Congratulations - you’re looking at one of the best value performance catamarans in the UK. The Hurricane 5.9 offers exciting performance, competitive racing and a friendly, welcoming class community. Whether you’re planning to race on the national circuit or simply enjoy fast sailing at your local club, this guide should help you find the right boat.
Hurricane 5.9 SX
The SX configuration is now the standard 'one-design' racing setup for the class. With a self-tacking jib and asymmetric spinnaker, it delivers exciting performance both upwind and downwind while remaining straightforward to handle.
If you plan to:
Race in class championships or our national circuit
Compete against other modern asymmetric catamarans (eg. F18, Tornado etc).
Sail mainly windward/leeward courses
…then an SX boat is the best option. While conversion kits do exist, they can be expensive, so it’s usually more cost-effective to buy a boat that is already set up as an SX.
Hurricane 5.9 'Classic' / 'Two-Sail'
The original two-sail configuration (main and jib only) is simple, fast and great fun to sail. It works particularly well for:
Club racing around the cans
Reaching courses
Fast recreational sailing from the beach
Two-sail Hurricanes are often very good value and still deliver plenty of performance!
Hurricane 5.9 Sport
The Sport configuration was the predecessor to the SX setup. These boats use an asymmetric spinnaker, either with a bag system on the trampoline or a pole-mounted chute and sock). These conversions typically used sails from Tornados and F8s, so often have non-standard, hybrid setups. While the systems are not as refined as the modern SX setup, these boats can still provide plenty of fun and are often available at attractive prices. They are a good option if you’re primarily looking for fun sailing rather than class racing.
Hurricane 5.9 SX
Hurricane 5.9 Sport
Hurricane 5.9 Classic
A good first point of contact is Andy Webb at AW Sailboats. Andy has extensive experience with Hurricanes and often knows about boats coming onto the market. He also sells refurbished boats and can help ensure your purchase is well prepared and ready to sail.
If you are buying privately, common places to search include Facebook Marketplace, Apollo Duck and eBay.
Visit our For Sale page for a list of boats currently available.
Age & Condition
Even the newst Hurricanes will be close to 30 years old, so most boats on the market will have signs of use! This isn’t usually a problem - the important thing is how well the boat has been maintained. A well-looked-after older boat is often a better purchase than a newer one that has been neglected.
Platform
The platform (hulls and beams) is the most important part of the boat. Some older boats experienced corrosion on the aluminium beams where the stainless beam brackets attach. Many have already been repaired, and if not, it is generally a straight forward fix with kits and guidance available from AW Sailboats.
While inspecting the boat, also check over:
Beam fixings and connections
The stainless bow tang where the forestay attaches
Any signs of movement or play
Gelcoat and Hull Condition
Gelcoat crazing / osmosis is fairly common on older boats and is usually cosmetic rather than structural. This is most common on the foredecks (caused by non-breathable covers) and where the hull sits on the trolley or stern supports. This can be repaired by respraying gelcoat on the affected area - contact AW Sailboats for more information.
Also inspect the foils (rudders and centreboards) carefully. Small chips in the foils are easily fixed yourself with gelcoat or marine filler, and professional refurbishment is an option for foils which have had a harder life. One common issue is a centreboard dropping during towing and being dragged along the ground, which can cause significant damage. This would likely require a professional repair, and can be avoided by tying the top of the board to the front beam when towing!
Sails and Running Gear
Sails, ropes, trampolines and covers are all consumable items and may eventually need replacing. If you’re buying a cheaper boat, expect to invest in some upgrades over time. Alternatively, a fully race-ready boat will cost more initially but may require fewer upgrades. The good news is that Hurricane sails tend to remain competitive for many seasons.
Things to check include:
Spinnaker wear, especially in the lower panels
Window delamination / cracking in the mainsail and jib
Trampoline stitching
Running rigging condition
Some boats come with additional equipment that can add significant value, particularly if you plan to travel and race. Useful items include:
Road trailer (sometimes with storage box)
Launching trolley (large wheels help on sand or shingle)
Full boat cover
Hull covers for travelling
Spare sails or rigging
Trailer lighting board and towing accessories
If the boat will stay at your club and launch from a smooth slipway, some of these items may be less essential, and are often available elsewhere even if not available for sale with your boat.
Buying a Hurricane 5.9 is a great way to get into high-performance catamaran sailing without the cost of newer classes. With a strong fleet, excellent performance and plenty of available knowledge within the class, it’s a boat that suits both experienced racers and newcomers alike.
Good luck with your search - and if you need advice, the friendly online community on the Hurricane 5.9 International Facebook group will be happy to help.