27 Catamaran Design

It seems like almost every project start is on hold in the dog days of summer. A magazine asked me to send them a design so it was an excuse to tighten up the graphics of the 27 Cat upgrade. Complete study plans are ready.

11 thoughts on “27 Catamaran Design”

  1. I like what I see/read. What I would like is:
    – Center beam more like a box, both as a storage and protection, plus all the headsail trimming hardware concentrated there, to keep the middle part clear for additional accommodations; either as a removable center cuddy (pop-up top or pop-down bottom would even make a standing headroom possible, since I am at 5’3 tallest in my family) or, even a boom tent type.
    – Fast/easy assembling/disassembling needs to be addressed at the design stage. It is not clear yet to me, how the sliding tubes would work. Beam of close to 19’ would make it too wide for a usual hoist at the sailing clubs in my area (they where build to launch J/24, or, probably, Shields). So, public boat ramps would be used, with all the implications.
    Less important on this stage, but still makes me curios, what’s with the two motors?
    Remote controls would make for a nice motoring/maneuverability, but I do not believe it is possible to have 4 HPs with El. Start/tilt option. Hand starting and tilting down two smaller engines instead of one 8 to 15 HP, with El. Start and a bigger generator output, single set of wires… All for the same weight.
    And on the more important topic, is it possible to have a rough material list at this stage? And, would you have an estimate of a build time by amateur builder? Some description of the proposed build method would be greatly appreciated too.
    Thanks

  2. Great.
    First, my negative experience with Seawind 24.
    – With any breeze and waves, the ride is extremely wet (like inside of a washing machine, according to another owner). Some Stilettoes and R. Woods cats use instead of the middle (under the mast) beam a wider and taller contraption, that both has some storage and deflects a spray.
    – Daggerboards are on the outer side canted out at angles, at a point where the cabin roof is not flat. It is quite an exercise to put them in or out (especially, because the top ends stick not only up, but out to the side).
    – Deck setup with tree alum beams, fiberglass center console (battery, tank and outboard plus couple winches) and tree tramps was not really assembly friendly even as new, now what I’ve got is modified with front net and hard decks (glass panels on an aluminum frames, everything on bolts/nuts) it takes way too long to put together.
    – Overall construction was waay too heavy!
    The only part that I’ve got no complains was the price!

  3. Great,
    now it seems to me, that I’ve tried to purchase to study plans on 22-th, (email option) but did not see the option to get them.
    Would you please look into this issue?
    Confirmation Number: 150342507623305
    Invoice Number: 150342507623305
    Thanks

  4. I am a bored owner of an old Seawind 24 looking for a better version.
    I would like to see a faster boat, with accommodations for 2 adults + 2 kids, and keep the transportability . This looks like a prime contender. Are the complete plans coming? Is there an opening for some input from a potential customer?

  5. Obviously the sail plan is copy and paste because it will be hard to handle both in power and awkwardness. The hulls look good but just wondering if for this small size wouldn’t it be better just one center rudder and one center dagger board and loose 10% efficiency.

    1. Wrong and wrong. With squaretop on 60′ stick on Geko I singlehanded all the time. This little bugger will be easy.
      Central board and rudder way worse than 10% loss. Look at the distance between CE and fulcrum of the board at center vrs in a hull. Board structure is deflection driven, as are most carbon rudders.
      And if you get good enought to fly a hull? Yes?

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