Beginner's Catamaran Design

[Jacoby josh]

Hello all,

I am new to the idea of sailing and I decided to build a small catamaran of around 16 feet long. I have not found many designs online, and I have drawn up some basic pictures of what I want in a boat. I was thinking of starting off with the plans that I have, and just learning as I go. I don't have too big of a budget, but I still think that I can get out on the water.
I was thinking of having the two pontoons on the catamaran be the full 16 feet, with a deck of 10 feet and a main width of 8 feet. I then thought of a mast height of 24 feet, a boom length of 8 feet, and pontoons in the shape of a 75-75-30 triangle, that then tapered at the front of the boat. I wanted to make my own sail, and I was thinking that nylon would be a good material. All of this information has come from various other forums on the internet with reference to this boat size. Some questions that i have include :

1. Is a nylon sail material a good idea?
2. What should I make the mast out of that is light and strong?
3. Will this thing float?
4. Is this pontoon shape viable?
5. What's the best way to waterproof it?
6. How should the mast be attached to the boat?
7. Should I add a jib to the boat to catch more wind?
   
   
8. Are there any similar designs on the internet that will be better suited for this?

I appreciate any help that I can get, because I think I'm going to need it

 

[JSL]

1. Is a nylon sail material a good idea? no, use dacron
2. What should I make the mast out of that is light and strong? aluminum buy off the shelf
3. Will this thing float? perhaps- who knows! do a weight estimate and a volume of hull estimate, & determine where it will float
4. Is this pontoon shape viable? perhaps... but check it out. See where it will float (see 3) & oyu have enough freeboard
5. What's the best way to waterproof it? use epoxy
6. How should the mast be attached to the boat? on a cross beam... along with stays and shrouds
7. Should I add a jib to the boat to catch more wind? work out your sail area ratio to displacement, wetted surface, etc. and your 'lead' for sail balance.

 

[upchurchmr]

1. Dacron
2. Carbon fiber/ epoxy - you didn't talk about the cost. If you want it cheaper use aluminum - even better, get a mast off an old Hobie 16, lots available for $200. Even cheaper - wood, but it will be heavier.
3. Anything can float. That doesn't mean it will be worth anything.
4. It is almost the worst shape you can make. Go look at some real boats.
5. Waterproof? What are you making it out of? If it is aluminum it is already waterproof.
6. Go look at a Hobie, Nacra, Prindle, Tornado ( not many available) or just Google catamaran sailboat and look at the pictures of small boats.
7. Of course, very few catamarans don't have a jib.
8. See #6.

You are just asking for brutal answers with those questions. Do some research first. Do you know how to sail? I bet not. Get a book.
Also Google catamaran sailboat plans. Don't waste your money on trying to reinvent everything yourself.

Sailing Catamarans - Quattro 16ft twin trapeze beach catamaran http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/46-beach-cats-and-dinghies/7-quattro-16

 

[Waterwitch]

Another designer that might catch your fancy.
Self Build Boats | James Wharram Designs https://www.wharram.com/site/self-build-boats#tiki

 

[Ilan Voyager]

It's not worth to design and build a 16 feet beach catamaran. There plenty used at a fraction of the cost of an amateur building.
Think over this fact. Trying to reinvent and to make something already done ny thousands, rather cheap and ordinary is not worth. It's like spending hours to design and build an ordinary steel bicycle you can find for less than 100 bucks.
Design is an art and technique; without knowledge you cannot get results.
First learn to sail, practise a lot. Acquire knowledge both practical and theoretical.
After that, look for an interesting project, worth of the efforts of the design, the work of building it, and the money spent on.
In this moment you're wasting your time as you won't go anywhere, nor get any valuable result.

 

[kerosene]

I have to reply because of my signature...

But yeah, as unexciting as Ilan's message is, he is right.

 

[messabout]

JJ please do yourself a favor and get together with someone who has a sailboat. Any small sailboat, not just a catamaran. The idea is to sail a little bit and learn a little bit about how the boat works. Only then will you have enough knowledge to know whether you really want to be involved in sailing.

Almost all of us here will encourage you to become a sailor. If you are serious about this you can get plenty of sound advice and help at this forum.

You live in Florida. If you are anywhere near Lakeland, I might volunteer some time in a sailboat with you...... If and only if you are really serious. If you live farther away, do investigate the local scene to find people with sailboats. They often need a crew, and will even welcome a newbie. Bottom line here....get some experience before you start buying or building a sailboat.

 

[upchurchmr]

The best advice you will ever get.

 

[BobBill]

Mr. Upchurch and Messabout +1. The wheel works, no need to reinvent. Gets complicated fast...to say the least. Sail somehow. Find used that fits idea and sail, then spread wings.

 

[PAR]

Josh made one post and then likely did some digging on what's involved, in the questions he's asked and ran smack dab into the wall of reality on the subject, much of which he likely didn't understand, hench his single post. It's only been a few weeks, maybe he'll return.

Lots of good advice has been offered and I'll second the free boat ride if you find yourself near Eustis, FL. The real thing is sailing experiences, so you can develop not only skills, but preferences. In fact, you might find you hate beach cats and would prefer a mono hull, after a little experience.

Lastly, welcome to the forum.

 

[BobBill]

Par +1 also, gentle wisdom...

 

[SamSam]

Hello all,

1. Are there any similar designs on the internet that will be better suited for this?

I appreciate any help that I can get, because I think I'm going to need it

I usually post this site, although the designs are dated and some of the methods are archaic, they all worked as viable boats. In a lot of cases there are much better build methods now.
What it helps with, is getting an idea of what works, how some things were done. In this case, it will show a much better shape for the intended boat as compared to the crude attempts beginners usually come up with. How ever one comes up with that shape is another question, in this case just following the plans would be an ok solution. It also gives an idea on rudders, masts, beams, etc. as compared to reinventing all the different wheels all over again.
I'm guessing stitch and glue would be a much better way of constructing this boat. There might even be S&G plans out there for a similar boat, and maybe I'll look a little, but in the meantime there is this....
SailBoats Hobby Kat http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=SailBoats/Hobby_Kat

 

[BobBill]

Josh, get to some club, do not feel embarrassed and tell them you are newbie to sailing, get a ride on cat or whatever. Above all, take your sweet time to decide later, as we suggested. The members will be glad you are there and glad to have a crew guy to learn with...might be the best way to really learn something is to teach it...

 

[dsigned]

Hello all,

I am new to the idea of sailing and I decided to build a small catamaran of around 16 feet long. I have not found many designs online, and I have drawn up some basic pictures of what I want in a boat. I was thinking of starting off with the plans that I have, and just learning as I go. I don't have too big of a budget, but I still think that I can get out on the water.
I was thinking of having the two pontoons on the catamaran be the full 16 feet, with a deck of 10 feet and a main width of 8 feet. I then thought of a mast height of 24 feet, a boom length of 8 feet, and pontoons in the shape of a 75-75-30 triangle, that then tapered at the front of the boat. I wanted to make my own sail, and I was thinking that nylon would be a good material. All of this information has come from various other forums on the internet with reference to this boat size. Some questions that i have include :

1. Is a nylon sail material a good idea?
2. What should I make the mast out of that is light and strong?
3. Will this thing float?
4. Is this pontoon shape viable?
5. What's the best way to waterproof it?
6. How should the mast be attached to the boat?
7. Should I add a jib to the boat to catch more wind?View attachment 135671 View attachment 135672
8. Are there any similar designs on the internet that will be better suited for this?

I appreciate any help that I can get, because I think I'm going to need it

So, I think maybe this is the wrong place to be asking your questions. I don't mean that as an insult at all. This is just a "do it just so" kind of crowd, and it may be discouraging if you're just getting started. I'd recommend looking at puddle duck racers. They don't take themselves quite as seriously, and are quite possibly the cheapest entry into sailing. Good place to learn and have fun. If sailing winds up being something you like, then you'll get a good sense of the fundamentals of sailing (and racing). If you don't, then you won't be out a lot of coin.

Puddle Duck Racer - Easiest Sailboat to Build and Race http://www.pdracer.com

 

[PAR]

There are many out of the box projects going on here, you should pay attention for a while, before offering grandiose ridiculousness, to someone who obviously needs some butt in boat time.