Sandra Varney, age 15, of Rome, N.Y., for her question:

WHERE DID THE CATAMARAN IDEA COME FROM?

A catamaran is a raftlike boat that has two hulls. It is used today primarily as a pleasure boat.

The design of the catamaran was developed from outrigger boats used by the Polynesians and Malays for thousands of years.

The two hull catamaran is also used today as floating and landinggear on some airplanes that can land on both land and water.

The two hull idea for pleasure boats provides a craft that is  fast, smooth sailing and one that doesn't turn over easily. In the United States, catamarans with sails are up to 35 feet long. Catamarans driven by engines can be up to 45 feet long.