wharram catamaran kits

How Much Does It Cost To Build a Catamaran? Builders Answer!

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Owning a catamaran is one of the best ways to enjoy life; however, even a used variant of these beautiful vessels can cost up to $800,000. This is why many people consider building one from scratch, but how much can you expect to spend on the build?

It will cost between $30,000 and $300,000 to build a catamaran. Costs depend on a few factors, including the size of the boat and the overall quality of the finishing. The exact price will come down to product choices and whether a kit is used or not.

This article will look at how much you can expect to spend for every segment of the catamaran build process using a kit. First, let’s look at some of the benefits of building your own catamaran.

Cost of Building a Catamaran With Pre-Made Kits

One of the best ways to build a catamaran on your own is to use pre-made kits. The total cost of the construction can take your spending to as high as $300,000 , but the result is a vessel you can trust just as much as any from a production line.

Assembling the Kit

You can expect the following as part of the kit for a 45ft (13.72m) catamaran:

• The panels (including hulls, cabin top, shelves, furniture, cockpit seating, etc.)
• Daggerboard and daggerboard cases
• Building materials (including fiberglass cloth, epoxy fillers, up to 100 gallons (378.54 liters) of epoxy, and other materials that you can use to get the construction to the paint stage)

With the kits sorted, you can get the vessel construction done up to the stage of wiring, plumbing, and other such intricacies. Schionning , Grainger , Wharram , and Oram are four of the main catamaran kits suppliers today.

The kits from Schionning will cost you around $60,000 (before shipping fees and any taxes), while those from Oram only provide quotes on request, but the prices are often similar to the numbers quoted by Schionning. None of them include construction plans in the cost, so you’ll have to pay for the plans separately.

Grainger’s kits will cost you around $130,000 . This is double the numbers from the competition. They include construction plans in the kit costs, but that’s not enough justification for the price difference—especially as you can get plans from Oram for around $6,500

Wharram offers unique polynesian style kits such as the Mana-kit for as low as $16,400 .

None of these catamaran kits manufacturers operate stateside, so you have to budget a considerable sum for shipping. Generally, the shipping costs will likely take up another $5,000, and you’ll have to budget another $1,000 in import fees.

The Building Stage

The first expense in the building stage is paying for the space for the construction. It can take around 1-3 years to complete construction for your catamaran, so you need to ensure you have the space to hold the vessel throughout the period.

The building site also has to be prepared. Concrete or asphalt surfaces are preferable, but you can level out the floor and put a tarp on dirt to give you a surface to work on without spending too much from your budget.

However, your spending on site preparation will still fall within $15,000 even without elaborate surface preparation as you’ll need ventilation, water, lighting on site, and builder’s insurance. You’ll also need a minimum 30×60 ft (6.1×18.3 m) hoop tent.

Tools you’ll need include routers, circular saw, sanders, and other such important tools for working on fiberglass. You’ll also need lots of screws and sanding paper. With $3,000, you can buy and rent all the tools you need. You’ll need lumber and aluminum pipes for the strongback and forebeam. They’ll cost around $1,100.

Other miscellaneous expenses such as cleaning supplies and other such consumables will cost you around $5,000. This is not including the materials you need for painting.

The Topside Painting Stage

Once your boat is built up, it’s time to buy more paint for the main painting stage. Technically, the painting will start right from the hull construction, but this stage is when you’ll need dozens of gallons. For the top side, you’ll need around ten gallons of Awlgrip marine paint . This will cost you around $2,500.

The paint for the high build will also cost you around $2,500 for 20 gallons (75.71 liters), including the converter and reducer. You can paint the interior enamel with five gallons of Rustoleum semi-gloss paint, which will cost around $500. The bottom paint will also cost a similar sum overall. You’ll need to budget around $2,000 for consumables like different grits of sandpapers, thinners, rollers, brushes, mixing cups, and so on.

The Sailing Parts Stage

You should expect to pay around $13,000 for an aluminum mast with Antal Batten Car Systems. The boom (also aluminum) should cost you around $2,200. The standing rigging will be around $3,000 if you choose stainless pieces with swaged fittings. The running rigging, around $2,000 for spectra-cord options. The lengths of the rigging materials have to be in line with the dimensions you have in the plans.

Winches will cost you around $6,500 for the 50st and 40st variants. Other materials you’ll need to budget for at this stage include:

• The Clutches ($1000)
• Blocks ($2,500)
• Deck Organizer ($200)
• Jib Track ($500)
• Traveller ($1,700)
•  Furlers ($2000-$3600)
•  Sails ($9,000)

The Engines Stage

Catamarans are typically lightweight, so they can be powered by two 25hp engines. Yamaha is the popular manufacturer choice when picking engines, but Penta engines can also work. Alongside the engines, you’ll need to pay for the dual control and cables, as well as the fuel system (including the gauge, filler, tank, etc.). The total cost of the engines and all the other elements to make it work will cost around $12,000.

The Steering Stage

To make the steering for your catamaran, you’ll need to spend around $1,000 on rudder shafts or rods, $300 on a steering quadrant, and another $300 on steering wheels. You can make steering wheels on your own, but you’ll find it difficult to justify the time and costs.

The Electrical System Stage

At this stage, you have to pay attention to avoid increasing the boat’s weight too much. You’ll need to fit a 400 Ah house battery, which will cost around $2,000, and a lead-acid battery as your backup. Those cost around $200.

The main source of energy for the battery will typically be solar panels. A 1000w panel (costs $1,000) can serve the purpose. Don’t forget to add the solar controller (costs around $600) and a battery charger or inverter (costs around $1,000).

The wires will cost around $2,000-$3,000 depending on your postcode and whether you can buy wires in bulk. Other elements of the wiring process, like the circuit panel, heat shrink, switches, buss bar, strips, etc., will cost around $4,000.

The Lights Installation Stage

The mast headlights are already taken care of in the mast installation stage, so your focus here is the navigation lights and interior lights. These will cost around $800. You can get these installed during the wiring stage.

The Anchor Stage

When building the anchor for your 45-inch (114.3-cm) catamaran, you should expect to spend around $4,000 on all the necessary elements, including the main anchor, the stern anchor and rode, the chain or rope, the docking gear, and the windlass. The windlass will take more than half of your budget here, followed by the anchor. When buying the rope or chain, don’t forget to consider how the weight can affect your boat.

Galley Equipping Stage

The cost of this stage will be majorly determined by your choices when it comes to elements like refrigeration and cooking stoves. Pumps, water tanks, plumbing, sink and faucets, and countertops won’t cost more than $2,000. A 3.2 cubic feet (0.09 cubic meter) refrigerator, a 2-burner induction stove, and a convection oven can cost around $2,500 collectively.

The Exterior Stage

The expenses here will go towards the hatches, stanchions, lifelines, cleats, acrylic windows, trampoline net, sail covers, cockpit cushions, and locks or latches. The hatches will take the bulk of the budget as they cost around $3,000. The trampoline net and the cockpit cushion are the next big expense costing $1,200 and $800, respectively. A combination of everything else will take the total here to around $7500.

The Interior Stage

When building the interior of the boat, you’ll need to budget for the flooring, cushions (including the fabrics and zippers for coverings), wood trim, latches, hinges, etc. You can expect to spend around $4,000 on the interior, with the flooring taking more than a third of the budget.

The Heads Stage

This is when you’ll need to add the toilets, shower, sink, faucets, hoses, holding tanks, shower sumps, and other such bits. The total expense here should amount to around $2,500. This is assuming you stick with basic toilets without a lot of unnecessary features.

General Electronics Stage

This stage is very subjective, but most people will incorporate costly elements like the autopilot, chart plotter, radar, VHF, navigation instruments, AIS, and antenna. Combined, they will cost around $10,000 at the very least, but depending on your unique needs, the cost may differ a great deal.

Estimated Cost of Building a Catamaran

Based on the catamaran construction we just discussed, here is a rough estimate of what you should expect to spend overall to build a catamaran:

Why Build Your Own Catamaran?

There are a few advantages to building your own vessel. They include the following:

Acquaintance With Your Boat

When you build a boat on your own, you’ll have a better handle of all the intricate elements and all the parts. You’ll know everything starting from the position of the wires to the bolts, bulkhead, rib, support, and everything else. Maintenance will be easier because you’ll know the position of all the important elements as you installed them.

Sense of Accomplishment

While it’s nice to be able to afford a catamaran off the lot from a manufacturer, there’s a sense of accomplishment with sailing out on the seas in a vessel you made. Plus, the compliments that follow will fuel the feeling, and it doesn’t take long for you to start seeing the boat as a part of your life.

Saving Some Money

Buying a new catamaran is out of the reach of most people, even with financing. And buying a used option can reduce the price a fair deal, but you can bet it will still be expensive. Cheap used options often require a lot of investment to become seaworthy again. 

Building your catamaran can help you save up to 80% of the price you’ll have to pay for a brand new vessel and up to 50% on the cost of a used one.

Getting a Newer Design

Many catamarans on the market today are based on designs that are many years old. Even newer models are often just minor tweaks to older designs as manufacturers continue to recoup their investment in the production setup. When you build your own catamaran, you can work with newer designs and also take a different approach to the more mainstream options.

Should You Build Your Catamaran?

Now you’ve got an idea of what it will cost to build your catamaran, but should you go ahead with it? It’s a subjective decision.

While there are obvious advantages to completing the build on your own (as we’ve covered above), this is a heavy project that you should only embark on if you have a proper understanding of what is required and the right skills to get the job done at every stage. You also need to have all the logistics squared off and have a trusted source of funds for the project.

If you have to hire specialists for every stage of the build, the overall cost can increase by up to 50%. When you factor all these into the equation, you may be better off saving time and energy and going for a high-quality used boat.

How Long Will It Take To Build a Catamaran?

Building your own catamaran will likely take you at least 3 years. Your catamaran construction can be completed at a pace favorable to you. If you already have the funds in place, you can finish the construction process in months. However, most DIY boatbuilders tend to take things a bit more gradually, spreading the construction across 1-3 years.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a durable catamaran you can trust in deep seas is a costly expenditure whether you’re buying one off the lot, getting a used model, or building yours from scratch. Weigh all the pros and cons to ensure you make the best decision for your specific situation, as any mistakes can prove costly. If you choose to build and get stuck midway, don’t hesitate to get professional help to remedy the situation.

If you push through the construction, the satisfaction and elation from cruising in your completed boat will linger for a long time!

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

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Boat Profile

A Wharram catamaran

From Issue   March 2018

J ames Wharram is a multihull pioneer who has been sailing and designing exceptionally seaworthy catamarans since the 1950s. For his first voyage, he built, TANGAROA, a 23’ catamaran and sailed her from the U.K. to the Caribbean with Jutta Schulze-Rhonhof and Ruth Merseburger, both from Germany. While in the Caribbean he became a father, and the boat mothered a growing colony of teredo worms. With a strong desire to sail home, Wharram built a 40-footer and did the first North Atlantic crossing by catamaran. His designs are based on firsthand experience, regularly updated and improved, and have a safety record that is hard to beat.

I built his Tiki 21, which is designed as an easily built, trailerable coastal cruiser for adventurous folks who don’t mind bearing a small amount of discomfort to be rewarded with a boat which is in harmony with the sea. The plans are highly detailed and provide illustrations for almost every step of the process. The plans include a materials list, down to the last fitting, and an epoxy technique manual depicting everything from laminating to fairing. The plans call for 18 sheets of 1/4″ marine plywood and one sheet of 3/4″. My Tiki 21, BETO, took around 10 or 12 gallons of epoxy and a good helping of mahogany and Douglas-fir.

While the Tiki’s main is designed to be sailed with a loose foot, the author finds an easily mounted, aluminum sprit boom provides improved performance in light air.

The hulls are built using the stitch-and-glue method, making it a fairly quick build, even for the first-time builder, though practicing with some scraps of plywood and epoxy is recommended for beginners.

Construction starts with forming the hull panels and stitching them together, then moves on to installing bulkheads and bunks and fitting the decks and cabintops. After the hulls are complete, just three beams, two tillers and rudders, and a wooden mast remain as the last major projects. For BETO, I chose an aluminum mast—a 22′ length of 4″ aluminum tubing with a 1/8″ wall thickness, as recommended in the plans. I chose aluminum over wood in hopes of a lighter mast that would require less maintenance and be easier to raise when rigging.

The Tiki 21’s most controversial feature is, perhaps, the use of lashings, rather than conventional marine hardware, to hold the amas and akas (hulls and cross beams) together. Wharram believes that the lashings allow for shock absorption and decrease shock loads at the joints. Each wrap of the five loops has a 2,800-lb breaking strength. The lashings are frapped so tightly that small movements between structural members are unnoticeable. The lashing system is proven by both Wharram cats and the well-traveled Polynesian voyaging canoes of the Pacific.

The Tiki 21 plans include a motor mount set within the perimeter of the deck. The pod added to this boat frees up deck space and includes a place for the gas tank. The cross beams, or akas, are stitch-and-glue I-beams.

The Tiki 21 was designed to be assembled on a beach at low tide and to float away when the sea returns. It has a 14″ draft, and each hull weighs in right under 200 lbs when completed. For our negligible tidal range and for freshwater sailing, I chose to build a trailer with telescoping sides that allow the hulls to be expanded outward for boat assembly before being backed down the ramp. We currently sail BETO on a small lake, so it rests on the trailer between outings.

When we want a taste of salt water, we unlash the beams and slide the hulls together for a package that is a little wider than my small Toyota truck. I can assemble the boat by myself in two hours and disassemble it in an hour. This is pretty fast to be on the water, and a helper could easily bring this time down as the lashings and frappings are the most time-consuming tasks. Some Tiki sailors have had good luck with ratchet straps and nylon webbing when trailering to daysail. I wouldn’t recommend ratchets in lieu of lashings for venturing offshore, however.

The Tiki 21 was designed with cruising accommodations for two, but there is room for more on deck. The catamaran has a carrying capacity of a half ton.

So how does the Tiki 21 sail? I’m a former racing catamaran sailor whose friends all sail go-fast boats, and I think it sails like a dream! The rig is a Wharram “Wing” sail that keeps the center of gravity low and the power high. The sail is modeled after a high-aspect Dutch gaff rig, using a short gaff at the peak and an elongated luff pocket that envelops the mast and minimizes turbulent airflow. This unique arrangement offers performance similar to modern rotating masts and square-top mainsails without all of the moving parts.

The mainsail is sewn with a luff sleeve for a smother flow of air around the mast. The jib and main halyards run along the mast inside the sleeve. This Tiki 21 was built by Rick Hueschen of North Carolina.

Unlike older Wharram designs, the Tiki 21 has a power-to-weight ratio that can get one in trouble if the wind pipes up. In light air, however, it is slightly undercanvased, and a drifter works wonders. The deep-V hulls have hardly any noticeable leeway if sails are trimmed correctly, and can tack in light and heavy air even sailing just the main.

The rudders are lashed to the sternposts and skegs and do not extend below beneath them, so the Tiki can’t turn on a dime in tight quarters. However, when sailing, it tracks like it is on rails. I sail upwind all the time in up to 20 knots with just a bungee crossed over the tiller. The Tiki is superbly well balanced and will sail along happily with proper trim. To windward we have seen 7 knots with the wind at 50 degrees true, falling down to around 5 knots at 40 degrees true. Off the wind, BETO has clocked 15 knots while power-reaching with no noticeable lifting of the windward hull (check my video ). For normal cruising, we reef the main and jib in 15 knots to keep dry on deck and fully in control while still making 8 to 10 knots on a reach. For sails, we carry a main with three reefs, a jib with one reef, a nylon drifter, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a storm jib. I have an outboard, but I learned to sail on a 22’ engineless racing sloop, so I have plenty of patience when the wind dies, preferring not to deal with a nasty outboard and volatile gasoline. Using a stand-up paddle, I can move the Tiki all day at 3 knots in flat water, and with a second paddler it’s even faster.

While each hull provides room for a narrow berth, the deck provides more spacious accommodations when equipped with a canopy or a free-standing tent.

For coastal cruising on a small catamaran, one can really not find a better-suited vessel than the Tiki 21. The accommodations inside each hull provide a 12′-long bunk that is 2′ wide; the hulls span 3-1/2′ at the sheer. Our sleeping accommodations are often a two-person tent set on deck, or my girlfriend and I can get cuddly and sleep in one hull if needed. All of the bunks are above the waterline, and under them are the bilges, which provide loads of storage. The load capacity is listed as 1,000 lbs. The bows and sterns all have watertight flotation chambers. The anchor locker doubles as another flotation chamber. The Tiki 21 has six bulkheads in each small hull, making it a strong little boat. Resting between the akas is a plywood deck measuring 6′ x 7′ that never moves far from level when under sail. For my own preference I built a slatted cedar deck instead of a solid plywood one, and it has since been approved by the Wharram Design team.

Rory McDougall sailed his modified Tiki 21, COOKING FAT, around the world in the early 1990s, and until just recently he held the record for sailing the smallest catamaran in a circumnavigation. He experienced gales pushing waves up to 30′, and his boat suffered little damage. In 2010, McDougall sailed in the Jester Challenge, a single-handed transatlantic race for boats between 20′ and 30′, and came in second after 34 days under way, just a few hours after a larger monohull. When in storms, McDougall goes on his sea anchor and reports that the Tiki rides very happily and calmly. In his first gale on sea anchor, he even felt so relaxed that he tied a jibsheet around himself and jumped overboard to swim the swells!

Brad Ingram lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and enjoys sailing, running ultramarathons, and climbing. He spent eight years in 20th Special Forces Group on a small Intelligence team, and he’s now going to nursing school as a civilian. He plans to travel while working as a nurse, making it easy to spend a significant amount of the year traveling in the mountains or at sea. Among all of his recreational pursuits, sailing occupies the lion’s share of his enthusiasm and interest. He mostly enjoys small boat cruises and small, raid-type multihulls. He has a passion for simple, traditional vessels and enjoys sailing sport boats as well. 

Tiki 21 Particulars

Waterline length/18′6″

Weight/790 lbs

Load Capacity/1000 lbs

sail area/208 sq ft

Study plans (£19.00) and full sets of plans (£505.00) are available from James Wharram Designs .

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 (9)

For anyone interested in seeing more Wharrams up close, there will be a Hui Wharram Sail-In in Fort Meyers on May 18 through 20th. I think SV BETO will be there as well. Details here .

Is the Hui sail-in still held in Ft Meyers? I live close to there and would love to see some homebuilt catamarans!

The book is also available as a Kindle edition . Editor

Merci pour toute ces informations sur Tiki 21.

(Thanks for all this information about the Tiki 21.)

Thank you for the article. Isn’t there a second pair of shrouds in the design? Why do you bother with an engine and all the paraphernalia attached to it, starting with the pod? Do you feel a stand-up paddle is faster than sculling a sweep? I am planning to use a sweep on my Tiki 26. I used to move my 35′ engineless steel cutter up to ¾ to 1 knot with a self-made 16′ oar. I never had an engine on my Shark 24. Do you think a ply platform might be structural and reduces the torsion leading to a slacker stay? I am planning to test the Tiki 26 without a platform, only netting, à la Cookie.

Sorry to just get back to you. The white boat is not mine. BETO is the green one with no motor. The platform is in no way structural, and I just like the SUP paddle as it goes right into action and I do a lot of paddling with the same motion for exercise.

I really like your engine mount. I’m almost finished building my Tiki 21 and don’t like the idea of stinking old engine sitting up in the middle of the deck and sleeping/lounging area. So I think I’ll copy you. Anything I need to be aware of? Could you send other photos that explain your system more clearly. Many thanks, Tom

How wide are the hulls ???

Does anyone know of a Tiki 21 in the NW US? Washington, Idaho, Oregon? I have built kayaks, sailed small boats, and really like what I see in the Tiki 21 but would like to sail one, or at least see one in person, before committing to a year of building. Thank you!

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Brand: Wharram

Wharram catamarans are known as strong, seaworthy and simple (…keep it simple, stupid!). Wharram designs are based on years of practical, hands-on experience of building and ocean sailing catamarans. Designs from 14’ – 63’ are available for self-building in ply/epoxy.

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

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

What is a Wharram Catamaran? (An In-depth Look)

Have you ever wondered what a Wharram Catamaran is? A catamaran is a type of sailboat that is unique in its design, stability, and overall performance.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the Wharram Catamaran, from its history and design features to its popularity, benefits of owning, constructing, and maintenance.

We will also explore the joys of sailing a Wharram Catamaran.

Whether youre an experienced sailor or just starting out, learning about the Wharram Catamaran can be a great way to expand your sailing knowledge.

So, lets take a closer look at the Wharram Catamaran and find out why its so popular among sailors.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

A Wharram catamaran is a type of sailboat designed by British naval architect James Wharram.

It is a double-hulled sailing vessel, with two equal-sized hulls connected by a central platform.

Wharram catamarans are renowned for their seaworthiness and ease of construction, and are popular with amateur and professional sailors alike.

They are often used for leisure sailing and racing, as well as for chartering and cruising.

History of the Wharram Catamaran

The Wharram catamaran is a type of sailboat designed by husband and wife James and Anne Wharram in the 1950s.

The design was developed over many years, and soon gained popularity among amateur boat builders due to its simple construction and low maintenance requirements.

The hulls of the Wharram catamaran are typically made of plywood, but can also be made with more durable materials such as fiberglass.

The Wharram catamaran is renowned for its stability and speed, making it an ideal recreational vessel.

It is also a popular choice for long-distance sailing, as it provides plenty of storage space and can easily accommodate multiple passengers.

The design is also well-suited to short trip cruising, allowing it to be used for day sailing and weekend trips.

The Wharram catamaran design has been popular throughout the world, and has been used for recreational sailing, ocean racing, and even long-distance voyages.

The catamarans have been used to cross the Atlantic Ocean, sail around the world, and even circumnavigate the globe.

The Wharram catamaran design has stood the test of time, and is still popular today.

It is a great choice for novice and experienced sailors alike, offering a stable and reliable platform for enjoying the ocean.

Design Features of the Wharram Catamaran

The Wharram catamaran is a special type of sailing vessel designed by the legendary boat-building couple, James and Anne Wharram.

It is a two-hulled vessel, typically made of plywood, which makes it both lightweight and strong.

This design is popular among amateur boat builders because it is relatively easy to construct and maintain compared to other sailboats.

It is also renowned for its stability and speed, making it an ideal recreational vessel.

The Wharram catamaran was designed with a number of features that make it an excellent choice for long-distance sailing.

It has a wide beam, allowing for plenty of storage space and easy accommodation for multiple passengers.

It also has a shallow draft, which helps it move quickly and efficiently through the water.

Additionally, its two-hulled design helps to reduce the amount of drag while sailing, allowing it to move more quickly through the water.

The Wharram catamaran also features a self-bailing deck, which helps to keep the interior of the boat dry during rough seas.

Furthermore, its two-hulled design also helps it to be more resistant to waves, making it a safer choice for sailing in choppy waters.

Additionally, the Wharram catamaran is also equipped with a large sail area, which helps it to move quickly and efficiently through the water.

Overall, the Wharram catamaran is an excellent choice for sailing, whether you are an amateur or an experienced sailor.

Its design features make it both lightweight and strong, and its stability and speed make it an ideal recreational vessel.

It is also a great choice for long-distance sailing due to its large storage space and ability to accommodate multiple passengers.

Popularity of the Wharram Catamaran

The Wharram catamaran has long been a popular choice for recreational sailing and long-distance cruising.

The design is renowned for its stability and speed, making it an ideal vessel for both novice and experienced sailors.

The two-hull design, made of lightweight yet strong plywood, makes it easy to construct and maintain, making it particularly attractive to amateur boat builders.

The Wharram catamaran has also become popular among long-distance cruisers due to its spacious interior and ease of maneuverability.

The large storage capacity, combined with a shallow draft and a wide beam that allows it to ride over waves with ease, makes it ideal for extended voyages.

The catamaran’s two hulls also provide a stable platform that allows passengers to move around freely without fear of capsizing.

The Wharram catamaran is also a popular choice for competitive sailing.

The shallow draft and wide beam make it easy to maneuver, while the two hulls provide excellent stability and speed.

The lightweight build of the Wharram catamaran also makes it easier to transport and store, making it a popular choice for competitive racers.

In addition to recreational sailing and competitive racing, the Wharram catamaran is also a popular choice for chartering.

The spacious interior, combined with the shallow draft and wide beam, makes it easy to navigate in shallow waters and provides plenty of space for passengers and crew.

The stability of the two hulls also makes it an ideal vessel for fishing, diving, and other water-based activities.

Overall, the Wharram catamaran is an attractive choice for a variety of water-based activities.

Its lightweight build, combined with its stability and speed, makes it ideal for recreational sailing, competitive racing, and long-distance cruising.

Its design also makes it easy to construct and maintain, making it a popular choice for amateur boat builders.

With its spacious interior and shallow draft, the Wharram catamaran is an excellent choice for a variety of water-based activities.

Benefits of Owning a Wharram Catamaran

Owning a Wharram catamaran has many advantages.

The most significant is that the design is relatively easy to construct and maintain, making it a great option for amateur boat builders.

It is also lightweight yet strong, making it an ideal choice for long-distance sailing.

The two-hulled design also makes the vessel incredibly stable, allowing it to handle any type of water conditions.

Additionally, the Wharram catamaran has plenty of storage space, enabling it to accommodate multiple passengers and their gear.

Its speed and agility make it an ideal recreational vessel, and it is renowned for its performance in both calm and rough waters.

The Wharram design also has excellent fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for those looking to save money on fuel costs.

Finally, the boat is incredibly durable, allowing it to withstand wear and tear over time without any major repairs.

Constructing a Wharram Catamaran

Constructing a Wharram catamaran is a great way to get into boatbuilding and sailing.

The design of this type of vessel is relatively simple, and it can be constructed with a few basic tools and supplies.

The most common material used for a Wharram catamaran is plywood, which is both lightweight and strong.

Plywood is also relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, making it a great option for amateur boatbuilders.

The typical Wharram catamaran is constructed with three main parts: the hulls, the deck, and the rig. The two hulls are made from plywood and are connected by beams, which provide stability and strength. The deck is then attached to the hulls and the rig is attached to the deck. The rig, which consists of a mast, sails, and rigging, is what propels the boat.

When constructing a Wharram catamaran, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and use the proper techniques.

This type of vessel requires a certain amount of precision in order to ensure that it is seaworthy and safe.

Once the construction is complete, it is important to properly maintain the vessel to ensure that it is in good condition and ready for use.

Maintenance of a Wharram Catamaran

When it comes to maintaining a Wharram Catamaran, it is important to remember that these vessels are made of plywood, making them lightweight yet strong.

This means that regular inspection and maintenance is vital in order to keep the vessel in good condition and to ensure its longevity.

The most important aspect of maintenance is to inspect the hulls regularly for any signs of wear and tear.

This includes checking for any cracks, splits, or damage to the hulls and ensuring that any repairs are made as soon as possible.

It is also important to check the hulls for signs of moisture, as this can lead to rot and other issues if left unchecked.

The rig should also be checked regularly for any signs of wear and tear.

This includes checking the sails for any tears, checking the rigging for any fraying, and ensuring that all of the lines are in good condition.

It is also important to inspect the deck for any signs of damage or wear, as this is one of the most vulnerable parts of the vessel.

In addition to regular inspections and maintenance, it is important to ensure that the catamaran is stored properly when not in use.

This means keeping it in a dry place and out of direct sunlight, as this can cause damage to the hulls.

It is also important to ensure that the vessel is secured properly when not in use, as this can help to prevent theft or damage.

By following these simple maintenance tips, it is possible to ensure that your Wharram Catamaran remains in good condition for years to come.

Regular inspections and maintenance will help to ensure that the vessel is ready to go whenever you need it, allowing you to enjoy it for many years to come.

Sailing a Wharram Catamaran

Sailing a Wharram Catamaran can be a thrilling and exciting experience.

The vessels two-hulled design and lightweight construction make it incredibly stable and fast, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable ride.

The Wharram design is especially popular among amateur boat builders as it is relatively easy to construct and maintain.

Wharram catamarans also provide plenty of storage space and can easily accommodate multiple passengers, making them a popular choice for long-distance sailing.

This is especially true for smaller catamarans, which are capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 knots and making them great for weekend cruises or extended trips.

When sailing a Wharram Catamaran the most important thing to remember is to maintain balance between the hulls and to keep the center of gravity low.

This will help keep the vessel stable and ensure that it is able to handle any rough seas.

Additionally, the catamaran should be fitted with the appropriate safety equipment, such as life jackets, flares, and a first aid kit, to ensure that everyone onboard is safe and prepared in case of an emergency.

Overall, sailing a Wharram Catamaran can be a rewarding experience.

With its lightweight construction and stability, it is an ideal vessel for both recreational and long-distance sailing.

With the proper safety equipment and preparations, sailing a Wharram Catamaran can be a fun and safe way to explore the open waters.

Final Thoughts

The Wharram catamaran is an incredible vessel that offers unparalleled stability, speed, and storage space.

It is a favorite among amateur builders because of its ease of construction and maintenance, and can easily accommodate multiple passengers for long-distance sailing.

Whether you are looking for a recreational vessel or an ocean-going adventure, a Wharram catamaran is a great choice.

If you are considering building one yourself, the Wharram website provides helpful resources such as design guides, plans, and instructions.

With the right knowledge and resources, you can set sail in a beautiful and reliable sailing vessel of your own.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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A selection of extras for your Wharram catamaran. Most popular is our windvane self-steering system - detailed drawings of how to build an effective low cost windvane for your boat, mainly out of wood. Gives different set-ups for Classic, Pahi and Tiki designs. Based on the system that sailed Pahi 63 'Spirit of Gaia' round the world. Other extras include wingsail rigs, deck tents, trailers, and deckpods. Also available are improvement packages for older Wharrams that do not have design features which now come as standard.