catamaran race boat

Skater Powerboats

Racing Pedigree

Founded in 1974

Flexible Design and Power

Fully Custom

World Leaders in Design

Welcome to skater powerboats.

Those who crave tear-duct draining, cheek-smearing velocity on the water know there is only only one king: Skater! When it comes to performance, the automobile world has Ferrari and Lamborghini, while motorcyclists long to ride a Ducati or BMW.

The Number One builder of high-performance catamarans in the world has been in business for 50 years.

Skater is the standard by which all other high-performance boat manufacturers are compared. The sleekest in design, the fastest, and the most sought-after Skater is the Bugatti of the water.

Founded and led by Peter Hledin in 1974, Skater prides itself on being at the leading edge of technology. The Skater, Michigan-based company that covers 95,000 square feet was the first to perfect the use of vacuum-bagging technology, S-glass, kevlar, carbon fiber, epoxy resins and other construction techniques in the high performance industry and we use those construction techniques on every boat we build.

Skater does not build ‘off-the-line’ boats. From the interior to the paint to the power package and everything in between, every catamaran is fully customizable to meet each client’s needs. From subtle to spectacular in design but always stunning in performance, Skater excels above the rest.

Handling Like No Other

Every Skater has world-renown on-rails handling and incredible responsiveness

The Standard Bearer in the Offshore World

Even though others have tried to replicate the Skater hull countless times, we’re still the industry leader in all-around performance and speed

No Duplicates

Like human DNA, no two Skaters are the same.  Each one is built to the precise standards and expectations of our clients

No products in the cart.

Our Exclusive Models

Mercury Racing Partner

Choose from Mercury 300R's to 450s. The choice is yours!

4.6 Liter V8

The V8 FourStroke 450R cranks out the highest level of outboard power ever offered by Mercury Racing

Advanced Midsection

The rugged Advanced MidSection (AMS) features heavy-duty guide plates and stiffened engine mounts to stabilize the outboard for enhanced high-speed handling.

Water-Cooled Supercharger

A 2.4-liter belt-driven, twin-screw supercharger delivers zero-lag pressure charging for instant throttle response.

Gearcase Options

The surface piercing Sport Master gearcase delivers race-proven performance for boats capable of speeds exceeding 85 mph, with low water pick-ups and a crescent leading edge to maximize efficiency and speed.

32 Doug Wright

Racing pedigree.

With over 25 years of building offshore powerboats, we have brought home over 20 Championships in the Stock Outboard Class with plenty more in the future. Click on the link below to learn more and order your race boat today!

DOUG WRIGHT POWERBOATS

Sail GP: how do supercharged racing yachts go so fast? An engineer explains

Head of Engineering, Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Solent University

Disclosure statement

Jonathan Ridley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

View all partners

Sailing used to be considered as a rather sedate pastime. But in the past few years, the world of yacht racing has been revolutionised by the arrival of hydrofoil-supported catamarans, known as “foilers”. These vessels, more akin to high-performance aircraft than yachts, combine the laws of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to create vessels capable of speeds of up to 50 knots, which is far faster than the wind propelling them.

An F50 catamaran preparing for the Sail GP series recently even broke this barrier, reaching an incredible speed of 50.22 knots (57.8mph) purely powered by the wind. This was achieved in a wind of just 19.3 knots (22.2mph). F50s are 15-metre-long, 8.8-metre-wide hydrofoil catamarans propelled by rigid sails and capable of such astounding speeds that Sail GP has been called the “ Formula One of sailing ”. How are these yachts able to go so fast? The answer lies in some simple fluid dynamics.

As a vessel’s hull moves through the water, there are two primary physical mechanisms that create drag and slow the vessel down. To build a faster boat you have to find ways to overcome the drag force.

The first mechanism is friction. As the water flows past the hull, a microscopic layer of water is effectively attached to the hull and is pulled along with the yacht. A second layer of water then attaches to the first layer, and the sliding or shearing between them creates friction.

On the outside of this is a third layer, which slides over the inner layers creating more friction, and so on. Together, these layers are known as the boundary layer – and it’s the shearing of the boundary layer’s molecules against each other that creates frictional drag.

A yacht also makes waves as it pushes the water around and under the hull from the bow (front) to the stern (back) of the boat. The waves form two distinctive patterns around the yacht (one at each end), known as Kelvin Wave patterns.

These waves, which move at the same speed as the yacht, are very energetic. This creates drag on the boat known as the wave-making drag, which is responsible for around 90% of the total drag. As the yacht accelerates to faster speeds (close to the “hull speed”, explained later), these waves get higher and longer.

These two effects combine to produce a phenomenon known as “ hull speed ”, which is the fastest the boat can travel – and in conventional single-hull yachts it is very slow. A single-hull yacht of the same size as the F50 has a hull speed of around 12 mph.

However, it’s possible to reduce both the frictional and wave-making drag and overcome this hull-speed limit by building a yacht with hydrofoils . Hydrofoils are small, underwater wings. These act in the same way as an aircraft wing, creating a lift force which acts against gravity, lifting our yacht upwards so that the hull is clear of the water.

While an aircraft’s wings are very large, the high density of water compared to air means that we only need very small hydrofoils to produce a lot of the important lift force. A hydrofoil just the size of three A3 sheets of paper, when moving at just 10 mph, can produce enough lift to pick up a large person.

This significantly reduces the surface area and the volume of the boat that is underwater, which cuts the frictional drag and the wave-making drag, respectively. The combined effect is a reduction in the overall drag to a fraction of its original amount, so that the yacht is capable of sailing much faster than it could without hydrofoils.

The other innovation that helps boost the speed of racing yachts is the use of rigid sails . The power available from traditional sails to drive the boat forward is relatively small, limited by the fact that the sail’s forces have to act in equilibrium with a range of other forces, and that fabric sails do not make an ideal shape for creating power. Rigid sails, which are very similar in design to an aircraft wing, form a much more efficient shape than traditional sails, effectively giving the yacht a larger engine and more power.

As the yacht accelerates from the driving force of these sails, it experiences what is known as “ apparent wind ”. Imagine a completely calm day, with no wind. As you walk, you experience a breeze in your face at the same speed that you are walking. If there was a wind blowing too, you would feel a mixture of the real (or “true” wind) and the breeze you have generated.

The two together form the apparent wind, which can be faster than the true wind. If there is enough true wind combined with this apparent wind, then significant force and power can be generated from the sail to propel the yacht, so it can easily sail faster than the wind speed itself.

The combined effect of reducing the drag and increasing the driving power results in a yacht that is far faster than those of even a few years ago. But all of this would not be possible without one further advance: materials. In order to be able to “fly”, the yacht must have a low mass, and the hydrofoil itself must be very strong. To achieve the required mass, strength and rigidity using traditional boat-building materials such as wood or aluminium would be very difficult.

This is where modern advanced composite materials such as carbon fibre come in. Production techniques optimising weight, rigidity and strength allow the production of structures that are strong and light enough to produce incredible yachts like the F50.

The engineers who design these high-performance boats (known as naval architects ) are always looking to use new materials and science to get an optimum design. In theory, the F50 should be able to go even faster.

• Engineering
• Aerodynamics

Service Centre Senior Consultant

Director of STEM

Community member - Training Delivery and Development Committee (Volunteer part-time)

Chief Executive Officer

Head of Evidence to Action

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Performance cruisers: the best new catamarans for racing and fast cruising 2018

• Toby Hodges
• August 20, 2018

This is where the worlds of racing and cruising multis meet, where we see high-tech lightweight craft that use exotic materials and daggerboards to help produce electrifying sailing. Gunboat was arguably the first to identify this market on a luxury level, and has since been joined by HH, McConaghy, Ice Cat, and ITA.

And then there are the performance multis that are more minimalist and lean more towards the offshore racer than cruiser – like Marsaudon, Dragonfly, Banuls, Dazcat, and Rapido… fun factor guaranteed!

Just launched: McConaghy MC50

Fresh from the Australian composite wizards McConaghy, the MC50 is the smallest series catamaran in a new range that runs up to 90ft. Drawn by Jason Ker, renowned for his IRC winners, the MC50 has performance in her DNA, designed as a fast cruising cat, capable of crossing oceans. The MC line has incorporated input of experienced owners and sailors, and includes some impressive features. For example, the doors between the saloon and the cockpit concertina, while the saloon windows slide open electrically for al-fresco living. A skylight down the middle of the coachroof lets light flood in, and can be specced as a large ‘solar glass’ generator to keep batteries topped up. Then there is the standard cross brace between the bows, which has been eliminated by using a carbon fibre longeron down the boat’s centreline, tensioned with Nitronic rod stays. The first hull launched in time for La Grande Motte boatshow in April and the performance predictions are bold. Polars from McConaghy suggest speeds of over 10 knots in a stiff Force 6, at 30° off the true wind. Bear away onto a broad reach and she is expected to manage 21 knots-plus. Upwind performance is boosted by 3.5m-deep hydraulic daggerboards in each hull, which include a fail-safe in the event of underwater collision. 
“We expect her to track upwind extremely well,” says James Kinloch 
of McConaghy. And yet this is no pared-down raceboat. The saloon has deep seating to starboard and an extending table gives dining space for at least eight, and can convert into lounging room if you drop the table and install the fill-in cushion. The galley and island unit to port are more penthouse than deckhouse, with induction hob and moulded-in sinks. Sensibly, there is a navigation station at the forward end of the saloon, with good visibility ahead and access to all the systems. The styling was undertaken by Design Unlimited. “The concept was to create a penthouse apartment on the living deck,” says Ole John, director of McConaghy Multihulls Europe. 
“The 35-40m2 of space must be the biggest for a 50ft yacht.”

First impressions

The MC50 is a clever boat. A Ker/McConaghy project, it might be expected to be all about the performance. That has yet to be proved, but the first MC50 to launch stole the show at its La Grande Motte debut in April thanks to the sheer amount of open-plan living space it offers. The natural light and ventilation offered by using sliding doors and windows needs to be seen to be believed, and the general feeling is that of a condo/apartment on the main deck. The view from the helms on the aft flybridge is excellent, but I wonder how these relatively high positions will feel in a rolling sea. The most impressive aspect for me, however, is the engineering detail, something Ker is known for. It can be seen in the length to which he and the yard has gone with the mast base and bowsprit longeron supports, and the hydraulic centreboards that swing into the hulls. The latter offer a clever solution to the problem of providing the performance benefits of 3.5m-deep boards without swallowing excessive accommodation space. The boards have fail-safe pins that break in a collision without 
risk of leaking hydraulic fluid; and they take just 12 seconds to raise. This is a boat that we are itching to sail.

At a glance…

LOA: 49ft 10in (15.20m) Beam: 26ft 3in (8.00m) Draught: 3ft 3in – 8ft 10in (1.00m – 2.70m) Displacement: 14.5 tonnes Price: from €1.33m Contact: McConaghy 

Just launched: ICE Cat 61

Italy’s ICE Yachts has been on the scene since the turn of the millennium, but it is only now making a foray into multihulls. And it is starting big, with a 61, and a 67 further down the line. Its calling card has always been style at the service of performance, and the cats will be no different. Enrico Contreas has designed a dashing hull with just a hint of reverse bow and a long, curved quarter. It’s stylish, but also practical. “Avoiding highly reversed bows allows for easy recovery of the mooring lines,” says Marco Malgara, ICE Yachts’ CEO. Likewise, the shallow curve of the coachroof is more than just a flick of the designer’s pen: it is intended to reduce windage and help the catamaran go to windward. This is one reason that she can reportedly manage near 30° true wind angles. Another is the manually-operated carbon foils that reduce her displacement by about 15 per cent, and the way the rig is designed. “The angle going to windward is almost like a monohull,” Malgara says.

The yachts are built using ultra-modern techniques. On the standard version, the hull and superstructure employ a mix of glass and carbon fibre vacuum-infused with epoxy to ensure that just 35-40 per cent of the final weight is resin. Everything on the boat is foam-cored. Customers have so far unanimously opted for the RS version of the 61, which uses all carbon fibre. ICE has tried to mitigate the handling of a large, technical boat with electric winches and a self-tacking jib. The sheets of both sails are on travellers, giving maximum sail trimming options and a tighter sheeting angle for better windward performance. The helms are towards the aft end of the cockpit, behind a pod-like console, giving the skipper more the sense of a monohull. Dispensing with a raised helm station keeps the boom and the centre of gravity low, making for a more comfortable ride and better performance, predicted at 25 knots. The interior is more architectural than your average luxury yacht. Expect more of a kitchen than a galley in the large open space of the saloon. The configuration allows for three, four or five cabins, including a compact crew berth in the starboard bow.

At a  glance…

LOA: 61ft (18.60m) Beam: 28ft 3in (8.60m) Draught: 3ft 3in (1.00m) Displacement:  15 tonnes Price: From €1.35m Contact: Ice Yachts

Coming up: HH50

HH Catamarans has been turning heads since 2012 with a line of sporty, high-tech boats that feature a luxury fit-out. What started off on the drawing board as a fast 48ft cruising cat has grown to 50ft in the building. “One of the biggest reasons was 
the addition of a second helm station aft,” explained marketing manager 
Will Hobbs. “That and, during the design review, we found we were able to increase sail efficiency by 6 per cent if we lengthened the hull.” The lay-up is all carbon, with twin bulkhead helm stations and long-skirted hulls. With a self-tacking jib and push-button controls at the helm station, she should be a breeze to sail short-handed. Her accommodation all looks very elegant – dark teak contrasting with lighter fabrics. The saloon windows are huge, letting light gush in, with a semi-horseshoe galley to starboard, a navstation forward and dining table to port. There are configurations allowing for three or four cabins. Morelli & Melvin’s design generally looks modern and aggressive (even if we question the aesthetics of the hard biminis above the helms).

LOA: 49ft 10in (15.20m) Beam: 24ft 4in (7.44m) Draught: 4ft 11in-10ft 6in (1.50m-3.20m) Displacement: 15 tonnes Price: Tbc Contact: HH Catamarans

Just launched: Marsaudon TS5

Even if you haven’t heard of Marsaudon, you’re likely to be familiar with its work. The Brittany-based boatbuilder is responsible for some of the world’s biggest and fastest multihulls, including the trimaran IDEC 2, in which Francis Joyon demolished the round-the-world record in 2008. Operating out of an old U-boat pen in Lorient, France, this composite expert has only been crafting its own brand of cruising catamarans for a few years, but it has already become its mainstay. It began with the TS42, which has reached 10 units, then the well-regarded TS50. The new TS5 is a remodelled version of this, with all-new tooling and a length overall of 55ft. Even before the first one hit the water, half a dozen boats had been pre-sold, such is the reputation of this builder.

LOA: 49ft 10in (15.20m) Beam: 28ft 3in (8.60m) Draught: 3ft 11in-9ft 10in (1.20m-3.00m) Displacement: 8.6 tonnes Price: from €620,000 Contact: Marsdon Composites

Coming up: ITA 14.99

ITA Catamarans is a new brand, but the team behind this 14.99 are no strangers to the trade and have experience from many of the major Italian shipyards. The naval architecture is by Francois Perus, whose Yacht Design Collective has worked with brands such as Catana and North Wind on their multihulls. The result is a sleek-looking craft with stylish dreadnought bows and refreshingly low-profile coachroof. This sets the tone for the boat, due to launch this summer, which is all about stellar performance within the envelope of a fast cruiser. Take the twin helm stations, for instance – they are perched on the aft coaming. This frees up the cockpit for socialising, without compromising the boat’s stability by putting the weight 
of the helm on the coachroof. The result looks as if it could feel exposed in bad weather, although there is a wraparound seat, and the Jefa pedestal can swing inboard if necessary. The outer position gives you optimal views ahead and to windward. The dreadnought bows are designed to give extra waterline length for speed, while the long, fine underwater profile of the hulls is optimised for comfort through the waves. The flatter sections aft mean that she should plane at speed, and the winch-trimmed daggerboards improve performance to windward. High-tech foam sandwich lay-up and the use of carbon fibre in key areas keeps the hulls light and stiff.

There should be plenty of power from her fathead main and self-tacking jib. “Since most cruisers consists of one couple for sailing, the deck and running rigging had to be of a design so that one person can easily manage all sailing manoeuvres from the safety of the cockpit,” says Sonia Segato, head of marketing at ITA Catamarans. The mainsheet runs back to blocks on the aft crossbeam, where Harken 50 winches are within easy reach of the helm. It is a set-up that has worked well for monohull sailors, and this boat’s low profile coachroof makes it possible here too. The designer’s ambition is clearly bluewater, because the boat’s equipment and latest technology includes a Schenker watermaker and Oceanvolt electric propulsion, backed up with twin regenerating props that allow you to recharge the lithium-ion batteries as you sail. There’s scope for owners to choose their own interior design. “Nothing is set in stone”, says ITA. The heart of the boat is its comfy saloon, which has wraparound toughened glass windows, and the starboard hull is turned over to the owner’s suite. There are several configurations to choose from, including one with an office and another with bunks. Weight management is taken very seriously. The complete hulls weigh 2,250kg, and the whole boat is infused in one shot to come in under five tonnes. The first 14.99 will be shown 
at Cannes, before the owner takes it 
on a circumnavigation.

LOA: 49ft 2in (14.99m) Beam: 25ft 7in (7.80m) Draught: 1ft 10in-7ft 8in (0.57m-2.35m) Displacement: 14.5 tonnes Price: €890,000 Contact: Itacatamarans

Coming up: Gunboat 68

Gunboat is back to what it does best with a show-stopping design for a 68ft oceanic catamaran. An all-carbon build again, the new 68 has heavily reversed wave-piercing bows and super low-profile coachroof, giving it an elegant but muscular look. There’s something of Gotham City about this yacht. Gunboat, which is now under French ownership, has brought in VPLP design for the naval architecture. They are veterans of some of the world’s biggest, fastest racing multihulls. The design team has broadened the beam of the boat and moved the mast further aft to make her more stable and easier to handle. That said, she’ll be no slouch, particularly if you select some of the turbo options, including longer rig for bigger sails, lighter weight and longer daggerboards. Speeds in excess of 25 knots in a blow, and up to 16 knots in a Force 4 are predicted. Benoit Lebizay, Gunboat’s managing partner, says: “500 miles per day is an achievable target”.

LOA: 68ft (20.75m) Beam: 29ft 11in (9.1m) Draught: 3ft 11in-13ft 6in (1.20m-4.10m) Displacement: 23.8 tonnes Price: from €4.75m Contact: Gunboat

Best of the rest:

Unlimited yacht c53.

Vittorio Malingri, Italy’s first Vendée Globe sailor, is the nautical brain behind a new fast cruising catamaran, christened the Unlimited C53. With no website, his is a stealthy operation, but the first hull is sold and already in-build on the Adriatic coast between Ancona and San Marino. The boat has been designed with an experienced navigator’s eye, so the beams connecting the two hulls are an unprecedented 1.3m above the waterline, to minimise slamming in heavy seas. Tankage and heavy equipment are all positioned low and in the centre of the hulls for balance. And there is a heavy longeron, which makes for a stiffer forestay and therefore better windward performance. The twin helms are on swinging pedestals, and the boat uses foils and T-shaped rudders to provide lift to windward. There are three broad specification levels, depending on budget, with the top spec including full carbon lay-up.

Dazcat D1295

Launched at the end of last season, the D1295 is a potent new addition to the cruiser-racer cat market. It is the smaller sister to the very impressive D1495 we tested two years ago and 
leans on more than three decades of successful 
offshore racing builds from this Cornish yard. These cats can outrun weather or look after 
crew if caught out. Weight is kept low and central, including the engines, to create a fast smooth ride. It is also minimised wherever possible, with carbon used for the rudders, spinnaker pole V-striker, davits and bimini sections. “She points really high and is the fastest tacking Dazcat so far,” says Dazcat designer Darren Newton. “We did a two-second tack where she lost no momentum at all, which for a cruising cat is phenomenal!”

• Nacra F18 Evolution

The evolution of sailing

Record-breaking winning design. The next step in Formula 18 sailing. (r)Evolutionary on every level.

Using the most advanced technology in Formula 18 sailing, the Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built to win – a sophisticated design combined with 45 years of experience make it the best all-round performing Formula 18 multihull, across the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.

The literal evolution in Formula 18 sailing, it’s the next iteration of the boat that won it all, the Nacra F18 Infusion . Using the same unique construction process, this catamaran will take you to heights in performance you’ve only dreamed of.

Usage Competitive One Design racing

Crew 2  Sailors

EVOLUTION IS THE SECRET TO THE NEXT STEP

The main purpose of the new F18 Evolution design was to build upon the unique pedigree of the Nacra F18 Infusion MKII  as the previous best-in-class allrounder. Taking all the best parts from its predecessor, redesigning its flaws, improving where we could, we’ve created a worthy successor.  The main visual difference is of course a completely new hull shape, but the real improvement is 

in the details. Built to push through in even the toughest conditions on the water, the Nacra F18 Evolution is truly the next step in Formula 18 sailing. Built upon a great legacy, it’s only a matter of time before the F18 Evolution makes its unforgettable mark in Formula 18 sailing.

NEW HULL DESIGN An already winning design.  The Nacra F18 Evolution has the same overall specifications as the Infusion MKIII , but incorporates a new hull design with reverse raked stems. It has a fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars. The hulls feature transom-hung carbon fibre rudders controlled by a tiller and dual retractable carbon fibre daggerboards. The rudders are a kick-up design.

CONFIGURABLE SAIL PLAN Next generation sailing performance.  Close collaboration with the aerodynamic sail design of Performance Sails has ensured an optimized sail plan which features the regatta proven Pentex™ Decksweeper mainsail and an optimized jib design tailored to the new mainsail. A tough polyester spinnaker, available in 3 colours and 2 types of different strength cloth, completes the sail plan.

Nacra Sailing strives to always be on the forefront of development. We don’t get it right all the time, but the F18 range has been a benchmark in design- and construction processes for decades, and the front line of box rule racing.  The Nacra F18 Evolution  truly reveals our DNA, everything Nacra stands for. As an early adopter of the since perfected Infusion process, our development has taken a rapid flight that allowed us to be on the bleeding edge of Formula development limits. And we’re unabashedly proud of that.   Not only have we poured 45 years of knowledge in this boat, we coupled that with feedback from pretty much all F18 legends and engineers, some of whom have since evolved to America’s Cup teams. From fluid dynamics to optimizing hull strength, to working with optimal sail shape and weight rules, ‘Scuderia’ Nacra’s 9th (!) generation F18 is built on a rich history of strife, success, hardship and perseverance.

• Nacra Users & Owners Manual
• Trimsheet Nacra F18 Evolution V2 (2024)
• Assembly Manual F18 Evolution

Specifications

International Formula 18 Class Association

Discover our entire range of catamarans

Shop all your spare parts and accessories directly from our online store.

Shopping for your business?

Do you order for a sailing school or club, a resort, or do you want to become a Nacra Certified Dealer? Contact Nacra Sailing to apply.

© Nacra Sailing INT. 2024

Sign Up for a Topper Clubcard for 10% off everything in our Parts Shop.

Sign up for a topper clubcard..

A New Kind Of Sailing Experience.

The Topaz 14 is an accessible but high performance cat designed for two medium to light crew. There is room on the trampoline for three for cruising. 

The Topaz 14 delivers tremendous performance and is light, responsive, nimble and beautifully behaved. The Topaz Catamarans have been designed by International multihull racing legends Yves Loday and Robert White. With such sailing experience and pedigree, not to mention their proven design track records, it comes as little surprise that the Loday/White team have produced such a stunning range of cats.

Topaz 14 Features

• High foredeck with lots of volume in the bow area is great for stability, handling and taut feedback for the helm
• The built-in skeg design hulls (so no need for Daggerboards) make for simple user friendly sailing, especially on the beach
• No boom makes life easy OnBoard when teaching novice sailors
• Lock-in beams provide a rigid sailing platform and firm hull performance
• Fully adjustable simple Rudder System allows you to adjust the rake of the blade usually found on expensive Racing Catamarans
• Fully battened mainsail provides exciting performance
• Durable and manageable Dacron radial-cut mainsail and furling jib as standard
• Reefing mainsail as standard
• Single-line ‘Race’ Gennaker System is easy and effortless to use
• Twin trapeze as standard
• Hard wearing injection moulded polyethylene rudder blade
• Incredible high quality fittings including ball bearing blocks and race specification cleats as standard
• Auto-ratchet Gennaker block as standard
• Foam filled sealed mast for extra safety
• Step hinged mast makes rigging quick and easy (even for one young person)
• High quality foot straps for trapezing
• Unique non-slip pattern is user friendly and provides extra grip when trapezing
• Total rigged weight of just 110kg
• TRILAM technology unique to Topper gives unrivalled strength to weight ratio and great uniformity, buoyancy, stiffness, dynamism, lightweight and durability

A great first racing catamaran

A wonderful 14 foot catamaran that is fast, fun and forgiving and is ideally suited to lighter weight crews.  The Topaz 14 has a twin trapeze and a powerful 9.98m2 sail area courtesy of a large Dacron main and jib.

Tremendous stability & speed.

The 14 X option generates even higher performance with an added 10.00m2 gennaker to provide a more powered up downwind ride – while still retaining the excellent stability. The result; far more control and fewer spills than you’d expect from a cat with this much power.

Image Gallery

Topaz 14 prices start at £8,495.00 (inc VAT.)

If you would like a more detailed quote to discuss you requirements, please contact one of our sales team for more information.

Our dedicated Sales Managers, Russ & Jon are always on-hand for any questions, or help you require.

We have an on-the-road parts and repairs shop and Russ attends various events across the country to fix or replace equipment. He is also a font of knowledge offering general advice and after-care for all our customers.

Below you will find all the support documents available for the Topaz 14 and 14 X. If you have any further questions or can’t find what you are looking for please let us know! 

Instructions

CE Certificate

UK Certificate

Topaz Manual

Topaz Range

Standard ● Optional ○
Design	Nacra / Morelli&Melvin		⬤
Hull	5.52m (18')	Glass foam sandwich FRP epoxy resin	⬤
Beam	2.6m (8'5")		⬤
Mast length	9.15m (30')	Aluminium	⬤
Boat weight	180kg (418 Lbs)	Ready to sail	⬤
Trapeze system	2 person		⬤
Mainsail	17m² (183ft²)	Pentex™	⬤
Jib	4.3m² (46ft²)	Pentex™	⬤
Spinnaker	21m² (226ft²)	Nylon	⬤
Spinnaker retriever system			⬤
Mainsheet system	1 to 10		⬤
Mainsail cunningham system	1 to 16		⬤
Jib cunningham system	1 to 4		⬤
Daggerboard set		Full carbon FRP epoxy resin	⬤
Curved daggerboard set		Full carbon FRP epoxy resin	◯
Rudder		Full carbon FRP epoxy resin	⬤
Rudder system		Kick-up aluminium / Cassette aluminium	⬤
Rudder & daggerboard cover set			⬤
Standing rigging with adjustable turnbuckles			⬤

               

28' Teague Custom Marine Daytona Eliminator

Cigarette 42X

29' Nordic Deckboat

48' MTI 203 MPH Capable48 MTI Turbine Powered Catamaran

27' Eliminator 27 Speedster

36' Hallett by Barron Offshore

33' Donzi Z33

55' MTI 2025 55 MTI Catamaran

11' homebuilt Hydroplane

30' Predator C30

44' MTI 44 RP

51' Sport Yacht Racing Yacht

32' 32 Doug Wright Race Full carbon wide body

36' Spectre Cat 36

32' Doug Wright 32 Carbon wide body

37' Warlock 37 Cat

21' Catamaran Baker

18' Summerford Racing STV Pro Comp

30' Warlock Off Shore Racing

25' Eliminator Daytona 69900

35' Sonic 35ss

--> -->

Explore Texel

Outdoor activities & Sports

Water sports

Round texel race, race around texel.

The Round Texel Race has become the world's largest catamaran sailing race. Every year, over 300 catamarans compete on the water with the aim of sailing around the island of Texel as fast as possible! Both amateur sailors and the international sailing elite participate in this race. In recent years, the race has grown into a major public event with thousands of visitors.

Ready for the start

It is special to see how the boats are prepared and then take to the water. The start and finish take place at Paal 17 , on the west side of the island. The starting line is just off the coast and is marked by two large starting ships and a helicopter with smoke signals.

The exact start time depends on the current and wind and will be announced the morning of the race during the Skippers briefing.

From Paal 17, the catamarans depart towards the lighthouse. This is a critical point of the race: if they arrive at the lighthouse too late, they will have the current against them and unfortunately have to abandon the race. Otherwise, they sail on towards Oudeschild .

They then cross the Marsdiep where the confrontation with the TESO boat is also always an exciting part. From the Marsdiep, they sail on to the finish line at Paal 17.

Race around Texel 2025

The start of the 2025 race is on Saturday 14 June.

Best places to watch

As a spectator, where do you have the best view of the race? The mass start at Paal 17 is very spectacular to see, with the catamarans leaving at the same time. The beach near the lighthouse , the wadden dyke and the dyke at Oudeschild are also recommended. After about three hours, the first sailors are expected at the finish line at Paal 17. The entire race can also be followed live via Radio Texel.

Would you like to sail the Round Texel Race? On Texel, you can take sailing lessons at De Eilander sailing school . Practice a lot and who knows, maybe you will be the winner of the next Round Texel Race! You can register for the competition via this website .

WAVES Festival

WAVES is top sport on the water with the Ronde om Texel and live music and other water sports and summervibes on the beach. During the day, visitors can watch various water sports competitions of the Ronde om Texel from the beach while enjoying music and delicious food and drinks. What's more, it's a three-night party!

More fun on the Texel beach

Webcam paal 17

Pole 17, at Ecomare, is close to the bathing resort of De Koog and marks the dune entrance to the beach. There’s plenty to do here all year round. You

Texel has fantastic beaches. Around 30 kilometres of snow-white beach sand awaits you!

Texel is a real paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Catamaran sailing, surfing or kayaking? Discover the activities on Texel's water.

Do you want personal tips for your holiday? Then sign up for the newsletter

• Skip to Navigation
• Skip to Main Content
• Skip to Related Content
• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

• Fantasy Football
• Yahoo Sports AM
• College Sports
• Horse Racing
• Fantasy Sports
• What & How To Watch
• Scores/Schedules
• Fantasy Basketball
• In-Season Tournament
• All-Star Game
• Summer League
• NFL Winners and Losers
• Jannik Sinner wins US Open
• Fantasy Football Booms & Busts
• Tyreek Hill detained before Week 1
• Dak gets record deal from Dallas

Brazilian Olympic star Martine Grael will become the first woman to helm an F50 catamaran in SailGP

Sailgp grael.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael will become the first woman to helm an F50 foiling catamaran in SailGP when a new Brazilian team debuts in the fifth season of tech billionaire Larry Ellison’s global league.

Grael was introduced Monday during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, which will host a regatta May 3-4 on Guanabara Bay against the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain.

“I'm going to be representing every girl out there. There are a few girls that could be in this position. So, I’m very honored to be the first one," Grael said in a video interview with The Associated Press.

“And honestly, I think it’s going to be a great challenge, not just for me as a girl, but as a sports person, to come in a circuit that is already established and trying to perform when there’s teams there that are already skilled,” she added. "I think it’s going to take every little bit.”

SailGP, which was launched in 2019 by Ellison and five-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts of New Zealand, includes most of the world's top sailors, including America's Cup champions and Olympic medalists. Season 5 will have 11 teams competing in 14 regattas.

Grael's father, Torben, counts two golds among his five Olympic medals, skippered the winning team in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race and has sailed in the America's Cup.

Martine Grael and crew Kahena Kunze won the 49erFX gold medal in home waters in 2016, holding off New Zealand by two seconds in the last race of the regatta and setting off a wild celebration on Flamengo Beach. As their skiff approached the shore, a few dozen people waded into the water, lifted the skiff and carried it up to the beach, with the sailors standing on top of it.

They repeated as gold medalists in Tokyo and finished eighth in Paris last month. Grael crewed with Team AkzoNobel in the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race.

She said she has goosebumps thinking about what’s ahead in making the jump from the 49erFX to the wingsailed F50s, and doesn’t think it matters that she has two gold medals.

“It matters what you do and your attitude,” she said. “I think it really matters what you put in in the moment and how your team takes it.”

SailGP started a Women’s Pathway Program in 2021. Since then, there has been a woman on every boat in every race, with a total of 37 women having raced onboard F50s. Most teams have an active roster of three women alongside their male counterparts.

“I think I was born in the right moment,” said Grael, 33, who grew up in Niterói, across Guanabara Bay from Rio.

“She was the obvious choice,” Coutts told the AP. “Brazil’s got a strong history in Olympic sailing. And when you look at the talent that’s available, she’s a standout candidate. She’s got two gold medals. She’s proven that she can perform under pressure.”

If the Brazilian team puts the right crew around Grael, “I don’t see any reason why they can’t do really well," Coutts said. "I think that’s super exciting for the development of women’s sailing because if she does do well and starts winning races at that level against the best in the world, you’ve got to think that’s going to have an impact on all the young female sailors out there, to be aspiring to do a similar thing to her.

“And it is unique that she’s competing against the best males in the sport," Coutts added.

Tom Slingsby, an Olympic gold medalist and former America’s Cup champion, dominated SailGP's first three seasons before Diego Botin of Spain stunned Slingsby and Peter Burling of New Zealand in the $2 million, winner-take-all Season 4 championship race on July 13. Three weeks later, Botin and Florian Trittel, his SailGP wing trimmer, won the Olympic gold medal in the 49er.

Burling has one gold among his three Olympic medals and is the two-time reigning America’s Cup champion helmsman. British helmsman Giles Scott is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Slingsby, Burling and Scott are currently helming in the America's Cup trials in Barcelona.

“It’s not going to be easy, but she’s got the talent to succeed, I think,” Coutts said.

Grael was scheduled to fly to Bermuda on Monday night to participate in SailGP's first preseason training camp aboard an F50 fitted with new T-foils that are designed to make the boats faster. She'll get more time in the boat at a camp before the season opener in Dubai on Nov. 23-24.

Bernie Wilson has covered sailing for The Associated Press since 1991.

Recommended Stories

Lions flirt with upset loss to rams in their opener, but run game leads a win in ot.

The Lions and Rams opened up their seasons with a thriller on Sunday night.

Alex Morgan bids emotional farewell in final game of her soccer career

Joined by her daughter Charlie, Morgan said goodbye to the San Diego Wave and her career as a soccer player Sunday night.

Week 2 Overreaction: Marcus Freeman is officially on the hot seat & Texas is a serious contender

Does every team in college football stink? Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde react to a wild Week 2 slate that featured many teams underperforming.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Pulse Check: Kirk Cousins, Falcons lead biggest disappointments

It's time for a moment to breathe after all that Week 1 action. Tera Roberts breaks down some of the lackluster performances we saw on Sunday.

Rams WR Puka Nacua leaves OT loss to Lions early with knee injury

The Rams announced after halftime of their loss to the rams that Puka Nacua would not return.

Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer expected to pitch for Rangers next week, says manager Bruce Bochy

PItchers Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are expected to rejoin the Texas Rangers rotation next week during a series against the Seattle Mariners, says manager Bruce Bochy.

Bo Nix throws 2 interceptions in Broncos debut, prompts audible 'oh no' from CBS announcer in loss to Seahawks

Of the three rookie quarterbacks making their NFL debuts, Bo Nix went into Sunday surrounded by most questions. He offered few encouraging answers.

Cowboys hammer Browns in season opener with $240M QB Dak Prescott leading the way

Energized Dallas raced to an early lead and were rarely bothered in Cleveland as Prescott's counterpart Deshaun Watson struggled.

Chargers’ Joshua Palmer, Raiders’ Jack Jones ejected after fight breaks out late in Jim Harbaugh’s debut

The Chargers surged ahead late to beat the Raiders in Jim Harbaugh's coaching debut with the team on Sunday afternoon.

Caleb Williams' debut is a win despite an offense that 'didn't do s***' and a star QB who needs time to adjust

Caleb Williams learned a valuable lesson in his first professional football game: It’s going to be a bit more difficult than the Pac-12.

Shohei Ohtani hits 46th home run to match his 46 stolen bases, charging toward 50-50 season

Shohei Ohtani hit his 46th home run of the season, moving him closer to a historic 50-50 performance with 19 games remaining on the Los Angeles Dodgers' schedule.

Aces fall to Liberty with MVP frontrunner A'ja Wilson sidelined by ankle injury

Wilson tweaked her leg late in Friday's game against the Sun and was seen wearing a walking boot ahead of Sunday's matchup.

Cardinals' DeeJay Dallas scores first return TD under NFL's new kickoff rules: will league see an uptick this season?

Was Sunday's score a sign of things to come after just four return touchdowns in 2023?

Simone Biles 'almost had a heart attack' after husband Jonathan Owens scored first Bears TD of the season

Jonathan Owens traveled to Paris to watch his wife Simone Biles compete at the Olympics. On Sunday, it was Biles' turn to play spectator

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Early pickups for Week 2

Never too early to start plugging in those fantasy football waivers! Check out this suggested trio for Week 2.

Caleb Williams struggles in Bears debut; Chicago rides defense, special teams to win over Titans

The Bears didn't score an offensive touchdown, but secured the win thanks to scores on defense and special teams. Williams threw for 92 yards.

Patriots defense comes up with wild goal-line play to prevent Bengals TD in first-half shutout of Cincinnati

A turnover at the goal line encapsulated a stunning first half in Cincinnati that had the Patriots pitching a shutout.

Anthony Richardson's breathtaking 60-yard touchdown not enough for the Colts win

Anthony Richardson showed off his arm strength on Sunday.

Bryce Young's first throw of the season is an interception

Bryce Young entered the 2024 season looking to shake off a tough rookie year with the Carolina Panthers. He did not get off to a good start.

US Open men’s final: Jannik Sinner defeats Taylor Fritz in straight sets for 2nd Grand Slam title this year

Jannik Sinner defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets to win the 2024 US Open, earning his second Grand Slam title of the year.

Top Things To Do In Irkutsk, Russia

• Post author: Hasan Mahmud
• Post published: July 4, 2016
• Post category: EUROPE / Russia
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Irkutsk is the most popular stop for Trans – Siberian travelers. In this fascinating city, which was once known as the “Paris of Siberia,” you will find people relatively more friendly and relaxed than those in Moscow and other major cities on the west. The city is relatively small, laid back, and most of the points of interest are easily walkable. Along many of the streets, you can see historical cozy – looking log cabins with decorated windows with detailed woodwork, which is typical Siberian architecture. Irkutsk is conveniently located about an hour away (by car or bus) from the southern shores of Lake Baikal – the oldest and deepest freshwater lake on our planet.

How We Got There

Even though a journey on the Trans-Siberian Express # 002 is the longest train ride in the world but for us, it’s only 48 hours from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk. 

Our Itinerary By Trans Siberian

		.
Yekaterinburg			15;39/17:39 – June 28	0
Barabinsk	06:53	30 Min	05;37
Irkutsk	25:59/20:59 – Thu June 30			3375/2100

By Air An Alternet Option

There are a couple of major airlines flying to Irkutsk International Airport (IKT) such as S7, Aeroflot, China Southern, Korean Air, Uzbekistan Airways, and more. Check out Priceline.com or CheapOair.com for a bargain.

The airport is about 5 miles (7 km) from the Irkutsk Angara hotel and about 40 miles (64 km) from Listavyanka or Lake Baikal. There are many taxies available at the airport; all you need to do is negotiate the price. You can also use Uber or Yandex taxi if you have their app and access to wifi.

Top Things To Do In Irkutsk

The traditional siberian wooden homes.

You can spend an entire afternoon walking the streets of Irkutsk and not come across two homes that are alike. This city is comprised almost entirely of old, traditional Siberian houses, and each one is entirely unique. They often have bright, carved shutters that contrast sharply with the dark wooden exterior. Something unique.

Visit The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral

The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral the main cathedral of the Irkutsk diocese is The Bogoyavlensky Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Irkutsk, it is located right next to the Angara River. Initially built in 1693, our of wood, but a devastating fire destroyed it. In the early 18th century, instead of a small wooden church that existed, they built a great stone Orthodox Cathedral.

The beautiful exterior of the Bogoyavlensky Cathedral is impressive, it has red brick exterior walls decorated with old Russian designs with many extravagant elements.

Guided Tour In Irkutsk

There are guided tours available in Irkutsk, they usually combine sightseeing, lunch and a few sightseeing stops on the way.  Get Your Guide  is the one I recommend.

Visit The Spasskaya Church

This beautiful church is the oldest stone building in Irkutsk, not far from Bogoyavlensky Cathedral and the famous Angara River. It was built in 1710 and the stone church because of the fortress wall that defended Irkutsk from the raids.

Check Out Huge Kirov Square

The The Kirov Squire is located just in front of our hotel (Angara Hotel) we were staying within the boundaries of Lelin, Zhelyabov and Sukhe-Batora streets. It is the center of many major events, such as the Victory Day parade and New Year celebrations. Nice place to visit while you are in Irkutsk.

The Monument to the founders of Irkutsk

It was unveiled on the 350 anniversary of Irkutsk in 2011. The monument is located on the banks of the River Angara, near the Cathedral of the Epiphany. The bronze monument represents a generalized character of Cossack – a pioneer of Siberia.

Tsar Alexander the third

The statue of Alexander III located right on the waterfront promenade by the Angara River a beautiful place to visit on your way to Listvayanka.

Our Lady of Kazan

Kazan Church (Barrikad St., 34) could absolutely be the highlight of your time in Irkutsk. The people refer to it as the ‘Red Church’, noting the beautiful color of its walls. The foundation for this stone building was laid in 1835, and the construction took 57 years. The church, opened on Easter 1892, is magnificent.

130 Quarter (Kvartal)

Must see the place in Irkutsk one of the famous tourist destinations. The This is a must-see the place in Irkutsk, one of the famous tourist destinations. The historical quarter is located in the center of Irkutsk, at the intersection of Kozhov, Sedovand 3rd Lyulya streets. Easily accessible by public transportation such as a bus. This historical place got Museums, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and a mall all coexist in peach behind old walls. Old historical buildings and lovely sculptures surround those buildings are beautiful, a great please for spending an evening there.

Check Out Znamensky Monastery

Znamensky Monastery is one of the most famous places of worship in Irkutsk. It was like ay other old Russian church but was interesting to see. Nice stopover if you are interested to see a typical monastery and nice paintings.

Beautiful Prince Vladimir Temple

This monastery was founded in 1888 in honor of the 900th. Anniversary of the Christianization of Russia. Like any other place of worship in Irkutsk was built with private funds. A great place to visit based on your priority.

Visit Taltsy Museum

The open-air museum displays the lifestyle and typical architecture, mostly wooden houses of Siberia. Taltsy Museum is located on the bank of Angora river, about 29 miles (47 km) south of Irkutsk. Since this is on the way to Listvyanka. Therefore, many tourists add this spot as part of their Listvyanka and Lake Baikal trip. We took a guided tour and pact with a lot of activities, including a stop to Taltsy, Port Baikal, boat ride in Lake Baikal, Shaman Stone, Listvyanka, cable car to Chesky Stone Hill Lookout, Listvyanka market and a visit to St. Nicholas church.

Day Trip to Listvyanka & Port Baikal

Listvyanka is an urban locality in Irkutsk District of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, located 70 kilometers south of Irkutsk, near the point where the Angara River meets Lake Baikal. The village of wooden houses beside Lake Baikal is the most popular tourist destination on the lake. The village is easily accessible by bus, minivans, and even ferries from Irkutsk city.

It is doable as a day trip from Irkutsk, or many stay there a day or two. There are so many things to do that will definitely not disappoint you. We enjoyed a speed boat ride in the lake later, visited the shaman stone in the middle of the Angara River, where it meets Baikal lake, toured a village market, and had some delicious smoked Amul fish a fresh catch right out of the lake. We took a ferry to Port Baikal and walked for miles following the famous Circum-Baikal train track. In the afternoon, At the end of our day trip, we took a cable car to the Chesky Stone Hilltop and watched one of the magnificent sunsets of all time from the lookout. The memories I gathered is priceless.

Ride The Circum-Baikal Train

One of the best picturesque day trips from Irkutsk is by taking the historic Circum-Baikal railway that runs from Slyudyanka to Port Baikal. The rail route is about 52 miles (84 km), and it takes about 5 hours by Circum-Baikal railway.

To get to Slyudyanka the starting point of the historic Circus-Baikal train trip you may need to get 2+ hours of a taxi or train journey from Irkutsk that’s another 68 miles (110 km) to cover.

Once you are at the end of your Circus-Baikal train trip at Port Baikal, you need to get the last ferry to get to Listvyanka, then an option to stay overnight at the beautiful lake side town or go back to Irkutsk.

Try Local Food in Irkutsk

Clermont restaurant, polskikh povstancev st., 1, irkutsk.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Angora Hotel. We, in fact, liked the food we ordered. All we wanted to eat was salad, fish, and pelmeni. So we got Omul Fish soup, smoked Omul, and of course, Pelmeni and the traditional Russian salad was delicious.

Kochevnik, Gorkogo St., 19, Irkutsk

This is an excellent restaurant serving mainly delicious Mongolian food. Only about 7 minutes’ walk from the Angara hotel. It is one of the most loved restaurants by locals and tourists alike. Most of the food is delicious, and I would definitely recommend this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

Where Did I Stay in Irkutsk

Angara Hotel, Sukhe-Bator Street 7, Irkutsk

This hotel is at Kirov square, this downtown hotel is a 9-minute walk from a tram stop, a 6-minute walk from the landmark Cathedral of the Epiphany and 3.1 km from regional art at the V.P.Sukachev manor museum. The famous Angara river is just a few blocks away.

Apartament on Marata 31, 31 ulitsa Marata, Irkutsk

If you are looking for a more extended stay or just to experience your trip from a different perspective, then I would suggest booking an apartment. The apartment on Marata 31 is a great option, with 1 bedroom, an equipped kitchen, with microwave, fridge, washing machine, and a stove. You can even rent a bicycle from them.

My Opinion and Last Word

Have you been to irkutsk, russia any cool tips to share.

I loved being in Irkutsk Oblast and want to go back again. I hope my story has motivated you to  plan your visit . 

Please leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you to improve my knowledge. 

Was this travel guide helpful for you?

If you would like to help me continue making free guides, here is one way you can help:

• Share This Guide  – If you have a friend that would benefit from this guide, share it with them. Or post this guide on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Your support would definitely help me making more free guides like this. Thank you in advance!

Affiliate Link  – This post in  Dizzy Traveler  contains affiliate links, which means I receive a referral commission if you purchase after clicking at  no additional cost to you . These funds go to maintain the site. Thank you for your support.

Please Share This Share this content

• Opens in a new window

Hasan Mahmud

You might also like.

Train Trip to Budapest, Hungary from Vienna, Austria

Things to do in Rome, Italy – Travel Guide

Great Things to See and do in Zermatt, Switzerland

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Create an account

Reset password, hotel finder, item added to your cart.

0 items in the cart ( $ 0.00 )