The latest issue of Multihulls Magazine Digital Edition has hit the web newsstands — this time loaded with interactive video. The November/December 2010 issue was worth the wait with a number of worthwhile features including a recent Leopard 460 catamaran delivery from Annapolis, MD to Peru.

Leopard catamarans in Peru

Stalwart Captain, Jorge Ventura, a regular contributor to the magazine, recorded the epic journey.

The magazine has regularly featured South African Catamarans, which have a solid cruising pedigree around the world.

You can purchase the magazine for either $19.99(six issues) or $29.99 (12 issues) online respectively.

Purchase The Multihulls Magazine Here!

(Hint: If you want a discount let them know found this promotion on catamaran.co.za and you may get lucky! You heard it here, kerel

Miami Boat Show Around The Corner

Just a reminder that the Miami Boat Show is coming up in February. Let us know if you have news you would like published on this site regarding South African catamaran attendance at the show.

Happy sailing, fair winds and merry Xmas!

Take a look a this diagram representing some of the challenges facing the South African catamaran manufacturing sector in 2010 and beyond.

While innovative, catamaran boat builders face unique challenges ranging from slow adoption of new technology, lack of skilled labor and the rising threat (or opportunity) of offshoring the building process to cheaper locales such as China and one day, Vietnam.

We would be interested to hear reader comments on whether this is an accurate picture of the industry in 2010 and whether there should be any new threats, opportunities and statistics added to this representation.

CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGE

Source:Adapted from COFISA Report on Western Cape Boat Building Industry

Multihulls4Us, that popular evergreen online forum, put together this interesting video on the Maverick 400 at the 2009 Cape Boat Show, including design enhancements relating to the cockpit which can seat 18 people and offer 360-degree panoramic views.

“It stole the show for us,” said Multihulls4Us about the Maverick 400.

They interviewed Rudi Pretorius, owner, who offered his personal insights into what improvements had been made on this model.

TMT Charters recently acquired the first Maverick 400 to come off the production line for their operations which focuses exclusively on West Coast Charters in Langebaan, Elands Bay, Lamberts Bay and St. Helena Bay.

The 40 ft Catamaran, Catlyn, was taken out on her test sail in Cape Town on 26 February, 2009.

According to The Marine Trade Blog, “everybody on board were thrilled with her performance. She was fortunate to challenge a newly launched Dean 44 ft Catamaran, who also went out for test sails. With an apparent wind speed of 18 knots, Catlyn and the Dean managed a speed of 7 to 8 knots. The Dean could not shake her off. Rudi Pretorius of Maverick Yachts and Phil Southwell (Designer) were delighted. The hard work of 18 months was echoed in their smiles.

TMT Charters has range of day charters, sunset cruises, a few overnight options — even a 7 day cruise — onboard a 40-foot Maverick catamaran that explores the rugged coastline of the West Coast, including St Helena Bay and Port St Owen.

Johan and Marlene, own and operate “Catlyn”, a 2009 build, sleeps 8 and features a large master cabin and good headroom.

They offer customized quotations depending on individual requirements and their suggested itineraries for a seven-day cruise cover stop-overs at Bird Island, Lamberts Bay, Langebaan & Mykonos, Elands Baai, Kraal Bay, Paternoster and more.

As a benchmark, their “Overnight” package for six people is priced at around R1250 per person (full board).

Private use of the catamaran for overnight charters is priced at R6000 per day, which includes meals and refreshments.

Just a quick note about St. Helena Bay:

It is one of only three bays in the world where the sun rises and sets over the same bay and is considered the last bay in Africa.

Their website also describes the bay as having “some of the best boating waters along the South African coastline. In summer there is generally no swell within the Bay and the mornings are generally calm and ideal for a leisurely sail or to quietly put a fishing line over the side. Typically of the West Coast by late morning the south easterly wind will come through and increase in speed to about 25 knots by mid afternoon and abating at night.”

So maybe its time to forget a sanitized trip to the British Virgin Islands and go on a real African adventure which will really raise your friend’s eyebrows.

Visit TMT Charters: http://www.tmtcharters.com/

By the way, if you are feeling even more adventurous consider an out-of-the-ordinary cruise in Namibia.

The Cape Town International Boat show kicks into gear October 8-10, 2010 at the V&A Waterfront with national bodies such as Sabbex, CTBi and Connet’d drumming up support and additional marketing behind the scenes.

The boat show attracts more overseas visitors than all other South African boats put together.

There is over 11 000m² of indoor space at the CTICC and over 30 boats that are too large to fit into the CTICC on the water outside the Bascule Bar @ the Cape Grace Hotel @ the V & A waterfront.

Entrance is R50 with show hours between 10h00 and 18h00, except for Sunday which ends at 16h00. However, times and pricing is subject for times so check back here closer to the show to get more information.

Breaking news indicates The Catamaran Company charter department will be present at the show and will shortly be releasing details about their sailing vacations booth.

This will the 10th Cape Town Boat International Boat Show and it looks to be a good one!

THE MULTIHULLS Magazine July / August 2010 issue has just been released online in the United States and covers a large segment of the South African catamaran industry including Sunsail’s 384 catamaran, Scape Yachts and an editorial by Lex Haas, President of The Moorings, in which he touches on the evolution of the modern cruising catamaran.

Each issue is getting better, both in terms of content, and, design. The magazine offers single issues for sale as well as one and two-year subscriptions.

The magazine has been around for over 35 years and is now largely online. South African manufacturers, dealerships and charter operators can submit press releases on and editorial online.

Sign up for the latest 2010 July / August of Multihulls Magazine

Catch up on the latest catamaran books, products and accessories related to South African multihull sector including navigation, sailing, education and boat building.

South African catamarans end up all over the world, including the Seychelles

Capt. Tim Mahoney & Admiral Susan Mahoney's pride and joy: Flamingo

Tim and Susan Mahoney are the Catamaran Marquee International dealers for North and Central America and launched “Flamingo” on 2nd February at the Knysna Waterfront.

Flamingo, A Knysna 480 catamaran

Their “log book” on the Knysna Catamarans website says the ultimate goal of their cross-ocean voyage was to reach Grenada in time to fly to Seattle for their daughter’s college graduation and allow their anxious crew to get home as well.

The 45 day trip is now behind them and they are enjoying the superlative cruising conditions in the Caribbean.

“We will sit out the hurricane season here and in November work our way slowly up the island chain and reach Miami in time to feature Flamingo in the February boat show. From there we will head south to Panama and work our way up to Mexico. At least that’s the plan for now,” says the couple.

It all starts with a drawing: The Knysna 480