A catamaran that looks good...

[Whitelighter]

...which we have seen before, but this one has actually been built!

If I was in the market for a 50ft + boat this I would actually consider buying this.

Three proper cabins too:

 

[SilverTT]

Are cats more stable ?
Looks ok but there must be less room compared to mono hull of the same size.
Whats the good bits with a cat

 

[Whitelighter]

Though I have never been out on a power cat, it is generally touted that they are more stable.

I think the biggest benefit is efficiency. They gobble a lot less fuel than a mono equivalent.

 

[Whitelighter]

Just having a look at dimensions:

The Princess 54 (comparable boat) has a beam of 4.57m

The Innovation 52 has a beam of 5.47m.

So the same length the boat is 1m wider. Not sure how this would impact in a Marina. I guess it should be charged 1/5 more than a Mono hull?

 

[RobWales]

Have been on a couple of 7mtr cats,twin 50hp outboards and have to say they are the most stable craft I ever set foot on!

 

[Questor]

Typical Aussie styling. There's loads of stuff like this in Oz. This just looks like a classier version of the Noosa Cat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SilverTT]

Yeh i understand that it's wider ......But, Not sure how to say this. Accomadation is in two pointy bits the centre headroom is lower. A 50 ft mono has different levels running the length. The way to compare would be SqMetre. ie size of cabins

 

[Whitelighter]

If you look at the floor plan the accomodation is not confined to the hulls at all!

 

[Bajansailor]

For all you sceptics (not you Jez) who are inherently prejudiced against cats, but have never actually been on one, all I can say is go for a sea trial on a well designed offshore power cat, preferably in lumpy conditions when it is blowing a bit, and you will be simply gob-smacked.
(And please dont (try to) shoot me down until you have done so - OK?)

In the meantime you could compare the Innovation 52 described above with similar length Fairlines, Princesses et al. Compare the quantity of accomodation (OK, the cat has about 1m more beam), the reputed sea keeping abilities and the power requirement to acheive the desired speed.

The Aussies do seem to be the world leaders in power cat design - there are many others apart from the Innovations.
I think that folk are slowly getting their heads round the concept of powercats - going from a conventional planing monohull is a bit like the transition from a traditional fisherman anchor to a Rockna or Spade - once you do it, you will be very happy you have done so!

 

[Chas25]

I was going to ask what has actually been put in the hulls? Assume an engine in each but what else?

Any idea what engines it uses V's say the princess? Also wonder what access to engines is like?

Agree it looks pretty good any idea how much??

 

[jointventureII]

Hmm. We still have a fishermans anchor, and i'll be damned if we're gonna change it!
Nah jokin. I think they look ok, particularly that innovation 52. Boats like those yellow fishing cats dont do any favours, but from my POV cats just look like really really deep cathedral hulls (...sort of!)

 

[Bajansailor]

"I was going to ask what has actually been put in the hulls? Assume an engine in each but what else?"

Erm, what does the accomodation plan illustrated above suggest?

"Any idea re engines?"

Have a look at the specifications on their homepage :
http://www.powercat.com.au/innovation52-specs.htm

For those who cant be bothered, she displaces 25 tonnes, carries 4,000 litres of fuel, has as standard two 575 hp Cats, and is alleged to cruise at 24 knots with a max speed of 30 knots.
How does that compare with a similar sized monohull?

Edit : Re Whitefin's comment above - cats may sort of look like a very deep cathedral hull, but I am sure you know what a cathedral hull is like in waves more than 6" high...... cats are a wee bit more seaworthy!

Mate of mine designed and built a 40' assymetric power cat for doing diving trips near Oban - he told me that they could sit on the foredeck quite happily doing 20+ knots into a (I think) 2 metre head sea and not have to worry about getting wet or being thrown off......

 

[Whitelighter]

Son't know how much, but the engines are easy. From their web site:

Innovation 52 - Twin Catapillar C9's (575hp) give max of 30knts.

Princess 54 - Twin Volvo D12's (675Hp) give max of 32knts.

 

[Gludy]

I must say that these are nice looking cats - the 65 footer give 0.66 mpg at 20 knots.

I have requested a brochure!

 

[Whitelighter]

Price for the 65 seemed to be $3.2m (Aussie $) - so about £1.3m

 

[Nautorius]

Paul,

Not only could you get a Fab boat you could become the Main European Dealer! I love it and a great price!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gludy]

But who could I complain to if i was the main dealer?

Cats do interest me because of:-
Space
No need for stablisers even at rest
effciency

This Aussie one is a planing cat not a displacment cat - I would be intrested to know how it handles at say 12 knots as opposed to 20 and wah the range is then. At 20 knots its 1000 miles.

One thing I am doing is checking out every aspect of any make of boat before I proceed forward - so cats are not ruled out at all.

 

[spannerman]

I was out on a power cat yesterday a our new Nortech 36 with two 700hp supercharged V8's.
We did 92 knts or 106 mph! and it was rock steady, will post picks when I figure out how to do it.
Consumption was 200 lph, but the firm was paying, I love my job. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[wakeup]

and no need for stabilizers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gludy]

A really good power cat with a hydrofoil is worth investigating ...... the innovation one has protected tunnels anmd may be able to dry out.

I wonder how comfortable the ride is with a hydrofoil? Anyone out there know?
Is it hard like a planing boat?