Light Wave - Woods 32 Sailing Catamaran

This is the 28 foot (now 32 foot - Full Article) 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.

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).

Here are some of the basic specifications, performance numbers, and key features:

• Weight: 4000 pounds
• Length: 32 feet (originally 28 feet)
• Beam: 17 feet
• Draft: 2 feet 4 inch
• Engine: 9.9 hp Yamaha four stroke
• Mainsail - 220 square feet
• Jib - 170 square feet
• Screecher on furler - 330 square feet
• Speed under power 5 to 6 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
• Furling screecher for convenient light air sailing

Comparison of Wind Speed versus Beam Reach Boat Speed

True Wind Speed	Boat Speed in kts with main and jib only	Boat Speed in kts with screecher
8	3	5
12	4	8
16	8	10
20	10	12

Here is the plan view

Here is the accommodation plan

Here are some exterior and interior pictures