Cat Clinic – Advanced Multihull Sailing Course
Take your catamaran sailing to the next level
Already comfortable on a catamaran and ready for more speed, control and performance?
The Chieftain Cat Clinic is an intermediate .advanced multihull sailing course designed for sailors who have mastered the basics and want to push their skills further. This is where catamaran sailing really comes alive.
Delivered at Southampton Water Activities Centre, this course focuses on performance sailing, efficiency and confidence in a wide range of conditions.
Who is this course for?
The Cat Clinic is ideal for:
- sailors who have completed a Cat Conversion course or equivalent
- dinghy sailors with solid multihull experience
- sailors looking to improve speed, control and technique
- those interested in performance sailing or racing
- Dinghy Instructors working towards multihull endorsement
You should already be confident:
- rigging and launching a catamaran
- sailing on all points of sail
- tacking and gybing consistently
- recovering from basic mistakes without assistance
If you’re unsure, speak to us — we’ll point you in the right direction.
What makes this course different?
This is not a beginner course. The Cat Clinic is about refinement, performance and understanding how to get the most out of the boat.
Expect:
- more time sailing at speed
- coaching rather than instruction
- personalised feedback
- a focus on efficiency and technique
- exposure to more challenging conditions where appropriate
What you will learn
Each session is tailored to the group, but typically includes:
Boat speed and performance
- sail trim for maximum efficiency
- understanding apparent wind
- accelerating and maintaining speed
- optimising upwind and downwind angles
Advanced boat handling
- high-speed tacks and gybes
- smooth manoeuvres under pressure
- controlling the boat in stronger winds
- stopping and positioning with precision
Balance and control
- fore and aft trim
- weight placement
- hull flying (where appropriate)
- preventing pitchpoles and loss of control
Crew coordination
- clear communication between helm and crew
- efficient movement around the boat
- role definition and teamwork
Safety and awareness
- capsize avoidance strategies
- recovery from full inversion
- operating safely at higher speeds
What is included
- professional coaching from experienced instructors
- use of training catamarans
- loan of a buoyancy aid
- access to SWAC facilities including changing rooms
- secure parking on iste
- tea and coffee
What is not included
- wetsuit hire (£5/day of required)
- lunch
- certification
Pre-requisites
The Chieftain Cat Clini is aimed at older teens and adultsTo join the Chieftain Cat Clinic, you should:
- minimum age 14
- have completed one of
- Chieftain Cat Conversion Course or
- Youth Sailing Cats and KitesWeek or
- RYA Multihull Level 2 (with at least 6 days cat sailing experience)
- RYA Multihull Level 3 (or higher)
- Equivalent experience
- be physically able to move dynamically around the boat
Why train with Chieftain at SWAC?
Southampton Water provides an outstanding environment for advanced sailing:
- varied conditions to challenge and develop skills
- open water for performance sailing
- sheltered areas for focused coaching
- direct access from our city-centre base
Combined with our experienced instructional team, this creates the perfect setting to develop high-level multihull skills.
Why do this course?
Most sailors learn the basics — very few take the next step.
The Cat Clinic is where you:
- unlock real speed
- gain true control
- build confidence in stronger conditions
- start to sail the boat properly, not just safely
Book your Cat Clinic
If you are ready to move beyond the basics and experience what catamarans are really capable of, this is the course for you.
Join the Chieftain Cat Clinic at Southampton Water Activities Centre and take your multihull sailing to the next level.