James Wharram

James Wharram ( born May 15, 1928 in Manchester ) is a pioneer in the catamaran construction. He designed the 1953 first grade ocean catamaran that nearly eight meters long TANGAROA, ushering in the beginning of the driving Tens sailing on catamarans one.

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A groundbreaking transatlantic passage on the 12 meter RONGO (1959 ) was followed. For the first time an ocean passage from west to east was sailed on a catamaran.

Together with Hanneke Boon he sailed around the world from 1995 to 1998 in their 63 ' long catamaran SPIRIT OF GAIA.

Following the example of the Polynesian catamarans he designed seaworthy catamarans with open bridge deck whose hulls are flexible but sure, fixed after Polynesian style with linen or belts and can be effectively constructed with simple, low-cost materials. His designs follow the motto: keep it simple! As building material comes mostly marine plywood in conjunction with epoxy used. The main sail is designed as a treeless gaff. The interior is multi-functional, after the famous Bauhaus motto " less is more " designed. The result is an easy- to-use, yet inexpensive boat seaworthy.

His philosophy of sailing and the specifics of the unique Wharram designs are particularly appreciated in self builders circles worldwide.

In 2008, the year of his 80th birthday, he started together with Klaus Hympendahl and Hanneke Boon his project " Lapita Voyage". For this, two eleven-meter double canoes were built and sailed on a route from the Philippines 4000 miles away to the Solomon Islands Islands of Anuta and Tikopia without modern navigation and handed over to the locals.

The concept of the double hull and outrigger boats is several thousand years old. In the Pacific and Indian oceans its builders took with 20-30 meter double canoes legendary high sea voyages. The smaller Proas were used for shorter distances within the lagoons. Because of the many reef passages her shallow draft was very beneficial.

James Wharram has sold more than 10,000 of its plans worldwide and hundreds of Wharram catamarans from seven to 20 meters in length were built by self builders or shipyards. One reason for this success is the James Wharram as a designer and boat builder is a practitioner. He has applied to many of his prototypes personally hand and is eager to bring his methods of construction to its simplest form.

Together with design engineer and partner Hanneke Boon, he developed new technologies in boat building and groundbreaking designs. He is represented with presentations at international conferences marine archeology. Recently, he has been honored as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society with the " Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society " for his pioneering work in the field of shipbuilding.