What is a beach catamaran? I saw this question while I was reading a sailing post today. I didn’t know what a beach catamaran was! So I looked it up. This is what a beach catamaran is.
A Beach Catamaran, commonly called a “beachcat,” is a light, two-hulled vessel that can be shoved onto the beach when not in use, then pushed back into the ocean when it’s time to sail. Their defining factor is just that – they can be beached on the sand, and re-launched into the surf.
Common Characteristics of Beach Catamarans
Beach cats have a number of characteristics in common. They have two hulls, of course, because they are catamarans. Beach cats are relatively very light for their size. Only one or two people can launch a beach cat.
Beach cats don’t have a solid central floor. Instead, a rigid trampoline material, bridges the open area between the hulls and their supports. They usually have removable rudders. Sailors move the rudders just before beaching to avoid damaging them.
For the same reason, they don’t have keels. As a result, most beach cats have daggerboards. These are essentially removable keels that slide between the hulls. This gives them better stability in wind and faster speed.
People usually transport their beach cats to the water. For this reason, they have fittings that make them easy to assemble and disassemble quickly.
Racing Beach Catamarans
Most people race their beach catamarans, which can be very fast, up to 20 knots. To reach these speeds, the racing experience often becomes physical. This often means sailing with one hull out of the water in high winds.
What is the Best Beach Catamaran for Long-Distance?
While there are many beach catamarans on the water, the Hobie Cat has unquestionably had the best success and is quite popular. The Hobie 16 is the best selling model and is a rather iconic brand among beachcat fans.
The winners of the race from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska, called the Race To Alaska, or R2AK for short. This is a 750-mile voyage, a little bit longer than a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island.
Besides the Hobie 16, there are a few other popular beach cats. Team FreeBurd, sailed the race in an ARC-22 catamaran. The Hobie Getaway, at 17 feet (5.1 meters) in length, has a built-in cooler and storage in both hulls.
Beaching a Catamaran is Not the Same
Beaching a catamaran is the practice of using a beach as an improvised marina. You can do this in two ways. Entirely stranded on the beach without water around the hulls. Partially stranded with only the bows on the beach.
Conclusions
Beach catamarans are fun boats and a very physical experience for both sailor and their boat. People sail their beach cats for the physical experience. These boats have been around for a long time. Because of this, they are very popular with sports and racing enthusiasts. I hope this cleared it up for you. Please leave me feedback if you would like any more info.
Sources:
https://www.boats.com/boats-for-sale/
https://www.catamaranfreedom.com/beach-your-catamaran-for-the-first-time-with-6-safety-tips/