James Wharram Designs

Unique sailing catamarans, self-build and professional built boats of distinction..

Jim's Column

2013
Disaster Novels and Climate change January 2013 James reviews the new book 'Pulse' by Scott Williams about a Wharram catamaran in a survival situation.
2012
Visit to Boatsmith, Florida May 2012 James and Hanneke visit Boatsmith in Florida to see the new yard and the progress of the new Ariki 47 GRP.		Amatasi at Brest and Douarnenez *July 2012* James discusses the trip to the traditional festivals of Brest and Douarnenez, Brittany, to exhibit the Amatasi.
2011
New beginnings February 2011 Hanneke renewed. Start of Amatasi build, new office staff.	Beale Park Boatshow June 2011 Getting Amatasi ready for the Beale Park Boatshow.	Amatasi at Beale Park June 2011 James describes the positive atmosphere of this open air boat show.	Disabled Sailing on a Wharram August 2011 How a 51ft Tehini was adapted for sailing from a wheelchair. An example for other disabled sailors on a low budget!
Sailing in an economic crisis December 2011 James discusses the use of small boats when money is short. He also meets the sailors of Sopranino.		Christmas Letter December 2011 A look back over 2011.
2010
The Polynesian Catamaran Association *March 2010* James discusses the history of the Polynesian Catamaran Association and 'Seapeople Magazine'.
2008
Mumbai Boatshow April 2008 Visit to 2nd Mumbai Boatshow and our professional builders in India.	Thailand – Seascape and Siam Sailing May 2008 Visit to the Wharram yard in Phuket and a sail on the Islander 55.	Lapita Voyage at Oslo Conference June 2008 James' lecture in Oslo at the museum and meeting our Norwegian publishers.	Lapita Voyage appeal September 2008 An appeal for contributions to donate two Tama Moana's to Tikopia and Anuta.
2007
Networking February 2007 James' letter introducing his London boat show lecture.	Sailing, a last freedom? February 2007 Lecture given by James at the London Boatshow.	Surfing, Boatshows and Film interviews July 2007 Discussion of web surfing, Beale Park Boatshow and sailing on Gaia with Jim Brown (trimarans designer).	Visit to Andy Smith Boatyard November 2007 Report on the building of the first Islander 65.
2006
A Voyaging Canoe for Tikopia March 2006 James discusses his latest project, the development of a voyaging canoe for Tikopia.		50 Years On June 2006 James reminisces on 50 years of catamaran design.
Going Back in Time November 2006 James at Plymouth University and films by Ruth Wharram now available on DVD.
2005
Blogging March 2005 James gives his latest thoughts on a variety of subjects...	The Philippines May 2005 James discusses his trip to The Philippines, where he visited Andy Smith Boatworks.	Design Discussion June 2005 James compares Gaia’s design features with those of the charter Pahi 52. Spirit of Gaia’s Wingsail Rig is tested by other catamaran sailors.	Launching and Sailing the Tiki 8M August 2005 James gives a report on the launching and sailing of the Tiki 8m.
James' Christmas Letter November 2005 James discusses the events of the past year.
2004
Boat Shows March 2004 James discusses his visits to the London and Düsseldorf boat shows.		Loss of freedom and the RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) May 2004 James discusses his views on the RCD, the unpopular UK law known as 'Recreational Craft Directive'.If you build or trade in recreational craft between 2.5 and 24 meters in the EU, then it affects you.
Rebuilds November 2004 The year 2004 has for the Wharrams been a chaotic year - at this moment there are 3 major rebuilds going on.
2003
Professional Building In Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines *April 2003* James discusses his visit to the 'Seascape' boatbuilding yard in Thailand, as well as his visit to PT PAL, Indonesia.		Viking ships and Ethnic designs December 2003 James discusses his visit to the Roskilde Viking ship museum in Denmark, as well as the progress of the building of the 'Child of the Sea' design.
2002
Many Meetings February 2002 In this letter James discusses the various meetings he had at the time, as well as his interesting new office that was recently built.	Boat Durability and New Designs April 2002 James discusses some of the technical aspects to the refitting of Gaia as well as the Islander 55 and 'Child Of The Sea' designs.	Summer in Corfu September 2002 James discusses the busy happenings of the last 3-4 months, including the refitting of Gaia and the Multihull Deutschland rally.	Mongolian Water Transport and Islander 55 *December 2002* James discusses his trip to Mongolia and the building of the Islander 55 at the PT PAL shipbuilding yard.
2001
A Happy New Year to our Wharram Builders and Sailors January 2001 James writes about current happenings as well as some future projects.	The Race January 2001 James discusses the multihull race that started from Barcelona on the 31st of December 2000.	Tiki 38 tested February 2001 The Tiki 38 was tested in France, James discusses the results and implications.	Visit to Indonesia July 2001 James writes from Indonesia, discussing his visit and the building of the "Islander" crafts at the PT PAL shipyard.
Voyage to Venice December 2001 James discusses the Gaia's voyage from Corfu to Venice through Croatia and the Adriatic.
2000
Denmark, Vikings and Wharram Builders July 2000 James discusses a visit to Denmark, meeting Wharram builders and the Vikingship museum, to continue to Corfu for a refit of 'Spirit of Gaia'.		Tahiti Wayfarer in Douarnenez August 2000 James discusses his visit to the Douarnenez festival with the Tahiti Wayfarer.
1999
How I design January 1999		Update June 1999 Written by Ruth Wharram while James and Hanneke are on an expedition to Iceland. She discusses the current activities of the time.
The Melanesia Story December 1999 James tells the story behind the Melanesia craft.
1998
Welcome from James James' first letter.

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First expedition with two traditional sailing double canoes following the migration route of the Ancient Polynesians.
This voyage in the Pacific was sailed in two Tama Moana designs by James Wharram and Hanneke Boon in 2008-2009.

DVD of the voyage available in the shop

Book about the voyage available in German

Polynesian Catamaran Association

The Polynesian Catamaran Association is a voluntary club for people interested in the designs of James Wharram.

Due to a direct request from James and Hanneke a complete archive of all the PCA publications (1967 - 2010) has been created. There are 33 issues of The Sailorman and 75 issues of The Sea People magazines for you to download!

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Self-build boats - Tiki Range

From the car trailable TIKI 21 - Winner of the 1982 Cruising World Design Competition, to the TIKI 46, a spacious ocean cruiser or charter boat.

The TIKI range offers car trailable Coastal Trekkers to long term live aboards. On the larger TIKIs the 'Deckpod' offers sheltered steering and the 'Stern Ramp' provides easy access to and from the water. The TIKIs are boats you can work and live on.

All TIKI building Plans are very detailed, supplying a building sequence as a book of 3-D sketches, which some builders have described as a course in boat building.

The Wharram approach goes beyond simple boat design - the concept of 'Flexispace' puts emphasis on not just the physical living area, but also the 'mind space' of those on board.

Self-build boats - Pahi range

From the Coastal Trekking Pahi 26 to the impressive 63' flagship of the Wharram fleet 'Spirit of Gaia' - the PAHI shape is more evocatively 'Female' than the Classic Wharram designs.

Constructively, they are simpler to build, using epoxy fillets instead of more difficult wood joints. They are designed to use quick growing softwood plys, coated and glassed with epoxy to achieve a durable finish.

The PAHI designs were the first to use rope lashings to attach the crossbeams, giving a shock absorbing effect, without the need for metal fittings.

The Pahi 42 'Captain Cook' design set fresh ocean cruising standards when she was designed in 1979.

The Pahi 63 was designed in 1986 and launched in 1992 to become the new ocean going flagship for the Wharram family. During the construction of 'Spirit of Gaia' many unique new solutions to plywood and epoxy building methods were developed, which were later incorporated in the larger TIKI and ISLANDER designs.

Random images from the James Wharram archives.

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