My heavily modified 37′ trimaran had its mast stepped last weekend. Beautiful work.
Category Archives: Sailing Cats
Grit Underway
Grit. Voyaging under power on a beautiful day. Amazing finish inside and out.
link fixed now I think.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7jsM37zsw3k
Grit Launch
Paul started with the KHSD 45 cruising cat plans, but wanted some changes. I did a composite bow tube design for him.
I don’t recall being told it would be forward cockpit. The helm is indoors, which is always good.
Composite Chainplates
I recently had to review a chainplate on one of my COI cats and send a note to the USCG.
I see from the X-Ray report that the Aolani chainplates were not steel, but composite as I thought they were.
These composite plates are immune to corrosion, unlike metal ones.
I assume the builder used my layup schedule as I have sent earlier. I see no reason to doubt that.
They are easy for the builders to build in a huge safety factor.
Instead of being fastened onto a hull, these synergistically combine to both strengthen the hull and the chainplate.
Unlike the metal plates, these have some resiliency so make all the parts longer lived.
Any delta in the parts from the loads would show up immediately and early by cracks in the paint. Unlike metal plates which usually are not painted.
Attached find a picture of one of my other catamaran designs with composite chainplates. Note that he lifts his entire vessel with only the three chainplate locations.
Quemarla Has a New Home,
Back to it’s first home after a lap around the world.
Nice note from the new owner, Paul.
“Paul Willison
January 6 at 4:46 PM
When Kurt Hughes designed this boat he really got it right. Tacking strongly into big Western Australia seas and wind. We are comfy and dry and pointing high biggest problem is trying to slow down. Thanks Kurt”
Mystery Cat
I got this picture that said it is one of my cats, for sale.
I can’t really tell what design it is. Maybe a 42 with dog house?
Anyone know?
Dragonfly Rolled (the Seattle one)
The local Seattle formula 40 catamaran Dragonfly capsized during the Cow Bay Regatta. Not my design. It was originally from New Zealand and was originally named Simply the Best. It’s owner Pat is one of the best sailors I know. I hope to find out more soon, but I was told that it rolled over on a reach after stuffing into a kelp bed. It was a heavy air day. If it could happen to Pat, it could happen to anyone. I see the boat is on the hard in Everett, sans mast. Pic is on happier days.
Kamanu at 30?
Is it possible that Kamanu is 30 now? I did the working drawings in ’84 I remember. Am pretty sure it was launched by Schooner Creek Boatworks in ’85. http://kamanu.com
Cylinder molded developed plywood/epoxy. My first USCG certified passenger cat. Am sure Derek will froth if he hears about a 30 year old CM cat still going out every day.
F40 Charter Cat in China Update
Hulls and tubes are done. They plan to build more from the molds. Price is still unclear.
Multihull Sailing Classes
As we know multis sail a bit differently from singles.
I got to come up through the Tim Ryan/Dave Linger/Larry Christensen school of trimaran sailing.
Not everybody can do that. So, a 2 day cruising catamaran class, in socal.
http://westcoastmultihulls.com/