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Wharram Tiki 38

1988–present · designed by James Wharram + Hanneke Boon · built by Wharram Designs (plans) / owner-built; some yard-completed examples

James Wharram + Hanneke Boon Polynesian-inspired offshore cruising catamaran — asymmetric-hull modern Tiki, smaller sister to the Tiki 46. Plywood-epoxy stitch-and-glue construction from plans sold by Wharram Designs Ltd (Cornwall, UK); the vast majority of hulls are owner-built by amateurs over 3-8 year timelines, with some completed by specialist yards. Open slatted bridge deck (no solid panel), deck-stepped masts supported by lashings, hulls lashed to crossbeams with synthetic line. Wood-composite hull is repairable anywhere with hand tools, epoxy, and glass cloth. Designed for cost-effective ocean cruising; multiple documented bluewater passages on the class.

This is a general read on the Wharram Tiki 38 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.

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At a glance

Hull form: Multihull Cat
Rudder: Transom Hung
Mast step: Deck Stepped
Hull construction: Wood
Bridgedeck: Open
Production: 1988–present
Built in: UK (plans) / variable (owner-built)

What the Wharram Tiki 38 is known for

Easily repairable anywhere — wood-composite plywood-epoxy + glass cloth hull can be patched with hand tools and locally-available materials. Major asset for remote ocean cruising.
Proven bluewater design at modest cost — multiple documented ocean passages. Smaller sister to the Tiki 46 with similar design philosophy.
Engaged owner community + Wharram Designs institutional support. Tiki 38 is well-documented across build logs and cruising accounts.

Known trade-offs

Quality varies hull-by-hull. Build provenance + materials documentation are non-negotiable; build-time hidden defects (poor stitch alignment, inadequate glass laminate, undersized hardware mounts, missed epoxy hot-coats) can persist for decades until stressed.
Plywood-epoxy hulls have a finite lifespan dominated by moisture ingress; an old Tiki 38 with weak epoxy schedule may be at end-of-life regardless of cosmetic condition.
Wide beam + open bridgedeck = marina-unfriendly + weather-exposed living. Wharram lifestyle is not for everyone.
Resale market is thin and niche; expect long marketing periods.

Age-related quirks to expect

Owner-built quality variance — every Tiki 38 is bespoke; survey must assess THIS hull, not class priors High all (owner-built)

Plywood-epoxy hull moisture susceptibility — breached epoxy + persistent moisture = plywood rot High all (age + maintenance-driven)

Lashed crossbeam attachment — lashings need annual inspection and replacement every 5-10 years Medium all (architectural)

Wharram-specific gaff or soft-wing rig — riggers unfamiliar with Wharrams may quote inappropriate solutions Low all (architectural)

Systems to check before you buy

Hull-laminate + epoxy condition priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

The single highest-risk system on any Wharram. Inspect epoxy hot-coat condition (UV chalking), plywood-stitch joint integrity at hull seams, glass-sheathing delamination around through-fittings and waterline. Moisture-meter survey of every hull section is mandatory. Builder logs + materials provenance matter enormously.

Lashings + crossbeam attachment priority: offshore, coastal

Hulls lashed to crossbeams with synthetic line. Annual inspection and replacement every 5-10 years. A failed lashing offshore is catastrophic — unique Wharram failure mode.

Wharram rig — mast, sails, rigging geometry priority: offshore, coastal

Tiki 38 rig is class-specific. Consult Wharram Designs or experienced Wharram riggers. Soft-wing sail versions exist on some hulls and add specialist sailmaking knowledge.

Auxiliary propulsion (twin outboards or twin small inboards) priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Twin outboards (10-20hp in wells) or twin small inboards (10-20hp diesels). Verify configuration. Outboard wells are a plywood-moisture hotspot; inboard installations involve cutting structural plywood and should be inspected for surrounding laminate integrity.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: Designed for it. Multiple documented Tiki 38 bluewater passages. Caveats: owner-built quality variance dominates the risk calculus; lashing inspection regime + plywood-epoxy moisture management are non-negotiable. A well-built Tiki 38 is a credible ocean cruiser in the smaller-cat scope.
Coastal: Workable. Wide beam + shallow draft = good shoal-water cruiser. Marina-fit can be tight.
Liveaboard: Workable for couples or families with kids tolerant of close quarters. Living is in the hulls; deck-tent or hard-top over open bridge platform.

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