Independent Catamaran Launch the Aion and Kairos
A New Chapter for Independent Catamaran
In the fast moving world of high-performance multihulls, Independent Catamaran stirred the pot in 2021 with the launch of the IC36, a lightweight performance catamaran that blurred the line between fast day-cruiser and true blue-water machine.
The small Czech builder’s next step is even more ambitious.
Independent Catamaran is launching two new model families from March 2026: the Kairos trimaran range and the Aion catamaran range. Both signal a commitment to performance without compromise, drawing on lessons from real offshore sailing and feedback learned on the IC36 platform.
At the core of Independent Catamaran’s philosophy is hands-on, experience-driven design using the latest technology.
The company was formed by sailors who love to spend time offshore, refining their ideas of what works at sea, and rejecting mass-production techniques in favour of bespoke engineering and lightweight composite construction. The goal is to create boats that are efficient, robust, and capable when the wind and waves get serious.
The IC36, introduced a few years earlier, set the standard for what the brand refers to as its “essence of performance” range. The 36-footer drew attention for its dismountable design, strong performance, and clever integration of electric propulsion.
Building on that experience, Independent Catamaran’s latest releases take aim at a broader, more ambitious market.
Kairos and Aion are available in three length options, expanding the brand from a single model into a family of performance cruisers and voyaging platforms.
Kairos
Kairos is the more radical launch. This is a trimaran series with 3 size options: 52, 58, and 66 feet. The name, echoing classical Greek for “the right moment,” is appropriate. With a stunning aggressive, low profile and clean lines, Kairos prioritises stiffness, stability, and performance when the breeze builds. It aims for fast, confident passage-making with good livable space and world-class structural engineering.
Kairos does not settle for “good enough.” The hull shapes and deck architecture suggest a design aimed at minimising drag and maximizing sail efficiency, paired with sufficient interior volume and tankage for serious cruising. The three sizes give a lot of choice: the 52-footer is a nimble yet serious platform, the 58 extends comfort and sail area, and the 66 adds space and offshore capability for longer voyages with crew or family.
Aion
Aion looks less radical but not by much. Available in 52, 56, and 60 foot sizes, Aion has what the company calls the “shape of tomorrow” in cruising catamarans. The design has a performance-oriented silhouette with the emphasis on strength, stability, and onboard comfort. The Aion range is tuned for seaworthiness and confident all-weather passage-making, with thoughtful rig and hull proportions that balance sail power and motion comfort.
Across the Aion range, design cues and proportions are consistent: purposeful lines, a bridgedeck clearance and hull spacing that aim to reduce slamming in seaway conditions, and rig choices sized to provide drive without overwhelming the helm.
Both Kairos and Aion benefit from the brand’s composite construction expertise, honed on the IC36 and refined through lessons learned from real-world sailing tests. The company’s small footprint allows for careful control of build quality and direct dialogue with owners, something not available in the larger production yards.
The launch of the Kairos and Aion ranges represents a serious leap for Independent Catamaran. The company’s roots in real sailing and its willingness to innovate beyond the standard market will help it carve out an interesting niche. They don’t look cheap, but you get what you pay for.