In response to your request for information about cruising in small catamarans, I enclose the following description of James Wharram's ‘Tiki 21’ design. It is larger than most boats used by DCA members and larger than the size inquired about, but I feel the design is right in the spirit of the Association. There are also smaller versions from the same designer.

Her main statistics are as follows:

LOA 21 feet LWL 18 feet 6 inches Beam 0 A 12 feet Hull beam 3 feet Draught 14 inches Total weight 600 lbs Weight of hull 175 lbs Sail area: Main 130 sq ft Jib 78 sq ft Recommended motor 4 hp long let outboard

There is a cabin in each hull that is long and skinny with enough space to lay a sleeping bag. You can't, however, sit up in the cabin unless the hatch is open. This is important as you don't have a long distance cruiser here. You can't use the living accommodation whilst on the move. The other living area is the plywood bridge deck, covered by a specially designed tent, that gives you another 6' x 7'. If that isn't impressive enough, it also extends the usefulness of the cabins. Like the cabins, the tent can only be used when moored, beached or at anchor, but it does give you realistic overnight accommodation for four people. When you are on the move, then there is a seat designed to fit in the cabin. When the going gets wet (and it does) the seat offers a cosy place to sit with the hatch pulled up to your chest. A word of warning, however; the storage areas under the floors in the afterpart of the cabin magically become wet areas and bin liners are required.

The philosophy of the design is as a trailer-sailer. It is small enough to be towed behind a family saloon on a specially designed trailer to a chosen sailing area. Then assembly is carried out on the beach or slip by a minimum of two people (some people have worked out their own way of doing it single-handed). The major components are lashed together providing a secure fastening that is flexible enough to absorb the stresses encountered in high seas. Then, having cruised your chosen area for a few days, you can pack up and trail home. Most Tiki 21’s are home built as are most Wharram designs. (There is a fibreglass version available). The same technique is used as was used for the Mirror dinghy, but it is brought up to date.

The performance of this design is everything you would expect from a catamaran and more. The stability is lovely and flat. No leaning out here. It does take a bit of getting used to, however, as the feel is different to a mono hull. Now I have learned more about it, I will happily carry lots of sail area, provided the windward hull does not lift out of the water. There have been accounts of capsizes, but they are few and far between and associated with inexperience and lack of due caution. The main sail is a gaff sail, but don't let that mislead you, as it is very modern. The mast runs down a sleeve in the luff of the mainsail, producing a very clean sail shape. The windward ability is relative to the apparent wind as you can point high, like a mono hull, and travel at their speed (3 - 5 knots) or you can point away a bit and go twice as fast! Running is also sedate as you can only go as fast as the wind. Catamarans don't show their true worth until they start reaching. It is quite reasonable to do 15 knots in a good breeze and flattish seas. At such times, water pours over the forward beam. It feels like you are sitting in front of a fire hose. I would stress that this is only optional! You can drop the jib or reef the main and plod along quite comfortably at 5 - 10 knots, but for those that like a bit of adrenalin, it is sparkling.

Straight lines are all very well, but turning is the usual problem area of catamarans. Any degree of helm slows the boat much more than a mono hull. Going about is normally successful if you have a main and jib, be it a bit slow. It is often necessary to back the jib and so when you are not using a jib you may find yourself sailing backwards and reversing the tillers. If there is a bit of a chop, then this will often make things more difficult. A paddle is very handy to have. If going about becomes a problem, gibing ceases to be one. The stable base, low aspect sail plan, and lack of boom makes it a relaxed confident manoeuvre. There aren't even any centreboards to be concerned with.

This design is very versatile. You can sail her close hauled in 18" of water. I bought my boat in Guernsey and sailed her to England. She is designed to survive a gale with heavy seas. Yet she can explore the creeks and rivers, dry out without concern and cover a large cruising area. Wharram Catamarans have lots of character. Plans have been sold all around the world. Their builders and owners are friendly people, proud of their boats and there is an active owners' association. For someone who wants an economical and versatile boat, particularly if you enjoy the creative side of building them, then these designs have much to recommend them. They range from 14' beachsurfers to 63' scientific expedition boats.