How much does a Weta cost?

The retail price for a Weta is $10,995 which includes everything you need to go sailing; hulls, carbon mast and bowsprit, three sails, main, jib and screecher, daggerboard, rudder, tiller and padded bag, all halyards and sheets, safety harness and boat cover. The Weta also comes with a custom aluminum beach dolly.

Road trailers are also available from Road King for $795 and the Weta and Dolly will fit easily on a variety of different trailers.  We have seem them on box trailers, utility trailers, dinghy trailers and it even fits in the back of a pick up (8 foot bed required).

Is the Weta a One Design Class?
Yes. The rules for the class allow for some equipment changes that do not enhance performance, but accommodate for personal preferences.  Nor'Banks will be hosting the 1st Annual Weta Nationals from October 16-18.

Where can I find Weta fleets?
Weta fleets are established in China, France, Croatia, Netherlands, Thailand, New Zealand, Sweden, UK and USA.  US Fleets are being established and current groups exist in California, Florida and Michigan.

Where was the Weta designed?
Weta Marine designed the Weta in New Zealand after 6 years development with input from various design experts.

What is the Weta construction?
The main hull and floats are a solid fiberglass laminate. The deck of the main hull is a foam sandwich laminate. All components including the frames are vacuum bagged to get an excellent laminate bond and to eliminate any excess resin. This ensures a fine tolerance on the weight of all boats.  Vinyl-ester resin is used for added strength and rigidity.  Epoxy glue is used in all hull/frame/beam joins.

The mast, beams, prod and tiller extension are carbon with fiberglass blended in certain areas in some components. The deck gear is Harken and Ronstan top quality components.

Does the boat come with a Warranty?
The Weta comes with a 1 year Warranty. For more information please contact your local Weta dealer.

What sailcloth is used?
All sails are manufactured by Gaastra (world renown for its high quality windsurfing sails) using Dimension Polyant fabric from the USA. The main and jib sails are constructed from X-PLY which is a top of the range Mylar/fiber laminated cloth that is durable and holds its shape well. This transparent cloth gives the skipper high visibility improving safety. The gennaker (screecher) is constructed from S/DLN150 - a high quality, non-stretch, rip-stop spinnaker cloth that comes in a variety of bright colors.

Can the Weta be used to teach people to sail? 
The Weta is an excellent boat to teach sailing in. It has the following advantages:

• Light and responsive on the helm
• Easy to tack
• Sailors are on the same boat as the instructor or friends can learn together
• Trimaran design are extremely stable -- delivering stability at all points of sail and especially in jibes and tacks
• No boom -- so no one can get hit on the head
• Wide so you are able to look at the sails and discuss sail shape
• Minimal sail controls so you focus on the basics
• Even in high wind there is no drama as the sails are quiet and sail area can be reduced so the boat is manageable
• Weta is currently developing a Resort/School Package including a dacron mainsail and roller furling jib along with protective strips for the bows and amas!

How much weight can the Weta take?
The Weta handles 3 adults very well.  There is plenty of space but because the power to weight ratio is reduced, the boat will have a lesser performance. In a bit of breeze the boat is still very lively and in light winds makes for a nice social sail.  It is very safe for young inexperienced sailors.

Can an outboard motor be fitted to the Weta?
Weta Marine recommends using a simple paddle which is a fraction of the price and works well as the boat is light weight and cuts through the water efficiently. This method has been successfully used to get in and out of the dock.  We are also developing a bracket to accommodate the Torqeedo Electric Motors.

What are the individual weights of the Weta components?
The approximate weight of the main hull is 123lbs and each float (including beam frame is 39lbs.).

Can you capsize the Weta?
Yes. Although the Weta is very stable -- like any boat it can be capsized when pushed to the limit in a strong breeze. 

How do you right the Weta after a capsize?
"Capsizing is hard ~ righting is easy"
Brute strength and weight is not required, no ropes, no powerboats etc as this only causes damage.

The procedure for righting a capsized Weta;
When boat is upside down open one of the inspection ports in the floats (ama).
The float is then allowed to completely fill with water. Sometimes a little weight on the bow of the float helps to burp out the air.
The flooded float will then sink and the Weta becomes horizontal.
The skipper then puts some weight on the centerboard and the Weta will right itself.
The skipper then boards the boat on the float which is buoyant and lets the water drain out of the (leeward) float.
When the float is drained put he inspection port back in place.
The Weta is then ready to sail again!

Can the main sail be reefed?
Weta Marine is developing a smaller mainsail for sailing schools so they can still teach comfortably in 20knots of wind.  It will also be great for lighter sailors so they can also sail in higher winds using the jib as well.  The Weta is nicely balanced and sails well under main alone in a good breeze and is a very good sail combination for the single sailor when the wind gets up. Owners have the option of adding reefing holes to their existing mainsail.

How does the Weta sail in light winds?
The Weta is an excellent light weather boat. Most catamarans find it hard to keep pace, especially cats with deep hulls and no centerboards. The Weta tacks easily in even the lightest of breezes.

Can the Weta be sailed as a high performance boat?
Yes! When the wind is up and the boat is tuned the Weta is a "rocket ship". Although the boat is simple -- a lot can be learned about tuning and racing. It is a boat that is fantastic to race and tests even the best sailors. The Weta has been raced, tested and had design input from many experienced sailors including:

• Americas Cup Skippers
• Olympic Medalists
• World Sailing Champions

The Weta has not been a quick design and build boat.  It has evolved over 7 years and every component has been tested for strength and efficiency. This has been recognized at international boat shows and has taken the small sail boat community by storm.

Is the mast difficult to put up?
The mast is carbon fiber and weighs 10lbs. With the correct simple technique the average sailor can do it by himself or herself with minimal effort. Weta Marine is also currently developing a self-stepping tabernacle for those with disabilities that cannot step the mast conventionally.  The only other lifting required is when assembling the 39lb float/beam when putting the boat together. This is a simple lift that requires minimal effort.

How much buoyancy is in the floats?
3 adults can safely sit on a float so getting on and off the boat causes no stability problems.

Is it easy to get spare parts?
Your Weta dealer will have a supply of Weta components.  All hardware and ropes are off the shelf items from your local marine dealer.

Is there a longer version of the Weta Sport Trimaran?
Not currently in production, but stay tuned!