The Origin of Catamarans

Originally a collection of fallen trees that were shaped and joined with vines to form a stable floating platform. The next evolutionary step was to tie two canoes together with a central seating platform that could go further to sea, which was ideal for the fisherman. The main seating platform, over time, was extended with longer hulls and eventually, a mast and sails were fitted; a small shelter was built, which enabled boats to go further afield and cross large oceans.

The name catamaran is a Tamil word – Kattumaram.   Kattu - bind together  Maram - timber, wood, tree. The Tamil people initially used these boats to fish around the coasts of India.

Present Design

The present design covers the hulls and central deck area known as a bridge deck with a deckhouse or saloon and provides accommodation in the hulls.

Today a catamaran provides extremely comfortable cruising under sail or motor the saloon with panoramic views on the same level as the large cockpit area is ideal for entertaining. 

One advantage as a sailing boat is that it does not need ballast in the hulls; this makes a sailing catamaran light and fast. The catamaran with an engine in each hull gives the boat exceptional manoeuvring ability. The interior layout on an average 40 ft cat is four double cabins, two double cabins and a central bathroom in each hull. Ideal for the leisure market.

Recent History

In the 1870’s Nathaneal Herreshoff, the designer of many America’s Cup Boats and famous boats of the time, designed and built a range of fast racing catamarans that were ahead of their day and didn’t go down at all well with the racing traditionalists, racing and consequently building ceased.

Catamaran Maintenance

The maintenance of catamarans is described fully in the main section. Click here to find out more.

Posted by: Team imardex-marine 2022