Marstrom 20 Information, Review, Specs

The Marstrom 20 was in production from 2001 to 2005, emerging from a builder with a rich history rooted in competitive sailing. Göran Marström's personal quest for better-performing catamarans, driven by his experience in the Tornado class, directly influenced the design ethos of the Marstrom 20. Marstrom Composite AB, known for its pioneering work in autoclaved carbon fiber technology and a relentless pursuit of lightweight strength, constructed the Marstrom 20 with a fiberglass honeycomb core for both its hull and deck, ensuring exceptional rigidity and minimal weight. The boat notably features carbon spars, a hallmark of Marstrom's expertise, which contribute significantly to its high-performance capabilities. While no significant production variations like "MkI" or "MkII" are widely noted, the Marstrom 20 consistently offered a high-end, purpose-built platform focused singularly on speed and exhilarating sailing.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Marstrom 20 is engineered for exhilarating speed and highly responsive handling. With an exceptionally light displacement of just 254 pounds, coupled with a generous sail area of 237 square feet upwind and a formidable 474 square feet downwind with its asymmetrical spinnaker, the Marstrom 20 is designed to plane readily and accelerate quickly in light winds. Its "cat rig" design simplifies the sail plan while providing significant power. The incorporation of daggerboards and twin rudders ensures excellent upwind performance and precise control. The boat is equipped with twin trapezes, indicating its design for active, athletic sailing and the need for crew weight to maintain stability and maximize speed. Owners have described sailing the Marstrom 20 as a "pretty wild ride in 20 knots of breeze," highlighting its thrilling nature. The construction quality, particularly its stiffness, is consistently praised, effectively mitigating the "racking" issues that can plague many modern beach catamaran designs. With reported top speeds reaching up to 30 knots, the Marstrom 20 is a serious contender for those seeking high-octane sailing experiences.

Accommodations and Layout

True to its purpose as a high-performance sport catamaran, the Marstrom 20 offers a minimalist layout designed purely for sailing efficiency rather than cruising comfort. There is no enclosed cockpit in the traditional sense; instead, the deck features open trampolines between the hulls, providing a large, unencumbered platform for crew movement and optimal weight distribution. The design prioritizes lightweight functionality, with the hull and deck constructed from fiberglass honeycomb core and carbon fiber, maximizing structural rigidity while minimizing excess weight. Storage is limited to essential gear for day sailing or racing, reflecting its focused design. Ventilation and headroom are not applicable considerations for a boat of this type, which is intended for open-air, high-speed sailing.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners and enthusiasts generally view the Marstrom 20 as a remarkably stiff and high-performance catamaran. Many appreciate its robust construction, which effectively addresses the common issue of hull racking seen in other beach catamarans. Its speed potential, particularly in stronger breezes where it offers a "pretty wild ride," is a frequently mentioned highlight. However, as a niche, high-performance boat, it's acknowledged to be a demanding vessel that requires active crew participation, particularly due to its twin trapeze setup. While some discussions suggest that Marstrom may have ceased primary production of this model due to financial viability, its legacy as a top-tier performance cat remains firmly established among a dedicated community of sailors.