Way Cool Cats

Herb McCormick of Cruising World writes: “The newest performance-cruising catamarans are light and quick, with efficient daggerboards and powerful, precise sail plans–and a history, culture and presence all their own.”

KC54 under sail in The Exumas

“For me, it all came together when I inspected and sailed another cat produced in South Africa, the Kinetic KC54. The company—founded by movie producer and real-estate developer Bob Hayward—is a serious player, with construction by Knysna-based builder Leon Scheepers and design by the Simonis Voogd naval-­architecture firm, fronted by Cape Town wizard Alex Simonis.”

KC54 during sea trials in the Knysna Lagoon

“Gunboat and Kinetic: the bookends of my own personal journey with performance catamarans in the new millennium. From the design and building perspective, via the evolution that’s transpired through the people who love them, the cats are obviously quite different. But the joy and thrill of sailing them? That hasn’t changed a bit.”

Herb McCormick - Cruising World