Sailing Strikhedonia and performance
Strikhedonia is a fast cruising catamaran ideally suited to offshore cruising. Her unique 5 module construction and resin infusion technology with mini keels has resulted in a light but “stiff” sailing cat. This means that Strikhedonia sails extremely well in both light and strong wind conditions. Strikhedonia comes rigged with a 57m2 Barracuda fully battened main, a self-tacking 22m2 Barracouta jib and North Sails Screecher, plus an asymmetrical spinnaker.
All sheets and halyards lead back to the cockpit for safe, single-handed, all weather sail control. The main sail halyard is raised by a Harken ST46 electric winch which can also be used for trimming the main sheet once the main is up. The main comes with three reefing points with all reefing lines leading back to the helm for quick and safe reefing. The main traveller is ideally located on top of the Targa below the end of the boom and is simply adjusted by a winch located on the port side of the Targa.
The self-tacking jib makes single-handed sailing a breeze. The sheets are attached to the jib via a traveller on the foredeck in front of the saloon allowing the jib to tack freely as the boat passes through the wind. The jib comes on a Profurl roller furler with both the furler line and jib sheet coming back to a Harken ST46 winch in the cockpit for easy control. The spinnaker comes in a sock with the halyard and all sheets in place. Two additional Harken ST40 winches are available for trimming the spinnaker and other jobs.
With jib and main set, Strikhedonia will sail at 4 to 5 knots in light breezes as low as 6-8 knots apparent. On a beam reach and with breezes of 10 knots apparent, Strikhedonia will hold 7 knots and with 15 knots of breeze will pass 8 knots. Controlled sailing speeds in excess of 9 knots can be maintained in winds over 18 knots. Strikhedonia points well for a sailing catamaran, holding good speed as close as 40 degrees off the wind. The self-tacking jib makes tacking a breeze for single-handed sailing and the helm and cockpit are well protected from spray and wind when beating to windward while the mini keels minimize sideways crabbing.
Strikhedonia is a delight to sail down wind, either on a broad reach or set with dual head sails on a dead run – the most common sailing angles when going south in the Sea of Cortez. When sailing downwind in lighter airs, the spinnaker can be raised in its sock for easy launch and retrieval. Very enjoyable spinnaker runs can be had in following breezes up to 15 knots, either with or without the main in place.
