trailerable catamaran plans

6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

trailerable catamaran plans

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Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their “home marina” and sailing will be somewhat restricted. However, what if you could fold your trimaran and put it on a trailer, store it at your house, and go to a new sailing spot the next time?

Here are 6 of the best trailerable trimaran:

  • The Dragonfly series
  • Corsair Series
  • Windrider 17

Choosing the best trailerable trimaran (a multi-hull with three “hulls”) will depend on crucial factors like speed, durability, design, and ease of transportation. This article is here to help you get started with your research and hopefully help you on the way towards your dream boat!

Table of Contents

Cruising Trimarans That Can Be Transported

Cruising boats are made for multiday sailing either on the coast of your favorite sailing area or full-out blue-water ocean crossings. Extended living should be a priority in these designs.

1. The Dragonfly 25 and 28 (Dragon Fly Series)

Dragonfly is in the business of making the “best foldable trimarans on the planet” many would agree with this statement. Dragonfly is known for its commitment to easy trailering and ease of use, shown in designs for the Dragonfly 25 and Dragonfly 28.

The “Swing Wing” system on the linchpins is one of the key features of the dragonfly series. The system’s application makes it possible for the trimaran to narrow its beam as much as 50%.

Attesting to its Scandinavian manufacturing, most parts of the trimaran are made in-house. This guarantees quality and ensures that all used parts are above standard.

You don’t need to look further than the Dragonfly 25. Its centerboard slightly offset to port. Extra space is created in the main hull’s interior with a trunk buried under a settee. Performance-wise, the low drag and narrow hull shape allow the boat to reach blistering speeds.

Dragonfly 28 In Numbers

  • Length: 8.75m
  • Beam folded: 2.54m
  • Max crew: 5-7 people
  • Max Speed: 22+knots

Dragonfly 25 In Numbers

  • Length: 7.65m
  • Beam folded: 2.30m
  • Max crew: 4-6 people
  • Max Speed: 21+knots

2. Farrier F-22

New Zealand enters the trimaran manufacturing race with this premium sea goer. The vessel comes in two different versions: a performance variation with more horsepower and a full cabin cruising version. 

Compared to the dragon series the F-22 has the biggest allowance for space.

The F-22 is known for being one of the easiest trimarans to fold and load.

The sports version of the F-22 has some really good performance to offer. It has an aggressive spirit: you can mount a sail while leaving plenty of space for the boat’s fine entry and flared forward sections. The build quality is also topnotch—a lasting memorial to a principle that Ian Farrier always worked by: excellence.

Farrier F-22 In Numbers

  • Length: 7.0m
  • Beam folded: 2.5m
  • Max crew: 3-5 people
  • Max Speed: 20+knots

3. Corsair Series

This boat series has an exciting history. Farrier created it to promote his trailerable tri concept. However, the series is now independent with a top-class vehicle to its name.

The Corsair 760 is listed as providing some of the best performance and safety benefits to sailors.

Building off the spirit of excellence of the founder, the Corsair 760 has created a boat with comfort and racing potential. The boat can be tricky to handle at first, but it will be a breeze once you get the hang of it.

It is also worth noting that the corsair 37 is the largest trailerable trimaran on the market today.

Daysail Trimarans That Can Be Transported

Boats that are made for dayssailing are usually smaller, cheaper and more easily handled. They are perfect for those looking to enjoy a full day on the water in calm weather, but are usually less suitable for multiday events or rough sea sailing.

4. The Astus Models (20ft, 22.5ft, and 24ft)

If you’re looking for something small but still capable of doing day sailing, this 22.5-foot trimaran is for you. Built for speed and maneuverability, the Astus 22.5 has optional foils to optimize speed.

The modern design, coupled with the spacious interior, can fit up to four beds. Accordingly, this trimaran is suited for family outings. 

The Astus brand specializes in transportable trimarans, worth noting is that some models need a specific trailer whilst the smaller boats use a standard trailer.

5. Weta 14.5

The 2019 Weta trimaran is a 14.5-foot (4.4-meter) trimaran featuring a carbon frame, centerboard, rudder foil, and rudder shock. The hull is made from fiberglass and foam. The Weta is built for strength and speed based on these lightweight materials. 

The 2019 Weta trimaran is easy to sail and is worth considering whether you want to take a quiet sail, race with your friends, or take kids to a sailing lesson. It has a simple design and is easy to set up independently.

The small size makes it more suitable for daysailing in good weather rather than multiday cruising, although more experienced sailors will of course push the limits of this boat.

6. WindRider 17

The 17.4-foot (5.3-meter) WindRider 17 is one of the more versatile trimarans in the market. It packs high performance for a low cost. This trimaran has a light rotating mast to boost performance, and a full-battened mainsail optimizes visibility. 

This sailboat is made from rotomolded polyethylene, which is more durable than fiberglass and demands less maintenance.

The WindRider 17 has a comfortable interior and can fit six adults. This is an ideal choice for social sailing for a couple or a family and friends. It’s easy to ride, and a shallow draft allows easy maneuverability. 

What’s the Largest Trailerable Trimaran?

The largest trailerable trimaran is the Corsair 37 , this multihull is built for single-handed cruising while still maintaining the ability to comfortably seat 6 people.

The Corsair 37 provides comfort, speed, and safety. It also contains just enough space to accommodate amenities like a propane stove, a sink, and other equipment.

The vessel is designed to be a performance cruiser. It features an aluminum rotating wing mast, carbon fiber bowsprit, and premium deck hardware. The corsair can still cut through the water with ease despite its size, putting the wind in your sails.

What Is a Catamaran?

trailerable catamaran plans

A catamaran is a boat with two hulls (a trimaran has three) connected by a bridge deck. Catamarans usually offer more space than both monohulls and trimarans of the same length. The catamaran is usually somewhat slower than a trimaran but faster than a monohull. They are usually made of fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Catamarans come in all shapes and sizes. You can find straightforward sailing catamarans, perfect for those who are only starting their sailing journey. Larger sailing catamarans have become extremely popular for long-distance sailing.

There are also power catamarans, they have huge diesel-powered engines (sometimes electric) and no sails. Also called “power cats”, these boats can reach 30+kts.

Can a Trimaran Be Trailerable?

As discussed above, some trimarans are possible to put on a trailer and move to another sailing area or to be stored at home. This is usually not possible with catamarans but is sometimes possible with the trimarans that are fitted with foldable amas (the two outer “floats” or “hulls”).

Some trimarans can be trailerable, this is mainly due to the ability to drastically decrease the vessels beam, sometimes as much as 50%. This allows the trailer plus trimaran to be below the legal requirements of the road.

Final Thoughts

It has proven difficult to beat the trimaran in terms of speed. Through the ages, this type of vessel has proven to be immensely enjoyable in all kinds of sailing activities. These can range from sea adventures to waterborne relaxation in your free time.

Trimarans come in various types, foldable, for cruising or racing, etc. However, there is a common factor: many of the small ones are trailerable. This makes them easier to move than most other types of boats.

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Folding multihulls.

By John Marples , Jan 28, 2023

Folding multihulls and their beam-reduction strategies.

Folding Multihulls

A Farrier 33R trimaran with amas folded and secured on a road-legal trailer exem- plifies the advantages of adjustable- beam multihulls, which are easy to trans- port and store out of the water.

“I’ll be surprised if you can find space in the harbor for that thing,” I heard him say as my new 37 ‘ (11.3m) trimaran was about to be launched. I hadn’t given it much thought, but now this legitimate question was raised, and where to moor was the next issue at hand. Space, particularly width of a slip, becomes the limiting requirement. But then, space also is one of the attractive features of multihulls—deck space to move around on, free from the confines of the cockpit.

Step aboard any multihull and it is obvious how much real estate they offer. Even small models seem expansive. The beam of the typical catamaran is half its length, and trimarans are even wider, sometimes as wide as they are long. Aside from increasing space, beam also boosts stability without adding ballast. The early Pacific Islanders created these form-stable craft for fishing and interisland commerce and voyaging where natural island harbors were few, so the boats had to be light enough for crew to carry them up the beach. Today’s modern multihulls are still lighter than contemporary monohulls, but the larger ones preclude the option of dry sailing them from the beach. They require more marina space than monohulls, and the limited number of slips to accommodate them can be a problem. As someone once put to me, “Multihulls have a poor ‘stacking factor.’”

With catamarans and trimarans becoming more popular, they demand mooring solutions. Some marinas offer shallow-water slips to multihulls, typically at the inboard ends of docks, next to the seawall, because multihulls either have shallow keels or retractable boards. Some marinas also designate the end ties as multihull slips in areas not used for transients. Even though these boats protrude farther into the channel than monohulls, the extra space their beam occupies is relatively small. With multihulls crowding waiting lists for marina slips, builders were prompted to consider folding systems to “improve their stacking factor.”

Without ballast, smaller multihulls up to about 30 ‘ (9.1m) can be dry-stored on a trailer, and most launch ramps easily accommodate over-width boats. If the boat’s beam can be reduced to the legal highway width of 8.5 ‘ (2.6m), the owner can store the boat at home. Today, folding trimarans and catamarans are common sights on trailers in storage yards and backyards. Various folding systems have evolved to support this need, especially for the backyard builder. Some beam-reduction systems allow the boats to be folded and stored in the water in conventional-size marina slips, while other systems facilitate efficient storage or provide street-legal trailering.

Folding Systems

Basic folding systems are separated into several categories:

  • take-apart akas, the simplest beam-reduction method
  • telescoping akas (sliding beams)
  • simple horizontal hinge
  • complex horizontal hinge systems
  • vertical hinges (swing wing)
  • complex swing wing

The following overview of folding systems illustrates how these mechanisms work. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of available folding designs. I’ll address two-hull boats (catamarans and proas) first, followed by trimarans. Each type has its challenges and advantages. All are separated into two more categories: transportable boats and trailerable boats. The characteristic distinguishing between them is the time and effort required to launch, starting from an on-the-trailer folded condition. Trailerable implies the possibility of daily launching, requiring less than an hour from trailering to sailing. Transportable denotes a road-legal trailer package but with a longer assembly time to sail away. It might even take more than one trailer load, and considerable assembly time. Legal width in this category could extend to 10 ‘ (3m) wide if OVERSIZE LOAD signs are used (consult local laws). Transportable boats usually require seasonal transport with storage in the water during sailing season and dry storage in the winter. Both categories benefit from the ability to “go to weather at 65 mph” to reach any suitable launching site, even hundreds of miles from home. This opens the possible sailing venue to any water body with a launch ramp and road access, and some trailerable and transportable boats can be delivered anywhere in the world in standard shipping containers.

Catamarans and Proas

trailerable catamaran plans

The WindRider 17′ trima- ran’s telescoping tubular akas are secured with pins

Hobie Cats and other beach cats are familiar sights around lakes, beaches, and harbors. They are usually built to 8 ‘ (2.4m) beam and do not need folding systems. The 19 ‘ (5.8m) Tornado class catamaran at 10 ‘ wide uses a side tilt-up trailer to reduce beam. Larger catamarans needing folding systems have greater challenges than trimarans of the same length, for a few reasons: The hulls are normally bigger (and heavier) than amas for the same length trimaran; the mast is stepped on the center of an aka, midway between the hulls, which means the aka must be extra strong; and there is no easy means of supporting the hulls while the beam is being expanded to the sailing position, requiring that the trailer have an expanding-beam function. As a result, folding systems are less common on cats and are usually of three types:

  • folding akas along the centerline or to a center pod
  • telescoping akas
  • take-apart akas

Folding Multihulls

On this Wharram cat, the akas are securely lashed into “deck alleys.”

Designers have used telescoping akas, but production boats generally avoid the associated complexity and cost. The mechanically straightforward take-apart feature has successfully been used by many boats, like the 27 ‘ (8.2m) Stiletto Cat and others. Generally, the assembly of these boats takes some time and muscle, which relegates them to the transportable category. Stiletto Cat advertising suggests a four-hour setup time, but in reality, it is much longer. All the James Wharram–designed catamarans up to 63 ‘ (19.2m) are held together with rope lashings and can be dismantled for transport. The required time and effort are generally proportional to the length of the boat.

Note that the Gougeon 32 ‘ (9.7m) sailing catamaran is unique, at 8 ‘ wide, without folding capability but with a water ballast system to make up for the lack of form stability.

The large main hull of a typical smaller trimaran offers a larger interior space than a comparably sized catama ran, a deep footwell in the cockpit for comfortable seating, and a folding system for trailering with the amas connected to a well-supported main hull. In addition, the mast is stepped on the main hull, with the headstay attached to the bow, not to the akas.

Trailerable trimarans come in all sizes to about 32 ‘ long, with transportable designs somewhat longer. The latter types tend to have larger interior spaces and less complex connectives. To a certain extent, manufacturers were willing to add cost to the folding system to reduce setup time. Folding capability on or off the water also adds to the design challenges.

Take-Apart Aka Systems

This is the least expensive method and easiest to achieve for the home builder or the manufacturer. The akas may be built-up wood box beams or tubular metal. Each beam is secured to the hulls by through-bolts, bolted straps, plug-in sockets, or lashings. Tubular aluminum beams are the lightest but most expensive. Regardless of attachment method, the hulls must be supported in their respective positions for the akas to be installed. In small vessels, this can be an abbreviated procedure, but larger vessels will require a special trailer to hold the disconnected amas while on the road.

Folding Multihulls

The Chesapeake Light Craft 15′ single outrigger canoe akas lash into saddles on both hulls.

Telescoping Aka Systems

The telescoping option is limited to boats where the total stack-up width and length dimensions of the hulls and fully retracted akas do not exceed the legal road limits. The WindRider 17 is a good example. The boat is supported on “high bars” on the trailer, leaving the amas free to be moved in or out. The simplicity of the akas and trailer-support system reduces cost and launching time.

In larger vessels, this system has been applied to reduce width for storage in marina slips. For these boats, the sliding system is large and complex, usually requiring some sort of power to make the telescope slide. Because the sliding mechanism requires a small clearance between the sliding members, the akas will move slightly during sailing, which is difficult to avoid.

Folding Multihulls

The 1970s-vintage Telstar 26 features a simple hinge-down system with a bolted con- nection on deck and a bolted strut below.

Simple Horizontal Hinge Systems

Early trailerable trimaran designs often incorporated a simple hinged beam-reduction system to fold both sides down. Boats to about 25 ‘ (7.6m) with a 16 ‘ (4.9m) beam could be made to fold to 8 ‘ . At the ama end, lifting the hull, sometimes with attached wing deck, could require substantial muscle or a mechanical lift. Even for smaller boats this task may be beyond one person’s capability. Normally, bolts and plates between the members secure the hull for sailing. On the Searunner 25 and Constant Camber 26 (7.9m), double-hinged tubes are bolted to tangs on the main hull.

Folding Multihulls

The Searunner 25 trimaran has a hinge mechanism on its metal-tube A-frame akas that secures with bolts at both ends.

Commonly, simple hinge systems require that the main hull be positioned rather high on the trailer so the amas clear the trailer wheels beneath. A disadvantage is that the trailer must be submerged more deeply than usual for the boat to float off. Compared to the Telstar system, the Searunner 25 offered some improvement by positioning the hinge point at the top of the cabinside, raising the folded ama slightly.

Complex Aka Hinge Systems

A complex system for folding multihulls, much like a garage door lift linkage, was developed and patented by Ian Farrier for his trailerable trimaran designs. It allows one person to fold or unfold the boat while it’s afloat. Before launching, the mast is stepped and secured with lower stays. Note that folded storage in the water for long periods is not practical because the immersed ama’s topsides will gather marine fouling. In addition, the arrangement of the support linkage arms has a very shallow angle with the aka, causing them to be highly stressed, which adds significant weight and cost.

Folding Multihulls

Unfolding it requires help from friends.

A complex folding system I developed has only four attachment bolts and a wide-angle strut brace. It is very light but requires folding prior to launching. It relies on a simple roller dolly on a beam attached to the trailer to support the ama during folding and unfolding.

Swing-Wing Systems

In-water storage of folding trimarans is generally limited to swing-wing designs, where the hulls all float on their respective waterlines, either folded or unfolded. Many variations have been used in production boats, and among the most successful is the Quorning-designed Dragonfly. It has hinged arms supported by a “waterstay”— a diagonal cable under the arm to counteract cantilever aka loads. The outer end of the arm, on the ama deck, pivots on a single pin. The waterstay becomes slack when the boat is folded, leaving only the hinge to support the ama in the folded configuration. I’ve seen one folded boat that was damaged while moored at the dock in strong harbor waves when the ama climbed onto the dock. Swing-wing designs stored in the water must provide strong vertical support for the ama in the folded condition

Folding Multihulls

A swing-wing aka system on the Borg Quorning–designed Dragonfly 32 is further supported by a waterstay when rigged for sailing. The akas can be adjusted in and out while in the water and for storage at the dock.

The main challenge of the swing-wing system is to get all the pivot axes parallel because they must rotate about 90° without binding. If there is any depth to the structure, this accuracy is critical, as the pins or pivot axles could be quite long, so even a small inaccuracy will make the system difficult to assemble, let alone pivot smoothly.

Folding Multihulls with Flat Swing-Wing Akas

The most basic swing-wing system is the flat aka configuration developed by Jim Brown. He avoided the need for perfect parallel alignment of all hinge axes because the beams are not very thick, and the pivot-pin holes can have additional clearance. For the swing system to operate without binding, spacing of the pivot points must be identical on all the swing arms. The system’s downside is strength, because the aka must support all the heeling loads in a relatively narrow beam. For some boats, a waterstay may need to be added to increase cantilever strength and reduce deflections when sailing.

Folding Multihulls

The Seaclipper 16 flat swing- wing akas are made from common dimensional lumber and pivot using steel bolts.

A logical improvement in strength for swing arms is to add a truss, with triangulated strength that will easily bear all the heeling loads from the ama. Here again, it is essential that pivot axes be in perfect alignment to avoid binding. To my eye, open trusses in sleek yachts are never beautiful, but they offer higher strength for lower weight.

Complex Swing-Wing Systems

If the akas are not flat along their full length, it is more difficult to achieve a smoothly pivoting system. My latest boat, Syzygy (pronounced, sis-a-gee), is a case in point. Flat akas offer little variation in styling—flat is flat. To add underwing clearance and more attractive aesthetics, many designers favor the arched aka. This configuration allows the aka to approach the ama hull from above and connect through the deck for more usable immersion of the ama buoyancy, and to keep the aka above the wavetops.

This system has arched akas with an upward angle (dihedral) as they extend from the main hull and descend with a smooth curve onto the ama deck. The pivot axis must also be inclined, normal to the surface, to allow it to pivot. To make life simple, the vertical centerline of the ama is inclined inboard at the top by the same amount, which aligns all the pivot axes with the ama vertical centerline. If the beam is level fore-and-aft, when the ama is folded inboard, it is positioned rather low, due to the arch. To compensate, the akas must be given a negative angle of attack to make the folded ama arrive in the same position as a simple flat aka system. It’s a good challenge for any boatbuilder to get it right and a good use of a digital level. The angles in Syzygy were 8° dihedral, and a nega tive 5° angle of attack. The aka pivot surfaces must be perfectly parallel on both ends—at the inboard aka pivots and the ama deck pivot tables.

Folding Multihulls

Jan Gougeon designed and built strings, a 40′ swing-wing catamaran with carbon- tubular-truss swing akas built over foam mandrels.

A late iteration of the Telstar 26 became the Telstar 28 with a vertical-axis swing-wing system. This production boat is no longer manufactured but was unique for its faired wing and attempt to hide the folding system from view. It also featured an electric linear drive to fold/unfold the heavy akas.

For transporting folding multihulls on the highway, road trailers must have some specific attributes to properly support the hulls. Most models use transverse cradle supports under the hull at major interior bulkhead positions. It is important to install bow guides on the trailer to get the hull to settle in exactly the right place when retrieved from the water. Rollers beneath the hull are not recommended, as they tend to distort it and potentially cause damage. The amas require enough support so the folding mechanism is not carrying the load when being towed.

For swing-wing boats, there is a significant change in the center of gravity between folded to unfolded configurations. Normally, the amas swing back when folded and swing forward for the sailing position. If the trailer has the proper tongue weight for towing on the hitch with the boat folded, the weight will increase when unfolded. For trailers with telescoping tongues, tongue design must accomodate that weight; otherwise, the extended tongue may bend severely during launching or retrieval.

Homebuilt wooden trailers are popular for these specialized boats, and some designers provide plans for them. Without much metal in them, they will probably float, which sometimes leads to difficulty at launching. Adding some steel channel to the bunks can solve that. However, floating is not an undesirable feature if a trailer floats level but is submerged enough to maneuver the hull into the bunks, and the hull settles into the right place automatically. Floating trailers also never run off the end of the ramp.

Conclusions

There’s truth in the humorous claim that “the new family yacht has to look good behind your SUV.” But while many of the latest small boats are daysailers, folding multihulls have expanded the trailerable and transportable boat size to include those with weekend cruising capability, up to about 32 ‘ . As we’ve seen, those essential folding or retraction mechanisms are not simple and must be carefully designed and engineered, even by the home builder. But for owners of these boats, seasonal storage and slip availability are no longer problems. And the overall reduction in total cost can bring owning a boat within reach for many more people. What’s not to like about that?

About the Author: John Marples has designed, built, and rigged many sail- ing vessels. His portfolio includes doz- ens of wood-epoxy composite sailing and power multihulls to 110′ (33.5m). He operates Marples Marine , a multihull design and engineering firm in Penobscot, Maine

Dieter Loibner | Professional BoatBuilder Magazine

Nomenclature

Multihull designers have developed some useful, specific names for components, mostly derived from the Pacific Islander language.

Aka (ah-kah) refers to the crossbeam structure of any multihull. Designers used to call them “cross-beams,” but writing that on hand-drawn plans took up too much space and time, so this shorter Polynesian name became the standard.

Ama (ah-mah) is the Polynesian name for the outer hull of a trimaran or proa. They were formerly named “floats” or “outer hulls” (never pontoons), but again, ama is shorter.

Vaka (vah-kah) is the Polynesian name for the main (largest) hull of a trimaran or proa. Since it can be confused with the other names and is not very descriptive, most designers have opted for the term main hull.

Waterstay is a diagonal stay, metal or synthetic rope, below the aka, between the main hull near the waterline and aka near its outboard end. This stay counteracts the upward load from ama buoyancy when the ama is immersed.

—John Marples

The Crossbeam (Aka) Structure 

T he essential function of any crossbeam (aka) system on a multihull is to structurally connect the hulls in a way that resists all the forces generated when sailing. Heeling forces from lift on the sails must be transferred to the leeward hull by the aka structure. The forces on the akas are complex, composed of cantilever bending due to heeling loads, twisting of the structural platform, and horizontal bending caused by drag from the ama’s forward motion through the water. The heeling force, resisted by the buoyancy of the ama, pushes up, causing cantilever bending loads in the akas similar to the forces on an airplane wing. Torsion is created when the sails’ lift pushes the leeward ama bow down, while the shrouds supporting the mast pull the weather-side ama stern up. Drag from the leeward ama tries to bend the akas toward the stern, and forces from the windward shroud tend to pull the aka forward as well as up. These forces all act together at the attachment points on the hulls. In most cases, torsion is resisted by the tubular hull and cabin structure itself. Heeling is countered by the cantilever strength of the aka beams and is sometimes strengthened by diagonal waterstay cables beneath. Drag forces can be resolved by the fore-and-aft strength of the akas or by adding diagonal cables between the akas. Each folding system must accommodate these loads through all the pivoting components in the structure.

Of key interest in aka design are the loads imposed on the ama hulls by the seaway when sailing to windward. These hulls are subject to significant loads on the outboard sides. The windward ama is pummeled by wavetops, and the leeward ama is pushed sideways due to leeway. Since the aka system is characteristically attached through the ama deck, these forces are trying to rotate the ama keel inboard, toward the main hull, in either case. The same is true for catamarans, concerning the aka loads where they emerge at the hull inboard sides. These loads can be calculated to estimate the strength required for any configuration and should be part of the design’s stress analysis. If centerboards or daggerboards are located in the amas, those rotating forces are significantly increased.

Of further interest in swing-wing designs is the clearance between pins and brackets in vertical pivot mechanisms. When sailing, the forces at the hinge pins can change from positive to negative repetitively, creating noise and wear. The wear will eventually elongate the holes, reduce pin diameter, and become a maintenance problem. Designs like the flat wing can be tightened to eliminate movement, which will eliminate wear. Amas with waterstays tend to put the akas in compression and stop the vertical deflection that would be normally carried through the hinge pins. In that case, the pins would be loaded in only one direction and not be subject to cyclic ± loads. —J.M.

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ECO 55 Power Cat Plans

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Description

Additional information.

trailerable catamaran plans

The ECO 55 power catamaran is an affordable DIY power catamaran. As the owner proved the boat is a capable coastal cruiser. The inside layout is the same as for the ECO55 sail version but the underwater shape is changed. The cockpit is wider and has a size of 1,45m x 2 m. With the bigger size normal deck chairs can be used. With a cockpit cover two more can sleep on the boat.

Accommodation is simple but practical.

trailerable catamaran plans

Because of the easily driven hulls the boat will travel at about 12 knots with the a 15 HP outboard engine. But practice showed that a single outboard of 20 HP is more feasible - less noise and lower operating costs.

trailerable catamaran plans

The boat has a double bunk, but the cockpit is big enough to sleep 2 more persons. The construction and list of materials is similar to the ECO55 sail version . The difference is that you need no rig, rudders or dagger board. With the low weight of about 325 kg including engines the boat can be towed behind a relative small car.

trailerable catamaran plans

Construction is as always the plywood/glass/Epoxy construction system. The hulls are V-shaped with vertical sides - easy to build by a beginner. For cost estimation see the list of materials below.

  • All drawings are CAD drawings
  • Wood/epoxy composite for easy construction and low maintenance.
  • Sleeps up to four
DELIVERY: 16 Drawings: JPG or DXF files. + Manual: 12 pages description (PDF)

trailerable catamaran plans

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12 Scarab 350; Ray Kendrick; Small Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab

12 Solo 12; Chris Ostlind; Personal Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

14 Docat; Paul Fisher; Dory Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Drifter; Mark Gumprecht; Outrigger/Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Duo 425; Bernd Kohler; Fast Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 14 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply/GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes 14 Hitia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 14? Hobby Cat; at The Beachcats.com; Beach Cat; Ply Plans (Free) ; at The Beachcats.com 14 Pixie; Woods Designs; Entry level fun cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Quattro 14; Woods Design; Twin trapeze racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 14 Solo 14; Chris Ostlind; Personal Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

trailerable catamaran plans

  15 SC435; Bernd Kohler; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs
16 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Two Man Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 16 Blue Joseph; John McCallum; Proa; Ply Plans ; Applegate Boatworks 16 Drifter; Mark Gumprecht; Outrigger/Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Duo 480; Bernd Kohler; Cat; Ply Plans ; Ikarus 16 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes 16 Hot Chili; Jeff Gilbert; Asymmetric Cat; ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Jarcat5; Ross Turner; Trailer Sailer; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner 16 La Chatte; Glen-L; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; Glen-L 16 Little Tri; Bernd Kohler; Small Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Melanesia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 16 Quattro 16; Woods Designs; Twin trapeze racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Scarab 16; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 16 Simple Surf; Paul Fisher; Day Sailer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Slider Cat; Ray Aldridge; Sit in Hull Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Slingshot 16; Smoot/Walters; Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 16 Trilars; Jim Michalak; Outrigger Canoe; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

trailerable catamaran plans

17 Hitia; James Wharram; Small Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 17 Rebel Cat; PVC Cat; PVC Plans ; Duckworks 17 W17; Mike Waters; Folding Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Small Trimaran Designs
18 A18-T; Chris Ostlind; Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Eco Cruiser; Bernd Kohler; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 18 Fast Twin; Hartley & Brookes; Family Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Hartley & Brookes   18 Hawk; Paul Fisher; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   18 Rapier; Malcolm Tennant; Racer; Ply Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   18 Rodcat; Paul Fisher; Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Scarab 18; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 18 Strike; Woods Design; Trimaran; Plywood Plans ; Duckworks 18 Tricky Five, BCA Demco; Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks
19 Cat19; Selway/Fisher; Demountable Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 18 Double Shuffle 5.6; Ray Kendrick; Cat; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 19 Trikala; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Tri; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes

trailerable catamaran plans

20 Discovery; Chris White; Pocket Cruising Tri; Wood/Epoxy/Ply Plans ; Chris White 20 Eco 6; Bernd Kohler; Crusing Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 20 Gizmo; Michalak; Proa; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 20 Threefold 6; Dudley Dix; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   20 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Two Person Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 20 Turbo 6; Malcolm Tennant; Fast Camp Cruiser; Wood Epoxy Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 20 Worrell 1 Mk2; Graham Byrnes; Beach Cat; Ply Plans ; B&B Yacht Design
21 A64; Chris Ostlind; Proa; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 21 Crabclaw Cat; Shell Boats; Crabclaw Rigged; Ply Plans ; Shell Boats 21 Tahiti Wayfarer; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 21 Tiki; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 21 Tiny Dancer; Ted Warren; Personal Proa; NA Plans/Kit ; Warren Multihulls 21 Tridarka Raider; Jeff Lehman; Sailing Tri; Ply Plans ; Platypus Boats 21 Warren 21 Proa; Ted Warren; Proa; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

trailerable catamaran plans

22 DUO 660; Bernd Kohler; Fast Trailer catamaran; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 22 Janus; Woods Designs; Micro Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   22 KD 650; Bernd Kohler; Coastal Trailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 22 Scarab 650; Ray Kendrick; Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 22 Scarab 670; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab 22 Scarab 22; Ray Kendrick; Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   22 Wizard; Woods Designs; Folding Micro; Cedar Strip or GRP Plans ; Woods Designs   22 Wizzer; Woods Design; Racing Micro; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design
23 Chevron; Malcolm Tennant; Trailer Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   23 Hinemoa; James Wharram; Dayboat/Overnight Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 23 Konktiki 23; Catamaran Designs; Sailing Cat; Ply Plans ; Catamaran Design   23 Streaker; Malcolm Tennant; Performance Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   23 Trailerable Tri; Kurt Hughes; Pocket Cruiser; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes   23 Warren 23; Ted Warren; Fast Tri Daysailer; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls
24 Coral Coast 24; Ross Turner; Coastal Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner   24 DK24; Dennis Davis; Solo Trimaran; Ply Plans ; Dennis Davis Designs 24 Strider; Woods Design; Classic; Cold Mold, Strip, GRP Plans ; Duckworks   24 Shadow; Woods Design; Cruiser; Cold Mold, Strip, GRP Plans ; Duckworks
25 Cat 25; Paul Fisher; Class Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks 25 Eco 7.5; Bernd Kohler; Economy Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 25 Gwahir; Woods Design; Micro Racer; Cold Molded or Strip Cedar Plans ; Woods Design 25 Trillo, BCA Demco; Catamaran; Ply Plans ; Duckworks

trailerable catamaran plans

26 Coaster; Malcolm Tennant; Coastal Cruiser; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   26 Merlin; Woods Design; Micro Racer; Strip Cedar Plans ; Woods Design   26 Pahi; James Wharram; Wingsail Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   26 Proa; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   26 Scarab 8.0; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   26 Spyder MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Class Racer; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 26 Tiki; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 26 Trailerable Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes
27 Cat 254; Paul Fisher; Class Racer; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   27 Demountable Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; NA Plans ; Kurt Hughes   27 DUO 800; Bernd Kohler; Fast Coastal Trailer Sailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 27 F-25C; Ian Farrier; Fast Trailerable Trimaran; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 F-82; Ian Farrier; Fast Cruising Trimaran; Strip Plank, or Foam Core Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 F-82R; Ian Farrier; Fast Cruising Trimaran;  Foam Core Plans ; Farrier Marine   27 KD800; Bernd Kohler; Folding Cat; Ply/Strip Plans ; K - Designs 27 Warren 27; Ted Warren; Fast Tri Daysailer; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls

trailerable catamaran plans

28 Great Barrier Express; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Deck Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   28 Gypsy 28; Woods Design; Ocean Cruiser; Ply, GRP Panel Plans ; Woods Design   28 Lively; Hartley & Brooks; Family Cruiling Tri; Ply Plans ; Hartley & Brooks   28 Stinger MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Formula 28 Racer; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   28 Surfsong; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   28 Sylph; Malcolm Tennant; Folding Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
29 Coral Coast 29; Ross Turner; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Ross Turner 29 KD 860; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designss 29 Tanenui; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply/Foam Plans ; James Wharram Designs
30 Avalon 9.0; Ray Kendrick; Folding Tri; Ply Plans ; Team Scarab   30 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 30 Demountable 30; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 Demountable Cat; Kurt Hughes; Trailer Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 DUO 900; Bernd Kohler; Cruiser/Racer Trailer Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 30 Sagitta 30; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Strip Plank or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   30 Shilo; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   30 Skua; Woods Design; Trailerable Racer; Cedar Strip or Cold Molded Plans ; Woods Design   30 Tiki; James Wharram; Trailerable Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   30 Tomcat; Kurt Hughes; High Performance; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   30 Turissimo 9; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
31 F9-A; Ian Farrier; Trailerable Cruiser; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   31 D-30; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 D-30 Aft Cabin; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 DF-31; Kurt Hughes; Aft Cabin Trailer Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 Firebird; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   31 Javelin; Woods Design; Minimum Offshore Racer; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   31 Pahi; James Wharram; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   31 Scorpio; Woods Design; Minimun Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   31' Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Sliding Arm Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   31 Tiki; James Wharram; Workboat Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   31 Windsong; Woods Design; Minimun Offshore Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

trailerable catamaran plans

32 Chrome 96; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   32 D-32; Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   32 P95; Bernd Kohler; Fast Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 32 Red Shift; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
33 Portage 10; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 33 Trimaran 10; Angelo Lavranos; Fast Cruiser; Composite Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design   33 Turissimo 10 MKII; Malcolm Tennant; Performance Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 33 Vermillion; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Racing/Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
34 Flica 34; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design   34 Hammerhead; Chris White; Cruising Tri; Plans ; Chris White Designs   34 Lively; Hartley & Brooks; Ocean Cruising Tri; Ply Plans ; Hartley & Brooks

trailerable catamaran plans

35 Crazy Horse; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 35 Cruising Tri; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 35 Proteus 10.6; Angelo Lavranos; Cruising Cat; Ply CNC Kit Set Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design   35 Warren 35; Ted Warren; Trailerable Fast Cruising Tri; NA Plans ; Warren Multihulls
36 Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 36 Demoiselle; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   36 Mira; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar, Ply, or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 36 Northern; Malcolm Tennant;  Open Wing Cruising Cat; Composite Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 36 Nui Guinea MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 36 Raka; James Wharram; Cruising/Racing Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 36 Scylla; Woods Design; Performance Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 36 Seagull; Bernd Kohler; Long Distance Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 36 Tangaroa MKIV; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 36 Vorpal Blade MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/ Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
37 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridge Deck Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 37 F-36; Ian Farrier; Blue Water Cruising Trimaran; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine   37 Northern - 11; Malcolm Tennant; Open Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

trailerable catamaran plans

38 Backpack 38; Dudley Dix; Tropical Cruising Cat; Ply or GRP Plans ; Dix Design   38 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Fast Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Demountable Tri; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Ply & Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   38 Pelican; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs 38 Rigger; Malcolm Tennant; Serious Cruising Cat; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   38 Sienna ; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   38 Tiki; James Wharram; Traditional Wharram Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   38 Tri; Kurt Hughes; Flared Main Hull Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes
39 Altair; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Cat 39; Bruce Roberts; Cruiser; GRP Plans ; Bruce Roberts Designs   39 Jayar; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Rigger; Malcolm Tennant; Serious Cruiser; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Targa; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Thresher; Malcolm Tennant; Coastal Racer/Cruiser; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   39 Valencia ; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
40 Alfresco 40; Malcolm Tennant; Solid Wing Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   40 Bridgedeck Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cruiser; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes   40 Cat 40; Paul Fisher; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; Duckworks   40 Child of the sea; James Wharram; Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   40 Double Eagle; Phil Bolger; Charter Cat; Ply Project ; Fritz Koschmann   40 Formula 40; Kurt Hughes; Racing Tri; Ply or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 40 Narai I, II; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 40 Pacific 40; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   40 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Flared Main Tri; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 40 Wild Thing; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Tri; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
41 Meander; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Cold Molded, Ply or GRP Plans ; Woods Design 41 Narai III; James Wharram; Cruising; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 41 Nimbus; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; GRP Plans ; Woods Design   41 Rhea; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Strip Cedar or GRP Plans ; Woods Design

trailerable catamaran plans

42 F-41; Ian Farrier; Ocean Cruising Cat; Composite Plans ; Farrier Marine 42 Manta; Bernd Kohler; Offshore Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; K - Designs   42 Pahi; James Wharram; Deck Pod Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs  
43 Blade Runner; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Wood Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 43 Dix 430; D Dix; Cruising Catamaran; GRP or Wood/epoxy Plans ; Dix   43 Indigo 43; Malcolm Tennant; Charter Cat; Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   43 Te Henga MK 2; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
44 Explorer; Chris White; Cruising Tri; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs
45' Bridgedeck Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 45 Fast Cruising Cat; Kurt Hughes; Fast Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 45 Tiros; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant

trailerable catamaran plans

46 Aluminium 13.8; Angelo Lavranos; Cruising Cat; Alum Kit Set Kit ; Lavranos Marine Design 46 Araki; James Wharram; Cruising/Racing; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs 46 Big Wednesday; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising/Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Catamaran Motorsailer; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 46 Dorsai; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 46 Ondina; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; Woods Design   46 Sundiver; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Tasman; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   46 Tiki; James Wharram; Blue Water Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   46 Timeliner 46; Malcolm Tennant; Cruising Cat; Wood Epoxy Plans ; Malcolm Tennant  
47 Cirrus; Woods Design; Offshore Cruiser; Cold Molded or GRP Plans ; Woods Design
48 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite or Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes 48 Voyager; Chris White; Cruising Cat; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs

trailerable catamaran plans

49 Challenger; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   49 Ghanian; Malcolm Tennant; Fast Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   49 Marshan; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruising Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
50 Hi-Octane; Malcolm Tennant; Racing Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   50 Tektron 50; John Shuttleworth; High Performance Racer/Cruiser; Composite Plans ; John Shuttleworth Yacht Design
51 Tehini; James Wharram; Cruising Cat; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs
52 Tektron Aerorig Cruising Cat; John Shuttleworth; Cruiseing Cat; Composite Plans ; John Shuttleworth Yacht Design 52 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Tri; Ply Plans ; Kurt Hughes

trailerable catamaran plans

53 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridgedeck; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 53 Sounder MS; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   53 Thai; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
54 Hammerhead; Chris White; Cruising Tri; Plans ; Chris White Designs   54 Juniper II; Chris White; Cat-Ketch Tri; Wood Plans ; Chris White Designs
56 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Bridgedeck; Plywood Plans ; Kurt Hughes 56 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Racer; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes
58 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes
60 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Charter Cat; Composite or CM Plans ; Kurt Hughes 60 Cordova; Malcolm Tennant; Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant   60 Disco Volante; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Racing Proa; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
63 Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes 63 Concept 63; Chris White; Cruising Cat; GRP Plans ; Chris White Designs   63 Pahi; James Wharram; Offshore Cruiser; Ply Plans ; James Wharram Designs   63 Revolution; Malcolm Tennant; Wind Turbine Cat; Strip Plank Plans ; Malcolm Tennant 63 Trimaran; Kurt Hughes; Racer; Foam Glass Plans ; Kurt Hughes

trailerable catamaran plans

65 Cat 65; Bruce Roberts; Charter; GRP Plans ; Bruce Roberts   65 Cruising Catamaran; Kurt Hughes; Cat; CM or Composite Plans ; Kurt Hughes
72 Carillion; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Motor Sailing Cat; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennant
82 Cyan; Malcolm Tennant; Ocean Cruiser; NA Plans ; Malcolm Tennan  

Farrier International

Farrier International

a Division of Daedalus

trailerable catamaran plans

The F-32 is a plan version of the F-33, the availability of which has unfortunately been restricted due to unfavorable currency exchange rates, and a limited production capability, making it just too expensive for most markets. However, the F-32 helps overcome this by providing a close alternative that can be built anywhere by anyone.

The F-32 is available in several forms, the F-32A, F-32AX, or F-32R and F-32RX, with both aft cabin and aft cockpit versions, and all can be built by home or professional builders.

trailerable catamaran plans

The F-32 is a modern ‘state of the art’ design, with most of the F-33 features such as larger floats, new beam to main hull connection system, improved higher set beams and folding system, retractable bow pole, carbon chainplates, synthetic rigging, daggerboard rudder, carbon fiber traveler, higher cockpit (more room underneath), improved sliding hatch, and shorter beams for lower trailering height.

Beams and folding system come with a completely new and simplified hull mounting system that is virtually identical to the F-33, with no annoying hull notches, and virtually no interior intrusion. It does not have the F-33 carbon fiber folding system anchors in the hull, as these are a little tricky for amateur builders. However, they are incorporated in the ready made F-32 beams.

trailerable catamaran plans

The F-32 has one major advantage over the F-33 – there is a narrow 2.5m (8′ 2 1/2″) version (F-32A), which is the largest legally trailerable trimaran (without permit) in the world. The F-32AX version is the wider (permit required) version, and very similar to the F-33, with its additional interior room, plus there is an R version of both.

trailerable catamaran plans

Like the F-33, the F-32 has been designed with an ocean going capability in mind, for those intrepid sailors who cannot resist going offshore in what may intended to be a trailerable yacht for bay and coastal sailing, such as the F-9. If one can’t stop such sailors from ocean crossing, then one may as well make the boat as safe as possible, with all the necessary structural and safety features for extended offshore sailing designed in.

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32AX Aft Cockpit Interior – the one with Xtra room

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32A Aft Cockpit Interior – the one trailerable without a permit

Interior can be varied considerably to suit owner/builder’s preferences. The layouts shown are intended as general guides only, and can be mixed and matched as required, provided designated structural bulkheads remain as designed. Full size patterns for all internal bulkheads and most interior panels are included in plans along with optional DXF files for having all these items machine cut.

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32AX Aft Cabin Interior with aft double bunk

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32A Aft Cabin Interior – with traditional layout

Centerboard Option

F-32ax aft cabin version shown.

A ‘kick back’ centerboard option has now been added to the F-32 design series. This will give a ‘roomier feel’ to the main cabin, and a much larger cabin table (can easily seat 6) is now possible. The settee seatbacks can also be dropped in between settees to form a very spacious main cabin double.

trailerable catamaran plans

The other major advantage is the ability for the board to ‘kick back’ should one run aground, and this can be a very useful safety feature in shallower waters. Board is a higher aspect foil, and little deeper than the standard daggerboard, so it will be slightly more effective. This will make up for the extra slot drag associated with a centerboard case, and overall performance should be about the same.

Centerboard is now an option for both F-32A and F-32AX (F-32AX shown), with full construction drawings currently in process, and these will be ready by the end of July.

Note that ‘kick up’ centerboards are more complicated than a daggerboard, so will take longer to build, and the extra complexity may also mean more maintenance being required. However, having used such offset centerboards for all the original Trailertri designs, and the F-82, F-36 and F-39, the configuration used has been very well developed and tested. Follow the plans and it should be virtually trouble free.

F-32AX interior and room are very similar to F-33, as shown in following photos:

trailerable catamaran plans

The F-32 cost to build is similar or just slightly more than the F-9 series. Though a little larger, the F-32 structure is more efficient in many areas.

The F-32 beams , new and unique “Beam Mounts “ (for mounting the beams and folding system into main hull), and the folding system are all available ready made to maximize ease and speed of construction. Plans for self made beams (though not as advanced as the ready made version) are included in the plans which will cut cost of ready made items required to less than $4000.

trailerable catamaran plans

Particular care has also been taken to eliminate or reduce spray at high speeds, as with the F-33. Beams and folding struts are higher and further away from wave tops, and have been designed to trap and deflect any spray downwards.

Trailering beam varies depending on the float and beam configuration. The narrowest trailering beam (2.5m – 8′ 2 1/2″) for the F-32A will require self made beams.

Many F-33 parts are interchangeable, such as rudder, daggerboard, daggerboard case etc., but not the beams or folding system. The F-32 has the ability to fold down to a legally trailerable (without permit) beam, and the F-33 beams are not configured for this.

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32R – Short Cabin Version

Cabin can be lower and shorter again if wished

F-32AX Deck Layout

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32 Aft Cockpit Version

trailerable catamaran plans

Models Defined:

F-32A – the standard version, legally trailerable without permit, the ‘A’ signifying Amateur builder

F-32AX – a wider, roomier version, that will require a permit for trailering, the ‘X’ standing for extra room. The best choice for ocean work with a greater load carrying capacity, and a wider overall beam.

F-32R & F-32RX – racing versions for experienced sailors, with a taller rig, the ‘R’ standing for Race.

Each set of plans cover all options, including details on aft cabin and aft cockpit versions, and all ‘R’ features, the only choice required initially being between ‘A’ and ‘AX’ models, which have different Full Size Patterns.

trailerable catamaran plans

List of F-32 Plan Contents

Thanks again for the great plans – they are one of the best plans I have seen and that is including the AC (America’s Cup) plans or Volvo 60 plans, all boats I have worked on at different times. Chris Boucher, F-32AX, Auckland, New Zealand

trailerable catamaran plans

F-32 Specifications L.O.A………………………………. 32′ 3″ (9.83m) B.O.A………………………………. 23′ (7.0m) …. F-32AX – 23′ 8″ (7.2m) L.W.L………………………………. 31′ (9.45m) F-32 Folded beam………………. 8′ 2 1/2″ – 8′ 6″ (2.5 – 2.6m) – depends on beams used F-32AX Folded beam…………. 9′ 6″ – 9′ 8″ (2.9 – 2.95m) Approx. bare weight …………… 2800 – 3700lbs (1270 – 1680kg) depending on model Load Carrying Capacity ……… 2600lbs to 3000lbs (1180 – 1360kg) depending on model & weight F-32 rotating mast ……………….43.3′ (13.2m) aluminum or carbon mast F-32 sail area (main & jib)…… 638sq.ft (59.2sq.m.) F-32R rotating mast …………….46′ (14m) – carbon mast F-32R sail area……………………682sq.ft (63.3sq.m.) Stability …………………………….56,000ft.lbs …. F-32AX – 57,500ft.lbs Draft (board up)…………………. 1′ 5″ (0.42m) Draft (d/board down)………….. 5′ 10″ (1.78m) Draft (centerboard down)…….. 6′ 2″ (1.88m) Aft Cabin Cockpit length………4′ 10″ (1.46m) Aft Cockpit length……………….7′ 7″ (2.3m) Interior Headroom ……………….6′ 2 to 6′ 4″ (1.88 – 1.93m) depending on interior layout Auxiliary…………………………… Outboard or Inboard optional All bunks can be a minimum of 6′ 6″ (2m) long or longer if required.

More Photos:

trailerable catamaran plans

Aspen Power Catamarans Logo

Trailering a Boat Opens Up a World of Options

Today’s modern vehicles and modern vessels combine design and technology to deliver more. Larger boats provide more onboard space and accommodations, have enhanced offshore capabilities but can still be handled easily with electronic engine controls and some combination of bow and/or stern thrusters. Larger pick-up trucks and SUVs have the capacity to launch, retrieve, and tow even substantial vessels. Trailers are no longer just reserved for tenders, daysailers, fishing skiffs, or other small boats. Many boaters want the comfort and accommodations larger vessel afford but still relish the convenience of trailerability.

trailerable boat

Trailerable models from Aspen combine space and seakeeping with the easy haulout, storage, launch, and transport capabilities.

Not only are Aspens easy to launch and retrieve but trailerability gives owners the ability to commute snowbird style from colder climates to warmer ones for the winter. Aspens have ample accommodation spaces so owners can stay on the vessel both while they commute and when they arrive at their destination. Easy trailering means owners can save money on slips and allows owners to haul their boats for the winter themselves instead of paying Travelift and storage fees. Trailerability also helps resale values: Buyers from all over North America can purchase a trailerable Aspen and it is relatively easy and cost-effective to transport the boat to a different location.

Aspen Power Catamarans Make Sense as a Trailerable Boat

Here are three good reasons that Aspens work well as a trailerable boat:

  • Less Weight: For towing, Aspen models are often substantially lighter than both monohulls and other catamarans of similar LOA. A 27’ Aspen is under 7,000 pounds with an aluminum trailer compared to more than 8,500 pounds for a comparably sized catamaran, and more than 9,000 pounds for a monohull.
  • Deck Space: Many boaters “outgrow” towable boats because they want more room aboard. That same Aspen compares favorably with useful deck space of nearly 200 square feet, as opposed to an estimated square footage of less than 175 for the Glacier Bay catamaran and less than 150 for the monohull Grady-White.
  • Cruising Accommodations: The patented proa hull design means Aspen owners have better cruising performance and amenities when compared to boats of other designs with a comparable LOA. Even the smaller Aspens have king size master beds unheard of in other trailerable boats. Aspens light weight and slippery, low-drag hulls that provide a smooth ride and unparalleled efficiency. They also provide the kind of performance that experienced cruisers look for when dealing with rough water. The bottom line: Boaters who choose an Aspen aren’t giving up anything—instead they are getting the convenience of trailerability as a bonus.

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Introduction

All Jarcats were designed by the late Ross Turner (1951-2010). Ross owned dinghies and yachts since 1968, winning many trophies in trailer-sailer events. His first trailer-sailer was a fibreglass Redwitch monohull, followed by a fibreglass cruising monohull which he built in Darwin. Ross then built a trimaran which he used extensively both for racing and cruising, however when the kettle jumped out of the stove rails and his replacement vehicle was lacked towing ability, Ross decided to design a boat which would fulfil his requirements for a lightweight trailer sailer suitable for family cruising and racing.

The design needed to sail level, tow very easily and have plenty of room for his family to live aboard during holidays. Ross reasoned pragmatically that if you discard a deep keel (Moreton Bay is very shallow) then you are left with either a catamaran or trimaran. Catamarans don't have surplus weight in floats to keep balance, and have double the cabin volume compared to a similarly sized trimaran. Based on a tall friend for interior dimensions, legal towing weights and the premis of the beam = half the length for stability, the Jarcat 5 evolved. A rough prototype boat was built using the "stitch & tape" method which proved the layout, hull form and gave surprising performance.

The next prototype was built using the traditional ply over timber frame method. This proved to be quicker to build, lighter and gave a fairer hull form without filling. At 270kg "Mudskipper" was a success. 20 years of updates have given the J5 improved tacking and better looks, a more refined interior and an alternative timber wing mast rig. Ross went on to design the Coral Coast 29, j282 dinghy, Coral Coast 24, Jarcat 6, Coral Coast 30S and the Jarcat 7; either building or closely following the construction of each new design. Ross has personally built and owned J282s, J5's, J6's, a J7 and a CC29. Ross built his CC29 in 1983, and sailed her until 2005.

Ross' Coral Coast 29

All the designs apart from the J282 dinghy are based on the same plywood over timber technique which has proven to give a strong, fair hull at minimal weight, effort and cost. The plans show useful additions to standard tools which eliminate the difficulties of this method of construction. Epoxy glue and stainless steel screws are used with marine grade plywood and western red cedar stringers and frame edgings. Epoxy & thin fibreglass cloth and epoxy resin is applied over the entire exterior,and painted with epoxy undercoat and polyurethane top coat gives many years of maintenance free use.

Ross Turner (Designer)

Since my father's passing in 2010 I have re-drafted the plans in BricsCAD, with the intention of making the plans for these unique small trailerable catamarans available into the future. The Coral Coast series of yacht designs (CC24, CC29 and CC30) are unavailable. Please direct all enquiries regarding plans purchase to Mr Mr Don Nicholson . My current involvement with Jarcat is on a hobby basis as time allows. Don is a Jarcat owner, and a continuous voice on the Jarcat Yahoo Forum.

Alan Turner

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Wizard - 6.6m folding trailable cat with central cuddy

DOWNLOAD PLANS GBP400.00

Please click on the button below if you wish to buy full building plans. Note: You can pay using Paypal or with your normal credit card.    

Plans will be sent as a zip file once payment has been received. This is no longer an automated system, so please allow 48 hours for your order to be processed and your plans emailed to you.   

Our Wizard on launch day, above, 1993 and another British built Wizard, below, in Norway 2018

THE FACTS AND FIGURES

strip cedar hulls - ply cuddy and cockpit foam sandwich hulls, cuddy Flat panel ply hull version available, see Sango page for a typical cross section

LENGTH O.A. 6.7m 22ft LENGTH W.L. 6.6m 21ft8in BEAM OA 3.95m 13ft DISPL (empty) 0.8T 1800lbs DISPL (loaded) 1.3T 2900lbs HEADROOM 1.2m (hulls) 1.85m (max Cabin) 4ft - 6ft DRAFT 0.2m - 1.1m 8in - 3ft6in SAIL AREA 25.8 sq m280sqft

The WIZARD is a revolutionary design that offers 5 - 6 berths in 3 cabins, standing headroom, easy trailing, stability AND performance. The lifting hatch combined with the 'pop-bottom' gives standing headroom in the bridgedeck. The latter is raised when sailing. For the first time in a trailable catamaran there is a genuine double bunk.  

It is legally trailable world-wide behind a family car. One person can assemble and rig it in under an hour ready for launching with no heavy lifting (e.g. the mast is raised using the trailer winch). The Wizard is roomy. In its 22' length there are 5 berths in 3 cabins for privacy (3 singles in the hulls and one double on the bridge deck), a separate toilet compartment. Galley and a dinette seating 5. There is standing headroom in the galley using a "pop bottom" in the bridge deck. For an interior drawing see Sango which has a similar layout.

It is fast, the computer predicts speeds of 10 knots under power (with a 15hp outboard) and 16-18 knots under sail (with the racing rig). These prediction have been well proven many times in practice. Yet it remains maneuverable and easy to sail single-handed. It has shallow draft and is beachable.

An open deck, no cuddy version is also available, see below  

I raced a sistership in S California, see the Review of 2011 for more details

A Scottish owner wrote: " I have just lifted out after my seventh season of sailing. It was one of my best because I retired 2 years ago and just dawdled about Skye, Scotland. I was stopped in the street in Portree by the skipper of a 32 mono who asked me how fast I was going when I passed him going across Broadford Bay. He was horrified to hear that I was doing almost ten knots, haha. Also in Skye, a man came up to me and offered to buy Cornalari on the spot!! I am delighted with the Wizard, thank you. "

Other Comments

"The whole operation - (unfolding and launching the boat including stepping the mast) - had taken 20 minutes of easy work." "Extremely good maneuverability under power" "She was close winded, well balanced. I found her an extremely easy boat to sail" "She's spacious and has the feel of a larger craft" All from a Practical Boat Owner test 1994

I have drawn removable hull cabins for the Wizard and Sango. A sketch is below.

The cabins are removed for trailing and fit one inside the other on the cockpit. The new cabins give more light and ventilation and increase headroom to 1.5m (5ft). Although designed for the hard chine version they can also be fitted to the original strip plank boat. You can see basic drawings HERE .  

Note: If requested hard chine plywood hull plans will be sent as an email of pdf drawings free of charge when you buy full building plans

Building Photos of Wizard HERE

Hard Chine Hull Photos  HERE

Sailling Photos of Wizard HERE

Interior Photos of Wizard HERE

Trailering a Wizard HERE

Wizard Owners R eports HERE

Wizard Videos HERE

Wizard Press R elease HERE Wizard Materials List HERE

  More information about this design can be obtained by purchasing a Study Plan

trailerable catamaran plans

Our Cats Love the Water!

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboats

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboats

Aqua Lodge

A Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Floorplan for Every Need

Catamaran Cruisers 8x22 Scat Cat Deck Boat

8x22 Scat Cat

Catamaran Cruisers introduces the 8'x22' Scat Cat. The Scat Cat is a smaller verison of the Party Cat Deck Boat and features our classic multi-chambered fiberglass hulls with deluxe seating.

This boat is great for getting into those tight secluded areas to anchor and enjoy the day! Call to order yours today for Fun & Excitement for the summer and YEARS TO COME!!

Catamaran Cruisers 8x26 Party Cat Deck Boat

8x26 Party Cat Deck Boat

With hundreds sold nationwide, Catamaran Cruisers reintroduces the 8'x26' Party Cat deck boat. The Party Cat features our classic multi-chambered fiberglass hulls with a range of options to choose from to make this cost efficient pontoon boat what you need it to be.

Call to order yours today for Fun & Excitement for the summer and YEARS TO COME!!  Need a bigger pontoon boat?  Check out our 12x30 Pontoon Beast!!!

Catamaran Cruisers 12x30 Pontoon Beast Boat

12x30 "The Pontoon Beast"

If you are looking to triple your rental income or even have a pontoon boat large enough to fit the whole family, this is the perfect boat for you!!  With standard 60 hp Yamaha 4 Stroke motor, all aluminum rails, changing room, top sun deck with wet water slide off back, this boat is ready to go!!!!

Catamaran Cruisers Trailerable Lil Hobo Houseboat

8x31 Lil' Hobo Trailerable

The newly designed 8'x31' Lil' Hobo trailerable is truly a model of efficiency.  Famous for its 2-for-1 value, it trailers as an RV to your favorite campsite and cruises equally well to a secluded cove for your next houseboat adventure.  For more than 25 years the Lil' Hobo continues as one of Catamaran Cruisers most popular models.

Catamaran Cruiser 1035 Houseboat 10'x35'

Catamaran Cruiser 1035

With a comfortable 20 foot cabin and more than 300 square feet of outside deck space, the 10'x35' Catamaran Cruiser offers a very practical floorplan for those wanting more room than the 8' wide model.   With many of the same amentities as our 12' wide one and two bedroom models, the 10'x35' was recognized at the Louisville Houseboat Expo for its nicely equipped affordability.

Catamaran Cruiser 1239 Houseboat 12'x39'

Catamaran Cruiser 1239

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Manufacturer

Catamaran Cruiser 1242 and 1245

Whether navigating the unsurpassed waterways of the USA or cruising in a tropical paradise, Catamaran Cruisers has a 12' wide floorplan for you.  Available in a 12'x42' one stateroom model or a 12'x45' with two staterooms, exterior deck space is abundant at almost 500 square feet.  Either plan is a comfortable and economical alternative to the smaller 10' wide and larger 14' wide models.  See the Catamaran Cruisers 12'x45' showboat featured in Houseboat Magazine. 

Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Manufacturer

Catamaran Cruiser 1450 and 1458

For the ultimate in cruising, Catamaran Cruisers offers the spacious 14'x50' and 14'x58'. Either model will accommodate the largest family with room to spare.   Full size kitchen galley and residential baths will make you feel right at home.  Optional fiberglass stairs allow for fun in the sun topside on a full size one piece fiberglass deck!  Non skid fiberglass deck surfaces allow for fun and safety at the same time.  Catamaran Cruisers' 14' wides are comparably priced with other manufactures' smaller 10' modelsand 12' models.

Catamaran Cruisers Aqua Lodge Houseboat

Water Condo", "Floating Cottage",  "Cabin on the Water" are typical descriptions of Catamaran Cruisers' newest houseboat concept.  With the comforts of a cozy cottage and the mobility of a houseboat, the Aqua Lodge is perfect for just sitting at the marina or cruising out to your favorite quiet cove.  Thoughtfully designed and beautifully finished inside and out the Aqua Lodge features a wood-beamed lofted ceiling, a fully appointed galley, and a full bath with residential sized fixtures......

Catamaran Cruisers Dual Stateroom Aqua Lodge

Dual Stateroom Aqua Lodge

Customers continually report the single stateroom Aqua Lodge to be a great product for Casual Boating, Live-A-Boards and Rental units.  We have had many requests however for a dual stateroom model gaining additional sleeping capacity for guests while also increasing opportunities for additional revenue in rental applications.  Catamaran Cruisers has reacted too many consumer requests over 33 years through total “in-house” manufacturing......

Catamaran Cruisers Launch & Live House Boat

Launch & Live Series

Introducing a "Floating Condo" Concept with the Launch & Live Series.

The Unique "Floating Apartment". Everything is included in the price of the Launch & Live Series for affordable and enjoyable "On the water" living.  These stationary boats are great for private ponds or lakes as a guest house and perfect for liveaboard communities.  This would be a good investment in a college town for student housing.......

Phillips Boatworks

Prototype Started! – pH 850 Catamaran

trailerable catamaran plans

Phillips Boatworks is thrilled to introduce the pH 850 Catamaran. Measuring 8.5 meters (28 ft) on the waterline by 5.2 meters (17 ft) wide, the pH 850 is a light and powerful recreational performer. Filling a gap between the extreme high performance grand prix and the heavier low performance production boats, the pH 850 features a unique de-mountable hard aft cockpit and just enough interior space for 38″ Twin Births, Head, and Galley. The flexibility of the design is key. It can be a winner on the race course; the venue for countless family sailing adventures; and/or even used as successful day sail charter business. With an unloaded weight of 1200 lbs, its carbon fiber pre-preg hull construction sets the pH 850 apart from all other production multi-hulls. There is nothing on the market as light, fast, fun and easily trailerable!

Specifications

  • LWL – 28 feet
  • LOA – 30 feet
  • Beam Over All – 17 feet
  • Hull Beam – 39 inches
  • Waterline Ratio – 12:1
  • Mast Clearance – 48 feet
  • Draft Boards Up – 8″ Boards Down 5′
  • Mainsail Area – 302 sqft Solent 128 sqft = 430 sqft working sail area
  • Designed Lightship Weight – 1200 lbs
  • Trailer Width – 8.5′

Design that is Innovative & Simple .

The pH 850 breaks down in a few hours to trailer behind any average car at 8.5′ wide. While the interior is sparse in order to reduce weight, it is useful for light cruising and camping adventure, featuring twin births in each hull with head and galley options. The ultra-lightweight carbon twill canopy covers slide forward to create standing room in the hulls between the twin birth and chart table. When shut and locked, the canopies are water tight. When paired with a mast head float, the vessel has the potential to be righted by loosening the high side stays.

Image

Easy to sail and designed for exciting times on the water. Optional transom steps with a water level swim platform and fresh water washdown make the pH 850 very friendly for snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Rudders for recreational sailing kick-up automatically as they touch bottom still or optional high aspect racing rudders for those more competitive intent. The hard aft center cockpit features a comfortable seat height of 12 inches before any cushions are added. In the center front of the cockpit is a multipurpose control console (plinth) that consolidates most of the rigging controls for single handed sailing. All lines are fed to the 2 primary 2 speed 40:1 self tailing winches; plus an underside nacelle for floor stiffness and the outboard engine, which also help reduce bridge deck wave pounding. In front of the rotating mast is a spacious and comfortable trampoline. Nothing beats a catamaran for its trampoline net forward space (high, dry, level, and spacious): ultimate chill and relaxation; sail storage; weight savings; reduced wind and wave resistance, and more.

Hull shape that looks good and makes sense. Starting with a fast and narrow 12:1 waterline ratio this shallow 8 inch draft hull rises first to a splash chine that serves multiple purposes. In addition to looking good, it widens the interior just enough for twin births. The splash chine helps insure a dryer ride. Also a safety feature — when pressing the boat really hard, as the hull submerges, buoyancy is increased as the chine submerges. Structurally, the chine is a longitudinal hull stiffener akin to 4 I-beams running the length of the hulls. From the Splash Chine the topsides rise up to the hull/deck chines which research shows to reduce windage on the side of the hulls. Under the canopy openings and merged into the cockpit the deck features a flush raised plateau helping to make the interface between removable cockpit and hull sides a simple flat face connection.

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No Beams! – For the most part the cross beams are eliminated making the trailer and decommissioning process even more simple. When collapsed on the trailer, the inner hull flanges mate together for hull stability on the trailer while the cockpit is hoisted up and out of the way, without removing any of its components or systems.

Sailing Horsepower – The combination of the best strength:weight ratio carbon hull construction, a 45 foot carbon rig and ample sail area above the water, asymmetrical curved daggerboards and high aspect cassette rudders (as an option) this is an extremely fast and competitive multihull. The curved daggerboards in each hull generate enormous upward and windward lifting force also increasing the righting moment, the pH 850 will not only go fast, but also point extremely well upwind. The wave piercing bows and wide underwater transom section, this is a hull that will ride very smoothly though even the most aggravating choppy sea conditions. When there is no wind, the aux propulsion is stowed underneath the hard cockpit inside a nacelle shape that deflects wave chop from slapping the bridge deck, as well as very effective stiffener for the cockpit sole.

Image

pH 850 – Versatility like no other catamaran or trimaran! Sailing/Camping adventures, regatta trophy winner, intimate charter day sailor and demountable and trailerable to destinations that are begging to be explored. The pH 850 is a great investment in fun for family and friends…. or you can make it a business and find a fun spot to offer Captained Daysail Charters.

On a personal note, my family is passionate about this design because it is exactly what we like best about sailing. In addition to sailing fast, which is always more fun, from our youngest 1 year old baby girl, who is much safer in the hard aft cockpit, to our adventurous 6 and 10 year old boys who love surfing, swimming and other watersports. We frequently keep our boats on a shallow water mooring where it only takes a few minutes to hoist the mainsail, release the mooring line and be off sailing. If you like sailing more often, this is a boat that is so convenient and simple to get underway, that squeezing in some daily sailing before or after work becomes the norm. To us, this is what its all about: keeping it close to home and accessible so we can be on the water more often.

I want one, how much ?

When prototyping and building the first couple boats, locking in pricing is one of the biggest challenges. We would love to set a price, like $120,000 for instance, as the base boat price, but to be perfectly honest, until the first boat is built and all the costs tallied up, a number like this is only a target to shoot for. In the meantime, as we build the prototype, there is a growing list of potential new pH 850 Boat Owners, and this is exciting news.

As the prototype gets near completion and more is known about the build process and cost of materials, the final price can get much more dialed in. There is also a critical number of buyers needed to meet a minimum order savings/discount with some of our suppliers. Our plan is to subcontract much of the production process to established builders capable of this type of hull construction, and they need reassurance of a minimum quantity before committing to reasonable bulk pricing.

The good news is that an enormous amount of production learning curve was overcome in the production of the Stiletto X Series. While the Stiletto X was a larger boat, it was not too much different in production style and design than the pH 850. There are differences to be sure, and this is also good news because these differences come from what we learned not to do with the previous effort. In particular:

Image

  • pH850 is a smaller boat at 28′ LOA and 17′ Beam and 4′ deck height outside the canopy cover footprint. Unlike the Stiletto X which had to reduce from 19′ wide into trailer width via folding cockpit parts, the pH 850 does not need to do this at 17 ft wide.
  • The hull shapes are asymmetrical with part of the hard cockpit interface being part of the inner hull sides. This inner side flange creates more room inside the hulls for storage and steps to get down into the hulls
  • The interface between cockpit and hull side flanges is a simple flat face. When trailered these 4.25′ wide hulls meet for stability while the cockpit is lifted up by rigging coming down from the mast.
  • The Cockpit is engineered to be the connector between the hulls and there will be no collapsing or removable beams
  • The Canopy covers are designed to be water tight. There is some resemblance to the Stiletto 27 Canopies, but a long hard effort was made to redesign these into a more modern style and shape. The finished Canopy Covers on the pH 850 are less round and more chined. They will be made of lightweight carbon twill and honeycomb instead of heavier polycarbonate.
  • There is a transom step option for the cruising and charter oriented buyers
  • The hull has 2 chines. The lower chine is a splash rail with a pretty straight profile and the upper chine is design to help reduce windage.
  • The deck cockpit interface is a simple raised plateau, solving many of the previous shape interface issues we had on the Stiletto X
  • The underside nacelle is designed to hold the longeron and take the compression of the mast.
  • On the deck side of the mast step there is room now for a nice self tacking solent traveler.

One of the most costly mistakes in the Stiletto X Series was to not have asymmetrical molds. To add the necessary parts to the hulls once out of the mold we may have been spending up to an additional $60,000 in labor and materials to make the symmetrical inner hull sides have asymmetrical characteristics for holding the beams and cockpit together. While it will cost more initially to have 4 hull tools, the production savings will quickly outweigh this additional cost.

If you like what you see and think this is the boat for you, let’s talk! Email us at [email protected] or call 252-489-8193 to find out more. Once there are a minimum of 10 owners in the queue, we will form a class association and make a build plan.

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Stiletto

Discover Stiletto Catamarans

Welcome to freedom on the water and good times on the shore. The all new Stiletto X-Series offers performance the whole gang can enjoy with a new line of multihull catamarans that are as easy to own as they are to sail. With a cleverly appointed interior offering all the must-haves for coastal cruising, including space for six to sleep down below, Stiletto-Xc is perfect for day outings or overnight sail-camping adventures. On the water and on the beach, chasing thrills or catching sunsets, this cat’s a memory maker.

I want One – how much?

trailerable catamaran plans

See 20 knots and a lot more of the ones you love. Stiletto-X is designed to be easily helmed, with a wide beam for steady handling, creating an enjoyable sail for family and friends.

No other catamaran is as easy to take onshore. Just sail right up onto the beach and Stiletto-Xc’s unique swingboards and kickup rudders take care of the rest.

Take a virtual tour

trailerable catamaran plans

Trailerable

Get ready for weekend trips with the family or traveling to races with your Stiletto-X. How easy is bringing this cat from trailer to water? Two guys in two hours can get the job done.

No Way – Show Me!

Owning a sailboat is more than a pipedream with Stiletto. Not only is the Stiletto-X a great value, financing options make life on the water a real possibility for families and enthusiasts alike.

How Affordable?

trailerable catamaran plans

IMAGES

  1. Plans To Build Simple Trailerable Catamaran

    trailerable catamaran plans

  2. Surtees Multihull Designs

    trailerable catamaran plans

  3. Setup And Retrieval

    trailerable catamaran plans

  4. Building catamaran trailer ~ Sailboat optimist plans

    trailerable catamaran plans

  5. Trailerable Catamaran Plans Plans

    trailerable catamaran plans

  6. Bruce Roberts, CATAMARAN boat plans, CATAMARAN boat building

    trailerable catamaran plans

VIDEO

  1. What It's Like Building a Catamaran Together

  2. Custom Built 36" Twin Catamaran

  3. Inspired 16' Trailer Sailer Design, Clips

  4. High Performance Trailerable Catamaran N700K

  5. Doing The Washing

  6. Nawiatr N700K

COMMENTS

  1. Catamaran Stock Plans

    The DESIGNER'S book TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN CONSTRUCTION is part of the plans (over 21') and covers all phases of construction. Plans are leased to build ONE boat, NO time limit. Tri-Star designs are proven designs, sailing the seven seas since 1964. ... Trailerable, Fast Catamaran Design with berthing areas Click for more information. TRI-STAR ...

  2. 6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing

    Here are 6 of the best trailerable trimaran: The Dragonfly series. F-22. Corsair Series. Astus. Weta 14.5. Windrider 17. Choosing the best trailerable trimaran (a multi-hull with three "hulls") will depend on crucial factors like speed, durability, design, and ease of transportation.

  3. Trailerable Catamaran Construction Plans

    LENGTH 6m | BEAM 2.5m | BERTHS 2 Singles | USEAGE COASTAL | KIT OPTIONS DuFlex, Plywood, Plain Foam. The Seascape design will suit any entry-level multihull enthusiast offering many features found on a large cruising catamaran. The underwater hull design is aimed at efficiency with a reasonable payload capacity enabling extended cruising with ...

  4. Plans & Kits

    Trailerable Cabin Sailboats; Jim Michalak . All Jim Michalak; Paddleboats; Powerboats; Rowboats; Sailboats; Joe Dobler; ... DUO 900 Study Plans For full plans click HERE The DUO 900 is a quick-to-build, open-bridge catamaran with asymmetrical hulls. ... 5M Rodcat Beach Catamaran Plans. $101.00 The Rodcat 5 is a simple beach catamaran with ...

  5. Kurt Hughes Multihull Design

    My new blog: MultihullBlog.com. 3123 Fairview Ave E. Seattle, WA 98102. Order the Latest Design Portfolio today to see over 85 multihull plans in stock. Besides illustrating my stock designs, for which I sell study plans and full construction plans, it also contains my design philosophy of multihulls; an article on the rapid Cylinder Mold (pdf ...

  6. Kurt Hughes Multihull Design

    The ultimate multihull design and building resource - catamarans and trimarans to 150 feet New Design Books Are Here, with 2018 Updates! ... 23' Trailerable Trimaran: ... Full plans: $900: All study plans are now available for email delivery at half the price of paper plans! ...

  7. Mike Waller Yacht Design

    A range of stock plans are available for both monohulls and multihulls, constructed in plywood or timber / glass composite. ... trailerable, of the beach sailing cat designed for sheltered and semi-sheltered waters. The cabin has a double berth, a galley, small table area and W.C. ... W1200 CATAMARAN This ocean cruising family cat is a plywood ...

  8. Trimaran Plans

    The DESIGNER'S book TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN CONSTRUCTION is part of the plans (over 21') and covers all phases of construction. Plans are leased to build ONE boat, NO time limit. Tri-Star designs are proven designs, sailing the seven seas since 1964. Free consultation is provided to the original non-professional builder till he or she is sailing ...

  9. Our Catamaran Build Kits

    Our construction plans and kits are sold with 100% professional boatbuilder support via phone and email, any time you're unsure or just need a second opinion, we're here. ... The first step to building your dream catamaran begins with a strongback - this is a square frame used to position the temporary frames that will be used to form the ...

  10. ECO 75 Power Cat Plans

    The ECO 75 power cat is the big brother of the ECO power cat. Designed along the same lines and with the same philosophy. Easy to build boat by an amateur. Construction is the time proven plywood/glass fiber/Epoxy composite system. Nothing can match this system for weight, costs and easy of construction. Besides this advantages no maintenance ...

  11. Folding Multihulls

    Hobie Cats and other beach cats are familiar sights around lakes, beaches, and harbors. They are usually built to 8' (2.4m) beam and do not need folding systems. The 19' (5.8m) Tornado class catamaran at 10' wide uses a side tilt-up trailer to reduce beam. Larger catamarans needing folding systems have greater challenges than trimarans of the same length, for a few reasons: The hulls are ...

  12. ECO 55 Power Cat Plans

    Availability: The ECO 55 power catamaran is an affordable DIY power catamaran. As the owner proved the boat is a capable coastal cruiser. The inside layout is the same as for the ECO55 sail version but the underwater shape is changed. The cockpit is wider and has a size of 1,45m x 2 m. With the bigger size normal deck chairs can be used.

  13. Duckworks Indexes

    25 Trillo, BCA Demco; Catamaran; Ply Plans; Duckworks. 26. 26 Coaster; Malcolm Tennant; Coastal Cruiser; Strip Plank Plans; Malcolm Tennant 26 Merlin; Woods Design; Micro Racer; Strip Cedar ... Kurt Hughes; Trailerable Tri; Ply Plans; Kurt Hughes 31 DF-31; Kurt Hughes; Aft Cabin Trailer Tri; Composite Plans; Kurt Hughes 31 Firebird; Malcolm ...

  14. Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans

    Hartley boat plans make the build process straight forward for even amateur builders. However with all things considered, building a multi can be an amazing journey. Fast Twin Catermaran. $ 30.00 - $ 45.00 (USD) Lively 28 Cruising Trimaran. $ 170.00 - $ 185.00 (USD) Lively 35 Cruising Trimaran. $ 355.00 - $ 370.00 (USD) Catamaran ...

  15. F-32

    F-32. The F-32 is a plan version of the F-33, the availability of which has unfortunately been restricted due to unfavorable currency exchange rates, and a limited production capability, making it just too expensive for most markets. However, the F-32 helps overcome this by providing a close alternative that can be built anywhere by anyone.

  16. James Wharram Designs

    Dream. Study our Self Build Boats to familiarise yourself with our range of designs and their unique qualities. Download and read the Wharram Design Book which reviews each design in detail and offers a detailed introduction to the world of self-build catamarans. Order and download Study Plans and immerse yourself into the boat builder's mindset; evaluate the costs; the amount of time required ...

  17. How a Trailerable Boat Can Change Everything

    Here are three good reasons that Aspens work well as a trailerable boat: Less Weight: For towing, Aspen models are often substantially lighter than both monohulls and other catamarans of similar LOA. A 27' Aspen is under 7,000 pounds with an aluminum trailer compared to more than 8,500 pounds for a comparably sized catamaran, and more than ...

  18. Jarcat Seven

    Since my father's passing in 2010 I have re-drafted the plans in BricsCAD, with the intention of making the plans for these unique small trailerable catamarans available into the future. The Coral Coast series of yacht designs (CC24, CC29 and CC30) are unavailable.

  19. 6.6m folding trailable cat with central cuddy

    The latter is raised when sailing. For the first time in a trailable catamaran there is a genuine double bunk. It is legally trailable world-wide behind a family car. One person can assemble and rig it in under an hour ready for launching with no heavy lifting (e.g. the mast is raised using the trailer winch).The Wizard is roomy.

  20. Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Floorplans and Pictures By Model

    Catamaran Cruisers Houseboat Floorplans and Pictures By Model. We have floorplans and pictures of all our Catamaran Cruisers Houseboats. We have a trailerable 8x31 Lil Hobo, Party Cat, Aqua Lodge and Launch & Live Series.

  21. pH850 Catamaran

    Email us at [email protected] or call 252-489-8193 to find out more. Once there are a minimum of 10 owners in the queue, we will form a class association and make a build plan. pH850 Catamaran aims to be the lightest, fastest, and easiest catamaran to trailer with a hard cockpit in her size range.

  22. Sailboat plans 18-24 ft

    Sailboat plans 18-24 ft. Design Length Beam Sail area Engine power Compare; ... 22 ft multichine ply. trailerable catamaran with cabin 22' 6.7 m: 8' 1" 2.47 m: 248 sq. ft. 23.00 m 2 - Cape Cutter 19 by Dudley Dix Plywood Lapstrake Traditional Trailer-sailer ...

  23. Stiletto Catamarans: Fast, Beachable, Trailerable, Affordable

    Owning a sailboat is more than a pipedream with Stiletto. Not only is the Stiletto-X a great value, financing options make life on the water a real possibility for families and enthusiasts alike. Fast, Beachable, Trailerable, Affordable. Stiletto Catamarans balance these design features perfectly. Stiletto has been the best beach cat for 40 years.