Hirondelle Mk I Sailboats for Sale

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull Type

Catamaran · centerboard

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

22.67' · 6.91 m

Disp.

2,300 lbs · 1,043 kg

First year

1968

The Hirondelle Mk I, designed by Chris Simpson in the late 1960s, represents a foundational moment in the history of the "pocket" cruising catamaran. Measuring 23 feet in length, this Britishdesigned multihull was among the first to successfully blend the highspeed potential of a racing catamaran with the basic accommodations required for coastal weekend cruising. Built primarily by Hirondelle Cats in Essex, UK, the Mk I established a legacy for safety and seaworthiness that was famously cemented when an early model completed a transatlantic crossing, a feat that helped dispel contemporary skepticism regarding the stability of small multihulls. While modern catamarans have moved toward highvolume "condomaran" aesthetics, the Mk I remains a purist's choice, favored for its slender hulls and lowprofile silhouette.