BoatsHobie Monocat 12

Hobie Monocat 12

Catamaran Single Dbrd. · Cat (Marconi) · 1973–1978

A Hobie Alter-designed single-handed catamaran with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively performance

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Catamaran Single Dbrd.

See her sail

The Hobie Monocat 12, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Lady K Sailing

What the fleet has seen

The Hobie Monocat 12, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Hobie MONOCAT 12 is a 3.6-meter catamaran dinghy designed by Hobie Alter and built by Hobie Cat from 1973 to 1978. It features a Cat (Marconi) rig and a single daggerboard hull, with a beam of 1.2 meters and a displacement of 68 kg. The MONOCAT 12's design emphasizes portability and ease of use, characteristic of fiberglass dinghies. While Lady K Sailing notes that one-design racers like the Laser offer performance and resale value, they suggest that beginners prioritize sloop-rigged boats for skills transferable to keelboats.5:48 The MONOCAT 12's simple rig and light displacement make it suitable for learning basic sailing principles.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cat (Marconi)
Ratios
SA / displacement
51.0
Hull
Hull type
Catamaran Single Dbrd.
Construction
ABS Plastic
Production
Years built
1973–1978
Designer
Hobie Alter
Builder
Hobie Cat

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Hobie 3.53.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA scaled-down version of the Hobie 14 with a rotating cat rig, designed specifically for younger sailors under 140 lbs
Alcort Inc. Catfish4.01 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA 1964 George Patterson design, this ultra-light twin-board catamaran offers high-performance sailing in a 4-meter package
Hobie 144.27 mSame hull family0.7 m longerThe original Hobie Cat, this lightweight beach catamaran features a rotating spar and a high power-to-weight ratio

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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