Wharram Pahi 63 (Captain Cook)

Description

The Wharram Pahi 63 (also known as the Pahi 63 Captain Cook in some contexts, with the iconic example Spirit of Gaia built by James Wharram and Hanneke Boon) is a large British plywood/epoxy self-build cruising catamaran designed by James Wharram Designs (primarily by James Wharram with major contributions from Hanneke Boon). Introduced in 1986 and first launched in 1992 as the new ocean-going flagship of the Wharram fleet, it features rounded “female” hull shapes (more curvaceous than earlier Classic or Tiki series), a central bridgedeck pod for communal living and sheltered steering, rope-lashed I-section crossbeams for shock absorption, and a Polynesian-inspired double-canoe philosophy emphasizing simplicity, seaworthiness, and low maintenance. Offered exclusively as detailed plans for amateur and professional home builders using ply/glass/epoxy/laminate construction (estimated 4,000 hours build time), it has no factory production. Only a small number have been completed—approximately 11 sailing examples documented worldwide—making each one a unique, often highly customized “tribal boat” suited for expedition sailing, family cruising, or eco-charter with larger groups.