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Eco 5 Power Cat

A catamaran for cozy cruising

From Issue   Small Boats Annual 2017 March 2016

W as it time for another boat? In the 1980s, it was a 16′ sailing dinghy that awakened my wife Barbara and me to the beach-cruising pleasures of the San Juan Islands in Washington’s Puget Sound. In the ’90s, it was a 19′ lug-rigged double-ender for oar, sail, and outboard that extended cruising to Desolation Sound. Then came a 20′ catamaran, sporting a wing mast with square-topped mainsail, that got us inside a comfortable cabin while offering exciting sailing in moderate conditions. But as years went by, sitting out in the weather and hauling sheets took its toll. Sailing was exciting when the wind was up, but boring in light summer winds. Why bother with sailing if we could motor at 10 knots? Was it time for a gasser?

And so it was, and we decided upon the Eco 5 Power Cat by Bernd Kohler in France. Its narrow hulls, wave-piercing bows, space-age profile, and three-tone color scheme really made it a looker. At 5.5 meters, it was about the same size and accommodation as our 6-meter sailing cat, and still trailerable behind our compact SUV. The twin 5-hp outboards specified in the plans were to drive the EcoCat at an economical 10 knots and spin it around in circles. Having them mounted on the transoms should eliminate weed pickup, as well as the between-hull wave buildup working against a centrally mounted outboard. I ordered plans, and the digital files came quickly via email.

The plywood-on-frame EcoCat is simply built, using chines sprung around widely spaced bulkheads. I opened the DXF files on an older Mac Cube still running Drawing Board CAD from Ashlar Vellum. With CAD, I made some design changes for a bit more cabin headroom, bigger windows, storage lockers forward, and extended cockpit sides complementing the cabin profile.

The Eco Cat rests comfortably on the cobbles between tides. There’s room aboard for an inflatable kayak when a dinghy is required if the Cat’s at anchor.

Once I had the design tuned to suit our needs, I nested parts for economical use of plywood sheets, created a tool path for the ShopBot CNC router I’d used for our rowing-shell kit business, and quickly cut out the parts from 6mm plywood. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually similar to laying out parts by hand—but with parts cut far more accurately, with beautiful, fair, and smooth curves everywhere. I milled clear Sitka spruce to dimension, scarfed it to full lengths, rounded edges, and precoated everything with epoxy. This self-made “kit” made for very fast building.

The building jig had only one temporary form; all other forms were bulkheads that remained with the hulls. The hulls were built upside down, planked, and even finish-coated with graphite-infused epoxy—later I’d paint above the waterline. The 6mm planking was patterned on the hull, as the actual faired shape may be a bit different from a CAD plate expansion, then glued in place and trimmed. The hull and side-panel sections were joined with butt blocks that added stiffness in way of the temporary bulkhead. After I flipped the hulls upright and aligned them, I fit the deck—scarfed 12mm plywood. The cabin sides and top were built up with two layers of 4mm ply. It took just four months for me to complete the construction of the hulls and cabin.

The partially finished boat looked great, and I decided to spend the big money for a two-part paint sprayed on by a professional, thinking it would be done quickly. Wrong. It was another six weeks before the boat was back for outfitting. The plans showed a windscreen here, a galley there, a steering wheel, and twin outboards—but no details. It was just another challenge to work through.

The two small outboards were a good fit for the twin hulls, but didn’t provide adequate power.

Remote steering and motor controls for twin outboards is very routine for a monohull, but not for tiny twin 5-hp outboards on a catamaran! Time to improvise. A tiller bar, supported on nylon bushings, was hidden in the cross beam with a mechanical steering cable connected to the dash-mounted steering wheel. What a challenge it was just to have twin motors on a little catamaran.

Another professional I hired designed an excellent canvas dodger, back panel, and semi-rigid windscreen that really complemented the design. Barbara and I could now cruise, completely protected from wind and rain, sitting in comfortable captain’s chairs. The 6′ x 8′ cockpit is our living room at anchor, doubling the EcoCat’s enclosed space. A Yeti cooler, good for five days, stays in the cockpit as a table or extra seat. An Origo two-burner alcohol stove eliminated complicated propane systems. We use a lightweight 32-amp-hour starting battery, not for the pull-cord-start outboards, but for powering LED lighting and an iPad for music and charts with the Navionics app. We only need the instruments powered up while we’re under way, so the outboards’ 6-amp charging outlets supply power directly to the instruments and charge the battery at the same time. No shore power is needed. Simple systems for a simple boat—its name, JUST ENUF, serves the cat well!

The Cat’s shallow draft and twin hulls open up options for anchoring in shallow coves. If the bottom is even and not too rocky, grounding out during a midnight low tide isn’t a problem.

D uring the boat’s first season we took a two-week cruise to British Columbia’s Broughton Islands. The cruise covered hundreds of miles, and we alternated between being the only boat in a secluded cove and being surrounded by the warm hospitality of wilderness float marinas. A comfortable 80-mile range and top speed of 10 knots allowed us to do plenty of exploring without concern for time or fuel. The EcoCat is comfortable in sea conditions of 2′ short, steep chop and can confidently deal with far rougher conditions.

Having the lines of the Eco Cat in CAD files simplifies making alterations like raising the cabin roof to provide standing headroom.

This 8′-wide catamaran offers the stability and seakeeping of a far larger boat. There’s never a problem grabbing for a hot pan when another boat, zipping by to look at JUST ENUF, leaves its wake for us. There is plenty of room with a hanging locker and two cuddies for each person. Sleeping bags with integrated mattresses make a very comfortable double. When bags are folded over during the day, the large padded bridge deck area is very comfortable for sitting, cooking, and just hanging out. The starboard hull has a cushioned canoe seat atop the porta-potti. Just forward is hull storage for an inflatable kayak or two folding bikes and other bulky gear. The port hull has standing headroom at the sink and sit-down room for meal preparation with a flip-down table for dining.

A single 20-hp outboard can outperform twin 5-hp outboards. Just behind the motor’s shaft you can see one of the extensions added to the hulls to improve the trim with the greater motor weight. The custom-made canopy doubles the Cat’s sheltered space.

The twin 5-hp outboards proved to be not enough power. They had no top-speed potential, pull-cord starting, and were noisy, especially with the steering linkage rattling between them. Worse, the tiny props had so little bite that docking maneuvers were a constant challenge. A repower with a single Yamaha 20-hp outboard yielded a 10-knot cruising speed, 15-knot top speed, and the same fuel economy as the twin 5s: 1 gallon per hour at any speed. Electric start, 6-amp charging capability, and a lightweight battery competed the package. A 1′ extension added to the stern of each hull helped offset the additional weight of the larger motor and its under-deck 12-gallon fuel tank. Docking was no longer embarrassing, and we could now talk while running 10 knots. The rougher the water got, the faster and smoother we would go. Life was good.

A hatch in the foredeck provides access to the bow for anchoring.

But as most of the weight was still aft with either engine arrangement, the EcoCat still squatted underway. One day, Mike Snook—experienced with super-large, high-speed Australian catamarans—suggested transom wedges and end plates as the cure. A 1″ x 4″ wedge was added like a trim tab to the each stern with skeg-like end plates added in line with the sides of the hull to contain the flow. The cat’s tracking was better, even with the previous centerline skegs removed. Trim was now level with clean entry and a very smooth exit. After a prop change, we had the same top speed with cruise speed reduced by 400 rpm for a noticeably quieter boat.

Outboards are designed to mount behind a transom with only the prop exposed below the hull. When centrally mounted on a catamaran, all of the lower unit below the bridge deck is exposed to bow wave convergence with lots of unwanted spray and, perhaps, added drag. We had tried several ideas on previous sailing catamaran but solved the problem on the EcoCat with a hull-mounted streamlined fairing that lets the motor think it’s on a transom.

The EcoCat is quite at home in the broad reaches of Puget Sound that lie in the shadow of Mount Baker.

T he 10-knot cruise speed for our typical three-day, 50-mile round-trips lets us enjoy island life and not lose one day getting somewhere and another getting back. That’s the advantage of a gasser. It’s all about the destination, hanging out, enjoying a nice hike, being in a special place, especially for my wife Barbara and me. My solo trips continue to range farther and wider in all weather conditions.

Ron Mueller continues to design and build small boats and still rows most days in Bellingham, Washington. He started whitewater kayaking in the late ’60s, sailing in mid ’80s, and rowing in the ’90s when he founded Wayland Marine. Ron designed and built the Merry Wherry kits and was the Northwest dealer for Alden Ocean Shells and Echo Rowing until retiring in 2010.

Eco Cat Particulars

LOA/ 18′ (5.50m) Beam/8′ 2.4″ (2.50m) Draft/8.7″ (0.22m) Weight/606 lbs (275 kg) Capacity/1350 lbs (620 kg) Power/15–20 hp Construction/Approx. 400 hours

Plans for the EcoCat , with a digital manual and 16 pages of drawings as BMP or DFX files, come from Bernd Kohler at K-designs . A kit is also available.

Is there a boat you’d like to know more about? Have you built one that you think other Small Boats Monthly readers would enjoy? Please email  us!

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Comments (27)

I would really like to see a drawing of the modifications mentioned in the text. It sounds like the end product was significantly different from the original design.

Tim, JUST ENUF is built exactly to the furnished plans. Obvious additions were the cockpit sides and transom extensions when repowering. Plans are furnished as DXF files which may be printed out for “manual parts layout” or modified in CAD for CNC cutting. I hope this helps.

Form definitely follows function on your well built boat. The 20-hp outboard was a great idea and so were all of the modifications to get everything right.

Pete, thanks for your kind thoughts. Looking forward to seeing you on a Salish Sea beach soon!

I really enjoyed the article in the March issue of Small Boats Monthly about Ron Mueller’s JUST ENUF. Ron’s boat never fails to draw all kinds of attention when he’s pulled out on the beach or running with a group of other boats up here in the north Puget Sound, and looking carefully at his superlative build, one can easily see why. Though I am somewhat of a “traditionalist” at present, this boat looks like it could very well be in my build list sooner rather than later!

I love seeing articles from other Salish Sea folk. The photo with Mount Baker (Komo Kulshan is the name given to it long ago by the Lummi people) in the background is part of my life.

Vince, twins seem desirable but two 8.5-hp motors would use noticeably more fuel then a single 17-hp motor. Remote control would lend itself to a autopilot but complicated. Remember that each catamaran hull has a different turning radius in a turn. My previous sailing Jarcat had rudders set up with Ackerman steering (like a car). That’s probably not really needed for outboards. Just a thought.

I like the look of this craft. What would be the result if you went to twin 8.5-hp outboards which have the electric start and hardware to do twin rigs with remote control? Still the design appears to have a lot going for it. Enjoy it!

I’m just wondering if the deadrise at the end of each original hull was maintained on the 1′ extensions and if so, how the trim tabs were installed.

Mike, deadrise was just flowed out. The trim tabs are a solid wedge at the end of the hull about 4″ long and 1″ thick. An end plate (in line with hull side) contains the water flow for greater effect. The end plate is a skeg-like shape about 12″ by 4″ that provides better tracking than the original skegs on the keel centerline.

Most of the changes Ron made to the design—the hull extensions and other modifications—are incorporated in the plans. There are many ECO’s sailing world wide and it is my policy to update the plans to improve my designs. That applies not only for my ECO line of boats, but the others as well. By the way, I leveled out the deadrise of the extension to 0°.

Do the plans show the unique assembly method in case a builder wanted to have the parts CNC cut? Is the interior of the cabin also coated with epoxy?

Most parts were pre-coated and sanded (at least one side) prior to assembly. The plans are DXF files for display and would need to be, at least, nested for a CNC tool path prior to cutting. After importing to a CAD program, I added an inch in cabin height. Enlarged the windows, laid out cubby holes in the forward bulkhead and designed the cockpit sides with the same curvature used for the cabin. This is a real timesaver and provides great accuracy when having symmetrical parts and provides very smooth curves. The planking and cabin top is best (and easily) laid out directly on existing structure rather then CNC cutting. The construction was completed in just four months while attending to my normal business of selling rowing shells and making kits of same. Painting and canvas was “sent out” and fitting out was, at least, another month.

Thank you very much.

What is the contraption mounted on the forward hatch?

It’s a Nicro Solar Vent Fan. It runs mostly 24/7 as long as its self-contained battery is charged. There is enough leakage through the companionway hatch to keep the cabin dry during winter storage and summer nights when we’re sleeping aboard. We usually slide the main hatch open an inch or two at night (the dodger protects it from rain), and latch the foredeck vent hatch open rather the use the fan. Although fans may be quiet at first, they do develop a bit of noise after a few years.

I did some measuring. I wouldn’t have the ceiling height to flip the hulls over. Is there a real problem building them separately?

Walter, good news, the hulls are built separately. While the hulls were still upside down, I coated them with three coats of epoxy mixed with graphite powder. Those are the black surfaces in the video. This graphite/epoxy mix becomes “bottom paint” and is quite UV resistant, and does not need further painting.

The hulls are then rotated upright, aligned, and a 1/2″ plywood deck is glued to join both hulls. Everything else is built up from this deck—no need to turn the boat over! All of the painting is done from the waterline up. You could paint the bridge deck underside and inner hull sides while the boat is on a trailer.

What brand of windlass was used on JUST ENUF?

An 11-pound Bruce anchor with 10′ of chain is quite easy to haul with an arm-power winch while standing in the forward hatch.

I was looking at the thing below the hatch. Again, thank you.

Appromately how many sheets of plywood were CNC cut?

CNC cutting was used for all bulkheads, frames, cabin sides, cockpit sides, and interior trim— perhaps 10 sheets. The advantage of CNC is symmetrical parts, identical parts for both hulls and very smooth curves and cutout radius. When I had it (now retired six years), my ShopBot was the power tool of choice. Whatever I drew, I could cut and it would fit! Really miss it for my infrequent annual boat building project.

PS: The “thingy” below the hatch was a simple anchor bow roller.

Thank you very much for the information. I have found a local shop that has two ShopBot machines with the capacity of 66″ x 122″.

Greetings Ron, and congratulations on a well built project with very intelligent, yet simple modifications. My question is: Why were not twin 10-hp outboards considered when the twin 5s were insufficient instead of the single 20? Weight, perhaps? And could not the weight vs performance equation also be solved with transom trim tab re-engineering or re-positioning of gas tanks, etc? Love this boat. I am in Biscayne Bay, Forida. We get a chop, we get wind, squalls, hurricanes, etc. It’s a very open bay, but then we get to cruise to the Keys, the Everglades archipelagos, and a million places to explore and gunkhole. I have owned several sailboats here, all with retractable keels—a must if you’re on the bay and want to get off the beaten path of all the Olympic and Biscayne Bay Yacht Racing Association regattas.

Twin 5’s were specified as it was to be a EcoCat. The Honda 9.9 weighs on or about 100 pounds. The Honda rep insists that a single outboard (equivalent in HP to two twins) will always be more economical. I’d suggest today’s best choice would be a Suzuki 25, about the weight of the Yamaha 15/20. It’s said to be more economical and quieter. They sell a 30 (same block size) in the US but it only comes with power trim/tilt so the bracket would be dragging in the water. I hope this helps.

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Bear-Cat Sport

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• Description
• Materials and Notes

a 25½’ X 10' open-cockpit power catamaran

For a PDF study plan download, click HERE

CATEGORY: Power Catamarans CONSTRUCTION: Sheet plywood/wood framing, or welded aluminum

These longer, wider power cats allow greater displacement, tankage, storage, and load-carrying ability than our WILDCAT design.  Besides the extra room, the wider beam only improves upon the superior qualities of power cats, especially stability.  Based on v-bottom planing hulls, these boats can also absorb higher horsepower motors.  Twin outboards at the higher ratings can provide speed into the 50 MPH range.  Even at the minimum power ratings, planing speeds will range in the mid-to-upper 20's depending on all-up weight.

Construction methods in sheet plywood or welded aluminum use amateur-proven techniques similar to our WILDCAT design, but with beefier scantlings in keeping with the boat's greater heft.   Full-size patterns are provided for all hull-forming backbone members and frame contours - lofting is not required.  Nor are any special or esoteric building techniques.  Instructions with hull material listings cover all aspects of the project, and include a fastening schedule with plywood hulls.

BEAR-CAT SPORT features a huge open- cockpit center-console arrangement with raised casting platform at the bow.  Plans include length options of 24'6", 25'6", and 27'10". 

Aluminum Materials PDF Plywood Materials PDF

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Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide

Dec 06, 2023

less than a min

Power Catamarans, often termed as the epitome of modern maritime engineering, are gaining popularity for all the right reasons. Their distinct design, enhanced stability, and cruising efficiency set them apart from traditional monohull boats and even their sail-driven counterparts. This guide dives into the world of Power Catamarans, shedding light on their advantages and how they compare to other vessels like monohulls and trimarans.

Historical Prelude:

The concept of catamarans traces its roots back to ancient maritime cultures. However, the power catamaran is a relatively modern innovation that marries the traditional twin-hull design with powerful engines, offering a unique blend of speed, stability, and space.

Distinguishing Design:

Power Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which significantly reduce the drag, thus enhancing speed and fuel efficiency. Unlike monohulls, they have a broader beam, which contributes to increased stability and more living space. The absence of a ballast for stability further lightens the vessel, contributing to its speed and fuel economy

Speed and Handling:

One of the significant advantages of power catamarans is their speed and handling. The twin hulls allow for a smoother glide over the water, making them particularly favorable for watersports enthusiasts. Their handling in rough waters is superior to monohulls, thanks to the inherent stability provided by the dual-hull design.

The stability of power catamarans is unparalleled, especially when compared to monohulls. The wide beam and twin hulls provide a stable platform, reducing the rocking and rolling common in monohulls. This stability is not only comforting in rough seas but also crucial when docking or anchoring.

Comfort and Space:

The spacious design of power catamarans offers homelike livability, with ample room for cabins, lounges, and even onboard amenities like grills and bars. The wide beam also allows for large deck spaces, ideal for sunbathing or enjoying the scenic ocean vistas.

Economy and Redundancy:

Power catamarans are economical, with fuel efficiency being one of their selling points. The redundancy built into their design, with separate engines for each hull, provides an added layer of safety, ensuring that the vessel can return to shore even if one engine fails.

Regular Upkeep and Care:

Power catamarans, given their unique design and structure, come with their own set of maintenance requirements. Like all boats, routine checks and upkeep are essential to ensure smooth sailing. The twin hull design means double the underwater gear – from propellers to rudders, which necessitates regular inspections for any signs of wear, tear, or fouling.

Antifouling:

Given that power catamarans have a larger surface area underwater due to their twin hulls, they may be more susceptible to marine growth. Regular antifouling treatments can help in keeping the hulls clean, ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Engine Maintenance:

One distinct advantage of power catamarans is their dual-engine setup, but this also means double the engine maintenance. Regular oil changes, cooling system checks, and filter replacements are crucial. It's beneficial to synchronize maintenance schedules for both engines to ensure consistent performance.

The lifespan of a power catamaran largely depends on its build quality, materials used, and how well it's maintained. With proper care, a power catamaran can last for several decades. The engine's maintenance significantly impacts the catamaran's lifespan, with gasoline engines requiring maintenance at 1,200 to 1,800 hours and diesel engines at around 5,000 hours​​. The construction materials play a crucial role; for instance, fiberglass catamarans, when well-maintained, can last for many decades, while aluminum cats might change ownership after 10-15 years but can last a lifetime with proper care​.

World-Renowned Builders:

The power catamaran sector boasts several reputable manufacturers such as Lagoon, Leopard Catamarans, Fountaine Pajot, and other notable names like Seawind Catamarans​.

Lagoon, a revered name under the Beneteau Group umbrella, has carved its niche in crafting luxurious, spacious catamarans. A prime example is the Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht, embodying opulence with its nearly 250 sq. ft. aft deck and 900 sq. ft. interior, comfortably housing up to 12 guests. Known for its superyacht styling, it boasts superior fuel efficiency and a commendable average velocity-made-good of 9 knots.

Leopard Catamarans:

Emerging from the reputable Robertson and Caine shipyard in South Africa, Leopard Catamarans is synonymous with innovation and efficiency. The Leopard 53 Powercat is a testament to this legacy, showcasing excellent seakeeping abilities, offering 3 or 4 cabin configurations, and achieving a top speed of 25 knots.

Fountaine Pajot:

A trailblazer since 1976, Fountaine Pajot constantly redefines catamaran design. The Fountaine Pajot MY6 is a shining example, encapsulating the brand's visionary ethos. Stretching 15 meters, the MY6, equipped with dual engines of up to 2 x 353 Kw and 2 x 480 hp, promises dynamic sailing. Crafted meticulously by Pier Angelo Andreani, the interior mirrors a 20-meter monohull's spaciousness, reflecting modern aesthetics and comfort that stand as a benchmark in the Motor Yacht world.

These manufacturers continue to innovate, offering a blend of luxury, performance, and efficiency in their power catamaran models, making them a popular choice among maritime enthusiasts.

Comparing with Monohulls and Trimarans:

While monohulls are traditional and often cheaper, they lack the stability and space offered by power catamarans. On the other hand, trimarans, with three hulls, provide even more stability but at the cost of additional drag and less interior space.

TheBoatDB - Your Gateway to Maritime Exploration:

If you’re looking to delve deeper into the world of power catamarans and other vessels, TheBoatDB offers a comprehensive boat database. Explore various catamaran models, compare them with monohulls, trimarans, and other types of boats, and make an informed decision on your next maritime adventure.

In summary, power catamarans encapsulate a modern engineering marvel in the maritime domain. Their blend of speed, stability, comfort, and economy makes them an attractive option for a broad spectrum of boaters. Whether you are a long-distance cruiser, a water sport enthusiast, or someone who cherishes the tranquility of the sea, a power catamaran could be the vessel that transforms your maritime adventures into unforgettable experiences.

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Oct 01, 2021

12m  |  BEAM 6.5m  |  BERTHS 3 Doubles |  USEAGE Blue-water  |  KIT OPTIONS DuFlex Balsa/Foam, Plain Foam     The Spirited 400 'Power' is a semi-displacement power cat with sleek lines and light weight structure. For those who like 'turn-key' cruising this highly efficient design is always in readiness for a quick getaway. The slim hulls run easily through the water and provide a very comfortable ride even in rough conditions. This design can accommodate most luxury appointments for an apartment-like finish and experience.  Cockpit The acess into the cockpit is via the aft hull steps with the bottom step being extra long and in effect acting as a duckboard ideal for entering/exiting the water when swimming, diving or unloading the tender. The cockpit is open plan with a wide curved seat aft and additional seating either side. The open plans layout offers the option of a clear area or space to set up a table and chairs when required. Bridgedeck Internally this design has the galley to Starboard against the aft bulkhead; opposite this is a generous sized seating area. The bridgedeck cabin is high volume and accommodates a dedicated steering console area with comfortable seat and dashboard design. This space works cohesively between all areas and provides a hub for the living areas while underway or at rest. Cabins Entering the hulls there are three private double cabins, the two forward are queen sized and have the option of an ensuite or a walk-in-robe leading forward. All areas are spacious enough for comfortable use with all berths allowing for generous sitting headroom. Head and shower amenities are situated aft in the Port hull with a dedicated engine bay behind the separate shower; the Starboard engine is located below the aft double berth. Power The engine size is flexible due to the semi-displacement hull design which is efficient at any speed range. The recommended engine size begins at 50hp through to a maximum of 125hp in a shaft-drive installation. On Deck The surfaces are flat and level for safe clutter-free footing from the cockpit moving forward to the foredeck. The foredeck flows seamlessly onto the trampolines and also level with the forebeam. Access to the flybridge is from the cockpit on the Starboard side. The flybridge is the perfect outdoor social setting with excellent 'birds-eye' vision of the horizon. An optional second top steering station can be fitted for full control whist enjoying this area and is also advantageous when docking from this position.  Performance Expected speeds depend on engine size but cruise speeds will be effortless in the mid teens even with the smaller engines. Top speeds are in the high twenties with the large engines and in the high teens with the smaller sized engines. Given the fine entry hull design this design will cut through the water and offer a comfortable level ride in most conditions.  \n","pl":"href=\"http://\""}],pset,1); if(th1399.cfg.cols>th1399.images.length) th1399.cfg.cols=th1399.images.length; th1399.lzy=ilazy; th1399.wowani="0"; th1399.trot=null; th1399.popjson=pset2; th1399.phbid="4"; th1399.phiroot="https://j.b5z.net/zirw/5/i/u/10210102/i"; th1399.capstyle="esbCapw hov0"; var th=th1399; th1399.thr1a=null; if(pset.cols=="f" && pset.i=="a") pset.cols=3; if(pset.i=='a' || pset.i=='s'){ var cols=th1399.cfg.cols; if(!cols || cols==null || cols=="f") cols=3; var impstyle="" var ww=j$(window).width(); //if mobile.. do mcols var ww=j$(window).width(); if(ww '); j$(document).ready(function (){ var wi=1000; if(document.getElementById("tabset1062")!=null) wi=j$("#tabset1062").width(); if(document.getElementById("accset1062")!=null) wi=j$("#accset1062").width(); if(document.getElementById("sld1062")!=null) wi=j$("#sld1062").width(); var cols=th1399.cfg.cols; var siz=wi/cols; th1399.livescale=siz; th1399.livescalep=900; try { if(pset2!=null && pset2.i!=null) { var ww=pset2.i if(ww.indexOf("x")>0) { ww=ww.split("x"); ww=ww[0]*1 if(ww '; } document.getElementById("ppss1399").innerHTML=stf; if(ilazy==true) setLazy(); });} else if(pset.cols != "f"){ {th1399.start();for(x=0;x0) document.getElementById("photos1399").innerHTML=' ";; document.getElementById("phoo1399").className=pset.css; loadcss('https://j.b5z.net/i/u/10210102/i/menu/cssi/'+pset2.css+'.css'); loadcss('https://j.b5z.net/i/u/10210102/i/menu/cssi/'+pset.css+'.css'); .  Construction plans only The plans can be purchased separately and the materials can be sourced by the client at their own pace. A  list of the required and recommended materials is provided. Cad-drawn colour construction plans are supplied in an A3 sized booklet of high detail specifically suited to amateur building. Study Plans Study Plans are available for this design, please send a request via our  Contact  page. How to Order your Spirited 400? Purchase Order Please complete the online contact form.  Online Form Order Confirmation On receipt of your order form we will provide you with an order confirmation with the costs and deposit requirements.  Payment Generally a deposit is made at order and a final payment is made prior to dispatch. Payment for the larger design range is generally made via direct deposit and these bank details are provided on your order confirmation. Payments are made in Australian dollars. Delivery Estimated delivery times is provided on the Order confirmation. We will contact you with a delivery date and delivery options once the kit has been ordered. Contruction Plans Printed to order with customised cover sheets and any other design requirements to meets the clients requests. Kits Pre-cut to order as standard or to meet any specific customised requirements. Components Built to order as standard or to meet any specific customised requirements. Testimonials P: (+61) 02 4981 8288   Disclaimer  Copyright © 2013 Spirited Designs. All Rights Reserved. DIY Cruising Catamaran: Complete Building Guide As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. A brand-new cruising catamaran can set you back a hefty amount of money. However, a DIY cruising catamaran provides a more affordable way to own your own boat. While building a large boat can be an extremely challenging and time-consuming experience, nothing beats the pleasure of bringing your own boat to life.  To build a DIY cruising catamaran, buy good design plans, determine your budget and find a working space. Next, choose your hull material, buy supplies and start building the mast beam. Build and sheathe the hull, install bulkheads, the interior, and finally, launch the catamaran boat. In this article, you will find a complete guide to building your own catamaran. You will also find detailed information on why you may want to consider building your catamaran and approximately how much this project would cost. Finally, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of building a catamaran from scratch. Why You Might Want To Build Your Own Catamaran Most people might think that purchasing a used boat to repair and fix it up would be cheaper than a DIY cruising catamaran. But while building your own catamaran could be an enormous undertaking, it also comes with many advantages over buying something used.  Other than the unique opportunity to create beautiful memories and experiences while cruising, sailing, and exploring beautiful coastlines, there are a number of benefits that come along with the DIY approach.   Knowing Your Boat Building your own catamaran provides you with intimate knowledge of your boat. You will know every corner, including where to find every bolt, wire, bulkhead, rib, hose, and support as you installed them yourself. This knowledge will enhance your confidence while at sea since you will have entrusted your life to a boat whose history you are aware of and deeply connected to. Pride of Ownership The satisfaction you get from crafting something with your own hands is immense. As a result, the knowledge that you built your boat from scratch will fill you with absolute pride and an immense sense of achievement. Furthermore, as an owner-builder, you get to keep and enjoy the boat for as many years as you wish. Substantial Cost Savings Building your catamaran will work out cheaper than buying a new or even gently used boat. Though you will likely require some additional labor since doing some things will require an extra pair of hands, if you are particularly good at DIY, you will save a significant amount of money on labor costs as a whole.  Freedom To Create Your Own Designs If you decide to buy a catamaran boat, it might not be easy to find one that meets your unique needs. However, instead of choosing from production boats that bear traditional and outdated designs, you can come up with an ultra-modern design or style for your catamaran. You also get to pick your layout, size, and equipment based on your taste and budget. Great Learning Experience Building your own boat will help you pick up numerous skills that will come in handy later when sailing your boat. As much as you might still require an expert to help you with specialized skills like carpentry or wiring, your new skills will serve you well. This will also be beneficial when it comes to your boat’s maintenance and fixing things for yourself.  What To Look For in Catamaran Boat Designs When deciding on the type of catamaran boat to build, you may want to choose a design that’s simple and easy to build. This is because doing so will allow you to spend a shorter time building the boat.  You also need to have a set of requirements to guide you in choosing your design or what you might call an ideal cruising catamaran wish list. This is essential because, ultimately, you want to build a boat that offers outstanding qualities such as: Delivers good speed Affordable to own and operate Agile, strong, and easy to maintain Has a high resistance to capsizing Great for sailing and cruising Delivers a comfortable and easy motion underway Good handling ability and high performance under sail User-friendly embarking and disembarking Provides ample living and accommodation space  Presents a reasonable resale value It’s worth noting that, in general, catamaran boats tend to offer a fair resale value mainly because of scarcity and the high price accorded to production models. So, if you build a well-constructed catamaran, you are bound to get a return that’s much higher than the cost of materials upon resale. It’s also good to consider whether the design you settle on is from an established designer. This is significant because documentation of the building process is just as valuable when it comes to selling the boat. How Much Would It Cost To Build Your Own Catamaran? The cost of building your cruising catamaran will depend heavily on the size of the boat you plan to build and the skills you bring to the table. To give you an idea of probable costs, a professionally built 40 foot (12.1 m) long cruising catamaran could go for up to $300,000.  Though building it yourself will undoubtedly be cheaper, most DIY boatbuilders tend to underestimate the expected costs. Your final costs should cover not only the cost of material and equipment but also the labor and time it would take to come up with the final product.  If you were to build a 40-foot (12.1-meter) catamaran, your cost of materials would range between 20-30% of the total cost. Therefore, for $300,000 total, the boat’s materials would range between $60,000 and $90,000. The hull tends to range between 15-35% of the total build. Again, this depends on the finish and furniture. But before you even start working on the DIY project, you will need to figure out where to do the work. If your home has ample space, then you can opt for a backyard building. But if you live in a small apartment, then you might want to consider renting a small garage at first and then move on to a boatyard later. This is one of the significant costs involved in building your multi-haul.   What You Will Need To get a clearer picture of how much the entire project would cost, let’s have a look at what else you will need to purchase. Good design plans Working space Ground tackle Matting and roving Equipment such as the engine, windows, rudders, deck fittings, mast, and rigging In addition to the above, you also need to install plumbing and electricals. You may also want to consider going electric rather than using diesel. Not only will this drastically reduce your maintenance costs, but you get to use the regenerated power for all of your housing needs while sailing.  Some catamaran boat designs help you save costs by advocating the use of less expensive corpus materials. Most of the material goes directly into making the boat, which means there is hardly any wastage on vacuum bagging . With this method, there are few molds and temporal building forms and fewer fillers to grind off as waste. All these factors reduce the time and cost it takes to build your catamaran boat. That said, building a boat of any kind is a huge financial undertaking. As such, you still need to have the financial ability to keep building; otherwise, your project will stall or take much longer than anticipated. Instead of enjoying yourself and making memories cruising to faraway lands, you might end up spending all your time building a seemingly never-ending boat. To reiterate, this project is more of a labor of love, given that it involves a tremendous amount of manual work. Calculating an hourly rate on the time spent building the boat and adding this cost to that of materials may make it seem a very pricey exercise. However, it is vital to understand that your time matters, and every hour you spend working for “free” should be included.  With that in mind, you need to ensure that you are fully devoted to the boat construction project and are sure you want to do it before you begin. Stopping halfway because it seems like too much work would be incredibly costly. How To Build a Catamaran When it comes to building a cruising catamaran, you have 3 main options: You can buy an old boat and refurbish it. Purchase a bare hull plus deck molding for a home-boat building. Start from scratch and build everything, including the hull, on your own.  As mentioned above, renovating an existing boat may end up being more costly than starting from scratch. To build a catamaran boat from scratch, follow the below step-by-step guide. Prepare the Essentials Before you jump into such a large project, there are several important aspects to consider: Buy your plans from an established catamaran designer. You can also get inexpensive, easy-to-build catamaran designs online. Get access to a large working space or build a shed . Depending on your climate, you may need to opt for climate control to avoid an excess of moisture in humid areas.  Decide on your choice of hull material. This could be fiberglass, aluminum, steel, wood, or ferroconcrete.  Start working on a bill of materials estimate. Include everything that you think you need to get a better idea of the initial costs. Build the Mast Beam Using wood and epoxy, cut and glue together the pieces of wood that will form the mast beam. Most of the work at this stage can occur in a garage since it involves building small parts. Still, the work could take up to 4 months, so be prepared to put in long hours. Build the Boat Hull Now, it’s time to build the boat’s hull. A catamaran comprises two hulls which are connected with a deck. Below is a short video showing how to build a hull mold: This work requires a larger facility, so you might need to move out of the garage and into a boatyard. If you don’t have access to a larger workshop, consider building a shed where you can work as you do the construction. Make sure there’s enough room to fit the boat and also allow you to work comfortably. To cover the shed, you can use opaque white tarps.  Sheathe the Hull Get all the materials you require for this stage in the construction, such as lots of resin, fiberglass, and foam for use in the hull cores. You’ll also require matting and glass roving to sheath the hull .  Sheathing helps to make the hull impervious to water and other marine borers. But first, you need to prepare the hull using a rotary sander. To make it as smooth as possible, use light, sweeping strokes. This is a very dusty task so be prepared to wear a facemask and safety goggles.  Install the Bulkheads Next is installing the plywood bulkheads . You might need to call in friends to help turn the hulls or use a crane. In this step, you will need to laminate the hull sides on the molded hull panels and bond them above the bulkheads. Ensure the bulkheads are snug and sealed in place. Construct the Interior Structure Over the next couple of months, the boat work will involve joining the hulls together with the beams that you had made back in the garage. Then, install the cuddy cabin, decks , and the cockpit . Soon the boat will start to take the shape of a catamaran. Next, proceed to construct the major structural components such as stairs, hatches, mini-keels, and the interior. Then comes the work of fairing the boat, which is quite labor-intensive.  Finally, it’s time to apply primer on the catamaran boat and start the paintwork. Before painting the boat, you will need to do additional sanding to finish off the two layers of primer as well as fill all the pinholes. Since it’s a large boat, the catamaran has lots of surface area; thus, the sanding could get extremely exhausting—mentally and physically—at this point. The painting can take a while, too. The hulls are the easiest to paint, but the topsides, non-skid, as well as masking and prepping could seem never-ending.  The final stretch involves working on the center bridge deck cabin and other final touches like installing the engines, electricals, and plumbing. This is also the time to fix the rudders, rigging, mast, windows, and deck fittings. Launch Your Cruising Catamaran After many months or years of hard work, your cruising catamaran is finally ready to test the waters. After lowering the boat into the water, check carefully in case there are leaks. If none, you can set up the sails and take your catamaran out for your first cruise.  Below is a short video that takes you through the entire boat-building process: If you don’t have deep pockets, don’t despair. It’s also possible to build an inexpensive catamaran boat, as shown in this post from the coastal passage . The Pros of Building a Catamaran Though it will be a costly endeavor, there are so many things to look forward to should you decide to build your own catamaran: It can be lots of fun. You get to have a new boat. It’s an excellent hobby for DIY enthusiasts. The effort is rewarding. It offers a great learning experience. You get the exact kind of boat you want. You can alter building plans and tailor the boat to suit your specific needs. It might be cheaper than buying a new boat. The Cons of Building a Catamaran Though there are a number of positive aspects to a DIY build, it is just as important to keep in mind that it won’t always be easy: Maintenance costs can be quite high. It’s both mentally and physically exhausting. It might require some technical know-how. It can take many months or even years to complete. It requires a lot of commitment to finish the DIY project. It might be challenging as well as expensive to get insurance.   You will spend almost all your free time building the boat.  DIY Cruising Catamaran Tips and Tricks If you are new to boat building, it would be a good idea to build a small boat first. This would give you a good indication as to whether you’d enjoy tackling a more extensive project like building a catamaran. Again, if you are the handy type, fixing your own electronics could also save you a significant amount of money.  Here are more tips and tricks to get the most out of your DIY cruising catamaran: Lower your costs. Bring down your costs even further by sourcing for parts and supplies at marine surplus outlets, Craigslist, eBay, or wholesale suppliers.  Enhance your resale value. Most home-built boats are not easy to sell since they tend to be too customized. To enhance your resale value, it’s advisable to work with a standard design from a well-established naval architect. Follow the design instructions. Make sure to follow the designer’s instructions regarding the type of materials and tools to use during the build to avoid making costly mistakes. Maintain your original budget. Avoid any additional customizations once you have started building the boat. Using good plans and sticking to them ensures that your budget doesn’t spiral out of control. Final Thoughts Building a catamaran is about more than saving money. It’s fun, exciting, fulfilling, and can be a great learning experience. While it might take many months of back-breaking work, comparative shopping and sourcing for materials will help you save a lot of money. Still, at the end of it all, you’ll have a beautiful catamaran boat, all ready for your first cruising adventure. However, if you have neither the time nor the energy to build your own catamaran from scratch, refurbishing an existing hull might prove faster and easier. It also works out much cheaper than buying a new boat. 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! One thought on “ DIY Cruising Catamaran: Complete Building Guide ” Hello, I am a French Quebecer who is original, imaginative, creative and who finds that all boats and catamarans have a huge flaw and a very big lack of logic. I would have a brand new concept…. I am sending this message to any catamaran creator – designer to make those who have the opportunity and the intelligence to want to know about my innovative idea which will finally upset the market much richer. An idea that will totally change the concept of sailing, navigation and save so much worry!! All I would ask for is a small percentage of each sale of the new product. To be able to make me produce one when I have enough!! It is certain that like that, you just want to tell me: come on Mr. Lessard give us your idea but do not take your word to help me in return! But, if you are the kind of man to have only one word and maybe have a proof of your good faith if the realization of the project would make it… I will be very happy!! Giving it to everyone wouldn’t bother me either…. all I would like is to be able to find flax fiber (too expensive carbon) to be able to try to make my catamaran myself. Because not rich! Have a nice day and looking forward to having a message!! Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Recent Posts Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors! Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on... 6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing 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... No products in the cart. Catamarans and Trimarans Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans make it a reality to build your own catamaran or trimaran. Multi-hulled sailing vessels are a special class of boat. A very different mind set is required when thinking about sailing a multi hull, let alone getting your head around building one. There are some unique challenges building a multi-hull sail boat, the extra beam added by each hull for instance can create storage issues while under construction. Hartley boat plans make the build process straight forward for even amateur builders. However with all things considered, building a multi can be an amazing journey. Fast Twin Catermaran Lively 28 Cruising Trimaran Lively 35 Cruising Trimaran Bernd Kohler Plans & Kits Plans by designer Qty in Cart DUO 800 Study Plans DUO 800 Assymetrical Plans DUO 480 Adventure DUO 900 Study Plans DUO 900 Plans ECO 520 PDF MaXi The Cat Plans PDF New ECO 55 Sail Plans Duo 800 s plans. ECO 6 Plans ECO 62 Houseboat Plans "Fritz" a Tender Total: items / Add all to cart Adding your products to cart   Design and supply of for and is Bloomfield Innovation's area of expertise. We have extensive experience in the development of composite and aluminium catamarans, including sailing and power catamaran yachts, commercial ferry catamarans and workboats. Bloomfield Innovation supply naval architect and engineering design services for composite and aluminium catamarans from 6m (20') up to 60m (200'). Our range includes trawler catamarans, power catamaran yachts and racing and cruising sailing catamaran designs. All designs may be constructed to survey or classification society rules using aluminium or composite (fibreglass, carbon fibre,…) materials. We are exclusive agents for sales of Crowther Multihulls range of sailing design covering racing and cruising designs up to 60' and have access to the entire Crowther Multihulls intellectual property base on multihull sailing design. We have close relationships with a number of multihull boat builder companies around the world or we can provide design plans and support service to your choice of boat builder. Bring your ideas to life! Call Bloomfield Innovation today! for at +61 3 9221-0883  -or email-      . Home | About Us | Services | Designs | News | Links | Contact Us | Site Map Legal Disclaimer: copyright © 2004-2005 Bloomfield Innovation Pty Ltd Log in or Sign up You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser . Small power catamaran Discussion in ' Powerboats ' started by bsmit24 , Jul 5, 2005 . bsmit24 Junior Member I am interested in building a small power catamaran. I have not been able to find many plans. There are a few such as Glen L but the tunnel is very low. What are the design issues that I should look at. With of hulls or ratio, with of total vessal or ratio, hieght of tunnel, width of tunnel, shape of hulls, etc. and how these differ depending on whether it is a displacement craft or planning hull? any insight or interesting websites or books would be helpful. Thanks   nero Senior Member What do you plan to do with your power cat? Live on it, cruise it, race it. Where are you going to keep it? How big are you and your guests? How much time do you have to build it? Kurt hughes and John Shuttleworth have designs.   It would be to cruise and fish. My main objective is to get a smooth ride with little power and a relatively small boat (14' to 18'). Nothing to fancy, just a project that I want to do and a new challenge.   yokebutt Boatbuilder Bsmit, How about an old hobie 16 with an outboard? You could always replace the trampoline with a rigid platform. Yoke.   How about a proa? http://www.harryproa.com . Rob Denney Kurt Hughes has several small designs. Rapid building technique also. Plan prices are affordable.   marshmat Senior Member Proas are intriguing as sailing craft, yes. I'm not sure if the concept is that good an idea for power craft though. In displacement mode you'd be restricted to hull speed on the ama- not a problem on a sailboat that rarely approaches that speed, but a concern on a power craft. A symmetrical cat would probably be more efficient. For the 14-18' range: I do like Yoke's idea of a hopped-up power-Hobie. If I were building this as a little back-lake cruiser I might actually design the beast myself, be creative.... Now a few rough guess answers to bsmit's questions: Compared to a monohull, a cat's hulls tend to be very slender. For planing, you typically keep the outer hullsides parallel while narrowing the tunnel significantly (the air in the tunnel then helps lift). Hull bottoms can be V or half-V, and are often asymmetrical (it's a complex art...). For displacement hulls, it's usually more like two separate boats bolted together- each slim and sleek. Hullforms- near infinite variety. The stability comes from the wide spacing between the hulls. Tunnel height is determined mostly by the waves you'll run in and the tunnel should be high enough that the waves don't slap it too much. The art of hull design is as complex or simple as you want it to be. If you're fishing little back lakes, this could be a fun one to experiment with. If you're a big-water type it might be better to look at stock designs.   JEM Senior Member Take a look at http://www.davesflatcat.com/ . I think Dave is a member on this board. Last I heard, he's willing to share the plans. Matt - JEM Watercraft   Thanks guys. I have a 40hp yamaha so I would like to try a planing hull first. I did find one that I liked on http://www.constellationyachts.com/skiff.htm . The davesflatcat is interesting but the tunnel is very low and the hulls have flat bottoms. I currently have a bateau so I would be more interested in something that would take a little rougher water. I also like the twin vee 17 but I really want to build the boat. There just does not seem to be much out there.   Tim B Senior Member If you tell me what you're after (E-mail me - [email protected] ) I'll draw up some ideas/plans for you at reasonable cost. I can't easily post you drawings, but we can work in electronic form, no problem at all. Then you can either print the plans full-size, or just take measurements off them. I will supply full measurements for each part. All the best, Tim Brocklehurst.   Jimboat Senior Member Tunnel boat Design Check out my website for tunnel hull designs and methods...   Aksan Junior Member I do not know all your intents but , here is another thing you can look at Full catamaran centerconsole 13 ft long , 30 - 50 HP range. You can get one and rig your own engine to it: Aksano Catamarans aksano.com The boats do 25-45 MPH and are amazingly stable and eye catching..   kengrome Senior Member It would be to cruise and fish. My main objective is to get a smooth ride with little power and a relatively small boat (14' to 18'). Nothing to fancy, just a project that I want to do and a new challenge. Click to expand... Hmm.. There are alot of desigs out there that will effectively slice throught the water and use very few HP. But the key point in Design is,that is light years away from actual fishermans visuals.. I mean that want the efficiency in numbersn but they want it to look cool. You also have to fin means of building this thing so that is simple to fabricate. If you can design something that is COOOOL to look at , plus it is efficient, then you have a CHANCE in the US boat market. Now if you are doing this for your sake just to buil one off, then it is great, I would give myself more space to move about and less seats, bench seat would be just fine in this kind of set up... Oz.   Squidly-Diddly Senior Member How about Livingstons? http://www.livingstonboats.com/ They seem to be the standard 'small power cat'. Anyone ever put one through its paces?   Advertisement: Livingston VS Other cats / Aksano Catamaran Well I build the Aksano cats but I think the reason they did not catch up a lot was they were too plain, too simple lacking style and speed. I know a few of people who bought ours product www.aksano.com after owning a Livingston, things I heard was; Lower grade appeareance, engine cavitation, cracks / heirline fractures appearing in areas gunnel was bonked to the dock Comparable F3 to a 13 ft livingston goes faster despite the fact that it weighs more smoothness of the ride is equivalent, the quality is comparing apples to oranges, we are lightyears ahead of that concept. Dave livingston very nice guy, was the one who started the company, very smart men, ge is getting a litlle old now his sons now run Martini boats. The company livingston is now located in western shoreline of Washington, veyr slow in business.   Outboards on small power catamaran Designing and building small tunnel hull powerboat Looking for easy to build single outboard small power cat design in ply small power boat plans and stitch and glue Small powerboat beach launch and retrieval Help with Identifying This Small 10' outboard powerboat? Need advice - small lake boat for 3 with electric O/B 3.0 to 5.7 small block chevy Doubling smaller dock lines equal to next size line? restoring old mahogany small boat No, create an account now. Yes, my password is: Forgot your password? 480 COMMENTS ECO 55 Power Cat Plans ECO 55 Power Cat 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. Bruce Roberts, CATAMARAN boat plans, CATAMARAN boat building POWER CATAMARAN PLANS and KITS, CATAMARAN PLANS , Bruce Roberts WEB SITE offers catamaran boat plans and catamaran boat kits for fiberglasss and aluminum boat designs, cut to size CATAMARAN kits, part built boats or complete boats. Bruce Roberts Yacht Designs offer boat building project management arrangements for boats built overseas at affordable prices. ECO 75 Power Cat Plans Description. Additional Information. 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. Eco 5 Power Cat Ron Mueller. A single 20-hp outboard can outperform twin 5-hp outboards. Just behind the motor's shaft you can see one of the extensions added to the hulls to improve the trim with the greater motor weight. The custom-made canopy doubles the Cat's sheltered space. The twin 5-hp outboards proved to be not enough power. Catamaran Stock Plans Ed Horstman designed TRIMARAN and CATAMARAN plans are drawn for the first time builder. Plans are concise and clearly drawn so the builder can easily follow each building step. Designs are continuously updated with your input and new ideas. Plans include full size patterns to 63'. Power Cat Designs from Noah Thompson Design 7M COMPOSITE PRODUCTION POWER CATAMARAN DESIGN. 8.2M WALKAROUND SPORTFISHING POWER CAT DESIGN. 9M COMPOSITE PRODUCTION POWER CAT DESIGN. 11M COMPOSITE KITSET POWER CAT DESIGN. 11M FRONT LOADING - FAST - COMPOSITE KITSET POWER CAT DESIGN. 44' SOLAR ELECTRIC PRODUCTION MODEL POWER CATAMARAN DESIGN. 40' COMPOSITE POWER CAT SEMI-DISPLACMENT HULL SHAPE. Kurt Hughes Multihull Design 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) or Cylinder-molding (in html) multihull construction; examples of ... PDF Skoota power catamarans Performance. Most power catamarans are planing boats, with all the disadvantages that the type implies. Furthermore they tend to have a narrow, 8ft beam for trailing, so that many of the advantages of the catamaran form are wasted. The Skootas, on the other hand, use semi displacement, non-planing, asymmetric hulls. Bear-Cat Sport SKU: G-005. $15.00 - $1,890.00. Please Choose From The Options Below: Bear-Cat Study Plans Printed Bear-Cat Sport Aluminum Plans & Patterns Bear-Cat Sport Aluminum Plans & Patterns plus One Extra Set Bear-Cat Sport Plywood Plans & Patterns Bear-Cat Sport Plywood Plans & Patterns plus One Extra Set Bear-Cat Sport Bronze Fastening Kit Bear Cat ... Build your own mini catamaran, a guide for amateur builders Build your own mini catamaran, a guide for amateur builders. Building a small catamaran that can be used as a dinghy or even as a small dinghy: this is what this little booklet offers, with all the plans to help you achieve this. If you are tempted, Dominique will accompany you. Follow the guide! François-Xavier Ricardou Published on August 11 ... Sailing Catamarans, Trimarans and Power Cats. Plans for Kit We design modern high performance sailing catamarans, trimarans and power cats. Contact us to find the right professionals and resources for your project, or to create a custom design to empower your vision for time on the water. Skoota 18 Power Cat Plans PDF Click HERE to download Free Study Plans. LOA 5.6m 18ft 4in. LWL 5.4m 17ft7in. BOA 2.5m 8ft2in. Empty weight 320kgs 700lbs. Displacement to WL 700kgs 1500lbs. Draft max 350mm 14in. Outboard engine 9.9-20hp max. The Skoota 18 is a simple to build and trail power catamaran. power cat free design The only power catamaran plans that I have seen recently are from Glen-L and Ken Hankinson. ... Also hunting for small speed (power catamaran) I've also been searching for the same thing. Basically a 20'-25' Power Catamaran. I'm interested in the speed not the cruising though. But I'm start to seriously think about having a designer do up some ... Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide Distinguishing Design: Power Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which significantly reduce the drag, thus enhancing speed and fuel efficiency. Unlike monohulls, they have a broader beam, which contributes to increased stability and more living space. The absence of a ballast for stability further lightens the vessel, contributing ... Catamaran Power Construction Plans SPIRITED 400 'Power'. The Spirited 400 'Power' is a semi-displacement power cat with sleek lines and light weight structure. For those who like 'turn-key' cruising this highly efficient design is always in readiness for a quick getaway. The slim hulls run easily through the water and provide a very comfortable ride even in rough conditions. Easy to build catamaran for amateur boat builders Easy to build catamaran ideal for inexperienced amateur boat builders. This easy to build catamaran is intended to allow anyone, no matter their background, to build a modern cruising multihull with a thrilling performance and an appealing design with a small budget. The Bora-Bora 28 has a very practical interior lay-out with accommodation ... DIY Cruising Catamaran: Complete Building Guide If you were to build a 40-foot (12.1-meter) catamaran, your cost of materials would range between 20-30% of the total cost. Therefore, for $300,000 total, the boat's materials would range between $60,000 and $90,000. The hull tends to range between 15-35% of the total build. Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans Genuine Hartley Boatplans and Samson Boatplans are only supplied by hartley-boats.com, New Zealand. Catamaran & Trimaran Boat Plans from Hartley Boats make it a reality to build your own multihull at home. Build with Plywood or Fibre Glass. 12-35 ft plans. Plans by designer DUO 900 Study Plans. $15.00. DUO 900 Study Plans For full plans click HERE The DUO 900 is a quick-to-build, open-bridge catamaran with asymmetrical hulls. The boat was designed for a French fighter pilot who lived in Argentina. His goal was to sail from Buenos Aires to Marseille... Bloomfield Catamaran Designs We have close relationships with a number of multihull boat builder companies around the world or we can provide design plans and support service to your choice of boat builder. Bring your ideas to life! Call Bloomfield Innovation today! for Catamaran Plans. at +61 3 9221-0883. -or email-. Kurt Hughes Multihull Design Power Multihulls. These low-drag powerboats give a much better ride and require far less power than other types for target speeds of up to 2.5 to 3.0 times the vessel's hull speed. Excellent economy, a superior ride, and a more extensive cruising range are possible with these displacement multihulls. Some of those catamaran powerboats are ... Small power catamaran I am interested in building a small power catamaran. I have not been able to find many plans. ... small power boat plans and stitch and glue. Damian3716, Aug 18, 2015, in forum: Powerboats. Replies: 10 Views: 5,157. Damian3716 Aug 23, 2015. Small powerboat beach launch and retrieval. beachcraft ... The $21K catamaran: Build a cat fast and cheap A new edition of The Coastal Passage has just been posted. Click on the image at right to download the PDF. Covid Cruising! From Tasmania to Greece with a boat built by the editor. For more information on this boat, see and check out The BareBones project. The $21,000, 30 foot+ Catamaran! "PLANS" NOW FREE! catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht