I like the idea of the wind screen on the Strike 18 and the fact that it uses hulls from others cats to make the build easy but how do they all perform? these would be stored on a trailer.
possibly 3 people but most of the time one or two people.
Thanks!
Reese
Kind of sounds like you do have a preference - the Strike 18. It certainly will do what you ask, probably a lot more.
Richard Woods is no slouch when it comes to drawing speed into a hull shape. If you have any doubts - watch his Strike 15 prototype video. That boat does things that few if any could achieve. Just saying. And if he says he'll explain things... that's a dead cert.
Buy the Strike 18 plans. get together a list of ALL (15, 16, 18, 20) of the Strike build blogs and go through the plans and look at each of those steps in the build blogs - in the correct order (if you've got a helper, then include them in this process - it'll reduce explaining a thousand times and reduce their errors).
The real issue is not will it be a good boat -- if it's built to plan it will be a great boat. You job is to build to plans.
An example of this issue is the chine joint - among the build blogs you'll see chines that look more like a slalom course than the chine of a boat hull which is (usually a very smooth, continuous curve.
How does this happen? Well before you put the ply on the frames it's near impossible to visually "see" the "chine to be" -- so errors in your frames are near impossible to find. But using battens to check is not always as sure fire as it seems. Wide spacing of the frames and a limp/bendy batten may leave up the creek so to speak.
My guess is that Richard will have boat-specific suggestions.
A related part of the answer is that some builders stand too close to their work when they're building - so the unfairness is much harder to see. Think about that and if you can set up so you can roll the skeleton and later the temporarily attached cut-to-shape ply panels out of the shed so you can get a more distant view, you'll be glad you spent the money for a few casters.
An important part is to take all the steps and take them in the correct order - especially in sheet ply construction.
If builders with the same plans can get such differing results - then you can get it right... so be sure to "ask Richard".
I'll try to post an example of what you need to be on the lookout for
In any event, built to plans, it is hard to imagine you not loving a Strike 18 for the usage you describe.
Do remember to feed the monkies... keep a blog/log or post pics to this forum.
Sorry to be so long winded, trimarans a really addictive, hope this helps,
Tom.151
Below, there's 4 major whoops in this example of an improperly built Strike 18 chine... look carefully, all the way to the transom. Don't repeat this building error.
((EDIT))
PS - if the only available production beach cat hulls are of the older/heavier variety, then compare those weights to the weight of Richards "home build" amas. If there's substantial weight reduction, build'em. You'll never be sorry when you experience the performance of a truly light weight trimaran.
You pay for materials and spend the time only once -- but you enjoy the results every day you sail.
) as I was very interested in buying her when she was up for sale a while back (still have all the pics sent to me). 
