Design Brief & Intent
The core philosophy of the A-Lion was to deliver maximum speed within the strict constraints of the International A-Class Catamaran Association box rule. This rule mandated a maximum overall length of 18 feet, a maximum beam of 7 feet 6 inches, and a maximum sail area of 150 square feet. Compared to larger multihulls of the era, such as the B-Class Tornado or the C-Class cup contenders, the A-Lion was conceived as a light, agile, single-handed craft. While competing manufacturers of the era often focused on heavier, family-friendly day sailors, the Hubbard brothers engineered the A-Lion with narrow, symmetrical hulls designed to slice through water with minimal drag. Its character is defined by its sparse, functional layout: aluminum crossbeams bridge the hulls to support a tight trampoline deck, creating a pure athletic platform. By utilizing fiberglass construction rather than the delicate, high-maintenance wood veneers typical of earlier A-Class competitors, Sailcraft made high-performance multihull racing accessible and durable.
Variations & Configurations
In keeping with its strict one-design and box-rule heritage, the A-Lion was produced with a highly focused set of configurations. The boat featured an efficient cat rig—also known as a Una rig—comprising a single high-aspect mainsail of 150 square feet. This sail plan was coupled with a rotating mast, a direct trickle-down design feature from the Hubbard brothers' larger racing projects, which allowed the mast itself to act as an aerodynamic extension of the sail. Below the waterline, the A-Lion utilized a twin centerboard configuration, with retractable daggerboards housed in each hull. This dual-foil arrangement allowed sailors to alter draft from a minimal six inches with the boards raised to a deep two feet six inches when fully deployed. This adjustability was crucial for maximizing lift while sailing to windward, while allowing the sailor to completely eliminate drag during downwind runs.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the A-Lion is an incredibly sensitive, highly athletic machine that demands total focus from its skipper. The boat’s performance ratios tell a story of extreme power-to-weight dynamics. Boasting an extraordinary sail area-to-displacement ratio of 53.55, the A-Lion possesses almost instantaneous acceleration, picking up speed in light airs that would leave contemporary monohulls completely becalmed. With a displacement of only 300 pounds, the light, narrow hulls enter the water with a sharp entry that pierces waves instead of slamming over them. Its high capsize ratio of 4.48 indicates the inherent stability of its wide catamaran beam, yet the absence of any ballast means that stability relies entirely on the sailor's skill. Handling the A-Lion in a stiff breeze is a physical masterclass; the single-handed skipper must manage the mainsheet, steer the helm, and ride on the trapeze simultaneously. When sailed correctly, the windward hull lifts gracefully, and the boat lunges forward on its narrow lee hull, delivering a level of sailing excitement that paved the way for modern beach catamaran racing.
Market Standings & Ownership Dynamics
Today, the A-Lion occupies a revered niche on the classic boat and brokerage markets. It is highly sought after by vintage multihull purists and collectors of early catamaran designs, rather than modern foiling racers. Because the A-Class has evolved into a carbon-fiber, hydrofoiling discipline, the classic fiberglass A-Lion is valued as a historic artifact of the pre-foils era. It commands a modest price on the used market, representing an incredibly affordable entry point into classic multihull ownership. However, prospective buyers should expect a degree of scarcity, as surviving examples in restorable condition are relatively rare. The economics of refitting an A-Lion are highly favorable because of the boat’s absolute simplicity. There are no diesel engines, complex electrical grids, plumbing lines, or interior joinery to overhaul. Instead, a typical restoration budget is dominated by replacing the standing rigging, sourcing a modern high-aspect laminate mainsail, and tensioning a new heavy-duty trampoline.
Known Issues & Triage
As with any fiberglass vessel dating back to the late 1960s, the A-Lion is subject to specific structural vulnerabilities that require diligent triage. The primary areas of concern are the hull-to-deck joints and the bulkheads directly beneath the aluminum beam mount castings. Over decades of high-speed sailing and rig tension, these connection points experience significant torsional stress, often leading to fiberglass cracking or localized delamination. The twin daggerboard trunks are another common point of failure; collision with underwater obstacles can crack the internal fiberglass casings, leading to water ingress into the hulls. Additionally, the narrow transoms supporting the rudder gudgeons require careful inspection. The shear forces generated by steering at high speeds can fatigue the fiberglass layup around the gudgeon bolts, occasionally necessitating structural reinforcement with marine-grade epoxy and woven roving.
Modernization & Upgrades
To keep these vintage catamarans competitive and safe, contemporary owners frequently employ a series of strategic modernizations. Upgrading the original sail plan is the most impactful modification. Modern sailmakers can cut square-top, full-batten mainsails within the historical 150-square-foot rule, which improves downwind performance and allows the head of the sail to twist off and automatically dump power during sudden gusts. Additionally, many owners replace the heavy, original fiberglass or wooden rudder blades and centerboards with custom carbon-fiber foils, reducing weight aft and improving steering response. Overhauling the original deck hardware with modern low-friction blocks, a high-purchase mainsheet system, and a modern traveler track dramatically reduces the physical effort required to trim the sail, allowing the skipper to react more quickly while balanced on the trapeze.
The Verdict
The Sailcraft A-Lion remains a highly respected classic catamaran that offers a raw, unfiltered sailing experience. While it cannot compete with the hydrofoiling speeds of modern A-Class carbon-fiber designs, it remains an incredibly fast, highly rewarding vintage racer that captures the spirit of early multihull development. For the enthusiast willing to invest the time in structural triage, it represents a pure, cost-effective, and historically significant sailing machine.
Pros
- Exceptional light-air performance and acceleration due to a high power-to-weight ratio.
- Landmark historical design by the renowned Hubbard brothers, holding pedigree value on the classic market.
- Extremely simple systems make restoration and refitting highly economical compared to cruising boats.
- Lightweight construction of 300 pounds allows for easy trailering and launching with minimal effort.
Cons
- Sourced examples are scarce and often suffer from fatigue around the hull-to-deck joints and crossbeam mounts.
- Extremely demanding physical handling requires the helmsman to manage the helm, sheet, and trapeze single-handed.
- Lacks any creature comforts, being designed strictly as a day-racing machine with no shelter or storage.
- Highly prone to capsizing in heavy air if the sailor reacts slowly to sudden gusts.
