On 30th September 1959, 60 years ago, the 40ft catamaran Rongo sailed into the Conway River in North Wales after crossing the North Atlantic from New York. Rongo was the first catamaran to have made this difficult voyage, sailed by the now world famous catamaran designer James Wharram and his two German women companions, Ruth Merseburger and Jutta Schultze-Rohnhoff.
In April James and Hanneke traveled to North Wales and visited the site where Rongo, the first multihull to cross the Atlantic from West to East, was moored on the beach in Deganwy (1964-1969) and Tehini was built on the end of Deganwy pier (1968-69). This is where Hanneke first met James and Ruth in 1967 at the age of 13 on a visit with her family. What happened after, is history. Things have changed in Deganwy as these photos show.
Sadly it is not possible to run this event this year. Hanneke has been in hospital for the last three weeks due to a leaking heartvalve. Yesterday her consultant decided that the best treatment is to redo the heart valve surgery again. She will need recovery time, so will not be able to organise or attend a Hui this summer. We hope to again have a Hui next year, one bigger and better. Start preparing your boats!
With all the boats safely moored at Devoran Quay the people gathered at Wharram's HQ at the other end of the village. BBQs were lit, food was brought by all and laid out on tables in the tunnel boat shelter, protected from the expected rain, which soon arrived. This was however no deterrent to the party that got underway. Around 60 people turned up, local friends and boat enthusiasts joined the crews from the boats. People without boats arrived with tents from far and wide.
On November 4, 2018, Ross Edgley became the first person to swim around mainland Great Britain. He did so in the record time of 157 days. During this voyage he was escorted by the Wharram Pahi 52 'Hecate' as the indispensible support ship.
It is time for the second annual Cornish Wharram Hui gathering. Find a full programme and register your interest here!
As a result of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into effect on May 25th 2018, we now require your consent if you wish to keep hearing from us by email. Stay inspired and in the loop about Wharram related events, exciting projects and expeditions, and discounts on Building Plans for you aspiring Wharram builders and sailors out there!
On 3rd April James Wharram and Hanneke Boon attended the 2018 Classic Boat Awards ceremony at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London. This year there was a special extra award presented to James Wharram for a 'Lifetime Achievement' as Pioneer catamaran builder - sailor and multihull designer.
“Do we have to wait a whole year to do this again?” This was the plaintiff refrain heard throughout the Hui Wharram this past May. This annual event brings together Wharramites, fellow sailors, and other multihull devotees for the sharing of skills and resources (and the telling of tall tales of travel) and other musings. Everyone is welcome (fair warning – the Wharram spirit is contagious!).
The Cornish Hui was a fantastic get together of boats and people. Every small Wharram design was represented from Hitia 14 to Tiki 31. Seven boats arrived at the meeting, five by sea and two by road. Added to this were the four boats at Wharram head quarters, so a total of eleven boats sailed together.
Come, see and enjoy the boats. We sail, We talk about Wharrams and nearly any other boat. We tell sailing stories…some may even be true. We compare notes. We share pictures. We look at plans. We take pictures of each other’s boats and get some really good (and a few bad) ideas. We eat and drink and just have fun. The after-dinner program features a special presentation by Hanneke Boon.
Calling all (UK) Wharram Cat owners – We warmly invite you to come and join us for a weekend of Wharram Micro Adventures. 4th, 5th and 6th August 2017, Cornwall. We felt it would be wonderful to organise our very own Cornish Hui here in Cornwall based from Wharram HQ. We have based this weekend around the full moon (high tides), to allow all Wharram Cat owners to potter up our creek at high tide and moor off Wharram HQ on the first night.
The Canary Islands have played an important and emotional role in James’ and my sailing history. Matt and his film-maker friend Mikey have spent many months last year making a documentary about big wave surfing, with Hecate as the mother ship taking surfers to remote extreme surf areas that are hard to get to over land. Hecate would be in the Canaries in January, there would be a break in filming at that time. We, James and I, leapt at the chance...
This year has been fairly stretched here in the world of James Wharram Designs. Hanneke has been working tirelessly on finalising both the restoration work on Spirit of Gaia & the much-awaited Mana 24 project; we have a new staff member and the excitement of being contacted by 2 film companies who are interested in producing a film & documentary (respectively) about JWD. In essence, 2017 promises to be a very exciting year ahead.
This was not her first launching as we had taken her by trailer to the Brest and Douarnenez traditional boat festivals in July. She was not fully finished then, still in white undercoat, but she first floated in the sea off the slipway in Brest. After a couple of days of fitting windows, raising masts and rigging her, we first sailed Mana with the fleet of multihulls in the ‘night parade’ off the quays in Brest.
Well now that the dust has settled a bit from our big move from fabulous Islamorada to Downtown Fort Myers it's time to reflect. Dan's legacy in the Keys is a very hard act to follow. The venue in Ft. Myers did turn out to work pretty well according to most attending. Our weather turned out to be as perfect as we hoped (always hope in SWFL), but it was. Most of the time we had plenty of wind, and of course sun.
We have just discovered with great pleasure that James Wharram has been nominated for 'Yachtsman of the Year' 2016 by 'Classic Boat' magazine. It is 60 years since James started designing and ocean sailing double canoe/catamarans and he is still there doing it. There are also nominations for Classic boats in various categories.
On 27th September it will be 60 years since James Wharram, with Ruth and Jutta set sail from Falmouth on 23'6" Tangaroa, to become the first people to sail a multihull both ways across the Atlantic. The "Falmouth Packet' newspaper has been the first to publish an excellent article about this important event in the history of multihulls.
At last my little dreamboat, the Mana 24 (actually 23’6” hull length), is coming into being. I can go out into our workshop and see and touch the first hull.
This year, as in most past years the weather gods cooperated. Winds were perfect, sun shone and temperatures were ideal. You expect something else in the Fabulous Florida Keys? Nearly 70 Wharramites and Wharramite wannabees attended over the weekend and more than 40 were at our Dutch-treat dinner on Saturday night.
OceanWatch, a small and robust New Zealand NGO, will soon head to the Solomon islands to give aid in the ongoing aftermath of Cyclone Pam. Two Tama Moana designs were donated to the islands following the Lapita Voyage in 2008, and their work will include the repair of one of these that sustained damage during the storm.
Hanneke Boon made a presentation at a Pecha Kucha event in Amsterdam. This is a new lecture concept originating in Japan where every speaker can show 20 slides to which he/she can talk for 20 seconds each, i.e. a total of 6 minutes 40 seconds presentation. These 6 minutes were an illustrated poem of Hanneke, from a young girl sailing with her father, ending up as a boatbuilder, ocean sailor and designer.
The most economical way to enjoy sailing is to build your own small lightweight boat, to keep it at home and trail it to the waters you want to sail in. This gives opportunity to explore many more sailing areas than if based on a permanent mooring and at much lower cost. Whilst exploring this idea I am looking sideways into the world of camping and the living equipment you need for a camping holiday bought at a reasonable price.
Wharram Study Plans provide more detail than is available in our Design Book, and are intended to help you decide if a particular boat design is right for you. As well as continuing our traditional printed format, we are proud to announce the release of our digitised range of Wharram Study Plans - available for instant download.
The 2014 Spring Hui Wharram (Hui is Hawaiian for “Gathering”) held in Islamorada Florida at the famous Lorelei Cabana Bar (www.loreleicabanabar.com) was a success again this year. Nearly 70 people attended during the weekend and spent quite some time crawling all over and sailing the six Wharram catamarans that made it to the event.
I'm very sad to announce that Ruth Wharram (nee Merseburger) has departed this life in the early morning of 4th September, at the age of 92, at home in Devoran. Her health had been failing over the last two years after a stroke the day after a fantastic 90th Birthday party. Ruth has been a great strength in our lives; ever since she met James in 1951 she has guided and supported him in his life's efforts.
In 2005 in France people set up the Golden Oldies Multihulls Association. Its aims are to support individual actions to protect the heritage of historic offshore multihulls. On May 15th -20th they will be holding a sailing meeting in Sète in the South of France to which James and Hanneke have been invited.
James and Hanneke will be attending the awards ceremony, which will take place on April 20th on board HQS Wellington in London. Though James has never been a member of the OCC, many of his sailing friends are and perhaps it is time for him to join as well. The main requirement to join this club of World sailors is to have sailed a voyage of 1000Nm.
Last year James was given the honour by being invited to become Patron to Queenborough Harbour Trust by one of its founder members, Eddie Johnson. In the 1970s Queenborough was a popular venue for meetings of Wharram catamarans (organised by the PCA). Eddie as a boy attended these with his father on their Wharram catamaran.
We will be holding the Spring Wharram Rendezvous (a Hui Wharram) May 17-18-19, 2013 in Islamorada, FL (Florida Keys) at the world famous Lorelei Cabana Bar. A “Hui Wharram” or “Hui-o-waa-Kaulua-Wharram” (Hawaiian) is a group or gathering of Wharram boats.
We are pleased to announce that all 33 issues of The Sailorman have been made available for download on the website of the Polynesian Catamaran Association! The archive is now complete - all 108 PCA publications in one place for you to enjoy.
James reviews the new book 'Pulse' by Scott Williams about a Wharram catamaran in a survival situation.
As we are an International company and a global enterprise it is for me no surprise to be sending a book, Study Plans or Building Plans to far off places. However one country has stood out in our office with the number of Wharram builders rocketing in the last year... that country is Brazil! We currently have 13 new builders based in different parts of the country, each building their own Wharram Catamaran.
The Polynesian Catamaran Association is a voluntary club for people interested in the designs of James Wharram. The PCA currently has no officers. Due to a direct request from James and Hanneke this archive of the PCA publications has been created. This action was approved at the last official AGM of PCA officers. We hope you enjoy reading all 75 of The Sea People magazines!
James discusses the trip to the traditional festivals of Brest and Douarnenez, Brittany, to exhibit the Amatasi.
Nearly seventy people enjoyed informal conversations and stories by our honored guests James Wharram and Hanneke Boon (World Sailors and Designers of Wharram Catamarans) before dinner at the seventh annual Wharram rendezvous (Hui Wharram) in Islamorada Florida last weekend.
James and Hanneke visit Boatsmith in Florida to see the new yard and the progress of the new Ariki 47 GRP.
Hanneke will be taking Spirit of Gaia to Messolonghi Marina/boatyard (a new marina under Dutch management), just West of the Gulf of Corinth in Greece. She will be doing renovating work on her to make her again the ocean-going Wharram Flagship she should be. We are looking for anyone who would like to help with this work.
The Spring Wharram Rendezvous (a Hui Wharram) May 18-19-20, 2012 will be held in Islamorada, FL (Florida Keys) at the world famous Lorelei Cabana Bar, marina and mooring area (MM 82 bayside). This year will be a special occasion as James and Hanneke will be attending the Hui. So we hope lots of boats and people will attend!
Some people make fun or deride the development of Christmas cards with personal story greetings. Indeed I have done so myself, but I am beginning to think that one time of the year to catch up on the life story of one’s friends is not such a bad idea.
James discusses the use of small boats when money is short. He also meets the sailors of Sopranino.
This week on the high (spring) tides we have made our first sails on Amatasi, I should say rows, as there has been very little wind. Here in Devoran the spring tides are unfortunately always in the late afternoon, so leaving us only a short sailing slot before sunset.
On Wednesday 12th October Amatasi was launched. The day was chosen weeks ago for the full moon with a spring tide, a propitious day. Nineteen years ago ‘Spirit of Gaia’ was launched at the full moon, her launching was a great memorable event and she has been a happy ship ever since. We hope the same will be the future of Amatasi.
How a 51ft Tehini was adapted for sailing from a wheelchair. An example for other disabled sailors on a low budget!
James describes the positive atmosphere of this open air boat show.
Getting Amatasi ready for the Beale Park Boatshow.
Hanneke renewed. Start of Amatasi build, new office staff.
In July I described how our 27ft Amatasi emerged as Classic Boat’s prize-winning eco-design sailing craft. At the beginning of December our first volunteers, John and Michael began clearing out our work shed to prepare for the Amatasi build (anyone who has the space to save/store things can imagine how cluttered our shed had become)!
Going through my past life and old files we were constantly distracted by the many offshore voyages – single handed, couples, families - made on Wharram catamarans. These people were/are not following a ‘master’, but are themselves ‘masters’ who use my design ability to become ‘People of the Sea’. One of these people is Rory McDougall.
The July issue of Classic Boat magazine features the winners of this year’s design competition for an Eco Fishing Boat. They wrote: “The brief was for an under 10m boat that would not need a license for fishing under sail or oar. Many entries nodded to traditional types, but the winner was surprisingly radical.”
In the early hours of Saturday 26th June Rory sailed his Tiki 21 ‘Cooking Fat’ into Newport, Rhode Harbour, finishing second in the Jester Challenge, just 2.5 hours after the Russian 25ft yacht ‘The Grand’, having sailed in 34 days from Plymouth, UK. In this office it was joy and Laphroaig whiskey all round. Congratulations Rory, you have done magnificently!
James discusses the history of the Polynesian Catamaran Association and 'Seapeople Magazine'.
Boatsmith Inc. the professional Wharram yard in Florida, have finished their first fiberglass production Tiki 8m and took it out for a sea trial. All went smoothly and the boat sailed really well. The wind was very light but the boat zipped along.
It has been a long time with little news from the Wharram office. There is a reason for this, James has not been well. Ever since returning from the Lapita Voyage in March, James was suffering from discomfort in his gut. In fact this was one reason for him returning before the finish of the voyage. We assumed it was some microscopic tropical parasite or tenacious bacteria and several tests were done.
We would like to draw attention to the problems people have experienced by ordering their Wharram catamaran to be built by the ‘RB Power & Sailing’ yard of Raoul Bianchetti in Pattaya, Thailand. The first boat built was a heavily modified Tiki 38, of which the owner refused to take delivery and which since being launched in February 2009 has broken up at anchor.
At Beale park Boatshow (UK) this coming weekend (June 5-7) James and Hanneke will be presenting the Lapita Voyage, with two public lectures by James with slides and film.
An appeal for contributions to donate two Tama Moana's to Tikopia and Anuta.
David Halladay, owner of Boatsmith, Inc. in southeastern Florida, has recently entered into an agreement with James Wharram Designs to be the authorized builder of Wharram catamarans in the United States. This agreement was signed after James and Hanneke met David and his wife Debra at the 2008 Wooden Boat Show in Mystic Connecticut and were able to personally inspect “Abaco,” Boatsmith’s outstanding example of a Tiki 30.
Ruth Wharram has finally found time to put together a collection of her articles, newletters and diaries, ranging from Living Aboard the "Tangaroa" in 1955 to more recent letters while voyaging in 1994-1997. It is a facinating booklet telling the most amazing stories of her adventures. German born Ruth shared many early pioneering voyages with James.
James' lecture in Oslo at the museum and meeting our Norwegian publishers.
Visit to the Wharram yard in Phuket and a sail on the Islander 55.
Visit to 2nd Mumbai Boatshow and our professional builders in India.
Early man and the ocean - conference and film festival - 2-5 April 2008 Bygdeynes, Oslo 'Early Man and the Ocean', an adventure film festival where new and classic documentaries of great sea-adventures and marine experimental archaeological projects are screened, will take place at two museums and on five screens simultaneously.
Report on the building of the first Islander 65.
After many months of work, Hanneke has finished the Plans for the Tahiti Wayfarer. They are a work of art, with all building details sketched out in fine detail, so anyone can understand how to build her. This is a pure Ethnic Canoe you can build for under £1000 (for the double canoe, less if you build the outrigger). Every part of her you can build yourself, including sails, spars, paddles and even wooden deadeyes, used as blocks.
If you have been interested in the Tikopia Project and are in a location where you can receive BBC2 television, you may be interested in a program called ‘Tribe’. This series takes Bruce Parry to the tiny island of Anuta, sister island to Tikopia. This program was filmed on Anuta last year after the BBC contacted us to learn more about Tikopia and Anuta and their unique culture.
Lecture given by James at the London Boatshow.
James' letter introducing his London boat show lecture.
James at Plymouth University and films by Ruth Wharram now available on DVD.
We received the following letter together with a cheque for £700 from the ‘Multihull Group’, a UK association of businesses dealing in Multihulls...
James reminisces on 50 years of catamaran design.
The Beale Park Boatshow was successful. £354 was raised from a raffle for the Tikopia canoe project.
James discusses his latest project, the development of a voyaging canoe for Tikopia.
James discusses the events of the past year.
James gives a report on the launching and sailing of the Tiki 8m.
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.
James discusses his trip to The Philippines, where he visited Andy Smith Boatworks.
James gives his latest thoughts on a variety of subjects...
The year 2004 has for the Wharrams been a chaotic year - at this moment there are 3 major rebuilds going on.
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.
James discusses his visits to the London and Düsseldorf boat shows.
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.
James discusses his visit to the 'Seascape' boatbuilding yard in Thailand, his visit to PT PAL, Indonesia, and the latest developments at Andy Smith Boatworks, Philippines.
James discusses his trip to Mongolia and the building of the Islander 55 at the PT PAL shipbuilding yard.
James discusses the busy happenings of the last 3-4 months, including the refitting of Gaia and the Multihull Deutschland rally.
James discusses some of the technical aspects to the refitting of Gaia as well as the Islander 55 and 'Child Of The Sea' designs.
In this letter James discusses the various meetings he had at the time, as well as his interesting new office that was recently built.
James discusses the Gaia's voyage from Corfu to Venice through Croatia and the Adriatic.
James writes from Indonesia, discussing his visit and the building of the "Islander" crafts at the PT PAL shipyard.
The Tiki 38 was tested in France, James discusses the results and implications.
James discusses the multihull race that started from Barcelona on the 31st of December 2000.
James writes about current happenings as well as some future projects.
In creating the TIKI 21, Wharram has used what he calls "appropriate technology - not 'high' or 'low' " achieving the desired levels of performance, comfort and safety while at the same time keeping the craft simple and relatively inexpensive to build and maintain. He eliminated from the boat, wherever possible, 'the expensive, glittering metal fittings common to modern yacht design'.
James' first web letter.
