Briefly about the choice
Nowadays it’s easy to find any kind of catamaran for rafting on sale: motor, sailing, hiking, sports. However, such a narrow specification may not be to the liking of lovers of variety, because it often happens that tourists go on a serious category hike in the summer, on weekends or holidays they want to warm up on an easy river in their region, and next season they plan to relax without extreme sports.
- Inflatable sailing models must at least hold the sail, and also be stable, controllable, and convenient for accommodating the crew and their luggage. They are often equipped with a motor, which allows you to move on them without any problems in windless weather.
- Sports catamarans for competitions must have maneuverability, speed, and propulsion. They feel great in calm water. If desired, some models can be equipped with a sail or motor. Such multitasking provides them with increased demand, including from novice water tourists.
- Hiking must match the difficulty of the upcoming route. Ease of transportation, reliability on water, ease of assembly and repair are especially important.
- Stream models do not tolerate wind, which makes it difficult to move across large areas without a current, so tourists put a motor or a small removable sail on them. Of course, such vessels are not suitable for passing difficult rapids.
There is no universal catamaran that would be suitable for any alloys. For this reason, water workers successfully modify finished structures. Let's look at the types of catamarans in detail to make the right choice.
Sailing catamarans
Having a personal sailing yacht is expensive. It needs to be registered, stored somewhere, and sometimes transported. An inflatable sailing catamaran solves all of the above problems. In addition to the obligatory floats and deck, its design includes sails that differ in shape, size and number. Being a small vessel, it does not require registration with the State Inspection Service.
It is not difficult to operate, so more and more often watercraft, whose destiny was previously exclusively sailing, are becoming tourist ones. Of course, you won’t go far out to sea with them, but such tasks are usually not set before them.
Peculiarities
Compactness. When packed, the dismountable watercraft is small in size and easily fits into the trunk of a car. You can store the packaging at home, transport it in any convenient way, and the vessel can be assembled in just a couple of hours. Thanks to this feature, a tourist living in central Russia can go with his personal sailboat to any corner of the country where there is an interesting route.
Speed and maneuverability. A catamaran with a sail is capable of traveling long distances, and its shallow draft allows it to raft through shallow waters and approach any shore. This is important for a tourist boat, because there are no cabins on it and parking will have to be organized on land.
The price of a sailing catamaran is 70 – 150 thousand rubles. The exact figure depends on the class of the vessel, equipment and a number of other characteristics.
Variety of models. Among the inflatable sailing boats you can find both small sports ones, intended for only one person without luggage, and spacious ones, with a large deck, where there is room for a whole family or a group of friends.
Who produces
Several companies specialize in Russia, including the famous St. Petersburg "Triton", Novosibirsk "Kulik", as well as the Moscow "Uspensky Shipyard" and, whose catamaran "Prostor" is still considered one of the most famous and best-selling. The choice is still small, but sailing trips are becoming increasingly popular among water tourists, so the vessel can be ordered from a number of other manufacturers of rafting equipment.
Triton "Wolf", Valdai-4, Triton "Wind"
There are few foreign companies. The reason is that in Europe, with its good roads and short distances, yacht owners have no problems with their storage and transportation. Such solid watercraft are successfully used for sea trips, and inflatable sailing catamarans are considered simply beach entertainment.
European vessels are lightweight, compact and maneuverable. Among their manufacturers are the Ukrainian brand “Ducky” and the Czech “MiniCat”.
How to choose
In Russia, sailing catamarans are used not only for sports and entertainment, but also for camping purposes, so the choice should be made taking into account the intended tasks.
- If you need a vessel for recreation, competitions and simple rafting, you should prefer a beach catamaran, whose main qualities are lightness, compactness, and speed.
- Full-fledged water trips on lakes or reservoirs require a reliable, roomy kat that meets increased safety requirements. Such a vessel weighs more than a regular “beach boat,” but it can accommodate an entire crew with luggage or add a motor to the design.
Where to raft
A sailboat needs plenty of water. The world's largest freshwater lake Baikal, the picturesque Teletskoye in Altai, or the numerous lakes of Karelia. They are small, but often connected by rivers, which allows you to come up with more than one interesting route.
You can see beautiful places by rafting down the Volga, Kama and other large rivers, and in the vastness of lakes and reservoirs you can feel like you’re at sea.
Advantages of a catamaran
- Stability. This type of boat rarely heels more than 5 degrees. Thanks to this, swimming is comfortable and safe. Those who go to sea for extreme sports may consider stability to be a disadvantage, reducing the thrill of sensations during the race, but in the eyes of extreme sports enthusiasts, this feature is more than compensated for by speed.
- Ride quality. With a fair wind, a sailing catamaran can sail twice as fast as a monohull yacht.
- Shallow draft. Thanks to this, the vessel easily navigates shallow waters and allows it to approach hard-to-reach shores.
- Wide deck and large cockpit. This is not true for all ships of this type, but if you are choosing a comfortable pleasure model for a large group, a catamaran is exactly what you need.
Finally, one of the main advantages of this type of vessel is safety. Even with high waves and strong rolling, the risk of capsizing is minimal. There have been recorded cases where a catamaran withstood a force 7 storm in the Bay of Biscay. Sea and river catamaran trips will appeal to beginners and experienced sailors.
Plyos and expedition catamarans
The choice of water adventure lovers without extreme sports, but with swimming, fishing and other pleasures. Plyo skates are successfully used on simple and moderately difficult water routes, but are not intended for extreme testing. therefore their design is extremely simple.
This category includes the large expeditionary “Kotuikans” from “Raf from “Free Wind”. These multi-seat vessels are designed for long-term autonomous rafting and have a high payload capacity (up to 1000 kilograms).
Peculiarities
Simplicity of design. Expedition ships are easy to assemble and disassemble: two cylinders and a frame, which is most often supplemented with a deck. Durable flooring allows you to take passengers and bulky luggage on board without experiencing difficulties when placing cargo. Moreover, the frame can be cut out on the spot, an additional sail can be purchased, and a transom can be installed, since the stretch inflatable catamaran fits the motor perfectly.
Capacity. Multi-seat models make it more convenient to travel in a large group. This is facilitated by the shape of the cylinders in the form of a cigar. It is convenient to lay the deck on the flat floats, and the rowers can sit as they please: on the seats that come with the boat, or even simply on backpacks. The vessel is capable of taking passengers on board, so the capacity of a stretch catamaran is determined not so much by the number of seats as by its carrying capacity.
There are no particularly strict safety requirements; it is enough that the fabric of the floats is strong and the frame is strong and reliably assembled.
Who produces
Almost every company producing equipment for water tourism is engaged in the manufacture of fishing and expedition vessels. Large ones are less in demand, so you can buy them only from the most famous manufacturers. There is another option - to find someone who agrees to make a watercraft to order.
Kotuikan, Taimyr, Baseg
The “four” “Baseg” is very popular. No less famous are the “Free Wind” catamarans, for example, the “Valdai” and “Taimyr” models. Also held in high esteem by watermen are “Narodny” from “Raftmaster” and catamarans from “Ural-Expedition”, among which there are even ten-seater ones. “Corvette” makes good ships: its “Plyos” have an excellent combination of price and quality.
In addition to well-known companies, there are many single artisans who can sew a homemade catamaran to order. Whether to entrust the manufacture of a camping vessel to a private person or not is a personal matter. A sailing catamaran must be durable and reliable, so you need to be confident in the manufacturer - it is better to buy a vessel from a trusted company.
Price . You can buy four Baseg for 25-30 thousand rubles (depending on the store and equipment), the Kokshaga catamaran will cost about 25 thousand, the Valdai catamaran - about 40 thousand. The catamaran-6 “Narodny” will cost the same.
How to choose
- Choose based on price, number of seats and degree of trust in the manufacturer. If you have little experience in rafting, it is better to overpay, but buy a really good boat from a well-known brand: such a vessel will faithfully serve for many more years. It’s easier for experienced tourists - they already know all the tricks, so they can save money by buying a little-known or used model, or even sew it at home.
- “Fours” are considered the most popular. They have the optimal size: not small and not unnecessarily bulky. If necessary, such a vessel can accommodate six oarsmen.
Where to raft
Any region is suitable for river rafting, but the category limit for the route is up to class 3. inclusive. Some) also indicate the fourth in the characteristics of their ships. In the latter case, you need to take into account that sporting interest turns into a very real risk.
River of the 3rd category of complexity
Participants in a category trip must have relevant experience; things on the ship must be firmly secured. It is not advisable to make decks so that if the ship capsizes, people could emerge between the cylinders. Special requirements are imposed on the seating position: the rowers sit on their knees, firmly, so that they are not knocked out by a blow.
If the specified requirements are met, stretch catamarans are suitable for passing rivers and 4 class obstacles, but for difficult routes it is still better to buy a more suitable watercraft.
Sports and tourist catamarans
As the name suggests, these katas are intended for water tourism with extreme elements. And since the ship becomes not only a transport, but also a sports equipment, many requirements are placed on it, relating to literally everything.
In extreme water tourism, the fabric from which the inflatable cylinders are made, their volume, shape, type of frame, the position of the athletes and much more is important. Moreover, the opinions of watermen may differ, so that some characteristics of catamaran designs become the cause of heated debate.
Peculiarities
These catamarans are most often two- or four-seater, since an increase in the number of crew affects the dimensions of the craft. A bulky vessel is more stable, but less maneuverable, and there are few people willing to sacrifice this quality.
Big choice . There are many models of hiking catamarans. This makes it difficult to choose, but increases the chances of purchasing a decent vessel.
Float shape . Compared to the floating kats, the shape of the float on hiking kats has changed: it is no longer a “cigar”, but a so-called “camel”. The thickened bow and stern accommodate an additional supply of air, create a kind of compartment for placing luggage on the cylinder, and also slightly protect the rower from water impacts.
Deck . When rafting on stormy rivers, laying decks on the vessel is strictly prohibited - the space between the cylinders must always remain free. Even the spare oars for the catamaran are mounted next to the gondolas, and not in the center of the frame. This is necessary so that during an overkill, crew members who find themselves under the cut can surface freely.
Boarding the rowers . All vessels are distinguished by a well-thought-out design of seats, since during extreme rafting the water ceases to be soft. The impact of a catamaran on shafts or stones can be very strong, so the landing should be such that the catamaran operator is securely held in place, but can quickly leave it if necessary.
For this reason, inflatable seats are usually made not removable, but sewn in. On the sides they are complemented by straps (knee supports), which are placed over the knees and tightened, securing the athlete and allowing him to make any strokes without fear of falling out. This seating position is considered the most popular, but sometimes on rivers you can also find so-called “machine guns,” that is, seats on a tripod similar to a machine gun bipod. They also have stops, but have not become widespread due to their more complex design.
Who produces
It makes catamarans in St. Petersburg, and Raftmaster in Moscow. No less famous are the Novosibirsk "Kulik", the Ufa "Ural-Expedition", the Perm "Aqua-Sport", the Kazan shipyard "Corvette". There are few foreign manufacturers and almost all of them are from the countries of the former Soviet Union. The most famous is the company of Alexander Novikov - Belarusian catamarans "Belraft" have been in the top of the best vessels for extreme water trips and competitions on rough water for many years.
Each of the listed companies has a whole range of successful models, and it is periodically updated with new developments. A positive example inspires equipment manufacturers in other cities, so modern watermen already have a very rich choice.
The price depends on the manufacturer, design features, materials used and other factors, and starts from 45 thousand rubles for a new one, 70 for a “four”.
How to choose
Choosing a hiking kata is a whole science. At the same time, knowledge must certainly be supported by practice, since a vessel that is ideal for one waterman may categorically not be liked by another.
Rivers also make their demands. Larger tonnage vessels are suitable for full-fledged vessels with powerful barrels, while maneuverable, light and high-speed catamarans perform excellently on slalom routes.
In this regard, experienced teams often have several watercraft with different characteristics, which allows them to prepare for a trip of any complexity.
Where to raft
Anywhere, from simple flat rivers to routes of the highest category of difficulty. In this situation, the choice of rafting route is determined not so much by the capabilities of the catamarans, but by the skill of the crews.
Story
This type of vessel has been known since ancient times and was most widespread among the peoples of Oceania. According to ethnography and archeology, a catamaran, similar to the one that continues to be used in Polynesia, was the main means of settlement of its peoples by the 2nd millennium BC. e.[7]
In Europe, ships connected together, for example, were used by the Romans during the siege of Syracuse, they were equipped with assault ladders.
However, in general, catamarans have not become widespread in shipbuilding due to the complexity of construction and problems with ensuring the strength of the connecting bridge, which is subject to heavy loads during rolling, which makes the use of catamarans more attractive on inland waterways. The introduction of metal as a hull material and new, more efficient methods of building hulls made it possible to reassess the prospects of catamarans, and they began to become increasingly widespread.
Sports catamarans
Designed primarily for participation in slalom competitions. The main difference from the varieties described above: maximum lightness and maneuverability, which is achieved in different ways.
Peculiarities
Maximum lightness . For example, reducing the volume of nacelles and making them from lightweight materials can reduce the actual weight of the vessel, making it more manageable. For the same purpose, the rowers are located as close as possible to the center of gravity of the catamaran: on the K-2 the seats are sewn approximately in the middle of the cylinders, and on the K-4 they are also in the middle, but very close to each other, while the distance between the gondolas is also reduced.
cargo compartment on ships of this type; a rigid frame is used. A striking example is the catamaran “Blik” from Triton. Perhaps it has no serious competitors among models from well-known brands, but this is only a matter of time.
Low load capacity . All of the above does not mean that you can’t go hiking on sports catamarans: at least they can handle the Karelian rivers, and if they have the necessary training, the crew can choose a more difficult route. However, the carrying capacity of sports models is small, so for long trips tourists prefer more powerful watercraft.
Description and features
The main difference between a catamaran and a regular motor yacht is the presence of two hulls. Thanks to this, the main lifting force of such a vessel is concentrated not in the center, but on the sides, which makes it more stable. A well-designed bridge (connecting the two parts) allows the spray to go under it during rapid movement, which in turn increases the speed of the vessel.
It should also be mentioned that the internal space of the catamaran is much larger than that of a conventional monohull version. In addition, one can note a more rational use of the bow, since the vessel does not narrow towards the bow.
The next thing you can pay attention to is the maneuverability that the catamaran has. A motorboat, especially in windy weather, is not so easy to turn around. Thanks to a pair of engines on the sides of the wide stern, the catamaran can be deployed almost on the spot.
However, the presence of two engines is not only an additional, “spare” option. This is a blow to efficiency. But this minus is also a plus. A large catamaran ferry can reach speeds of over 20 knots, which is simply unrealistic to achieve on a monohull. It should be noted that the loading of the vessel practically does not matter.
Boat owners know that in order to lift the boat ashore, it will require a trolley stand of a certain shape. The catamaran can simply be placed on blocks. The presence of two buildings will be a fairly stable support.
General selection rules
For those who have rafting skills, choosing a suitable vessel will not be difficult, but for beginners without knowledge of the matter and formed preferences, it will be more difficult. It’s good when a person starts training in a tourist club or with more experienced friends - they will provide kat there and explain everything along the way.
During this time, you can draw conclusions and approach the purchase of your first catamaran with sufficient knowledge. If a group of tourists decides to start from scratch, then the theory will have to be studied independently. To simplify the task, you can use catamaran rental - many city tourist clubs, not spoiled by funding, offer such a service.
Manufacturer. It is best to prefer khat from a well-established brand, for example, Triton, Raf. These companies are held in high regard by all water managers in the country, so the choice will definitely be unmistakable.
Number of rowers. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide between catamaran-2 and catamaran-4 (two- and four-seater catamaran), since both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
A four, especially when loaded, feels heavier and clumsier, so rowers will have to work harder to steer it. It is more difficult for a team to work well with each other, but with coordinated work, the crew will be able to easily overcome serious obstacles.
The double requires perfect coordination from the rowers.
In general, if there is a group of like-minded people, it is better to start with a four: a heavy kat forgives rowers many minor mistakes.
The design of the catamaran is an equally important selection criterion, since the capabilities of each specific vessel depend on it. The cylinders, frame, and seats have their own characteristics.
Monoballoon or double-layer floats. If you have a choice between a vessel with internal tanks and a monoballoon catamaran, choose a high-quality mono. I spoke in detail on this topic in the article Nuances of the design of a tourist catamaran.
Volume of cylinders. As for the optimal volume of cylinders for a catamaran, it is difficult to recommend anything specific. If the kat is needed for rafting on Karelian rivers, then “Triton-2” will be enough, but those who seriously dream of “white water” should take a closer look, for example, at “Belraft”, “Sterkh”, “Raftmaster”. Although here a lot depends on personal preferences: some have become attached to the nimble Triton, while others are accustomed to proudly sitting on the 2TT. Some sell additional buoys that increase the tonnage of the vessel if necessary.
Landing. How comfortably and confidently an athlete sits on a catamaran determines its safety and quality of work, so it is better to test the seat and supports in advance.
The frame is another controversial issue. It is usually made of duralumin pipes, and controversy is caused by the methods of their assembly, on which rigidity depends, that is, the ability of the structure to maintain its shape under load.
Elements of a rigid frame are connected with bolts, which ensures a quick response of the vessel to control movements, however, such a frame does not like deformation and is easier to break. Parts of the soft frame are usually held together with rubber twists - strips cut from car inner tubes. The design perfectly absorbs impact energy, the vessels are more stable, but they respond to control strokes with a delay.
