Something a little different

Nautibusiness

Nautibusiness

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Ok so this isn't going to be one for the Matchs of this world.

I sold Quest II a couple of years ago now and haven't really missed owning a boat as I am on them all day, everyday (almost) for work.

But, we've just moved to the New Forest, we have acres (literally) of space. Bucklers Hard is five minutes one way, Lymington is ten minutes the other way and I am starting to miss and long for the idea of popping across to Yarmouth for lunch at Salties, Nipping to Cowes for a beer or to board SpottyDog...

I don't want anything flash.
I don't want anything expensive.
I simply want an easy to handle, very trailerable, very cheap, runaround that can be used on a typical day in the Solent.
Something I can fish from, something we can just about picnic on, more likely use as a mode of transport to a beach.

The obvious thoughts turn to a small rib. And yes, I do like ribs, but I also LOVE catamarans having had some experience of largish (14m) cats, their builds and operating them...

I stumbled across these little kittens.

www.catskee.com

First glance, it's diminutive size would put most people off, but taking the short length and it's limtations when traversing wave lengths into account you would be amazed at how seaworthy it will be.
I can guarantee it will be phenomenally economical, adequately quick and similar in abilities to a 5.5m rib.
I do think the console and seating could do with some work, but that is easily sorted.
Where these kittens were born, South Africa, they are beach launched into seriously rough breaking seas. You can have three adults stand on one side safely and apparantly they had five do it whilst testing the boat and whilst it was probably too extreme, she remained safe. Again for testing, they took her out into an ocean storm with winds at a sustained 45 knots. They said it was horrific and nobody should do it again, but the boat coped.

Brand spanking new, with two 4s 15Hp engines and electronics, including CE marking and shipping you are looking at about £11K or £12K RRP.

For a sensible Solent A to B boat I am sorely tempted. Anyone got any comments or thoughts?

Tom
 
The builder has kept the topsides as low as possible to improve the usual cat "slab sided" appearance, which they have achieved, but to allow adequate tunnel clearance (raised cockpit sole) the cockpit coaming appears about knee high,
with cats turning out on corners (opposite to mono's) it would be an unsettling sensation until you got used to it.

Looks like fun though, or even a good little stable workboat, perhaps in alloy for robustness?
 
There will be days where something like that will be comfortable in the Solent.
But to be able to still go out in less than ideal conditions, I would choose the 5.5m RIB.
 
FlowerPower said:
There will be days where something like that will be comfortable in the Solent.
But to be able to still go out in less than ideal conditions, I would choose the 5.5m RIB.
Click to expand...

I don't know.
We have a 5.5 work rib here and it aint all that. It's good and does a brilliant job, but there are many times when a proper boat would be better for the task.
I do know what you mean and until I actually try one of these tiny cats I can't comment for sure. As said though, my biggest "worry" if you call it that is it's ability to cross wave lengths with out nose diving every time. The builder assures me of it's capable attitude. Until I try it I will hold back some very slight reservations in explode with bags of enthusiasim.
 
Nautibusiness said:
I don't know.
We have a 5.5 work rib here and it aint all that. It's good and does a brilliant job, but there are many times when a proper boat would be better for the task.
I do know what you mean and until I actually try one of these tiny cats I can't comment for sure. As said though, my biggest "worry" if you call it that is it's ability to cross wave lengths with out nose diving every time. The builder assures me of it's capable attitude. Until I try it I will hold back some very slight reservations in explode with bags of enthusiasim.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to your test drive report :)
Lateral stability on the RIB is always going to be better with the outboard tubes, and nose diving into a wave with a v-hull is predictable - sometimes the helmsman even stays onboard.
 
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AndieMac said:
The builder has kept the topsides as low as possible to improve the usual cat "slab sided" appearance, which they have achieved, but to allow adequate tunnel clearance (raised cockpit sole) the cockpit coaming appears about knee high,
with cats turning out on corners (opposite to mono's) it would be an unsettling sensation until you got used to it.

Looks like fun though, or even a good little stable workboat, perhaps in alloy for robustness?
Click to expand...

I've felt the same thing.
Here in the UK we do like our internal freeboard. As you know, elsewhere in the world true blue water boats have extremely low freeboard and they don't tend to sink that easily and we don't hear stories of crew continually falling overboard...HOWEVER, I have already mentally redesigned the pulpit rail to be about 8" high at the bow and then to continue aft on either side back towards the transom giving at least a handhold.
For me personally I am used to the ride of a cat, but do understand that if you are not it would be unnerving which is why I am also thinking about using rib style jockey seats instead of the basic standing arrangement the base boat has. Jockey seats will allow you to clench something between your legs to give a feeling of security.

With "turning out" in mind, the builder has explained that if allowed to she will handle like any other cat, but due to her lightweight and size she can also be driven much like a jet ski and the skipper can use weight to lean in to turns if required. This can be seen in some of the pictures on their site.

As for alloy, I really am not a fan. I've seen more alloy boats split welds and get structural damage than glass boats doing the same job (wind farm boats, thrill ride boats etc) and with glass being very quick and easy to repair I'd prefer it personally.
 
Most/all of our serious high speed commercial passenger carrying boats under 40 metres are alloy cats these days, and the large 11 to 15 metre ribs, triple and quad outboard, are also (plate) alloy hulled.

Personally not a fan of alloy as a pleasure boat, and would never buy one for that purpose, but after using them for many years as a hardcore work boat with a decent plate hull, I do see the benefits. It just doesn't seem right crunching and grinding a grp hull.
 
AndieMac said:
Personally not a fan of alloy as a pleasure boat, and would never buy one for that purpose, but after using them for many years as a hardcore work boat with a decent plate hull, I do see the benefits. It just doesn't seem right crunching and grinding a grp hull.
Click to expand...

That's made me smile.
We run a thrill ride jet boat from Bournemouth Pier.
It's alloy and whilst not enormously fast (30 knots) she is subjected to a lot of abuse with donut turns and wave jumping.
She splits from time to time... is always fixed, but does it again.

I have also helped manage the build of a couple of 14m cats for windfarm and charter fishing use.
One particular cat now works the Thames Array, but was also up on a windfarm off the north of England. When the owners first boat was built he struggled a bit to get a contract as everybody wanted aluminium boats as they were obviously stringer than glass...
His boat is considerably smaller than the (18m to 24m) aluminimum boats he works alongside, but he has missed far less days at sea due to structural issues than his colleagues.
 
you should consider a Cheetah cat built on the Isle of Wight, which has already got a proven record for seakeeping.
They make an open a 6mtr by 2.4mtr version, less than a ton weight, that's been used by fishermen and as a patrol boat.

I've got the stretched 7.6 open version, very reasonably priced as a hull moulding without any deck fittings.
only heard good reports about the these boats.

View attachment 36287
 
I like them and I know Sean who builds them and several owners who operate them, but at that size and price I would be having a Glacier Bay.
Far better hull IMHO. More forgiving and more "user friendliness" for me anyway.
If I was looking spend a bit of cash, the Glacier Bay 2670 Coastal Runner would be my sort of thing. £50K will get a stunning used one.
Id be stuck to choose between am open with clears or the model with the "Alaska Pack" - their version of a pilot house.
 
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Nautibusiness said:
I like them and I know Sean who builds them and several owners who operate them, but at that size and price I would be having a Glacier Bay.
Far better hull IMHO. More forgiving and more "user friendliness" for me anyway.
If I was looking spend a bit of cash, the Glacier Bay 2670 Coastal Runner would be my sort of thing. £50K will get a stunning used one.
Id be stuck to choose between am open with clears or the model with the "Alaska Pack" - their version of a pilot house.
Click to expand...

phew....different class of boat. lovely looking, but i couldn't afford to run one at 2mpg.
the Cheetah will take twin 40's, or as I'm using single 90hp leanburn, estm: 20kts cruise/ 3gal.....(fingers crossed)
just as a guide i payed £17k + drat for my stretched version, looks like solid value against a 7.6 rib.
the standard 6.2 hull moulding would be about £2k less.

But it is a workboat, and finished as such. :)
 
rustybarge said:
phew....different class of boat. lovely looking, but i couldn't afford to run one at 2mpg.
the Cheetah will take twin 40's, or as I'm using single 90hp leanburn, estm: 20kts cruise/ 3gal.....(fingers crossed)
just as a guide i payed £17k + drat for my stretched version, looks like solid value against a 7.6 rib.
the standard 6.2 hull moulding would be about £2k less.

But it is a workboat, and finished as such. :)
Click to expand...

A good friend of mine took delivery of his big Cheetah this summer and has been working her very hard off Pembrokeshire. He's returning some astounding fuel figures. Think he is running two 200s.
The Glacier Bay would be my choice as a comfy pad that can move and do it well. Fuel is better than you may think.
Nearly 9m 2 x 140s, cruise at 27 for a combined total of about 45 litres per hour. Much better if you were to fit the latest Suzuki lean burns. Probably get that down to about 35 lph.

Not a work boat though.
...unless heading offshore to catch Marlin and Tuna is your living.
 
Nautibusiness said:
A good friend of mine took delivery of his big Cheetah this summer and has been working her very hard off Pembrokeshire. He's returning some astounding fuel figures. Think he is running two 200s.
The Glacier Bay would be my choice as a comfy pad that can move and do it well. Fuel is better than you may think.
Nearly 9m 2 x 140s, cruise at 27 for a combined total of about 45 litres per hour. Much better if you were to fit the latest Suzuki lean burns. Probably get that down to about 35 lph.

Not a work boat though.
...unless heading offshore to catch Marlin and Tuna is your living.
Click to expand...

the Cheetah's price if you add in all the deck fittings, rails, steering, windscreen, wheelhouse, door etc etc etc...£50k is more like the retail price. that's mainly all labour the yard has to pay in wages.

my idea is do all the fiddly work myself, save £30k, and I still have a brand new 2013 boat to sell in a few years time.
 
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Nautibusiness said:
................ I would be having a Glacier Bay.
Far better hull IMHO. More forgiving and more "user friendliness" for me anyway.
If I was looking spend a bit of cash, the Glacier Bay 2670 Coastal Runner would be my sort of thing. £50K will get a stunning used one.
Id be stuck to choose between am open with clears or the model with the "Alaska Pack" - their version of a pilot house.
Click to expand...

Yes I've heard good things about these boats, we have a number locally, owners are well pleased.
 
I have just the boat for you, a RYDS 475gt, I have used it for days out, cruising & fishing, its easily towable and a great sea boat. Only reason in selling is I have bought bigger boat.
 
Nautibusiness said:
I really want a small cat. Sorry
Click to expand...

Not sure if powercat is still going, but someone's taken over the company(Dazcat?), and you can order a new hull.
they do a 5.25mtr model. http://www.powercats.co.uk/Powercat_boat_range.html
very expensive for a 5.25 boat at £18k.


Next size down is the 4mtr C-Fury rib/cat:http://www.c-fury.com/

So the choice in small trailerable cats is very limited. My cat at 7.6mtr long is really on the limit for towing on B roads.
8mtr and over cats are in a different weight class, needing twin 90hp, 6gal/hr 3mpg..........
 
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