Catana Catamarans

Under construction

The highest level of safety

Safety is a crucial factor where CATANA does not cut any corners. You need a thoroughly seaworthy boat that can sail closehauled in the most challenging seas. Long-distance yachtsmen rarely beat for pleasure but if you have to, a CATANA will make beating into the wind enjoyable. You’ll be able to sail higher, keeping a more direct route, and reach your destination or refuge more quickly. That is also true in the ability to « run » before the worst weather.

In light winds, the helmsman can expect to sail at least 30 per cent faster than any other cruising yacht. In heavy weather, where it might be useful to return to Harbour or leave an undesirable area quickly, the différence in speed can be double. The torpédo shape of the hulls and the centering of weights deaden the pitching movement, thus increasing the speed, comfort and safety.

The daggerboards

Another important safety factor is the shape of the hulls and the possibility of lifting up the daggerboards in heavy weather, which allow the boat to side-slip rather than raising a hull. Thus she can cope with the largest waves and heaviest squalls. Without immersed anti-drift plan, the CATANA can glide smoothly on a steady plane, without the "trip" risk of a fixed keel (Fig.6). In the case of accidental luffing up or course changing, due to helm error or autopilot malfunction, the behaviour of the boat in lateral waves may be determinant.
The deep, straight daggerboards of a CATANA will keep a course far more effectively than a boat with fixed, shal-low keels (Fig.6.1).

When sailing downwind, fixed keels are like having permanent brakes on your boat, due to their friction and drag. (Fig.6.2).

Fixed keels brake the boat in the water; the apparent wind strengthens aloft, driving the bows into the water. Lifting of the daggerboards provides no breaking action (Fig.7), a CATANA will increase her speed without submerging her bows. The apparent wind then moderates aloft, resulting in greater speed, safety and comfort.

Bulbed and tulip-shaped bows to prevent pitching

The bulb section under the waterline is tuliped towards the deck of a CATANA (Fig.8), which greatly improves performance in heavy weather.
The bulb (H) increases the volume of the hull submerged at the bows, reducing pitching and submersion of the hulls. The tulip shape (I) produces a resistance to pitching directly linked to the rapid increase in volume on top of the hull. The very narrow section at the waterline (J), means excellent performance in calm seas.