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The Hurricane 5.9 was designed to bring high-performance catamaran sailing within reach of everyday sailors at a realistic price. Designed by Olympic sailors Reg and Robert White in Brightlingsea, the Hurricane combines proven pedigree with outstanding performance and durability.
The boat has evolved over its 40 year history, with the original 'Classic' configuration using a pin-head main and large overlapping jib, which attracted 50+ teams to events throughout the 1990s. In the early 2000s as other classes began to use asymmetric spinnakers, several sailors converted to 'Sport' mode, giving a taste of the fast-paced racing to come. In the mid-2000s, the class launched the 'SX' rig, a one-design, retrofitted kit to convert boats to sail with a spinnaker.
Today the Hurricane 5.9SX configuration is the standard racing setup, featuring a self-tacking jib and asymmetric spinnaker that deliver exciting downwind performance while remaining accessible and easy to handle.
General
General
Construction: Foam Sandwich Composite
Rig: Aluminium Mast
Crew: Two
Trapezes: Twin Trapeze
Foils: Pivoting Centreboards and Kick-Up Rudders
Transport: Road Trailer (can be transported fully assembled)
Key Dimensions
Key Dimensions
Length: 5.90m
Beam: 2.43m
Sailing Weight: 186kg (SX) / 184kg (Sport) / 181kg (Classic)
Mainsail: 17.1m² (SX) / 17.5m² (Sport) / 17.5m² (Classic)
Jib: 4.6m² (SX) / 5.2m² (Sport) / 5.9m² (Classic)
Spinnaker: 21.0m²
Handicaps
Handicaps
The Hurricane performs well in handicap fleets, with a published number for the Hurricane 5.9SX in the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick list, and published handicaps for all three configurations under the SCHRS system. RYA PY's are used for racing in mixed dinghy handicap fleets in the UK, whilst SCHRS numbers are typically used in catamaran handicap events. The handicaps below are up to date for 2026.
RYA PY: 680 (SX)
SCHRS: 1.037 (SX) / 1.033 (Sport) / 1.076 (Classic)
SCHRS PY Conversion: 691 (SX) / 688 (Sport) / 717 (Classic)
Key Design Features
Key Design Features
Foam Sandwich Construction - Strong, lightweight foam sandwich hulls deliver excellent strength-to-weight performance and durability. The rigid structure avoids the flex and soft spots often found in older designs, while providing excellent impact resistance.
Responsive Rig - The adjustable pre-bent mast allows precise sail control and effective rig tuning across a wide range of wind strengths. Combined with powerful downhaul systems, the rig can be comfortably handled by a wide range of crew weights.
Easy to Travel - With a beam of 2.43 m (8 ft), the boat can be legally towed fully assembled on UK roads, making transport simple and convenient.
Wide Crew Weight Range - Thanks to its balanced design and efficient rig, the Hurricane performs well across a wide range of crew weights. Active crews typically range between 115kg and 190kg combined, making the boat accessible to a diverse range of sailors.
High-Volume Bows - Generous bow volume reduces the risk of nose-diving when sailing fast downwind, helping the boat maintain speed and control in stronger conditions.
Kick-Up Foils - Kick-up rudders and centreboards reduce the risk of damage in shallow water and make the boat ideal for sailing in estuaries and coastal venues compared to other catamaran classes.
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