Bunkside reading

James Wharram

People Of The Sea is essential reading for any multihull enthusiast and above all, it’s a pure moment of happiness. From his first Atlantic crossing in 1956 with the tiny Tangaroa (23') to the construction of the first real Wharram cat, Rongo, not forgetting the return Transat to England in 1959, this personal testament recounts how James became the hero of the water-rush in economic catamarans.

Bunkside reading

1 / 6

Published 26/01/2021

By Emmanuel van Deth

Issue: 175

Published: jan. / feb. 2021

Discover this issue

Revered as the guru of a luminous nautical ideology, contested for his openly libertine positions, perfectly in tune with the currents of thought - but also the contradictions - of his time, James the beatnik is certainly the most incandescent character in the world of multihulls of the 20th century. His drawings are directly inspired by Polynesian forms and his “eco-logical” designs meet today's expectations of happy frugality. His vision of the catamaran is simple, artistic, most often right. He has sold more than 10,000 plans, dreaming of tribal yachting, on the fringes of commercial and industrial setups.

After Two girls, two catamarans, this second book is a real page turner - James and Hanneke's English is very clear and easy-to-read, even for those of us who don’t quite master the language of Shakespeare 100% - and the illustrations are superb. A long and salutary breath of fresh, and salty, air in these troubled times: order it without delay!

By James Wharram and Hanneke Boon

Lodestar Editions 2020

288 pages

Price: £25

Available at www.wharram.com, Waterstones, Foyles, WHSmith and Amazon.