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Wharram Mana 24

2014–present · designed by James Wharram + Hanneke Boon · built by Wharram Designs (plans) / owner-built

Modern small Wharram coastal catamaran — designed as an accessible self-build at the small end of the Wharram cruising range. Plywood- epoxy stitch-and-glue construction from plans sold by Wharram Designs Ltd (Cornwall, UK); intended for amateur owner-builders building their first boat. Open slatted bridge deck (no solid panel), deck- stepped mast, hulls lashed to crossbeams with synthetic line. Wood- composite hull is repairable anywhere with hand tools, epoxy, and glass cloth. Intended for coastal cruising and day-sailing — not offshore.

This is a general read on the Wharram Mana 24 class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

We grade that listing's own claims against what's known about the class, and flag the gaps a survey would catch. Free, no account. No listing yet? See what the free report looks like (a real one, anonymised), or search for a Wharram Mana 24 for sale and come back with the link.

At a glance

Hull form
Multihull Cat
Rudder
Transom Hung
Mast step
Deck Stepped
Hull construction
Wood
Bridgedeck
Open
Production
2014–present
Built in
UK (plans) / variable (owner-built)

What the Wharram Mana 24 is known for

Known trade-offs

Age-related quirks to expect

Owner-built quality variance — every Mana 24 is bespoke; survey must assess THIS hull. Newer design but still a first-build for many severity: High affects: all (owner-built)
Plywood-epoxy hull moisture susceptibility — breached epoxy + persistent moisture = plywood rot severity: Medium affects: all (age + maintenance-driven)
Lashed crossbeam attachment — lashings need annual inspection and replacement every 5-10 years severity: Medium affects: all (architectural)
Newer design with shorter track record — fewer comparable hulls and less owner-experience data than older Tikis severity: Low affects: all

Systems to check before you buy

Hull-laminate + epoxy condition priority: coastal, weekending

Highest-risk system on any Wharram. Inspect epoxy hot-coat condition, plywood-stitch joint integrity, glass-sheathing delamination. Moisture-meter survey. Builder logs + materials provenance matter.

Lashings + crossbeam attachment priority: coastal, weekending

Hulls lashed to crossbeams with synthetic line. Annual inspection and replacement every 5-10 years.

Rig — simple gaff or bermudan rig priority: coastal, weekending

Mana 24 rig is small and simple; class-specific geometry. Replacement is inexpensive and doable by competent owner.

Auxiliary propulsion (small outboard) priority: coastal, weekending

Typically a small outboard (5-10hp). Outboard wells in plywood hulls are moisture-ingress hotspots.

How it fits your plans

Coastal
Designed for it. Modern small Wharram coastal cruiser.
Weekending
Strong fit. Day-sail / weekender / camp-cruiser for one or a tolerant couple.
Offshore
Not designed for it. Outside class scope.

This guide is the class. A report is that hull. Paste the listing you're looking at and FairKeel grades every claim in it against what's known about the Wharram Mana 24 — where the evidence is thin, the red flags worth a second look, the costs likely to land in your first season, and whether the boat suits the plans you describe in a few short questions.

It won't read the photos or put a number on the boat — that's the $249 Deep-Dive, and for the real answer, a surveyor. It will tell you when a Deep-Dive isn't worth buying. Free, no account, usually a minute or two.

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