A book on cruising catamarans - illustrated with four-color photography and diagrams. From the technical details to the luxurious lifestyle, it covers various aspects of cruising cats. It reviews basic concepts of design, construction, and performance. It discusses the catamaran developments.

This is the definitive book on cruising catamarans - beautifully illustrated with glorious four-color photography and diagrams. From the technical details to the luxurious lifestyle, Catamarans covers every aspect of cruising cats, giving you a dream book combination of how-to manual, buyer's guide, and coffee-table showpiece. Alongside stunning full-color photos, the expert author reviews basic concepts of design, construction, and performance; discusses the latest catamaran developments; provides detailed guidance on sailing and seamanship techniques; and, shows you how to compare, rate, and evaluate different models. The book also includes an illustrated catalog of noteworthy production boats. A total package, this book is an invaluable reference guide for anyone interested in owning a catamaran.

• AcknowledgementsForewordIntroductionHistory AbbreviatedPresent EnvironmentThe Big PictureCurrent Perception of MultihullsModern PioneersObjective & Mission ProfilePart 1. Multihull CharacteristicsMultihull AdvantagesCatamaran vs. MultihullSpeedEfficiencyStabilitySafetyDraftNo-Heel EnvironmentSpaceBoat HandlingDesirable AttributesSeaworthinessConstructionDesignCritical IssuesLoad CarryingCostPart 2. Multihull ParametersDesign & DynamicsConfiguration & Basic TypesClass 1 - Open Bridgedeck CatamaranClass 2 - Partial Bridgedeck CatamaranClass 3 - Bridgedeck CatamaranClass 4 - Superyacht CatamaranEvaluation & CoefficientsBruce Number (BN)Sail Area to Wetted Surface (SAWS)Hull Fineness Ratio (HFR)Stability Coefficient (SC)Diagonal Stability & Beam to Length Ratio (BLR)HullShape & ResistanceAppendagesKeels vs. DaggerboardsRuddersRigConfiguration & TypesMastSailsConstructionComposite & AluminumPart 3. Multihull SeamanshipSailhandling - Monohull vs. MultihullThe Magic of Apparent WindManuevers Under SailUpwind SailingReachingDownwindVelocity Made Good (VMG)BattensReefingDaggerboardsTrackingStall RecoveryGybingDocking & Under PowerMotorsailingAnchoringHeavy Weather TacticsPart 4. Noteworthy MultihullsAtlantic 55Blubay 100Broadblue 435Catana 52Dolphin 46Fountaine Pajot - Eleuthera 60Gemini 150McGunboat 49Lagoon 410Leopard 40Maine Cat 41Manta 42Outremer 42PDQ - Antares 44Privilege 495Seawind 1160St Francis 50Switch 55Voyage 500Jaguar 36Yapluka 70Appendix 1. Offshore Survival Gear ChecklistAppendix 2. Long-Range Cruising Equipment ChecklistAppendix 3. General Vessel MaintenanceAppendix 4. Beaufort ScaleAppendix 5. PhotographyPhoto CreditsBibliography & ReferencesGlossaryIndex of Illustrations and TablesFeatured Catamaran IndexIndex