James Wharram Designs

28/10/2026

Hitia 14 Cornwall 1981

This lovely little vintage film of the launching of Hitia off Looe beach in Carrick Roads was made by Robin Fautley, once treasurer of the Polynesian Catamaran Association, Wharram builder and lifelong friend. You will see a very young Hanneke and still young James Wharram assembling and sailing the Hitia with the help of the Fautley family who had joined them with their Mirror dinghy.

26/10/2026

The history of the first stitch & glue Wharram, the Hitia 14, part 2

Hitia 14 1981 Norway - car roof travels through Europe.
In 1981 Hanneke and James loaded the Hitia prototype on their car roof and set off by ferry for Norway. They took part in the 3rd IMM (International Multihull Meeting) in Stavern, in the Oslo Fjord. She was the smallest boat amongst a big fleet of larger multihulls all moored within the rocky island, guarded over by Stavern fort.

They continued their camping road trip through Denmark, Germany and France where they launched Hitia again off a naturist beach in South Brittany before crossing by ferry to Cornwall where Hitia was launched in Carrick Roads. It was this visit to Cornwall that led to the Wharrams moving to Cornwall the next year to what has become their permanent base in Devoran.

23/10/2026

The history of the first stitch & glue Wharram, the Hitia 14, part 1. Here reposted from Instagram, on request.

Hitia 14 1980 - designing and building
The first Hitia 14 prototype was built in 1980 in Milford Haven. She was the first Wharram stitch & glue ply/epoxy design. Hanneke and James built her using just 5kg of WEST epoxy. She was not sheathed on the outside. We sail tested her in Milford sound where a Westerly sends in big waves. Wet but very exhilarating.

21/10/2026

We have started a series on the history of the first stitch & glue ply/epoxy Wharram design, the Hitia 14. Instalments every week.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DeSivRTAkX0/?mdxt=MXU3anppbGl5aTdqbw==

12/10/2026

Hanneke Boon recounts all her sailling adventures on Spirit of Gaia this last summer.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Gq7EnRWvvM3DqFMXTOMjV?si=G7sQWLiPSryDYrmK-PmpCw&utm_source=copy-link

The Ancient Mariners Sailing Podcast · Episode

24/09/2026

Don't miss the talk by Hanneke at the Southampton Boatshow on Saturday at 14.00

Hanneke Boon from James Wharram Designs will be sharing the story of Polynesian sailing craft - as seen in the film Moana - at the Wooden Boat Stage at the Southampton Boat Show on Saturday

15/09/2026

Hanneke at Southampton International Boat Show (18 – 27 September)

Hanneke will be speaking on Saturday 26th September, at 14.00 on the Wooden Boat Stage at the Southampton Boatshow. If you want to meet Hanneke, she will be attending the show from Wednesday 23rd till Saturday 26th and can be found on the Wooden Boat Stand where there will be Wharram books and T-shirts for sale, and Wharram plan drawings can be viewed.

The Wooden Boat Stage will bring the art of boatbuilding to life, showcasing both traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques. Watch live demonstrations of carving, steam bending, oar and paddle making, epoxy work, knotting, and rigging

13/08/2026

Very old Jeckells sails start a new life in Hawaii

In the 1960s this bright orange sprit rig was made by Jeckells for the early 22ft Classic Hina design (fore runner of the Hinemoa). These Hina photos were taken in the Conway estuary in North Wales, where James and Ruth Wharram were based at the time, living on their 40ft catamaran Rongo. This was the first Wharram catamaran Hanneke sailed on in 1968.

The Hina moved to South Wales and joined Tehini in Sandy Haven, not sure what happened to the boat when the Wharrams moved to Ireland, but the sails stayed in the family. They spent the last 40 years stored in their bag in the JWD workshop in Devoran, but are now back on the water again.

Kiko Johnson, who performed the launching ceremony of Spirit of Gaia in 1992, has been the owner of a beautiful genuine Hawaiian double canoe for many years. He has wanted to rig her with a sprit rig as many canoes in Hawaii were rigged under European influence in the 1800s. When Hanneke met Kiko in Port Townsend last year they decided that the bright orange old Hina rig would be the perfect match for Kikos 22ft Wa'a Kailua - Hawaiian double canoe.

https://jeckells.co.uk/history/

25/07/2026

Six Wharram catamarans are participating at the wonderful traditional boat festival in Douarnenez. Great appreciation for the designs here in France.

22/07/2026

Wharram Hui Audierne - day 2

On Sunday all the boats left the harbour for a social sail in a brisk wind, with many of the boats reaching speeds over 10 knots. All people without boats were able to crew aboard their chosen boat.

After some exciting hours sailing, all the boats rafted up for everyone to eat lunch and gather in conversation across the many decks. A memorable day, with many happy memories and some great photos.