my favorite part is the ability to jump down in the water and walk the boat to shore. I find so long as I have well made sails and they are rigged right that almost anything that floats can be made to sail. I think your design is excellent given the material and time you spent. you did a great job! thumbs up!
Thanks, Robb. Yes, it's a thrill to transition from one element to the other. Lots of people have said I need to put wheels on it - but my way is much more satisfying : - )
Well done Tim, She's a bright little boat indeed she sails a dream looking forward to the next videos good luck to all have a great day and a better tomorrow
I'm pretty sure the word would be terrifying and not satisfying if I ever left land on something I had built. Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed watching someone else do it safely.
For your forward stays, I'd leave the centerline where it is just to hold the jib, but run additional stays to the prows of the pontoons to actually hold the mast load (spreaders might help keep clear of the jib). Then you can run the jib inside the stays and/or a spinnaker type sail outside the stays for long reach or full running. Also, I think you will get better performance close to the wind if you get booms on the sails. With the way you have it already, you could almost do a straight-out lateen rig with double booms. Without an auxiliary motor, either seem like good options. The boomless cats I've seen won't get within 45° of upwind with any push. If you hybrid it as a lateen rig, you may be able to funnel wind at under 30° and still have enough go-go to work with. For better surface clearance. You could have keels that are half that depth and twice as long; or better yet to separate that weight entirely, use removable slide-down daggerboards slotted on the inner side of each hull. It will still work at an angle like that, especially with a 30-degree bite against the drift. You can then use some of that draft to make your hulls taller overall and get clear of the water surface, plus easier to carry. You could use the extra space in the taller hulls to put some hatches/doors on top and be able to store stuff inside them. Just put in a thin panel drop-in "deck" just above waterline to keep the storage area dry. You could affix it as extra side support, or just let it rest on a lightweight, glued-on dowel rail. You do whatever you like. I just wrote because you asked for ideas. It's a great boat already, so have fun doing what you do. Thanks for sharing your techniques!
To get rid of the nasty looking crease in the sail you need to get the gaff up higher - preferably so the gaff and mast are parallel. It's a common issue with Mirror dinghies. People racing mirrors would do away with the bracket on the gaff and put a slot in the gaff so that the metal bracket and shackle could be eliminated. Great project! Keep them coming.
I don't think a boat on suspenders will ever make GQ magazine, it serves it's purpose here. You wanted a boat light enough for one man to handle, that you could sail. You did that and inspired others to try.
If you increase your sail size you should consider adding a dolphin striker to distribute the load on the crossbar that supports your mast. I like your enthusiasm and adventure.
I enjoyed watching you make this. I'm no sailor, but I thought the back end was a bit too low in the water, but too late now, you made this some time back.
All kinds of tips, but the best tip is to look at existing cat and copy those. Hobiecat has some nice boats that are easy to copy, look at the older fiberglass ones, not the new rotomolded ones. If you're going to use keels, start with a 6 inch flat bottomed strip, then attach sides, to give more buoyancy. There are plenty of plans on line which you could scale up or down when you find the shape you like
Yes, the Hobie cats are really impressive - but easy to copy? I don't think so. Their hull cross-sections are multi-curved, and the bottom of the hulls is often convex - not something roughed out easily with sheets of ply. Or not by me anyway! But I hope to make some improvements along those lines with the next version (whenever I get around to that)
I still find it interesting how your voice and cadence change when your narrating to when your just talking during filming. Great to see a proof of concept.
Well I think it performed amazingly well for a 'rough build'. Credit to you. I reckon the mast shrouds could be a fair bit tighter, and as someone else said, maybe try a boom. Regards Mark in the UK
What a treat! Thanks. And just think what entertainment we could be watching if ... say, 100 of us (86K!) put a 1 $/Euro drop in the Patreon bucket... it would fill right up! Maybe... 200.. ????... the mind reels and the bucket overflows!! and if 30 upped the drop to 3 $/Euro... or 5 ??? 'Many hands make light work'... and many drops fill many buckets ;) Thank, you Tim, Sandra and sundry creatures... : )
We thought we'd try an annual appeal, starting with a really exciting project for Sandra. We're waiting to hear whether we will be granted permission from the planners first, but if all goes well there should be an announcement in a month or so. (And you can be our fundraising manager!)
I like this build! I've built my sailing kit on my inflatable kayak, but this is a whole new level, I love the weight that you can just sling on your shoulders to haul it out. Yes, the mast definitely could use separate rigging to both hulls, ever thought about having a fixed mast and furling the sail? Also, I personally prefer detachable Leeboards if I ever build one as sometimes raise one side on upwind sailing. Also from one of the comments here, a boom works better for the sail, totally agree with that. How's she holding up so far since this video was posted?
I really enjoy seeing a guy build something as he goes. And when it works it's wonderful! Being a sailor and seeing the shape of your hall with the deep v I believe you could get away with half depth of the keels. Just saying. Thanks
On your beam deflection, perhaps a short strut underneath the bottom of the forestay which had a couple of diagonals to the ends of the beam near the pontoon connections would create a triangle of strength to stop that from happening. (This would be constructed under the beam.) . . . I don’t know if I’ve described this very well.
That was great , Sandra & Tim ! Just a little warning about that Mirror mast Tim : It was not really designed to take the load of a catamaran. The mirror dinghy will heel over in stronger winds , instead of breaking the mast.The catamaran has much more stability , so it will put a lot of strain on that mast. In strong winds , you will break that mast again I`m afraid. You need to build a stroinger spar.
I thought the film crew were never supposed to intervene in rescuing flailing creatures in the wilds.....to be fair, there wasn't too much flailing - I'm calling this a successful voyage! Vendee Globe next!!? x
I'm going down a similar road. BUT. I'm thinking a double outrigger canoe. One hull. Bamboo outriggers. Crab claw sail. So simple. Dismantle. Stick on a roof rack. Wouldn't do keels. Too much drag. One rudder or maybe none. Steering paddle? gonna build the hull out of Paulinia. No glass. No resin. Epoxie stitch and glue yes.
Hello Hawk, looks like no reply is forthcoming , so I'll venture to suggest a small Wharram design might suit you? The Hitia 14 spec is shown here www.wharram.com/site/shop/building-plans/tiki-designs/hitia14 ...and some photos are here: www.wharram.com/site/gallery/tiki-designs/hitia14 Plenty of videos, eg: /watch?v=rTIsVFwfJEc We built a Wharram 'Tiki' 20 years ago, it's similar construction to this cat from Way Out West, but much bigger. They sail brilliantly. Plans are not cheap, but are excellent value - fully detailed construction.
howdi. good thing u wore that life jacket. i was allanegleston under another account . when that last ransomeware attack hit a while back, i lost all my accounts and luck had it that this old account was still active . keep up the good work.
Love it! Though you do look a bit low in the water. I am still mulling your comment on the previous video: ". . . as you know - if you can make a model out of card you can build it full size out of plywood". I didn't know that. I come from a long line of what my Dad called "tinkerers" folk who dream things up and find a way of making them. I imagine you do too. Some more stories about your background might be fun to hear.
I'm going to do that. I call it the doomsday pentamaran. A main hull, and two ammas, separated into front and back, with go kart shock absorbers. LOL. Seriously though. Crazy idea but I'm doomed to make it anyhow. Oh well. I figure the suspension won't last long, so it'll just be a prototype. I like the idea of using paper to make a scale model. Hopefully I can build it in sections, then tow them successively to the river and store them at a boat storage facility until I get them all delivered, then assemble and adios amigos.
might i suggest the addition of some small wheels at the back to help with the exit and entrance from the water just something to help cut down on the scuffing of the fiberglass
I glued on some wood strips on the bottom off the keels and skegs, so scuffing along the ground won't do any harm. And wheels only work on smooth surfaces - I hope to go to stony beaches too.
nothing better than use the simplest tool for the job i would just like to say thank you to both of you for making such videos that are the prefect mix of interesting funny and peaceful that is so needed in the world (they are always a education and a moment of calm when watched)
Great stuff, love your vids. I learned to sail a few years ago on Lough Derg, but haven't done any since, it was such a thrill though, being pushed along by just the wind. Have you seen those America's Cup catamarans ? Maybe you could get your mighty craft to hydroplane on foils like they do ??
I enjoyed your project and the sucess you experienced. I wonder if the same project could be done with styrofoam, fiberglass and epoxy much the way modern surf boards are constructed.
wow! that is really not much. Congratulations for the build, it's really nice. I also have a low-budget catamaran project but what stopped me was the cost of the epoxy resin. May I ask where you got yours from?
Hey I'm not sure that you gave any type of dimensions I under stand the videos old and you most likely don't have them anymore but if you do can I see them I'm hoping to build my own catamaran. Thank you
Thank you for documenting you and your family🙂
I'm in love with your channel!!! Keep it up
Your videos make me so happy xx
Aw! Thanks, Florentyna : - )
Thank you for sharing a bit of your lives with us! I love watching videos of your projects, the garden, and of course the animals. Cheers!
Thank you : - )
(I think the next one might have horses in it!)
I like the way how you are working. I wish you a lot of fun with your cat. It inspired me for to do something next summer. Thank you.
So fun to watch, thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
I always enjoy your videos. Both you and your wife are inspiring.
Thanks.
i dont even know how many times have i watched this vid. congratulations. well done
my favorite part is the ability to jump down in the water and walk the boat to shore. I find so long as I have well made sails and they are rigged right that almost anything that floats can be made to sail. I think your design is excellent given the material and time you spent. you did a great job! thumbs up!
Thanks, Robb. Yes, it's a thrill to transition from one element to the other. Lots of people have said I need to put wheels on it - but my way is much more satisfying : - )
YES! I first followed you because of your catamaran, now it's great to see you back in boat building!
you guys are wonderful people... thanks for the videos
You guys really know how to live life - great video, thanks for sharing.
Well done Tim, She's a bright little boat indeed she sails a dream looking forward to the next videos good luck to all
have a great day and a better tomorrow
Thanks, drawvenmusket!
I'm pretty sure the word would be terrifying and not satisfying if I ever left land on something I had built. Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed watching someone else do it safely.
Very nice. It looks like fun to build and sail. Good work.
I don't even like sailing ..... but I could have gone on watching for hours. Great effort ! Great video !
Intriguing! If I'd have a workshop I would build a cat right away!
Thanks for the quieting way of speaking!
I really watched this after seeing the build out pf curoisty , just to see if it would sail ,
far better than I expected,
well done
Very nicely done, I was waiting to see how it sailed and it looked great.
to think it up draw it up build it and sail it is very very impressive. well done sir!
It works and is fantastic. Great stuff.
Well done Tim. 🤗🤗
For your forward stays, I'd leave the centerline where it is just to hold the jib, but run additional stays to the prows of the pontoons to actually hold the mast load (spreaders might help keep clear of the jib). Then you can run the jib inside the stays and/or a spinnaker type sail outside the stays for long reach or full running.
Also, I think you will get better performance close to the wind if you get booms on the sails. With the way you have it already, you could almost do a straight-out lateen rig with double booms. Without an auxiliary motor, either seem like good options. The boomless cats I've seen won't get within 45° of upwind with any push. If you hybrid it as a lateen rig, you may be able to funnel wind at under 30° and still have enough go-go to work with.
For better surface clearance. You could have keels that are half that depth and twice as long; or better yet to separate that weight entirely, use removable slide-down daggerboards slotted on the inner side of each hull. It will still work at an angle like that, especially with a 30-degree bite against the drift. You can then use some of that draft to make your hulls taller overall and get clear of the water surface, plus easier to carry.
You could use the extra space in the taller hulls to put some hatches/doors on top and be able to store stuff inside them. Just put in a thin panel drop-in "deck" just above waterline to keep the storage area dry. You could affix it as extra side support, or just let it rest on a lightweight, glued-on dowel rail.
You do whatever you like. I just wrote because you asked for ideas. It's a great boat already, so have fun doing what you do. Thanks for sharing your techniques!
Well done Tim good fun can be cheap
Those pvc rutter fittings are genius! I just stole your idea. thank you🖒
Beautiful project. Great documentary.
that looks like fun! nice work!!
Thats great. Looks like a blast! 👍🍻
Wow fantastic thank you so much for sharing
Nice way to enjoy the life!
To get rid of the nasty looking crease in the sail you need to get the gaff up higher - preferably so the gaff and mast are parallel. It's a common issue with Mirror dinghies. People racing mirrors would do away with the bracket on the gaff and put a slot in the gaff so that the metal bracket and shackle could be eliminated.
Great project! Keep them coming.
Very interesting. Thank you. I shall go and look if there's something I can do that doesn't take too long
Great skill set! A real sailor 🤗🤗👍👍
Im very happy for you! We share the same passion for sailing.
Looked great fun!
Cute! I hope we get to see you sew a sail. Also, DOUGHNUT CART 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Doughnut cart too heavy - needs a rebuild : - ( I'll get to it soon but it's fishing season first..
great video, crafty and fun. I hope to make my own boat soon.
Brilliant! Thanks for the video.
Wow. This is amazing! I really want to build one.
Definitely need some fancy, racing stripes on those hulls!
I don't think a boat on suspenders will ever make GQ magazine, it serves it's purpose here. You wanted a boat light enough for one man to handle, that you could sail. You did that and inspired others to try.
If you increase your sail size you should consider adding a dolphin striker to distribute the load on the crossbar that supports your mast. I like your enthusiasm and adventure.
I enjoyed watching you make this. I'm no sailor, but I thought the back end was a bit too low in the water, but too late now, you made this some time back.
Nice cataraman....salute
Looks great fun.
All kinds of tips, but the best tip is to look at existing cat and copy those. Hobiecat has some nice boats that are easy to copy, look at the older fiberglass ones, not the new rotomolded ones. If you're going to use keels, start with a 6 inch flat bottomed strip, then attach sides, to give more buoyancy. There are plenty of plans on line which you could scale up or down when you find the shape you like
Yes, the Hobie cats are really impressive - but easy to copy? I don't think so. Their hull cross-sections are multi-curved, and the bottom of the hulls is often convex - not something roughed out easily with sheets of ply. Or not by me anyway!
But I hope to make some improvements along those lines with the next version (whenever I get around to that)
Well done! Impressive.
this looks like a blast :)
Great job
striker 1 is a vary good name for your craft thanks paul
you are a great maker!!!
Brilliant! Well done!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I know! It worked!!
you're a legend mate keep it up
Wonderful video! 😊
I still find it interesting how your voice and cadence change when your narrating to when your just talking during filming. Great to see a proof of concept.
Thanks, Charlie. I try hard not to think of how I sound when I'm narrating - just get it done.
Yay! it sailed :D Great!
Well exactly!! Yay!
Well I think it performed amazingly well for a 'rough build'. Credit to you.
I reckon the mast shrouds could be a fair bit tighter, and as someone else said, maybe try a boom.
Regards Mark in the UK
Thanks, Mark.
What a treat! Thanks. And just think what entertainment we could be watching if ... say, 100 of us (86K!) put a 1 $/Euro drop in the Patreon bucket... it would fill right up! Maybe... 200.. ????... the mind reels and the bucket overflows!! and if 30 upped the drop to 3 $/Euro... or 5 ??? 'Many hands make light work'... and many drops fill many buckets ;) Thank, you Tim, Sandra and sundry creatures... : )
We thought we'd try an annual appeal, starting with a really exciting project for Sandra. We're waiting to hear whether we will be granted permission from the planners first, but if all goes well there should be an announcement in a month or so. (And you can be our fundraising manager!)
great work
Looks good! The sails look to be from a "Mirror Dinghy", a kit boat from about 45 years ago here on the west side of the Atlantic. T.A. O'Connor
Wonderful!
I like this build! I've built my sailing kit on my inflatable kayak, but this is a whole new level, I love the weight that you can just sling on your shoulders to haul it out. Yes, the mast definitely could use separate rigging to both hulls, ever thought about having a fixed mast and furling the sail? Also, I personally prefer detachable Leeboards if I ever build one as sometimes raise one side on upwind sailing. Also from one of the comments here, a boom works better for the sail, totally agree with that. How's she holding up so far since this video was posted?
Great great great..🤗❤️❤️👌👌
another friend from the south west,fine work really great job pour a bit of foam into those keels might raise her up a bit
Thanks for sharing
I really enjoy seeing a guy build something as he goes. And when it works it's wonderful! Being a sailor and seeing the shape of your hall with the deep v I believe you could get away with half depth of the keels. Just saying. Thanks
Thanks, Brad. But then they'd have to be much wider - you saw how low they were in the water..
On your beam deflection, perhaps a short strut underneath the bottom of the forestay which had a couple of diagonals to the ends of the beam near the pontoon connections would create a triangle of strength to stop that from happening. (This would be constructed under the beam.) . . . I don’t know if I’ve described this very well.
Don’t forget to smooth your fiberglass to a glasslike surface.
SO COOL!!!!
Very nice bud.
That was great , Sandra & Tim !
Just a little warning about that Mirror mast Tim : It was not really designed to take the load of a catamaran. The mirror dinghy will heel over in stronger winds , instead of breaking the mast.The catamaran has much more stability , so it will put a lot of strain on that mast. In strong winds , you will break that mast again I`m afraid. You need to build a stroinger spar.
Using cafe internet eh? Thats dedication right there! :)
I thought the film crew were never supposed to intervene in rescuing flailing creatures in the wilds.....to be fair, there wasn't too much flailing - I'm calling this a successful voyage! Vendee Globe next!!? x
Nice to see the old Mirror sail again .. Had one decades ago if I remember correctly sail #20848
Starting 4:58 the dialogue is like a children's BBC show
good job
I'm going down a similar road. BUT. I'm thinking a double outrigger canoe. One hull. Bamboo outriggers. Crab claw sail. So simple. Dismantle. Stick on a roof rack. Wouldn't do keels. Too much drag. One rudder or maybe none. Steering paddle? gonna build the hull out of Paulinia. No glass. No resin. Epoxie stitch and glue yes.
Now that you've conquered the waves..next project needs to be airborne???
Silver surfer hydrofoil ;)
Love to, Silver Surfer - but when?! So busy trying to earn a living. I hope I live long enough to get to a tenth of the projects I'd like to make..
do you sale plans
Hello Hawk, looks like no reply is forthcoming , so I'll venture to suggest a small Wharram design might suit you?
The Hitia 14 spec is shown here www.wharram.com/site/shop/building-plans/tiki-designs/hitia14
...and some photos are here: www.wharram.com/site/gallery/tiki-designs/hitia14
Plenty of videos, eg: /watch?v=rTIsVFwfJEc
We built a Wharram 'Tiki' 20 years ago, it's similar construction to this cat from Way Out West, but much bigger. They sail brilliantly. Plans are not cheap, but are excellent value - fully detailed construction.
howdi. good thing u wore that life jacket. i was allanegleston under another account . when that last ransomeware attack hit a while back, i lost all my accounts and luck had it that this old account was still active . keep up the good work.
Oh dear. But surely the accounts are on RUclips? Not on your computer?
That works!
you could add a 'dolphin striker' to that front beam to stiffen it.
Nice!
*I ❤️ MULTIHULLS*
Love it! Though you do look a bit low in the water. I am still mulling your comment on the previous video: ". . . as you know - if you can make a model out of card you can build it full size out of plywood". I didn't know that. I come from a long line of what my Dad called "tinkerers" folk who dream things up and find a way of making them. I imagine you do too. Some more stories about your background might be fun to hear.
Thanks, Katie. Yes, quite low - but any more buoyancy would be wasted unless I had a companion, so no harm, really
I'm going to do that. I call it the doomsday pentamaran. A main hull, and two ammas, separated into front and back, with go kart shock absorbers. LOL. Seriously though. Crazy idea but I'm doomed to make it anyhow. Oh well. I figure the suspension won't last long, so it'll just be a prototype. I like the idea of using paper to make a scale model. Hopefully I can build it in sections, then tow them successively to the river and store them at a boat storage facility until I get them all delivered, then assemble and adios amigos.
need to use your boom, being loose footed halfs the sail area. Nice Cat.
captain pug wash out on the open seas, well dun for all the spot on work u have dun good vid, what will u name he thanks paul
I hadn't thought of a name yet, Paul. Any suggestions?
Yellow Peril?
mermaid
You put a boom on
bravo!!
If you drilled a hole in each keel, you could insert the trailer axle through the holes and have it be its own trailer to launch the boat.
Cool
Spruce is hard to beat for any wood boats.
cool beans.
best part is taking her into the water fred flintstone style!
So. When can we expect you to visit us here? In Canada? Just a little west of you.
Just packing a picnic for the trip..
what about a thin wheel on each keel to aid launch and recovery
might i suggest the addition of some small wheels at the back to help with the exit and entrance from the water just something to help cut down on the scuffing of the fiberglass
I glued on some wood strips on the bottom off the keels and skegs, so scuffing along the ground won't do any harm. And wheels only work on smooth surfaces - I hope to go to stony beaches too.
nothing better than use the simplest tool for the job
i would just like to say thank you to both of you for making such videos that are the prefect mix of interesting funny and peaceful that is so needed in the world (they are always a education and a moment of calm when watched)
Thanks - we like making them!
nice!
Great stuff, love your vids. I learned to sail a few years ago on Lough Derg, but haven't done any since, it was such a thrill though, being pushed along by just the wind. Have you seen those America's Cup catamarans ? Maybe you could get your mighty craft to hydroplane on foils like they do ??
Yeah, maybe!
I enjoyed your project and the sucess you experienced. I wonder if the same project could be done with styrofoam, fiberglass and epoxy much the way modern surf boards are constructed.
the plywood gives a lot of strength to the hulls. Do you know if the surfboards have any kind of spine or other reinforcement?
Brilliant! How much did the catamaran cost altogether?
The plywood and spruce came to about 65 euro - the epoxy was at least as much again. Not too much really?
wow! that is really not much. Congratulations for the build, it's really nice. I also have a low-budget catamaran project but what stopped me was the cost of the epoxy resin. May I ask where you got yours from?
Hey I'm not sure that you gave any type of dimensions I under stand the videos old and you most likely don't have them anymore but if you do can I see them I'm hoping to build my own catamaran. Thank you
I'll measure it next time I'm in the other shed
Thank you I apreciate it a lot