Wharram or Waller

[Malapropos]

I am going to start a catamaran. I have narrowed it down to a Wharram Tiki 38 or a Mike Waller Coral Sea 35. Both have similar waterline lengths and load capacity. I know Wharram has a good record. The Waller sits higher and has more freeboard which would make for a dryer cruise in chop but that also means higher profile to the wind. Both have Polynesian Bows The Waller has sugar scoops for the sterns while the Wharram of course is a double ended canoe. The Wharram is lashed together while the Waller is solid mounted. I guess my main hang up is how low the Tiki 38 appears to ride in the water and the fact that you are relying on lashings to hold the boat together. Any insight from anyone would be appreciated.
Mike Waller Yacht Design - Coral Sea 35 Catamaran
https://www.wharram.com/site/catalog...designs/tiki38

[daletournier]

I sat down with Mike Waller approx ten years ago when I was considering building a cat. He struck me as a very knowledgeable guy.

My first boat was a tiki 31, I still have a soft spot for Wharrams but it would need to be a very big Wharram for me to have another, just not enough living room for me. The lashings aren't an issue, they have proven themselves countless times, also no bridgedeck slamming with Wharrams, they can hobby horse quite abit. A well built Wharram can be a very seaworthy craft, I've seen a number of not well built Wharrams. Also I think you could probably buy one cheaper than you can build one. I've seen them for as low as 60k.

I'd chose the Mike Waller design, a more modern design and Imo a better live aboard. Although a nice tiki 38 or 46 are lovely looking to me, but that's very subjective.

[tuskie]

I agree with Daletournier. Both are proven, but the Waller is a better liveaboard.

A couple of suggestions; perhaps post on the multihulls section of CF for comments?

Also, have you considered Peter Snell's "Easy" designs? IMHO, for many reasons they are the pick of the Aussie DIY cats.
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[WharramMan]

I might be biased in my opinion here....

Having built and sailed on many Wharrams, I can say with confidence that the Tiki 38 is a very difficult build - more difficult than any other in the range and class. We about to launch one in a week or so.

That being said, the Classics are easier when you use epoxy and other modern techniques to build them. A Tangaroa or Narai can be built in a fraction of the time.

[Boatguy30]

The Tiki 38 is a nitemare to build. Have a friend that built one in Punta Gorda, FL.

I personally wouldn't have a "liveaboard" without a center cabin. I had about 3000 hours in my Vardo. Hans estimated 7000 for his Tiki 38. Same displacement

[boatman61]

The stich and glue method seems to work pretty well on the smaller Tiki's.. saves building the frame first.. just stich up the 'envelope' then slot in the bulkheads and wire into place before filleting.
Tho' I guess time is saved on the Classic's just nailing the hull panels into place on the frame.

[WharramMan]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Tho' I guess time is saved on the Classic's just nailing the hull panels into place on the frame.

Time and money saved building the Classics is to use reusable Tek screws, epoxy, Tiki style beams, and lashings. Nailing is very time consuming, expensive, and requires two people.

[double u]

...with some memories still in my mind from our 7 year rtw on a Tangaroa in the 80ies I categorically shout:
THE WALLER!!! TAKE THE WALLER!!!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by WharramMan

Time and money saved building the Classics is to use reusable Tek screws, epoxy, Tiki style beams, and lashings. Nailing is very time consuming, expensive, and requires two people.

Ahh.. using a hammer not a nail gun..

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by double u

...with some memories still in my mind from our 7 year rtw on a Tangaroa in the 80ies I categorically shout:
THE WALLER!!! TAKE THE WALLER!!!

Lol[emoji23]

[Malapropos]

Thanks to all. I found it all very informative. I do believe I will be going with the Waller, for several reasons but one of the most telling was I emailed both asking questions, I took Hennke a week to get back to me While Mike responded several times to different inquiries all within 24 hours. ( I don't want to wait a week for a reply if I have a question while building.) Also Mike took the time to list and explain why my questions were stupid While Hennke Just basically said this is this and that is that pick one and shut up. (at least that was the way I felt.) So based on that, the responses I've gathered here and more digging on my part. I will be ordering Mike Wallers Plans.

Thank you all!

[boatman61]

Hennke's Dutch.. they're like that.. but she is a nice lady who gets a lot of dreamers pass through.