James Wharram Self-Build Catamarans

[Sea sea rider]

I'm thinking about building a james wharram tiki 30 to explore the gulf coast of Florida and the Bahamas. Comments? Concerns?

[marshmat]

First things first, welcome to the forum

As for Tikis. They're as close to modern as you'll get from Wharram, but they're still counter-culture boats. You'll probably be perceived as a free-spirit hippie by the folks sailing fancier and more expensive vessels. That may or may not bother you- if it doesn't, great!

The Tiki 30 is theoretically capable of sleeping 4, but I think it would get quite cramped for more than two or three people for any length of time. It is a much smaller boat than its overall dimensions would suggest. Dry weight is about 1000 kg / 2200 lb and while Wharram says it can handle another 1000 kg of people and cargo, you'll lose a fair bit of speed in doing so. 1000 kg doesn't go very far: two crew, plus a bit of clothing and foul-weather gear, plus a few weeks of water and food, plus a basic complement of essential gear, will not leave you with much of a margin for extras.

The Tiki has no bridgedeck cabin and no easy way to add one. If that's what you want, great. If you'd prefer a bit more shelter at about the same build cost, look at the smaller Richard Woods cats (Sagitta, Gypsy). Woods also has one called "Surfsong" that is a direct competitor to the Tiki 30. There are a few other designs out there in this size range, but most of them would be more complicated, more expensive builds.

[Sea sea rider]

Thanks for the reply. I think your right on. I've built several other boats. Some people really appreciate what you've done.others will openly mock you. It just depends on where you are.

[boatman61]

Excellent boat... If you want you can make a Sprayhood that'll cover 2/3rds of the central deck area... made one for my Tiki 21...
A little thought and you can get it quite aero dynamic... another thing I did was carry a 6x6 Dome tent to pitch on the central deck along with an inflatable double mattress...
GF's appreciate the privacy...

[Sea sea rider]

Your tiki looks good. Is that an aluminum mast? What's a gf?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Sea sea rider

Your tiki looks good. Is that an aluminum mast? What's a gf?

Thank you..
she came to a sad end in San Antonio, Ibiza when a drunk on a jet bike smashed into her at about 35kts...
The mast was Aluminium tubing with a wrap around gaff wing sail......

A GF is a member of the opposite sex who likes sharing a double airbed...

[cchesley]

Well, if I were interested in a Tiki30 in Florida, I'd check out BoatSmith Marine Carpentry offering high quality, service in all areas of yacht carpentry. . They just built one a year or so ago that I think is still for sale (and at a great price). Jump on it!

(No commercial interest in this sale btw)

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here. The little Wharram our club had was a 23 and if you kept the weight down she sailed pretty well. I think Marshmat had some very good points. Overnighting took some real planning.
kind regards,

[Ram]

Originally Posted by cchesley

Well, if I were interested in a Tiki30 in Florida, I'd check out BoatSmith Marine Carpentry offering high quality, service in all areas of yacht carpentry. . They just built one a year or so ago that I think is still for sale (and at a great price). Jump on it!

(No commercial interest in this sale btw)

Yes ives seen this boat and the workmanship is as good as it gets!