Design and Construction
The 14.99 is a sleek-looking craft with stylish dreadnought bows and a refreshingly low-profile coachroof. Those bows are not mere styling: they are designed to give extra waterline length for speed, while the long, fine underwater profile of the hulls is optimised for comfort through the waves, and the flatter sections aft mean the catamaran should easily be able to plane at speed. Structurally, the builder cites an epoxy structure with carbon reinforcements, and Yachting World confirms an E-glass epoxy-infused build with carbon strengthening, a high-tech foam sandwich lay-up, and the use of carbon fibre in key areas. That combination keeps the hulls light and stiff anchor, and the yard offers semi-custom construction rather than a fixed production shell. The first example weighed in at a light 10.5 tonnes, underlining the design’s emphasis on a low weight-to-length relationship.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig is marketed as easily handled solo or with a small crew, paired with a self-tacking jib and a square top mainsail that the builder says give the catamaran thrust. A high power-to-weight ratio of the sails makes them more efficient for their area, and the mast design includes two masthead exits so a downwind halyard is always ready. Performance to windward is a clear design priority: winch-trimmed daggerboards improve the angle and drive anchor, and the builder promises a superb upwind experience with a Code 0 and the daggerboards deployed. The boards themselves swing from a minimum draft of about 2.1 feet to a maximum of 7.7 feet, letting the sailor trade shoal-water access for deep-keel grip. Twin helm stations are perched on the aft coaming, which frees the cockpit for socialising and avoids compromising stability by placing helm weight up on the coachroof.
Accommodations and Deck Layout
With the twin helms moved aft, the central cockpit becomes an open social space rather than a passage to the wheels. The low-profile coachroof preserves sightlines and keeps the deck low, while the dreadnought bows add interior volume forward without the visual bulk of a conventional plumb bow. The builder frames the boat as one for luxurious, smooth and comfortable navigation in any condition, and as a performance cruiser it offers plenty of appeal to bluewater cruisers who still want a lively hull underfoot.
Refits and Ownership
The yard offers full hybrid packages, and the boat is listed with an Oceanvolt electric drive on a single engine, marking the 14.99 as a boat designed around electric propulsion rather than a retrofitted conversion. Semi-custom construction means individual hulls may vary in installed systems and interior joinery, so a buyer should confirm exactly what each example carries. The relatively new brand status of ITA Catamarans means the support network and secondhand spares base are still maturing compared with longer-established multihull builders.
The Verdict
The Ita 14.99 is a thoughtfully engineered performance cruiser that puts real multihull speed and windward ability ahead of condo-style volume. Its epoxy and foam-sandwich hulls with carbon reinforcement stay light and stiff, the daggerboards and fractional self-tacking rig make short-handed sailing plausible, and the aft-perched twin helms reclaim the cockpit for living. For a bluewater-minded sailor who wants an Italian-built cat that can plane and point, it is a compelling, if young, alternative.
Pros
- Light, stiff epoxy-infused hulls with carbon in key areas
- Winch-trimmed daggerboards for strong upwind performance
- Self-tacking jib and fractional rig ease short-handed handling
- Twin aft helms free the cockpit and preserve stability
- Factory electric/hybrid propulsion packages available
Cons
- Relatively new brand with a still-developing support base
- Semi-custom builds mean inconsistent equipment between hulls
- Production began in 2018 leaving a short service history
