Catamaran Book

A well-rounded guide covering the techniques and skills needed to succeed in catamaran sailing, for those starting out through to those striving for championship wins. Whether you are a youngster choosing your first cat, a club sailor looking to improve your results, or a seasoned racer embarking on a higher performance model, expert advice from Tom & Brian Phipps will take your catamaran sailing to the next level.

Beginning with key theory and seamanship skills, the Phipps take you through your early sailing experiences and caring for your catamaran. Developing your skills on all points of sailing, you will be introduced to trapezing, race tuning and racing itself. As your confidence grows you move onto advanced techniques and high performance catamarans. The final section gives you a glimpse of the cutting edge of catamaran sailing with foiling platforms and solid wings.

30 focussed chapters are packed with over 350 photographs showing you exactly how it's done, with diagrams illustrating key boat parts, the various points of sailing and complex on-the-water scenarios with clarity. Whatever your background, your current level or the extent of your ambition, this book gives you all the tools you need to get out on the water and improve your catamaran sailing.

Praise for Catamaran Book

"The best of all currently available [catamaran book] titles internationally."
— Delius Klasing

"The book is liberally illustrated with full colour diagrams and pictures. There is not a single page that does not have at least one pic – and generally more… those willing to open their minds and learn more, their new-found knowledge will see them rapidly rising up the leader board and quickly challenging the arrogant ones."
— Sailing Magazine

"An indispensable, solid foundation which takes you from your first trip on board a cat to competing at a serious level… This tremendous book presents both Tom and Brian's enormous knowledge of catamaran sailing, and the industry as a whole, as well as conveying their passion for and dedication to the sport… If you want to enjoy catamaran sailing, and improve your skills, I thoroughly recommend this book."
— Santiago Lange, Nacra 17 Olympic Gold Medallist

About the Authors

Brian Phipps has been involved in the world of sports catamarans – manufacture, testing, development, racing, coaching and promotion – for over 30 years. An RYA National Youth catamaran coach for five years, he is now a personal coach for a number of national catamaran sailing teams worldwide; sports catamaran advisor to a number of developing national squads; and club coach / trainer to a number of sailing clubs and class associations. On top of this he has been a catamaran championship racer with a series of winning results. Brian runs the Windsport Cat Clinics, offering courses for all levels using a full range of boats.

Tom Phipps is a successful professional UK sailor. Sailing since the age of ten, he dominated catamaran racing at a youth level, medalling three times at both the ISAF Youth World and RYA Youth National championships. Tom has gone on to succeed in a number of national (Dart, Formula 18, Hobie 16, Tornado), European (Hobie 16, Formula 16, Student Keelboat) and world (Dart) championships. He has competed in the C Class World Championships in a wing-sailed catamaran and races in the Flying Phantom professional catamaran series. He campaigned a Nacra 17 Olympic catamaran.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy racing. The list soon expanded to include cruising and other watersports. In 2006 the business was sold to John Wiley, but in 2013 a group of sailing enthusiasts (including the original founder) bought the list and name back, once again creating an independent nautical publisher owned and run by sailors. Fernhurst continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Their 140+ titles range from how-to guides to narrative to coffee-table books, covering sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming, diving and fishing.