I have had the idea of getting a large cruising cat in a few years to cruise the Pacific ocean over a couple years.
I have done my time (circumnavigation and several Atlantic crossings) on mono hulls and love them but the mrs would only the cruise on a cat, she too has done her time on mono hulls.
I have been eyeing of the fontain cats or of similar style, just for the sleek style and porno look.
Ive always shunned the Wharram designed as they look a bit scrappy and not so refined.
But after reading a recent artical in Surfers Path about the Wharram, I stopped and thought about my requirements for a pacific cruiser and the Wharram actually ticks the boxes!
-Easy home build, maintenance and sails well.
and as I get older (and budget minded) the looks of the boat are becoming more practical rather than wank factor
The only thing dubious about them is that they lash the beams to the hull by rope which I am 50% sure about.
From my experience I have found cats do crack through the beam due to flex. The rope allows this flex but how long do they last?
Does anyone have any first hand experience with these cats?
Do they handle well in heavy seas?
Cheers
From an engineering point of view the rope lashings would be a flexible joint thereby eliminating a stress point. The flexibility would allow a certain of hull walking which impedes performance, but then that is not what these boats are about.
Thousands of miles have been covered by Wharrams and as is quite often the point it's more about the sailor than the boat. We tend to want to put our faith in new Hi Tec things because we believe it to be better than some older technology which while it may have stood the test of time is ...well .... old.
G'day, I have some experience with Wharram Cats. A long, long while ago I built the Oro, 46 foot. In those days I was in Pomland and spent some time with Jim at a place called Deganwy ,in North Wales. My thoughts were the same as you- cheap, easy d.i.y. and they do go reasonably well.Mine was called Solanderi. I sailed in Atlantic and Med. Sold it in Gibraltar . Many years later I was cruising a Crowther 45 in Noumea and in comes Solanderi.! She was on her 2nd circumnavigation. The owner, Peter , gave me the S.P. on my build.
Mistakes- sheathing the ply, should leave painted as rot gets in. Connecting beams- Pirana Pine, poor quality caused rot. Good points- sailed well but not high performance, Peter installed 2 Yanmar inboards, better than an outboard!! Connecting beams attached to hulls with h.d. rubber blocks, maintenance free. Happy to talk if you have any questions.Cheers, Bob
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
We tend to want to put our faith in new Hi Tec things because we believe it to be better than some older technology which while it may have stood the test of time is ...well .... old.
NASA spent millions on a space pen...Cosmonauts used...well...a pencil 
The Tikis seem to be favoured by the more feral type of surfers. At $102 it is right up their alley.
The Wharram comes with a great heritage! When I met Jim Wharram , it was well known that he sailed with female crew only. At that time there was a crew of 3 or 4 chicks that assissted Jim with sailing and design .The plan set that I bought came with clear instruction on " finding a crew". What value!!
I've been looking into the build for a while myself. If you're prepared to give up live for some years while you build it part time along the daily grind, you can probably do it. You're looking at no kite, no surf and and most likely some dramas with your mrs.
While it initially appears to be a fairly cost effective way to get your hands on a cat, after adding up all the components, build material, rigging, nav equipment and all other toys you may want/need to have to be able to live aboard for some time, you get to the price range of secondhand cruising cats, if not more. And that's not considering the time spent building it.
Example: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dean-400-Catamaran-in-Sint-Maarten-Caribbean-/221255615327?pt=Sailboats&hash=item3383dcc35f&_uhb=1 (..it's got a decent bridge clearance 
)
Another option is to finish a project someone started but had to give up:
www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=14423908&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=10&eapi=2
www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=14005531&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=14&eapi=2
(i'd go for a Schionning if I would build)
I'd say keep kiting/surfing and keep your eye out for something that would suit you, ready to sail. The time building could be spent sailing and kiting/surfing some of those atolls in the south pacific. But then again, you may be happy building for some years.
The lashings are a brilliant design and can be fixed on the hop. Your likely to see some kind of fatigue before a catastrophic failure (if you're paying attention), unlike may of the Gucci cats that hide all the important structural stuff under a fine finish. It's like your wire stays, If you replace them on a schedule, you shouldn't have a problem. Many many serious ocean miles have been done on these cats. But if you do join the Wharram brigade, you will have to start sprouting mung beans ;)
)
