In sailing, which are generally faster, catamatans or trimarans?

Question

If a catmaran and a trimaran were to be made of similar materials with similar sized sails, which would perform better than the other?

Answer 1

you will need to construct /find a 'polar vector diagram'

this will indicate the max speed of a vessel (of any sailing kind) at a given angle of wind. eg. trimarans prob go better up wind but on a reach (accross and away from the wind) the cat is king.

some uni eg southampton uk, or plymouth might have such details online [sorry it's been a few years since i used them]

you could try contacting a maker of each type and invite them to boast of performance attributes .... one of them is bound to!

try the icc, rorc, blue water racing links, hugo boss sailing, clipper ventures, good luck! peace

Answer 2

I would think the one with the least contact with the water so that would be the catamaran

Answer 3

CATS