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Tiger Cat
Designer: William B. Harris  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Tiger Cat

A compact and nimble catamaran, the Tiger Cat has earned a loyal following among sailors who appreciate lightweight performance and accessible fun on the water. Designed primarily for recreational sailing, this small multi-hull is well suited to protected bays, lakes, and near-shore coastal sailing, making it an appealing choice for beginners and experienced sailors alike who want responsive handling without the complexity of larger vessels. The Tiger Cat's catamaran hull configuration provides inherent stability and a lively sailing experience, characteristics that have made it a popular choice for family outings and casual racing. Its manageable size means it can be easily trailered, launched, and rigged without a large crew or specialized equipment, adding to its practical appeal for weekend sailors. While detailed specifications are limited, the boat's reputation centers on its approachable nature and spirited performance in moderate conditions. For buyers researching an entry-level or recreational catamaran that delivers genuine sailing excitement without demanding significant resources, the Tiger Cat represents a practical and enjoyable option worth considering.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.83 ft / 4.82 m
Beam 7.95 ft / 2.42 m
Max Draft 6.17 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement 585.00 lb / 265 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William B. Harris
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1960
Last Built 1963
Number Built 160
Related Sailboats Hobie 17 · Nacra 52 · Cape Cod Cat · Thistle · Harpoon 52
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
65.84
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
3.51
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
3.81
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. 5.33 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. 2.7 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 3.08 ft / 0.94 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 285.00 ft² / 26.48 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 65.84
How It Compares

vs. Cape Cod Cat, Harpoon 52, Hobie 17, Nacra 52, Thistle

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tiger Cat ★
17.0 ft
Cape Cod Cat
17.0 ft
Harpoon 52
17.0 ft
Hobie 17
17.0 ft
Nacra 52
17.0 ft
Thistle
17.0 ft
LWL
Tiger Cat ★
15.8 ft
Cape Cod Cat
16.4 ft
Harpoon 52
15.0 ft
Hobie 17
Nacra 52
Thistle
17.0 ft
Beam
Tiger Cat ★
8.0 ft
Cape Cod Cat
7.9 ft
Harpoon 52
7.5 ft
Hobie 17
7.9 ft
Nacra 52
8.0 ft
Thistle
6.0 ft
Displacement
Tiger Cat ★
585 lbs
Cape Cod Cat
2 lbs
Harpoon 52
565 lbs
Hobie 17
315 lbs
Nacra 52
350 lbs
Thistle
515 lbs
Sail Area
Tiger Cat ★
Cape Cod Cat
250 sq ft
Harpoon 52
Hobie 17
168 sq ft
Nacra 52
Thistle
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tiger Cat ★
Cape Cod Cat
23.7
Harpoon 52
Hobie 17
58.1
Nacra 52
Thistle
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tiger Cat ★
3.5
Cape Cod Cat
13.0
Harpoon 52
Hobie 17
Nacra 52
2.2
Thistle
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tiger Cat ★
3.81
Cape Cod Cat
2.44
Harpoon 52
Hobie 17
Nacra 52
4.54
Thistle
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tiger Cat ★
65
Cape Cod Cat
Harpoon 52
74
Hobie 17
Nacra 52
51
Thistle
46
Hull Speed
Tiger Cat ★
5.3 kts
Cape Cod Cat
5.4 kts
Harpoon 52
Hobie 17
Nacra 52
5.1 kts
Thistle
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