A lightweight, affordable, and easy-to-build cabin multihull for the independent sailor.
We live in interesting times. Times for observers and dreamers, but also for people who are willing to turn their dreams into reality.
The CATAPROA is one of the easiest single-handed cabin multihull cruisers to handle. Perfect for coastal sailing, exploring rivers and canals,
or simply enjoying the freedom of being on the water. And by the way, she is fast, too!
Do you have the ambition to build your own boat? Then read on.
A New Approach to Multihull Sailing
The CATAPROA is an unusual craft, combining features of the traditional Pacific proa with those of a modern catamaran.
Proas played an important role in exploring and settling the Pacific islands. The CATAPROA takes inspiration from these remarkable boats but eliminates the need for shunting. Instead, she tacks like a conventional catamaran.
In fact, she handles almost like a dinghy, as you can see in the video.
Small, Light, and Surprisingly Capable
Although compact, the CATAPROA is designed for coastal cruising and adventurous exploring. Primarily a single-handed trekking cruiser, she is also perfectly suitable for two people on day trips.
Beaching is straightforward, thanks to the automatic kick-up rudder system. The boat can be trimmed using both the lateen sail and the adjustable daggerboard.
With a total weight of only 90 kg, handling the boat ashore is easy.
The cabin provides a surprisingly comfortable shelter for such a small craft:
Cabin length: 2.0 m
Cabin width: 1.9 m
Sitting headroom: 1.0 m
Total boat weight: approximately 90 kg
layout
Plans set costs
US $ 100,00
US $ 100,00
VIDEO
CLIPS
CLIPS
A Different Kind of Small Cruiser
Hull curing. No stitches, no screws, only tape. In this way, many hours less work
For the rig, you can use an inexpensive and widely available Sunfish sail.
Best of all, the CATAPROA can be built for approximately US $1,000, ready to sail, depending on local material prices.
Simple Construction - No Special Skills Required
Construction uses the well-proven plywood, fiberglass, and epoxy composite system, which I have used successfully in my K-designs boats for decades.
If you can handle basic woodworking tools and have the practical skills to repair a wooden chair, you can build the CATAPROA.
Modern marine epoxy systems also offer improved safety features, but proper skin protection, , and careful handling remain essential.
Quick Assembly - One Person Is Enough
Transporting and assembling the CATAPROA is remarkably simple.
With a road transport width of only 1.6 m, the boat is easy to move.
At your sailing destination, simply fasten eight bolts, insert the windsurf mast, hoist the sail, and off you go!
Thanks to her low weight, one person can handle the entire operation.
Building Plans and Construction Manual
Build Your Own Freedom
You don't need a large workshop, expensive equipment, or years of boatbuilding experience.
With ordinary tools, affordable materials, and about 200 hours of your time, you can build a real little cruising multihull that
will take you to places larger boats may never reach.
CATAPROA by K-designs - Small boat. Big possibilities.
Explore the Bill of Materials and discover how straightforward building your own CATAPROA can be.
Best of all, the CATAPROA can be built for approximately US $1,000, ready to sail, depending on local material prices.
Simple Construction - No Special Skills Required
Construction uses the well-proven plywood, fiberglass, and epoxy composite system, which I have used successfully in my K-designs boats for decades.
If you can handle basic woodworking tools and have the practical skills to repair a wooden chair, you can build the CATAPROA.
Modern marine epoxy systems also offer improved safety features, but proper skin protection, , and careful handling remain essential.
Quick Assembly - One Person Is Enough
Transporting and assembling the CATAPROA is remarkably simple.
With a road transport width of only 1.6 m, the boat is easy to move.
At your sailing destination, simply fasten eight bolts, insert the windsurf mast, hoist the sail, and off you go!
Thanks to her low weight, one person can handle the entire operation.
Building Plans and Construction Manual
Build Your Own Freedom
You don't need a large workshop, expensive equipment, or years of boatbuilding experience.
With ordinary tools, affordable materials, and about 200 hours of your time, you can build a real little cruising multihull that
will take you to places larger boats may never reach.
CATAPROA by K-designs - Small boat. Big possibilities.
Explore the Bill of Materials and discover how straightforward building your own CATAPROA can be.
28 pages of building instructions and additional information
22 photographs illustrating the construction process
24 detailed drawings supplied as a PDF drawing set
A comprehensive Bill of Materials, showing what you need before you start
Estimated construction time: approximately 200 hours.
22 photographs illustrating the construction process
24 detailed drawings supplied as a PDF drawing set
A comprehensive Bill of Materials, showing what you need before you start
Estimated construction time: approximately 200 hours.
The construction manual is presented as a practical, step-by-step picture story, making the building process easy to follow
even for first-time builders.
The complete documentation includes:
even for first-time builders.
The complete documentation includes:
Build Your Own Freedom
You don't need a large workshop, expensive equipment, or years of boatbuilding experience.
With ordinary tools, affordable materials, and about 200 hours of your time, you can build a real little cruising multihull that will take you to places larger boats may never reach.
CATAPROA by K-designs — Small boat. Big possibilities.
You don't need a large workshop, expensive equipment, or years of boatbuilding experience.
With ordinary tools, affordable materials, and about 200 hours of your time, you can build a real little cruising multihull that will take you to places larger boats may never reach.
CATAPROA by K-designs — Small boat. Big possibilities.
construction
pictures
pictures
Copyright © 2001/2026 by B. Kohler, K-designs
All rights reserved
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