After researching catamarans we have made a list of catamarans with daggerboards. Performance means a great deal for us, so we are looking at the pros and cons of daggerboards, and would like to share our knowledge in this article. If you know of any boats that should be included in this article, please let us know.
Why choose a catamaran with daggerboards?
Daggerboard catamarans are usually higher performing than those without. Not only because of the daggerboard itself but due to the specific focus on performance especially in these types of vessels.
Usually, that focus also makes them lighter as the shipyards have tweaked the materials used to make them light. Often they are designed by the most renowned experts to make the best hulls.
The most important reason to choose daggerboards is performance. They sail closer to the wind when sailing upwind, and they are usually faster than those who focus more on comfort.
Not that daggerboard cats are uncomfortable, but the daggerboard compartment takes up a bit of space from the living area inside the hulls. And you will have to decide if it is worth the decrease in comfort compared to the enhanced performance.
Another reason for choosing daggerboards is the possibility to anchor on shallow waters, as when the daggers are lifted, the draught is often around 3’ or 1 meter or even less.
Catamarans with daggerboards
A list of catamaran models with daggerboards:
- Catana
- Outremer
- Dolphin 42
- Sud Composites
- Soubise / Freydis – Tournier Marine
- Havcat
- Scionning
- Catana
French-built catamaran. Well sailing and luxurious.
- Outremer
Also French catamaran. Reviews are pretty good. Easy sailed.
- Dolphin 42
Brazilian built catamaran from 2013. Only this model has daggerboards.
designer Philipe Pouvreau. 30 of them were built before 2008, and after that, a dozen more were built in various custom shipyards. One should therefore be aware of eventual modifications or deviations in the design of the later models.
But the quality is still great, also on the late models, and they have successfully circumnavigated, and are still.
- Sud Composites
Founded by Alan Adés in 1990, and in 1999 they signed with VLPL, a group of Architects who specialized in multi-hull designs for the competition.
This resulted in the Switch 51, a very well-performing catamaran, which amongst others are known for very decent speed in even moderate wind speeds. They did however not build that many, before switching to building custom catamarans.
- Soubise / Freydis – Tournier Marine
Three main models, are still in production:
Soubise 49
Croiseur Soubise 56
Soubise 70
- Havcat
Is not very well known, 27 feet
- Scionning
Known to be very high performance.
Benefits of having daggerboards on a catamaran
High performance (speed and efficiency in various wind directions. Especially in upwind directions.)
Can utilize shallow waters, with the boards raised. Typically 3 feet or even less, which means that you can anchor away from the crowd and walk ashore.
Generally, you will have much more anchorage space to choose between.
Disadvantages of daggerboards
More work, more to know and learn, their place in the boat may limit the comfort.
Costly. Adds around 30.000 $ to the construction price.
Why choose daggerboards over fixed keel?
The choice of having daggerboards is mostly a compromise between comfort and performance. Daggerboards make the cat able to sail closer upwind, and the boards are made to enhance the speed.
Boats with fixed keels are sometimes slower, usually also heavier, but also more comfortable, as they have more living space. And if you are sailing short passages, the heavy boat is a good choice.
But if you are going to cross the oceans, the difference in performance is remarkable. It can be several weeks longer crossings compared to higher performing cats.
Daggerboards are for sailors who expect to make longer passages, and who have some experience sailing.
