trimaran building plans

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Catamarans and Trimarans

Catamaran and Trimaran Boat Plans make it a reality to build your own catamaran or trimaran. Multi-hulled sailing vessels are a special class of boat. A very different mind set is required when thinking about sailing a multi hull, let alone getting your head around building one.

There are some unique challenges building a multi-hull sail boat, the extra beam added by each hull for instance can create storage issues while under construction. Hartley boat plans make the build process straight forward for even amateur builders. However with all things considered, building a multi can be an amazing journey.

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The seafront of Cartagena in Colombia is the backdrop for two sailing vessels of different epochs and sharply contrasting character.

Against the sea wall  Galeon Bucanero , a replica of a Spanish galleon of the seventeenth century is totally at home against the fortifications of this historically significant Spanish port city.

In the foreground Chincogan 52  Sole currently circumnavigating the globe stops over en route to Panama and the Society Islands.

Over the years I've received many wonderful photos of our boats from around the world. This one is an absolute classic. Many thanks to Mike and Sarah Mason for the shot.

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Raku 44#1 launched in Brazil. See more images in the build gallery here

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Intro Part 3—W17 Trimaran Build Manual & Plans

Here is the final Part 3 of intro articles on the new W17 Estuary Trimaran by naval architect Mike Waters. Designed to be home-built from plywood with epoxy/glass reinforcement, using a very simple 'ABC-System' that's detailed under Construction Methods.    Here is a rundown on what to expect from the plans.

First, here is a list of the 16-sheet package with their short title. Often, other parts are detailed on these sheets though not identified in the title given below. Dimensions are given principally in metric, though most scantlings (material sizes) are also given in imperial. Once you accept to adapt, you'll find metric is far easier to work with and 1 mm is a fine figure to measure to, being somewhat smaller than 1 ⁄ 16 ".

W17-01  Sail Plan - Cruise Rig

W17-01R Sail Plan - Race Rig W17-02  Main Hull W17-03  Main stempiece W17-04  Deck structures W17-05  Amas W17-06  Ama stempiece (full size) W17-07  Building Platform W17-08  Daggerboard Case W17-09  Deck Plan W17-10  Aft Beam (aka) W17-11  Forward Beam W17-12  Curved beam ends W17-13  Daggerboard, rudder etc. W17-14  Spade rudder (full size) W17-15  Fwd, beam fairing

Complete with the detailed BUILD MANUAL, they are now available on a data USB-Card as shown here.  Each card also holds a back-up copy of files.

Each sheet is 24" x 16" and all are elaborated by an extensively detailed Build Manual that not only explains how to prepare all the parts and best assemble them, but also gives tips and details on bonding and sheathing for best results and low weight.

The sample below is only a low definition image from one of the 16 sheets. The PDF images will be much better defined, of course.

The Build Manual takes the builder through each task, explaining the preferred order of work and adding helpful hints along the way. Scarfing, bonding and sheathing are all addressed and many sketches, such as the one shown here, added to illustrate the 117-page text of the updated and expanded v10. 2017 Edition of the manual, which now includes approx. 170 sketches and photos.

Overall, we think this makes a most attractive package as far as today's plans are concerned.

There are not many new designs out there that use light and readily available plywood yet succeed to combine it in a manner that still creates an attractive looking boat that will perform remarkably well in all conditions, and not take an eternity (or new, specialized skills) to complete. Sheathing in epoxy and glass will give the boat a useful life span, especially with covered storage. Should registered owners (you're 'registered' as soon as you buy the plans) have any questions during the construction, they will typically be able to get these answered within 48 hours (generally less), through an email address to be provided at time of purchase.

The other point of interest to many is that the boat is designed to carry an interesting wing mast that can be built at home. Wing mast designs are not so easy to come by and often sell for more than the cost of this complete set of plans. Although this Cruising Rig mast design is available as a separate item later on, it's currently available at a discount for registered W17 builders IF they agree to share pictures of their own W17 while under construction and at least half finished.

The Race Rig is best matched up with an 8m Wing Mast of carbon fiber and a highly detailed manual for home building this uniquely constructed mast is also available.  See here for CF WingMast.

The boat is also versatile in what it can do and where it can sail. It has enough space for cruising with 2, sailing with 3 or 4 up and has enough ama buoyancy to even fly the main hull when sailed solo and more lightly loaded, if that's your thrill. So this is a boat that will be exciting to sail and own, and prove to be a constant conversation piece, especially with its curved akas and wing mast.  Examples of the boat have also been extensively camp-cruised .   You just have to get started if you want to soon be part of the action.

CLICK here to order plans

As the designer has no control over final material used, quality of construction or conditions of final use, all Plan Purchasers will be asked to acknowledge a standard waiver, accepting personal responsibility for their own work, acknowledging that they build and sail this small boat entirely at their own risk.

Let me know if you have any questions that need to be addressed now.

Enjoy !… and feel free to send in specific questions via my Questions Form , that I may select to answer through this webpage if considered of broad interest.

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