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Australis Catamaran
Designer: Graham Johnston  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Australis Catamaran

Designed for sailors seeking the stability and space advantages of multihull sailing, the Australis Catamaran represents a practical approach to coastal cruising and weekend adventures. This twin-hulled vessel offers the characteristic benefits that draw many sailors to catamaran sailing: reduced heeling, increased interior volume, and shallow draft capabilities that open up numerous anchorages unavailable to deeper-keeled monohulls. The Australis design emphasizes comfort and livability over pure performance, making it well-suited for family cruising and extended coastal passages. Its twin-hull configuration provides natural stability without the need for heavy ballast, while the wide beam creates generous deck space and roomy accommodations below. The shallow draft allows exploration of thin waters and beach access that would challenge traditional sailboats. While detailed specifications remain limited in available documentation, the Australis appears targeted at sailors prioritizing comfort and ease of handling over racing performance. The catamaran's design suggests it would excel in protected waters, coastal cruising, and charter applications where space, stability, and user-friendly sailing characteristics take precedence over speed or offshore capability.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.83 ft / 5.43 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 147.00 lb / 67 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Dbrd.
Rigging Type Cat (rotating spar)
Construction Wood/FG
Designer Graham Johnston
First Built 1966
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
11.58
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
0.86
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
5.69
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.66 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.87 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 150.00 ft² / 13.94 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.58
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