Why a Catamaran?

Why a Richard Woods' Catamaran?

Why Self-Build a Boat?

Why Swing Cat?






Why a Catamaran?

Catamaran Advantages

Compared to a monohull of equivalent length a catamaran:

• is pretty unsinkable - 2 hulls and sealed compartments give massive internal buoyancy; upside down it makes a perfect raft!
• is much faster - passage times reduced and ability to avoid bad weather enhanced;
• gives a more stable sailing platform - little heeling & less rolling on passage, "no bruising cruising" and less sea-sickness;
• has a shallow draft which means more, better and safer anchorages;
• is easy to dry out;
• is much less affected by swell when at anchor;
• with bridgedeck cabins, gives an all round view on passage or at anchor from inside;
• has more spacious accommodation;
• has more deck area for solar panels and/or sunbathing!

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Why a Richard Woods' Catamaran?

Because Richard has had years of design experience and has built about a dozen catamarans. After building them he has lived on them, cruised them extensively and raced them.

Many of the problems experienced by catamarans in the past, e.g. bridgedeck slamming and poor windward performance, have been solved in his designs. His designs all have a wide beam, which lessens the danger of a capsize, and are often available in either cruising or performance cruising variants.

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Why Self-Build a Boat?

Building a 33ft catamaran is a major commitment - about two-and-a-half years of your life working a 40-hour week.

You have to enjoy the process, or invest enough money to pay someone to work for you or with you, or even get a boat yard involved. I think even the latter option qualifies as a self-build if you are managing the work and making all the design decisions.

Yes, there are design decisons to be made even if you have bought the plans. What electrical system, charging system, heating system, hot water suppy, navigation equipment, safety equipment, engines, steering mechanisms, rig and sails you choose is up to you.

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Why Swing Cat?

It's simple really. My wife, Bridget, & I love swing dancing - Charleston, Lindy Hop, Boogie-Woogie, Jive, Balboa etc.. Swing dancers are, naturally, Cool Cats, or is that "Kool Kats"?

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Monohull Advantages

Compared to a catamaran of equivalent length a monohull:

• can recover from a capsize (although its ability to do this depends upon the design, especially the "angle of vanishing stability", and on any down-flooding experienced during the capsize);
• can point higher going to windward, but the catamaran's faster speed may mean it will reach the windward mark first!
• is cheaper to build;
• is often cheaper to moor in a marina.

The design chosen, the Eclipse, is one of the larger of his designs. It is big enough to carry enough crew, stores and equipment for crossing an ocean in comfort yet still small enough for a self-build project (just!).






Those are a lot of design decisions. It is this which repays all the hard work - you end up with a boat exactly suited to your requirements and with the expertise to be able to maintain it yourself.

To see what decisions I have made please go to my What?web page.

Additionally, you will know the job has been done properly - for example with no brass seacocks fitted!










Since my catamaran will often reverberate with the sounds of swing music, it has to be a Swing Cat. The only argument really is: should it be Swing Kat? Now, where shall I put the dance floor?