Did you know that the A-Class catamaran is the fastest single handed racing catamaran in the world?  In fact it is arguably the world's fastest small sailing boat upwind?  'Never start upwind of an 'A' Class unless you plan to tack off!'

This site has been created to promote the A-Class Catamaran sailing in Britain, inform potential recruits and provide information for those who are already participating in this most exciting of classes.

Our boy's done good - Chris Field 2nd in the German Nats!

Yes!, the British 'Wunderkind' Chris Field secured 2nd overall at the German Nats behind reigning Euro champ Bob Baier, in a variety of interesting conditions on the Baltic.  See Here.

The next race on the circuit is the French Open, 17th - 20th May in La Rochelle - this time to be sailed by Chris Field, your class treasurer Struan Wallace and your Webmaster Gordon Upton.  What could possibly go wrong?!

Olympian Gold Medal Level 'A'Class crashing!

New 'A' Class recruit and Team GBR 2012 medal hopefull Paul Goodison shows us all how to stuff in a DNA to an Olympic level!  He has now set the bar for us all to follow!  Long may he continue like this....but I fear he will only get even better!  

Keep it up Paul!!

We've all been there, and shall continue to do so!

Important SCHRS announcement

See here for this notification of changes to the handicap rating system that will effect the A Class Catamaran

BACCA at the 2012 London Dinghy Show

The show crew   Phil Neal, Colin Bannister, Gordon Upton, Tony Lampett, Nigel Lovett, Dave Lowe, Struan Wallace.

Report - see here.

NEW BACCA Teeshirts coming soon - be the envy of all your friends with these stylish and fashionable garments!!  On sale at the show from our stand!!  All profits going to the BACCA

Logo printed on the left breast and www.aclasscatamaran printed across the back shoulders. 

Time to register again!  Download the forms on the left please.

A couple of new videos here.

Check out the 2012 EVENTS page, new ones arrive each week now!   

And keep checking the NEWS section, that's where all the gossip is!! Dutch Open report too!

The 2011 UK National RANKINGS are now in!

  New photos! - email us if you have any that you may think will be of interest.

Whereas most other racing classes are one-design, the A-Class is a development class and as a result it has become the very pinnacle of the high-tech sailing boat.  Many state-of-the-art design developments seen today in, for example, the latest Americas Cup racers, have been first developed and then applied to the 'A' Class cat.

Whilst being a relatively easy boat to actually sail.  They are stable and not particularly prone to cartwheeling or 'pitch-polling' even in the strongest of winds, unless you do something really stupid.  But the 'A' Class Catamaran is difficult to sail well, requiring many subtle tweaks and fine tuning to get it up to it's full potential.  You can be sailing upwind and suddenly realize that everyone else is out-pointing you, for no apparent reason!  A slight sail trim here, a small mast rotation there - it all has an effect, which is more noticeable because you are traveling faster. It suits people who like to fiddle and tune, but the feeling when you hit the sweet-spot is superb! 

It is so responsive that it almost talks to you! You just have to learn to listen.

Hardly any two 'A' Cats are the same.  Each sailor likes to have things customized to suit their own style.  Transom or centre mainsheet, different downhaul and mast rotation systems, even rudder and daggerboard shapes can vary.  You will see many different hull shapes.  The current trend is for wave piercing bows and curved daggerboards which are thought to give an edge when sailing downwind.  

However, the actual hull shape has a lesser effect on the speed than having the correct rig setup.  The mast and sail are designed to work together for a particular crew weight.  Having the correct sail shape and mast stiffness for you is far more important than having the latest hull design.  A smooth sailing style is also crucial, and with an all up minimum weight of 75kg, this is essential to maximizing your potential boatspeed.

So, if you are up for the challenge of the Formula One of the sailing boat world, drop us a line.  We can then hopefully put you in touch with someone who can help, as the 'A' class 'scene' is a very friendly and helpful one!  

Now you wouldn't want to die not knowing, would you?!