Sea Moth II Information, Review, Specs

The Sea Moth II entered production in 1966. Its design is attributed to Allan J. Arnold, who also designed the original Sea Spray 15. The Sea Spray, preceding Hobie Cats by several years, was one of the earliest production catamarans built in the U.S.. Arnold later sold the tooling and rights to the boat, leading to numerous builders and changes of ownership over time. AMF's involvement with the Sea Moth II came during a period of significant corporate expansion into leisure industries, where they leveraged their financial backing and corporate structure to market various boat brands, including the Sea Moth II, through their dealer network Overview. The Sea Moth II, like its Sea Spray counterpart, was conceived as a lightweight and accessible catamaran, often sailed as a single-hander. There is no information found on significant variations or Marks for the Sea Moth II during its production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a 15-foot catamaran, the Sea Moth II is designed for agility and ease of handling, rather than the complex performance metrics of larger cruising sailboats. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to launch and trailer. Owners often describe the Sea Spray 15 (and by extension, the Sea Moth II) as an "old school" boat that is excellent for single-handing. It is generally considered easy to sail, forgiving, and fairly fast for its size. The boat is sensitive to weight placement, suggesting that proper trim is important for optimal performance. While some small catamarans might be challenging to tack, the inclusion of a jib on models like the Sea Spray 15 typically makes coming about easier. The Sea Moth II features a fractional sloop rig and a catamaran hull type, with twin rudders.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact size of 15 feet, the AMF Sea Moth II, like other small catamarans of its type, offers minimal to no interior accommodations in the traditional sense. These boats are typically open-deck day-sailing vessels, prioritizing sailing experience over creature comforts. There would be no enclosed cabin, berths, galley, or head as found on larger cruising sailboats. The layout would consist primarily of trampolines between the hulls for seating and lounging, and basic controls for sailing. Information regarding specific interior finish quality or materials is not applicable, as the focus is on robust, lightweight construction suitable for a small, recreational catamaran.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Sea Spray 15, a close relative of the Sea Moth II, generally praise its light weight, making it easy to handle both on and off the water. It is often described as a fun boat to sail, particularly for those looking for a single-handed experience. While the hulls are noted for being thin to keep the boat light, which aids in launching and trailering, this also implies a need for care regarding impact. The design is considered forgiving and reasonably fast for a 15-foot catamaran. Overall, the sentiment among owners points to a boat that delivers an enjoyable and straightforward sailing experience for its class.