Light Wave – 28 then 32 37 foot Catamaran

This is the 28 foot (now 32 foot – Full Article) (now 37 feet as of July 2013)
sailing catamaran that we launched in June 1999 after 28 months of serious part-time work. It is Richard Woods’ Gypsy 28 design.

We invested 3,500 hours on the building process and are very happy with the results. Throughout the building process Carllie kept saying, “I don’t want this boat to look like a homebuilt boat !” Somehow we have managed to get a home built boat onto two covers of Multihulls Magazine where Light Wave was featured in September 2002 after trips to Desolation Sound and around Vancouver Island and in 2006 on our trip to Mexico. We figure it is because of the yellow hulls which creates good color contrast compared to the ubiquitous white of most boats.

LightwaveLightwave

Adding 4 feet to Each Hull

In May and June 2007 while cruising in Mexico we added 4 feet to the sterns of each hull (click here for full story).

Basic specifications, performance numbers, and key features:

  • Weight: 6000 pounds
  • Length: 32 feet (originally 28 feet)
  • Beam: 17 feet
  • Draft: 2 feet 10 inch
  • Engine: 9.9 hp Yamaha four stroke
  • Mainsail – 190 square feet
  • Jib – 170 square feet
  • Speed under power 5 knots

Key Features

  • Mini keels – no daggerboards – makes for easier beaching
  • Hulls are separated from the bridgedeck cabin for safe and easy access forward
    and greater privacy
  • You can see over bridgedeck cabin when steering from the cockpit
  • Forward netting for napping when at anchor
  • Hardtop for shading from the sun and out of the rain
  • Mainsheet is out of the cockpit and off stainless arch and hardtop

Standard Equipment List – Partial

  • 2 large single berths in port hull
  • Dinette quickly makes into large double (we were 4 of us on Light Wave for
    10 days of cruising in Hawaii last spring)
  • 2 burner propane stove and oven
  • Barbeque
  • Propex propane forced air heat and Dickinson P9000 fireplace in bridgedeck area
  • Portaboat folding dinghy and 3 hp motor
  • Roomy private shower and head area
  • Icebox with refrigeration (no freezer)
  • 2 VHF radios
  • Garmin GPS with chart plotter and depth sounder
  • Dual Raymarine ST 4000 Autopilot
  • Fullly equipped galley with dishes, pots, etc.

Comparison of Wind Speed versus Beam Reach Boat Speed

True Wind Speed
Boat Speed in kts with main and
jib only
8
4
12
5
16
8
20
10

Here is the plan view

Here is the accommodation plan

Here are some exterior and interior pictures