James Wharram’s second smallest catamaran design is the Hitia 17, a beach cruiser for the individualist. Hitia will not be the fastest cat, but she does provide more space for gear and better comfort for her travelers sailing on her two bottoms -- not up on one ama in total stress like other cats. The over 5’ long self bailing compartments can be fitted with spray skirts and the boat piloted from here like a kayak. In rough going this might be desirable. A tent can be erected on the 5’ 8” x 6’ 5” trampoline. Some may notice the lack of center or dagger boards. This is purposeful as without them there is less to go wrong – sand in the cases, broken boards – and Wharram and his partner Hanneke Boon have factored in enough lateral plane to go to windward comfortably. On a reach Hitia should give the speed sensation of close to flying.
Hitia is designed for pre-cut plywood panels to go together with the stitch and glue epoxy method. Other build out items are kept simple such as the mast shrouds are lashed to the chain plates, cross beams are also lashed, and the sail is a boomless sprit rig.
Hitia Particulars: LOA 17’, Beam 10’ 11” Graft 1’ Sail Area 160 Sq. Ft., Dry Weight about 300 Lbs. More information from James Wharram’s web site.Attachment: Hita 17 Cat.gif (Downloaded 46 times) Last edited on Thu Apr 7th, 2005 07:10 pm by Thom V |
