The Supercat 22 is a high-performance catamaran, renowned for its speed and quality within the sailing community. Conceived by visionary designer Bill Roberts, this 22-foot multihull was built by Aquarius Sail Inc., a company that established itself as a pivotal force in the manufacturing of high-performance catamarans. The Supercat 22 was designed to offer competitive sailing experiences, suitable for both racing and performance-oriented recreational use.
Supercat 22 Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Model
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1992 - ??
The Supercat 22, an extended version of the earlier Supercat 20, began production in 1992. Its creation was a testament to the deepened collaboration between Aquarius Sail Inc. and naval architect Bill Roberts, a partnership that flourished in the 1990s. Aquarius Sail Inc., initially founded by Tom Haberman in the early 1970s as a sail repair shop, expanded into a full-fledged boat builder after acquiring the SuperCat brand in 1984.
The design philosophy behind the Supercat 22, and indeed the entire SuperCat line, was to consistently "raise the benchmark in high performance sailing," prioritizing speed, quality, and competitive consistency. Bill Roberts, through his designs, aimed to set and elevate standards in catamaran sailing. A significant evolution for the model occurred in 2000 when the SC-22 was renamed the ARC-22, reflecting Aquarius Sail's commitment to a strict one-design fleet program aimed at ensuring fair competition among owners.
Sailing Performance and Handling
As a high-performance catamaran, the Supercat 22 is recognized for its dynamic sailing characteristics. The collaboration between Aquarius Sail and Bill Roberts focused on developing catamarans that delivered superior performance in various conditions, including long-distance and triangle racing. The design emphasizes speed and responsiveness, embodying the builder's dedication to pushing the boundaries of performance in catamaran sailing. This focus on hydrodynamic efficiency is a hallmark of Bill Roberts' designs, which are noted for being fast and seaworthy. The Supercat 22, with its catamaran hull type and twin daggerboards, is engineered for efficiency and spirited performance on the water.
Accommodations and Layout
Given its design as a 22-foot high-performance catamaran, the Supercat 22's interior accommodations are minimal, reflecting its primary purpose for day sailing and racing rather than extended cruising. Information on the exact interior layout is limited, but typical for performance catamarans of this size, it likely features a very basic cuddy cabin in each hull. These spaces are generally used for stowing sails, safety gear, or providing rudimentary shelter. Headroom within these compartments is typically restricted, confirming the focus on exterior performance over interior comfort.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (Solid)
- Hull Type
- Catamaran Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Daggerboard
- Ballast
- -
- Displacement
- 475 lbs
- Water Capacity
- -
- Fuel Capacity
- -
Engine
- Engine Make
- —
- Engine Model
- —
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- —
- Engine Count
- 1
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- —
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Fractional Sloop
- P (Main Luff)
- -
- E (Main Foot)
- -
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- -
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- -
- Forestay Length (est)
- -
- Main Sail Area
- -
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- -
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- 352 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- -
Dimensions
- LOA
- 22 ft
- LWL
- 21.67 ft
- Beam
- 12 ft
- Draft
- 4 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- 6.24 kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- —