a class catamaran review

Published on April 10th, 2023 | by Editor

A-Class Catamaran having it both ways

Published on April 10th, 2023 by Editor -->

The singlehanded A-Class Catamaran has a strong presence in the USA, which was strong enough to host the 2022 World Championship, and strong enough for the country’s Ravi Parent to win the Open division world title.

Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck checked in with Florida A-Class sailor Axel Issel for an update:

The A-Class Class rules allow for development, which is good for improving the boat but can get expensive as gear becomes obsolete. How does this impact participation?

The A-Class is divided into two sub-classes separated by different sets of measurement rules; the Foilers (Open) and non-foiling (the Classics). In the case of the Classics that have been around 67 years, most development has occurred in the last decade or so with the change from straight dagger boards to C foils and the deck-sweeper mainsail with curved booms.

Older hulls and masts remain competitive but the newer configurations do provide a slight advantage. Today, Classic boats from 10+ years keep winning Nationals and Continental championships and boats with straight booms and daggerboards still are in the top 5 in the Euro circuit.

The Classic fleet keeps growing in most countries due to the speed and simplicity of the boat; very competitive, tactical, fun races, with plenty of accessible boats around the globe. In many parts of the world, the Classics are very popular with larger numbers than Foilers like in the US/Canada, Italy, France, Australia, etc.

Sailors in Classics are competitive at all ages, many well into their 70s so it is a class where you can grow and be at the top for decades with your same boat for many, many years.

The Foilers have seen the most recent development. Here newer boats (2019-20 and newer) make a difference over older ones since they are easier and more stable to foil. Participation in the class is achieved in Classics due to very even and fun races with skippers with 20 years fighting 70s-year-olds. Participation in Foilers comes from younger sailors trying to master the fastest single-handed catamaran in the world.

Most of the top sailors in the world raced A-Cats at some point, even though it is a non-Olympic class. The A-Cat has consistently proven itself in the international scene whereby the World, European, and North American Championships are frequented by some of the most famous sailors in the world.

However, it’s always taken the dedication of a pure A-Class sailor to win the Championships. This demonstrates the high level of performance within the class and it leads to amazing numbers of entries for such events. Today, almost all top professional regattas are raced in foiling boats, like the America’s Cup, the Ocean Race, SailGP, etc, so learning and growing in a foiling A-Cat gives you experience and advantage, attracting young talents to the fleet.

When was the shift to foiling? How did the class endure that transition? Were there kits? Foilers started around 2015, but in 2018 the class decided to create two sets of rules to keep the non-foiling boats competitive, and two sub-classes were born. I believe this was a wise decision, to make the class appealing to a wider population.

Today you can be competitive in your 20s and into your 70s, with a newer Foiler or with an older Classic. Regattas are usually scored in two fleets, and some, like the North American Championship regatta, have the two fleets + the “Overall NA Champion” who is the best skipper among the two classes.

The transition was progressive, initially some folks modified the trunks on the hull to insert the newer foiling blades. Today, to be competitive in Foilers, you need a newer foiling specific boat. Manufacturers build two models: the Foiler and the Classic. The Classic is lighter, simpler and less expensive. The Foiler has a lower hull profile; is heavier due to extra carbon needed to support extreme foiling forces, and needs better physical input.

Has the foiling equipment stabilized or is it still evolving? For the last three years (late 2019-2020), there have been no new developments. The latest one was the rudder differential. Some have been working on differential for center foils with no success. Also, cambered sails with specific masts have been designed, but nothing new has come out. Until measurement rules for Foilers are changed, it will be difficult to see any new significant design improvement.

How is the used boat inventory in North America? Today, there are around 20 used boats for sale. Some used boats for sale are almost new, like a 2022 Foiler and newer Classics. You can buy an old Classic for less than $5K and be competitive in the Classic fleet. Used boats and parts can be found in https://usaca.info/ and in https://www.facebook.com/groups/922063451790001/ .

Who are the suppliers for North America? Are there any in the continent? Boats and masts builders are in Europe. Today, the largest manufacturer of boats is eXploder from Poland (with accessible labor), which provides new Classics and Foilers. Fastboatstuff.com is their representative in the US, and they carry new boats and parts for almost all new and older model boats. North America is getting shipments from Europe usually two times per year with new boats and parts. I have been in the class three years and I always find the parts needed quickly. Top competitive sails are built here in the USA by Glaser, Sail Technologies, etc.

Why do Foilers and Classics race together? Because it is way more fun, and way more competitive. The fleet is well mixed during races. In addition, it is a good way of keeping the fleet growing, making an easy and fun entry point to the class with more options. For example, I started in Classics two years ago and after the Worlds in Houston last year, I sold my Classic and I switched to the Open class.

Usually, the top Foilers will have an advantage but most part of the fleet is mixed. In lighter winds like sub 10 knots, the boats are even and in lighter non-foiling conditions, Classics are faster. Top light sailors can start foiling downwind around 8 knots but most of the foiling fleet foils closer with 10 knots of wind 100% air time, and upwind foiling is mastered only by the ultra-top sailors, and usually they need 12-13 knots of wind to make real gains over the top Classics going upwind.

For us, the newer foiling sailors, learning to foil (like me!), will always have Classics around showing how much ground is lost while we are trying to fly……and once on air, if we do not do the correct angle, Classics will pass you by. .Racing with 50 boats on the line, is always more fun than 20-30 boats, and chances are you always will have someone next to you on every mark.

What is the ideal sailor weight for the A-Cat? I believe 170-195 pounds is the ideal range, NED 007 Mischa Heemskerk won the world championship several times and he is 225+ lbs; the latest World Champion USA 76 Ravi Parent (2022 Rolex Yachtsman of the year) weighs around 165lbs . Who knows….!

Where are the hubs of class activity in North America? Florida concentrates 30% of the fleet, with Key Largo, and the Sarasota/Tampa Bay area being the most popular spots, followed by Fort Walton and Melbourne, FL. Lake Lanier in Georgia has one of the largest fleets, Annapolis/West River area is popular as well.

Lake Carlyle in Illinois, where we raced the 2021 North Americans, have several active boats. Also, there are 10 boats in Alamitos Bay in California, and there is a large fleet in Ontario Canada where we raced the 2022 North American Championship.

I heard a new fleet will grow soon in Mexico City as well. This year we are all looking forward to race in October the ‘Alter Cup’ in Pensacola, Florida, only for Classic boats, where skippers from other multihull fleets join the A-Catters to determine the best multihull skipper!

Tags: A-Class Catamaran , Axel Issel , Craig Leweck

Related Posts

Will DN iceboat rig be fast in the water? →

Living in the Scuttlebutt World →

America’s Cup: Buckle up, here we go →

Record setting World Championship →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

A Class Catamaran World Championships at Toulon Yacht Club - Preview

Related Articles

Browse by Category

• Coach of the Year
• High School Sailing Team of the Year
• Optimist Sailor of the Year
• Sailing Fitness
• Regatta News/Results
• Boat Speed/Tuning/Sailtrim Articles
• General Sailing News
• Coaches Locker Room
• From the Experts
• Profiles in Pro Sailing
• Featured Jobs
• Marketplace Ads
• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Sail1Design

First Name*

Email Address*

One-Design Class Profile: A-Cat

November 18, 2014 by Sail1Design Editor 1 Comment

Reader Interactions

[…] See our full class profile here […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy .

One Design Classes

Browse the airwaves.

• Sailing News Articles
• High School & College News Articles
• One-Design Class Profiles
• Tactics & Strategy
• Sailing & Education
• ICSA Rankings
• Sailing/Yacht Club Profiles
• Youth Sailor of the Year
• Sail1Design Annual Awards

Helpful Links

• Join the S1D Team
• Accessibility Help
• Privacy Policy
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

• Regatta Series

Inside the Class: A Cats

• By Dave Reed
• Updated: February 19, 2017

If you want to geek out on high-tech singlehanded catamarans this week, the place to be is St. Petersburg, Florida’s tiny Spa Beach where nearly 40 A Class catamarans and their tweaking-obsessed owners have encamped for the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta this weekend. Scattered across the grass park next to the beach are generations of these sexy high-performance catamarans, each of them on display like antique car show. Want to know more about any one of them? Just go ahead and ask. The cool cats love to talk cat sailing.

The divide among the newer “foilers” and “floaters” as the traditional A cats are now called, is almost equal here at the NOOD Regatta. Drawn to these singlehanders are like minded sailors that simply like to sail fast and challenge themselves with a platform that will reward no matter the condition require skill across all conditions.

This includes guys like Matthew Keenan, of Highlands, N.J., who joined the ranks of the foilers last year. While most A-cat sailors here likely cut their teeth as floaters, Keenan, who is winning the class after two days of racing, went straight to a foiler. “I did a lot of sailing in my earlier years (in the early 2000s) and then I kind of stopped,” says Keenan, a tugboat captain. “I went to school and did a lot of kiteboarding and then I saw that foiling developed and thought I need to get a piece of that.”

He picked up a second-hand foiling boat (new foilers can retail for $25,000 and up), and has been a quick study in the art of flight, which requires exhausting physical and mental stamina, especially when winds are light to marginal. When it’s windier, the foilers fly easier, but staying on the boat through high-speed maneuvers remains a constant battle. Capsizing, they’ll tell you is slow. Real slow.

Still, one of the most difficult aspects of racing in the mixed class can be going up against the classics, says Keenan. “Upwind everybody’s pretty much the same speed,” he says. “If the foilers can stay airborne and get going downwind they’re much faster and we can sail relatively the same angle downwind so we pull away pretty quickly. So upwind there about the same but downwind with foiling conditions we can pull away.”

When it’s marginal and choppy, however, it’s hard to get up the course against the floaters. They may be slower, he says, but “they have the best VMG over the course whereas we’re just reaching back and forth just trying to work the boat up on the foils. You can end up sailing in the totally wrong direction for a half mile before you realize it’s not going to pay.”

This absentmindedness and tendency to find oneself well overstood is due to the inadvertent mind control that takes over once aloft. It’s a mental condition described to me by one A Cat devotee this morning: “It’s just so damn fun, I find myself not caring at all about where I finish.”

• More: Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series , Racing
• More Regatta Series

Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series Dates Announced

Townie Showdown in the Harbor

Haves and Have Nots On Marblehead Regatta’s Second Day

Regatta Series In Marblehead Starts With a Twist

Barcelona Breeze Increase Spikes Intensity

Luna Rossa Dominant on Busy Day in Barcelona

One and Done on Drifter Day of Cup Challenger Series

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Our History     The Hartley TS16     The A-Class Cat      Our Team    Gallery    Developments    Links and Documents    News

This article is in draft. If you have any additions or corrections then please email [email protected] .

The A-Class Catamaran (A-CAT)

The A Class Catamaran is the fastest single handed small catamaran in the world. It is highly responsive lightweight and the powerful rig means that even the heaviest sailors are on the trapeze upwind in 6 knots of breeze and flying a hull downwind. Top sailors can even trapeze downwind, making the boat even faster and more exciting. The boat is very easy for an experienced sailor to sail, but very difficult to sail really fast.

The class was founded during the late 1950s and was part of the 4-tier IYRU (now World Sailing) approach to divide up the sports catamaran sailing scene into 4 separate groups. These A, B, C and D classes were governed by a very small set of class rules to which each design had to comply. All boats designed and built to these specs would be grouped into one fleet and race each other for crossing the finish line first. The A-Class is the largest class and the smallest craft, but maintains its status as the ultimate sailing catamaran single handed design.

The International Yacht Racing Union formulated rules for the International Catamaran Divisions in 1962 with approved amendments in 1963 and 1964. The purpose of these rules was to encourage racing and development within four divisions. It was hoped that International status would be granted to one or more classes within each division.

The A-Class design has over time converged to a single sail rig using a lightweight carbon mast of about 9 meters length. The hulls and beams are often made out of carbon fibre as well, although homebuilt wood or composite materials are still seen on the race circuits. This single sail rig allows these boats to truly excel when sailing upwind. 

In the decades since their foundation, the A-Class has gathered a significant international following and it has class organisations in many countries around the globe. Their world championships often attracts around 100 boats and sailors. 

In 2017 with the advent of practical foiling designs, the IACA divided the class into an Open (Foiling) division, and a non foiling Classic division for boats with straight or C shaped foils, and with different class rules to prevent foiling. The two have slightly different SCHRS handicaps, the Open being 0.978, the Classic being 1.008. 

A-Cats in Australia

The first A division catamaran registered in Australia was designed and built by John Smallman of Victoria in 1966. The first A cats built in Sydney were Graham Johnston’s A-Cat 1 and Harold Stevenson’s Camira. Johnston’s A-Cat went on to become the Australis, winning every race in a selection trial at Blairgowrie in March 1967. This selection trial was for an Australian representative to the I.Y.R.U. trials in England in July 1967 to select catamarans to International status within the 4 divisions. Graham Johnston then took his boat to England and won International status. The Australis Association was formed shortly afterwards.

From there the Australis progressed slowly, was altered slightly and due to decreasing numbers lost it’s International status at the I.Y.R.U. meeting, 5th Nov. 1973. In the meantime the open A class division continued beside the Australis with many different designs being sailed in Australia. Some of these included the Unicorn, Quest A, Buccaneer, Harmony and Rhapsody designs. Of these the most popular was the Unicorn design. In the next few years the Stevenson designed Rhapsody gained greater popularity. Since then we have seen the development of the Hooper designed Colonial designs and the modified Rhapsody designs from Greg Goodall.

All modern designs have been improvements on earlier models.

The greatest breakthrough in design has certainly been in rig development. In the early days rigs were supported by very bendy pear section masts of 27 to 28 foot in length. Since the 1981 Botany Bay World’s where the Australian designed and manufactured Wing Mast came to the fore, sail development has centred on a rig size of 30 to 32 feet. Whilst the Austwing remained popular in the early 1980’s, the Italian Sori mast, and more recently the Goodall copy, with more stiffness has dominated the higher placings in recent championships. The Sydney built Spunspar mast of similar dimensions but not as stiff has also proved popular with the lighter weight sailors in recent years.

In 1987/88 Barry Marmion introduced the flat top rig on an untapered Goodall mast. This sail had a cut away leech for greater heavy weather performance and also swept the deck to create an end plate effect. Whilst the flat head has remained popular, the deck sweeper was abandoned shortly afterwards. Various sailmakers have developed these sails further with larger head boards. Some have continued the cut away leech concept, but recently this seems to have lost favour.

No one single design of A cat has proved dominant, thus supporting the principle of open design and development within a class. In Australia today half a dozen different designs are actively campaigned in all Eastern States. Although the trend now-a-days is to Carbon and Kevlar/Glass foam sandwich construction, plywood boats are still to be found actively campaigned.

Carbon masts started to enter the Australian market in the 1993/94 season, with construction by Jim Boyer. This production was stopped in favour of importing European masts. At the 1996/97 Nationals half the fleet used carbon masts, with several being of home made construction. Carbon masts are being now being produced in commercial quantities in Europe, America and Australia.

Since 1980 the A class’s performance has improved to the point of dropping 6.5 points on the VYC yardstick ratings.

A-Cats at Saratoga Sailing Club

Saratoga Sailing Club has a small but proud catamaran fleet, racing regularly with us on Sundays. We welcome all abilities but are of course particularly proud of  Scott Anderson and Darren Bundock achieving global recognition in the A-Class Catamaran World Championships in Toulon, France in September 2023. Scott took first place in the classic division and Darren took 3rd in the Open (foiling) division. 

Scott Anderson

Scott   Anderson has an incredible track record or success over the last 12 months:    

• Sep 2023 A Class World Championship – Toulon, France – Classic – 1st
• Aug  2023 A Class Austrian Championships- Wallersee , Austria – combined Open & Classic – 1 st
• May 2023 A Class German Championships- Malcesine , Italy – Classic – 1 st
• Sep  2022 A Class European Championships- Lake Garda , Italy – Classic – 1 st

Scott started sailing on Sydney harbour at seven years old in Manly Juniors, which he describes as a terrific boat. With a main, jib, kite, and crew he says you have all you need to explore the sea and learn.

Over course of his sailing history he has won multiple national, European and world championships and was an Olympic medallist in 1984; Australian Yachtsman of the year; and past winner of ‘Little Americas Cup’ in C Class catamarans.

• He is the only sailor ever to win all three multihull ‘majors’ – World champion in A Class, B Class, and C Class.
• He is the current European and World Champion in A Class

What is important to him? Family, friends and good books.

What does he do for training?  Sailing, swimming, mountain hiking, and beer.

Saratoga Sailing Club's Scott Anderson winning the 2023 A-Class Catamaran Classic Division World Championships in Toulon, France in September 2023. 

Further reading/resources

This article has been compiled from our own knowledge, a little hearsay, and a number of fascinating online sources that provide more information and further references:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_A-class_catamaran
• https://www.a-cat.com.au/home-page/iaca-history/

Pictures and content are reproduced and cited from sources in good faith. If you have any objections to a citation, want us to correct something or add more details then please let us know .

F1x A-class foiling catamaran

World champion, lighter = better, craftsmanship, meet the foiling f1x a-class catamaran.

This is the ultimate singlehanded foiling catamaran of the moment: ultramodern, incredibly fast, very agile, extremely strong and feather-light, in an aerodynamic and ergonomic design. The perfect total package, packed in 1 foiling catamaran. This is the world’s coolest boat for singlehanded races and the winner of several A-cat world championships and many other sailing races.

The 2020-F1x A-cat is exactly the same foiling catamaran that made Mischa Heemskerk Vice-World Champion at the Herveybay Worlds 2018 in Australia and World Champion at Weymouth 2019. All our foiling F1x A-class catamarans come straight, ready to race and ‘Mischa-tuned’ from our factory.

Unique design enables top performances

The F1x A-class foiling catamaran is the ultimate reflection of our current design language. The aerodynamic design accentuates the performance qualities of this super fast foiling racing boat. The sophisticated deck plan provides clear control and minimal air resistance.

Foils The rudders and daggerboard foils used on the F1x A-class foiling catamarans are produced with the highest quality carbon pre-preg fibers. The foils are cured in our own Autoclave . Our winning foil design was created in close cooperation with Glenn Ashby and the designers of AC Team New Zealand .

Construction The F1x A-cat is manufactured entirely according to the carbon pre-preg/ Nomex production method, and cured in our Autoclave. This technology is the same as used in the aerospace industry and within other foiling boats like for example, the America’s Cup.

Design The design of the F1x foiling A-class catamaran was completely conceived by the DNA design team and made at DNA’s own yard. In the DNA design team Pieterjan Dwarshuis, Mischa Heemskerk and the renowned Dutch industrial design engineer Rudo Enserink worked closely together to create the perfect foiling A-class catamaran.

We build your new foiling boat!

Technical details.

The F1x A-class foiling catamaran has a number of unique features that improve performance. For example:

• Semi ridged trampoline. Gives extra torsional stiffness to the boat and increases its aerodynamic characteristics.
• Patented main-sheet-wheel-system. For more direct and faster trim of the main sail.
• Aerodynamically placed traveller car.
• Flexible daggerboard casings. For minimal water absorption in floating mode.
• Aerodynamically shaped ‘beams’.
• Adjustable T-rudders. Foiling with rudder differential is possible.

Specifications

LOA: 5.49 m BOA: 2.30 m Max. draught: 1.20 m Sail area: 13.94 m Total weight: ca. 53 kg Top speed: 31 kn Extra: All measurements according to IACA Class regulations.

Buy a champion's boat!

Are you excited to buy a F1x A-class foiling catamaran from DNA Performance Sailing? Please fill in our contact form:

Yes, I want a F1x A-cat!

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief en blijf op de hoogte van de nieuwste ontwikkelingen.

Contactformulier

• Company Name
• Full name * First Last
• Emailaddress *
• Phonenumber *
• Mijn vraag betreft * My question: TF10 F1x G4 F4 Custom Parts Hydrofoils Other
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Registrieren Sie sich für unseren Newsletter

lassen Sie sich über die neuesten Entwicklungen informieren!

• E-Mail-Adresse *

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief

blijf op de hoogte van de nieuwste ontwikkelingen!

• First name *
• Last name *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Wij gebruiken cookies om u de beste online ervaring te bieden. Door akkoord te gaan, accepteert u het gebruik van cookies in overeenstemming met ons cookiebeleid.

Wanneer u een website bezoekt, kan deze informatie in uw browser opslaan of ophalen, meestal in de vorm van cookies. Beheer hier uw persoonlijke cookiediensten.

• wordpress_test_cookie
• wordpress_logged_in_
• wordpress_sec

[email protected]

Social Media

Blog Updates

© 2024 US A-Class Association, All rights reserved.

Secondary address

Related members, related boats.

Event Details

Build , Life

A Class catamaran – rigging

By telleropnul, February 14, 2021

An A class catamaran has:

Mast rotation

There is a 30cm long horizontal stainless steel ‘arm’ on the bottom of the mast that has a rope connected underneath the trampoline cleated on top of each hull.  The idea is to restrict the mast from over rotating when sailing upwind.

When sailing downwind you leave the rope that restricts mast rotation uncleated as you want the mast over rotated to create more belly in the sail:

Harken outhaul system: https://www.harken.com.au/content.aspx?id=3910

Harken outhaul.pdf

My 38mm diameter boom needed a mounting plate for a small block.  I decided to design and 3D print one:

There is a small block inside the boom for a 2:1 ratio on the outhaul.

No changes were needed.  A single continuous rope comes out of each side of the mast and is secured using a pivot cam cleat on either side.  The downhaul connects to the bottom of the sail through a small block and then hooks onto the bottom of the mast for a 2:1 ratio force lever.

We are using the Harken – A Class – 2015 Cascade mainsheet system.  Compared to a traditional 6:1 ratio mainsheet system with two 3 pulley blocks the cascade mainsheet system has a 3:1 ratio horizontal mainsheet section coupled with a 3:1 ratio vertical mainsheet section at the end of the boom.

Traditional 6:1 ratio mainsheet

Tip: it is always a good idea to purchase blocks with a becket (anchor point), even if not directly needed.

Harken – A Class – 2015 Cascade mainsheet system.

This is the 2152 at the end of the boom.  It contains the shackle connecting the outhaul to the clew of the sail.  The boom moves freely in between the dyneema rope:

This is the second 2152 that bolts onto the metal hoop bracket of the traveller:

This is the 2149 closest to the two 2152 blocks.  It connects to the same outhaul shackle as mentioned previously.  Again, the boom slides freely in between the dyneema rope:

This is the mainsheet itself including the 2149 that slides along the middle of the boom.  The 6mm diameter 2.6 meters dyneema ending in a small eye feeds through the blocks mentioned earlier.  The 8mm diameter 10 meters of blue/white rope goes forward to the mast.  The roller of the 2149 block should face forward towards the mast:

Note: buy 3 meters of 6mm dyneema to allow for eye splicing.

This is the HSB411 at the gooseneck of the mast.  One rope around the mast, one rope around the boom (and a short bit of rope to pull it down – not shown):

The blue/white rope feeds through the HSB411, goes back to where it came from, feeds through again and then goes to the trampoline.

And finally the 2149 located on the trampoline.  Note the metal ring that needs to go onto the mainsheet before it connects to the block to make sure the rope stays on the HSB411 properly when the mast rotates. I have tied the metal ring to the shackle for now so I don’t forget.  The metal ring is tied to the boom with a short bit of rope near the outhaul cleat.

UPDATE: I have since replaced this 2149 block with a ratcheting block (Ronstan Orbit ratchet block).  Also, the ring has been replaced with a small block.

UPDATE: I am getting better at sailing my A class catamaran and a 6:1 ratio mainsheet cuts into my hand a lot.  The ratio is not really a problem, but I would really like to be able to cleat / uncleat the mainsheet when sailing upwind.  So I upgraded to a single Harken 40mm Carbo Block with Cam Cleat & Becket HK2646:

I use the surplus tail from the downhaul rope to keep the double block pulled down.

The mainsheet feeds into the traveller and is tied around the center of the rear beam in between two stainless steel ‘Tonneau Cover’  buttons for a continuous loop.

Carrick knot

These Harken blocks do not use metal pivots / shackles but instead have rope spliced directly onto the block or use short bits of tie-off rope instead.  I use two loops of 3mm diameter polyester rope (black/blue) for this purpose (comes on a 20m mini spool).  The knot I use to tie the ends together is a Carrick knot.

Splicing dyneema

This is how a basic Brummel eye splice is constructed:

This is the easy part; feeding / hiding the tail inside the core is the difficult part.

Brand new Dyneema rope is coated in wax which makes it stiff and smooth,  This helps with splicing.  Instead of “splicing fids” and a “D splicer tool” I simply use a ballpoint pen.  Just keep the clear plastic outside and cut it in half.

I use some heatshrink tape to connect the rope to the end of the ballpoint pen and after some practise I was able to perform proper Brummel eye splices using this instruction video:

If I have to feed the eye loop through the rope I use a cable-tie tied to the eye loop to make life easier.  If the other end of the rope is open still, you can perform a Brummel splice without having to feed the eye loop through the rope.  This also allows you to braid the rope directly onto a block.

Feeding the tail through the core of the rope is a bit difficult if you have not done this before.  Using new waxed rope is best for a first attempt.  A ballpoint pen cut in half, some heatshrink tubing and bunching up the outer rope is all it takes.  Try to get a clean pass through the outer rope without catching any loose fine fibers of rope.  It is best to push rather than pull when feeding the tail through the core.

The popular Hobie16 trapeze setup:

Stainless steel cable from the mast to a handle and pulley.  A rope is connected to a dogbone on one end.  On the other side of the pulley we find an adjustable nylon rope lock as stopper to adjust the height of the trapeze. The tail of the rope is then semi permanently attached to a shock cord using two sister clips.

The shock cord is often zig-zagged underneath the trampoline.

The adjustable Nacra trapeze setup:

Sleeved dogbone.  Nacra trapeze block.  Cam cleat.  Barrel bead end stopper.  The small black clip on the rope is to ensure the cam cleat stays vertical when you pull the cord:  The tail of the red rope would normally be connected to the shock cord running underneath the trampoline.

On my A class I want something that is simple, reliable and (on beforehand) adjustable.

Let’s have a look at the nylon rope lock:

This can be adjusted on shore and even on the water when sailing, just not on-the-fly, which is fine.

I would however use a different knot:

If I wanted I could even use a Ronstan barrel bead and a stopper knot (not adjustable):

There is a stopper knot that you are supposed to use with barrel beads called the barrel knot:

I have ordered 10 meters of 3MM Dyneema (blue).  SK75 can hold 200kg+ and SK 78 even more.  I could replace the stainless wire going up the mast with dyneema, but what I have currently suits me just fine.

I will tie one end to a Ronstan sister clip using an Anchor not.  The other end is tied to the dogbone.  Do not use a Bowline or Half hitches.  Use an Anchor knot for this.  There is no need to splice here but you can if you want.  3mm Dyneema has a small diameter – I was hesitant to but in an eye splice.

• Lyrics, texts, etc.
• Professional Development

Did you know...

Her hair felt as if she’d bought it at a fairground, on a stick.

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• All Topics Sailing
• Skills & Seamanship
• Seamanship & Navigation
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

A Look at the A-Class Cat

• Add to quote

• ?            
• 176.3K members

Top Contributors this Month

A-Class Catamaran World Championships 2024

Punta Ala, Italy September 7th-14th 2024

Warm Up Event! ITA National Regatta - 31st - 1st Sept

Open Championships for both 

Classic and Open Disciplines

Live Tracking HERE! kindly sponsored by Challenger Sails

Our sponsors - , without these guys, this event would not be possible, please check them out..

PuntAla Camp & Resort 

WIP Water Protection

Challenger Sails

Ciu Ciu Wines

Tuesday race report

If Monday was the sailor’s day of nightmares, then Tuesday was their day of dreams

• Read more about Tuesday race report

Opening day of the A-Class Cat Worlds

The morning after the night before had dawned at the PuntAla venue on the delightful Tuscan coast.  The region had been due to get a little spot of weather the previous evening.  And by little spot, I mean a massive slow-moving thunderstorm accompanied by biblical rain levels that found every crack and gap in restaurant roofs and came under doors.  But no lasting damage and the resort awoke to a few puddles, but as the place is built upon sand, the water had largely dissipated.

• Read more about Opening day of the A-Class Cat Worlds

2024 Worlds Opened.

The largest ever A-Cat Worlds opened today in PuntAla Camping & Resort, Italy.  Nearly 185 sailors are entered in the twin classes with the first races scheduled for Monday 9th Sept. on two course areas.  However, due to an extreme weather warning, the race committee decided not to hold the practice race on the Sunday, so the sailors go an afternoon off for exploring the local area, or just sitting in the ridiculously high humidity of the resort, waiting for the inevitable thunderstorm to arrive, which it has now done.

Photo- guppypix.com 

• Read more about 2024 Worlds Opened.

Older news, click here

Upcoming Major Events

• THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
• Email Newsletter
• Yacht Walkthroughs
• Destinations
• Electronics
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Discover the Top Power Catamarans for 2024

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: September 10, 2024

Power catamarans have seen a surge in popularity, growing both in size and appeal. These cruise-focused yachts offer homelike comfort, fuel efficiency and user-friendly operation, making them a favorite among avid travelers. Their popularity extends to the bareboat charter market for the same reasons.

In this article, we explore the world’s top power catamarans, ranging from a 36-footer ideal for a cruising couple to a 78-footer perfect for entertaining friends and family. The propulsion options are diverse, including outboards, diesel inboards, hybrids, and even all-solar setups.

Top Luxury Power Catamarans

The following power catamarans are all vessels we’ve reviewed. They are listed in no particular order.

• Fountaine Pajot MY44 : A family-oriented cat suitable for long-range cruising and aimed at owner-operators. 
• Silent Yachts 60 : This is a catamaran that can cruise comfortably for long distances using emissions-free solar-electric propulsion.
• Horizon PC74 : With interior and deck space like a much larger vessel, the PC74 is perfect for cruising the Bahamas and Caribbean.
• Aquila 36 : This beefy 36-footer is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran.
• Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat : A spacious design, this vessel fits the volume of a 130-foot-long monohull into just 78 feet of length overall. 
• Horizon PC68 : This cat has a stable ride, long range, volume to spare and intriguing layout options.
• Two Oceans 555 : An elegantly simple yet luxurious 55-foot custom with the space and amenities of a much larger vessel.
• Lagoon 630 : From its open salon to its spacious decks, the Lagoon is a comfortable and luxurious platform.
• Fountaine Pajot MY5 : A midsize cruiser with serious big-boat space for family and friends. 
• Prestige Yachts M8 : The voluminous 65-footer lets owners customize onboard spaces.
• Aquila 47 Molokai : Calling all anglers: This cat has 60-plus-knot speed and is set up for serious bluewater adventure.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The  Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Quick Specifications

Silent Yachts 60

Solar panels, ocean-crossing range and self-sufficiency define the electric Silent-Yachts 60 power catamaran. If there was any question that the “Tesla moment” has arrived in yachting, the Silent 60 clearly provides a positive response. Consider, for a moment, crossing oceans in silence at 5 to 6 knots without consuming a drop of fuel and never needing to plan your course between fuel stops. Imagine sitting at anchor and running the air conditioning all night, not to mention all the galley appliances plus the washer-dryer, without the hum or fumes from a genset.

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the  Horizon PC74  is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

The Aquila 36  is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the  Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat  is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Horizon PC68

Multihull yachts ride differently than monohulls, often counteracting the sea’s motion for a smoother, more stable ride. On the Horizon PC68 , sharp hull entries make head seas seem gentle, and a Humphree stabilization system with blades reduces roll. Horizon uses SCRIMP construction for resin saturation that maximizes strength with an 111,112-pound displacement. And with a 5-foot-4-inch draft, the PC68 invites island cruising.

Two Oceans 555

With 27-knot speed, house-like volume, an on-deck master and top-tier tech, the Two Oceans 555 is a formidable power catamaran. Dave Jirikovic of HMY Yachts was on a quest. The sales broker was looking for the meanest, nastiest patch of Gulf Stream he could find to show a potential client what the Two Oceans 555 power cat could handle. And just as he had intended to show us, the broad-shouldered power cat didn’t even notice. He even dropped the single-lever throttles back to idle and left the 25-foot-wide Two Oceans 555 beam-on to another set of square-edged seas. The 55-footer brushed that off too. Jirikovic tried quartering into the seas—never a happy angle for catamarans—and the yacht drowsed through them.

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the  Lagoon 630 MY  burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Fountaine Pajot MY5

The flybridge deck on the Fountaine Pajot MY5 is a standout feature, offering virtually unobstructed 360-degree ocean views and an elevated beach club vibe. Aft of the off-center starboard helm is a spacious area perfect for entertaining, complete with a wet bar, refrigeration center, and ample seating. It’s the most popular space aboard according to the builder. And if the weather turns for the worse, a second helm station in the saloon allows the skipper to pilot the MY5 in climate-controlled comfort.

Prestige Yachts M8

How fitting it was that Prestige Yachts introduced its new M-Line flagship, the M8 , at Portopiccolo, a picturesque yachting village outside Trieste, Italy. Formerly a quarry, the cliff-side area had been chiseled into a clean site rife with eye-catching vistas, much like the French builder’s 65-foot power catamaran and its nearly 3,000 square feet of usable real estate.

Aquila 47 Molokai

With every boat, there’s an origin story. In the case of the Aquila 47 Molokai power catamaran, it starts with MarineMax, which saw people renting boats for bareboat charters. MarineMax Vacations was born. After experimenting with several production yachts, the company decided to build its own: the Aquila line, designed for charter as well as for sale to owner-operators.

• More: Aquila Boats , Fountaine Pajot , Horizon Power Catamarans , Lagoon , Lagoon Catamarans , Power Catamarans , Prestige Yachts , Silent-Yachts , Two Oceans , Yachts
• More Yachts

Coming Next Year: Tiara Yachts 56 LS

Top Nine Fishing Tenders For 2024

First Look: Meet the Apreamare 88 Motoryacht Flagship

Holterman Shipyard Debuts Xtreme X-65

Have it Today: 1997 Hatteras 116 For Sale

Cruising into Adventure: Discover Nantucket

Unique Design: 2021 Downeast 54-foot Custom For Sale

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Pro Football Hall of Fame | Browns well represented among Senior nominees for 2025 class

CANTON  — Assorted former Cleveland Browns stars are among the nearly 200 players who have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 in the Seniors category. To be considered in this group, each former player last could have appeared in a professional football game in the 1999 season.

The 183 nominees feature 100 offensive players, 77 defensive players and six special teamers.

Included among those 183 are three guys who played their entire NFL careers with the Browns —  Gary Collins , Dick Schafrath and Thom Darden. Two others played nearly all of their career in Cleveland — Michael Dean Perry and Clay Matthews Jr. Also among the nominees are Earnest Byner, Lyle Alzado, Al “Bubba” Baker and Bill Glass, who made significant contributions playing for the Browns.

The nominees also feature six Super Bowl MVPs — Jake Scott (1972 season's Super Bowl), Harvey Martin (1977, shared with Hall of Famer Randy White), Jim Plunkett (1980), Phil Simms (1986), Doug Williams (1987) and Ottis Anderson (1990).

The Seniors Screening Committee, a new entity created this year to add additional input around the overall selection process, will reduce the list to 50 players (plus ties, if any for the 50th spot) over the next several weeks.

Once the Seniors Screening Committee has completed its work, the separate Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will make additional reductions in several increments. In late fall, the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will select three Seniors as Finalists for possible election with the Class of 2025.

SENIOR PLAYER NOMINEES FOR THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025

(Players must have last played at least 25 full seasons ago to be eligible for nomination in this category. Qualifications include five years of service and at least one recognized postseason honor.)

• QUARTERBACKS  (16): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Boomer Esiason, Roman Gabriel, James “Shack” Harris, Bobby Hebert, Jeff Hostetler, Ron Jaworski, Jack Kemp, Dave Krieg, Daryle Lamonica, Don Meredith, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Joe Theismann, Doug Williams.
• RUNNING BACKS  (25): Alan Ameche, Ottis Anderson, Jon Arnett, Larry Brown, Timmy Brown, Earnest Byner, Roger Craig, John David Crow, Clem Daniels, Hewritt Dixon, Chuck Foreman, Willie Galimore, Pat Harder, Marv Hubbard, Cecil Isbell, Daryl Johnston, Verne Lewellen, Christian Okoye, Bill Osmanski, Glenn Presnell, Mark van Eeghen, Herschel Walker, Byron “Whizzer” White, Sammy Winder, Paul "Tank” Younger.
• WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS  (31): Mark Bavaro, Gino Cappelletti, Raymond Chester, Todd Christensen, Mark Clayton, Gary Collins, Isaac Curtis, Carroll Dale, Lavvie Dilweg, Boyd Dowler, Henry Ellard, Jimmy Giles, Billie Howton, Harold Jackson, Billy "White Shoes” Johnson, Brent Jones, Homer Jones, Ken Kavanaugh, Stanley Morgan, Art Powell, Mike Quick, Bob Scarpitto, Sterling Sharpe, Del Shofner, Pat Studstill, John Taylor, Lionel Taylor, Otis Taylor, Rick Upchurch, Bobby Walston, Billy Wilson.
• OFFENSIVE LINEMEN  (28): Harris Barton, Dick Barwegan, Ed Budde, Randy Cross, Ray Donaldson, Ox Emerson, Bill Fralic, Gale Gillingham, Kevin Glover, Charles "Buckets” Goldenberg, Wayne Hawkins, Jay Hilgenberg, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Don Mosebar, Ralph Neely, Nate Newton, John Niland, Dick Schafrath, Luis Sharpe, Walt Sweeney, Fuzzy Thurston, Jim Tyrer, Ed White, Al Wistert.
• DEFENSIVE LINEMEN  (27): Lyle Alzado, George Andrie, Al “Bubba” Baker, Roger Brown, Ray Childress, Ben Davidson, Mark Gastineau, Bill Glass, L.C. Greenwood, Rosey Grier, Rich Jackson, Ed "Too Tall” Jones, Sean Jones, Tom Keating, Eugene "Big Daddy” Lipscomb, Jim Marshall, Leonard Marshall, Harvey Martin, Leslie O’Neal, Michael Dean Perry, Lou Rymkus, Tom Sestak, Otis Sistrunk, Fred Smerlas, Bubba Smith, Bill Stanfill, Greg Townsend.
• LINEBACKERS  (22): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Bill Bergy, Dan Conners, Mike Curtis, Joe Fortunato, Larry Grantham, Tom Jackson, Vaughn Johnson, Lee Roy Jordan, Seth Joyner, Wilber Marshall, Rod Martin, Clay Matthews Jr., Karl Mecklenberg, Matt Millen, Tommy Nobis, Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, Andy Russell, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, Phil Villapiano.

Pro Football Hall of Fame: Enshrinees Roundtable: 2023 Hall of Famers say ex-Brown Clay Matthews belongs in Canton

• DEFENSIVE BACKS  (28): Dick Anderson, Bobby Boyd, Joey Browner, Deron Cherry, Nolan Cromwell, Thom Darden, Don Doll, Pat Fischer, Dave Grayson, Cornell Green, Merton Hanks, Lester Hayes, Albert Lewis, Terry McDaniel, Tim McDonald, Eddie Meador, Jim Norton, Lemar Parrish, Jimmy Patton, Jake Scott, Dennis Smith, Jack Tatum, Roosevelt Taylor, Mike Wagner, Everson Walls, Dave Whitsell, Fred Williamson, Louis Wright.
• PUNTERS/KICKERS  (4):Jim Bakken, Norm Johnson, Sean Landeta, Nick Lowery.
• SPECIAL TEAMS  (2): Mel Gray, Steve Tasker.

This year’s reduction voting will be processed via an online voting platform developed specifically for the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the firm Ernst & Young, LLC. Ernst & Young has overseen the election process since the Centennial Class of 2020.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 will be enshrined next August.