Hirondelle Mk II Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Hirondelle Mk II is characterized by its light displacement and slender hulls, which contribute to a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 128, placing it firmly in the "light racer" category. This light weight allows the boat to accelerate quickly and plane or "scoot" off the wind in conditions that would leave similar-sized monohulls wallowing.

Handling is defined by the use of twin daggerboards and lifting rudders. According to the Hirondelle Association, the primary distinction of the Mk II was a mast shortened by nearly one meter compared to the Mk I. While this slightly reduced the total sail area, it significantly lowered the center of effort, making the boat less prone to the "flying a hull" tendencies that made the original rig intimidating for less experienced crews. Despite the shorter rig, the boat maintains excellent light-air performance. The daggerboards provide roughly 4 feet of draft when fully deployed, enabling surprisingly tight upwind angles for a vintage catamaran, while their ability to retract fully reduces draft to just 15 inches for "ditch crawling" and beaching.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a 23-foot vessel, the Hirondelle Mk II offers a versatile, if vertically challenged, living space. The "sitting headroom" cabin is built around a bridgedeck layout that typically accommodates 4 to 5 adults. The standard configuration includes two single quarter berths in the aft sections of the hulls and a large convertible double berth on the bridgedeck dinette.

The Mk II introduced larger, more modern cabin windows compared to the Mk I, significantly improving natural light and the sense of space within the cabin. The galley is generally located in the bridge deck or the starboard hull, while the port hull typically houses a small, separate heads compartment.

Several siblings share this hull form:

• Hirondelle Mk I: The original high-performance version with a taller (30ft+) mast and smaller windows.
• Hirondelle Mk III: A later evolution that replaced the high-maintenance daggerboards with fixed keels and rudders, favoring structural stiffness and interior volume over raw speed.
• Hirondelle Family: A heavily modified variant developed by David Trotter and Chris Hammond in the early 1990s. It features a significantly wider beam (increased from 10ft to 12.5ft) and a nacelle under the bridge deck to prevent wave slamming, as noted by Good Old Boat.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Hirondelle has a storied history of coastal and blue-water voyaging despite its small size. It gained notable attention in North America through a featured story in Cruising World titled "Once in a Blue Moon," which detailed a family's extensive travels through the Bahamas and the Florida Keys aboard their 23-foot Hirondelle. The model is also a frequent winner and participant in the "Round the Island Race" in the UK, where its speed-to-length ratio allows it to outperform much larger traditional cruisers.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should focus their inspections on the unique structural points of an aging catamaran:

1. Daggerboard Cases: The original daggerboard cases on Mk I and II models are known to be prone to leaking or structural stress cracks. Ensure the trunks are reinforced and that the gaskets (if present) are intact.
2. Bridge Deck Slamming: In heavy seas, the relatively low bridge deck clearance can lead to significant "slamming." Look for stress cracking or delamination at the hull-to-deck join where the bridge deck meets the hulls.
3. Osmosis: As with many early British GRP boats, "wicking" and osmosis can occur. A thorough hull moisture check is recommended.
4. Rig Tension: The wide beam of a catamaran places unique stresses on the forestay and shrouds. Inspect the chainplates and the mast step area for signs of compression or "panting" of the bridge deck under load.

Community & Resources

The Hirondelle Association is the primary technical resource for the class, maintaining historical records, original advertisements, and technical specifications for the Mk I, II, III, and Family variants.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Exceptional speed and acceleration for a 23-footer.
• Shallow draft (15 inches) allows for beaching and exploring tidal estuaries.
• Stable "level" sailing appeal for families.
• Easily trailerable (with a specialized trailer) due to its 10-foot beam.

Cons:

• Limited "sitting only" headroom in the main cabin.
• Bridge deck slamming can be noisy and unsettling in choppy head seas.
• Daggerboard maintenance is more complex than fixed-keel alternatives.
• Aging fiberglass requires diligent inspection for structural fatigue.