FUN, FUN, FUN!If you are the sort of sailor that leaves their boat in the marina all year and doesn't use it, then don't buy this catamaran. This is a multihull that begs to be sailed. You can sail her almost anywhere. Across lakes and seas and along ocean coasts but probably not across an ocean - there is a challenge that, no doubt, somebody will pick up. Basically she is a fast day sailer that you can overnight in.
This 8m (26ft) catamaran lies at the boundary between the beach cat and the cruising cat. Anybody who has sailed a Dart 16 will fully comprehend the capabilities of the VirusBoats V8. And those who have sailed any boat with a cockpit deck that is almost at sea level, such as most traditional day boats and even revolutionary ones like the VirusBoats Magnum 21 trimaran will appreciate how much difference the extra size makes. You sit well above the waves, dry and with a great view over the boat, the crew and the horizon, all of which you can take in at a glance.
The performance and sensations of a sports cat with the safety and comfort of a boat that was conceived for the sea.
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- Racks to sit on are much more comfortable and safer than trapezes. And they double as diving platforms and sun-loungers.
- Very slim 8m long wave piercing hulls with inverted bows penetrate waves with minimum deceleration. This helps maintain high average speed and has the side benefit of reducing sea sickness.
- Long keels (with no heavy lead in them like monohulls have) instead of vulnerable daggerboards (like many racing boats) for low maintenance and reduced risk of collision damage; ideal for taking the ground, they allow you explore the most secluded moorings in total serenity.
- Suspended balanced rudders protected by the keels make the helm very light to the touch.
- Berths fore and aft of each hatch in each hull mean that a whole family can be accommodated. And with a tent or two on the trampoline there is enough room for a great weekend for two families.
- Choice of sail material, with or without boom.
- Rotating wing mast provides extra power and being made from aluminium gives high reliability and low cost.
- Ouboard motor: only 3.5HP for manouevring in harbour at up to 5knots but 6HP ideal for cruising when there is no wind.
- Trailerable: so you can take the catamaran on holiday to a different cruising ground or away for a race or take her home for winter maintenance. Assembly is only 4 hours for 3 men.
- But why trail when you can sail? 200 miles is no distance to sail for a race in such a fast day boat.
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