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As you can see by
my design list I have been doing trailer cats for a number of years.... But
when your confined to designing something that fits on a trailer, after a while
there is only so many layouts that will work. So...... it is time to design
something new and radical!
I had an idea
sometime ago about a new cat hull design. I have been testing it for awhile, and
now I'm happy! The idea with the hull design was more focused on
performance with smaller engines, but as I have found out, it works very well
with new cabin layouts.
The new hull design
also does away with some of the typical catamaran problems with boarding from
the water. The new hull shape allows me to step the transom and put the boarding
platform right at water level, making it easier for boarding from the dock and
also the water.
A lot of my designs
and ideas are driven by customer request, and ideas. This size cat is becoming
attractive to many boaters around the world. The idea of having a large
trailer-able catamaran gives them freedom to travel by road to remote locations
and launch. It also saves on berthing, yearly antifouls, and associated problems
with boats in the water year round.
This design is
focused using light weight composite materials, to keep the towing weight down.
The design could be built in Plywood or Aluminium. The design is all flat
panels. Just tell me what you want to build with.
The design is
focused around using twin 90hp engines and speeds around 24 knots top, and 18-
20 knots cruising. I have designed the hull to take 2 x 250 Verados, if any one
really wants to do 55 knots. I tend to think that the norm will be twin 140 hp
out boards. I should also mention that I can fit a single inboard. This opens up
the options for diesel sternlegs, or jet drive.
For you
fisherman, I have put one rod on. ( more is optional) However don't ask me to
chop the hard top off, move the main bulkhead up to the nose of the boat, and
put some game polls on..
This boat is really
designed for cruising. The layout is suited for cruising. Requests have been
made for an extended hard top for shade, solar panels, and place for the dingy.
The interior is simple and clean. I have designed this layout for access around
the cat. (I find the walkarounds really good for traffic flow, and have
incorporated it into the cabin version.)
The four person
dinning seat is very versatile. Under the back dinning seat is the galley, with
a " Wash Tub" size sink, and all the utensils. When your finished with
lunch, dump all the dirty dishes in the tub, and close the lid and forget about
the mess.. When you get to port, then wash up. I find this the usual situation
on boats anyway and can't work out why we still have benches with small sinks
and have to clean the mess before moving?
The dinning seat
table also folds down to a small double berth for guest or 2 kids. The backrest
on the seats pivots fore and aft, allowing the seat to be used for the driving
positions. The passenger can sit next to the driver. The layout could have a
main bulkhead and could have a door to lock. But if you want an open air
boat, the seat and back rest folds forward so passengers can face aft. There is
also a seat against the aft transom. allowing a very social
atmosphere.
This is a full
design concept, however I still need to do the construction plans for the
design. So I will be happy to do the drawings to suit any method. Just let me
know.
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2. Cabin sides are
extended to the max beam of the hull, giving more interior space. And this is
very much appreciated in a trailer boat! I have designed recessed cleats near
the driver window for easy removal of dock ropes when single handed operation is
called for. Also, there are no side decks giving the passengers better
viewing un-obstructed by side rails. The forward hand rails are attached just
under the hard top, and are safe for kids on the foredeck. The access to the
fore deck is through either of the two cabin hatches in the toilet and shower
area with steps down.
 
3. Fold up boarding
ladder on bow. I have been designing some landing cats, and I get a lot of
interest in the landing ramp for smaller cats. But the fact is, it is so much
easier and safer to have a ladder on the front of the small boats.
4. Toilet on port,
shower on STB, and access to berth on both sides. This means that a him and her
don't have to climb over each other to get in and out of the double berth. I
have designed the berth to be as large as possible with the shower and toilet
either side, but make no bones about it, it is a trailer boat and space is
tight.
5. Larger fuel tanks
and water tanks for long range cruising. I have designed this cat to take a lot
of fuel and water. You can fill the spare tanks up on the dock before voyage,
saving weight towing.
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