ALPHA CAT 18
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 18 ft |
| Beam | 10 ft |
| Draft | 2 ft/ 0.5 ft min |
| Displacement | 300 lb |
About the ALPHA CAT 18
Despite it's pedigree, (designed by cat icon, Tom Roland) the ALPHA CAT couldn't have been built in great numbers. Thanks to Bob Hoffman, former ALPHA dealer for providing corrections.
The Alpha Cat 18 is a lightweight, high-performance catamaran designed by Tom Roland and built by Glastron in the USA, with production records indicating a single year of build in 1970. With a displacement of 300.0 lb and a beam of 10.0 ft, this vessel represents an early example of recreational multihull design, though the exact total hulls built remains unverified in available data.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for day sailing and light coastal cruising in protected waters, appealing to enthusiasts seeking a portable, high-performance experience rather than long-term liveaboard comfort.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 300.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 5.98, the Alpha Cat 18 is not suitable for bluewater or offshore passage making, as its light weight and narrow beam-to-length ratio prioritize speed over seakeeping stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other early 1970s recreational catamarans such as the Nacra 18 or early Hobie Cat models, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and lightweight construction aimed at easy trailering and quick acceleration.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the ALPHA CAT 18 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 18ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the ALPHA CAT 18yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a ALPHA CAT 18? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your ALPHA CAT 18?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
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Used sails that fit the ALPHA CAT 18
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…