Wharram Narai 42: Pacific-Ready Aluminum Catamaran in Taravao, Tahiti (1996)

The Wharram Narai 42 is a rare, professionally built aluminum catamaran designed by James Wharram, now available for sale in Taravao, Tahiti. Launched in 1996, this 42-foot (12.8m) vessel features a 20-foot beam, 3-foot draft, and weighs approximately 7 tonnes. Built from high-quality marine-grade aluminum, it is engineered for durability and long-distance Pacific cruising.

** Update: major typo, the boat is available for US$100K, NOT $10k Marine-grade aluminium bluewater Wharram design, ideal for longevity, impact resistance, and corrosion resilience in tropical waters. Most Wharrams are ply/epoxy, aluminium construction means no osmosis, delamination, and a hull that will outlast others in her class. She's sailed from the Cape of Good Hope to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and across the Pacific to French Polynesia, where she currently sits in Phaeton, Tahiti Iti — next to haul-out facilities, fuel, hardware, provisioning and a marina. Generous space for hosting, with the potential to transform into Air B&B, surf retreat, charter business or world cruising. KEY UPGRADES (2022–2024): All four crossbeams have been replaced with new aluminium beams, including the mast beam (2023) and main structural beam. New Victron house batteries (4 x 220Ah), new Victron SmartSolar MPPT 85A charger, 5 x 100W solar panels, new Dometic fridge, new GPS/fishfinder/depth sounder, new handheld GPS, new starter battery, new deck grip aft, recently repainted decks, centre cabin and cockpit interior. Registration: NZ registered | Papeetized (French Polynesian local tax paid) ACCOMMODATION: Sleeps 6 comfortably — king berth in centre cabin (converts to 2 singles), 4 double berths (2 per hull). Standing headroom 1.98m in hulls, 2.5m under main dodge. 3 inverters: 3000W/220V, 350W/220V (2024), 300W/110V 2.8kW petrol generator (like new) New Dometic fridge Bluetooth stereo, 2 x 6x9 speakers Tender: 10ft aluminium dinghy + 15HP Yamaha 2-stroke outboard (regularly serviced) Cruising speed 6–10 knots | Maximum recorded: 23.6 knots Genoa, yankee, staysail, storm jib, main, storm sail, spinnaker pole. All new halyards. Stainless cable standing rigging. 4 x Lewmar self-tailing winches. Aft hung rudders. Hard dodger and awning with clears. Electric mast winch. SSB, compass, tiller and wheel steering. 3 x anchors (2 x CQR, 1 x Danforth), 50m chain + 50m rode and more.

This Pacific-ready Wharram Narai 42 offers exceptional comfort for up to 6 guests. The layout includes a galley and sink in the port hull, a navigation station in the starboard hull, and a toilet with a 20L holding tank in a separate aft cabin. It carries 500 liters of water across four tanks, ensuring ample supply for extended voyages. The boat is cutter rigged as a sloop, providing stable and efficient sailing performance.