At the show

TheDailySail has a look around Southampton Boat Show

Nestling among the mirror windowed powerboat section in the Marina was the Latvian built and designed Catri 24, now being imported by Steve Walker at Ahoy Boats . The Catri 24 looks like a conventional trimaran but in fact is bristling with technology above and below the waterline. Designer Aldis Eglajs has worked on the Catri project for 24 years and has for decades been putting multihull designs on the water in Latvia away from prying eyes.

The principle theory behind the boat is the use of hydrofoils on the floats and the rudder – this does away with the need for a centreboard and says Walker provide for a stable, fast ride without the fear of pitch-poling. The retractable boards in the floats are positioned a long way forward and are asymmetric in profile giving lift and a counter to leeway. At the back of the float is a smaller V shaped foil and on the rudder is a T-foil. The concept is more improving performance/comfort rather than a Hydroptere style take off. Walker says that the performance is pretty exceptional, 20 knots plus being a frequent reality



The 10.6m carbon wingmast is on a ball joint at deck level and is supported by runners down to the floats. Potentially this mechanism could cant the rig too. At the end of the bow-sprit is a furling downwind sail, set on the bow is a furling Solent.

The floats can be hinged up for mooring in tight spaces and for trailering. Down below there are five berths – so ideal for cruising with the family!



The boat has yet to be seriously raced in the UK and will receive its first MOCRA rating next week. The basic price is £45,000 inc Vat excluding sails, engine, trailer and some racing upgrades.