Independent Catamaran launches composite Kairos trimarans and Aion cruising cats

Independent Catamaran expanded beyond its IC36 roots by unveiling two new families of performance multihulls designed for offshore work and bluewater cruising. The Kairos trimarans and Aion catamarans pair the builder’s lightweight composite expertise with a semi-bespoke production approach, positioning both ranges for owners who want capability, stiffness, and considered hull and deck proportions rather than mass-market volume.

Kairos is the more radical offering. The trimaran line arrives in 52, 58 and 66 ft lengths and emphasizes stiffness, stability and a low, aggressive profile tailored to high-performance offshore passage-making. Independent Catamaran’s design choices aim to cut weight and reduce aerodynamic drag while keeping hull sections and crossbeams tuned to resist pitching and torsion in heavy seas. The result is a trimaran package intended to deliver speed without sacrificing the structural reserves needed for offshore work.

Aion targets owners who want a performance-oriented cruising catamaran with comfort to match capability. Offered in 52, 56 and 60 ft sizes, Aion balances seaworthiness, motion comfort and livable space. The hull and bridgedeck proportions were developed with bridgedeck slamming reduction in mind and to improve upwind behaviour, so owners trading coastal comfort for passagemaking performance should see measurable gains in both motion and pointing ability.

The announcement highlights lessons carried over from the IC36, including composite construction techniques and the option for electric-assist propulsion. Independent Catamaran continues to emphasize lightweight composites as a core part of its strategy, using materials and lamination methods intended to keep displacement low while maintaining safety margins for offshore loads. The builder also signals a semi-bespoke production model that favors build quality and owner-specific fit-outs over assembly-line volume.

Independent Catamaran said the new families will be available from March 2026 and released images and specification tables to illustrate layout options, performance targets and construction details. For communities focused on serious passagemaking, the launches expand choices in the marketplace at a time when many buyers are weighing hybrid propulsion, reduced displacement and seakindly bridgedeck geometry as part of long-range cruise planning.

This move shifts Independent Catamaran from a single-model specialist to a small-volume multihull producer with broader ambitions. For owners, brokers and refit yards, the key takeaways are clear: expect semi-custom options, modern composites, electric-assist availability and designs tuned to reduce slamming and improve upwind performance. Watch for sea trials and real-world performance numbers as the first Kairos and Aion builds begin deliveries in March 2026.