S.V. BaMba Maru

Bamba Maru was build back in 1968 in UK to take on the famous singlehand transatlantic OSTAR race from Plymouth to New Port.  She is a Wayne Boughen Desin, Prout – Ocean Ranger 45, Sailing Catamaran. When Ocean Ranger was first introduced, she was the largest all glass fiber catamaran made. The promotion back in 1968 said; "The Ocean Ranger is aptly named. You can take on the world with this famous catamaran. Not only in sheer performance, but also for workmanlike practicality, from designers who know the difference between theory on the drawing board and practice at sea." The concept to build a seaworthy offshore sailing catamaran out of plywood and epoxy, was a very new thing back then and we consider her more as a prototype of the modern catamarans. 

Over the past fifty years, she has proven herself in service in all parts of the world (notably on charter in the West Indies). Her stability and performance are still remarkable. This tough, fast design has crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, riding out severe storms unflinchingly. Ocean Ranger is a powerful, strong catamaran, capable of being driven hard in rough water, with capable 15+ knots in the right conditions. The center engine and the small rudder can make it a challenge to navigate in narrow places, but offshore she performs great and that's what she was build for. BAMBA MARU is definitely not a beach catamaran. She was build for rough seas.

The rigg has two backstays that go all the way to the stern and also two forestays. No roller furling for the foresails. A small working Jib is with a roller on the babystay. She got a full battened main sail and 5 different foresails that are to change depending on the wind strength. To change them, one has to go to the bow like in good old times. She is impressive on all points of sailing and her performance to windward is remarkable. She can also achieve 8 to 10 knots in only light to moderate winds on a reach. Some surprisingly fast passages have been achieved in just these conditions.