Sol Cat 18 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Sol Cat 18 began production in 1973, emerging from Sol Catamarans, a company founded by Gene Vernon in Santa Ana, California. Vernon, acting as the principal naval architect for Sol Cat's designs, aimed to create fun, fast, and straightforward beach catamarans that emphasized speed and agility in a compact package. The builder, Sol Catamarans, focused on constructing lightweight and responsive vessels from fiberglass, a material chosen for its efficiency and durability in boat building during that era. The company operated throughout the 1970s and into the early 1980s, ceasing operations in 1984.

The Sol Cat 18 features a catamaran hull type with twin daggerboards and a fractional sloop rig, often utilizing a rotating spar for enhanced performance. While specific design variations like MkI or MkII are not widely noted, the Sol Cat 18 stood as a prominent model alongside its smaller sibling, the Sol Cat 15, throughout the company's production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a performance-oriented beach catamaran, the Sol Cat 18 is known for its spirited sailing characteristics. With a reported sail area of 220 square feet and a displacement of just 330 pounds, it is designed for lively acceleration and quick responsiveness. Its 18-foot length overall and an 18-foot waterline, combined with a beam of nearly 8 feet, contribute to its stability and speed potential, reaching a theoretical hull speed of 5.69 knots.

The Sol Cat 18's twin daggerboards allow for a variable draft, ranging from a mere 0.4 feet with the boards retracted to 4.0 feet when fully deployed, enabling sailors to navigate shallow waters and even sail close to the beach. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Sol Cat 18 handles well and is considered a "fun boat" to sail, often drawing comparisons to other popular performance catamarans of its time, such as the Hobie 18, indicating its strong standing in the market. However, some discussions suggest it might excel particularly in lighter air conditions, making it well-suited for inland lakes.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its design as an 18-foot beach catamaran, the Sol Cat 18 offers a minimalist layout focused on day sailing and performance rather than extensive accommodations. There is no enclosed cabin, and the vessel is open-decked, providing space for crew and sailing maneuvers. The hull structures, while providing buoyancy, are narrow and primarily serve the boat's hydrodynamic function, with any storage likely limited to small, accessible hatches on deck or within the hulls for gear necessary for a day on the water. The design prioritizes lightweight construction and agile performance over creature comforts, which is typical for this class of sailboat.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Sol Cat 18 generally praise its engaging sailing experience, often describing it as a "fun" and robustly built boat that has stood the test of time. Its enduring presence in online communities and on waterways speaks to its durable fiberglass construction and the lasting appeal of its spirited design. While parts availability, particularly for original sails, can be a consideration due to the boat's age, the existence of owner's manuals suggests that information for maintenance and rigging is available. The Sol Cat 18 continues to be a fondly remembered classic among catamaran enthusiasts, cherished for its direct connection to the water and its ability to deliver an exhilarating sailing experience.