A catamaran's twin hulls make it look stable and speedy even as a tiny paper model — and this origami version is a great way to practice one of the most useful folds there is: the squash-fold.

In this tutorial we build the boat through 13 steps, applying four squash-folds along the way to open out the hulls. Grab a square sheet (a two-tone one shows the folds nicely) and let's fold a little boat that actually looks the part.

How to Fold an Origami Catamaran Boat

The key technique in this origami catamaran boat is the squash-fold — you’ll apply four of them to complete the model. It’s a satisfying little boat with two parallel hulls.

Before you start, make sure you know what a valley-fold and a mountain-fold are. If those two basics are familiar, you’ll have no trouble here.

If you’re ready, let’s get started.

You can use any paper, though it’s a little easier if the front and back are slightly different in color or texture. Use a square sheet — I’m using a 15 cm × 15 cm origami paper, a good size for beginners. Once you’re comfortable, you can try smaller paper.

This is the front side of the paper. I’m using a typical origami paper with a slightly different color on each side.

This is the back side.

STEP 1: Start with the backside of the paper facing up. Mountain-fold in half horizontally, then unfold.

STEP 2: Mountain-fold in half horizontally as before, then unfold. Apply a horizontal gate-fold.

STEP 3: Apply the horizontal gate-fold from step 2. Apply four valley-folds.

STEP 4: Apply the four valley-folds from step 3. Unfold all four of them.

STEP 5: Unfold the previous valley-folds from step 4. Apply one squash-fold.

STEP 6: Apply the squash-fold from step 5. Prepare to apply three more squash-folds.

STEP 7: Apply three squash-folds from step 6. Apply two vertical mountain-folds.

STEP 8: Start applying the two vertical mountain-folds from step 7.

STEP 9: Continue applying the two vertical mountain-folds from step 7.

STEP 10: Complete the two vertical mountain-folds from step 7. Apply a horizontal mountain-fold.

STEP 11: Apply the horizontal mountain-fold from step 10. Pull the two outer layers following the arrow directions.

STEP 12: Pull the two outer layers following the arrow directions from step 11.

STEP 13: Congratulations — you’ve just completed your origami catamaran boat!