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5M Rodcat Beach Catamaran Plans

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Description

Additional information.

The Rodcat 5 is a simple beach catamaran with asymmetric hulls. To make construction quick and easy, each hull is built up from a flat inboard side which is laid flat on a workbench. The transom and ply bulkheads are then fitted to this side and the pre-shaped bilge and side panels added and stitched together. All seams are then epoxy filleted before the deck is put on over size and trimmed back. The 'I' beams are made up from wood and are simply lashed into beam slots mounted on top of the deck so that assembly is quick. The daggerboards are mounted in outboard slots formed on the vertical inboard hull sides and the drawings give details for wood mast and boom.

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Quattro 14 by Woods Designs

14ft single trapeze beach catamaran.

Length overall
Waterline length
Beam
Accomodation1-2
Weight
Sail area
Hull construction Stich-n-glue
See also

URL: http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs/1-beach-cats-and-dinghies-/6-quattro-14

Description:

The Quattro 14 has a hull shape similar to the PIXIE , but with the addition of small skegs (which help windward performance) and a larger, more sophisticated rig, and a trapeze for extra speed and power. Although many have been built over the years, very few builders have sent photos

As on the QUATTRO 16 aluminium tube crossbeams are used which throughbolt into the hulls forming a very rigid structure.

The QUATTRO 14 is for those who want to race, either singlehanded on the trapeze, or with two light crew (a youth trainer perhaps?)

Quattro 14

Design Length Beam Sail area Engine power Compare
by Woods Designs
14ft fun beach catamaran



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16ft twin trapeze beach catamaran



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Catamarans about same size as Quattro 14

 
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Quattro 14 racing beach catamaran by Richard Woods

Quattro 14 Beach Catamaran

PDF plans £80

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Product Description

The Quattro 14 is a single-trapeze racing catamaran based on the Quattro 16 .

Designed by renowned multihull sailor and designer Richard Woods, the Quattro hulls are built from sheet plywood using the stitch-and-glue construction method, making them stiff and lightweight.

The Quattro 14 has a hull shape similar to the Pixie , but with the addition of small skegs which help windward performance. It also has a larger, more sophisticated rig and a trapeze for extra speed and power.

This catamaran is for those who want to race, either singlehanded on the trapeze, or with two light crew.

The Quattro has aluminium tube crossbeams which simply bolt into the hulls to form a very rigid structure. The rig from an older beach cat can be used, to save time and money making a new one. Total build time ready to paint is about 150 hours.

  • LOA: 4.3 m (14′)
  • LWL: 4.15 m (13′ 6″)
  • Beam, overall: 2.1 m (7′)
  • Weight: 80 kg (190 lb)
  • Sail area: 13.1 m² (145 sq ft)

The Quattro 14 catamaran plans include detailed specifications for building and rigging the boat. The quality and clarity of the plans ease the construction of this boat, though you still need to be confident of your plans-reading ability.

A complete materials list is supplied with the plans. All dimensions are in metric units.

An electronic version of the plans in PDF format that can be viewed using Adobe Reader. After credit card authorisation the file will be sent to the email address put on the order form.

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Woods Designs specialise in the design of sailing catamarans for both home and professional builders. However we also have a small range of dinghies, trimarans and power catamarans. Scroll down to see the full list, divided into lengths and boat types. Read More...

Before deciding which boat to build it's worth getting as much information as possible. So apart from this web site we have produced lots more to help you. Read More ....

Our study plans and building plans are now only available as downloads.

However the digital plans are still the same effective size, generally A1 (approx 3ft x 2ft). So do not try to view them on a smart phone , if indeed the phone allows an image that large to be displayed. The download studyplans cost GBP15.00

Paper studyplans and plans are only available to special order. They come at a much higher cost due to printing and postage costs. Please contact us if you wish to order paper plans.

You can download a sample pack of drawings (sheets from 7 different designs) HERE

Read More...

Also check the Year Reviews and Newsletters PDF downloads for reports about the designs that interest you. I also suggest you search my Facebook page, the forum pages for the very latest comments by owners and builders.  

Please note: All plans are drawn in metric units.

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To buy study or building plans please use the links below or on the detail pages

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After making a purchase you will get an emailed receipt from Paypal. It is possible that it might be considered Spam. So if it does not arrive in your Inbox I suggest you check your Spam folder.

Click here for Beach Cats and Dinghies (8 designs)

This range of rowing and sailing dinghies and off the beach catamarans complement the larger catamarans designed by Woods Designs

Click here for Trimarans Under 20ft (6 designs)

Six daysailing trimarans, each with a plywood hard chine main hull.

The Tryst 10 is based on the Duo dinghy. The Zeta 14 and Strike 15 are complete designs, while the Strike 16 and 18 use a beach cat for the rig and outriggers. The Strike 20 is a racing boat based on the F18 beach cat. 

Click here for 18ft to 25ft Catamarans (10 designs)

The 25ft and under range of designs comprise a variety of trailable boats, generally either with an open deck layout or with a central cuddy. These boats are suitable for daylight or overnight coastal and "cross-channel" sailing.

Note, Saylon has a full bridgedeck and, like its smaller sister Chat, is only suitable for inshore sheltered water sailing.

Study plans are available for purchase for all designs (except for Acorn, Chat, Eagle and Saylon which are available on their own pages as pdf downloads)

Download study plans cost GBP15.00. To order studyplans please select from the correct box below 

Note: You can pay using Paypal or with your normal credit card.  

Click here for 25ft to 30ft Catamaran Designs (7 designs)

The 25ft - 30ft range of designs comprise a wide variety of open deck and bridgedeck boats. These boats have limited load carrying ability and so if sailing long distances you will have to be careful not to overload them.

Study plans are available for purchase for all designs (except for Elf, Saturn and the Salish 28 which are available for free download on the design pages)

Download study plans cost GBP15.00.  To order studyplans please select from the correct box below 

Click here for Catamaran Designs Over 30ft (8 designs)

The over 30ft range of designs comprise both open and bridge deck cabin boats.

The range of designs comprise a wide variety of open deck and bridgedeck boats. These boats have added load carrying and increased seakindliness compared to smaller designs so are more suited for offshore sailing.

We do not recommend home builders to attempt a boat over 40 ft unless experienced and want a boat for charter or long term cruising. Most families will find that boats under 40 ft will comfortably meet their needs.

Study plans are available for purchase for all designs (except for Tamar, Vardo and Transit which are available on their own pages)

Download study plans cost GBP15.00.  To order studyplans please select from the correct box below  

Click here for Power Catamarans (8 designs)

In September 2010 we were very pleased to announce the launch of our first powercat design, the trailable Skoota 20. It was a very successful boat which we cruised for two seasons in British Columbia. Seven more powercat designs are now available. In addition to the Skoota 20 there is a centre cockpit, trailable Skoota 24. Next, the Skoota 28 is a transportable coastal cruiser, and was the Woods Designs floating office/cruising home for 7 happy and successful years.

Also in the portfolio are the Jazz 30, designed for fishing, day charter work or coastal cruising  The Skoota 32 which is available as a production boat or for home builders in flat panel foam sandwich. The Skoota 36, a really comfortable fast cruiser (available in two options) or, slightly modified, for use as a passenger ferry. All are semi displacement designs, so not designed for high speeds but rather for good fuel economy and a comfortable ride in any seastate. Finally there are the newest designs, the Skoota 18 which is based on the Chat 18 sailing catamaran. And the Aegean 30 which is a development of the Skoota 28

See this article for the reasons why we chose a Skoota 28 as our newest cruising boat

You can download a basic studyplan pack HERE

About our Download Plans

Our study plans and building plans are now only available as downloads. This is a more convenient option for you as you can receive the plans more quickly than by mail. It's also more convenient for us as we don't need to spend time in the office printing them out and mailing them.  

Before buying plans please check our Terms and Conditions by clicking on this link

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Ed Horstman designed TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN plans are drawn for the first time builder. Plans are concise and clearly drawn so the builder can easily follow each building step. Designs are continuously updated with your input and new ideas. Plans include full size patterns to 63'. The larger TRI's and CAT's have full radius hulls.With no lofting you build right away. The DESIGNER'S book TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN CONSTRUCTION is part of the plans (over 21') and covers all phases of construction. Plans are leased to build ONE boat, NO time limit. Tri-Star designs are proven designs, sailing the seven seas since 1964. Free consultation is provided to the original non-professional builder till he or she is sailing the seven seas. All boats may be built with flared hulls, with the exception of the TRI 25, TRI 26MT, CAT 27PC and the CAT 27. A DESIGN FEE for customer modifications to stock plans.

Small, Fast Catamaran Design


TRI-STAR CAT 14 Plans $ Slightly Larger, Fast Catamaran Design




TRI-STAR CAT 19 Plans $ Trailerable, Fast Catamaran Design with berthing areas



TRI-STAR CAT 27 PC Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 27 PC Plans $

A comfortable micro-cruising catamaran.



TRI-STAR CAT 27 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 27 Plans $

CAT 34, designed as a mid-size comfortable, quick sailing catamaran with comfortable accomodations, a spacious bridge deck lounge area that has 6ft of headroom.


TRI-STAR CAT 34 Plans $ CAT 36 designed as a spacious, fast enjoyable sailing cataramarn with accomodations found only on much larger yachts.

TRI-STAR CAT 36 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 36 Plans $

CAT 38 designed as a spacious, fast enjoyable sailing cataramarn with accomodations found only on much larger yachts.

TRI-STAR CAT 38 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 38 Plans $

CAT 41 designed as a spacious, fast enjoyable sailing cataramarn with accomodations found only on much larger yachts.

TRI-STAR CAT 41 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 41 Plans $

CAT 51 is an elegant cruising or charter catamaran, designed for the owner desiring a spacious, enjoyable sailing catamaran.

TRI-STAR CAT 51 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 51 Plans $

CAT 55 is an elegant cruising or charter catamaran, designed for the owner desiring a spacious, enjoyable sailing catamaran.



TRI-STAR CAT 55 Study Plans $
TRI-STAR CAT 55 Plans $

 
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Never too young to enjoy a nice sunset.

 Looloo (left) and Lucky McGee enjoying the cruising lifestyle aboard Chincogan 52 Moonraker  anchored at the mouth of the estuary at the south end of Ko Phra Thong after spending a couple of weeks at Ko Phayam.

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Then and now

The seafront of Cartagena in Colombia is the backdrop for two sailing vessels of different epochs and sharply contrasting character.

Against the sea wall  Galeon Bucanero , a replica of a Spanish galleon of the seventeenth century is totally at home against the fortifications of this historically significant Spanish port city.

In the foreground Chincogan 52  Sole currently circumnavigating the globe stops over en route to Panama and the Society Islands.

Over the years I've received many wonderful photos of our boats from around the world. This one is an absolute classic. Many thanks to Mike and Sarah Mason for the shot.

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Catamarans and Trimarans

Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans make it a reality to build your own catamaran or trimaran. Multi-hulled sailing vessels are a special class of boat. A very different mind set is required when thinking about sailing a multi hull, let alone getting your head around building one.

There are some unique challenges building a multi-hull sail boat, the extra beam added by each hull for instance can create storage issues while under construction. Hartley boat plans make the build process straight forward for even amateur builders. However with all things considered, building a multi can be an amazing journey.

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This 'glass-over-ply' sailboat is proof that a DIY'er can successfully build an ocean-going multihull cost effectivly.

Having reliable Boatbuilding Resource Books , WILL HELP fast track your decisions prior to, during and post building.

We also wanted a light sailing catamaran that we could beach with ease. This now allows us to save money on one of the biggest maintenance DIY chores, sailboat antifouling without having the costly expense of slipway fees.

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Plywood and Epoxy Catamaran Why both? 

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Plywood construction is the cheapest building method available and very forgiving while one hones their skills.

Finishing with a solid fiberglass outer is also a task made easier, given the amount of glassing and gluing needed during such a project. Doesn't make sense? Read more...

Talk to the sailboat designers , get to know their design types. Get on Forums and ask the 'dumb' questions. Go to marinas (not boat shows) and look for home-build yachts.

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"It takes a strong desire and a will to achieve. Building a large catamaran is certainly achievable". "If you want a yacht with all 'bells and whistles', keep working because it costs money...a lot of money". J Coomer

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Is it cheaper to build or buy? There are many yacht plans to choose from, but dont kid yourself. Many have tried to do it on the cheap and their result shows. If there was a cheaper way, the sailboat designers would tell you. Afterall, they would use that reason to sell there plans!

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DIY boat projects on Pure Majek from new navigation equipment, anchoring systems, rewiring yacht electronics diagrams, AIS and much more.  Its been ten great years since launch and we look at things that have worked and those we would change. Join us and be inspired.

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Setting achievable goals and how to stick to them. From the planning process, what and why we did many things, importantly, things we would do differently. The following pages draw on these experiences described in far more detail in our book ' A Sailing Catamaran Building Adventure '

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‘Green power’ is climbing up the priority ladder to such an extent nowadays that some predictions of fossil fuel costs (scorned at a few years ago), are coming home to roost.

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There are a few tricks here to with respiration, thinning of the topcoat, temperature and coat thickness. All achievable by setting goals and being disciplined .

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Welcome Catamaran Sailor! Whether you sail a Hobie Cat, Prindle, NACRA, Inter, Tornado, or any of the other beach catamarans you are welcome here. TheBeachcats.com is the largest and most friendly online sailing community devoted to the catamaran sailor. Since 2002 over 30,000 beachcat sailors have have registered accounts and hundreds of thousands of others have found help and information.

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Hitia designs, affordable weekend adventure boats.

The Hitia Designs are the perfect beach catamarans. They are 'coastal trekkers' and cater for those who do not want a craft for long distance or "blue water" sailing, but would like to be able to trail their boat to varied interesting coasts and lakes. Their easy economical construction, stability and speed makes for affordable weekend adventure boats . The Hitia 14 can be carried on the roof of your car and fits on the deck of a larger boat. The Hitia 17 has more stowage space and room for a tent on deck for longer excursions. These boats are ideal for small adventures and coastal treks.

About Hitia Building Plans

The Hitia Building Plans follow the same format as the Tiki Plans. They consist of a number of large detailed drawings of all the plywood parts and overall construction details, drawn to scale. Some parts are given full size, to be copied on the plywood.

Boat building blueprints

These scale drawings are accompanied by an A3 size sketchbook, which leads the builder step by step through the build with beautiful detailed sketches and numbered sequence of construction. They are all hand drawn by Hanneke, who has years of hands-on experience of building and designing Wharram catamarans. All our practical expertise, with a focus on keeping things simple, has gone into these drawings. These sketchbooks have made it possible for people with no boatbuilding experience to build a beautiful boat .

See information about building costs .

Green Hitia 14 sailing with two men aboard, against a backdrop of mountains and cloudy skies

Building Method: Ply/Glass/Epoxy Stitch & Glue
Length Overall: 14' 4.26 m
Beam Overall: 8' 3" 2.50 m
Draft: 1' 0.25 m
Weight: 190 lbs 86 kg
Loading capacity: 2 Adults
Sail area: 110 sqft 10.22 sqm
Building Time Estimate: 175 hrs

Can be carried on your car roof and easily fits the decks of a larger design to be used as a sailing day boat. Designed for 2-4 people to cruise estuaries, on lakes and, when the weather is settled, to go coastal trekking . The Hitia 14 will sail straight off the beach. Its easy economical construction, stability and speed makes for an affordable weekend adventure boat.

Red and white Hitia 17 on the beach

Building Method: Ply/Glass/Epoxy Stitch & Glue
Length Overall: 17' 5.18 m
Beam Overall: 10' 1" 3.07 m
Draft: 11' 0.30 m
Weight: 295 lbs 134 kg
Loading capacity: 550 lbs 250 kg
Sail area: 160 sqft 14.9 sqm
Building Time Estimate: 250 hrs

Hitia 17 is the perfect beach catamaran, but also capable for use as a micro Coastal Trekker . Her wingsail sprit rig with low centre of effort gives good drive and great stability. The sail can be reefed and hence the boat can always be sailed safely without the risk of capsize, which most other beach cats are prone to. She has skegs and rudders that do not project below the V-eed hull, hence she can be sailed straight off the beach without lifting rudders or daggerboards.

She has stowage space within the hulls and the two self draining 'cockpits' are big enough to sit in, or stow camping gear for a longer Trek. The boat can carry four adults. The deck is designed to take a standard two-man dome or pop-up tent , or you can make your own decktent to drawing supplied. Can be carried on the car roof of a bigger car or is easily trailed. A lovely minimalist coastal explorer.

Questions about Hitia designs? Contact us:

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Best Catamarans For Beginners (Liveaboard, Beach, Cheap and more)

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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.

In this article, I will list the best Catamarans for beginners sorted into the following categories; Ocean sailing, Cheap sailing , Weekend sailing, Beach catamarans, catamarans for kids, and ends with a discussion of the specific demands for liveaboards.

There is no such thing as a “beginners catamaran,” but some boats are better suited for beginners than others. Such a boat should be cheap, easy to handle, and can be repaired on your own. Most boats are not like this, continue reading to understand why!

This article is intended to get you looking in the right direction for the perfect boat for your specific needs.

CHECK OUT BEST CATAMARANS UNDER 200k

Table of Contents

Best Beginner Catamarans for Ocean sailing

I have chosen boats around 40ft in length ( read this to understand why 40ft is the right size for an offshore catamaran). I have also looked into whether or not the boat is possible to sail singlehanded; I believe this to be an important aspect since sooner or later, parts of the crew will get seasick or in any other way unable to sail the boat. This makes it essential that it is possible to sail without assistance.

Another aspect to consider in this category; is the boat equipped with trampolines or a sold deck? this makes a world of difference when it comes to offshore and big wave sailing. A trampoline will shorten the time it takes from when the bows get buried under a big wave until all water is cleared off the deck, and the boat can sail again; this is very important so that you avoid pitchpoling and capsizing your boat.

READ MORE ON HOW TRAMPOLINES WORK!

The ease of maintenance should not be overlooked on a blue water catamaran , easy access to both engines while underway is an important safety aspect. If for example, you need to go outside and stand on the sugar scoops or hang off the stern (to access the engines), this might compromise safety and even risk a man overboard situation.

Living on a boat, which you will have to if you intend on doing long crossings, requires a lot of space for the crew and a lot of room for food, diesel, equipment, and tools. Having enough space to stand up and cook your food greatly enhances your living standards while sailing.

FOUNTAINE PAJOT LUCIA 40

Lucia 40 is known for being easy to sail; (many argue that this is partly due to the use of a low hanging boom which increases accessibility). On boats that use a flybridge, the boom is situated very high and can make handling difficult.

The visibility on this cat is excellent and thus increases the feeling of being under control since you can keep a 360 outlook on your surroundings.

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The Lagoon 380 is the world’s most common cruising catamaran ; over one thousand boats have left the production facilities during its production time. This means it is a tried and true boat with a big community and, therefore, a lot of knowledge and experience that you can learn from.

It is a sturdy ocean crosser, which is still easy to handle due to its small size. The 380 is not a race boat, but it is very comfortable for its size, and it has a decent level of performance.

Since the Lagoon has been in production for so long (from 1999 to 2019 if I am not mistaking), then there are, of course, variations in design and performance depending on what year you choose.

The Leopard 44 is a very sturdy and well-built boat from South Africa; the exciting thing with this model is the forward cockpit. The forward cockpit is accessible through the central area, which means that you no longer have to go out and around to reach the bow; not only is this very practical, it also makes sense out of a safety perspective.

From the forward cockpit, you will have full visibility of what’s coming ahead of you, perfect for sunny days where you want to enjoy the excellent weather, but also maintain control over your surroundings.

FOUNTAINE PAJOT SABA 50

The Saba 50 is often spoken about as a fast boat where many sailors attest to regularly achieving speeds above 10kts and sometimes up to 13+. These speeds are attained through using a lighter construction where the cabin and deck are molded into a single part instead of several, bolted together. This design makes the boat lightweight and more robust.

In contrast to many other catamarans, and thanks to the fixed keels, the Saba 50 sails pretty well upwind, 

Best Beginner Catamarans for Weekend Sailing

The demands on a weekend sailing boat differ in many ways from an ocean-going vessel. Since usually coastal weather doesn’t include stormy seas and giant waves, the need for a trampoline is reduced, and a solid deck absolutely makes sense! 

Interior space on a coastal cruiser is less of a factor , yes it is nice to stand tall and cook, but most people can fully enjoy a few days of sailing without all the necessities of your house back onshore. Some even argue that this is the beauty of weekend sailing, to come back home and enjoy a warm shower and a big sofa.

Safety should always be the primary concern  when sailing, but when the risk of encountering storms is low, and a safe harbor is close, there are some gear and skills that are not as important as during an offshore passage.

Communications can many times be reduced to a single VHF  radio since you most often will have cellular reception on your phone, and while sailing close to shore, a life raft might also be of less significance. I want to point out that this is merely a guideline, and it is very much up to the captain of the boat to decide what equipment is necessary and what is not.

Having enough bridge deck clearance is fundamental on an offshore boat since heading upwind and having big waves slam into the boat will tire out the crew and increase wear on the ship. But sailing close to shore, you are more likely to encounter choppy bays and small waves, thus reducing the need for high clearance.

Gemini Legacy 35

The Legacy 35 is an American classic and offers some interesting and useful features. The small draft of only 34 inches opens up for coming really close to shore without damaging the boat. This can be very useful when trying to find your perfect spot that is not already filled with boats.

Since it is also very narrow, the boat can be put on a truck and moved to wherever you want it to go without employing special machines or trucks.

The small size also adds to reduce costs since you will be able to dock in a standard size slip and therefore pay standard slip fees.

The Endeavor is easy to handle and an elegant catamaran that fits the costal cruising mold perfectly. T he boat offers lots of inside and outside space to enjoy a day on the water. 

The boat easily sits six people, and each hull offers privacy from the other.

It employs trampolines instead of solid decking, which reduces weight and increases safety.

This is one of the few boats of its size and price range built with a solid fiberglass hull and not with a balsa core. Since there is no core that can get wet and start to rot, there is little chance of having to do hull repairs unless you wreck your boat on rocks or any other type of notable mishap.

The sloop rig also makes it easier for less physically able sailors to handle the sails, and for a boat of this size, the bridge deck clearance is ok.

Best Beginner Catamarans for Cheap Sailing

In boating,  most costs are in relation to the size of your boat . What I mean by this is if you are on a bigger boat, this boat will require bigger sails, sturdier standing rigging, more bottom paint, more space in the marina, and more massive machinery to haul you out of the water. All of this means higher expenses, so a critical factor when trying to sail on a minimum budget is to keep your boat size to a minimum. 

Check out  this article  on some in-depth information on how to choose the right sized boat.

Another aspect is  how much money you will have to spend on repairs . Most larger catamarans utilize a twin-engine system; this means a lot of benefits such as an extra engine if one fails, but it also doubles maintenance cost, and you will also have to  repair   two engines instead of one , something that sooner or later will happen. If you chose a smaller catamaran, there are options with single engines, such as the 26’Heavenly Twins or Prout Quest 31 listed below.

26 Heavenly Twins

Made contemporary famous by the youtube couple of the channel Sailing Kittiwake the heavenly twins is a small but very cheap boat. Kittiwake claims to have sailed and lived on this boat in the meds for under 700 USD a month, which I would argue is very cheap. You can find more info on how they did their calculations on their website.

The boat in itself is small, and that, of course, comes with some disadvantages, low bridge deck clearance, and a lot of banging heading upwind, the narrow beam making it rolly when wakes start growing.

A cool feature is the aft cabin, which is separate from the main cabin and creates a separate space aft of the cockpit.

Prout Quest 31

Buying the Prout Quest might initially be a little more expensive, but the robustness and standard to which it is built by is argued by many to be of greater importance in the long run. Prouts might be a little slammy going upwind, and they are definitely not the fastest, but if you are on a tight budget but still have big ambitions, then this might be perfect for you.

In comparison to the Heavenly Twins, the Prouts are considered more of a bluewater boat that can handle big seas. I might not be overly confident about that statement, but I believe it is a better fit for offshore adventure then the Heavenly Twins.

Price: USD 39 000

Catalac Catamarans have a slightly divided reputation. Some say they are way too small for any big ocean sailing, but some would argue it might be small, but it is so well built you can take it anywhere you want.

And maybe this is the reason why you still can see Catalacs crossing the Atlantic safely.

Compared to many other catamarans, the Catalacs are built with a solid fiberglass core below the waterline; this is great if you’re looking for an older boat since the risk of a crack in the fiberglass, making the balsa core rot doesn’t exist. 

The Catalac is nothing exciting when it comes to speed, but it does well on safety due to its low mast height and a wide beam. The pricing of a Catalac is usually much cheaper for something of the same age and condition.

Best Beginner Beach Catamarans 

beach catamaran plans

Beach catamarans get their name from how they enter and exit the water, you guessed it! by pushing it off or up the beach. This is possible since the cat is made from lightweight materials, is small, and is configured with two hulls instead of one (a monohull).

Most beach cats consist of two pontoons fixed together by a frame covered with a trampoline instead of a solid deck. Usually, they are easy to assemble and disassemble, making it easy to transport the boat to and from the beach.

Beach Catamarans are very small boats made for water activities/sports rather than transportation as in the case of a “regular” catamaran.

Different types of Beach catamarans

Depending on your goals with the sailing there are different types of beach catamarans to choose from;

  • Singlehanders  are designed to be enjoyed by a single sailor; they are also optimized to be handled safely without assistance. One significant aspect of sailing alone is that you will significantly enhance learning speed since you will have to do everything on your own. The apparent downside is that you will have no one on board to share laughs and ask questions.
  • Family / Multiperson  are, just as the name implies, a vessel made to be sailed by more than one person. It is an enjoyable way to sail with friends and is an excellent way to learn from a more experienced sailor since you can have them on board and let them give you feedback in the moment.
  • Beach catamarans for cruising  are usually slower but offer more space and can relatively comfortable seat, 2-6 crew members making it perfect for a family that wants to enjoy the water in a less intense way than sail racing.
  • Catamarans for kids  are the smallest and lightest of them all. Some even encompass extra safety features as; no sharp edges and increased ease of maneuverability, everything needed for a small child to start sailing safely, and her parents feeling at ease.

Singlehanders  

Topcat k4x .

The TOPCAT k4x is lightweight(115Kg) and, therefore, suitable for beginners . Even though the price might seem high, as far as I can tell, this boat is of high quality and very customizable with a bigger sail area if wanting a little bit more sporty feel. 

The low weight also makes it possible to assemble, disassemble, and right a capsized boat without the need for extra help.

The boat is recommended for kids as young as ten all the way up to grandmas age.

Price: ~USD 9000

Even though this catamaran is longer than the K4X and allows up to four people on board, it is still possible to sail it singlehanded. T he K2X is a fast and reliable boat in the TOPCAT arsenal, and this particular model has increased buoyancy to allow for more people on board . 

Hobie Bravo

The Hobie Bravo is known for being one of the most simple and easy to sailboats there is, just perfect for this list 🙂 

In fact, the boat is so simple that it doesn’t even have a boom, only a mast, and two lines. Since it is also a rotomolded construction, which is very solid and robust, you don’t have to worry about breaking anything while beaching or docking.

Price: USD 4200

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Length:  12′ / 3.65 m
  • Beam:  4′ 5″ / 1.35 m

*Specifications from Hobie.com

Family / Multiperson

Just as the Hobie Bravo, the Nacra 500 does not use a boom, this makes it easy to assemble and more lightweight. The Nacra employes an automatic rudder system that folds up in case of collision.

With its almost 17ft, this is a somewhat bigger boat and, therefore, a little harder to handle, but on the upside, you will have more buoyancy and able to fit more people.

Price: USD 10 000

  • Length: 5.0 M / 16.4 ft
  • Beam:   2.44 M / 8.0 ft
  • Crew Capacity: 1-4 / 1-4

Hobie Getaway

With its 17ft of length, the Getaway is a big catamaran suitable for up to 6 crew and family. The size of this catamaran makes for some excellent features such as extra storage . This cat is all about comfort, stability, and enjoying a day on the water with family and friends.

  • Length Overall: 17 feet
  • Beam: 7 feet 8 inches

Catamarans for Kids

A catamaran for kids should be small, easy to handle, stable, and allow the little sailor to make mistakes without risking severe injury. And most importantly, it should be fun to sail! Many parents think it is nice to have your kid on a catamaran where you can also join them in the same boat; this creates a team spirit that will make a strong bond between you and your child.

TOPCAT Chico

Chico is a small beginner catamaran that can be enjoyed by up to three little sailors. Since the hull is flat; it is straightforward to handle in tight spaces, perfect for a beginner wanting to learn in a safe and fun manner. 

Another cool aspect of the chico is that it has been designed to reduce sharp edges so that the kids are not in unnecessary risk of injury.

Hobie Catsy

This cat is easy to sail and easy to assemble, and just like most other Hobie’s, it is well built by one of the biggest beach catamaran producers you can find.

Price: USD 2500

SPECIFICATIONS  

  • Length: 3.10 m / 10′ 2″
  • Beam: 1.66 m / 5′ 5″

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!

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