kelsall catamaran review

20 Performance Cruising Catamaran Reviews

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Catamarans are exciting and fast sailboats that offer some great features. With so many types and brands to choose from, it’s hard to find which is worth your investment. So, what are the top performance cruising catamarans ?

The best performance cruising catamarans are the Manta 42, Dolphin 42, Leopard 48, and Fountaine Pajot Elba 45. The McConaghy MC50, Privilege 435, and Nautitech 441 are also impressive models. The best offer optimal performance and can sail a 250-mile voyage easily.

Have you just begun your catamaran research but don’t know which to buy? Are you looking for a performance cruising catamaran that’s worth the investment? Let’s take a closer look at 20 performance cruising catamarans and what makes them the best.

The Top 20 Performance Cruising Catamarans

Catamarans are racing ships that have slowly been making waves in the cruising world. The design focuses on lightness and simplicity. Combined, these two elements ensure a faster ship and make them great for long distances.

The multiple hulls on the catamarans offer optimal water displacement, allowing them to glide through the water with much less trouble than single-hull boats. Because of their design, a catamaran’s performance will vary depending on the conditions you sail them through. The ocean and wind will play a significant role in how fast your catamaran will go as well as how smooth the ride will be.

When comparing catamarans for speed, there are four numbers you’ll want to consider:  

  • Bruce Number: The speed potential based on the power (sail-area) to weight ratio of the boat
  • Texel Rating (TR): A formula that will calculate how long it takes to sail any distance
  • Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Potential speed of a vessel
  • Base Speed: The average speed of a boat over 24 hours of sailing

These numbers signify a cat’s performance so that you can pick the one that best suit your needs, whether you’re looking for a fast catamaran or not.

In addition to speed, your catamaran should have everything you need to be comfortable on your voyages. There should be plenty of living space for you and your crew or family members. When choosing the best catamaran for your needs, consider how much gear you will have with you on any given trip and if the ship you’re looking at has enough space for all of it.

The Manta 42 is a favorite of many sailors. Its beautiful design has a high bow and an incorporated curved crossbeam, the latter being unique and making the ship easy to spot from far distances and onshore.

Typically, aluminum crossbeams are used, and they allow for more movement in the bows. Since the Manta 42 doesn’t use aluminum ones, the ship is more susceptible to cracks in the bow caused by stress. However, the width of the Manta 42 makes the ship stable on the water, and the narrow hulls make it great for slicing through the water with speed and agility.

The Dolphin 42 has the best balance of performance and cruising comfort . What is truly special about these boats is that they come equipped with daggerboards . These bad ass features allow the ship to pull into just about any anchorage, including the shallow ones. 

The Dolphin is made with a foam core, which is designed to make the entire ship lighter. However, this doesn’t compromise the performance of the boat. It makes it perfect for cruising through the ocean with high-performance levels.

One thing to keep in mind is those convenient daggerboards. If the ship were to run aground, the hull integrity could be compromised. And if the daggerboards are removed or lifted, they will expose the rudders underneath. These features don’t ruin the ship’s functionality, but it’s important to note them just in case.

The Leopard 48 is a catamaran that you’ll definitely want to see. The design uses some of the best techniques to ensure optimal speed, weight, and cruising performance. The hulls are narrow — like most catamarans — and are built to reduce the amount of water that flows on the deck. It also reduces the amount of sea spray along the sides.

The Leopard 48 has two bulkheads (one in the bow and the other in the stern) designed to keep water out of the ship in an accident. It’s designed for long journeys, and the vessel comes with everything you could want for everyday living.

Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

The Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is a fantastic powerhouse ship with luxury at its core. The living quarters of this catamaran are impressive and are sure to provide you with every comfort you could possibly want, no matter how long you sail it for.

The designers considered everything when designing this ship. They’ve simplified the prep work for the sails, making it easier than ever to get underway. The build of the Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 makes it fast when sailing or when under power. 

McConaghy MC50

The McConaghy MC50 is on the smaller side of catamarans in the McConaghy brand, but that shouldn’t disqualify it. This ship was designed with wide-open concepts and high bows. There’s no doubt it’s made for luxury but can hold its own in performance and speed departments.

Even with its luxury items (such as its full washing machine), this ship moves through the water gently. While it’s clearly designed for comfort, it’s still a relatively fast boat. However, there is a downside to the layout of the boat. The helms are much more exposed than other catamarans, which could be a potential safety hazard.

Privilege 435

The Privilege 435 is a catamaran designed to go long distances. It uses a heavy displacement so that the ship glides through the water with ease. The vessel is also built with a low-slung structure to help prevent winds. 

A slight drawback could be the heat buildup caused by the sun seeping in through the windows, as there aren’t any outside shades or ways to block the sun except for the internal shades. The other downside to this catamaran is that the Privilege’s bridge deck has low clearance . Other than that, the ship is an excellent option for those looking for a well-built cat.

Nautitech 441

The Nautitech 441 is another impressive catamaran to consider. The interior is slightly smaller than some others we have gone over, but don’t let that fool you. This boat is full of great features to make your trip comfortable and successful.

For example, the Nautitech 441 is equipped with a rain gutter situated around the entire coachroof. This gives you the option to collect the water for your freshwater tanks, or you can simply let it drain off the boat through the Y-shaped valve.

It’s a fast little boat that can use either the sails or fuel to reach 9 knots in moderate conditions. That’s not bad if you’re looking for a comfortable, decent-sized cruising ship with a bit of a kick.

The ICE Cat 61 is a catamaran designed and developed in Italy. The ship uses a carbon mast and is very easy to use.

The ship’s size and the power-to-weight ratio allow for reaching top speeds that isn’t possible with a monohull. The living areas are also large and are perfect for entertaining, making the ICE Cat 61 a great option to consider when shopping for your new catamaran.

The unique aspect of the Lagoon 440 is the engine. It doesn’t not have to run on diesel fuel because Lagoon offers a fully electric version. This is great for those who are looking for a more eco-friendly way to run their boat. This catamaran uses two electric motors, which are mounted on each hull of the ship, but the best part is that these engines are almost entirely silent.

The inside is just as luxurious as the engine is, designed with families in mind and for long-distance journeys. It’s a ship that would handle itself perfectly in deeper waters and even in harsh winds.

Antares 44i

The Antares 44i is a well-designed catamaran that is meant for long-distance journeys like most catamarans are. The layout is engineered to give you the best views throughout your trip, and the cockpit is fully equipped in the event you’re sailing single handed.

The motors are installed in a discrete location and are almost completely silent, allowing for outstanding performance without sacrificing your comforts. There’s tons of storage available as well for all of the gear that comes with sailing.

The Catana 50 has a well-built design that is meant for high speeds and effective sailing. The daggerboards help the hulls cut through the water with little trouble. There is also excellent storage for your gear located throughout the boat.

What is genuinely superior in this catamaran is the ability it holds to turn itself around with ease and speed. There is no struggle to reverse the ship and maneuver it around the dock. Walking around on the boat is easy enough, but the cockpit setup and helm are situated awkwardly, so it requires a bit of walk around to use all of the ship’s controls. 

The Voyage 44 is a performance cruising catamaran that is well-built for a bargain price. It’s something that you just can’t beat when looking for a new yacht because this ship has everything you could ask for.

It’s designed with day cruising in mind, but that won’t limit it to short distances. What’s also great about this boat is the amount of seating it offers, fitting 32 people comfortably. The ship is functional, and the layout is designed to make traveling onboard the vessel as simple and straightforward as possible.

Atlantic 42

The Atlantic 42 is a fan favorite. This loyal following stems from the Atlantic’s look and effectiveness, and consumers seem to love how easy this ship is to sail and how capable it is for deep ocean sailing.

The size of the Atlantic 42 is something fans of this catamaran love. It might look small from the outside, but the inside layout is well done and feels spacious. The cockpit location in front of the mainmast takes advantage of the rest of the ship’s structure, making it a more flexible design than some other catamarans available.

Outremer 45

The Outremer 45 is designed a bit differently from other catamarans because the hulls are narrower than usual. This helps make the Outremer 45 a fast ship, but it’s done for safety reasons as well. The narrower hulls will prevent the vessel from skidding on the water as much as other catamarans. It also reduces any pitching you might experience from flying through the water at top speeds.

The interior is smaller than many other boats in this article, but the design doesn’t sacrifice your comfort. The cabin has an open concept to easily pull the outdoor seating into the indoor living space, meaning it’s perfect for entertaining and comfortable living. 

The Bahia 46 is on the bigger side by catamaran standards. It’s designed by the brand Fountaine Pajot, which has been building catamarans for years. In fact, Fountaine Pajot is one of the leading brands in cruising catamarans.

The foam core’s overall design, the high bridge deck clearance , and the low center of gravity make this ship an excellent option for deep ocean sailing. It will hold its own on rough waters as well, and there’s also plenty of space for entertaining on the inside of the ship. 

The Prout 45 is an excellent catamaran to consider if you plan to sail with a limited crew. The positioning of the mainsail and the mast make it simple to use and easy to reach. Also, the mainsail itself is smaller than other ships and easy to handle.

The interior isn’t like some of the newer models. In new catamarans, the concept is more open and free-flowing between inside and outside. In the Prout 45, things are more traditional but still comfortable. Don’t worry; you still have plenty of room to entertain and plot your voyage.

Gemini 105MC

The Gemini 105MC is a unique catamaran. That’s because instead of being designed solely by the builder, it’s a collective effort from the builder and many sailors who used the vessel. They wrote in their suggestions to improve the Gemini, and the builder used the most relevant ones to build the newer models.

If you’re looking for a ship for a cross-ocean voyage, you may want to consider another catamaran. Due to the ship’s size and weight, it’s less likely to make it across the ocean. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a great ship, and this vessel is perfect for sailing near the coast. 

The Gunboat 62 is the first catamaran of this brand. The Gunboat 62 is an older model, but it’s still considered one of the fastest. These ships were also the first to introduce luxury to performance cruising. 

The interior is slightly outdated, and technology has advanced since the brand launched these ships. However, this boat’s overall performance is unmatched, though there also isn’t as much space available for storage. 

Marsaudon TS5

The Marsaudon TS5 is one of the fastest catamarans available. It’s designed with panoramic views from the interior, and the ship speeds up quickly due to its lightweight design and shape.

The ship can be challenging to maneuver, which makes it better suited for experienced sailors. While the interior still has plenty of luxuries, it can be considered bare. The designers want to keep the ship light to increase its speed, meaning some comforts have been sacrificed, such as space in the living quarters.

Unlimited C53

The Unlimited C53 is a fast racing catamaran with all the comforts of a cruising ship. The design uses a new technique of connecting the two hulls at 1.3m above the waterline. This is unheard of in most catamarans, and this feature minimizes how the ship handles rougher seas.

The ship uses all of the necessary tanks and equipment to keep the boat balanced on the water. Perfect weight displacement throughout the vessel makes it ideal for racing and long-distance sailing. The interior is also spacious and provides all of the comforts you could need. 

In the end, the best performance cruising cat for you is going to come down to your personal preferences and what you want in a boat. Each catamaran on this list is going to provide you the best features you could ever imagine in a ship. Hopefully, the reviews of the top 20 performance cruising catamarans will help you find your dream boat!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Brand: Kelsall

kelsall catamaran review

Legendary designer Derek Kelsall certainly knows about catamarans. His boats are build around the world by amateurs and professionals. A pioneer in foam sandwich construction, his designs are built quickly, simply and robustly using the KSS construction methods.

There are no catamarans currently for sale of this brand.

Please see our catamarans for sale page for a full listing of other currently available models.

Educational Articles

Derek kelsall interview.

kelsall catamaran review

We spoke with legendary catamaran designer Derek Kelsall. We cover his history and innovations in catamarans design and construction such as the foam coring, KSS. We ask him why his designs and build techniques are so heavily criticized. He talks about what size of a catamaran that a couple or family should purchase and where catamaran design is likely to go in the next decade.

Please find out more about Derek Kelsall on his website . You can email him to ask questions and purchase plans or built kit.

Thanks for joining us, just start by telling us about yourself.

  • Tags Catamaran Designers , Catamaran Interviews

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Ballota Kelsell catamaran from Peru

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I am considering buying a Kelsell designed Catamaran from a company in Peru called Corporacion Ballotta. anyone with experience with either the builder or the designer?  

kelsall catamaran review

I think you're talking about Kelsall, not Kelsell, and his website is HERE . While I don't have any direct experience with Kelsall's designs, it would help if you said what size catamaran you're looking at getting. It would also be a good idea to read up on the Kelsall construction method, which is a bit different than other construction methods.  

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07-02-2023, 05:54  
Boat: Building a Max Cruise 44 hybrid electric cat
. I can't see for sure in that , but one selling point may be that in its stage it could still be cut in half and transported a bit easier. - Youtube Vlog -
07-02-2023, 07:36  
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. I can't see for sure in that , but one selling point may be that in its stage it could still be cut in half and transported a bit easier.
07-02-2023, 09:30  
Boat: Albin Singoalla 34'
, ply and strip plank. Rather than the method. Here’s a few more pics.
The daughter wrote to Kelsall’s design office last year and sent these pictures but never heard back.    

07-02-2023, 12:55  
Boat: Woods Mira 35 Catamaran
, ply and strip plank. Rather than the Kelsall method. Here’s a few more pics.

The daughter wrote to Kelsall’s design office last year and sent these pictures but never heard back.
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08-02-2023, 02:00  
Boat: Chamberlin 11.6 catamaran
will be higher than an equivalent complete and sailing boat. In essence, the boat is worthless. There is a huge amount of involved in the fitting out and this build is not even a shell - it is maybe 20% of the way along. So why build someone else's choice of older design when there is still 80% to go?

If any of my friends asked me I would tell them to stay well away. Why build an old and pretty much obselete design when you could build a nice foam Schionning, Grainger, White or similar and get a modern cat with help from an active design studio.

Although it is very sad, I would not recommend anyone pick this up. You really need to build a boat within about 4-5 years or the stagnates and impetus goes. Your friend will probably have to give the shell away to get it moved. I think you should let them get ready to be disappointed.

cheers

Phil
08-02-2023, 10:38  
, to the extent you can/could get discounts all over town. Maybe they have a section on their website.


There is Craigslist.


The boat looks like it is still on forms. If, however, it consists of two completely structurally finished hulls, that are in that position because they were to be joined to the , possibly still in three pieces, then at least it could be moved to a different site by truck.

They need to figure out what this thing is. Did the go off on flights of fancy, making all kinds of alterations to the plans, or do we actually have something that has a brand and proven engineering associated with it. A large number of home builders go off on tangents, and these projects can out well, but it really requires them to prove the . If he diverged from plans what was supposed to happen next? It is very tough on a project as it nears completion to face the fact one may have a dud, it really saps confidence, and it hits around the time one has to start pouring in huge dough on , , and , , etc...


The work looks pretty nice, but as we into perhaps the worst economy in 100 years, the sellers have to be realistic. I put a deposit on a 37' , that had a custom , and two nice outboards. It was proven, and a KHSD design, the asking was 13.5 K. It was in driveaway condition. That was back in the dip around '09. Prices could get crazy low again.


What is the actual objective here? Getting anything like the out of it that was put into it is a 1 in a million shot. I would be looking at a free project, because the person who buys this is probably better off starting afresh. If the owners want to clear the barn to sell the property, or just clear the barn, they should be looking at reducing their disposal costs.


There is a guy in NB who is trying to sell a "kit" for a CC32. Cute boat that is a bit like a VAL . All he has is building materials and some vaccum bagged . He wanted 10K ( 7.2 US) last year, but nobody nibbled. You could build a better boat for half that in Cylinder . Basically he wants something close to the cost of the KHSD 37 footer, I passed on (shipping problems), for nothing much more than some plywood and ancient plans. The guy put a lot of effort into a false start, where the person who buys it will be further behind in their project, even though some major steps have been completed. Really important to look at these things from the buyer's side.
08-02-2023, 13:04  
Boat: Chris White Voyager 48
group:





There are people in the area that have taken on stranger projects.
08-02-2023, 19:16  
Boat: Hedley Nicol Vagabond MK2, 37'
gives up.

On the disposal end you can do a lot with an assortment of saws and a U-Haul truck. A 31 main hull reduced to to flat fills a 16 footer twice .... Maybe get with the local fire district and drag it outside and let them do a practice burn.
10-02-2023, 10:07  
Boat: Albin Singoalla 34'
06-03-2023, 14:44  
Boat: Albin Singoalla 34'
appreciated the advice and candor from everyone here (I gave them a link to this thread). They decided that the best thing was to have a demo party in honor of him this summer and then haul it to the landfill. Thanks again!
10-03-2023, 23:11  
Boat: Hedley Nicol Vagabond MK2, 37'
them.

after the demolition of course.
 
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Mill Road, Millbrook, Cornwall PL10 1EN, UK.

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kelsall catamaran review

SPECIFICATIONS

Draft: 0.32 – 1.29m

Lying: Multihull Centre

Design: Kelsall Kss-r-30

Designer/Builder: Kelsall Ian Bevan/assembled by Multimarine

Built/Launched: 2008/ Wales / Millbrook

Polyester foam sandwich hulls. Dagger boards are composite construction.

Accommodation:

2 x double berths and 2 single berths, in the spacious hulls.

Heads area with sea toilet.

Galley area fitted with single burner gas hob.

Standing headroom of 5ft 10 inches.

Rig & Sails

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Spars: Alloy

Standing rigging: SS

Running Rigging: Dyneema

Spar Maker: Z Spars

Some repair work needed on the bowsprit

Reefing: Slab

Spinnaker gear: Yes, including top-down snuffer.

Sails Main and Genoa in white.

Fully battened, flat top main

Spinnaker coloured.

All made by Banks. New sail cover.

1 x Suzuki 15HP EFI outboard with electric start, fuel injection & remote control.

150 hrs, 6 knots cruising speed, tiller steering.

Last serviced 2021

Navigation Equipment:

Compass :  2

Speed :  Yes Autohelm Tri Data

Depth :  Yes

VHF :  Yes + emergency antenna

AIS :  Connected lat/long to VHF

Ground Tackle:

Bruce                           

10kg 20m chain, 20m warp + bow roller

2 Spinnaker

All Lewmar 40

Electrics: 

Type :  12 v

Batteries: 1 x 120Ah “House”, 1 x 60Ah Starting

Switched: Yes

Shore power: Yes – cable + 3 pin + battery charge

Solar Panels: 1 25w + controller

Charging: Alternator/Solar Panel

Autopilot: TP10

Fuel:    1 x 20l Polypropylene, 2 x 5l

Fresh water: No

Holding tank: No

Water system: No

Heating: No

Sea Water: No

Other Equipment:

Fire Extinguisher :  2 x 2kg

Bilge pumps :  2 manual

Nav lights :  Masthead LED

Dinghy :  Avon Redstart + oars

Warps, Fenders, boathook and bow fender.

Horseshoe buoy and light

Guard wire, pushpit and pullpit

Lilly interior

Viewing by appointment with the Multihull Centre, Foss Quay, Millbrook, Torpoint,

Cornwall, PL10 1EN, Tel. 01752 823900, Option 2    

These details are believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed and do not constitute any form of contract.   All statements made therein are made without responsibility and the intending purchaser must satisfy himself as to their correctness.   Survey by a qualified marine surveyor is also strongly recommended.

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Noted designer, builder and short-handed offshore sailor Derek Kelsall dies in New Zealand

kelsall catamaran review

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kelsall catamaran review

Interview Header

An Interview with Derek Kelsall — Ex Brit, now of New Zealand

Back in early 2009, I had this interesting discussion with noted sailor, designer and boatbuilder Derek Kelsall, related to his part in the early development and use of PVC foam core and polyester resin for racing monohulls and multihulls. Although not at the time directly related to 'small trimaran design', the work of pioneers like Derek should never be forgotten and his long, successful experience with foam and polyester also needs to be understood and appreciated, as this CAN relate to small tri construction after all —mike 2011

Derek Kelsall

MW: So what got you building composite (foam) boats? DK: The annual Round Britain race caught my imagination, so I designed and built the very first trimaran with PVC foam core and polyester resin hulls and 'Toria' surprised a lot of sceptics when I won the event. I'll email you some pics.

Toria

MW: And what did that lead to? DK: I was then invited to build a boat for the new OSTAR race in 1968. This was to be for a Geoffrey Williams who had succeeded in signing up Lipton Tea as a sponsor—Geoffrey had the famous Robert Clarke design him a beautiful 60‑footer and we pushed way beyond the previous 45' limit of foam/glass use to create a boat that was really light but still strong. By pure coincidence, it seemed fitting that we built the boat in the town of Sandwich in Kent. 'Sir Thomas Lipton' , as she was christened, won that OSTAR and took nearly 2 days off the previous best time.

Sir Thomas Lipton

MW: So what was your experience with building this huge hull? DK: Well, things were very rushed. However, just three of us built the entire hull shell in foam and glass and had her all painted in just 700 hours ... ready to receive her interior bulkheads and deck. It was the designers' preference for plywood bulkheads and decking but this slowed construction and although we made the deadline, I was already becoming an enthusiast of foam, glass and polyester.

MW: So what came next for you? DK: I built several other foam composite cruising and racing monos plus a few multis, including a 50' catamaran called Triana which was the first composite catamaran to be built to Lloyd 100A1 classification, but the next major challenge came from a boat built to enter the first 'Whitbread Around the World' race.

GBII

MW: And what was your involvement with that? DK: Skip Chay Blyth had succeeded to get sponsorship from Jack Hayward, the person who had salvaged the first IRON ship 'Great Britain I', wrecked on the Falkland Islands. Jack had connections in high places and Royalty became involved when Princess Anne was scheduled to christen the boat. After I agreed to be a construction consultant, we went hunting for a suitable builder along the UK South Coast.

MW: So how did that work out and who was the lucky yard? DK: That became a problem as everyone we asked was too busy to commit to meet our tight schedule! Realising that we'd lose the sponsor if we could not make the Royal launch date, I reluctantly agreed to get a work crew together and supervise the construction.

MW: But was this not another huge boat like the "Sir Thomas Lipton"? DK: Oh quite a lot bigger again! She was to be 78 ft long, 17 ft beam with 17 tonnes of ballast and was by far the biggest sailing yacht of fibreglass composite to have ever been built at that date, so I was really diving in over my head with this one.

Great Britain II

MW: So how did the work crew make out? DK: Well it was somewhat of a joke, as we had to make do with whatever we could find. We were again building out in Sandwich, East Kent, and the area had not seen yachts of any real size built there for a decade. So I had to grab general carpenters, painters and labourers from all trades and train them on the job. In fact I did the lofting and frame building with help only from 'a model yacht builder' in an old sail loft! He was great though and went on to lead one of the work shifts.

MW: And what sort of time schedule did you have? DK: It was already November and the boat was scheduled to have this Royal launch the next May! So we soon moved to a double-shift situation running from 6 am to about 9 pm, and I got little sleep as you can imagine. The team soon reached 16, but still no real boat builders and there was still tons to do. Chays' crew were chosen from the Marines and so we pulled them in to help build. Three shifts started, working round-the-clock. Ray (the model builder) now did 4 am to about 4 in the afternoon. I would take over usually about 2 pm and work through till 11 or 12 when I would brief the marine crew on work that could be done till Ray came in at 4 am.

MW: Sounds super hectic. No problem with materials? DK: The most difficult problem I had in the later stages was getting the funds through in time. There was never any doubt that the cheque would come but there seemed to be an army of accountants between us and Jack, whose job was to delay payment for as long as possible. The next big hurdle was a gas strike. The fellow responsible for casting the 17 tonnes of lead keel could do nothing. He was also due to cast a keel for the current Prime Ministers' new 'Morning Cloud' so his reply to me was: "If I can keep Ted Heath waiting, then I can certainly keep Chay Blyth or even Princess Anne waiting too!"

MW: So how was your workforce now working out? DK: The Marines proved to be quite amazing and great to work with. They would do anything, as anyone not pulling their weight risked to be bumped off the crew list. So I now had 32 motivated guys, that were doing an amazing amount of work. I finally had a secretary but there was still at least half a day of chasing this and that to find the thousands of items that go into such a boat. (From what I've read, it would now take 6–8 guys to handle all that planning, and I was also figuring out scantlings and things as we went along.) In those days, we built on a simple batten frame over stations, using foam sheets as large as we could get and lay on. We'd then finish by laying glass on the exterior using mostly UNI cloth—but there was a fair amount of external finishing. It was that work that later led me to develop the KSS system, where the topside gel coat and glass is all done flat on a table with a huge saving in finishing time, as well as visibly better results.

MW: So do you remember anything particularly memorable about the 'GB II' work? DK: I vividly recall turning the hull. Eight tackles with supports from the factory roof beams and she went over with literally just a couple of inches to spare. I also clearly recall the moment when the hull and the ballast came together—two cranes and a howling gale at 2 am in the morning in Ramsgate harbour! The keel had eventually arrived but only with the steel blanks for the galleries still in place! So how do you remove 24 rectangular blocks of steel which have lead, close to a foot thick, cast around them? Well, by hand, slamming a very heavy rod of steel against the end to move a fraction of a millimetre at each impact, was the way it was done. These marines were great for this tough job and it took just a long weekend of very intense effort.

MW: So did you make the planned launch deadline? DK: Yes we did and Princess Anne duly cracked the bottle on the assigned date and GB II slowly trundled down the old rail ramp, but due to the ballast delay, there was still lots to do. But she was now afloat in Ramsgate harbour and far less convenient to work on. However, I finally sailed her to Southampton and handed her over to Chay and his race crew.

MW: And how did she fare in the Race? DK: Well our crazy effort was well rewarded as she was first to finish the Whitbread that year. Sadly, the victory was marred by a really unfortunate accident. One of the most enthusiastic and daring of the great marine crew, took one risk too many and was lost overboard.

MW: So how did the composite polyester, foam and glass hull stand up over time? DK: GB II went on to race 4 or 5 more Whitbread races. But new refinements and weight savings for new boats made her no longer competitive with her 17 tons of keel. Ballast and scantlings dropped a lot over the next decade but GB2 was certainly very resilient. I met many past crew members over the years and the one common fact was that they all expressed tremendous confidence in the boat. At my last count, GB II had gone 6 times around the world and about 50 times across the Atlantic. Also she was raced by others under different boat names she sadly always seemed to be on budgets too small to sufficiently update her. But personally, I do not know of any yacht which could match the mileage she sailed, though I have lost track of her during the last ten years. As a boat built by men, of which not one could call himself a boat builder, I feel this is a record of significance which to me, is a powerful testimony to the materials and the build method. There can surely be no better test for a yacht than extensive long-distance racing in all sorts of weather over many years.

MW: In retrospect, is there anything you would have changed in the construction? DK: As for the OSTAR boat by Robert Clark, designer Alan Gurney had persuaded us to use ply bulkheads in GB II . and at one stage, a bulkhead cracked and had to be reinforced. So there's one thing I would change as every time I have seen a foam sandwich hull with plywood, it is almost always the plywood which causes the problems. Bulkheads of the same foam sandwich as the hull and decks have always been 100%. From that boat on, I decided that for all my own designs, it would be foam sandwich throughout and I've never regretted the decision. Even today, we continue to use foam and polyester for most of our KSS designs and have no structural problems. As far as GB II , at one stage it was noted that the coffee grinders were tilting and the deck waved slightly ahead of them. The dip in the deck was filled with filler and foam and more glass added over before refixing the coffee grinders. Apart from a couple of bubbles on the bow, due to outgassing of the foam, I know of no problems other than routine maintenance. Her dark maroon paint probably added to the outgassing.

MW: Well thanks a million for sharing this fascinating experience from the past and great to see that you're still actively designing and building boats…and still successfully proving that the combination of glass, vinyl/polyester resin and cross-linked PVC foam, is still a very good formula at relatively low cost—especially when used with resin infusion as now regularly done with KSS. DK: You're most welcome and it's been fun to look back. Good luck with your W22. Looks good.

kelsall catamaran review

This fine Kelsall yacht was appropriately named when considering its very focussed designer, who definitely knows how he wants things to be … "My Way".   I personally like many things about Derek's designs but two particularly hit home with me. His straight lines and low rocker hulls.    Both add speed and efficiency and his flat decks are also safe and easy to work from.  All features happily shared on my own designs.

FOOTNOTE:  Sadly all good things come to an end, and Derek passed away in Dec 2022 at the age of 89.

A brief story of his long and active life, particularly as a pioneer and creator of many composite catamarans is GIVEN HERE

"New articles, comments and references will be added periodically as new questions are answered and other info comes in relative to this subject, so you're invited to revisit and participate." —webmaster

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Description

The Kelsall 40 Suncat is a well proven model with many happy owners, including round the world cruisers. Lightweight, simple layout and equipment. Performance has always been a feature of the Kelsall 40 Suncat design. Regular 200 miles a day were reported on one of the round the world cruisers. She offers great comfort, easy, fast and safe handling in all conditions.

All systems are maintained and the equipment is up to date, she is ready to sail anywhere in safety and comfort.

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KELSALL 40 specifications

Hull material

  • Displacement
  • 2 x Beta Marine - HP
  • Shaft drive
  • 2 x 220 ltr diesel tank

Sails & Rigging

  • Lazy Jacks – Lazy bag
  • Mainsail cover
  • Aluminium mast and boom  

Deck fittings

  • Cockpit cushions
  • Cockpit table
  • Cockpit shower
  • Swimming ladder

Electronics

  • Hydraulic autopilot
  • Log + speedo + sounder

Electricity

  • Solar panels
  • Alternators
  • 2 Double cabins + 2 single cabins
  • 2 Bathrooms with toilet
  • Refrigerator

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kelsall catamaran review

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https://www.proboat.com/2023/05/derek-kelsall/

As a designer, builder, sailor, and one of the most innovative pioneers in the development of modern multihulls, the late Derek Kelsall left an enduring legacy of experience, style, and groundbreaking ideas.

Kelsall Catamarans, the design company he established in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in 1965, became renowned for its expertise in using PVC foam to produce a wide range of craft.

For 20 years, Derek operated a boat-building company alongside the design firm, creating some of the largest and most advanced multihulls of their time. In 1998, the company relocated to New Zealand, where it continues to operate.

Though Derek Kelsall is no longer with us, his innovative spirit lives on through Kelsall Catamarans.

The company remains dedicated to offering both standard designs from an extensive range of power, sailing, racing, and commercial boats, as well as custom designs tailored to meet specific needs. His vision endures, ensuring that his cutting-edge designs can still be realized today.

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kelsall catamaran review

1900 32' Kelsall Catamaran Lima Comm. 2005

  • Description

Seller's Description

32 Kelsall Lima Catamaran in fair condition but with repairs needed. The mast was broken/fell down during hurricane season in Miami last year and it needs to be repaired. The boat is currently at Dinner Key Mooring Field in Coconut Groove Miami.

The is one engine outboard, a 2005 Yamaha Model 25 which operates on gasoline. The hull is made of reinforced plastic and the top of moulded fiberglass with a skylight and decorative wooden beams.

The catamaran contains 2 tanks: a portable fuel Tank holding up to 6 Gallons with approved hoses as well as a fresh water tank holding up to 30 gallons. There is a spare tank in the kitchen as well.

Electrical Equipment include integral reduction gear, bearings, propeller shaft and exhaust line. There is also a raw water cooling system, a mechanical fuel pump, a magneto alternator, a water lift silencer and a Jupiter 1500W Inverter.

Electronics include Autohelm auto-pilot, Lpg alarm, solara radio phone, 2 x 250W solar panels each with controller, running lights, 1 4D house battery, 1 Group 24 engine battery, anchor lights, a monitoring system and a DC electrical panel.

Inside equipment include a Bilge Pump - Rule and manual, a manual raritan head, an eco temp demand for hot water, a 12V refrigerator and a force 10 - 3 burner and oven - stove. Outside equipment includes Cockpit cushions cockpit table, BBQ, 4 Type II life jackets, a life ring, 2 deck winches, and anchor windlass and a danforth and Cqr anchors with approx. 125 of chain.

Equipment: Electrical Equipment

Integral Reduction Gear Integral Bearings Integral Propeller Shaft Integral Exhaust Line Mechanical Fuel Pump Raw Water Cooling System Controls - Morse Type Alternator - Magneto Silencer - Waterlift Inverter - Jupiter 1500W

Electronics

Auto Pilot - Autohelm Lpg alarm GPS - Garmin 540Sr Radio Phone - Solara Solar Panels (2) 250 Watt each with controller Running Lights House Batteries (1) 4D Engine Batteries - (1) Group 24 Anchor Lights Monitoring System - Engine and electrical Panel DC Electrical Panel

Inside Equipment

Bilge Pump - Rule and manual Stove - Force 10 / 3 burners and oven Raritan Heads - Manual Hot Water - Eco Temp Demand Refrigerator - 12 Volt Spare Tank in Kitchen Solenoid Shut Off

Outside Equipment/Extras

Cockpit cushions Cockpit table BBQ Tender - 2000 AB Rib (h.i.n. #: XMO51036G900 with 5 h.p. Nissan outboard Lifejackets - 4/Type II Life Ring Deck Winches - (2) Harken 40ST’s Anchors - Danforth and Cqr / Approx. 125’ of chain and assorted nylon Anchor Windlass - Horizon / 12 Volts

OTHER SPECIFICATION

Fuel Tanks - (1) 6 Gallons / Approved Hoses / Aft Cockpit / Portable Fresh Water Tanks - (1) 30 Gallons / under Port Settee

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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COMMENTS

  1. Kelsall

    Kelsall's system or similar is definitely going to save thousands of hours of filling/sanding/fairing compared to other glass one-off systems. We are considering building a 42' Kelsall designed GRP catamaran. I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with this method, (preferably other than just a workshop).

  2. 1997 Kelsall KSS 45' sailing catamaran walkthrough review ...

    Designed by Derek Kelsall and built by J. Partington in Lancaster, Great Britain in 1997 this 1997 Kelsall KSS 45 sailing catamaran has recently completed ci...

  3. Derek Kelsall Interview

    Derek Kelsall Interview. We spoke with legendary catamaran designer Derek Kelsall. We cover his history and innovations in catamarans design and construction such as the foam coring, KSS. We ask him why his designs and build techniques are so heavily criticized. He talks about what size of a catamaran that a couple or family should purchase and ...

  4. 20 Performance Cruising Catamaran Reviews

    Learn about the top performance cruising catamarans and their features, speed, and comfort. Compare models such as Manta 42, Dolphin 42, Leopard 48, and more.

  5. Kelsall Catamarans For Sale

    Brand: Kelsall. Legendary designer Derek Kelsall certainly knows about catamarans. His boats are build around the world by amateurs and professionals. A pioneer in foam sandwich construction, his designs are built quickly, simply and robustly using the KSS construction methods.

  6. KELSALL TONGA 40

    40 foot Kelsall Tonga catamaran heading North off Orfordness UK - we start at 8/9 knots or so but as the speed building up a little to 12 knots I leave the b...

  7. Kelsall Designs

    I got to thinking about a cat designer I haven't heard much of in quite a few years... Derek Kelsall . A friend past on a link to his website to me, looking at some of his designs, all I can think, is

  8. Kelsall 58

    [Sold]This magnificent catamaran with a classic design benefits from a double beautiful origin: The architectural signature of Derek Kelsall (very famous des...

  9. Ballota Kelsell catamaran from Peru

    SailNet Archive Discussion starter. 87689 posts · Joined 1999. #1 · Sep 15, 2007. I am considering buying a Kelsell designed Catamaran from a company in Peru called Corporacion Ballotta. anyone with experience with either the builder or the designer? Reply Like. Sort by. Oldest first.

  10. 39' bare hull Kelsall Catamaran

    Join Date: Nov 2011. Location: Oak Harbor, WA. Boat: Albin Singoalla 34'. Posts: 10. 39' bare hull Kelsall Catamaran. Close friend's dad got as far as completing the shell of a 39' Kelsall sailing catamaran before ill health forced him to quit. He's in a home now and she's at a loss of what to with his boat.

  11. Kelsall KSS-R-30

    Kelsall-KSS-R-30. Lilly is a fine performance open bridgedeck catamaran designed by Derek Kelsall and built using his KSS methods to a high specification. The boat has only been lightly used since launched in 2008. For its size and price Lilly offers a well kept, fast boat with accommodation for four and is equipped with the basics for spending ...

  12. Derek Kelsall, Multihull design pioneer, passes away

    Derek Kelsall, the man who during his life created the modern day trimaran, who famously introduced Eric Tabarly to multihulls and who was one of the first to champion foam sandwich construction, died on Saturday 11th December in hospital in Thames, New Zealand, aged 89. Derek was born in rural North Wales on 15 May 1933 into humble surroundings.

  13. Noted designer, builder and short-handed offshore sailor Derek Kelsall

    Derek Kelsall the British-born pioneer in composite construction technology, offshore multihull design, and noted short-handed and singlehanded offshore and trans-oceanic race sailor, died in Thames, on the Coromandel Peninsular, east of Auckland, on December 11, 2022. ... (KSS) and design catamarans of all kinds, with clients in 20 countries ...

  14. An Interview with Derek Kelsall

    Back in early 2009, I had this interesting discussion with noted sailor, designer and boatbuilder Derek Kelsall, related to his part in the early development and use of PVC foam core and polyester resin for racing monohulls and multihulls. Although not at the time directly related to 'small trimaran design', the work of pioneers like Derek ...

  15. KELSALL 40

    The Kelsall 40 Suncat is a well proven model with many happy owners, including round the world cruisers. Lightweight, simple layout and equipment. Performance has always been a feature of the Kelsall 40 Suncat design. Regular 200 miles a day were reported on one of the round the world cruisers. She offers great comfort, easy, fast and safe ...

  16. Boat tour! Welcome aboard our home. Kelsall Catamaran 44 foot

    We live aboard our 44 foot Kelsall design Catamaran. Welcome aboard 'Phar Lap' come take a look!'Phar Lap' a 44 foot catamaran by KelsallWe moved onto our b...

  17. Sailing yachts designed by Derek Kelsall Catamarans

    Sailing Yachts Built in 2021 with Designs by Derek Kelsall Catamarans. There are currently over 10,800 yachts afloat. The longest yacht in the world is Azzam, measuring 180.61m (592'7').She was built in 2013 by Lürssen.The largest yacht in the world is Fulk Al Salamah, built by Mariotti in 2016, with a volume of 20,361 GT. On average, yachts are 36m long with a volume of 341 GT.

  18. anyone familiar with kelsall sailing catamarans designs?

    I am looking for something between 28 and 33 ft. Seems like Kelsall.com is down.. Anyone has experiences with Kelsall catamarans? Cheers!

  19. DEREK KELSALL

    Kelsall Catamarans, the design company he established in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in 1965, became renowned for its expertise in using PVC foam to produce a wide range of craft. For 20 years, Derek operated a boat-building company alongside the design firm, creating some of the largest and most advanced multihulls of their time. In 1998, the ...

  20. KELSALL CATAMARANS KSS The Leading Edge of Custom Boat Building

    KELSALL CATAMARANS KSS (Kelsall Swiftbuild Sandwich) was suggested by the first KSS owner/ builder who was the first to use the full structure from flat panels 18 years ago. He and his young family spent 3 years cruising on both sides of the Atlantic on board their 36 foot KSS sailing catamaran, Island Dancer. The KSS process has been subject to

  21. 1900 32' Kelsall Catamaran Lima Comm. 2005

    32 Kelsall Lima Catamaran in fair condition but with repairs needed. The mast was broken/fell down during hurricane season in Miami last year and it needs to be repaired. The boat is currently at Dinner Key Mooring Field in Coconut Groove Miami. The is one engine outboard, a 2005 Yamaha Model 25 which operates on gasoline.

  22. Crewed Catamaran Kelsall 58

    Minimum yacht charter duration: - 5 days, - 7 days Christmas and New Year, - Surcharges may apply for charters of less than 7 days. Charter yacht location: - This crewed catamaran is based in Phuket, Thailand. Accommodation is provided in: - 2 double cabins, each with a queen size bed plus a single bed, - 2 double cabins with queen size bed, - 2 twin cabins.