catamaraning canoes

Catamaran Boats: Types, Uses & Activities

Let’s look at some of the types of catamarans and their best uses.

Sailing Catamarans

Sailing catamarans have made great strides over the past several decades. Small daysailing cats are popular because they provide a safe and simple learning platform and you’ll find fleets of them in resorts where they’re used by people with very little sailing experience. These types of small cats are usually made of roto-molded plastic or fiberglass and they typically don’t have auxiliary engines so their sole source of propulsion is sails.

Larger sailing cats have taken over the world of distance cruising and bareboat chartering . Nearly all tropically-based bareboat charter companies offer more sailing catamarans today than monohulls and those numbers are also growing in destinations such as the Mediterranean. Typically, charter cats have two engines, one in each hull, to maneuver as well as a mast that supports a mainsail and at least one headsail.

Explore Sailing Catamarans & Sailboats

Power Catamarans

Power catamarans, often referred to as "multi-hull powerboats" or "power cats," have larger engines than their sailing cousins and no masts or sails. Their bigger motors give them higher top speeds but these cats also need reinforced hulls to handle the weight and power of these engines. Other than pontoon boats (which arguably are also power cats), motorized cats are the fastest growing segment of the boating market.

Power cats come in various shapes and sizes. Numerous smaller power cat brands are marketed for fishing while larger ones are popping up in bareboat charter and as cruising platforms. Many commercial passenger ferries have also turned to the catamaran design for their spaciousness and speed.

Explore Power Catamarans

Advantages of Catamaran Boats

There are some inherent advantages of boats with multiple hulls, which include:

• More deck and interior space per foot than monohulls. A catamaran has about 1.2 times the space of a monohull. In other words, a 40-foot cat should have the deck and interior space of a 50-foot monohull. Cats also have more interior space with up to four cabins even in a vessel under 40 feet in length. These large cabins usually provide easier berth access and they have hull windows with opening ports for better ventilation and light even in the staterooms, which are usually more separated for privacy.
• Due to their design with two hulls set wide apart, cats enjoy greater stability under way and at rest in rolly anchorages . Unlike a monohull that can heel under sail or roll when powered, cats stay level, which makes them safer and easier for people and pets to maneuver on the flat deck. Some say cats have an easier motion than monohulls and tend to induce less seasickness.
• With twin engines, cats’ propellers are set wide apart so these boats have excellent maneuverability. Cats can venture into shallower waters too – especially sailing cats that don’t have deep keels. Because cats don’t drag a massive keel through the water, they’re also on average 20-30 percent more fuel-efficient even with two engines.
• Larger, more sophisticated power and sailing catamarans have a natural redundancy built into their equipment inventory, which translates to comfort and safety. For example, if a fresh water pump fails in one hull, there’s usually another to provide water for washing up. If one engine fails or one propeller spins off, there’s another to get the vessel to homeport safely. There’s also more room for the installation of additional systems like generators, watermakers, battery banks, and more.

Drawbacks of Catamaran Boats

Like any boat type, there are a few small drawbacks when it comes to catamarans:

• Catamarans take up more space so it’s often difficult and expensive to find dock space.
• Due to their design, both power and sailing cats can also slam the bridge deck into oncoming waves when going to weather.
• Additionally, sailing cats don’t necessarily sail as well upwind as monohulls because with two hulls, they simply can’t point as high into the wind.
• Finally, it may be tempting to load up a catamaran due to the space it offers but a sure way to damage a power or sailing cat’s performance is to overload them or have uneven weight distribution—something, which is less of a problem on their monohull counterparts.

Catamaran Boats FAQs

Whether used for daysailing, world cruising, chartering or fishing, boats with two hulls are growing in acceptance and appeal. The basic design may be hundreds of years old but today’s updated designs make catamarans a viable option for any boater.

Are catamarans more expensive than monohulls?

Purchasing or chartering a catamaran is usually more expensive than a monohull since there are more accessories and even more fiberglass construction to pay for. Over time, cost of ownership can be higher too since there are two hulls to polish and wax and more equipment to service or replace. It’s also more expensive to haul out a catamaran for bottom work.

What is the typical draft of a catamaran?

Draft (depth below waterline) depends on the size and type of cat. Small daysailing cats can draw mere inches but with a large cruising cat, it may be 3-4 feet. Some cats have dagger boards that are used to improve upwind performance. With the boards down, a cat can draw 10 feet or more but these boards may be lifted to allow access to shallow water.

Can catamarans be raced?

Catamarans make fine racers as has been proven by the America’s Cup contenders. There are also one-design classes in the smaller, open designs.

Read Next: Types of Sailboats, Activities & Uses

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Canoe Country Outfitters stocks a wide variety of fishing kayaks for different water conditions and budgets.

Canoe Country Outfitters carries a selection of Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles, including the versatile Crosscore.

Canoe Country carries a selection of paddleboards from Bic SUP for a variety of uses and water conditions.

Welcome to Canoe Country Outfitters

We are a family-owned kayak, canoe, and paddleboard shop serving the St. Petersburg and greater Tampa Bay area since 1986. We are centrally located on 54th Ave N and 64th Way in St. Petersburg, and offer a huge selection of items; anything from kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUP), and Gheenoes, to motors, trailers, paddles, PFDs, Engel coolers, rod holders, rudders, and various other outfitting needs for fishing and paddling alike.

​We carry a selection of canoes from Old Town Canoe and Wenonah Canoe . Whether you are looking for a plastic family boat or an ultralight Kevlar or Carbon Fiber canoe, we have you covered and the knowledge to properly fit you and your needs.

Do canoes better suit your interest?

We carry a wide variety of kayaks, including: touring, recreational, and fishing, from a multitude of companies, such as Current Designs, Dagger, Hurricane Aquasports, Ocean Kayak, Old Town, Perception Kayaks, and Wilderness Systems ; we are the exclusive Wilderness Systems dealer for Pinellas County. Whether you have paddled for 20 years, or have never set foot in the water, we can direct you to the next kayak of your fancy. Filling your needs from the kayak first, while allowing for all the luxuries you would like to add as well.

Are you looking for kayaks or kayak accessories?

We carry a full line of boards from TAHE SUP . TAHE is a brand born from the union of BIC Sport and Tahe Outdoors, two legendary companies famous for decades of commitment to water sports. With this merger, BIC Sport's manufacturing expertise and focus on family fun is now combined with Tahe Outdoor's dedication to exploration and craftsmanship. Even if you have never stood on a board before, stop by the shop and our well-informed staff will find the perfect fit for both your needs and your budget.

We cannot forget the micro-skiff that has ruled the flats for over 40 years now. We are talking about Gheenoe ! Made in Titusville, Florida, they rule the flats with an alternative to both the standard canoe, and the flats skiff. The fiberglass hulls are designed to plane, and when powered properly, absolutely fly across the water. One of their smaller models, the 15'4 Highsider, can go up to 15mph with a 9.9hp on the back! We stock the two Highsider (13' and 15') models regularly, with the ability to special order any bigger model you may want (such as the 15'6 Classic, 16' Super, and Low Tide 25), customized exactly to your specifications. We work closely with both Gheenoe and Custom Gheenoe to offer the exact skiff of your desires.

Have an interest in the emerging stand-up paddleboard phenomenon?

Canoe country outfitters announces a new policy starting immediately:.

- We will offer an additional 5% discount to Active and Retired members of the Military. (You must show a valid Military I.D. card).

Feel free to give us a call at (727) 545-4554 during normal business hours, our staff will be happy answer any questions and clear any concerns you may have. You can also email any questions to [email protected] , we will answer them within 48 hours at the most.

Have any questions while browsing our site?

Call Canoe Country Outfitters and let the water take you on your next adventure.

KAYAKS, CANOES, AND PADDLEBOARDS

We offer a variety of ways for you to get on the water. Whether you want a kayak you can paddle, pedal, or drop a motor on, we offer a variety of options. We have options for if you'll be fishing all the time, or want something lightweight that 's easy to unload and get to the water.

We also maintain one of the largest canoe inventories in the state, offering a range of hull shapes and materials, from durable thermo-molded canoes to lightweight kevlar and carbon fiber hulls.

We stock the wide-ranging Tahe SUP line of paddleboards, with everything from hard boards to inflatables, to boards that can double as a kayak.

SKIFFS, MOTORS, AND TRAILERS

Want something a bit more substantial on the water? That 's where the Gheenoe and Custom Gheenoe comes in! This micro-skiff comes in a range of sizes, from the 13' Hi-sider that cruises comfortably with a 5hp motor, to the 16' Super, which can take up to a 40hp.

We stock both electric trolling motors and Yamaha gas outboard motors for outfitting your Gheenoe with. Some of the electric motors can also work great on your kayak or flat-back canoe, with the proper attachments.

Gheenoes transport easiest on a trailer in many instances. Or maybe you want a trailer for your kayak and other gear, leaving your rooftop clear? We offer a selection of trailers for these needs.

ACCESSORIES

Finding the right boat is only part of the equation. Finding the right paddle, safety gear (like a personal flotation device, dry box, and bilge pump), and storage solutions, is another part. We maintain a selection in all these categories, aiming to provide you with the best options to help you stay comfortable every time you get on the water. 

The last part is transportation. We offer kayaks carts for easily getting your kayak to and from the water. And we carry Roof Carrier solutions from both Yakima and Thule.

Have an idea of how you want you kayak built out, but not sure how? We offer custom outfitting and repairs.

YAMAHA POWER ASSIST BICYCLES

Looking for something to do off the water? We carry a range of Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles. Yamaha introduced the first bike to market, and have since been unceasingly innovating to provide ease-to-use, reliable platforms for a variety of environments.

There are the CrossCore and CrossConnect for those in want of a downtown and recreational cruiser. The Civante for road biking enthusiasts. The Wabash for someone who rides on both road and gravel trails. And the YDX-TORC and YDX-MORO lines for those exploring all sorts of mountain trials.

If you are curious about what these can offer, stop by the shop and check them out in person.

Sometimes you have a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard that you are almost sure is the one, but you have to try it on the water first, that's understandable. You want to make sure you pick the right boat the first time.

If you are interested in trying something out, give us a call at (727) 545-4554 and we can usually figure something out and setup a good time for all.

OTHER USEFUL PAGES

These are a couple other informative pages that may be useful to some. One gives an overview of the Canoe Country Outfitters story, and the other is our blog with occasional product update posts. Plus a list of our current used boats.

We are located in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida

STORE LOCATION:

6493 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL  33709

CONTACT: Local: 727.545.4554 | Fax: 727.545.4554

Email: [email protected]

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Monday/Tuesday: 9am - 6pm

Wednesday: 9am - 3pm

Thursday/Friday: 9am - 6pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From Palm Harbor      - Go South on US-19 - Take Ramp (Right) onto 66th St. N. (SR-693 S) towards SR-693/ 66th St. N./ St. Petersburg Beach - Turn Left (East) onto 54th Ave. N. The store is two blocks up on the left hand side of the road.  

From Sarasota     - Merge onto I-75 N. via the ramp on the Left towards Tampa (22.4 miles) - Merge onto I-275 N. via Exit 228 towards St. Petersburg (Toll) - Over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge/ North on I-275 to exit 26B/ - Turn Right heading westbound on 54th Ave. N. - The store is 3.5 miles down on the right hand side of the road.

From Central Florida     

- Take I-4 to I-275 S. southbound through Tampa over the Howard Franklin Bridge.

- Continue south I-275 towards St. Petersburg

- Take a Right on Exit 26 (54th Ave. Westbound)

- Shop is located 3.5 miles from I-275 N. on the right hand side of the road.

Still Lost? Got Lost? Call us! 727-545-4554

12 Best Catamaran Sailboats

The appeal of the catamaran sailboats in terms of speed , stability, and the ability to embark on long-range cruising has made them hugely popular with today's sailors. But what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Even though catamaran sailboats have become increasingly popular in the last few years, they have a truly rich legacy as one of the most sought after vessels for bluewater cruising.

Thanks to their incredibly wide beams and bigger daft, catamarans have become remarkably favorable for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages, overnight cruising, and day sailing.

And if space is paramount for you when out there on the water, a catamaran sailboat is the only way to go as they offer extraordinary space to allow you to spend more time on the water with friends and family.

But even with all these amazing features, you're probably still wondering; what are the best catamaran sailboats?

Like their monohull counterparts, choosing the best catamaran sailboat can be quite overwhelming since there are lots of them out there. They come in a wide variety of designs and sizes ranging from small catamarans to huge ones.

The best catamaran sailboats can easily clock 250-mile voyages, offer incredible performance, and have layouts that can be easily optimized for individuals, charter markets, and great accommodation. In essence, the best catamaran sailboats offer respectable performance and offer good load-carrying ability.

That being said, here are some of the best catamaran sailboats that you can get your hands on.

Table of contents

Best Catamarans

{{boat-info="/boats/manta-42"}}

Even though many multihulls are no longer built in the United States these days, the Manta 42 is a true American-built catamaran that brings good living and good value into one package. Designed cleverly for easy handling, this American built catamaran is a great choice for a liveaboard cruiser for sailors looking to go for long-distance voyages. Thanks to its trademark high bows and an enormously curved incorporated forward crossbeam, this catamaran is easily recognizable even from a distance.

It is designed with a uniquely fixed crossbeam, which is very different from conventional aluminum cross beams that support the tension of the forestay. This fixed crossbeam allows for a little bit of movement thereby helping in absorbing enormous twisting forces of the bows. As such, you have to keep in mind that there may be resultant stress crack particularly in the bow area of the vessel.

All in all, the Manta 42 is a superb offshore cruising catamaran that offers a good sail-area-to-displacement ratio as well as plenty of space and accommodation. The cockpit area is refined, luxurious, and is designed with additional stainless pushpit contraptions to help in holding objects such as wind vanes, dinghies, and solar panels. The boat's quality in terms of performance and stability is the benchmark of what a catamaran should be.

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-elba-45"}}

Recently named the "Boat of the Year" for 2019 by Cruising World Magazine and Sail Magazine, the Elba 45 is the latest model in the incredible line of Fountaine Pajot catamarans. This boat was designed to replace the outgoing Helia 44 and stands to be one of the most popular catamarans with Fountain Pajot having sold over 100 Elba 45 hulls long before even the first one emerged from production.

This French-built cat brings to the fore a well-thought-out, safe, and dependable features with 10% less drag, efficient motoring, top-notch performance, and high speeds. It's also designed with fixed stub keels and slightly aft-raked bows, which are all essential in enhancing windward performance; something that most catamarans struggle with.

To improve on safety, the keels of this amazing catamaran sailboat are glued into a particularly designed recess in the hulls. This is to ensure that there are no keel bolts that can rip out and put the boat in danger if the boat gets grounded or in the event of a collision. The rig is also ICW friendly and is a true representation of a standard catamaran setup.

This is, without a doubt, a modern-looking cruising catamaran that has a low-profile lounging space on its deck, high topsides and bows as well as a more pronounced reverse sheer that's essential in minimizing the bulk of the windows while creating additional and useful volume below. This is a true catamaran that occupies a sweet spot for those looking to sail along the bay or for those adventurous sailors looking to set sail for more ambitious offshore cruising plans.

{{boat-info="/boats/leopard-48"}}

With its fine design, straightforward systems, and easy handling, the Leopard 48 has everything it needs to be ranked among the distinguished category of the best catamaran sailboats. This is an excellent multihull that is structured with advanced materials, designs, and innovations that are meant to be fun, spacious, and comfortable.

Designed in South Africa by Simonis-Voogd, is probably the best design in the Leopard family of catamarans. Its two hulls are vacuum-bagged using balsa core to offer maximum firmness while ensuring that the weight is on the minimum. This is done by articulately regulating the level of resin in the layup. With such types of hull shapes, this catamaran sailboat is very fast and can consistently clock 12 knots of speed against the currents.

The boat is also designed with shallow keels as they're filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam that's of great importance in increasing buoyancy and preventing water ingress. To enhance the safety of the vessel, the stern and bow both have bulkheads that are essential in keeping out that water if the sailboat is involved in a collision.

The hulls of this boat are deep and narrow, particularly below the waterline. They also curve higher up to practically reduce the wetted surface area while offering enough deck space and plenty of room for accommodations. Its cockpit is another excellent feature thanks to its lavish spaces that give you the chance of kicking back and relaxing.

This boat is designed to offer superior livability, quick and easy to handle features, as well as enough space for friends and family. It is designed with beautiful lines and immense practicality for those who want to go on long cruising voyages.

Antares 44i

While many people often believe that voluminous cruising catamarans should be used as charter boats, the Antares 44i brings a very different perspective altogether. Designed in Argentina as a complete bluewater catamaran, this is a boat that's specifically built for private boat owners looking for a sturdy and well-equipped bluewater cruiser. This is an absolutely gorgeous catamaran that has a fully-equipped cockpit just to ensure that you can safely operate it even when shorthanded.

Like most catamarans, the Antares 44i is designed with features that allow for long-distance voyages. It comes with a minimum bridge deck clearance of 30 inches, which is essential in mitigating bridge deck slap. The helm station is designed to offer excellent visibility over the coach roof without having to perch the helmsman high above the cockpit.

If you're planning to make those long-distance cruising to exotic places, you'll appreciate this boat's layout. The galley is put down in the port hull so that it doesn't compromise the size of the galley and the saloon. The forward-facing navigation station is up there with the best and is up to offshore standards. And that's not all; the Antares 44i comes with good mounting points for electronics, a large table, comfortable seats, and provides brilliant visibility outside.

This boat is perfectly suited for extended offshore cruising and is a great reminder for anyone who thinks that all catamarans are charter boats and all offshore boats are monohulls.

{{boat-info="/boats/dolphin-ocema-42"}}

Designed by Philipe Pouvreau in northern Brazil, the Dolphin Ocema 42 is a truly unique catamaran sailboat that goes against the conventional norm of catamarans. It is equipped with daggerboards, which are essential in enabling it to point higher on the wind while reducing the wetted surface when running or anchoring in shallow surfaces. This, however, requires a higher level of expertise in sailing. This is because lifting the daggerboards higher up will expose the rudders while the daggerboards can also interfere with the hulls in the event that the vessel runs aground.

But even with that, the Dolphin 42 balances incredible performance and cruising comfort in a very compact package; something that is not very easy in bluewater cruising. That's why it's designed using a foam core to make it lightweight by reducing weight wherever possible. This vessel will most likely never let you down if you want to circumnavigate the bluewater on a high-performance boat that is safe and comfortable.

So if you've been looking for a real sailing catamaran that doubles up as a very comfortable liveaboard sailboat , look no further than the Dolphin 42.

{{boat-info="/boats/catana-50"}}

Regarded as the best built and most stylish cruising multihull, the Catana 50 is a very huge catamaran sailboat. Measuring about 50 feet long with a beam of about 26 feet, this is an amazing catamaran that will test your sailing skills as a single sailor or if you're planning to sail shorthanded.

This boat is designed with a rig that gives you the option of using either a screecher or a self-tending jib. This may seem complex since the sheets are led to winches near each wheel while all other controls lead to a centerline winch that's located in the cockpit. But even with that, this sailboat can be easily tacked once on the course.

This is a real performance-oriented catamaran with efficient hulls and rigs allowing for top speed. This vessel is also designed with a long waterline and a subtle underwater shape at the bow to help in increasing volume while minimizing wave drag. The stern platforms can help in stretching the waterline length while also providing easy access from a dock or a dinghy. The board trunks are also very strong and sturdy to protect the integrity of the hulls if a collision occurs.

In essence, this is a very modern catamaran that's designed to safely make long-distance passages with ease. It is subdued in terms of styling but this doesn't mean that it falls short as far as performance is concerned.

Atlantic 42

{{boat-info="/boats/atlantic-42"}}

Designed in 1993, the A42 has cultivated a legion of fiercely loyal fans thanks to its efficiency and aesthetic. This is the smallest of the Atlantic cruising catamaran line and is hugely popular with sailors thanks to its ease of handling, ocean-going capabilities, and superb use of space. From the forward cockpit, pilothouse to the sleeping cabins, and brilliant galleys everything about this cat is a true classic.

Unlike most catamarans, the Atlantic 42 is designed with a waist-high cockpit that's located forward of the pilothouse just behind the mast. It brings forth a solid construction thanks to the large metal girder-like bearers that run across the bulkheads. This helps the vessel in having the utmost strength, better air circulation under the engine, and a high level of flexibility as far as the size of the engine and its positioning is concerned.

Initially, the boat's style and its outlook were considered conservative but it soon became clear that it is built of high-quality materials and to last. The internal construction of the boat is impressive, to say the least. The exterior looks very beautiful and perhaps much more beautiful than most boats today. Its large aft cabin accommodation is a top drawer while the space separating en suite heads and shower compartments are considered a bonus.

{{boat-info="/boats/fountaine-pajot-bahia-46"}}

If you were to board the French-built Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, you'll agree that the high-quality of workmanship, layout, and efficient use of space is quite exciting, to say the least. This cat remains very popular among sailors thanks to its easy handling features and incredible performance under the sails. Well, this may not come as a surprise to many of us given that the Fountain Pajot is known for building some of the most remarkable cruising catamarans out there that it can be quite overwhelming to narrow down to a single vessel, but the Bahia 46 simply stands out.

This vessel is designed with hulls that are broader than those of many other catamarans. It's also designed with centerboards and daggerboards that are meant to enhance its performance. These are essential in minimizing draft while ensuring reliability, generous bilge, and in helping to protect the rudders and propellers.

This boat is big enough to manage any type of serious offshore sailing. This is one of the best cruising catamarans for anyone looking for the right vessel for long-distance sailing. This vessel has a very more generous rig than most cruising catamarans, which is essential in enhancing its performance. The six-post Bimini is very strong and clean and can perfectly hold dinghies.

In terms of its look, the Bahia 36 is designed with gorgeous lines with the deck and hulls sculpted with lines that add a touch of elegance to the overall look of an already excellent catamaran sailboat.

Gemini 105MC

{{boat-info="/boats/gemini-105mc"}}

Whether you're looking for a comfortable catamaran vessel to take you for a weekend sailing trip or a long sabbatical vacation on the oceans, the Gemini 105MC is a very satisfactory liveaboard catamaran vessel that offers spacious accommodation, thoughtful design, and a stable cruising platform for anyone who wants to have some good time on the water.

Designed by the legendary Tony Smith, this is somewhat a sailing cottage. Like a land cottage, it is cozy, comfortable, and very safe. This is essentially a 35 feet catamaran that offers great value for any sailing looking for a reasonably-priced catamaran sailboat for the weekend or holiday cruising.

This boat is designed with incredibly slim hulls, which are teardrop-shaped with flat bottoms and smaller wetted surface area. This is to ensure that drag is minimized and to lead to more leeway under sail. Each of the boat's hull is designed with a kick-up centerboard is of great importance in enhancing the vessel's windward pointing capability. This boat also has its rudders raised to enable it to seamlessly cruise in shallow waters where most vessels would otherwise run aground.

The eccentric narrow beam, which measures about 40% of the boat's length, is very different from today's 50%. However, its low center helps in keeping its stable, upright, and of course, safe.

Lagoon 450 F

{{boat-info="/boats/lagoon-450-f"}}

If you're looking for a catamaran sailboat that offers prestige at its peak, look no further than the Lagoon 450. This cat is widely known for offering an all-around comfort without compromising its beauty, spaciousness, class, and elegance. This is an elaborate French catamaran that brings to the table fantastic craftsmanship while leaving nothing to chance.

This is a very safe 45 feet catamaran that's not just comfortable but also very luxurious. The deck layout is centered on an amazing flybridge, which has been redesigned and redefined to offer both the traditional and modern outlook. You can very easily access the bridge, engine controls, steering station in a matter of seconds. As a result, this boat is efficiently designed to give you the ultimate control of almost every situation while on the water.

The spacious and luxurious interior of this boat is worth experiencing. The cabins and saloons are perfectly lit. We're talking about four to six cabins, eight to twelve berths, and up to four bathrooms. In essence, this boat can comfortably sleep eight to twelve people. This boat is designed to offer ultra-modern accommodations and amenities that come with little but amazing touches; all designed to make your life inside the catamaran enjoyable.

{{boat-info="/boats/gunboat-62"}}

An original performance catamaran cruiser from the iconic Gunboat manufacturer, the Gunboat 62 has truly cemented its place as one of the best catamaran sailboats to ever grace the oceans. Honestly speaking, this cat-inspired a whole range of other incredible boats including HH66 Catamaran and the Balance 526.

This is a boat that can perform admirably well in storms with a speed of over 35 knots despite being built using epoxy and E-glass with carbon-fiber structural components. It's designed with a distinct angular outline than most catamaran sailboats of its size and category. This is a vessel that was built for people looking to add more stuff and more gear for their voyages. In other words, you can have all the gear and equipment on this boat and still outperform a racing monohull of the same size.

Thanks to its lightweight feature, this vessel can sail upwind at speeds of over 17 knots and pinch up to 30 degrees. Just for comparison, the Gunboat 62 can tack through 95 degrees and still outperform the best racing monohulls. This boat is designed with a comfortable helm seat that offers 360-degree visibility as well as plenty of storage space, a functional working surface, and a luxurious cabin. Like many performance catamarans, the Gunboat 62 can attain about 20 knots if the conditions are right.

Privilege 615

{{boat-info="/boats/privilege-615"}}

Combining elegance, comfort, and style, the Privilege 615 is a lovely catamaran sailboat that seems to be always ready for a long offshore voyage. The roots of this incredible cat can be traced back to the 1980s when Philippe Jeantot opened up a boat-building company in France. As one of the best productions from the company, the privilege 615 sports a flybridge that comes complete with twin wheels, a sprawling sunbed, and other excellent features that will make your bluewater cruising a breeze.

Whether you want the charter version or a privately-owned version, the Privilege 615 is one of the most versatile catamaran sailboats. Step inside this vessel and you'll instantly notice the quality of the wood finish and the elegance of design. The advanced navigation station is not only ultra-modern but is perfectly stationed at a dedicated corner where you can control everything while still having a conversation with your friends and family.

This boat comes with multiple sleeping configurations to ensure that you and your guests can live aboard the boat for months on end. Although the boat appears like some sort of maze on the inside, you'll easily get used to it when you enter the forward section. That's not all; this boat has gorgeous lines that make the exterior beautiful just like the interior. Its sleek profile, incredible volume, and versatile interior make it one of the best catamaran sailboats out there.

There you have it; these are the best catamaran sailboats out there. It doesn't matter the one you choose, these cats will make your day out on the water and will serve you just right for your offshore voyages or for day sailing along the bays.

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Daniel Wade

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

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Building a canoe catamarn

Discussion in ' Boat Design ' started by dictionary6767 , Aug 4, 2012 .

dictionary6767 New Member

Im going to build a canoe catamaran, i was wondering if I could use one canoe cut in half and seal up the backs were its cut open. how would i seal the back.  

upchurchmr Senior Member

Don't do it. Make a proper hull, symmetric on each hull. Quit wasting your time.  

FMS Senior Member

Before you start cutting and gluing make a list of requirements for your new boat. Define how it will be used, one or two or three people, if you will rig up a sail or if it's a raft or powered.  

messabout Senior Member

Believe Upchurch comments. If you cut your canoe in half you will have two near worthless boats that will not give you any measure of satisfaction. If your aim is to make conveniently smaller parts for the trash collectors then cut it in two or maybe three. If your canoe is 20 feet long or more, you could make a functional power boat but not a great one. If you want to make a canoe like catamaran then get another canoe to pair with the intact one that you have. Sorry to be so negative but the idea would almost surely lead to your disappointment. Actually such a boat would float but it would not be a fun or safe boat.  

It would also be slow due to the high drag. Taking the two halves and connecting them as a catamaran will make a poor raft, possibly for a swimming platform. Too many kids and it will sink and will tip easily. There are some good, reasonably easy to build catamarans or trimarans if you are interested.  

hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

Look 32 seconds into this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jeigrOzZO4&feature=relmfu  

Manfred.pech Senior Member

dictionary6767 said: ↑ Im going to build a canoe catamaran, i was wondering if I could use one canoe cut in half and seal up the backs were its cut open. how would i seal the back. Click to expand...

rwatson Senior Member

Manfred has the right idea. Put some outriggers on the canoe, then you can muck around with a sail. Chopping up a 16ft canoe to get two 8 foot hulls is just wrecking the boat. Sealing the sterns isn't that hard, but it doesn't sound like you are that technically experienced to attempt it.  

LP Flying Boatman

See now, I had invisioned the hull being split down the centerline. I should read more closely.  

lp, I thought so also, I knew I should have asked. Actually what DID the OP mean? I should have asked, what does canoe catamaran mean? Is this a catamaran that you paddle? Sounds very difficult to paddle.  

upchurchmr said: ↑ lp, I thought so also, I knew I should have asked. Actually what DID the OP mean? I should have asked, what does canoe catamaran mean? Is this a catamaran that you paddle? Sounds very difficult to paddle. Click to expand...

Attached Files:

Gallery-tikirange-hitia17-new08.jpg, nansenskayak.jpg.

Me too. I jumped to a conclusion, rather hastily, while invisioning a cut athwartships. However....slice the canoe down the longitudinal centerline and you might have a boat that could perform well enough to be useful. Now we can start a discussion about whether the flat sides of the canoe halves are to placed inside or outside. If it is to be a sailboat, then put the flat sides on the outside at first thought....on second thought the between hull wave train might be a problem if the span is not carefully chosen....and a whole other batch of technicalities over which to argue.  

I didn't think it was that hard to figure it out. "One canoe cut in half ..... back S"  

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I think we are all in agreement that the OP would cut it laterally. I think we are laughing at ourselves a bit because it appears that that our reading skills were overridden by our preconceptions of how we expected the canoe to be cut in half.  

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Canoe advice.

My son and 3 of his friends, all students at North Carolina State University have decided to find a couple of older used canoes and modify them for sailing and paddling as a team in the 2007 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge. See this posting on the forum where he discusses thier lastest plan for the race http://www.watertribe.com/Default.aspx?ucPtr=Discussion/DiscReadMsg.ascx&strThread=3001&strNumReplies=9 . Thier biggest problem is they don’t have the 2 canoes, or much money. As engeneering students they think they will be up to the challenge of the modifications, and actually think it’ll be fun. Any suggestions on what kind of canoe they should consider for sailing and catamaraning? Where should they even look? How much do you think it’ll cost them? All suggestions welcome, thanks, Dawn

Do they realize that there is a 40 mile road portion to that challenge? Having one of my kids with a degree from NCSU and another with a degree from Carolina, I thought the state students had more sense than to get tar on their heels! cheers, JackL

sailing canoe articles http://www.epoxyworks.com/16/index16.html For pure speed, I’d think a couple of ex-racing canoes (Jensens?) would be good, but you’d be trading off capacity and stability. Any good flatwater cruiser should work. The Wenonah catalog is probably a good place to get names to look for.

Look for loaners As they don’t have any money to buy the ideal canoes that will be suggested and debated here, I recommend that they see if they can borrow two canoes from someone. Maybe they should see if they can rent them. The rigging can be made from old windsurfer stuff for a song if they are willing to do a lot of labor and engineering. I like havinf a spray cover and float bags tied into the boat instead of building a deck for the boats. This method is more flexible and may weigh less than builing decks. I have a spray cover someplace they can borrow if they want to try it. They can also borrow my canoe but it is a big 40 wide canoe that is really more of a pointy jon boat than a canoe. If they are catamaraning them they won’t want them that wide.

Build them It is easy to build a canoe if you have a strong back, So for a realitivly small cost (4-500 an 18 footer) they have their own boats. Plans are Ubitquitous on the Internet. Since they are Engineering students they need something to keep tehm busy, since engineers have no lives… My son goes to UNC-Greensboro, He built his boat back when he was a scout, and helped me build mine several years later so he is a resource for them. As am I if they are near Charlotte. Too bad you missed the 40 miler this year Dawn. Best river I have ever seen…

Thanks I actually was planning on the Lumber 40 this year, was going to do it in my Kruger, but somehow missed the fact that the date changed, I still have it on my calendar for Oct. How was the turnout this year. Dawn

average turn out but the river was fast! All the racers came in ahead of previous years time… Randy and i were out of shape, and out of training and stille came in 45 minutes ahead of our fastest time. the Lumber lent itself to our touring boat as we came in only 5 minutes behind th elast place Comp Cruiser…

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Clue: Go catamaraning

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