The central platform of solid panels within trampoline material is also well clear of the water and should stay dry for most of the time. Not unexpectedly, it is obvious that time spent on arranging such as specific ties for specific items will pay large dividends in reducing the time from road to water. With the one exception of fitting the heel of the mast to its fitting, where a second hand was called upon, the job has been done successfully singlehanded. One of the attractive feature of X-Kat is the large central platform with seating all round. The whole area is available for sail handling but also plenty of room for the folding cockpit tent planned, without interfering with sheeting.
Performance is primarily a question of weight and sail area.
Cruising X-Kat is generally lighter with a little less sail area and probably little to choose between the two. Our view is that for a wide beam boat, the place for the main buoyancy is not between the buoyancy units keeping the boat upright. A 33 is under construction in USA and a 36 is planned. A variation is also planned to allow for wider overall beam to suit larger racing rigs with wider sailing beam and for larger, wider catamarans without increasing the trailing beam. A spreaderless carbon wing mast would be one extra worth concidering for both its efficiency and neatness when stowed on the boat.