ECO 6
VIDEO
The ECO 6 is the next bigger boat in my ECOnomy series of catamaran designs.
The boat is a typical coastal sailing craft, whit a good turn of speed. The boat is only 0.5m longer as the ECO 5.5. For more stability the beam is increased to 2,84m This small increases result in over 20 % more room and related possibilities. The inside room is much bigger. The boat sports now an enclosed bath room which will special appeal to the lady's. A lot more stowage room. The height in the hulls is 1,64m and above the bridge deck (seating area 980mm). The boat will be perfect for a holiday trips.
Through its low weight the boat is facile to trailer to reach different destinations.
The plans show two rigs. A normal sloop rig and a single halyard Gunter i.e. short gaffel rig. My clear choice would be the Gunter rig. It is comparable with a fat head rig but for a fraction of the costs. For owners who trailer the boat the short mast of the Gunter rig will be appreciated. By the way a good designed and build Gunter rig with the improvements I incorporated is as fast and is going to windward as good as a very good sloop rig. The boat has many more new features, like the transom steps and still transom hung rudders with automatic.
Of course, the boat is as easy to build as the ECO 5.5 in the (ply)wood/Fiberglass/Epoxy system.
Which makes the boat as maintenance free as boats built with any other system.
The boat is a typical coastal sailing craft, whit a good turn of speed. The boat is only 0.5m longer as the ECO 5.5. For more stability the beam is increased to 2,84m This small increases result in over 20 % more room and related possibilities. The inside room is much bigger. The boat sports now an enclosed bath room which will special appeal to the lady's. A lot more stowage room. The height in the hulls is 1,64m and above the bridge deck (seating area 980mm). The boat will be perfect for a holiday trips.
Through its low weight the boat is facile to trailer to reach different destinations.
The plans show two rigs. A normal sloop rig and a single halyard Gunter i.e. short gaffel rig. My clear choice would be the Gunter rig. It is comparable with a fat head rig but for a fraction of the costs. For owners who trailer the boat the short mast of the Gunter rig will be appreciated. By the way a good designed and build Gunter rig with the improvements I incorporated is as fast and is going to windward as good as a very good sloop rig. The boat has many more new features, like the transom steps and still transom hung rudders with automatic.
Of course, the boat is as easy to build as the ECO 5.5 in the (ply)wood/Fiberglass/Epoxy system.
Which makes the boat as maintenance free as boats built with any other system.
Push F11
Part of the cabin
Pantry
Part of the toilet room. And yes dames, it is a separate room
Cosy reading
CONSTRUCTION
TECHICAL DATA
Loa 6.0 m
beam over all 2.84 m
Draft till load water line 0.22 m
draft board down 1.00 m
weight empty 360 kg
Maximum weight (CWL) 750 kg
Mainsail 15 m²
Jib 5.8/4.8 m²*
Sail area 20.8 m²*
Cote 1 (extra) 16 m²
Outboard max. 6 HP
Construction (ply)wood/fiberglass/Epoxy
composite
Construction time: about 800 hours
* depending on Gunter or sloop rig
Loa 6.0 m
beam over all 2.84 m
Draft till load water line 0.22 m
draft board down 1.00 m
weight empty 360 kg
Maximum weight (CWL) 750 kg
Mainsail 15 m²
Jib 5.8/4.8 m²*
Sail area 20.8 m²*
Cote 1 (extra) 16 m²
Outboard max. 6 HP
Construction (ply)wood/fiberglass/Epoxy
composite
Construction time: about 800 hours
* depending on Gunter or sloop rig
The layout speaks for it self I. The double bunk can arranged for comfortable seating at daytime for four persons. The entrance hatch is partly over the pantry. In this way good ventilated is guaranteed and there is sufficient head room. If you use gas, the gas bottles can be stored on the self draining starboard locker. An important safety aspect.
The enclosed bathroom is a nice feature for a boat of this size. It is a comfort factor special on longer trips like extended holidays. The entrance to the single bunk has the height of the cabin and gives some privacy through the dagger board box.
The cockpit is self draining. Through the a-symmetrical mounted rudders is room for transom steps. Nice to have on such a small boat, not only for fun but also for your safety. The wings give a better view, enhance the stability and are fun to sit on anyway. When folded up the form backrests. The unusual front seats will be aprreciated on a nice day.
The enclosed bathroom is a nice feature for a boat of this size. It is a comfort factor special on longer trips like extended holidays. The entrance to the single bunk has the height of the cabin and gives some privacy through the dagger board box.
The cockpit is self draining. Through the a-symmetrical mounted rudders is room for transom steps. Nice to have on such a small boat, not only for fun but also for your safety. The wings give a better view, enhance the stability and are fun to sit on anyway. When folded up the form backrests. The unusual front seats will be aprreciated on a nice day.
> click for picture show
Transom steps and a-symetrical rudder
Part of the cabin
Here is the (sort of) Gunter rig with a single halyard. It is as efficient as a fathead rig but for a fraction of the costs. For example as mast a normal Aluminum tube is sufficient! The picture speaks for it self
Building a boat for the first time looks a bit scary. Here you have a lot of drawings, there a pile of plywood, wood sticks, fiber glass and Epoxy and that has to be become a boat. Is it worth all the work? Money wise sure when you want a new boat.
Good quality material for the whole boat cost here in the Netherlands about EURO 4000,00 (US $ 4300). Then you need the rig (later about that more) a 6 HP outboard engine and some inside amenities (Toilet, pantry equipment, deck gear) If you shop careful the boat will cost you, ready to go, about US $ 8000,-.
Here are some construction pictueres
Good quality material for the whole boat cost here in the Netherlands about EURO 4000,00 (US $ 4300). Then you need the rig (later about that more) a 6 HP outboard engine and some inside amenities (Toilet, pantry equipment, deck gear) If you shop careful the boat will cost you, ready to go, about US $ 8000,-.
Here are some construction pictueres
The study plans include the speed prediction, dynamic stability diagram for different wind speeds, drawing examples, bill of material and other important information
The extensive drawing set and the manual with construction photos will help you to build the boat and the Gunter rig to. Just this possibility will safe you a lot of costs. The plans consists of 31 drawings and a description of 26 pages.
Study plans cost US $ 12,-
Plans cost US$ 180,-
Copyright © 2025 by B. Kohler, K-designs
All rights reserved
But better go to David's video
Click on the picture
