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James Wharram Designs

Unique self-build sailing catamarans, inspired by the double canoes of the Polynesians

Building Plans

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Complete, clear and detailed plans to build your own Wharram Catamaran, that have often been described as a ‘course in boat building’. All Wharram building plans are drawn for the first time builder, so anyone with a modicum of practical ability can build one of our designs. Wharram designs are all based on decades of actual building and sailing experience of the boats, so you can be confident in its sailing capabilities and safety.

Building Plans

Building Plans

Complete, clear and detailed plans to build your own Wharram Catamaran, that have often been described as a ‘course in boat building’. All Wharram building plans are drawn for the first time builder, so anyone with a modicum of practical ability can build one of our designs. Wharram designs are all based on decades of actual building and sailing experience of the boats.

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Study Plans

Study Plans

Wharram Study Plans are intended to help you decide if a particular boat design is for you. They provide more detail than is available in the Design Book. The most important part of the Study Plan is the Materials List, which will list the major boat building materials requirements so you can cost your project in your own area.

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Books

Books

The Wharram Design Book reviews each self-build boat model and offers a detailed introduction and understanding of the world of self-build catamarans. Also available is James’ signature book, ‘Two Girls, Two Catamarans’, and his latest book, ‘People of the Sea’, in addition to a selection of books by other seafaring authors.

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Films

Films

Films on DVD about adventures made on Wharram catamarans, building documentaries, and marine archaeology.

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Merchandise

Merchandise

Merchandise of all things Wharram – T-shirts, customisable crew T-shirts, tank tops, pendants, mugs, hats, decals.

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Papers and Articles

Papers and Articles

Technical articles about Wharram boats and their ascendants, philosophical and archaeological articles about seagoing communities, stone age sailors and pacific migrations. Adventure story collections by Ruth Wharram.

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Limited Edition

Limited Edition

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of James’ pioneering voyage west across across the Atlantic on Rongo, the first catamaran to do so, we are reprinting the original Building Plans of this design, which come in a presentation box-set including a photo book, stories of further voyages, plus a signed copy of James’ book ‘Two Girls Two Catamarans’.

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