Strangest Cat/Tri I've Ever Seen

[senormechanico]

A friend of mine showed me this article from Popular Science from years ago. It looks like a fun boat, but probably not doable in a larger size.

Internet searching for any crumbs of information from the article produced no results for either me or my friend.

Does anyone know if this design actually made it into any production?

[jdazey]

It's a new one on me. From the photo, it's a bit hard to understand quite how it works.

[senormechanico]

Here's a closer photo from the same page.
There's a center rail which is connected to both of the 3 spoke hull connections which stays on the center line.
It also holds the mast and forestay.
The jib is self tending and the boomless main is sheeted to the aft end of the center rail.
The mast has conventional stays which go to the mats which are apparently fixed to the center rail.
The boat from the base of the mast including the mats is strictly a standard self tending jib type boat.
It's only the hulls which swivel below that is novel (and bizarre).
I'm still trying to figure out where the rudder attaches.

[AD28]

Have a look for Randy Smyth's "Sizzor" trimaran, similar concept. On reaches/downwind, you get longer waterline, just when you need it

[jongleur]

Only one rudder. Should be a bonus -
less drag. Long waterline with less
weight too. Be nice to know what
ever became of it.

Is this the same Robert Jamieson?:
Sail boats on lake. Photo by robert jamieson — National Geographic Your Shot

[fatherchronica]

I love that stuff, I would like to watch one from the shore go in circles.

[valhalla360]

Looks like a tacking version of a proa, where they reconfigure the main hull on each tack rather than shuttle like you would on a traditional proa.

[lucdekeyser]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Looks like a tacking version of a proa, where they reconfigure the main hull on each tack rather than shuttle like you would on a traditional proa.

Exactly. I like your use of the word shuttle. It conveys better what happens during a shunt. This construction also demonstrates in absurdum how effectively simple proa's are for the very same sailing advantages.

[fatherchronica]

But a proa reverses ends each tack.I think the only advantage of this boat would be a lengthened waterline, which is actually not of any value on a planing hull. weird, but I still like it.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by lucdekeyser

Exactly. I like your use of the word shuttle. It conveys better what happens during a shunt. This construction also demonstrates in absurdum how effectively simple proa's are for the very same sailing advantages.

Actually I meant shunt but that's neither here nor there.

For a small dingy type application I really like the proa idea for it's simplicity. This thing does not look simple by any stretch of the imagination.

Some day I have to finish the 14' proa that is sitting in my brother-in-laws pole barn. It's largely built but needs finish work. The problem is we headed out cruising.
- All but the main hull can be quickly dissassembled and stored in the extra cabin or the whole thing can hang from the davits (estimated weight 60-80lbs).
- With the narrow hulls, it should padle as easily as a canoe.
- A little 2hp outboard on the cross arm should move it along nicely
- A simple lateen sail is planned with a mounting point on the cross arms to use a paddle as a rudder.
- High freeboard compared to an inflatable should make it dry.
- With a ladder mounded between the hulls, it should be easy and stable to climb in and out from the water.
- Solid hull so no holes like inflatables get.

[lucdekeyser]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Actually I meant shunt but that's neither here nor there.

For a small dingy type application I really like the proa idea for it's simplicity. This thing does not look simple by any stretch of the imagination.

Some day I have to finish the 14' proa that is sitting in my brother-in-laws pole barn. It's largely built but needs finish work. The problem is we headed out cruising.
- All but the main hull can be quickly dissassembled and stored in the extra cabin or the whole thing can hang from the davits (estimated weight 60-80lbs).
- With the narrow hulls, it should padle as easily as a canoe.
- A little 2hp outboard on the cross arm should move it along nicely
- A simple lateen sail is planned with a mounting point on the cross arms to use a paddle as a rudder.
- High freeboard compared to an inflatable should make it dry.
- With a ladder mounded between the hulls, it should be easy and stable to climb in and out from the water.
- Solid hull so no holes like inflatables get.

The builder of this boat has done the opposite: a catamaran "dingy" fitting its hulls alongside as fairings to the beams of this large HarryProa.