those cats, like the Blade 16 or Viper or Taipan or any A cat, could use a simple disclaimer that says essentially, "This boat is not recommended for beach landings or launching or use in the surf.
Yet, we are all doing it and have done so for decades without problems.
Personally I would like to see just one example of a surf proof boat. We have seen H14 flip in the surf and get destroyed and we have seen RIB's flip in the surf and sustain serious damage, mostly to the outboard engine.
Basically, nothing comes out undamaged when a couple of tons of breaking water comes crashing down and the object is pinned against the bottom. Best advice here is to simply not get in that situation. And that is not as hard as it may sound, again many of us having succesful at that dance for many many years.
My point was that some catamarans in the 16-foot are not really designed for off-the-beach launches or landings.
Yeah well, that is just that myth again. As if there are beach cats (like the H16) that will survive a flip in the surf undamaged. Beaching a H16 will also wear down its keel line, every few years a new wear layer of gelcoat needs to be added. The difference is surprisingly small. Mind you I haven't rebuild my keel line (Taipan F16) since season 2004 and I always beach my boat.
Probably the only material that is significantly wear resistant is polyethyleen and derivatives, you know that stuff they make the Hobie wave from.
Wouter
