A catamaran
| Notation | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Boat dimensions | |
| Length above : | Max. 5.49 m |
| Width above sea level : | Max. 2.30 m |
| Weight (ready to sail): | min. 75 kg |
| Sail area | |
| Sail area close to the wind : | Max. 13.94 m² |
| Others | |
| Class : | Construction class |
The A Catamaran (A-Cat) is one of the fastest singlehanded sailed boats . The A-Cat is a construction class ; only a few design features are specified. The A-Division was launched in 1956 by the " International Yacht Racing Union " in England as a free construction class and is now one of the oldest active catamaran classes in the world. Today it is a high-tech boat made of the most modern materials such as carbon or aramid fibers ("Kevlar") reinforced plastic (CFK / AFK), which is constantly being further developed.
Construction features:
- maximum length: 5.49 m (18 ft)
- maximum width: 2.30 m
- maximum sail area: 13.94 m 2 (150 sq.ft.)
- minimum weight: 75 kg
Other development aspects such as hull shape, mast length, shape and sail section are not restricted. The few given parameters have motivated design engineers all over the world to push the development forward. This has also meant that the A-Cats have become steadily faster in recent years. In the meantime, the development has advanced so far that these single-handed catamarans can keep up with the classic tornado in winds of up to 3 Beaufort . In terms of technical development, the A-Division is a role model for other catamaran classes. Over time, many details of the A-Cat have been copied and can now be found in the other classes. Examples of this are the mast made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, the main sail on display, the wave piercer hull shape and the general use of high-quality composite materials .
A-Cats are now sailed all over the world, especially in almost all European countries. The largest European fleets are in Germany and Italy . World and European championships are sailed annually with starting fields of 80 to 100 boats. The currently successful regatta boats are series products and are used by 90% of sailors.
