To amplify on an earlier post, here is a set of links to manufactured multihull models.
http://www.rchobby.co.uk/trimaran_rc_sailing_boat_fidji.html
http://www.rchobby.co.uk/trimaran_three_stars_5200.html
http://shop.jamara-produkte.de/product_info.php?cPath=78&products_id=213
http://shop.jamara-produkte.de/product_info.php?cPath=78&products_id=211
http://www.hobbybarn.com/Dumas-pages/Hobie-Cat-1101.htm
http://www.victor-model.com/wildcat.html
I had incorrectly attributed the new FIDGI 60 to Robbe – it is evidently French, from ?quippage. Very ARF, a snap together, according to the ad copy.
In studying the photos I notice on a couple these designs some very generous keel fins. Not clear if there are bulbs as well.
The Dumas Hobie cat text declares that is is not intended for r/c, but as noted, I have seen it equipped with an arm winch and a tiny rudder servo.
I have also seen at our pond a very much modified Wildcat. The builder used the hulls, and everything else is original. It moves in the lightest of light air, when the pond is glass and everything else on the water is dead still, this little catamaran goes skimming along like a waterbug.
Never been sure if this would work, but I think the key to these small multis is in the application of electronics. Specifically, the tilt sensor chips (now commonplace and cheap), accelerometer chips, and perhaps r/c gyros of the type used in helis and touchy, short coupled airplanes.
The idea is to have an onboard gust sensor anticipate a flip, and do exactly what you would do if you were on board and had the reflexes of a cat, that is, throw away the sheet overhand and try to get the bow into the wind.
In addition to the electronic abort, you could also make it easier, with a null seeking chip preset to seek a certain angle of heel – to fly a catamaran on one pontoon.
Without some onboard electronics, imho, I don’t think these little multis will ever be quite perfected. Human nerves conduct information at just 300 mph. Chips can react at the speed of light.
You can’t move a servo at the speed of light, obviously, but with a solenoid you could very quickly pop open a sheet release ring, or unlock a shroud and let the rig fall flat.
Anyway, food for thought.
Regards, mcg