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What’s in a Rig? Cat Rig

By: Pat Reynolds Sailboat Rigs , Sailboats

What’s in a Rig Series # 7 – The Cat Rig

Typically speaking, a cat rig is a single mast situated well forward, near the bow, which carries a large single sail and has no standing rigging, sometimes referred to as “unstayed.” An Optimist, Laser or Sabot are common (smaller) examples of a cat rig, but many bigger boats utilize the set-up.

As we’ve established in other What’s in a Rig articles, rig choice is always subjective. Most folks go for the popular Marconi (or Bermuda) sloop rig, but others like to be a bit different and work with less standard arrangements. The thinking behind choosing a cat rig as apposed to a yawl for instance, is probably rooted in more practicality than romance. Take it east yawl sailors, we know we know, they are more stable, and have advantages for long range cruising. Maybe, but we also know you like the way they look! Cat rigs, on the other hand, are truly simple to sail and manage. With one large sail and no rigging, a cat rig is up and running in moments and they can be single-handed quite easily. There is also considerable savings not having to maintain, tune or replace expensive rigs. And yet another benefit of the cat rig design on bigger boats is the amount of salon space they deliver. With a mast placed so far forward, the cabins are often very roomy.

So what’s the downside? Well, you’ve heard this tune before: upwind performance. There’s a reason why the common sloop rig is so incredibly popular. Some may say it’s because racing has such a powerful influence on the market, but the truth probably more accurately revolves around the fact that sloops are simple to sail and just go upwind so very well. There are modern cat rig designs like Wylie boats that have innovations (the wishbone boom) that address the upwind limitation, but most classic cat rigs suffer in the upwind department. However they do not suffer if fast efficient tacking and comfortable downwind running is your bag. Tacking a cat boat is basically one quick turn through the wind and it all pretty much happens for you.

Cat rigs are simple, maneuverable, efficient and economical. They’re especially suited for short-handed sailing and downwind passages. And a catboat sailor is probably someone who doesn’t mind traveling on a less trodden path. If you plan on a long downwind journey alone or with one other, take a look at some catboats – might just fit the bill.

What's in a Rig Series:

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Brand: Americat 3014

The Americat design began life as a 28-foot cat-rigged catamaran (Intercat 1500) originally designed by Rob Ladd and later owned by Bill Symons. The main difference being the Intercat and the Endeavour/Americat is two foot extension in the stern /cabins. The boats appear the same from the companionway forward. Symons at one time licensed the molds to Endeavour. However with the changes in ownership of a reorganizing Endeavour the licensing agreement was terminianted and the molds were transferred to America Cruising Yacht Corporation (a reorganized Irwin). The Endeavour 30, Intercat 1500 and the Americat 3014 are essentially all the same boat. One of the three … the Endeavour 30, has a jib. The other two boats are Cat rigged boats which are easier to sail.

There are no catamarans currently for sale by owner of this brand.

Please see our catamarans for sale by owner page for a full listing of other currently available models.

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Why a Cat Ketch?

Posted by Graham Byrnes on Jan 1st 2015

You may have noticed that B&B Yacht Designs has several models that are cat-ketch rigged. For example the Core Sound 15 pictured below sailing at our annual messabout.

Perhaps you are not familiar with this rig, and think that it looks “old-timey.”

And, perhaps you think that this rig is not as “efficient” as a “modern” sloop rig.

First let us dispel some common myths about the cat ketch rig.

The rig type is, indeed, one that has been around for many years, and one which was greatly favored by the watermen of the East Coast before the age of power. The rig fell out of favor not because it was inefficient, but because working sailboats became obsolete, and the recreational sailboats which have been built since, are influenced not by the need for efficiency and speed, but by an artificial rating rule. Such rules, made to “equalize” boats on a race course, often penalized the very things which made a boat fast. So designers’ of “modern” boats designed boats that could get the greatest benefit from the lowest rating – and not necessarily the best and fastest boat they could have designed. When ratings were not an issue, the cat ketch has been a rig favored for it’s gentle ways. Several designers in recent decades have utilized this rig to great advantage on some contemporary, even avant-garde designs. In head to head competition, cat ketches have performed well. Our boats have an admirable racing record, although they were never designed as racers.

What are the unique advantages of the cat ketch rig and why have we chosen it for some of our designs?

Before going on, let us say: We are not missionaries for this rig. It is not a trademark of our designs in that it in no way represents the rig on the majority of our plans. It is however, a rig, which we have found to be extremely suitable for certain types of boats. So, it fits with our philosophy of making each design work as well as it can for it’s type, while retaining a cost effective approach without compromising quality or performance.

The well-designed cat ketch rig is a simple, inexpensive and balanced rig.

The sail plan spreads the sails along the length of the boat on two masts. The low center of effort afforded by the fore and aft, rather than upward, spread of sail, produces less heeling force.

Free standing masts require no rigging; making them quick to rig and unrig, easy to reef and inexpensive. They also offer an innate degree of safety: the masts bend during gusts, flattening the sail and de-powering the rig.

Each spar is lighter, smaller and easier to handle. This is really important with beach boats, day boats and other dry-sailed craft. It only takes a few minutes to rig. In our designs, up to about 20′, stepping the masts can be accomplished by one person. Being able to get in and out of the water quickly and easily makes sailing so much more accessible. If you have to contemplate an hour of preparation just to go sailing; it isn’t likely that you will go sailing for an hour! In today’s busy world you may have only a few days when you are free to take the whole day for sailing. On the other hand, we all have the odd hour or two of free time, and when the boat can be launched and retrieved in minutes, you can spend that hour sailing. Our larger or cabin boats utilize hinging masts in tabernacles that can also be setup quickly with one person

Docile. That is probably the best word for the behavior of this rig. Your days of yelling, “prepare to tack”, “tacking” – “let it go”, and “pull it in” are over. When you want to tack, you simply put the helm over and off you go on your new course. The sails will tack themselves. This may be a little un-nerving at first. If you have been sailing only sloops or ketches with headsails up until now, you will feel like you ought to be doing something. We’ve noticed however, that it takes the average sailor only about 3 tacks to get used to this laid back approach. By the 5th tack they are enamored and begin to aimlessly tack back and forth with a great big grin on their faces. The crew is equally happy, because they haven’t moved a muscle or been yelled at during the whole procedure. As delirious as the tack may make the laid back crew, they will really get excited by the jibe. Jibing has traditionally been a recipe for disaster, with such fanciful names as the Chinese jibe, invented to describe just one of the multiple possibilities for complications. In the cat ketch rig, jibing requires exactly the same degree of panic as the tack we just discussed…you just put the helm over, pull in some excess sheet if you wish and let her slide out the other side.

Upwind. The cat ketch rig is handy and comfortably close-winded. Provided you have a good hull under you (never blame a good rig for a poor hull design), she will go to weather nicely.

Reaching & Running: Since the sprit bisects the sail load, the area above and below the sprit are balanced. So when the sheets are eased, the sails go out and stay out with none of the collapsing and filling that is the bane of the normal jib behind main. Nor is there the twisting off of the typical mainsail, when the boom lifts and causes a “death roll” in strong winds. Somewhere between a very broad reach and a run, the main sail will begin to shake and lose power. This is not a problem, just turn off the wind a bit further, jibe the main across and return to your desired course.

As you have already learned, jibing, the bane of most downwind sail-handlers is a snap. With a cat ketch rig you can also sail directly down wind, wing and wing. The boat feels stable and whisks along nicely. If the wind gets up and things get hairy, on an unstayed rig (which includes most smaller cat ketches) you can just let those sails go forward of the beam. This will immediately stabilize the boat. Also, the sails when they are allowed to go forward (about 20° ), will keep the boat tracking downwind, so it makes a very easy time of what would be the most delicate conditions for a sloop or cat rigged boat.

Taken to it’s extreme, you can make delicate and gentle downwind landings in any weather by just letting the sheets go and allowing your sails fly forward completely, at the same time lifting your centerboard and letting go of the rudder pennant to lift the rudder…you glide into your (shallow) landing under complete control. This is a far cry from the usual tension and chaos of a downwind landing on a blustery day.

The anatomy of the cat ketch rig:

There are two masts, one set close to the bow which is the mainsail and a mizzen which is usually near or just aft of the center of the boat. The mainsail is larger than the mizzen – although the sails are much more evenly divided size-wise than in a jib-headed ketch. (And to answer the question many ask: yes if the forward sail is smaller it is a cat schooner – not a cat ketch rig).

The sails may be of any shape – some have gaffs; others, like our designs are marconi and have sprits not booms.

We chose sprits rather than booms because they are quick to rig and cheap to build and easy to stow (smaller models use simple and available fir closet rod)…

The sprit is a diagonal spar which holds the sail between the clew and the mast – it serves the same purpose as a boom. We like it in small boats particularly – because it eliminates the boom moving across the cockpit of a small boat and eliminates the need for a boom vang. If you are in the way during the tack, the sail just slides over you harmlessly (the one exception: do not sit directly in front of the mizzen mast on the middle seat, or you could get hit with the main sheets or the clew end of the sprit).

The sprit is attached to the clew with the end poked through a loop of webbing or rope. The forward end fits into a rope which is lashed to the mast (a snotter). This controls the height of the sprit and the relative leech and foot tension. Because these are all “soft” fittings, they are easily adjustable. There is a line to a cleat so that you can adjust sail draft while underway.

Sprits may be either straight or curved. We have done some informal tests and have not found that the curved sprits are enormously superior, although some people prefer them.

We are asked if full wishbone booms are more efficient, and yes, they are – but the little bit of extra efficiency comes at the expense of simplicity and cost.

If you are a good wood worker and like laminating things, curved sprits and wishbones are a nice touch and they can be made quite pretty.

The sprits are placed on opposite sides of the sails; in other words if the mainsail has the sprit on the starboard, the mizzen will have it on the port. Although the sail flops over the sprit on one tack, it does not affect the efficiency as much as it might appear to.

Shortening sail can be accomplished in two ways. In smaller models, the simplest way is to first, remove the mizzen and place the main in the center (single) sail position (given on all our plans for this rig). If the wind continues to pipe up, change down to the smaller mizzen sail. The second way to reef – which may the most desirable on the larger models, and an option for the smaller models for those who may not be comfortable with the mast exchange, is to have normal reef points in the sail and add halyards.

The combination of the sprit rigged cat ketch and a centerboard board allows for a great deal of adjustment for balancing out the boat in any conditions. If there is some lee helm in light wind, the board can be lowered further, moving the center of lateral resistance (CLR) forward or you can adjust the sails without lowering the board – sheet in the mizzen or let out the main…or combine the three options. Weather helm? Reverse the procedure. Normally (as designed) the helm should be neutral at 8-14 knots, with an increasing weather helm as the wind increases. When the sail/board adjustments are not quite enough to neutralize the helm, you can reef. You will always be able to trim to balance the helm in any conditions, by these methods.

Some Tips for Sailing a Cat Ketch:

• Because the sprit bisects the angle of the sail, there is very little load on the sheets. A simple cleat is all you need.
• Our designs call for, and we strongly advocate the use of double ended sheets, so that no matter which side of the boat you are sitting on, you can adjust the sheet without leaving your position. (Remember this is laid-back sailing).
• In windy or gusty condition, you always have the end of your double ended sheet close at hand and if you get a strong gust and feel you have heeled to an uncomfortable angle, just let the mainsheet go to reduce wind pressure and heeling force. WARNING: Be sure that you release the mainsheet (the forward sail) first. If you let the mizzen go first, it moves the center of effort forward and the boat will bear away which will increase the pressure and heeling and could cause a capsize.
• When sailing in light air, if your sails get a vertical crease close to the mast, ease the luff tension.
• When the wind is heavier if you see horizontal crease near the mast, increase the luff tension.
• Use the snotter line to adjust the relative tension of the foot and leech, they should be evenly and equally curved. So if the leech is tight and the foot is full, lower the angle of the sprit and for a tight foot and loose leech raise the sprit angle.
• Grounded! The day will come when you will run her aground in a strong breeze and you’ll get the centerboard stuck so you can’t raise it. The boat will swing around to a somewhat beam-on position. Now in most boats you’d be in a nice pickle…but with the cat ketch, just let the main (foresail) go and the center of effort will go so far aft that she will spin around and tack – then you can re-sheet your forward sail and sail off.

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Welcome to the Com-Pac Idea

Com-Pac Yachts began business in 1974 with our first boat, the Com-Pac 16. The idea then was to build a seaworthy yacht with a strong commitment to value. (For the full story, see Hutchins Company Profile .) Since then we have expanded our line and today we have twelve models, six cat-rigged sailboats, five sloop rigged sailboats and one power launch. The Com-Pac line covers a wide range of sizes from a 14' day sailor to the Com-Pac 27/3 cruising yacht . Each model, regardless of size, is built with the same exacting attention to detail and that same commitment to value.

Our line of modern cat-rigged models (dubbed “A New Breed of Catboat”) offer the ultimate in trailer-sailing ease and rig set up. All come with the Mastendr™ quick-rig sailing system that allows for the boom, sail, and gaff to be left installed on the boat while the mast is folded or raised. The shrouds stay attached and the head stay disconnects with the flip of the pre-adjusted forestay self-locking lever. This system, unique to Com-Pac, adds an ease and convenience to trailer sailing that is really astounding. Your mast is up and you are ready to go in seconds, not minutes.

Our newest sloop-rigged models are the Eclipse SL , the Legacy , and the Legacy Sport daysailer. We consider these yachts “crossover” models. We have taken all of the convenience and features of our cat boat line and applied them to these new exciting sloops. Features include the Mastendr™ (Eclipse), Boomtendr™ (Legacy & Sport), keel centerboard hull configuration and low riding trailers for ease of launching and retrieval.

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The three traditionally rigged sloops ( 23/IV , 23 Pilothouse , and 27/3 ) have full masthead, eight stay rigs and fixed keels. As such they can be sailed in areas and conditions that lesser sloops would be wise to avoid. Many of our sloops have long cruises to their credit. Coastal cruising, Gulf of Mexico crossings, and long term Bahamas cruises are a few that are recorded. The 23/IV and 23 Pilothouse are trailerable but they are still full fledged cruising yachts. We did not compromise sea-worthiness or comfort. When the 23/IV or 23 Pilothouse is fitted with the available custom trailer, they can easily be taken over the road for vacation or winter storage.

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The new launch with the available electric propulsion is perfect for an evening of touring the harbor, canals and waterways or even more varied areas of interest with the standard 2 cylinder diesel engine.

All of our models come with an extraordinary list of amenities and standard equipment. From the 14' Picnic Cat to the 27' cruiser, you will find everything you need for that day sail, day cruise, weekend getaway or extended cruise.

If you are looking for something other than an “off the shelf” yacht, then Com-Pac is for you. Many builders today do not give you any more choices than cushion fabric and canvas colors. Whether your yacht is 14' or 27', nowhere else will you find the freedom of involvement and creativity you will find by sitting down with us and discussing your dream yacht. Our answer to 95% of requests for personalization is “we can do that.”

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Mosquito – The Racing Catamaran

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The Mosquito was designed in 1966 by Neil Fowler of Darwin as a one person (on trapeze) cat rigged yacht. Later the jib and the second trapeze were added and the Mosquito became an easily converted one-person/two-person yacht able to be built at home by the amateur or by professional builders but not restricted to one manufacturer.

At first the Mosquito gained acceptance in Darwin and South Australia in MkII mode (two person sloop rig) while in Victoria the one person MkI (cat rig) dominated. Soon after it also became established in NSW, Qld and Tasmania. There are also Mosquitos sailing in South Africa and even Canada (we know of one!). Since 2001 the optional Spinnaker was added to the rig resulting in four possible rig variants.

Although it can be loaded up with an esky for a day cruise (on a quiet day) it doesn’t suit the cruising role; the Mosquito is a racing catamaran.

The Mosquito has been around now since the the late 1960s and in that time its performance has been shown to be consistently good for a 5 metre catamaran, often beating much newer designs around the course. The current YV yardsticks range from 81.5 down to 73.5 depending the MkI and MkII and spinnaker setup.

While it is fast the Mosquito is not loaded up with excessive sail area. Instead it achieves its performance through efficiency and light weight. The Mosquito has a very low minimum weight; 55 kg for the bare hulls or less than 100 kg fully rigged. It is very easily handled on the beach from trailer to water and back again.

The Mosquito is not as wide as most 5m cats at 2.185m. Combined with the light weight this makes it a fairly lively and exciting boat to sail. When it was introduced it was criticised for having a tall, high aspect rig which the “ordinary” sailor would never be able to handle. Times change and these days the Mosquito’s once tall mast is now regarded as “low aspect”.

The Mosquito is easily converted from MkI to MkII and although not all skippers take advantage of this, some find it convenient to keep a jib and a pair of cleats in the car for when the family want to join in the fun. MkII skippers can easily remove the jib if they want to sail and the crew can’t make it.

The Mosquito can be bought as a complete set of hulls (in foam-sandwich) for owner finishing but some prefer to sharpen up the plane and saw and create their own. The Mosquito can be built from ply using the stitch and glue method.

The Mosquito has a lot to offer; performance, light weight, resale value, good competition and an active class association plus the ability to change between a one person and two person boat with the option of carrying a spinnaker.

For more information contact one of the State Associations or NMCCA officials. Contact details are available from our contacts page.

Why do Wyliecats have such an unusual rig? Tom Wylie says the idea for the first Wyliecat, a 30-footer (9.1m), originated in 1988 when he and Dave Wahle wondered what sort of boat might address a common problem. “If we could be in five yacht clubs at the same time anywhere in the world, we'd hear sailors talking about about their difficulty in getting crew, what a drag it is to get their boat sailing over lunchtime, and how heavy their jibs are,” says Wylie. By then, composites promised lighter weight and better bending characteristics than older masts, particularly those made of aluminum. Based on reports from reviewers and owners alike, Wyliecats are winners, but says Wylie, “I can't attribute their success to one thing alone.” It's the synchronization of multiple elements that makes it work. (This is an excerpt from Steven Callahan's article Native Son, which appeared in Professional BoatBuilder magazine.)

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How does the Wyliecat rig work? A view of the Wyliecat choker system. The upper lines anchor the booms at the correct vertical height on the mast. The lines running up the mast adjust the wishbone fore and aft, allowing the draft of the sail to be made fuller or flatter.

The only rigging needed to adjust the draft in the sail on a Wyliecat is the "choker" system. This is the rigging system that pulls the wishbone back. When the wishbone is pulled back, the sail is stretched aft and flattened. The carbon mast is also bent back by the choker, which further de-powers and flattens the sail. At the same time the wishbone maintains proper leach control. The amount of sail adjustability with the Wyliecat rig is truly astonishing, and impossible with any other type of rig. It is possible to go from a very deep and powerful low-speed airfoil in light air, to a very flat de-powered blade in heavy air. The carbon fiber mast and wishbone combination make it happen quickly and easily by pulling on only one string, the choker line. The Wyliecat rig is so advanced, it's simple!

Why do Wyliecats have wishbone booms? The wishbone boom works much better than a conventional boom with the Wyliecat's ultra-flexible carbon fiber mast to keep the sail in perfect trim, all the time, allowing better sail control and ease of handling in the process.

The wishbone tensions the sail at an angle, pulling the sail both back and down. This trims the sail more efficiently than the forces applied to a sail with a conventional boom, with the outhaul and vang. The wishbone is also more effective at bending the carbon mast. The only way in which a conventional mast could be similarly bent is with the use of running backstays, which are usually only seen on pure racing boats such as the America's Cup class yachts. The disadvantages of conventional running backstays are numerous. They must be constantly trimmed by an experienced sailor, and if adjusted incorrectly, could cause catastrophic mast failure.

The wishbone boom has one other advantage - it provides an attachment point for the Wyliecat's built-in sail furling solution. Lazyjack lines on the booms neatly catch the sail when it is dropped, greatly reducing the work necessary to put the boat away. Dropping the sail is a one-person job with a Wyliecat!

How does the performance of a Wyliecat compare with a conventionally-rigged sailboat? First off, each Wyliecat model is designed to carry a comparable amount of sail area as a similar conventionally rigged boat. We are able to do this by increasing the dimensions of the luff and leech, and adding roach (since there is no backstay, a considerable amount of roach can be engineered into the rig).

And because the Wyliecat rig is so efficient, the performance is very similar, perhaps even better than a "normal" performance boat of the same size. Sailing magazine says, "...except for really light conditions, they (Wyliecats) can readily match boats with spinnakers and in some cases outrun them."

Another reviewer writes, "The (Wyliecat) 48 can beat a Santa Cruz 50 upwind in 25 knots. The PHRF rating is 15. This boat moves and is very close winded."

Can you really achieve optimum sail shape with such a simple rig? The Wyliecat's built-in sail furling solution. When the main is dropped it is neatly caught in the lazyjack lines attached to the wishbones. Dropping the main becomes an easy one-person job!

Conventional sailboats must have mainsheet travelers, outhauls, boom vangs, and furlers. All this gear has been eliminated on the Wyliecat rig. Mainsheet travelers are unnecessary because you sheet the sail on a Wyliecat more like a genoa than a mainsail (at 8 to 12 degrees off the centerline for upwind sailing). Outhauls and boom vangs are also both unnecessary because the wishbone performs these functions. Furlers are not needed because there is no jib to furl. Wyliecats have built-in mainsail furling as part of the wishbone. When the sail is dropped it automatically flakes itself into the integrated lazyjack system attached to the wishbone booms.

How well do Wyliecat's sail upwind? One of the "old wives tales" you often hear about cat-rigged boats is that they have poor upwind performance. There may in fact be some truth to this reputation with traditional cat-rigged designs from earlier eras. The famous Chesapeake Bay catboat design, for example, had a beamy hull, a massive unfoiled "barn door" rudder, a shallow-draft centerboard, and an inefficient sail and rigging. It's no wonder that its upwind performance was lacking!

The Wyliecat yachts, in contrast, have been designed with state-of-the-art sailing technology. The hull features a fine entry, optimized NACA underwater foils, light displacement, and low-wetted surface. Combine this with the innovative and super-effecient Wyliecat rig, and you have a design that is as fast or faster than any conventionally-rigged performance sailboat in upwind sailing (not to mention other points of sail). A recent Sailing World magazine article noted that "the Wyliecat 48 can beat a Santa Cruz 50 upwind in 25 knots."

Do you need a large crew on the rail to be fast and stable upwind on a Wyliecat (like you do with conventional sailing yachts)? No. All the Wyliecat models are designed with light displacement balsa core hulls and decks and low center of gravity bulb keels, so upwind they carry sail well and are stiff and fast. For example, the Wyliecat 30 weighs 5,500 lbs. and carries a 3,050 lbs. lead bulb keel (a 55% ballast to displacement ratio). This ballast to displacement ratio is usually found only in pure racing boats. With sail plans that can be de-powered quickly and easily, and high ballast to displacement ratios, Wyliecats don't need a lot of human ballast to hold the boat down, and are exceptionally fast and stable sailboats going to weather and on all points of sail.

Can you reef the sail on a Wyliecat rig? Because Wyliecats are so stable and the rigs are so easy to de-power, you very seldom need to reef, even in windy areas such as the San Francisco bay. When reefing does become necessary, the tack and clew reefing lines are led aft into the cockpit for quick, easy handling.

Is a Wyliecat a good boat for day sailing and cruising? Yes. For day sailing with any number of people, or cruising, a Wyliecat is elegantly simple, easy and fast. With no jib to tack you can point the boat wherever you want to go, just trim the mainsheet accordingly. And forward visibility is excellent with no jib to block the view.

How do Wyliecat's do on the race course? Wyliecats are very competitive on the race course! All the models of Wyliecats are fast and lively light displacement designs that feel good on the helm. They are also very rewarding boats to the skipper and crew who know how to adjust the rig for maximum efficiency and performance. Wyliecats are particularly strong in short-handed sailing races (1-2 people). In fact, in the San Francisco Bay Area they have dominated single and double-handed races for over a decade. One example of this dominance is the Wyliecat 30s performance in the Singlehanded Farallones Race (a particularly grueling 58 mile open-ocean race). Wyliecat 30s have won overall for the past three years, and have been first in their division every year since 1998, when no Wyliecat 30s entered the race.

So, unless you're really into crew management (and buying a lot of beer and sandwiches), a Wyliecat just might be the boat for you! Check out the racing record to see a small sample of the winning performance of the Wyliecat.

How is the downwind performance on a Wyliecat without a spinnaker? The Wyliecat rig allows the sail to be trimmed to an extremely full shape for off the wind sailing. With nearly the same sail area as a conventional sailboat's spinnaker and main sail, the Wyliecat is also fast downwind. And whereas flying a spinnaker will require a minimum of three experienced sailors, the Wyliecat can be easily sailed by one person.

With the super-adjustability built into the Wyliecat rig, you can practically turn the sail into a spinnaker. And, with their ample sail area (approximately equal to the sail area of a conventional sloop-rigged sailboat with a full main and a 135% jib), Wyliecats don't need spinnakers to be fast off the wind.

You can also order a Wyliecat with either the standard sail (for areas with high winds) or a larger, light air sail for less windy areas.

How fast is a Wyliecat on a reach? Wyliecats are definitely fast and fun off the wind. With their light displacement they surf easily and can exceed "hull speed". Even when surfing, Wyliecats are easy to control - a well-balanced helm with You'll look forward to windy reaching and running in a Wyliecat. Wyliecats are designed and built to be fast, fun, and easy to sail!

The ‘A’ Class Catamaran – Its place at the top table.

At 18ft long with a total allowed rig area of 150ft2, but weighing in at a mere 75kg, the ‘A’ Class is very much a Formula One car in catamaran form and in the last few years, developments have seen this class take off more than ever before, quite literally.

Anyone with an interest in the hi-tech aspects of sailing will probably know something of the ‘A’ Cat.  They are spread worldwide with large fleets in Australia, USA/Canada, throughout Europe and there is even a growing fleet emerging in Argentina.  They have had some 55+ years of open design resulting in them now being amongst the most highly developed small sailing boat classes on the planet.

Some History.

Originating from a desire in the late 1950’s by the IYRU (Later renamed ISAF and now World Sailing), to encourage racing and design development of catamarans. They proposed four classes with simple size criteria based on length, beam and sail area, and crucially, with minimal design rules.   The A-Class logo was chosen by the IYRU when their committee decided in 1956 to classify the catamarans into those 4 categories. A, B, C and D as construction classes. To symbolize the two hulls the letter "A" had a double underlign, same  as the B's,  the C's and the D's. From the beginning the A-Cats had the double underligned letter "A" on the sails and it was used on the letter heads. (Examples were the A-Lion, Australis, Unicorn, Quest A, Catalina, Rhapsody a.s.o.).  The ‘A’ class is by far the largest remnant of the four classes.  The ‘B’ class was a 20ft twin hander with 235ft2 of sail and developed into the Tornado and a few offshoots such as the F18.  The ‘C’ class was another twin, but at 25ft with a 300ft2 rig, has become a super sophisticated monster and the pinnacle of small cat design that races for the Little America’s Cup.  The ‘D’ Class was 32ft and a sail of 500ft2 with three crew, but rapidly dwindled away. 

Various designs for the ‘A’ bubbled away until the IYRU held trials to seek out the best designs in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ classes and to award them international status.  At the Catamaran Club on the Isle of Sheppey in 1967, the Tornado won the ‘B’ class, and in the ‘A’ class category the British Unicorn competed, along with with several other boats, against Graham Johnston’s Australian Australis design.  At that time the spec was simply to be a single-handed cat with sliding seat or trapeze restricted only by length, beam and sail area.  The Australis design won and gained international class status.  However, the Unicorn design still gained popularity in the UK and Europe. It eventually became a strict one-design class with rules on hulls, weight and mast diameter, which accounts for the vastly different sail shapes now seen on the two boat designs.  Today the Unicorn still measures and is still accepted as an ‘A’ Class cat.

So, the free reign given within the ‘A’s development class spec allowed several other designs to arrive, each an attempt to improve on the other.  All modern designs can trace their evolution back to these early boats in one way or another.  Many home built designs turned up, and home building of ‘A’ Cats continues today, particularly in the USA, where home building tends to be more popular.

As building and materials technology improved, the stitch and glue plywood built and the glass fibre built boats, in order to save weight and get down to the absolute minimum, needed to be made with the strength only in certain high load areas – shroud plates, beam mounts, foil cases etc., This resulted in the class getting a bit of a reputation for being fast but rather delicate.  Gradually these materials gave way to the carbon foam and carbon nomex sandwich construction.

Fast Hull Shapes

The Australis hulls were pointed at both ends similar to a canoe, in an attempt to produce a drag-reducing hull.  The designs were often determined by the materials available and nowadays space age construction techniques are possibly one reason that the modern boat is now becoming increasingly popular, as it is producing immensely stiff and strong yet light boats, capable of withstanding hard racing for several years. 

Currently, the modern ‘A’ cat bears a striking resemblance to its rather higher profile cousin, the AC45 .  The distinctive Dreadnought shaped bows of the  ‘wave-piercing’ hull design reduces the pitching moment when in waves.  The hull is essentially upside down when compared to many boat hulls.  The widest part is towards the bottom with the result that the hull won’t sink as far before the buoyancy starts to push it up again so floats higher. They also tend to have the beams bonded in making it a very stiff one-piece unit.  Hull sections and profiles continue to change.  The requirements of a boat designed to foil mean that the underwater hull shapes are starting to be optimized for lighter wind sailing, as the hull should be out of the water when it is going fast in a higher wind. 

On the latest 2016 boats, aerodynamic drag is now recognized as increasingly more important as the airflow over the boat, with the added apparent wind, can sometimes be as high as 30 or 40 knots.  Beams are now aerodynamically streamlined, smoothing the airflow over the drumskin tight trampoline.  Double skin trampolines are also a new design feature.  Previously the underside of the tramp was a mass of ropes, chords and bungees.  Now these are sandwiched between two airtight skins.  On one new design, the Holland Composites DNA, even the tiller bar is now streamlined to match the rear beams curved profile!

There are several elements key to the ‘A’ cats speed and success.  Over the last 15 years much work has been done on the design of foils (rudders and daggerboards).  Initially the foils were all straight as the technology to make them anything else, without risking failure, was simply not available.  However, they could be put in at an angle and canted towards the centerline.  This seemed to give a little lift to the boat, thus making it faster by reducing the drag of the hull when the boat was heeled and flying a hull. They were also made slimmer and longer, and this higher aspect ratio vastly improved the drag effects over a broader chord foil.  Then in 2005, Dutch composites expert and sailor, Pieterjan Dwarshuis, raced in the Worlds with a C shaped foil. This supplied much more lift and helped in getting the windward hull flying when going downwind – doing ‘the Wild Thing’ as it is known in cat circles.  And, as the leeward foil curved under the boat more, it produced much more lift as the angle of attack (Rake) could be adjusted also.  Result – particularly when combined with small winglets on the rudders was that the boats went faster. Within a couple of years these foils became more commonplace and by 2008 German sailor, Bob Baier, had won the European championships using a set. 

However, some feared that complex hydrofoils could possibly be fitted to the boat, rendering it fast but impractical and expensive.  So in 2009 a rule was brought in with the intention of preventing this hydrofoiling from happening.  The now famous ‘A’ class ‘Rule 8’ stating that all foils must be inserted from the top of the hull, and that there must be a minimum distance between the tips of the bottom of the boards of 75cm from the centreline.  That seemed to do the trick and for a few years things went along nicely.  But the foil building technology steadily improved and a consistent way was found of producing extremely strong shaped daggerboards from carbon composites. In 2013 the foils had developed from a C shape into a J shape and as a result of redesigned rudder winglets, positioning them at the bottom of the blade, the boats started leaping about like salmon. So the next logical move for this development class boat was obvious and was to make it fly. The boat has about the same power to weight ratio as a foiling Moth so it was assumed that it should be able to fly, but for one crucial potential problem – Rule 8.  This meant that conventional L shaped boards, similar to the AC boats foils, are not class legal.  But thinking around corners is what designers and sailors like to do and before long, designs for foils emerged that complied with the top insertion, limited span restrictions and provided enough lift to get the boat clear out of the water. A movable rake system allowed the angle of attack of the boards to be varied combined with fore and aft movements of the crew weight.  The real turning point came in 2014 before the Worlds in New Zealand. 

Many of the America’s Cup crews are also ‘A’ cat sailors.  In fact the most successful ‘A’ Class World Champion is the ETNZ skipper Glenn Ashby.  

The ETNZ America’s Cup team took delivery of half a dozen ‘A’ cats and set about with gusto seeing how far they could be pushed.  Improved, redesigned and strengthened boards and rudders started flying around the world on express carriers as they broke and re-broke the foils in an attempt to push the boat to it’s limits.  It worked and the boats started to fly, albeit in the hands of these sailing superstars, but techniques were discovered for getting the boats foiling for longer each time.   As a result of this, Glenn Ashby won yet another world title.  This paved the way for the current developments. 

Optimized designs, where daggerboard positions and beams are moved slightly, and newer, more stable foil sections that have lower drag are now arriving, with a Z and J/Z shaped board proving more stable when combined with T or L shaped rudder tips.  However, the holy grail of upwind foiling is still being worked on.  And this is all still done within the restrictions of Rule 8.  The top insert only rule has prevented earlier, more stable, and probably easier foiling to happen if an L shaped main foil were to be fitted.  However, the very fact that it is less stable probably results in a faster boat and the need to raise windward foil, as would be the case of the higher drag L foil, is unnecessary and something a single-handed sailor’s workload can do without.

Fast Rigs .

The ‘A’ class rules allow you to do anything as long as the total area, including the mast, does not exceed 150ft2.  This area has traditionally seen the greatest developments in the past.  Shape is entirely up to the sail maker based on mast shape and flexibility.  The original masts were flexible tapered affairs as still seen on the Unicorn today.  But in the early 1980s the ‘A’ class moved more towards an untapered wing type mast which was able to be rotated, somewhat like the leading edge slat on an aircraft wing, and thus create the sail shape more efficiently and to adjust it to cope with the windspeed changes created by the apparent wind.   Techniques developed and composite masts began to appear in Europe about 25 years ago.  The sails design paralleled the mast designs. 

Initially they were fully battened but conventionally tapered towards the head.   Then, in the mid 1980s the ‘Fat Head’ sail appeared on the ‘A’ cat for the first time.  This lower drag high-aspect ratio rig, much like a glider wing, allowed and helped the boat to fly a hull much earlier downwind with the resultant reduction in drag.  Upwind, powerful 12:1 downhaul and 9:1 mainsheet systems could flatten the sail and when the carbon mast arrived, this was even more efficiently achieved.  As the sail area is the determining factor, not the shape, variations were tried at various times.  Really ‘Fathead’ sails, with the heads at over 1000mm were the thing for a while.  These required the leech to be cut away in a concave manner to conform the area rule, but now the more popular ‘800’ head offers a good compromise of power and heeling moment. Rigid wing type rigs were also seen occasionally.  Back in 1978, at the European championships, a wing sail proved unbeatable in light winds.  More recently designers, such as the US mast maker and ‘A’ cat ace Ben Hall, have experimented with a wing sails.  But, their practical handling off the water still proving troublesome.

The most current sail development is the ‘Decksweeper’ sail.  This is a sail that uses the trampoline as the end plate, making it more efficient, similar to winglets seen on airliners.  The sail has its centre of effort lower down, and thus reduces the heeling force created by the fatter head sail and is ideal for a foiling design.  The byproduct of this is that going upwind, where any heeling force, above just flying a hull, is not wanted with either foil design, is that it feels like you have another gear.  Now much more of the power is pushing you forward.  And this is usually sufficient to compensate for the higher drag created by the more complex shaped foils with their higher surface area.  So, faster uphill, faster downhill, what’s not to like?  However, the downside is that when it’s not foiling conditions, the decksweeper is less powerful and thus the C board, or ‘Classic’ boat is still king.

The decksweeper was first tried on the ‘A’ cat in 1987 in Australia but proved to be unbeneficial compared with more conventional designs.  It was tried again a few years ago, by former World Champion Mischa Heemskerk, who was interested in exploring it again on a more modern boat design.  The trials were inconclusive and the project was shelved for a while.  Then 2015, in the search for more power but with less sideways pressure, as required by a foiling boat’s need to be sailed flatter, he reappeared with one at the 2015 Dutch Nationals and wiped the floor with everyone, including Glenn Ashby, who was there getting ready for the Worlds a few weeks later.  But you can’t keep that friendly little Aussie down for long.  When he arrived at the Worlds, he’d simply chopped one of his older sails down along the leech, and sewn an extra bit onto the bottom to reach the tramp.  This was enough to get him back on track speedwise, and in a variety of conditions, he managed to beat Heemskerk by an increasing margin each race to retail his World title.

Much design work was done over the winter of 2015/16 and two of the major manufacturers both produced more optimized designs.  The Polish Exploder came out with their Ad3, with a design input from the Spanish based D3 Applied Technologies design team.  The other was the Holland Composites DNA F1 design.  A radical looking boat with advanced aerodynamic features and a fully carbon fabric stiff trampoline.  Both designs have proved to be game changers and with little to choose from as regards performance.  Misch Heemskerk won the 2016 Worlds on the F1 with Darren Bundock 2nd on the Ad3.   Both designs foil earlier and are more stable when doing so making them easier to control.  It would appear that the design curve is starting to flatten out again now as regards hull and foil design with these two boats setting the standard of performance. 

The ‘A’ Class Future

The two foil types are causing a little debate within the class though.  Although all the boats measure as ‘A’ Class cats equally, the foiling/floating thing appears to irk some in a few national class associations.  Some want separate races for foilers, claiming that is not fair now to race both on the same course.  A movement to start a ‘Classic’ class of non-foiling boats has been suggested.  But, most associations simply prefer to split out the results and run a parallel results system.  And, at those lighter wind events, or in areas like Southern Germany, you don’t hear many complaints. 

New foiling boats arrive and older second hand straight or C board boats find ready new homes with some being converted to a foiling configuration with new foil cases and rudders, whilst others are sold to the encouraging number of new sailors entering the class.  This is often the best place to start, as it’s not actually a hard boat to sail initially. (The class has a minimum of 5kts and max. limit of 22 kts of wind for racing)  Beautifully fast and responsive yet without many of the unpleasant characteristics that some other cats will catch you out on, e.g. the long bows tend to reduce pitchpoling. The added benefit of being 75kg makes it really easy boat to handle ashore; a true single hander, the only thing where you might need someone else’s help for 2 minutes is with stepping the mast.

The next jump looks like it will be in rig design.  It’s open design rules means that it will continue to see innovation and development within its rules as yet more ways are found to make them go even faster. Their ability to be altered, modified and improved will also continue to see the ‘A’ cat being used as a test vehicle for design ideas on larger boats.  Who knows what is around the corner designwise, but the ‘A’ cat should be able to meet the challenge.

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• Sailboat Guide

Mosquito Cat

Mosquito Cat is a 16 ′ 0 ″ / 4.9 m catamaran sailboat designed by Neil Fowler starting in 1966.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

The MOSQUITO is a one-design racing cat seen mostly in Australia and South Africa.. Mark I is Cat rigged. SA: 12.5m2 /134 sq.ft. Mark II is Sloop rigged. SA: 14.9m2/160 sq.ft. Originally designed as a one person (on trapeze) cat rigged yacht. Later the jib and the second trapeze were added and the Mosquito became an easily converted one-person/two-person yacht able to be built at home by the amateur or by professional builders but not restricted to one manufacturer. Contact: Mosquito Catamaran Association of South Australia.

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• SUP Fishing

Catamaran Sailing Guide – Boats, Rigging, Tips

Looking to embark on an unforgettable adventure on the open waters? Look no further than our comprehensive Catamaran Sailing Guide. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of catamarans, exploring everything from the different types of boats and rigging, to indispensable tips for an enjoyable and safe sailing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a complete novice, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge necessary to navigate the thrilling world of catamaran sailing. Get ready to set sail and discover the wonders that await you on the horizon.

Review contents

Choosing the Right Catamaran

When it comes to choosing the right catamaran for your sailing adventures, there are a few key factors to consider. The hull type, size, capacity, and performance versus cruising capabilities all play a crucial role in finding the perfect catamaran for your needs.

Catamarans come in various hull types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The most common hull types are solid, balsa core, foam core, and carbon. Solid hulls offer durability and strength but may be heavier and less fuel-efficient. Balsa core hulls provide good insulation and strength-to-weight ratio, while foam core hulls offer excellent buoyancy and lightness. Carbon hulls are the most lightweight and rigid but come with a higher price tag.

When choosing the right hull type, consider factors such as your sailing style, budget, and desired performance. It’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each hull type to make an informed decision.

Size and Capacity

The size and capacity of a catamaran are crucial considerations, depending on your sailing goals. Smaller catamarans, typically between 30 to 40 feet, are easier to handle and navigate, making them ideal for solo sailors or those new to catamaran sailing. On the other hand, larger catamarans, ranging from 40 to 60 feet or more, offer ample space for accommodation, amenities, and extended trips.

Consider the number of people you plan to sail with and the amount of storage and living space you require. It’s important to strike a balance between comfort and maneuverability when choosing the size and capacity of your catamaran.

Performance vs. Cruising

Another essential factor to consider when choosing a catamaran is whether you prioritize performance or cruising capabilities. Performance catamarans are designed for speed and agility, featuring lightweight construction, tall rigs, and high-tech materials. They provide exhilarating sailing experiences but might sacrifice some comfort and amenities.

Cruising catamarans, on the other hand, offer spacious living areas, numerous amenities, and stability. They prioritize comfort and leisure, making them perfect for extended trips and living aboard. However, they may not have the same speed and maneuverability as performance-oriented catamarans.

Consider your sailing goals and preferences to determine whether you prioritize performance or cruising capabilities. Consulting with experienced catamaran sailors or attending boat shows can also provide valuable insights into finding the right balance between the two.

Understanding Catamaran Rigging

To fully grasp the ins and outs of catamaran sailing, it’s important to understand the various components of catamaran rigging. From the mast and boom to the sails, standing rigging, and running rigging, each element plays a crucial role in the performance and handling of the catamaran.

Mast and Boom

The mast and boom act as the backbone of the catamaran rigging system. The mast supports the sails and facilitates their proper functioning, while the boom controls the shape and tension of the main sail. It’s essential to choose a mast and boom that are suitable for your catamaran’s size, sailing style, and intended use.

Consider factors such as material construction, height, and compatibility with the sails when selecting the right mast and boom. Consulting with rigging professionals or experienced catamaran sailors can provide valuable guidance in making an informed decision.

Sails are one of the most crucial components of catamaran rigging, as they harness the power of the wind and propel the catamaran forward. The main sail, genoa or jib, and spinnakers are the primary types of sails used in catamaran sailing.

The main sail is the largest and most important sail, responsible for driving the catamaran forward. The genoa or jib is a smaller headsail that complements the main sail, providing additional power and maneuverability. Spinnakers are specialized downwind sails that excel in light wind conditions.

Choosing the right sails involves considering factors such as sail material, size, and shape to suit your catamaran’s rigging and sailing goals. Working closely with sailmakers or experienced catamaran sailors can help ensure you select the most suitable sails for your catamaran.

Standing Rigging

Standing rigging refers to the fixed components of the catamaran’s rigging system that support the mast and provide stability. This includes elements such as stays, shrouds, and rigging wires.

It’s crucial to regularly inspect and maintain the standing rigging to ensure its structural integrity and minimize the risk of failure. Look for signs of wear and tear, corrosion, or any loose fittings that need immediate attention. Consulting with rigging professionals or experienced catamaran sailors can help you develop a comprehensive maintenance routine for your standing rigging.

Running Rigging

Running rigging refers to the adjustable components of the catamaran’s rigging system that control sail shape and trim. This includes elements such as halyards, sheets, and control lines.

Understanding how to properly trim and adjust the running rigging is essential for optimal sail performance and handling. Familiarize yourself with the purpose and function of each line, learning how to adjust them for different sailing conditions and maneuvers. Practice and experimentation will help you develop the necessary skills to make the most of your catamaran’s running rigging.

Essential Equipment for Catamaran Sailing

When setting sail on a catamaran, having the right equipment on board is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. From navigation instruments to safety equipment, anchoring gear, and communication devices, each item serves a specific purpose in enhancing your sailing journey.

Navigation Instruments

Accurate navigation is essential for catamaran sailors, ensuring they can safely navigate their intended course and avoid potential hazards. Some essential navigation instruments for catamaran sailing include a chartplotter or GPS, compass, depth sounder, and VHF radio.

A chartplotter or GPS provides real-time position and navigation information, allowing you to plot your course and stay on track. A compass serves as a reliable backup for navigation, especially in case of electronic failures. A depth sounder helps you monitor the water depth to avoid running aground, while a VHF radio enables communication with other vessels and emergency services.

Ensure you have these navigation instruments on board and understand how to use them effectively for a safe and confident sailing experience.

Safety Equipment

Ensuring the safety of you and your crew is of utmost importance when venturing out on a catamaran. Essential safety equipment to have on board includes life jackets, a first aid kit, fire extinguishers, flares, and a man overboard (MOB) retrieval system.

Life jackets should be readily accessible and properly fitted for every crew member. A well-equipped first aid kit is essential for treating minor injuries and providing basic medical care until professional help can be reached. Fire extinguishers help extinguish potential onboard fires, while flares serve as distress signals in emergency situations. A MOB retrieval system, such as a throwable buoy or sling, aids in quickly recovering a crew member who has fallen overboard.

Regularly inspect and maintain your safety equipment to ensure its effectiveness and readiness in case of emergencies.

Anchoring Gear

Anchoring is a common practice for catamaran sailors to secure their vessel in a particular location. Having the right anchoring gear is essential for a secure and stable anchorage. Anchoring gear typically includes an anchor, chain, and rode.

Choose an anchor that suits your catamaran’s size and the type of seabed you plan to anchor on. A general rule of thumb is to select an anchor that weighs approximately one pound per foot of your catamaran’s length. The chain provides additional weight and helps keep the anchor in place, while the rode (rope or combination of rope and chain) connects the anchor to your catamaran.

Understanding anchoring techniques and practicing anchoring in different conditions will enhance your confidence and proficiency in this important aspect of catamaran sailing.

Communication Devices

Maintaining communication with other vessels and shore-based services is crucial for catamaran sailors. Communication devices such as a VHF radio and a mobile phone or satellite phone provide means of communication in different situations.

A VHF radio allows you to communicate with nearby vessels, seek assistance in case of emergencies, and stay updated with weather information. A mobile phone or satellite phone provides an additional communication channel, especially when sailing in remote areas where VHF coverage may be limited.

Ensure your communication devices are fully charged, in good working condition, and stored in a waterproof case to protect them from water damage .

Preparing for a Catamaran Sailing Trip

Preparing adequately for a catamaran sailing trip is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. From provisioning to checking weather forecasts, boat systems, and conducting a safety briefing, each step contributes to a successful voyage.

Provisioning

Provisioning involves stocking your catamaran with the necessary food, beverages, and supplies for the duration of your trip. Consider the number of people onboard, the duration of the trip, and any specific dietary requirements or preferences.

Plan your meals and create a comprehensive shopping list to ensure you have an adequate supply of fresh produce, non-perishable goods, water, and other essentials. Allocate storage space and organize the provisions on the catamaran to ensure easy access and minimize spoilage.

Regularly check your provisions throughout the trip, making adjustments as necessary to ensure you have enough supplies for the intended duration.

Checking Weather Forecasts

Checking weather forecasts is a crucial step before setting sail on a catamaran. Understanding the current and predicted wind conditions, tides, and potential weather patterns helps you plan your route, adjust your sailing schedule, and ensure the safety of your crew and vessel.

Consult reputable weather forecasting services, such as local meteorological offices or dedicated marine weather websites or apps. Look for updates on wind speed and direction, wave heights, and any significant weather events or warnings that may affect your sailing plans.

Keep in mind that weather conditions can change rapidly, especially at sea, so regularly monitor the forecasts throughout your trip and adjust your plans accordingly.

Checking Boat Systems

Before embarking on a catamaran sailing trip, it’s important to thoroughly check and test all the boat systems to ensure they are in proper working order. This includes the engine, electrical systems, plumbing, navigation instruments, and safety equipment.

Inspect the engine for any signs of leaks, ensure all fluid levels are adequate, and test its starting and running capabilities. Check the electrical systems, including battery levels, lights, and charging capabilities. Test the plumbing system, including freshwater and wastewater systems, to ensure there are no leaks or blockages. Verify the functionality of the navigation instruments, such as the chartplotter, compass, and VHF radio. Finally, inspect and test all safety equipment, including life jackets , fire extinguishers, and emergency signaling devices.

Address any issues or malfunctions promptly, seeking professional help if necessary, to ensure the reliability and safety of your catamaran systems.

Safety Briefing

Conducting a safety briefing before setting sail is essential to ensure that all crew members are familiar with the catamaran’s safety procedures and emergency protocols.

Discuss emergency procedures, including man overboard (MOB) response, fire safety, and abandon ship protocols. Familiarize the crew with the location and usage of safety equipment, such as life jackets, flares, and fire extinguishers. Clarify roles and responsibilities during different sailing maneuvers and emergency situations.

Encourage open communication among the crew and address any questions or concerns they may have. A comprehensive safety briefing sets the foundation for a safe and confident sailing experience.

Basic Catamaran Sailing Techniques

Developing a solid foundation of basic catamaran sailing techniques is essential for smooth maneuvering and control over your vessel. From steering and sail trim to tacking and gybing, mooring and docking, and maneuvering in different conditions, each technique contributes to your overall skill as a catamaran sailor.

Steering and Sail Trim

Steering and sail trim are foundational skills for catamaran sailing. Understand how to use the catamaran’s steering mechanism, such as a helm or tiller, to control the direction of the vessel. Practice various steering techniques, such as using the wind to assist with turning, to maximize maneuverability.

Sail trim involves adjusting the sails to achieve the desired shape and tension, optimizing their performance. Learn how to adjust the main sail’s halyard, sheet, and traveler to control the sail’s shape and power. Similarly, understand how to trim the genoa or jib to balance the sails and achieve optimal speed.

Experiment with different sail trim settings in different wind conditions to develop a sense of how each adjustment affects the catamaran’s performance.

Tacking and Gybing

Tacking and gybing are maneuvers used to change the direction of the catamaran in relation to the wind. Tacking involves turning the bow of the catamaran through the wind, while gybing involves turning the stern through the wind.

Practice tacking and gybing in a wide, open area with ample room to maneuver. Understand how changes in the wind and sail trim affect the maneuver. Start with slow, controlled maneuvers and gradually increase speed as you gain confidence.

Maintain clear communication with your crew during tacking and gybing to ensure a smooth and coordinated maneuver.

Mooring and Docking

Mooring and docking are essential skills for safely approaching and securing your catamaran in various locations. Practice approaching a mooring buoy or a dock from different angles and in various wind and current conditions.

Learn how to use fenders and lines effectively to protect your catamaran and prevent damage during mooring or docking. Familiarize yourself with different mooring and docking techniques, such as using spring lines or utilizing thrusters if your catamaran is equipped with them.

Engage in regular practice sessions in controlled environments to build confidence and enhance your mooring and docking skills.

Maneuvering in Different Conditions

Catamarans handle differently in various wind and sea conditions. Understanding how to maneuver your catamaran effectively in different situations is crucial for maintaining control and safety.

Practice sailing in different wind strengths and directions, experiencing the effects of waves and currents on the catamaran’s maneuverability. Learn how to adjust sail trim, steering techniques, and weight distribution to optimize performance in light winds, strong winds, upwind sailing, and downwind sailing.

By practicing maneuvering techniques in various conditions, you’ll develop the experience and skills necessary to safely navigate your catamaran in any scenario.

Advanced Sailing Techniques for Catamarans

Once you have mastered the basic catamaran sailing techniques , you can explore more advanced maneuvers and techniques. These advanced sailing techniques allow you to maximize the speed, efficiency, and overall performance of your catamaran.

Powering Upwind

Sailing upwind in a catamaran can be challenging due to their wide beam and reliance on sails for propulsion. Powering upwind requires proper sail trim, weight distribution, and understanding how to use the catamaran’s hulls to generate lift and reduce drag.

Experiment with different sail trim settings, such as adjusting the mainsail traveler position and genoa or jib sheet tension. Shift crew weight to windward to balance the catamaran and increase its ability to sail close to the wind. Learn to anticipate wind shifts and adjust course and sail trim accordingly to maintain the best angle of attack.

With practice and experience, you’ll be able to efficiently sail upwind in your catamaran, maintaining good speed and pointing ability.

Downwind Sail Techniques

Sailing downwind in a catamaran presents a different set of challenges compared to upwind sailing. Mastering downwind sail techniques allows you to harness the wind efficiently, maintain control, and achieve the desired speed.

One popular downwind sail technique for catamarans is using a spinnaker. Asymmetrical spinnakers are particularly suited for catamarans, as they offer ease of handling and optimal power in light wind conditions. Learn how to rig, set, and trim a spinnaker to minimize drag, maintain stability, and increase speed.

Practice gybing with a spinnaker to ensure smooth and controlled transitions. It’s essential to communicate with your crew to coordinate maneuvers and ensure the safety of the spinnaker during gybes.

Using Asymmetrical Spinnakers

Asymmetrical spinnakers are versatile downwind sails that offer excellent performance in light wind conditions. Unlike traditional symmetrical spinnakers, asymmetrical spinnakers are designed to be flown from a fixed point on the bow of the catamaran.

Learn how to rig and set an asymmetrical spinnaker, ensuring it is properly hoisted, trimmed, and controlled. Experiment with different angles and positions to find the optimal sailing angle for your catamaran and the specific wind conditions.

Asymmetrical spinnakers require precise coordination and communication among the crew during maneuvers such as setting, gybing, and dousing. Regular practice sessions in controlled environments will help you master the use of asymmetrical spinnakers in a catamaran.

Sailing in Strong Winds

Sailing in strong winds can be exhilarating but also challenging, requiring advanced sailing techniques to maintain control and manage the inherent forces at play. It’s crucial to have a proper understanding of how to handle the catamaran in strong winds to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel.

Reduce sail area and adjust sail trim to depower the catamaran and prevent excessive heeling or overpowering. Maintain an upright position to avoid capsizing or tripping a hull. Consider reefing the sails or changing to a smaller headsail to reduce sail area and increase control.

Anticipate gusts and shifts in wind direction, adjusting course and sail trim to maintain balance and prevent broaching or weather-cocking.

By developing advanced techniques and gaining experience in sailing in strong winds, you’ll be able to confidently navigate your catamaran in challenging conditions.

Maintenance and Upkeep of Catamarans

Maintaining and regularly inspecting your catamaran is essential for its longevity and continued performance. From hull care to rigging inspections, sail maintenance, and engine maintenance, each aspect of maintenance and upkeep plays a crucial role in ensuring your catamaran is in top condition.

Caring for the hull of your catamaran is vital to protect it from damage and maintain its structural integrity. Regularly clean the hull, removing any marine growth or dirt buildup that can cause drag and reduce speed. Inspect the hull for any signs of cracks, blisters, or damage, addressing them promptly to prevent further deterioration.

Apply antifouling paint to the hull to inhibit the growth of marine organisms. This helps maintain the efficiency and performance of the catamaran, reducing fuel consumption and minimizing the risk of damage from fouling.

Additionally, regularly check and maintain the seaworthiness of the hull’s structure, including bulkheads, keels, and rudders, as any damage or weakness can compromise the safety and stability of the catamaran.

Rigging Inspections

The rigging of your catamaran requires regular inspections to ensure its integrity and proper functioning. This includes the mast, boom, standing rigging, running rigging, and associated hardware.

Inspect the mast and boom for any signs of corrosion, cracks, or deformation. Check the standing rigging, such as shrouds and stays, for any wire breaks or signs of wear. Inspect the running rigging, including halyards and sheets, for fraying, chafing, or damage.

Address any issues immediately, replacing any damaged or worn components to maintain the safety and performance of your catamaran.

Sail Maintenance

Sails are a significant investment and require proper care and maintenance to extend their lifespan and preserve their performance. Regularly inspect your sails for any signs of wear, tears, or UV damage. Address minor repairs promptly to prevent further damage.

Clean your sails regularly to remove dirt, salt, and other contaminants that can degrade the fabric. Use appropriate sail cleaning products and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Properly flake or fold your sails when not in use to minimize creases and prevent damage from prolonged storage.

Consider having your sails professionally inspected and serviced to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Engine Maintenance

The engine is a crucial component of a catamaran, providing auxiliary power for maneuvering and motoring when necessary. Regular engine maintenance is essential to maintain reliability and prevent breakdowns.

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for regular maintenance, including oil and filter changes, checking fluid levels, and inspecting belts and hoses. Clean the engine’s cooling system and heat exchanger regularly to prevent overheating.

Regularly inspect the engine’s fuel system, including filters and lines, for any signs of contamination or blockages. Clean the fuel tank periodically to remove any sediment or water buildup.

Have your engine professionally serviced at recommended intervals to ensure it remains in top working condition.

Dealing with Common Challenges

Catamaran sailing, like any other maritime activity, comes with its own set of challenges and potential obstacles. Understanding and addressing these challenges is essential for a safe and enjoyable sailing experience.

Nautical Terms and Language

The maritime world has its own unique set of nautical terms and language, which can be overwhelming for beginners. Take the time to familiarize yourself with common nautical terms, such as starboard, port, bow, stern, and understand their meanings and usage.

Reading books or online resources on sailing terminology can help you grasp the basics. Spending time on the water and engaging with experienced sailors also provides valuable opportunities to learn and practice using nautical terms in context.

Seasickness Prevention and Remedies

Seasickness is a common challenge for many sailors, especially when venturing into rough seas or unfamiliar waters. To prevent or alleviate seasickness, there are several strategies and remedies you can try.

Maintain a well-rested and hydrated state before setting sail. Avoid consuming heavy or greasy meals and alcohol, as they can exacerbate seasickness symptoms. Focus on keeping your eyes on the horizon or a fixed point on land to help with spatial orientation.

Consider using seasickness remedies such as over-the-counter medications, wristbands, or natural remedies like ginger-based products. Experiment with different remedies to find what works best for you and consult with a healthcare professional if needed.

Handling Emergencies at Sea

Emergencies can arise unexpectedly when sailing, and being prepared to handle them is crucial for the safety of the crew and the catamaran. Develop an emergency action plan that includes procedures for medical emergencies, man overboard situations, fire onboard, or severe weather events.

Regularly conduct drills and practice emergency procedures with your crew, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the operation of safety equipment, including life rafts, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), and flares.

Carry out regular safety equipment checks, ensuring they are easily accessible and in good working condition. Regularly review and update your emergency action plan based on lessons learned and changes in crew composition or sailing areas.

Dealing with Inclement Weather

Inclement weather can pose significant challenges and potential hazards when sailing a catamaran. Regularly monitoring weather forecasts and being prepared to make informed decisions is essential.

Avoid sailing in severe weather conditions, and always err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of your crew and vessel. Develop a safe strategy for seeking shelter or a safe haven in case of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.

Learn how to handle sudden wind shifts, squalls, and thunderstorms by reducing sail area and maintaining control over the catamaran. Practice reefing techniques and develop a plan for quickly and effectively reducing sail when needed.

By staying vigilant and prepared, you can safely navigate inclement weather and minimize potential risks.

Tips for Catamaran Sailing in Specific Locations

Catamaran sailing in different locations presents unique challenges and opportunities. Consider these tips when sailing in specific regions to enhance your experience and make the most of the local conditions.

Sailing in the Caribbean

The Caribbean offers a vast playground for catamaran sailors, with its turquoise waters, consistent trade winds, and breathtaking landscapes. When sailing in the Caribbean, consider the following tips:

• Research the various islands and cruising areas to plan your itinerary based on your preferences and interests.
• Take advantage of the easterly trade winds for relaxed downwind sailing and explore remote anchorages.
• Be mindful of hurricane seasons and ensure your catamaran is properly prepared or relocated outside of hurricane zones.

Sailing in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea is a popular destination for catamaran sailors, offering a rich blend of cultures, history, and stunning coastlines. Consider these tips when sailing in the Mediterranean:

• Research the local regulations and customs of each country you plan to visit, as rules and procedures can vary.
• Be prepared for the meltemi winds in the Aegean Sea, which can be strong and gusty, especially in the summer months.
• Take advantage of the Mediterranean cuisine and explore the local gastronomy and regional specialties.

Sailing in the Pacific

The Pacific Ocean presents diverse and captivating catamaran sailing opportunities, from the stunning islands of French Polynesia to the vast ruggedness of the Pacific Northwest. Consider these tips when sailing in the Pacific:

• Pay attention to the local weather patterns and seasonality, as conditions can vary significantly across the vast Pacific.
• Familiarize yourself with the customs and regulations of each country or island you plan to visit.
• Embrace the unique marine life and coral reefs found in Pacific destinations, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices while snorkeling or diving.

Sailing in Coastal Areas

Coastal sailing offers a mix of close-to-shore navigation, diverse scenery, and the opportunity to explore various anchorages and towns. Consider these tips when sailing in coastal areas:

• Familiarize yourself with local charts, tide tables, and navigation aids to ensure safe passage in shallow or unfamiliar waters.
• Plan your itinerary, taking into account the availability of marinas, anchorages, and places of interest along the coast.
• Be aware of potential coastal weather patterns such as sea breezes, fog, or strong currents, adapting your sailing strategy accordingly.

Catamaran Sailing for Beginners

If you’re new to catamaran sailing, there are several steps you can take to start your journey and build your confidence as a sailor.

Taking Sailing Lessons

Enroll in a structured sailing course, specifically tailored for catamarans, to learn the fundamentals of catamaran sailing. These courses typically cover topics such as basic maneuvers, sail trim, navigation, and safety procedures.

Attending sailing lessons provides a structured and comprehensive approach to learning catamaran sailing and ensures you receive proper instruction and guidance from qualified instructors.

Joining Sailing Clubs and Communities

Joining sailing clubs and communities offers an excellent opportunity to connect with experienced catamaran sailors, share knowledge, and gain practical insights. Many sailing clubs organize regular events, races, or group outings where you can participate and learn from experienced sailors.

Participating in club activities not only enhances your skills but also allows you to build a network of like-minded sailors who can offer advice, support, and camaraderie.

Gaining Experience through Crewing

Crewing on other catamarans is a valuable way to gain experience and expand your skills as a catamaran sailor. Reach out to catamaran owners or charter companies to inquire about crewing opportunities, especially during regattas or extended trips.

Crewing exposes you to different catamaran models, sailing styles, and conditions, allowing you to learn from experienced skippers and crew members. It also provides an opportunity to practice various sailing techniques, refine your knowledge, and build your confidence.

Building Confidence as a Sailor

Building confidence as a sailor takes time and practice. Engage in regular sailing trips, varying your routes and conditions, to challenge yourself and further refine your skills. Set achievable goals and gradually push your limits to gain experience and expand your comfort zone.

Take advantage of opportunities to skipper your catamaran, even if it’s just for short day sails or weekend excursions. This enables you to apply and consolidate what you have learned, building self-assurance and proficiency in handling your own catamaran.

Reviewing and reflecting on your sailing experiences, learning from mistakes, and seeking advice and feedback from experienced sailors contributes to your growth as a confident catamaran sailor.

In conclusion, catamaran sailing offers a world of adventure and discovery for those seeking a unique and exhilarating experience on the water. By understanding the different aspects of catamaran selection, rigging, equipment, sailing techniques, and maintenance, you can embark on a safe and enjoyable catamaran sailing journey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sailor, there are always new skills to learn and destinations to explore. So, hoist your sails, feel the wind on your face, and set off on your catamaran sailing adventure!

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Concept 63 Catamaran

The CONCEPT 63 Catamaran is a thoroughbred cruising catamaran, conceived as a fast, long distance cruiser for a small crew. She delivers exceptional performance under both sail and power and very comfortable accommodations.

While not currently in production, the Concept 63 is available on a custom basis. Call Chris White for details. 

The forward half of each hull is devoted to a private double cabin. Both cabins contain upper and lower bunks, a hanging locker, dresser, seat and storage spaces. Each double cabin has its own private head and shower.

Power The diesel engines are located in dedicated engine rooms, with standing headroom, and all 'round access to the engines. There is plenty of room for auxiliary machinery such as a gen set, desalinator and air conditioning, as well as a work bench and tool storage. Engine size can vary from 45HP to 100 HP. Twin 45's will yield 10 knots. The larger engines have the capacity to push this cat to 14 knots. Propellers are protected by the draft of the hull. Beaching this cat poses no problem for the props.

Dinghy Deck The aft deck is one of the most frequently used and functional spaces on the boat. It's a great outdoor work and play space, with room for out of the water dinghy stowage, fishing, organizing snorkeling expeditions and other watersports.

Safety Features As with all proper multihull designs, the Concept 63 is unsinkable. Each hull incorporates two collision bulkheads forward and a third watertight bulkhead aft. Violation of any of the watertight subdivisions means only a slight variation to boat trim or heel, typically less than 1 or 2 degrees. While not recommended, it would be possible to safely sail long distances with both bows flooded forward of the collision bulkheads.

• Concept 63 Photos
• Sailing Report

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Sail Rigging Types: A Comprehensive Guide

by Emma Sullivan | Jul 22, 2023 | Sailboat Racing

Short answer sail rigging types:

Sail rigging types refer to the various configurations and arrangements of ropes, cables, and fittings used to support and control sails on a sailing vessel. Common types include the sloop, cutter, ketch, yawl, schooner, and catboat. Each type has different advantages and is suited for different sailing conditions and purposes.

Sail Rigging Types: A Comprehensive Guide for Exploring Different Options

Title: Sail Rigging Types: A Comprehensive Guide for Exploring Different Options

Introduction: Mastering the art of sail rigging is an essential skill for every sailor. It not only contributes to boat performance but also determines your ability to harness the wind effectively. With various types of sail rigging available, understanding their differences and knowing when to use them can be a game-changer on the water. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different sail rigging options, providing you with professional insights and some witty anecdotes along the way.

1. Bermuda Rig: Elegant and versatile, the Bermuda rig is undoubtedly the most common type found in modern sailing. Consisting of a single triangular mainsail and a jib in front, this arrangement allows sailors to easily control their sails while providing excellent maneuverability even in challenging conditions. Its origins can be traced back to the early 17th century, proving its timelessness as a reliable choice across various sailing disciplines.

2. Gaff Rig: For those seeking a classic look and craving nostalgia on the open seas, gaff rigs provide an impressive aesthetic appeal reminiscent of days gone by. Characterized by horizontal wooden poles (gaffs) supporting a four-sided mainsail, this traditional rig offers substantial power and good downwind performance. However, managing larger sails in heavier winds may demand more effort from the crew.

3. Cat Rig: Simplicity meets efficiency with cat rigs – perfect for solo or short-handed sailors who prefer straightforwardness without multiple lines cluttering their cockpit. This type comprises only one mast located near the bow carrying a large mainsail for optimum power-to-weight ratio. While cats excel at upwind sailing due to their balanced weight distribution, they might lack versatility compared to other rig types.

4. Ketch Rig: The sophisticated charm of ketch rigs has captured many sailors’ hearts throughout history. Featuring two masts – a taller main mast towards the front and a shorter mizzen mast towards the rear – ketch rigs offer versatility and fine-tuned sail options for diverse wind conditions. The presence of multiple sails enables better balance, making them ideal for long-distance cruising or upwind sailing when the going gets tough.

5. Schooner Rig: Sailors with a taste for grandeur will find themselves enchanted by the elegant schooner rig. Comprising of two or more masts, the fore-and-aft configuration differentiates it from its square-rigged counterparts. Schooners boast exceptional sail area flexibility and are often admired for their majestic appearance, ensuring an impressive sight among fellow seafarers. However, this elegance comes at the cost of additional complexity in sail management.

Conclusion: Choosing the right sail rigging type requires careful consideration of various factors such as your sailing style, boat size, intended use, and personal preferences. Each rigging type brings its unique set of advantages and limitations to the table, so finding the perfect fit might take some experimentation.

Remember: understanding how these different types influence your boat’s performance will not only enhance your sailing skills but also add excitement to each adventure on the water.

Happy smooth sailing with your newfound knowledge about sail rigging types!

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Sail Rigging Types: How to Choose the Right Setup for Your Needs

Title: Navigating the Seas of Sail Rigging: Weighing the Pros and Cons to Find Your Perfect Setup

Introduction: Setting sail on a mesmerizing voyage brings an unparalleled sense of freedom and exhilaration, but the success of your nautical adventure largely hinges on a crucial decision – choosing the right sail rigging setup. With a plethora of options available, it becomes vital to explore the pros and cons of sail rigging types in order to find the perfect fit for your specific needs. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of various sail rigging types, providing you with detailed insights that will steer you towards making an informed choice.

Picture yourself standing at the helm while salty ocean breeze fills your lungs and gleaming waters extend as far as the eye can see. Now, imagine having complete control over how your vessel harnesses wind power to propel through these vast expanses. This is precisely where sail rigging comes into play – it ensures optimal utilization of wind energy through systematic arrangement and configuration of sails, masts, and supporting structures.

Anchoring Down: Understanding Key Sail Rigging Types

1. Bermuda Rig: Pros: – Efficiency: The Bermuda rig provides exceptional maneuverability due to its triangular shape which allows you to swiftly change course while maintaining stability. – Performance in varied conditions: Its versatility enables sailors to navigate efficiently across different wind speeds. – Ease of handling: The simplicity and user-friendly nature make it an ideal choice for both seasoned sailors and beginners alike.

Cons: – Limited sail area: Compared to other rigs like gaff or lug rigs, Bermuda rigs tend to have slightly smaller overall surface area which may impact speed in light winds. – Heightened stress on mast: The tall mast required by this type of rig increases bending forces when facing strong gusts or storms.

2. Gaff Rig: Pros: – Enhanced downwind performance: The large main gaff sail enables excellent downwind sailing, making it an ideal choice for cruisers seeking leisurely voyages. – Easy short-handed handling: With fewer sails to manage, the gaff rig is particularly advantageous for those who prefer solo or small crew sailing adventures. – Classic aesthetics: The timeless appeal of gaff rigs stands out from the crowd, inviting admiration from fellow sailors and onlookers alike.

Cons: – Limited upwind performance: Due to the relatively narrower sail area and lower aspect ratio compared to Bermuda rigs, gaff rigs may struggle when facing strong headwinds or sailing close to the wind. – Potential complexity in rigging: Setting up a proper gaff rig demands more time and meticulousness due to additional halyards and peak adjustments required.

3. Lug Rig: Pros: – Excellent adaptability: Lug rigs offer significant versatility as their sails can be easily set and adjusted according to varying wind conditions with minimal effort. – Broad range of applications: This type of rig is renowned for its robustness, making it a popular choice among dinghy sailors, coastal cruisers, and even historical vessels restoration enthusiasts. – Single-masted simplicity: Lug rigs often utilize a single mast arrangement that simplifies handling maneuvers, reducing any potential confusion during sailing operations.

Cons: – Suboptimal upwind performance: Similarly to gaff rigs, lug rigs may face limitations when attempting to sail efficiently upwind due to their narrower sail area. – Reduced speed potential: Despite providing stability in various conditions, lug rigs are generally not designed for maximizing speed over longer distances.

In your quest to find the perfect sail rigging setup tailored to your needs, understanding both the advantages and disadvantages associated with different types becomes paramount. From the nimble Bermuda rig ensuring swift course changes, through classic elegance offered by gaff rigging methods enabling relaxing jaunts on calm waters, to versatile lug setups favored by rugged adventurers – there exists a rigging choice that aligns with your sailing aspirations.

Remember, choosing the right sail rigging type involves considering factors such as intended usage, personal preferences, and the geographical locations you plan to explore. By navigating through this comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons outlined above, you will confidently chart a course towards seamless control, superior performance, and unbridled satisfaction on every voyage.

Step-by-Step Guide: Understanding the Basics of Sail Rigging Types

Are you curious about sail rigging types? Maybe you’ve heard some terms like sloop and ketch, but aren’t quite sure what they mean. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this step-by-step guide, we will take you through the basics of sail rigging types, helping to demystify these terms and give you a clearer understanding of how different sailing vessels are set up.

Step 1: First Things First – What is Sail Rigging? Before diving into the different rigging types, it’s important to understand what sail rigging actually refers to. In simple terms, sail rigging encompasses all the components and systems that support and control the sails on a boat or ship. These include masts, booms, stays (cables or ropes), and various other hardware.

Step 2: Sloop Rig – The Most Common Type The sloop rig is undoubtedly the most common type of sailboat rig out there. It features a single mast located towards the bow (front) of the vessel with a mainsail attached to it. Additionally, there is usually a smaller headsail called a jib or genoa at the front of the boat. This arrangement provides versatility and ease of handling for sailors in varying wind conditions.

Step 3: Ketch Rig – Double The Fun If you’re looking for a bit more complexity in your sail rigging setup, then let’s talk about ketch rigs. Ketch rigs feature two masts – a taller mainmast towards the center of the boat and a shorter mizzenmast towards its stern (back). This configuration adds an extra dimension to sailing as it allows for more independent adjustments between sails on each mast. Ketch rigs are often favored by those embarking on long-distance cruising voyages due to their ability to balance sails effectively.

Step 4: Schooner Rig – A Majestic Sight For those with a penchant for classic sailing vessels, the schooner rig is sure to capture your imagination. The schooner rig typically consists of two or more masts, with the forward mast (the foremast) being shorter than or equal in height to the aft mast (the mainmast). Schooners were historically used as fast cargo vessels, and their elegant rigs earned them a reputation for speed. Today, schooners are favored by enthusiasts who appreciate their unique aesthetic appeal.

Step 5: Cutter Rig – Versatility at Its Finest The cutter rig may not be as commonly known as the sloop or ketch rigs, but it certainly has its advantages. This configuration features a single mast located towards the bow with multiple headsails attached to it. Typically, cutters have two headsails – a jib/forestaysail and a staysail. These additional sails give cutters greater flexibility to adapt to various wind conditions, making them ideal for both racing and cruising purposes.

Step 6: Cat Rig – Simplified Sailing Last but not least, we have the cat rig – a straightforward and minimalist sail setup that is common on smaller sailboats. The cat rig features a single mast positioned near the bow of the boat and only one mainsail attached directly to it. Due to its simplicity, this rigging type is often preferred by novice sailors or those seeking an easy-to-handle setup.

In conclusion, understanding sail rigging types can greatly enhance your sailing experience and help you make informed decisions when choosing a vessel for your adventures on the water. Whether you opt for the versatility of a sloop rig or yearn for the majestic sight of a schooner rig, each configuration offers its own set of benefits and appeals to different types of sailors. So go out there, discover which sail rigging type suits you best, and let your sails take you wherever your love for sailing desires!

Frequently Asked Questions about Sail Rigging Types: All You Need to Know

Sailing is an art that requires attention to detail, skill, and knowledge of various elements such as sail rigging types. As a sailor or someone interested in the world of sailing, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the frequently asked questions about sail rigging types. In this blog post, we aim to provide you with detailed professional insights while maintaining a witty and clever tone.

1. What are the different types of sail rigging?

When it comes to sail rigging, there are several types commonly used in sailing vessels. The most common ones include sloop rig, ketch rig, schooner rig, cutter rig, catboat rig, and yawl rig. Each type has its distinctive features and advantages depending on factors like boat size, wind conditions, and intended use.

2. What is the sloop rigging type?

The sloop rig is the most popular one among cruising yachts due to its simplicity and versatility. It consists of a single mast located towards the bow (front) of the boat with only one head-sail called a jib or genoa ahead of the mast. The mainsail is attached aft (back) of the mast.

Imagine a sleek and elegant vessel cutting through the waters effortlessly – that’s precisely what you get with a sloop rigged yacht!

3. What about ketch rigs?

Ketch rigs feature two masts: one mainmast taller than the other called the mizzen mast located aft of the mainmast. This configuration allows for better weight distribution and more flexibility in sail handling by dividing sails between two masts.

Picture yourself aboard an impressive vessel gliding across calm seas while enjoying full control over your sails – that’s what makes a ketch rigged yacht stand out!

4. How does schooner rigging work?

Schooner rigs boast two or more masts where all but one are shorter than or equal in height to the foremast, creating a distinct and captivating appearance. The larger area of sail provided by multiple masts allows for increased speed, making schooners highly sought-after in sailing races.

If you dream of commanding a magnificent vessel with multiple sails majestically billowing in the wind as you traverse the open ocean, consider investing in a schooner rigged yacht!

5. What sets cutter rigs apart?

Cutter rigs feature a single mast set slightly further back than the sloop rig, along with two or more headsails attached to the forestay. This configuration grants sailors greater flexibility to adjust their sails based on changing weather conditions.

Imagine yourself skillfully tacking your yacht against strong winds while effortlessly adjusting your foresail configurations – that’s precisely what cutter rigging offers!

6. How do catboat rigs function?

Catboat rigs are known for their simplicity and ease of handling. They typically have a single mast mounted forward with a single large mainsail without any accompanying headsails or jibs. This type of rig is perfect for leisurely cruising and is often favored by novice sailors due to its straightforward setup.

Picture yourself aboard an adorable catboat smoothly gliding across calm waters, appreciating the simplicity and charm it offers – that’s what makes catboats stand out from the crowd!

7. What about yawl rigs?

Yawl rigs resemble ketch rigs but possess a shorter mizzen mast positioned aft near the stern (rear) of the boat. The smaller mizzen mast improves balance and control during tricky maneuvers such as heaving-to or sailing downwind while preventing excessive weather helm.

Imagine yourself confidently navigating through rough seas while maintaining optimal control over your maneuvering options – that’s where yawl rigging truly shines!

By now, you should have gained a comprehensive understanding of various sail rigging types frequently encountered in the thrilling world of sailing. Remember to choose your sail rigging wisely based on your vessel size, intended use, and desired sailing experience. Bon voyage!

A Beginner’s Journey into Sail Rigging Types: Where to Start and What to Expect

Have you ever dreamt of embarking on an exciting sailing adventure, feeling the wind in your hair and the thrill of being one with the open sea? If so, then understanding sail rigging types is an essential first step towards turning that dream into a reality. In this beginner’s guide, we will take you through the fascinating world of sail rigging, providing you with valuable insights on where to start and what to expect.

First and foremost, let’s unravel the enigma behind sail rigging. So, what exactly is sail rigging? In simple terms, it refers to the arrangement and positioning of sails on a boat or ship. While this may sound straightforward, there are numerous types of rigs out there – each catering to specific sailing conditions and personal preferences. Fear not! We’ll navigate you through these options.

One commonly adopted type of rig is known as the sloop rig. This traditional setup features a single mast located near the bow (front) of the boat along with a main sail at its aft (rear) end. Additionally, there may be a jib or genoa placed forward of the mast for better control. The sloop rig offers excellent versatility and ease of handling for beginners due to its simplicity.

For those seeking more excitement and challenge on their sailing journey, consider exploring catamarans or trimarans – vessels featuring multiple hulls connected by crossbeams. These boats often employ a variant called the fractional sloop rig which adds exhilaration with increased speed potential while maintaining relative ease in managing sails.

Another popular option is the ketch rig – notable for its two masts: one taller main mast towards the boat’s centerline and another smaller mizzen mast positioned further aft. This arrangement provides greater flexibility when it comes to distributing sail area for different wind conditions while also offering redundancy should any one mast or sail be compromised.

If you’re yearning for a touch of history and aesthetics, delving into the world of schooners might just be what your heart desires. Schooners boast an elegant rig featuring multiple masts – two or more – with both fore-and-aft sails (sails that run parallel to the boat’s centerline) and square-rigged sails (sails perpendicular to the centerline). Though it may require a more skilled hand, sailing on a schooner can transport you to a bygone era with its majestic charm.

Now that we’ve covered some popular sail rigging types, let’s discuss where to start as a beginner. As appealing as it may be to dive straight into more advanced setups like schooners, it’s crucial to first gain familiarity and confidence with simpler rigs such as sloops. Take your time to understand the basics of sail controls, wind direction awareness, and safety precautions before progressing towards more complex rigs.

When it comes to expectations, remember that learning sail rigging is not just about memorizing technicalities but also developing a deep connection with your vessel and nature itself. Sailing demands patience, adaptability, and an ability to read winds and waters intuitively. Embrace the challenges along your journey while keeping in mind that mistakes are part of the learning process – every experienced sailor has faced them at some point!

In conclusion, embarking on a beginner’s journey into sail rigging entails discovering various types of rigs suited for different purposes and preferences. Start by acquainting yourself with simpler setups like sloops before venturing into more intricate designs such as catamarans or historic schooners. Remember that progress takes time; focus on building foundational skills while embracing the joy and challenges sailing offers. So, hoist those sails high and set forth confidently into the vast ocean – adventure awaits!

Mastering Advanced Sail Rigging Techniques: Taking Your Sailing Experience to the Next Level

Are you ready to elevate your sailing skills and dive into the world of advanced sail rigging techniques? If you’re seeking to enhance your sailing experience with a touch of expertise, then look no further! In this blog post, we will explore the intricate realm of advanced sail rigging techniques that will undoubtedly take your passion for sailing to new heights. So grab a pen and paper, or bookmark this page, because you won’t want to miss out on these valuable insights.

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty details, let’s first understand what sail rigging entails. Sail rigging is the art of setting up and adjusting the sails on your boat in such a way that maximizes performance when catching those delightful winds. It involves an amalgamation of knowledge about different types of sails, their various components, and how they interact with each other in different wind conditions.

Now that we have established the importance of sail rigging let’s explore some advanced techniques that can set you apart from average sailors:

1. Fine-Tuning Your Mast Bend: The curve of your mast plays a crucial role in determining sail shape and overall performance. Knowing how to adjust this bend incrementally can optimize your boat’s speed and stability across varying wind strengths. By mastering mast bend adjustments using shroud tension or cunningham lines, you’ll harness every gust nature throws at you!

2. Perfecting Your Sail Twist: Achieving ideal twist in your sails can be a game-changer on the water. Adjusting the angle between the top and bottom sections of your sail enables controlled power distribution throughout its surface area. This technique allows you to maintain optimal balance while navigating unpredictable wind patterns, giving you an edge over other sailors struggling with less refined twists.

3. Utilizing Adjustable Tracks: Ever wished you could move your jib car forward or aft without hoisting it up the mast? Well, with adjustable tracks, you can! These clever inventions allow you to tweak your sail’s positioning effortlessly, adapting to various wind angles without compromising your boat’s balance. So say goodbye to inefficient sailing angles and hello to greater control!

4. Mastering Cunningham Controls: The cunningham is a powerful tool that regulates the tension along the luff of the sails. By skillfully manipulating this control line, you can flatten your sails during high winds or create depth for enhanced power in lighter breezes. Truly an advanced technique that adds finesse and versatility to your sailing repertoire.

5. Exploring New Sail Materials: Dacron may be tried and true, but have you ventured into the realm of exotic sail materials? With advancements in technology, innovative fabrics like carbon fiber or laminated materials offer superior strength-to-weight ratios and unbeatable performance gains. By experimenting with these new-age materials, you can unlock heightened speed potential while keeping your boat well-equipped for whatever Mother Nature throws at it.

Now that we’ve touched upon these advanced sail rigging techniques, remember that practice makes perfect! Experimentation and fine-tuning are vital components of mastering these skills. Don’t be afraid to reach out to experienced sailors or seek professional guidance in understanding these techniques better.

In conclusion, making strides from a proficient sailor to an extraordinary one involves exploring advanced sail rigging techniques meticulously. By adding these skills to your arsenal and implementing them effectively on the water, you’ll find yourself sailing circles around others who haven’t yet embraced these novel practices.

So gear up (pun intended), dive deep into masterful sail rigging methods – bending masts, twisting sails just right, utilizing adjustable tracks smartly – and let your newfound expertise take you on an exhilarating journey where average simply doesn’t exist!

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Set Sail with Confidence: Expert Advice on Catboat Sailing

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catboat_(Roscoff)-cd01.jpg

What is a Catboat?

A catboat is a sailboat with a single sail, set on a mast that is located near the bow of the boat.

The sail on a catboat is typically a gaff rig sail, which means it has a four-sided sail with a spar called a gaff, extending out from the top of the mast. This type of sail design allows for easy handling, as the sail is relatively simple to hoist, lower, and trim.

Catboats are known for their wide and stable beam, which makes them an excellent choice for cruising and day sailing in calm waters. The shallow draft of a catboat also allows them to access shallower waters that deeper draft boats cannot, making them ideal for exploring coastal areas.

Table of Contents

Why is a catboat called a catboat?

The origin of the term catboat is unclear, but one theory suggests it may come from the Dutch word “kopje” meaning small cottage, which would be fitting for a boat used as a makeshift home away from shore.

Catboats were popular in colonial times for fishing and transport in shallow coastal waters, carrying goods and people to and from small islands and coves.

Catboat vs Catamaran

Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which offer more stability and speed. They are generally larger in size and can accommodate more passengers, making them a popular choice for leisurely cruising or competitive racing.

Catboats, on the other hand, have a single hull and a relatively shallow draft, making them more maneuverable and versatile.

Catboats are known for their simplicity, with just one sail and basic rigging , and are often favored by solo sailors or those looking for a more intimate sailing experience.

Techniques for Sailing a Catboat

Sailing a catboat requires some skill and technique to maximize your speed and enjoy your sailing experience. Here are some tips to help you sail your catboat with confidence:

1. Balance the Boat

Unlike other sailboats, catboats have a single sail, which can make them more challenging to balance. To balance the boat, you need to ensure that the sail is positioned correctly and that your weight is evenly distributed.

2. Adjust the Sail

To get the best performance from your catboat, you need to adjust the sail’s position and shape.

When sailing upwind, the sail should be positioned as close to the wind as possible, while when sailing downwind, the sail should be positioned perpendicular to the boat.

3. Tack Efficiently

Tacking a catboat involves changing direction by turning the bow of the boat through the wind. To tack efficiently, you need to release the sheet (the line that controls the sail) and quickly turn the rudder to the other side.

4. Control Your Speed

Depending on the wind conditions, your catboat can quickly gain or lose speed. To maintain your speed , you need to adjust the sail’s shape and position constantly.

5. Use the Tiller Correctly

The tiller controls the direction of the boat. To sail straight, you need to position the tiller slightly to the side of the boat. To turn, you need to move the tiller in the opposite direction.

6. Reef the Sail

If the wind gets too strong, you may need to reef the sail to reduce its size and power. To reef the sail, you need to lower the halyard (the line that controls the height of the sail) and fold the sail along the reefing points.

Choosing the Right Boat: Single Hull vs. Twin Hull vs. Multi-Hull

Dinghies vs Keelboats: What Are The Differences?

Catalina Boat: 9 Questions Answered (For Beginners)

How much does a catboat cost?

The price of a catboat can vary depending on its size, age, and condition, as well as the location and seller. However, here are five popular catboats and their approximate costs:

This classic catboat measures 12 feet and is perfect for solo or small group sailing. It’s wooden hull and simple rigging make it easy to maintain and operate. Prices start at around $6,000.

Marshall 22

With a 22-foot fiberglass hull and room for up to six passengers, the Marshall 22 is a popular choice for day sails and weekend trips. Prices range from $25,000 to $35,000.

The Cape Dory 10

Designed for single-handed sailing , the Cape Dory 10 has a 10-foot fiberglass hull and can reach speeds of up to 6 knots. Prices start at around $5,000.

The Com-Pac Horizon Cat

Measuring 20 feet in length and featuring a shallow draft, the Com-Pac Horizon Cat is a versatile catboat that can be used for sailing in lakes, bays, and coastal waters. Prices range from $40,000 to $60,000.

The Stur-Dee Cat

This sturdy catboat features a fiberglass hull and traditional gaff rigging. With a length of 22 feet and a beam of 8 feet, it offers ample space for up to six passengers. Prices start at around $20,000.

How fast does a catboat go?

On average, a catboat can reach a top speed of around 6-8 knots (7-9 mph) in moderate winds.

However, it’s important to note that catboats are not designed for speed racing but rather for cruising and enjoying a leisurely sail.

Their wide beam and low profile make them great for relaxing on the deck and taking in the scenery. Plus, with a shallow draft, they can sail in shallow waters that other boats cannot access.

Here is a good video to show you the details of a Nathanael Herreshoff’s catboat

What are the benefits of a catboat?

1. Catboats have a unique design with a single mast and a wide beam, making them stable and easy to sail.

2. Catboats have a shallow draft, which means they can navigate in shallow waters, making them perfect for exploring coastal areas.

3. The boom on a catboat is typically very long, which allows for easy sail handling and maneuverability.

4. Catboats are known for their simplicity, making them great for beginners and experienced sailors alike.

5. They are great for family sailing adventures, with ample space on deck for lounging and enjoying the scenery.

6. Many catboats have cabins below deck, providing a cozy spot for overnight trips.

Are catboats safe?

Catboats are generally considered to be very safe boats. The low freeboard and wide beam make them stable in a variety of conditions, and their simple design means fewer systems can go wrong.

Catboats vs Sloop

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the two:

The most noticeable difference between catboats and sloops is in their rigging . A catboat has a single sail mounted on a single mast, while a sloop has two sails – a mainsail and a jib – mounted on two masts.

Because of their wide beam (width), catboats tend to be more stable than sloops. This makes them a popular choice for beginners or those who are prone to seasickness.

Maneuverability

Sloops are generally more maneuverable than catboats, thanks to their smaller sails. This makes them a better choice for racing or for those who prefer a more responsive vessel.

Because of their wide beam, catboats offer more interior space than sloops. This makes them a great option for cruising or for those who prefer more living space onboard.

Catboats vs Single hull

Catboats are often compared to single-hulled boats, as they both have a single keel running the length of the vessel. However, several key differences set catboats apart.

Firstly, catboats tend to have a wider beam than single-hulled boats, which gives them more stability on the water. This can be particularly important for novice sailors or those sailing in rougher conditions.

Additionally, catboats often have a shallower draft than single-hulled boats, which means they can sail in shallower waters without risking running aground. This can be advantageous for exploring areas that may be off-limits to other types of boats.

Another key difference between catboats and single-hulled boats is the sail plan. Catboats typically have a large, single sail located towards the front of the boat, whereas single-hulled boats may have multiple sails and a more complex rigging system.

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Cat ketch trimaran

Discussion in ' Multihulls ' started by peterbike , May 23, 2018 .

peterbike Junior Member

The concept has been rattling round in my head for years, but I have found little to nothing regarding them. I know there are/were 2. 1. is the chris white design for sale in america somewhere. 2. One is mentioned in the historical thread (if I read correctly ?) about 1 in australian race where it got a slow start, then took off & passed everything in sight. ( anyone know it ?) Gary's little cox bay skimmer, which proves that the mast's don't have to be free standing. Although it is a nice idea, after reading about Rob Denneys sail handling on the prau - the thought becomes, " I want one of those !" The idea of 2 smaller packages is appealing. - although it has occured to me as I sit here typing, "Is this a relevant idea anymore ?" Have roller furlers done away with this fear of big flappy things trying to hurt you ? I still think the idea has merit - even if only from the standpoint, "if one falls down, there is still another one"  

Tiny Turnip Senior Member

Like this?  

Gary Baigent Senior Member

From Light Brigade: Then in the mid 1970s Young designed Dooley Wilson a 40 foot open wing deck trimaran named Bladon Racer; called a sketch for it was neither ketch nor schooner because both masts and mainsails were the same height and carried the same sail area in two roached, fully battened mainsails. “This was a low sail plan which kept the centre of effort down and reduced the tipping moment,” said Young. Although Young drew water ballast to be carried in the windward float to provide extra power, this was not fitted by Wilson. In the clever drawing, tanks which were linked to the centre board cases, could fill or empty to produce either buoyancy or lever arm weight. The whole object was to get as much sail on the boat as possible without much height. Matched with a bigger rig she would have been very fast indeed. Bladon Racer had a centreboard in each float which saved space in the main hull.  

Attached Files:

Bladonracer copy.jpg, bladon2 copy.jpg.

Tiny T - not quite, nice try tho.. Gary, that boat must have been pretty radical for the period. A bit like us looking at mod 70's now ? I have given this some serious thought since the original posting. Times & technology have changed, ketch's are a thing of the past pretty much. And it is true for ultimate speed, the taller the mast the better . So for racers, it's a no-no. (unless they choose to race only, when there is a bit of breeze around. ) I like multihulls becos they are efficient, dragging a coupla ton of lead around & parking 3 mile away from the beach - cos your boat is 8' deep - is not efficient. When the freedom 40's turned up in the late '70's with the catch phrase, "mon on de sea, you got to be free" they really caught my attention. But I was 18 & could not afford (or understand) carbon fibre masts. So I sailed my steel mono pig around for a little bit, before swapping it for a slim steel mono thing. But the writing was on the wall - one day I was going to get an efficient boat. So the cat ketch falls into the 'efficient' category, not ultimately fast - but with a good turn of speed. It might still be a little bit early for the early for 'cat ketch's' as the mast/s are still a problem re. getting a clean leading edge that is acceptable to the masses. But that could change, with the AC boys playing with twin sail tracks & the like. I don't have a problem with a jib, but the rear mast is still a concern. Wing mast's ? FANTASTIC !... if it can be proved that will remain docile & well behaved at all times ...??? here's a photo of another lunatic fringer I found in another thread ; https://www.boatdesign.net/attachments/greg-elliot-jpg.52028/ Another idea i had is to treat the rear sail like a gennaker/spinnaker, in that it is only used in light airs. So that at 10/12 knots you drop it completely - first reef done. : If so, could the sailcloth be lighter & same for the mast construction ? - reduced guilt about dragging extra weight around ? Of course this would upset the balance of the boat, so another centreboard in the cockpit for use when the mizzen is up & blanked off when sail comes down. My 3c for today, ciao  

PS. it seems this has all been spoken about before, 10 yrs ago in fact. For those of us who have been distracted for the last 20 yrs, this will help bring you up to speed. Best rig for small catamaran circumnavigator? https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/best-rig-for-small-catamaran-circumnavigator.10197/ If you are short of time - read from pg.6 on. PPS. I love rob denneys harryproa's, but at $300,000 plus building it is beyond my means. But if one were to pop up second hand ???  

rob denney Senior Member

peterbike said: ↑ PPS. I love rob denneys harryproa's, but at $300,000 plus building it is beyond my means. But if one were to pop up second hand ??? Click to expand...

brian eiland Senior Member

You might find something of interest here The Death of the Ketch ? - Page 27 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/the-death-of-the-ketch-85028-27.html and here... The Death of the Ketch ? - Page 28 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/the-death-of-the-ketch-85028-28.html  

Ketch Rigged Catamaran …excerpts from Chris White’s sailing report aboard his client’s Concept 63, ketch rigged catamaran design HERON _________________________________________________________________ Sunday, October 25, 1998, I joined Bill Shuman owner/builder of the new Concept 63 catamaran HERON and crew Joan Welsh for a sail down the east coast of the USA. …… text break ….. Immediately, I was struck by the way Heron slides along at 10 knots in relatively light conditions. Our speed varied from 9 to 11 knots sailing close hauled in 12 to 14 knots of true wind speed with a rolling swell. During the first night the wind shifted to NE and fell away to near calm so we motorsailed into the next morning. Our first days run was about 230 n.miles. As we neared Cape Hatteras the wind built stronger out of the northeast. For a while early on day two we had 25 knots of wind astern with waves of 6' to 8'. These waves were large enough to surf and we had a number of nice rides producing 16 to 18 knots of boat speed under full working sail. The Alpha autopilot did a fine job of steering but was not quite as good at catching waves as an attentive helmsman. In a ketch rig it pays to sail a very broad reach rather than a dead run since this prevents the mainsail from being blanketed from the mizzen. This we did and the sails were drawing well with only an occasional backwinding of the jib. The jib was snatch blocked to the rail giving a nice wide lead while main and mizzen each used a combination vang/preventer led to the leeward rail which provides the sail control of a 28' long traveler without the weight and expense. …… text break …. However, we had to jibe back to fetch Diamond Shoals 30 miles to our south but did so a little too early. After dark, with dinner in the oven, we strayed back into the Gulf Stream. The water temperature immediately shot up to 83 degrees! Over a period of 15 to 20 minutes the waves grew to 10' or so and steepened such that tops were falling over and the wind built to near gale force. Wow, that was quick! It was fun to let Heron strut her stuff for a little while, and strut she did with prolonged surfing rides generating 20 knots or more of speed. But it was also getting a little raucous below decks and with a full mizzen Heron was developing a lot of weather helm. We decided to get some sail off (double reef in the mizzen and rolled up about 20% of the jib) and jibe back to the SW to get out of the worst of the current …… text break …. Now that we were around the corner we were able to head more toward the west which brought the apparent wind up closer to the starboard beam. Heron loved this! With the wind direction NNE at 20 gusting to 25 we took off on a beam reach at a steady 14 knots occasionally reaching 17 in the puffs. The moon was bright, the wind now cold since it was coming off the land rather than the warm Gulf Stream and we were streaking along dry and comfortable with Cape Lookout 70 miles ahead but getting rapidly closer. But in the wee hours the wind once again fell away. Near Cape Lookout we finally gave up pure sailing for motorsailing at nearly 10 knots by running a single engine at 2300 rpm with light wind on the beam. …… text break …. Late in the day the breeze came around toward the SW and gradually built in strength. This was a great opportunity to see Heron sail upwind. We strapped the sheets in tight put both daggerboards down, set the autopilot and watched in awe as she powered up past 10 knots to 11.5 hard on the wind with full sail in about 18 knots of breeze. We had a wonderful fresh yellowfin tuna dinner in the main saloon watching the sun set while Bill's beautiful new machine devoured the miles toward Georgia. Under autopilot we were barreling along upwind enjoying our meal and spectacular view at the same time Joan's nearly full wine glass rested peacefully on the smooth table top without a ripple inside. Before dark I had a good chance to look at the masts for movement. With about 25+ knots apparent and full sail the rig was very stable. The masts were very straight and the leeward rigging still reasonably snug. A small amount of movement was seen in the mizzen masthead but this is to be expected with a long cantilever masthead. Most cats suffer from too much headstay sag which makes windward sailing less productive or requires a running backstay to remove. Heron has no running backstays but her rig is so efficient and stable due to the wide chainplate spacing and resulting large shroud angles that headstay sag is very minimal ……. text break … The NOAA forecasters had changed the predicted wind direction 4 times in the last 12 hours so the next wind was anybody's guess. My guess was that because the only wind direction that they had forgotten to predict was southeast, the wind was surely to arrive from that quadrant. Well, by mid afternoon we were having a beautiful sail with 12 knots of SE wind, beam reaching along toward the Sea Islands of Georgia where Bill and Joan planned to cruise a few days and I planned to depart. As evening rolled into night we saw some of the nicest sailing that I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. The moon was nearly full, the wind a gentle breeze from the port bow and the ocean absolutely flat. By now we were far enough south so that it was warm. I spent hours of my watch sitting in the trampoline near the windward bow watching the slender hulls slice cleanly through the water at a steady 8 to 9 knots The wind, while very steady in direction became progressively lighter. By 3 am it was 7 knots by my best estimate (no wind speed instruments on board). It is always hard to evaluate performance of a new design without having a boat of known ability sailing alongside but these were ideal conditions to see how Heron sails to windward in light wind. By recording GPS and knotmeter speeds and headings over several minutes and averaging the readings I was able to get consistent results with little data scatter. We also tried several daggerboard settings and found that in this light wind it seems that Heron's best windward performance was obtained by having only one daggerboard fully down. Our best upwind VMG seemed to be at 5.93 knots boatspeed at an angle of about 53 degrees to the true wind. Pretty respectable for a conservative ketch rigged cruising cat in 7 knots of wind …… text break …. It was a great sail and very instructive for me. We saw a variety of conditions although the weather was generally light for the trip. Heron, with her long fine hulls, covers ground very well. I really like her rig, which although modest in size, is efficient and easy to handle. Going upwind in stronger conditions I had complete confidence in the spars which are extremely well supported by the long swept spreaders and efficient shroud angles. Light air performance was the big surprise. I knew that she'd be fast in a breeze but I did not fully appreciate how well she would sail in light air. This feature I ascribe to her more slender-than-normal hulls which are just so easy to move through the water. Heron demonstrated that the catamaran Achilles' heel, underwing clearance and related pounding, could be dealt with successfully. We saw (actually felt) a few kicks to the belly in the sloppy conditions rounding Cape Hatteras but they were less frequent and less severe than most cruising cats that I've sailed. Sailing upwind in waves there would be a rumble of water noise every now and then as a wave top was mashed between the hull and wing intersection but it was easy to ignore. For her weight and overall beam the C-63 design has fairly generous underwing clearance. But it seems that the larger advantage is in her slender hulls which create much smaller (almost non-existent) bow waves. It seems to me that that hull waves are often responsible for a lot of the underwing slamming as they cause existing seas to peak upward at exactly the wrong time as the lowest part of the wing passes over them. (BE noted: my observations as well) Another issue of importance in a cruising cat is no wind, or very light wind. Racing boats are disqualified if they use the engine. Consequently boats designed to race (and the cruising boats that emulate the racing designs) have sail plans optimized for light air, which are often too large and too fragile for offshore cruising. Cruising boats, on the other hand, use the engine when the wind quits. And the time spent motoring, or motorsailing, is often quite significant. The term motorsailer has had negative connotations for decades. Normally motorsailers neither SAIL nor MOTOR very well. So they've been viewed with some disdain as neither fish nor fowl. But I view the Concept 63 design as a motorsailer that works. Her power performance with twin 50 HP diesels is quite good with 10 knots average speed at an easy 2750 rpm. Fuel consumption is very moderate and she achieves about 5 miles per gallon at 10 knots (typical for catamaran power boats is 3 mpg or less). But the real benefits happen when there is some wind too. Running one engine often is all that is needed to bring the apparent wind forward to make the sails work harder and the combination provides much better results than either motoring or sailing alone. And of course when there is wind you can shut off the noise makers and enjoy superb sailing at faster speeds than any reasonable engine could provide. I know that there is now considerable interest in power catamarans, with all the builders coming out with updated models. But honestly, there is nothing in the world quite as nice as shutting off the damn engines and SAILING. In terms of weight or cost Heron is no more boat than the typical 50' cruising cat, nor does she require any more effort to sail. But by drawing out the hulls to 63' in length substantial benefits are gained in performance and comfort. This combined with her 3' draft, the ability to pass under 65' bridges and excellent performance under power make her an incredibly versatile and pleasing cruising boat. Chris White Chris White Designs Brian added: I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above !!! Attached Files: Aftmast rigs??? https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/aftmast-rigs.623/page-7#post-198607  

Rob, it is the 50' cruiser that I am interested in - possibly none to buy second hand ? What about materials cost ? 10% less than the 60 ? Builder - me & a couple of youngsters. but i am not ready to go yet, I have to finish renovating this house & sell it. (patience grasshopper, I says)  

peterbike said: ↑ Rob, it is the 50' cruiser that I am interested in - possibly none to buy second hand ? Click to expand...

Another looney !  

What is so looney about that as cruising rig??  

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Schooner rig on a reach is very, very fast. And if masts rotate and are airfoil shaped, surprisingly fast and embarrassingly high pointing to windward too. Obvious ****? But not to bigots.  

Cat Ketch or Cat Schooner Rig on Trimaran...

1981 52' CSK ketch rigged catamaran

24ft Bluewater cat sketch

Balance considerations for Boardless Beachcat

Extra Marstrom 32 and f40 catamaran hulls

Cat Hull Design

Over built flat deck power cat

Light weight big open deck catamaran

Limits to the beam of a catamaran ratio ?

Low-cost experimental platform cat for inland waterways

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Developed by Anchor Yachts

Designed by schionning designs, built by pacific seacraft in the usa, different by design.

• Inside helm station with full sail controls and excellent sight lines
• Self tacking jib boom makes for simple enjoyable sailing
• Skeg with foil provides propeller protection and improves sailing performance
• Kick up rudders to allow for shallow water (2′) operation under power, and allow the boat to rest on the protective skeg when beached
• Large tankage – 210 gallons of fuel, 105 gallons of water
• Weighing less than 20,000 lbs (with full tanks) makes for a truly light performance cruising catamaran, which is easily driven with routine cruising speeds of 15 knots+ and capable of 25+ knots
• Hull, deck, and structural bulkheads are built with foam cores utilizing carbon fiber and kevlar layers in high load areas to achieve optimum strength with minimum weight

Razor Cat 52 – Overview

The focus of this design is elegant performance. An offshore capable multihull which is easily controlled and operated by one person from the safety and comfort of a central inside helm station, featuring 360-degree views throughout the bridge deck. All lines with the exception of the genoa/spinnaker sheets lead to two electric reversible winches located on either side of the helm. The genoa/ spinnaker sheets are handled by the two electric reversible winches in the cockpit (that can also be controlled remotely at the helm). Couples that have spent time cruising know how beneficial it is to be able to handle the boat easily while on watch without having to wake your partner. This is not possible on most catamaran designs.

A properly designed and constructed catamaran can be very fast, but only if it remains light and easily driven. This design has relatively narrow hulls with dagger boards, along with a simple powerful rig. The high bridge deck clearance minimizes pounding in a seaway and greatly adds to the comfortable motion aboard while sailing. All systems are designed to be easily accessed and maintained, a critical feature on any true cruising sailboat.

The bridge deck offers indoor/outdoor living at its finest, with excellent sight lines when sitting or standing in the salon as well as on the aft deck. While the inside helm is the control center of the boat, the large U-shaped galley is the heart of the boat. It is located on the bridge deck across from the dinette with easy access to the aft deck. The galley features a bar, under counter fridge/freezer drawers, a large workstation sink, a 30” wide stove with oven, along with substantial counter space and storage.

The accommodations in each hull are configured to provide a generous aft cabin with a queen berth that is easy to get into from the foot of the berth, along with ample storage. Moving forward is a modified queen midship berth (which folds up to reveal a work bench when needed). Next is a large forward head compartment with separate shower stall and large hanging locker. On the occasion you have additional guests, the dinette also converts to a spacious double berth.

The market has seen an ever-increasing demand for catamarans, particularly among sailors who have previously owned cruising monohulls. These buyers are looking for a catamaran that is well built, offering speed, comfort, and safety which is easy to handle while remaining a joy to sail. They also want a design that allows them to enjoy indoor/outdoor living (while underway and at anchor) in a way that is not possible on a traditional monohull. However, most catamarans on the market are designed and built for the charter market. This typically focuses on maximizing the number of berths and interior accommodations without concern of the adverse effects it has on sailing performance. The Razor Cat 52 focuses on what experienced sailors are looking for in a performance cruising catamaran.

Razor Cat 52 – Specifications

• LOA – 52 ft
• BOA – 26’ 4”
• Ratio beam/length – 13.7:1
• Draft (boards up) – 2′
• Draft (boards down) – 6’2”
• Bridgedeck clearance – 3′
• Full Displacement – 19,730 lbs (full tanks)
• Lightship Displacement – 17,000 lbs (empty tanks)
• Payload – 10,700 lbs
• Tankage – 105 gal. water, 210 gal. fuel
• Standard diesel engines – 2 x 45 hp Yanmar engines with straight shafts
• Optional diesel engines – 2 x 45 hp Beta Marine engines with straight shafts
• Optional electric engines – OceanVolt hybrid system
• Headroom – 6’9”
• Mast clearance – 64’
• Jib sail area – 419 square feet
• Mainsail area – 861 square feet
• 6 degree mast rake, square top mainsail

RAZOR CAT - PERFORMANCE OFFSHORE CRUISING CATAMARAN

Razor cat 52 layout drawings.

Click on image to enlarge

Razor Cat 52 – Features

• Built using carbon fiber and Kevlar in the high stress areas to ensure the optimum strength while keeping the weight down
• Layout designed with single inside helm station, and removable tillers for outdoor steering when desired
• Large sliding hatch over inside helm to allow for easy sail inspection and ventilation
• Harken 60 electric self-tailing Rewind Radial primary winches mounted either side of the helm with clutches for the following lines: – Halyards (Mainsail, Jib, Genoa, Spinnaker) – Furling lines (Mainsail, Jib, Genoa) – Jib Sheet, jib outhaul, jib boom topping lift – Mainsheet – Main boom topping lift
• Harken 60 electric self-tailing Rewind Radial Genoa winches on the aft coaming in the cockpit with controls at helm as well
• Manual Antal Line driver for raising and lower dagger boards at helm
• Power electric line driver for mainsail traveler, controls at helm as well as each aft winch. Traveler can also be controlled by aft winches if needed as a manual back up.
• Large U-shaped gourmet galley with cockpit bar: featuring two Virtifrigo under counter drawer refrigerator/ freezer, induction stove with oven, as well as substantial storage space with a pantry and additional counter space forward of the galley
• Cockpit has a full hard top, a bar, along with a grill and beverage fridge built in to the aft coaming
• Large flush solar panel array on top of salon/ cockpit
• Each hull features aft cabin with queen berth abundant storage, a modified queen midship berth orientated fore and aft that converts to to a work bench when needed, with a head and large separate shower forward
• Dometic reverse cycle air conditioning/heating in each hull
• Electric fresh water flush toilets in each hull
• Electronics package: owners choice (such as B&G, Garmin, or Raymarine)
• Spectra steering system with carbon rudders, and carbon wheel
• Protective skeg with foil forward of the outdrives that protects the props and provides lift for the vessel, as well as safe beaching with kick up rudder system
• Jib on Bamar FT roller furler
• Self-tacking carbon jib boom for jib
• Genoa/code zero on Bamar RLG EVOS roller furler
• Square topped mainsail
• Option: Selden carbon rig with carbon Y-Boom and slab reefing with lazy jacks
• Option: Offshore Spars carbon mast with carbon V-Boom and Bamar electric furler
• Option: OceanVolt electric propulsion system (in lieu of twin 45 hp Yanmar diesel engines) – 2 x SD15 electric motors with Servoprop – 2 x 7 KW hydro regeneration system – 2 x 12 KW Whisper Power 48V DC generator – Valence 10.5KWh lithium battery bank
• Option: Espar D5LC diesel force air cabin heaters in each hull
• Option: Spectra Cape Horn Extreme watermaker
• Option: AST Yachts Coast 340 (11’) helm console tender with 20HP Outboard
• Option: Offshore Cruising Tender 350 (11’6”) Sailing Tender with 20HP Outboard

Razor Cat 52 – Gallery

Contact for more information

401-246-2100

[email protected]

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New 35m twin-masted catamaran superyacht concept, Solstice

Designer Andrew Trujillo has released this 35 metre twin-masted catamaran superyacht concept, Solstice .

She follows a 45 metre concept cat produced by Trujillo called Equinox and as with that idea, features strong environmental credentials and a layout planned to provide maximum privacy and quiet for the guests, within a 21 metre beam. The starboard pontoon is dedicated solely for guests, whilst the port pontoon is for use by crew for accommodation, laundry and the galley. Solstice has been designed to carry eight guests and between seven and 14 crew.

Trujillo, based in Shrewsbury in England, was inspired by talking to a naval architect friend who was testing a small twin mast leisure cat. He said, “The conversation fired my imagination and brought to mind an old university project. I had designed a catamaran and quite early on realised that the conventional central placement of masts on the majority of catamarans, although practical for most applications, is not ideal from a structural point of view.

“I have had the chance and privilege to be involved in a catamaran project with a very respected production catamaran manufacturer of late and I thought it would be fun to try something a little experimental for myself. Naturally, twin rig catamarans are not new, with many racing and performance examples available, but I thought a cruising cat would be an interesting conceptual challenge, hence Solstice .”

The 115ft sailing superyacht is conceived to be built in aluminium or GRP, said Trujillo. He said among the benefits of having two masts was that any twin-masted boat was able to carry shorter spars than a Marconi-rigged rival. “I understand that having smaller masts confers a number of advantages, in terms of handling and from a structural point of view,” Trujillo said. “Each mast is sited on a pontoon. This means that they are mounted on very rigidly and the compression loads are channeled on a part of the vessel that has plenty of structure and strength. A further advantage is that the vessel can sail effectively with rigging on just one of the masts, so she has an element of redundancy, which can be a definite bonus on a vessel designed to be capable of long-distance and global cruising.”

Cruising speed is estimated at 25 knots and the big cat features electric pod drive units which enhance maneuverability and create more space inside the hull. Two generators create the necessary electrical power to drive the boat when not under sail and will also cover the likely heavy energy consumption of the cat with a full compliment on board. The configuration would allow the vessel to work as a hybrid and if a suitable battery bank was installed, the boat could operate as an electrically powered vessel. She would also have the potential to use the prop as a generator when under sail, boosting her environmental credentials and extending her range.

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