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Sailboat Specifications

Paper Tiger

Cat (Rotating Spar) · Catamaran Twin Dbrd.

Designed by Ron Given · Built by Formula Sailcraft (Aus) · First built 1967

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LOA 13.98 ft  ·  Beam 6.99 ft  ·  Displacement 160.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 100.00 ft²  ·  Cat (Rotating Spar)  ·  Catamaran Twin Dbrd.
About the Paper Tiger Sailboat

Designed by Ron Given in 1967 and built by Formula Sailcraft in Australia, this compact catamaran represents an early entry into the small multihull market that was gaining momentum during the late 1960s. The plywood and fiberglass construction reflects the era's approach to building affordable yet seaworthy small catamarans for recreational sailors. At just under 14 feet overall with a beam approaching 7 feet, the Paper Tiger offers impressive stability and interior space relative to its length. The twin daggerboard configuration provides excellent upwind performance while allowing shallow water exploration, making this boat particularly well-suited for coastal sailing, day sailing, and small boat racing. The catamaran rig with rotating spar enhances aerodynamic efficiency and simplifies sail handling. With a displacement of only 160 pounds and 100 square feet of sail area, the Paper Tiger delivers an exciting sail area-to-displacement ratio of 54.32, promising spirited performance in moderate conditions. This lightweight design makes beach launching practical and appeals to sailors seeking responsive handling and the unique sailing characteristics that only multihulls can provide. The boat serves as an excellent introduction to catamaran sailing while offering enough performance to satisfy more experienced small boat enthusiasts.

Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 13.98 ft / 4.26 m
Beam 6.99 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 160.00 lb / 73 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 100.00 ft² / 9.29 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Dbrd.
Rigging Type Cat (rotating spar)
Construction Plywood/FG
Designer Ron Given
Builder Formula Sailcraft (AUS)
First Built 1967
Associations Paper Tiger Catamaran International Association
Related Sailboats Hobie 14 · Windrush 14 · Dart Dinghy · Hobie 35 · Seafire
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Paper Tiger's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Paper Tiger has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 54.32. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Paper Tiger's comfort ratio?

The Paper Tiger has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 1.47. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Paper Tiger safe for offshore sailing?

The Paper Tiger has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 5.15. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Paper Tiger?

The theoretical hull speed of the Paper Tiger is 4.62 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Paper Tiger weigh?

The Paper Tiger has a displacement of 160.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 13.98 ft.

Who designed the Paper Tiger?

The Paper Tiger was designed by Ron Given, first built in 1967.