How to Find a Catamaran's Fastest Point of Sailing

Catamaran Sailing.

Catamaran sailing exploits a law in physics which says "no boat can travel faster than it's stern wave". The principle behind this is that a single hull vessel with a wide beam has a lot of water to "move" around the hull as it traverses through the water. A catamaran however, removes the belly of the vessel and places two thin hulls at the extremities of the beam. A catamaran is then only dependent on how much sail it can carry.

Instructions

1. Catamarans are designed to go fast. Even is the lightest wind, the reduced contact area with the water makes them faster than a single hull vessel. However, there is a point when a catamaran speed will max out. Rig the catamaran and begin sailing on a body of water.

2. In an area clear of obstructions and other boats, begin turning the catamaran slowly in a full circle. The catamaran will accelerate and slow down as it completes the circle. The fastest point of sailing on the catamaran is somewhere between a close reach and a beam reach.

3. Having located the fastest track, the catamaran with it's wide beam, can now be induced to travel faster than on other angles to the wind. Sail the catamaran close hauled to the wind and move the crew weight inboard. The catamaran will reach a point where the windward hull will begin to lift clear of the water. When it does, cease moving inboard.

4. 

   A catamarans fastest speed is achieved in two places: on it's fastest angle to the wind and at any angle to the wind where the windward hull is slightly clear of the water, thus reducing drag and wetted surface to a single hull.

Tips & Warnings

• A number of attachments can be used on a catamaran to move the center of weight further outboard. They include hiking straps, trapeze wires and wings.

• At it's fastest speed, a catamaran is prone to capsize quickly. When inertia is immediately slowed, the crew will generally be propelled forward through the rigging.