1985–present · designed by James Wharram + Hanneke Boon · built by Wharram Designs (plans) / owner-built
James Wharram + Hanneke Boon Polynesian-inspired small cruising catamaran — asymmetric-hull modern Tiki series. Plywood-epoxy stitch-and-glue construction from plans sold by Wharram Designs Ltd (Cornwall, UK); owner-built by amateurs over multi-year timelines. 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. Designed for coastal cruising at modest cost; shorthanded operation; trailerable in some configurations.
This is a general read on the Wharram Tiki 26 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.
Easily repairable anywhere — wood-composite plywood-epoxy + glass cloth hull can be patched with hand tools and locally-available materials. Genuine asset for budget cruising.
Affordable entry into cruising-catamaran ownership — owner-built cost is modest, operating cost low.
Engaged owner community + Wharram Designs institutional support. Tiki 26 is well-documented across build logs and owner forums.
Known trade-offs
Quality varies hull-by-hull. Build provenance + materials documentation are non-negotiable; build-time hidden defects can persist for decades.
Plywood-epoxy hulls have a finite lifespan dominated by moisture ingress; an old Tiki 26 with weak epoxy schedule may be at end-of-life regardless of cosmetic condition.
Resale market is thin and niche; expect long marketing periods and limited buyer pool.
Age-related quirks to expect
Owner-built quality variance — every Tiki 26 is bespoke; survey must assess THIS hull, not class priorsHighall (owner-built)
Highest-risk system on any Wharram. Inspect epoxy hot-coat condition (UV chalking), plywood-stitch joint integrity, glass-sheathing delamination. Moisture-meter survey of every hull section. Builder logs + materials provenance matter — often missing for older or multi-owner hulls.
Hulls lashed to crossbeams with synthetic line. Annual inspection and replacement every 5-10 years. A failed lashing offshore is catastrophic; consequence is lower in coastal use but inspection regime is the same.
Tiki 26 rig is class-specific in geometry. Consult Wharram Designs or experienced Wharram riggers; generic-yard quotes are often inappropriate. Small rig means refit cost is modest.
Typically a single 5-10hp outboard on a transom bracket or in a well. Outboard wells are a plywood-moisture hotspot; inspect surrounding laminate.
How it fits your plans
Coastal
Designed for it. Shoal-water cruiser, shorthanded-friendly, modest operating cost.
Liveaboard
Workable in protected waters for one or a tolerant couple. Accommodation is in the hulls only; deck-tent or hard-top over the open bridge platform provides weather shelter.
Weekending
Good fit — small, manageable, two-hull layout gives privacy.
Offshore
Not designed for it. Open ocean passages exist on Tiki 26s but are outside class-typical scope; lashing and hull-laminate inspection becomes even more critical.
Looking at a specific Wharram Tiki 26? FairKeel reads the actual listing —
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