At 17 feet overall with an 8-foot beam, the Supercat 17 is a minimalist multihull designed for speed and simplicity rather than cruising volume.
Design and Construction
The Supercat 17 has a fiberglass hull, which requires only minimal maintenance during the sailing season.
Displacement is just 335 pounds, and the length-to-beam ratio is 2.12. By the numbers, that makes the Supercat 17 a relatively narrow small catamaran. Yet by the same ratio, it is more spacious than 50% of similar sailing-catamaran designs.
Its displacement-length ratio is 31, placing it among what reviewers call “ultra light racers”; 54% of similar sailboat designs are categorized as heavier. That lightness has a direct effect on the water: a light boat requires less sail area and accelerates more quickly, which is central to the character of this class.
Rig and Handling
The Supercat 17 has a fractional rig carrying 234 square feet of sail area. Its mast stands 28.75 feet above the waterline.
Draft ranges from 1.17 to 2.5 feet, depending on load. At the lower figure, the boat can sail close to the beach. For a 17-foot catamaran, that shallow-water ability opens up a wider range of sailing venues, from crowded summer shorelines to thin tidal cuts, without requiring a trailer launch at every stop.
Accommodations
The available sources establish only the boat’s exterior spatial character. An 8-foot beam on a 17-foot hull creates an open, beachable platform for day sailing rather than a camper with a cabin or berths.
Verdict
The Supercat 17 is a compact expression of the ultra-light racer ethos. Its fiberglass hull keeps seasonal upkeep to a minimum, while its fractional rig and shallow draft suit beach-based day sailing. Low displacement provides the quick acceleration that defines the type.
Buyers looking for a simple, low-commitment small multihull with an emphasis on speed and fun will find a design that remains true to its brief.
Pros
- Fiberglass hull requires minimal maintenance during the sailing season
- Ultra-light displacement provides quick acceleration and requires less sail area
- Shallow draft allows sailing close to the beach
- More spacious than 50% of similar sailing catamarans by length-to-beam ratio
Cons
- No cabin or berth structure
