learned as soon as I shared my first cautious sketches with friends. I realised I had to meet James Wharram. In October 2021, I dialled the number of JW Designs. A woman answered; James’ long-term life and business partner Hanneke Boon. I tell her my ideas to build from one of their plans: the Islander 39. We began an email exchange and when I asked her what James thought of this model, in November 2021, less than a month before he died, she replied: “James is enthusiastic about your project. He’s now 93 years old and nearing the end of his life. The Pahi 63 Spirit of Gaia which Wharram and Boon sailed around the world. Image: Benjamin Flao “He has been looking at the Islander 39 design for several years and often says, ‘I wish I had one myself.’ It’s the only Wharram design that has never been built, so your project is a wish come true for him.” On 14 December 2021, James Wharram passed away. Out of respect for the bereavement, and due to Covid-related travel restrictions, we decided to postpone our meeting. Some months later on a beautiful spring afternoon, I landed in Plymouth with my friend and artist Benjamin Flao, himself the owner of a Wharram-designed Tiki 28, and headed for Devoran near Truro in Cornwall, the stronghold of the Wharram family. Hanneke welcomes us into her office. It is a beautiful wooden cabin, warm and bright, overlooking the changing lights of Cornwall. The place looks like a museum telling the story of a life of travel and passion through yacht models, photographs and unusual objects. James is there, you can feel it. A glance at the shelves of the library shows an impressive array of rare and precious books, mostly dealing with navigation and shipbuilding in Oceania, and demonstrates the seriousness with which Wharram and Boon studied the history and technicality of ‘double canoes’. “I’d like our boats to be called double canoes and not catamarans, which I think is a mistake,” Hanneke explains. The word catamaran, originally pronounced ‘catamaron’, comes from the Tamil dialect of katta ‘to bind’ and maram ‘wood’, as they were actually one-man rafts used to work on the outer hull of ships. The English pirate and adventurer William Dampier, in the 1690s, was the first to describe a two-hulled vessel as a catamaran, but although catamarans might be the commonly accepted word nowadays, it’s actually a mistake. oon unfolds the plans of the Islander 39, the only Wharram design that has never been built. Many plans were hand-drawn by Boon. Photo: Julien Girardot Hanneke unfolds the Islander 39 plan on her drawing board. Like all Wharram plans for half a century, it has been marked with her signature. Despite this unique pencil stroke, she has remained in the shadow of Wharram’s mythology for 50 years. Since 1970, Boon has drawn the majority of the construction plans by hand. They’re works of art and the best way to imagine yourself aboard a Wharram. Without her, JW Designs would not be what it is. Originally from the Netherlands, Boon grew up in a family of sailing enthusiasts. By the age of 14 she was already building small canoes and at the age of 20 she joined the Wharram team and quickly became his co-designer. They criss-crossed the Atlantic twice in quick succession aboard Tehini, the crab claw-rigged double canoe on which James and several women lived for 10 years. Since then, Hanneke has escaped from her office whenever she can to sail thousands of miles on all the seas of the world, always using a double canoe. Those radical vessels included the Spirit of Gaia, also built on site, through a sliding door next to Hanneke’s office. It was aboard this 63ft Pahi, Wharram’s flagship, that the Wharrams sailed around the world from 1994 to 1998. James described Spirit of Gaia as “a beautifully shaped woman he was in love with”. Boon’s design office is adjacent to the Wharram HQ in Devoran and looks out over one of the River Fal’s many creeks. Photo: Julien Girardot In Wharram’s wake James and Hanneke’s home is a former veterinary surgery. The furnishings are basic, with only the essentials, but the doors close by themselves, thanks to an ingenious system of weights, ropes and pulleys. Benjamin and I offer to shop and cook, and in the living room, we put the dishes down and eat on the floor, like on the deck of a Wharram. Jamie, James and Hanneke’s son, joins us for the meal with his partner Liz. “James has remained the icon of the business, but it’s really Hanneke who has been doing the job for the last 10 years. She is JW Designs,” confides Liz. Jamie is at first more subdued, but talking to him you soon discover a true character. Given the world he grew up in, it’s surprising to learn that sailing is not really his thing: “I get bored quickly at sea and I’m sick most of the time! I prefer to be underwater. Above the line is not my thing. Evocative illustration of the Wharram workshop in Devoran, Cornwall. Image: Benjamin Flao “I do like the calmness of the ocean though, that parenthesis effect, detached from our hectic lives on land. In fact, I think the best thing about sailing is remembering long voyages, not making them,” Jamie jokes. But he is keen to preserve Wharram’s legacy and the couple are thinking ahead to when Hanneke can no longer hold the fort. “As long as Hanneke is alive, the business will be run in her own way. But it’s certain that something will be put in place to enable people to continue to acquire the building plans, at the very least, this service will remain guaranteed.” Back in the office next door, Nicki John answers clients and sends plans around the world. She’s only been with JWD for a couple of years, but that’s long enough for her to fall in love with the company’s story. “One of the things I loved about James was that he came in every day. He’d knock on the door and jokingly ask, ‘Do you have time for some gossip?’ And then he’d tell me all sorts of stories. His travels, the women he had shared his life with, it was fascinating. When he was 18, he hitchhiked to Europe, smuggling coffee on the black market to finance his adventures. James’ story is just phenomenal. Mana 24 is available as a CNC-cut self-build kit boat. Photo: Julien Girardot “One day James came in, took out a plan, unfolded it as he sat down, and said, ‘Aren’t they beautiful?’ James was deeply convinced of Hanneke’s talent. He never stopped admiring her,” Nicki says fondly. The community Wharram fosters is unique. Nicki shows us a photo that defines the ‘Wharram spirit’, of the hull of a Wharram being lifted out of the second floor window of a home in England. With no shed to build their Wharram design, they decided to use their living room as a boatyard. “This picture shows that if you really want to build a Wharram, you can do it anywhere,” says Nicki, “During Covid, we sold a lot more plans. Confined, people dreamed of freedom and took time to figure out how they wanted to live their lives.” Now it’s Hanneke’s turn to shine as the head of JWD. In contrast to the technologically-led path that sailing often follows, James and Hanneke’s ‘low tech’ approach drives those who follow it to reconnect with past knowledge, practices, and philosophical approaches to our relationship with the world and the way we live in it. Their love of minimalism is also at odds with many trends in modern yachting, but it brings its own luxury. The joy of not having too much of anything allows you to make room for the essentials, and for the beauty that surrounds you. My dream of building Wharram’s unfulfilled plan, the Islander 39, remains. I’m in no hurry. Like the libertarian vision of James Wharram, it endures. If you enjoyed this…. Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price. A catamaran ( / ˌ k æ t ə m ə ˈ r æ n / ) (informally, a "cat") is a watercraft with two parallel hulls of equal size. The distance between a catamaran's hulls imparts resistance to rolling and overturning. Catamarans typically have less hull volume, smaller displacement , and shallower draft (draught) than monohulls of comparable length. The two hulls combined also often have a smaller hydrodynamic resistance than comparable monohulls, requiring less propulsive power from either sails or motors. The catamaran's wider stance on the water can reduce both heeling and wave-induced motion, as compared with a monohull, and can give reduced wakes. Development in Austronesia Traditional catamarans, western development of sailing catamarans, performance, swath and wave-piercing designs, applications, passenger transport, further reading. Catamarans were invented by the Austronesian peoples , and enabled their expansion to the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans . [1] Catamarans range in size from small sailing or rowing vessels to large naval ships and roll-on/roll-off car ferries. The structure connecting a catamaran's two hulls ranges from a simple frame strung with webbing to support the crew to a bridging superstructure incorporating extensive cabin and/or cargo space. Catamarans from Oceania and Maritime Southeast Asia became the inspiration for modern catamarans. Until the 20th century catamaran development focused primarily on sail-driven concepts. The word "catamaran" is derived from the Tamil word, kattumaram (கட்டுமரம்), which means "logs bound together" and is a type of single-hulled raft made of three to seven tree trunks lashed together. The term has evolved in English usage to refer to unrelated twin-hulled vessels. [2] [3] [4] Catamaran-type vessels were an early technology of the Austronesian peoples . Early researchers like Heine-Geldern (1932) and Hornell (1943) once believed that catamarans evolved from outrigger canoes , but modern authors specializing in Austronesian cultures like Doran (1981) and Mahdi (1988) now believe it to be the opposite. [5] [6] [1] Two canoes bound together developed directly from minimal raft technologies of two logs tied together. Over time, the twin-hulled canoe form developed into the asymmetric double canoe, where one hull is smaller than the other. Eventually the smaller hull became the prototype outrigger , giving way to the single outrigger canoe, then to the reversible single outrigger canoe. Finally, the single outrigger types developed into the double outrigger canoe (or trimarans ). [5] [6] [1] This would also explain why older Austronesian populations in Island Southeast Asia tend to favor double outrigger canoes, as it keeps the boats stable when tacking . But they still have small regions where catamarans and single-outrigger canoes are still used. In contrast, more distant outlying descendant populations in Oceania , Madagascar , and the Comoros , retained the twin-hull and the single outrigger canoe types, but the technology for double outriggers never reached them (although it exists in western Melanesia ). To deal with the problem of the instability of the boat when the outrigger faces leeward when tacking, they instead developed the shunting technique in sailing, in conjunction with reversible single-outriggers. [5] [6] [1] [7] [8] Despite their being the more "primitive form" of outrigger canoes, they were nonetheless effective, allowing seafaring Polynesians to voyage to distant Pacific islands . [9] The following is a list of traditional Austronesian catamarans: Island Melanesia : Fiji : Drua (or waqa tabu ) Papua New Guinea : Lakatoi Tonga : Hamatafua , kalia , tongiaki Cook Islands : Vaka katea Hawaii : Waʻa kaulua Marquesas : Vaka touʻua New Zealand : Waka hourua Samoa : ʻAlia , amatasi , va'a-tele Society Islands : Pahi , tipairua The first documented example of twin-hulled sailing craft in Europe was designed by William Petty in 1662 to sail faster, in shallower waters, in lighter wind, and with fewer crew than other vessels of the time. However, the unusual design met with skepticism and was not a commercial success. [10] [11] The design remained relatively unused in the West for almost 160 years until the early 19th-century, when the Englishman Mayflower F. Crisp built a two-hulled merchant ship in Rangoon, Burma . The ship was christened Original . Crisp described it as "a fast sailing fine sea boat; she traded during the monsoon between Rangoon and the Tenasserim Provinces for several years". [12] [13] Later that century, the American Nathanael Herreshoff constructed a twin-hulled sailing boat of his own design (US Pat. No. 189,459). [14] The craft, Amaryllis , raced at her maiden regatta on June 22, 1876, and performed exceedingly well. Her debut demonstrated the distinct performance advantages afforded to catamarans over the standard monohulls. It was as a result of this event, the Centennial Regatta of the New York Yacht Club, that catamarans were barred from regular sailing classes, and this remained the case until the 1970s. [15] On June 6, 1882, three catamarans from the Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans raced a 15   nm course on Lake Pontchartrain and the winning boat in the catamaran class, Nip and Tuck , beat the fastest sloop's time by over five minutes. [16] [17] In 1916, Leonardo Torres Quevedo patented a multihull steel vessel named Binave (Twin Ship), a new type of catamaran which was constructed and tested in Bilbao ( Spain ) in 1918. The innovative design included two 30 HP Hispano-Suiza marine engines and could modify its configuration when sailing , positioning two rudders at the stern of each float, with the propellers also placed aft . [18] [19] [20] In 1936, Eric de Bisschop built a Polynesian "double canoe" in Hawaii and sailed it home to a hero's welcome in France. In 1939, he published his experiences in a book, Kaimiloa , which was translated into English in 1940. [21] Roland and Francis Prout experimented with catamarans in 1949 and converted their 1935 boat factory in Canvey Island , Essex (England), to catamaran production in 1954. Their Shearwater catamarans easily won races against monohulls. Yellow Bird, a 1956-built Shearwater III , raced successfully by Francis Prout in the 1960s, is in the collection of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall . [22] Prout Catamarans , Ltd. designed a mast aft rig with the mast aft of midships to support an enlarged jib—more than twice the size of the design's reduced mainsail; it was produced as the Snowgoose model. [23] The claimed advantage of this sail plan was to diminish any tendency for the bows of the vessel to dig in. [24] [25] In the mid-twentieth century, beachcats became a widespread category of sailing catamarans, owing to their ease of launching and mass production. In California, a maker of surfboards , Hobie Alter , produced the 250-pound (110   kg) Hobie 14 in 1967, and two years later the larger and even more successful Hobie 16 . As of 2016, the Hobie 16 was still being produced with more than 100,000 having been manufactured. [26] Catamarans were introduced to Olympic sailing in 1976. The two-handed Tornado catamaran was selected for the multihull discipline in the Olympic Games from 1976 through 2008. It was redesigned in 2000. [27] The foiling Nacra 17 was used in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were held in 2021; [28] [29] after the 2015 adoption of the Nacra 15 as a Youth World Championships class and as a new class for the Youth Olympic Games. [30] [31] Catamarans have two distinct primary performance characteristics that distinguish them from displacement monohull vessels: lower resistance to passage through the water and greater stability (initial resistance to capsize). Choosing between a monohull and catamaran configuration includes considerations of carrying capacity, speed, and efficiency. At low to moderate speeds, a lightweight catamaran hull experiences resistance to passage through water that is approximately proportional to its speed. A displacement monohull has the same relationship at low speed since resistance is almost entirely due to surface friction. When boat speed increases and waves are generated the resistance is dependant on several design factors, particularly hull displacment to length and hull separation to length ratio, it is a non trivial resistance curve with many small peaks as wave trains at various speeds combine and cancel [32] . [33] For powered catamarans, this implies smaller power plants (although two are typically required). For sailing catamarans, low forward resistance [34] allows the sails to derive power from attached flow , [35] their most efficient mode—analogous to a wing—leading to the use of wingsails in racing craft. [36] Catamarans rely primarily on form stability to resist heeling and capsize. [33] Comparison of heeling stability of a rectangular-cross section monohull of beam, B , compared with two catamaran hulls of width B /2, separated by a distance, 2× B , determines that the catamaran has an initial resistance to heeling that is seven times that of the monohull. [37] Compared with a monohull, a cruising catamaran sailboat has a high initial resistance to heeling and capsize—a fifty-footer requires four times the force to initiate a capsize than an equivalent monohull. [38] One measure of the trade-off between speed and carrying capacity is the displacement Froude number (Fn V ) , [39] compared with calm water transportation efficiency . [40] Fn V applies when the waterline length is too speed-dependent to be meaningful—as with a planing hull. [41] It uses a reference length, the cubic root of the volumetric displacement of the hull, V , where u is the relative flow velocity between the sea and ship, and g is acceleration due to gravity : Calm water transportation efficiency of a vessel is proportional to the full-load displacement and the maximum calm-water speed, divided by the corresponding power required. [42] Large merchant vessels have a Fn V between one and zero, whereas higher-performance powered catamarans may approach 2.5, denoting a higher speed per unit volume for catamarans. Each type of vessel has a corresponding calm water transportation efficiency, with large transport ships being in the range of 100–1,000, compared with 11-18 for transport catamarans, denoting a higher efficiency per unit of payload for monohulls. [40] Two advances over the traditional catamaran are the small-waterplane-area twin hull (SWATH) and the wave-piercing configuration—the latter having become a widely favored design. SWATH reduces wave-generating resistance by moving displacement volume below the waterline, using a pair of tubular, submarine-like hulls, connected by pylons to the bridge deck with a narrow waterline cross-section. The submerged hulls are minimally affected by waves. [43] The SWATH form was invented by Canadian Frederick G. Creed , who presented his idea in 1938 and was later awarded a British patent for it in 1946. It was first used in the 1960s and 1970s as an evolution of catamaran design for use as oceanographic research vessels or submarine rescue ships. [44] In 1990, the US Navy commissioned the construction of a SWATH ship to test the configuration. [45] SWATH vessels compare with conventional powered catamarans of equivalent size, as follows: [43] Larger wetted surface, which causes higher skin friction drag Significant reduction in wave-induced drag, with the configuration of struts and submerged hull structures Lower water plane area significantly reduces pitching and heaving in a seaway No possibility of planing Higher sensitivity to loading, which may bring the bridge structure closer to the water Wave-piercing catamarans (strictly speaking they are trimarans , with a central hull and two outriggers) employ a low-buoyancy bow on each hull that is pointed at the water line and rises aft, up to a level, to allow each hull to pierce waves, rather than ride over them. This allows higher speeds through waves than for a conventional catamaran. They are distinguished from SWATH catamarans, in that the buoyant part of the hull is not tubular. The spanning bridge deck may be configured with some of the characteristics of a normal V-hull, which allows it to penetrate the crests of waves. [46] Wave-piercing catamaran designs have been employed for yachts, [47] passenger ferries, [48] and military vessels. [49] A catamaran configuration fills a niche where speed and sea-kindliness is favored over bulk capacity. In larger vessels, this niche favors car ferries and military vessels for patrol or operation in the littoral zone. Recreational and sport catamarans typically are designed to have a crew of two and be launched and landed from a beach. Most have a trampoline on the bridging structure, a rotating mast and full-length battens on the mainsail. Performance versions often have trapezes to allow the crew to hike out and counterbalance capsize forces during strong winds on certain points of sail. [50] For the 33rd America's Cup , both the defender and the challenger built 90-foot (27   m) long multihulls. Société Nautique de Genève , defending with team Alinghi , sailed a catamaran. The challenger, BMW Oracle Racing, used a trimaran, replacing its soft sail rig with a towering wing sail —the largest sailing wing ever built. In the waters off Valencia , Spain in February 2010, the BMW Oracle Racing trimaran with its powerful wing sail proved to be superior. This represented a break from the traditional monohulls that had always been sailed in previous America's Cup series. [51] On San Francisco Bay, the 2013 America's Cup was sailed in 72-foot (22   m) long AC72 catamarans (craft set by the rules for the 2013 America's Cup). Each yacht employed hydrofoils and a wing sail. The regatta was won 9–8 by Oracle Team USA against the challenger, Emirates Team New Zealand , in fifteen matches because Oracle Team USA had started the regatta with a two-point penalty. [52] [53] Yachting has seen the development of multihulls over 100 feet (30   m) in length. " The Race " helped precipitate this trend; it was a circumnavigation challenge which departed from Barcelona, Spain, on New Year's Eve, 2000. Because of the prize money and prestige associated with this event, four new catamarans (and two highly modified ones) over 100 feet (30   m) in length were built to compete. The largest, PlayStation , owned by Steve Fossett , was 125 feet (38   m) long and had a mast which was 147 feet (45   m) above the water. Virtually all of the new mega-cats were built of pre-preg carbon fiber for strength and the lowest possible weight. The top speeds of these boats can approach 50 knots (58   mph; 93   km/h) . The Race was won by the 33.50   m (109.9   ft) -long catamaran Club Med skippered by Grant Dalton . It went round the globe in 62 days at an average speed of 18 knots (21   mph; 33   km/h) . [54] Whitewater catamaran—sometimes called "cata-rafts"—for whitewater sports are widely spread in post-Soviet countries . They consists of two inflatable hulls connected with a lattice scaffold. The frame of the tourist catamaran can be made of both aluminum (duralumin) pipes and from felled tree trunks. The inflatable part has two layers—an airtight balloon with inflation holes and a shell made of dense tissue, protecting the balloon from mechanical damage. Advantages of such catamarans are light weight, compactness and convenience in transportation (the whole product is packed in one pack-backpack, suitable for air traffic standards) and the speed of assembly (10–15 minutes for the inflation). [55] All-inflatable models are available in North America. [56] A cata-raft design has been used on the Colorado River to handle heavy whitewater, yet maintain a good speed through the water. [57] Cruising sailors must make trade-offs among volume, useful load, speed, and cost in choosing a boat. Choosing a catamaran offers increased speed at the expense of reduced load per unit of cost. Howard and Doane describe the following tradeoffs between cruising monohulls and catamarans: [38] A long-distance, offshore cruising monohull may be as short as 30 feet (9.1   m) for a given crew complement and supporting supplies, whereas a cruising catamaran would need to be 40 feet (12   m) to achieve the same capacity. In addition to greater speed, catamarans draw less water than do monohulls— as little as 3 feet (0.91   m) —and are easier to beach. Catamarans are harder to tack and take up more space in a marina. Cruising catamarans entail added expense for having two engines and two rudders. Tarjan adds that cruising catamarans boats can maintain a comfortable 300 nautical miles (350   mi; 560   km) per day passage, with the racing versions recording well over 400 nautical miles (460   mi; 740   km) per day. In addition, they do not heel more than 10-12 degrees, even at full speed on a reach. [58] Powered cruising catamarans share many of the amenities found in a sail cruising catamaran. The saloon typically spans two hulls wherein are found the staterooms and engine compartments. As with sailing catamarans, this configuration minimizes boat motion in a seaway. [59] The Swiss-registered wave-piercing catamaran, Tûranor PlanetSolar , which was launched in March 2010, is the world's largest solar powered boat. It completed a circumnavigation of the globe in 2012. [60] The 1970s saw the introduction of catamarans as high-speed ferries , as pioneered by Westermoen Hydrofoil in Mandal , Norway, which launched the Westamaran design in 1973. [61] The Stena Voyager was an example of a large, fast ferry, typically traveling at a speed of 46 miles per hour (74   km/h) , although it was capable of over 70 miles per hour (110   km/h) . [62] The Australian island Tasmania became the site of builders of large transport catamarans— Incat in 1977 [63] and Austal in 1988 [64] —each building civilian ferries and naval vessels. Incat built HSC Francisco , a High-Speed trimaran that, at 58 knots, is (as of 2014) the fastest passenger ship in service. [65] The first warship to be propelled by a steam engine, named Demologos or Fulton and built in the United States during the War of 1812 , was a catamaran with a paddle wheel between her hulls. In the early 20th Century several catamarans were built as submarine salvage ships: SMS Vulkan and SMS Cyclop of Germany , Kommuna of Russia , and Kanguro of Spain , all designed to lift stricken submarines by means of huge cranes above a moon pool between the hulls. Two Cold War-era submarine rescue ships , USS Pigeon and USS Ortolan of the US Navy , were also catamarans, but did not have the moon pool feature. The use of catamarans as high-speed naval transport was pioneered by HMAS Jervis Bay , which was in service with the Royal Australian Navy between 1999 and 2001. The US Military Sealift Command now operates several Expeditionary Fast Transport catamarans owned by the US Navy; [66] they are used for high speed transport of military cargo, and to get into shallow ports. The Makar -class is a class of two large catamaran-hull survey ships built for the Indian Navy . As of 2012, one vessel, INS Makar (J31) , was in service and the second was under construction. [67] First launched in 2004 at Shanghai, the Houbei class missile boat of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has a catamaran design to accommodate the vessel's stealth features. [68] The Tuo Chiang-class corvette is a class of Taiwanese -designed fast and stealthy multi-mission wave-piercing catamaran corvettes [69] first launched in 2014 for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy . List of multihulls Related Research Articles A multihull is a boat or ship with more than one hull, whereas a vessel with a single hull is a monohull. The most common multihulls are catamarans, and trimarans. There are other types, with four or more hulls, but such examples are very rare and tend to be specialised for particular functions. A yacht is a sail- or motor-propelled watercraft made for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a yacht , as opposed to a boat , such a pleasure vessel is likely to be at least 33 feet (10 m) in length and may have been judged to have good aesthetic qualities. A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture. A trimaran is a multihull boat that comprises a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls which are attached to the main hull with lateral beams. Most modern trimarans are sailing yachts designed for recreation or racing; others are ferries or warships. They originated from the traditional double-outrigger hulls of the Austronesian cultures of Maritime Southeast Asia; particularly in the Philippines and Eastern Indonesia, where it remains the dominant hull design of traditional fishing boats. Double-outriggers are derived from the older catamaran and single-outrigger boat designs. An outrigger is a projecting structure on a boat, with specific meaning depending on types of vessel. Outriggers may also refer to legs on a wheeled vehicle that are folded out when it needs stabilization, for example on a crane that lifts heavy loads. A monohull is a type of boat having only one hull, unlike multihulled boats which can have two or more individual hulls connected to one another. Outrigger boats are various watercraft featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. They can range from small dugout canoes to large plank-built vessels. Outrigger boats can also vary in their configuration, from the ancestral double-hull configuration (catamarans), to single-outrigger vessels prevalent in the Pacific Islands and Madagascar, to the double-outrigger vessels (trimarans) prevalent in Island Southeast Asia. They are traditionally fitted with Austronesian sails, like the crab claw sails and tanja sails, but in modern times are often fitted with petrol engines. Proas are various types of multi-hull outrigger sailboats of the Austronesian peoples. The terms were used for native Austronesian ships in European records during the Colonial era indiscriminately, and thus can confusingly refer to the double-ended single-outrigger boats of Oceania, the double-outrigger boats of Island Southeast Asia, and sometimes ships with no outriggers or sails at all. A small waterplane area twin hull , better known by the acronym SWATH , is a catamaran design that minimizes hull cross section area at the sea's surface. Minimizing the ship's volume near the surface area of the sea, where wave energy is located, minimizes a vessel's response to sea state, even in high seas and at high speeds. The bulk of the displacement necessary to keep the ship afloat is located beneath the waves, where it is less affected by wave action. Wave excitation drops exponentially as depth increases, so wave action normally does not affect a submerged submarine at all. Placing the majority of a ship's displacement under the waves is similar in concept to creating a ship that rides atop twin submarines. Hobie Cat is a company that manufactures watercraft and other products as the Hobie Cat Company. "Hobie Cat" can also refer to specific products of the company, notably its sailing catamarans. Its fiberglass catamaran models range in nominal length between 14 feet (4.3 m) and 18 feet (5.5 m). Rotomolded catamaran models range in length between 12 feet (3.7 m) and 17 feet (5.2 m). Other sailing vessels in the Hobie Cat lineup include, monocats, dinghies, and trimarans, ranging in length between 9 feet (2.7 m) and 20 feet (6.1 m). Its largest product was the Hobie 33, 33 feet (10 m) in length. The company's non-sailing product line includes surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, pedalboards, eyeware, and e-bikes. It was founded in 1961 by Hobart (Hobie) Alter, who originally manufactured surfboards. The term beachcat is an informal name for one of the most common types of small recreational sailboats, minimalist 14 to 20 foot catamarans, almost always with a cloth "trampoline" stretched between the two hulls, typically made of fiberglass or more recently rotomolded plastic. The name comes from the fact that they are designed to be sailed directly off a sand beach, unlike most other small boats which are launched from a ramp. The average 8 foot width of the beachcat means it can also sit upright on the sand and is quite stable in this position, unlike a monohull of the same size. The Hobie 14 and Hobie 16 are two of the earliest boats of this type that achieved widespread popularity, and popularized the term as well as created the template for this type of boat. A wave-piercing boat hull has a very fine bow, with reduced buoyancy in the forward portions. When a wave is encountered, the lack of buoyancy means the hull pierces through the water rather than riding over the top, resulting in a smoother ride than traditional designs, and in diminished mechanical stress on the vessel. It also reduces a boat's wave-making resistance. A sailing hydrofoil , hydrofoil sailboat , or hydrosail is a sailboat with wing-like foils mounted under the hull. As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils lift the hull up and out of the water, greatly reducing wetted area, resulting in decreased drag and increased speed. A sailing hydrofoil can achieve speeds exceeding double and in some cases triple the wind speed. A sailing yacht , is a leisure craft that uses sails as its primary means of propulsion. A yacht may be a sail or power vessel used for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, so the term applies here to sailing vessels that have a cabin with amenities that accommodate overnight use. To be termed a "yacht", as opposed to a "boat", such a vessel is likely to be at least 33 feet (10 m) in length and have been judged to have good aesthetic qualities. Sailboats that do not accommodate overnight use or are smaller than 30 feet (9.1 m) are not universally called yachts. Sailing yachts in excess of 130 feet (40 m) are generally considered to be superyachts. VPLP design is a French-based naval architectural firm founded by Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, responsible for designing some of the world's most innovative racing boats. Their designs presently hold many of the World Speed Sailing records. James Wharram was a British multihull pioneer and designer of catamarans. The Ocean Bird is a class of trimaran sailboat designed by John Westell and produced by Honnor Marine Ltd. at Totnes, Teignmouth in the 1970s, featuring fold-in lateral floats on a webless steel-beam frame chosen to provide stability against heeling, yet allow a compact footprint in harbour. Kaep is a traditional type of double-ended Proa sailboat native to Palau. Some of the essential design elements have also been adopted as a modern smaller multihull prototype variant. Polynesian multihull terminology , such as "ama", "aka" and "vaka" are multihull terms that have been widely adopted beyond the South Pacific where these terms originated. This Polynesian terminology is in common use in the Americas and the Pacific but is almost unknown in Europe, where the English terms "hull" and "outrigger" form normal parlance. Outriggers, catamarans, and outrigger boats are a common heritage of all Austronesian peoples and predate the Micronesian and Polynesian expansion into the Pacific. They are also the dominant forms of traditional ships in Island Southeast Asian and Malagasy Austronesian cultures, where local terms are used. Austronesian vessels are the traditional seafaring vessels of the Austronesian peoples of Taiwan, Maritime Southeast Asia, Micronesia, coastal New Guinea, Island Melanesia, Polynesia, and Madagascar. They also include indigenous ethnic minorities in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Hainan, the Comoros, and the Torres Strait Islands. ↑ "Origin and meaning of catamaran" . Online Etymology Dictionary . Retrieved March 1, 2019 . ↑ Lück, Michael (2008). The Encyclopedia of Tourism and Recreation in Marine Environments . Wallingford, UK: CABI. p.   86. ISBN   978-1-84593-350-0 . ↑ "Catamaran" . Dictionary.com Unabridged . Random House, inc. 2016. 1 2 3 Mahdi, Waruno (1999). "The Dispersal of Austronesian boat forms in the Indian Ocean". In Blench, Roger; Spriggs, Matthew (eds.). Archaeology and Language III: Artefacts languages, and texts . One World Archaeology. Vol.   34. Routledge. pp.   144–179. ISBN   0415100542 . 1 2 3 Doran, Edwin B. (1981). Wangka: Austronesian Canoe Origins . Texas A&M University Press. ISBN   9780890961070 . ↑ Beheim, B. A.; Bell, A. V. (February 23, 2011). "Inheritance, ecology and the evolution of the canoes of east Oceania" . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences . 278 (1721): 3089–3095. doi : 10.1098/rspb.2011.0060 . PMC   3158936 . PMID   21345865 . ↑ Hornell, James (1932). "Was the Double-Outrigger Known in Polynesia and Micronesia? A Critical Study". The Journal of the Polynesian Society . 41 (2 (162)): 131–143. ↑ Kirch, Patrick (2001). Hawaiki . Cambridge University Press. p.   80 . ISBN   978-0-521-78309-5 . ↑ "Model of a twin-hulled ship - William Petty" . Royal Society . Retrieved August 8, 2014 . ↑ "Sailing with an Achilles' keel | General" . Times Higher Education . September 22, 2000 . Retrieved August 8, 2014 . ↑ Bertie Reginald Pearn (1938). A History of Rangoon . Corporation of Rangoon. p.   136. ↑ M. F. Crisp (1849). A treatise on marine architecture, elucidating the theory of the resistance of water   : illustrating the form, or model best calculated to unite velocity, buoyancy, stability, strength, etc., in the same vessel   : and finally, adducing the theory of the art of shipbuilding . Maulmein: American Baptist mission press. p.   94. ↑ Nathanael Herreshoff (April 10, 1877). "US Patent Number 189459: Improvement in construction of sailing-vessels" . ↑ L. Francis Herreshoff. "The Spirit of the Times, November 24, 1877 (reprint)" . Marine Publishing Co., Camden, Maine. Archived from the original on January 24, 2008 . Retrieved December 2, 2014 . ↑ Sampsell, Lorillard D. (March 1898), "The Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans" , Outing: Sport, Adventure, Travel Fiction, Volume 31 ↑ Counce, Oliver J. (2000), "The sesquicentennial of the Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans, 1849-1999   : 150 years of yachting in the Gulf South", Metairie Franklin Southland Printing , OCLC   46836336 ↑ Aviación Digital (May 31, 2020). "La "Binave" de Torres Quevedo: El precursor de los modernos catamaranes" . Retrieved June 25, 2024 . ↑ Rodrigo Pérez Fernández. Francisco A. González Redondo. On the origin, foundational designs and first manufacture of the modern catamaran , International Journal of Maritime History , SAGE Publishing , Volume 34, Issue 3, February 1, 2022. ↑ Patentes de invención de Don Leonardo Torres Quevedo , España Registro de la Propiedad Industrial, 1988. ISBN 84-86857-50-3 ↑ The Voyage of the Kaimiloa , London, 1940 (translated from French: Kaimiloa   : D'Honolulu à Cannes par l'Australie et Le Cap, à bord d'une double pirogue polynésienne ), Editions Plon, Paris, 1939 ( Au delà des horizons lointains 1 ). ↑ Bird, Vanessa (2013). Classic Classes . A&C Black. p.   65. ISBN   9781408158906 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Charles E. Kanter (November 2001). "Reviewing the Prout Snowgoose 34 catamaran" . Southwinds Sailing . Archived from the original on May 19, 2006 . Retrieved February 27, 2019 . ↑ Sailor's multihull guide to the best cruising catamarans & trimarans . Jeffrey, Kevin, 1954-, Jeffrey, Nan, 1949-, Kanter, Charles E., 1930- (3rd   ed.). Belfast, P.E.I.: Avalon House. 2002. ISBN   0962756288 . OCLC   51112242 . {{ cite book }} : CS1 maint: others ( link ) ↑ Andrews, Jim (1974). Catamarans for cruising . London: Hollis and Carter. ISBN   0370103394 . OCLC   1273831 . ↑ "Hobie 16 2012 Class Report 2012" (PDF) . Retrieved October 1, 2015 . ↑ Forbes, John; Young, Jim (2003). "A Brief Tornado History—The Story of the Tornado, the Olympic Catamaran" . International Tornado Class Association . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . . ↑ Nelson, Gunnar (November 15, 2016). "World Sailing confirms Nacra 17 Foiling version for Tokyo 2020" . catsailingnews.com . Catamaran Racing News and Design . Retrieved August 21, 2017 . ↑ Wong, Jonathan (October 18, 2015). "Perfecting their craft" . The Straits Times . Singapore Press Holdings Ltd . Retrieved November 1, 2017 . ↑ "Youth World Sailing Championship – Multihull selection" . sailing.org.au . Australian Sailing . Retrieved August 21, 2017 . ↑ Johnson, Tim. "Nacra 15 selected as the next Youth multihull" . Yachts and Yachting .com . YY Online Services Ltd . Retrieved August 21, 2017 . ↑ Principals of Naval Architecture SNAME 1 2 Garrett, Ross (January 1, 1996). The Symmetry of Sailing: The Physics of Sailing for Yachtsmen . Sheridan House, Inc. p.   133. ISBN   9781574090000 . ↑ Yang, C.; Löhner, R.; Soto, O. (August 22, 2001). "Optimization of a wave-cancellation multihull using CFD tools". In Wu, You-Sheng; Guo-Jun Zhou; Wei-Cheng Cui (eds.). Practical Design of Ships and Other Floating Structures: Eighth International Symposium . Vol.   1. China: Elsevier. ISBN   9780080539355 . ↑ Weltner, Klaus (January 1987). "A comparison of explanations of the aerodynamic lifting force". American Journal of Physics . 55 (1): 52. Bibcode : 1987AmJPh..55...50W . doi : 10.1119/1.14960 . ↑ Nielsen, Peter (May 14, 2014). "Have Wingsails Gone Mainstream?" . Sail Magazine . Interlink Media . Retrieved January 24, 2015 . ↑ Biran, Adrian; Pulido, Ruben Lopez (2013). Ship Hydrostatics and Stability (2   ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. p.   67. ISBN   978-0080982908 . 1 2 Howard, Jim; Doane, Charles J. (2000). Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Cruising . Sheridan House, Inc. pp.   36–8. ISBN   1574090933 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Newman, John Nicholas (1977). Marine hydrodynamics . Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press . p.   28 . ISBN   0-262-14026-8 . . 1 2 Watson, D. G. M. (2002). Practical Ship Design . Elsevier Ocean Engineering Book Series. Vol.   1 (Revised   ed.). Gulf Professional Publishing. pp.   47–48. ISBN   0080440541 . See Fig. 2.1 'Slender' and 'Swath' figures. ↑ Wilson, F.W.; Vlars, P.R. (September 1981). "Operational Characteristics Comparisons" . AIAA 6th Marine Systems Conference . American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: 11 . Retrieved March 31, 2017 . ↑ Eames, Michael C. (April 15, 1980). "Advances is Naval Architecture for Surface Naval Ships" (PDF) . Proceedings . London: Royal Institution of Naval Architects: 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2016 . Retrieved January 31, 2016 . 1 2 Misra, Suresh Chandra (2015). Design Principles of Ships and Marine Structures . CRC Press. ISBN   978-1482254471 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Helfers, John (2006). The Unauthorized Dan Brown Companion . Kensington Publishing Corp. p.   271. ISBN   0806535806 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Jane's high-speed marine craft (24   ed.). Jane's Information Group. 1991. ISBN   0710612664 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Husick, Charles B. (2009). Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling . Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p.   16. ISBN   9781588167446 . Retrieved January 26, 2016 . ↑ Caprio, Dennis (July 2001). "Loomes 83" . Yachting . Vol.   190, no.   1. pp.   81–84. ISSN   0043-9940 . Retrieved January 26, 2016 . ↑ Yun, Liang; Bliault, Alan (July 8, 2014). High Performance Marine Vessels . Springer Science & Business Media. p.   206. ISBN   978-1-4614-0868-0 . Retrieved January 26, 2016 . ↑ Brumley, Jeff (October 5, 2011). "Unusual ship visits Mayport after 6-month deployment to African waters" . Florida Times-Union . Jacksonville . Retrieved January 26, 2016 . ↑ Berman, Phil (March 1982). Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish . W. W. Norton & Co. Inc. ISBN   978-0393000849 . ↑ "BMW Oracle wins America's Cup" . ESPN. Associated Press. February 14, 2010 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ "Ben Ainslie's USA beat Team New Zealand in decider" . BBC Sport . September 26, 2013 . Retrieved September 26, 2013 . ↑ "Oracle Team USA completes greatest comeback in America's Cup history, defeating Emirates New Zealand" . New York Daily News . September 25, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013 . Retrieved September 26, 2013 . ↑ Zimmermann, Tim (2004). The Race: Extreme Sailing and Its Ultimate Event: Nonstop, Round-the-World, No Holds Barred . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN   0547347065 . ↑ Fox, Peter (May 26, 2016). "Cataraft Testing on the Clackamas River" . Northwest Rafting Company . Retrieved March 3, 2019 . ↑ Steelhammer, Rick. "WV guides on US team in world whitewater rafting championship" . Charleston Gazette-Mail . Retrieved March 3, 2019 . ↑ Lindeman, Phil (January 31, 2017). "Take 5: On the Grand Canyon 'cataraft' with the U.S. Whitewater Rafting Team" . Summit Daily . Retrieved March 3, 2019 . ↑ Tarjan, Gregor (2007). Catamarans: The Complete Guide for Cruising Sailors . McGraw Hill. ISBN   9780071596220 . Retrieved January 25, 2016 . ↑ Sass, George Jr. (October 3, 2007). "Lagoon Power 43—An exceptional first powerboat from a builder of sailing cats" . Yachting . Retrieved January 25, 2016 . ↑ Gieffers, Hanna (May 4, 2012). "Ankunft in Monaco: Solarboot schafft Weltumrundung in 584 Tagen" . Spiegel Online (in German) . Retrieved May 5, 2012 . ↑ "First Westamaran Revisited" (PDF) . Classic Fast Ferries. October 7, 2003. ↑ Bowen, David (May 4, 1996). "Forget the tunnel; all the talk on the high seas is of 50   mph (80   km/h) super ferries. And Britain doesn't make any of them" . The Independent . London . Retrieved January 29, 2016 . ↑ "History" . Incat. 2016. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ "Our story" . Austal. 2016 . Retrieved January 27, 2016 . ↑ Note: Because many of the fast multihull ferries are known as "SeaCats", it is presumed that they are catamarans; in fact they are trimarans with a large centre hull. ↑ "Strategic Sealift (PM3)" . www.msc.navy.mil . Archived from the original on June 27, 2008 . Retrieved November 1, 2015 . ↑ "INS Makar commissioned into the Indian Navy" . Economic Times . September 21, 2012 . Retrieved September 1, 2013 . ↑ Axe, David (August 4, 2011). "China Builds Fleet of Small Warships While U.S. Drifts" . Wired.com . Retrieved February 4, 2012 . ↑ "Taiwan Navy Takes Delivery of First Stealth 'Carrier Killer' Corvette" . December 24, 2014. Marchaj, C. A. (2000). Aero-Hydrodynamics of Sailing . Tiller Publishing. ISBN   1-888671-18-1 .  (Barangay)  (Birok, Bidok) (Balutu)  (Kumpit, Pidlas)  (Tinimbao) (Buti)  (Dapang, Pilang)  (Waqa tabu) (Solima) (Mon, Ora) (Agaraide) (Flying proa) (Foulua) Hull Navigation Trade Archaeology (Butuan boats) Other Federated States of Micronesia French Polynesia Guam Hawaii Indonesia Malaysia New Zealand Philippines Samoa Lapita culture Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia vessels and Overviews Sailing rigs By vessels Naval and merchant and other vessels (by origin date) 15th c. 16th c. or ) 17th c. 18th c. ( ) 19th c. 20th c. Barca-longa Falkuša Herring buss Ljungström sailboat Mast aft rig Pocket cruiser Sailing hydrofoil Sailing yacht Trailer sailer Bristol Channel pilot cutter Floating restaurant Mersey flat Norfolk punt Norfolk wherry Pinnace (ship's boat) Thames sailing barge Nautical operations United States 141 IMAGES Catamaran Catamaran Catamaran Catamarán AC72 New Zealand Aotearoa San Francisco 01 Hobie 16 catamaran sailboat 1857 VIDEO fast catamaran boat Catamaran Boat #jembanganwisataalam #wisatakebumen #wisataalam Capsized 14’ catamaran boat during lobster mini season! Salvage & rescue! #captainretriever This catamaran will blow your mind: Makai 37 10m Catamaran Cabin Boat #catamaran #america #cat #seaboat #ocean #boats #boatforsale #aluminumboat 🎥 Ep. 9 Buying a Catamaran May Have Been A Huge Mistake COMMENTS Catamaran A catamaran (/ ˌkætəməˈræn /) (informally, a "cat") is a watercraft with two parallel hulls of equal size. The distance between a catamaran's hulls imparts resistance to rolling and overturning. Catamarans typically have less hull volume, smaller displacement, and shallower draft (draught) than monohulls of comparable length. Catamaran catamaran, twin-hulled sailing and powered boat developed for sport and recreation in the second half of the 20th century. Its design is based on a raft of two logs bridged by planks that had earlier been used by peoples in the Indonesian archipelago and throughout Polynesia and Micronesia. Early catamarans were up to 21.3 metres (70 feet) long, originally paddled by many men, and used for ... Catamarans: A Complete Guide to Multihull Boats Catamarans are known for their unique design, which features two parallel hulls connected by a deck. This design provides several advantages over traditional monohull boats, such as stability and speed. With their wide beam, catamarans have a reduced risk of capsizing and can access shallow waters due to their shallow drafts 1. International A-class catamaran The official organisation for the A-Class catamaran is the IACA (International A division Catamarans Association). The A-Class rules were expanded over time to prevent the cost of these boats from rising too high and to ensure fairness in racing. Currently the main A-Class rules are: [3] Min overall boat weight : 75 kg / 165.3 lbs. A Complete Catamaran Guide Catamaran Passenger Capacity Versus Monohull Boat Passenger Capacity. The general rule for calculating passenger capacity for a boat is as follows. Length x Width / 15 = Passenger Capacity. Therefore, the FRS Helgoline should have a calculated capacity calculated as follows. 185 x 45.9 / 15 = 566. What Is A Catamaran Boat? (A Comprehensive Guide) A catamaran boat is a type of vessel with two parallel hulls of equal size. It is typically used for leisure, sport and racing. Catamarans are known for their stability and speed in a variety of water conditions. They are also known for their shallow draft, making them a great choice for cruising in shallow waters. What Are Catamarans And Their History? August 23, 2024. Catamarans are boats with two connected hulls that are joined by a bridge. Because they are faster, more stable, and capable of carrying larger cargo than their monohull counterparts, catamarans are growing in popularity. Contents show. What Is A Catamaran Sailboat? (And What It Looks Like) A catamaran is a twin-hull boat with two equally-sized hulls placed side by side. They're powered by engines, sails, or both—and they're known for efficiency and speed. Catamarans are the most common kind of multihull boat. In this article, we'll go over the characteristics of catamarans and how to differentiate them from other types of ... Catamaran A catamaran (from Tamil kattumaram) is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or Vakas, joined by a frame, formed of Akas.Catamarans can be sail- or engine-powered. The catamaran was first discovered being used by the paravas, a fishing community in the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India.Catamarans were used by the ancient Tamil Chola dynasty as early as the fifth century ... What is a Catamaran? A Catamaran is a sail or engine-powered boat with a double hull, a distinct feature that makes it immediately recognizable once you're aware of the design. People often question whether a catamaran is a yacht, and due to the sleek style, versatility, speed capabilities, and comfort, a catamaran definitely earns the yacht stamp of approval. ... What Is a Catamaran? Things You Need to Know A catamaran is a boat with two hulls and a bridge between them. Catamarans can be designed as sailboats or motorboats. A catamaran stays stable since it has a wide base, it does not have a deep keel as on a monohull. Cats are known for not heeling, increased comfort, more space, and faster speeds. In this article, we will explore everything you ... F50 (catamaran) The F50 is a one-design foiling catamaran used in the SailGP race series. The name is an abbreviation of "Foiling" and "a hull length of 50 feet". [1]The F50s are adapted from the AC50s used in the America's Cup, with modifications including new control systems and modular wingsails. [2] The F50s are one of the fastest racing classes in history, with a predicted top speed of 52.2 knots (96.6 ... Catamaran Parts Explained: Interactive Guide (For Beginners) Most catamarans have two engines, one on each hull aft the stern; usually, they are internal with only the propeller in the water. The other option, which is cheaper and most often found on smaller boats, is to have one outboard engine placed amidship (middle). Inboard; engines are situated in a compartment inside the boat at the stern. On an ... Our History The origin of World Cat can be traced back over a quarter of a century to the beginning of our Glacier Bay Edition boats in America's Pacific Northwest. Today, World Cat is the largest maker of power catamarans in the world. Located in Tarboro, North Carolina, our boats are precision crafted in a state-of-the-art 140,000 square foot facility. James Wharram Wharram was born in Manchester, England.In 1953, after long studies into the records of boats of the Pacific in the libraries and museums of Britain, and inspired by Eric de Bisschop's book The voyage of the Kaimiloa, [1] he designed and built the first British ocean-going double-canoe-catamaran, the Tangaroa (length 23 feet 6 inches (7.16 m)) and in 1955-56 sailed with Jutta Schultze ... James Wharram: life and legacy of the iconic designer Falmouth, Cornwall, 1955: a legend is born along Customs House Quay. A smartly dressed young man with wild, curly hair has launched a 23ft catamaran, built in just a few months for the modest sum ... Catamaran A carved and painted voyaging catamaran with tanja sails of the Micronesian inhabitants of Hermit Islands, Bismarck Archipelago (c. 1914) 1827 depiction of Tahitian pahi war-canoes. Catamaran-type vessels were an early technology of the Austronesian peoples.Early researchers like Heine-Geldern (1932) and Hornell (1943) once believed that catamarans evolved from outrigger canoes, but modern ... Lagoon catamaran Website. cata-lagoon.com /en. Lagoon catamaran is a brand of twin-hulled boats that are designed and produced in Bordeaux, France. The company began in 1984 as a specialist multihull division of Jeanneau, a volume monohull constructor. Jeanneau sold the division to Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB), which was purchased by Beneteau in 1995 ... Electric boat An electric boat is a powered watercraft driven by electric motors, which are powered by either on-board battery packs, ... RA66 Helio is a solar-powered 20 m catamaran cruising on the Untersee, a part of Lake Constance. It is based in Radolfzell, Germany. Historical and restored electric boats, such as the Mary Gordon Electric Boat, exist and ... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht