What is the worlds fastest production sailing catamaran?

Answer 1

There is no definite answer to this because it depends on point of sail, sail stock, skill of sailor (what their best point of sail is). There are some models that stick out as higher performance. Also there are just so many designs out there, no one can know any of them, but there are people much more qualified to tell you of more designs, these are just of those I know.

The tornado catamaran was used in the Olympics until 2008. This is widely accepted as the fastest catamaran for it's size.

Similar to the tornado is Hobie Wild Cat, a current production catamaran.

Similar to the Wild Cat is Hobie's FXone. This carries less sail area with a jib sail being optional but encouraged in class rules, whereas the Wild Cat comes standard with a jib.

The Hobie 16 is one of the oldest and still raced sailboat designs. It has one of the largest class associations and are still a thrill to sail although her longer sister ships are slightly faster. They are easy to find, sail and are inexpensive.

In the large trailer-able range to cruising size there are lots of designs:

-Stiletto 23, 27, 30 etc

-Macgregor 36 were really fast for their time and still hold up well and with modern sails will be just as fast.

-Reynolds XS-35 is fast, they also make a 45. If looking for used the R33 and R44 is the prior model

-Radical Catamarans are fast and highly rated by Sail magazine

-Sig 45's are the largest open bridge catamarans I know of. Definitely cruise-able and fast. Has much more luxury than the XS-45

And to end the list, not exactly production AC72 is the next generation of America's cup catamarans. As that they are class specific, they are nearly production built. But they are definitely out of the price range of someone looking to buy without a sponsorship or enormous sailing fund.

Most of these boats are similar to other boats by speed in their price range. Ultimately you might gain or loose one knot at most (minus the AC72)

Do remember this when considering sailboat speed:

In a power boat you are always going somewhere but in a sail boat you are already there.