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Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide

Dec 06, 2023

less than a min

Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide

Power Catamarans, often termed as the epitome of modern maritime engineering, are gaining popularity for all the right reasons. Their distinct design, enhanced stability, and cruising efficiency set them apart from traditional monohull boats and even their sail-driven counterparts. This guide dives into the world of Power Catamarans, shedding light on their advantages and how they compare to other vessels like monohulls and trimarans.

Historical Prelude:

The concept of catamarans traces its roots back to ancient maritime cultures. However, the power catamaran is a relatively modern innovation that marries the traditional twin-hull design with powerful engines, offering a unique blend of speed, stability, and space.

Distinguishing Design:

Power Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which significantly reduce the drag, thus enhancing speed and fuel efficiency. Unlike monohulls, they have a broader beam, which contributes to increased stability and more living space. The absence of a ballast for stability further lightens the vessel, contributing to its speed and fuel economy

Speed and Handling:

One of the significant advantages of power catamarans is their speed and handling. The twin hulls allow for a smoother glide over the water, making them particularly favorable for watersports enthusiasts. Their handling in rough waters is superior to monohulls, thanks to the inherent stability provided by the dual-hull design.

The stability of power catamarans is unparalleled, especially when compared to monohulls. The wide beam and twin hulls provide a stable platform, reducing the rocking and rolling common in monohulls. This stability is not only comforting in rough seas but also crucial when docking or anchoring.

Comfort and Space:

The spacious design of power catamarans offers homelike livability, with ample room for cabins, lounges, and even onboard amenities like grills and bars. The wide beam also allows for large deck spaces, ideal for sunbathing or enjoying the scenic ocean vistas.

Economy and Redundancy:

Power catamarans are economical, with fuel efficiency being one of their selling points. The redundancy built into their design, with separate engines for each hull, provides an added layer of safety, ensuring that the vessel can return to shore even if one engine fails.

Regular Upkeep and Care:

Power catamarans, given their unique design and structure, come with their own set of maintenance requirements. Like all boats, routine checks and upkeep are essential to ensure smooth sailing. The twin hull design means double the underwater gear – from propellers to rudders, which necessitates regular inspections for any signs of wear, tear, or fouling.

Antifouling:

Given that power catamarans have a larger surface area underwater due to their twin hulls, they may be more susceptible to marine growth. Regular antifouling treatments can help in keeping the hulls clean, ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Engine Maintenance:

One distinct advantage of power catamarans is their dual-engine setup, but this also means double the engine maintenance. Regular oil changes, cooling system checks, and filter replacements are crucial. It's beneficial to synchronize maintenance schedules for both engines to ensure consistent performance.

The lifespan of a power catamaran largely depends on its build quality, materials used, and how well it's maintained. With proper care, a power catamaran can last for several decades. The engine's maintenance significantly impacts the catamaran's lifespan, with gasoline engines requiring maintenance at 1,200 to 1,800 hours and diesel engines at around 5,000 hours​​. The construction materials play a crucial role; for instance, fiberglass catamarans, when well-maintained, can last for many decades, while aluminum cats might change ownership after 10-15 years but can last a lifetime with proper care​.

World-Renowned Builders:

The power catamaran sector boasts several reputable manufacturers such as Lagoon, Leopard Catamarans, Fountaine Pajot, and other notable names like Seawind Catamarans​.

Lagoon, a revered name under the Beneteau Group umbrella, has carved its niche in crafting luxurious, spacious catamarans. A prime example is the Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht, embodying opulence with its nearly 250 sq. ft. aft deck and 900 sq. ft. interior, comfortably housing up to 12 guests. Known for its superyacht styling, it boasts superior fuel efficiency and a commendable average velocity-made-good of 9 knots.

Leopard Catamarans:

Emerging from the reputable Robertson and Caine shipyard in South Africa, Leopard Catamarans is synonymous with innovation and efficiency. The Leopard 53 Powercat is a testament to this legacy, showcasing excellent seakeeping abilities, offering 3 or 4 cabin configurations, and achieving a top speed of 25 knots.

Fountaine Pajot:

A trailblazer since 1976, Fountaine Pajot constantly redefines catamaran design. The Fountaine Pajot MY6 is a shining example, encapsulating the brand's visionary ethos. Stretching 15 meters, the MY6, equipped with dual engines of up to 2 x 353 Kw and 2 x 480 hp, promises dynamic sailing. Crafted meticulously by Pier Angelo Andreani, the interior mirrors a 20-meter monohull's spaciousness, reflecting modern aesthetics and comfort that stand as a benchmark in the Motor Yacht world.

These manufacturers continue to innovate, offering a blend of luxury, performance, and efficiency in their power catamaran models, making them a popular choice among maritime enthusiasts.

Comparing with Monohulls and Trimarans:

While monohulls are traditional and often cheaper, they lack the stability and space offered by power catamarans. On the other hand, trimarans, with three hulls, provide even more stability but at the cost of additional drag and less interior space.

TheBoatDB - Your Gateway to Maritime Exploration:

If you’re looking to delve deeper into the world of power catamarans and other vessels, TheBoatDB offers a comprehensive boat database. Explore various catamaran models, compare them with monohulls, trimarans, and other types of boats, and make an informed decision on your next maritime adventure.

In summary, power catamarans encapsulate a modern engineering marvel in the maritime domain. Their blend of speed, stability, comfort, and economy makes them an attractive option for a broad spectrum of boaters. Whether you are a long-distance cruiser, a water sport enthusiast, or someone who cherishes the tranquility of the sea, a power catamaran could be the vessel that transforms your maritime adventures into unforgettable experiences.

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The Planing Power Catamaran: A Different Kind Of Cat

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Planing powercats deliver the high speeds dayboaters and weekend anglers crave — but without so much pounding in choppy seas.

Rear view of a dual hull catamaran with two 200 horsepower outboard engines, a bimini top with fishing rods attched to it moored  in turquoise blue water

The air cushion ­created between the two hulls dramatically reduces wave impact at running speeds. (Photo: World Cat)

Powercats are different beasts than sailing cats, and the powercats you're most likely to see on your local waters are those in the 20- to 40-foot range (like my 22-foot Glacier Bay). Unlike the big cruising powercats, which are more like cat trawlers with top ends maybe a little over 20 mph, smaller cats have planing hulls that perform much like today's modern powerboats.

Depending on the engine package, there are a few cats that top out in the lower 30s, lots in the lower 40s, some in the 50s, and a few that break 70 or even 80 mph.

While a similar length monohull may have a 40-mph cruising speed in a 2-foot chop, the monohull captain will pull back the throttles and cruise at 30 to avoid being beaten up. The cat guy, on the other hand, may be able to keep on doing 40 thanks to the smoother ride. But having two hulls underfoot does create some interesting similarities in how these different types of boats react to input from the helm. So you'll see a few of the tips here mirror those used for sailing or cruising catamarans. Whatever type of cat you may be captaining, remember the following:

  • Center the wheel and use only the throttles to control the boat. Powercats have their engines exceptionally widely spaced apart, and are far more responsive than monohulls when steered via throttles. Generally speaking, turning the steering wheel will only serve to reduce the effectiveness of working the throttles. This, of course, is assuming you have two engines. There are a few rare cats with one engine.
  • At identical rpm, the engine in forward will create more thrust than the engine in reverse. So even if the throttles are set evenly when opposed, the boat will likely slide forward a bit as opposed to spinning in its own length. As a result, when attempting to speed up the maneuver it's usually best to favor giving the reversed engine extra oomph as opposed to the one in forward (assuming you don't want to move forward while turning the boat).
  • Check the speed and direction of the wind before docking , and remember that some cats, particularly those with low draft, can be blown around more easily than many monohulls as there may be less hull below the waterline.
  • When docking in a new slip for the first time with lines that haven't been preset, bear in mind that once you're docked, securing the boat can be difficult in some situations because few powercats have centered cleats. Most will have a single cleat on either side, in some cases obstructed by a bow rail and/or pulpit, which can make crossing lines difficult.
  • Never shut those engines down until all the lines are secured . Again, remember that many cats can get blown out of kilter faster than the average monohull, and if you don't have lines preset, it may take a moment to figure out how to best secure them. Many a captain has done a perfect docking job and then shut off the engines, only for a gust of wind to push the boat right back out of the slip before the lines can be tied. Keep those engines running until the boat is 100% secure so you can apply power, if necessary, to maintain position.

Why Two Hulls?

Like all boats, catamarans come with distinct advantages (smooth ride, draft), and areas of compromise (docking, turning). Regardless of design aesthetics, the first question is usually: Why two hulls?

Mike Myers, vice president of product development for World Cat explains: "Catamaran hulls experience little to no drag or resistance to get on plane, resulting in greater fuel economy. They have a steady rise in speed and fuel burn with little to no spikes in fuel consumption."Planing powercats have a unique trait — which many cat lovers consider the top advantage over monohulls — the impact-absorbing cushion of air created by a compression tunnel between hulls.

And when it comes to beam, catamarans' parallel hulls create reliable stability, which helps to avoid heeling and capsizing, and greatly reduces the vessel roll at rest and at trolling speeds.

"Many boats are primarily designed around comfort for the captain. This usually means anyone at the front or sides of the boat takes most of the jostling,"Myers says. "The catamaran-style hull delivers ride comfort, smoothness, load distribution, and stability."That stability draws anglers to powercats of typically 20 to 40 feet; and cruisers to sailing cats 40 to 60 feet and beyond.

— Rich Armstrong

Taming The Cat

When it comes to handling powercats in open waters, the most important thing to remember is that all boats are different. Just as you wouldn't lump the handling characteristics of all monohulls together, the same goes for powercats. But many have a few common traits to consider.

  • Some powercats have relatively low buoyancy in the bow compared to monohulls, as many have very narrow hull entries . As a result, in some cases, idling into a sea can allow waves to break over the bow. Gaining some headway so the bow rises a bit and packs air into the tunnel can alleviate the issue.
  • Some planing powercats will run smoother at faster speeds than slower speeds, as they compress air in the tunnel between the two hulls. In these cases, speeding up may actually provide a more comfortable ride in some sea states as compared to slowing down. Depending on your boat, its tunnel may result in other differences from the monohull that you may be familiar with. Learning about these will improve you experience.
  • Some powercats display a "snap roll,"which is a very fast righting motion that can rock the boat uncomfortably, especially when drifting in a beam sea. In these cases, people who may want to drift often (such as anglers) will sometimes deploy a drift sock off the bow to reduce rocking and rolling.

Man wearing a white long-sleeve t-shirt fishing off the bow of a power catamaran as it cruises through the water

Photo: World Cat

  • In general, powercats are often more weight-sensitive than monohulls, especially when the bow is loaded down . It's always best to be aware of how you're loading your boat, and if the tunnel is slapping or the bow is digging into waves, consider shifting weight aft.
  • Some powercats, particularly older models, lean out in a turn rather than banking in. There's no way to eliminate this phenomenon (although trimming up an outboard engine when initiating a turn may reduce it a bit), so it's important to give passengers a warning to hold on before making any aggressive maneuvers.
  • "Sneezing,"or blowing a puff of mist out the front of the tunnel that the boat then runs through (getting everyone aboard damp), is a phenomenon associated with some powercats. In many cases, trimming the bow up a bit will significantly reduce or even eliminate sneezing.

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New Boats, Fishing & Electronics Editor, BoatUS Magazine

Top tech writer and accomplished sports fisherman, BoatUS Magazine Contributing Editor Lenny Rudow has written seven practical boating books, won 30 awards from Boating Writers International — many for his marine electronics articles – and two for excellence from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. He judges the NMMA Innovation Awards, and is Angler in Chief at FishTalk, his own Chesapeake-based publication. A great teacher and inspirational writer, Lenny hosts many of BoatUS Magazine’s very-popular how-to videos, which can be found on the BoatUS YouTube channel, or at BoatUS.com

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The Power Catamaran Compilation

  • By Yachting Staff
  • Updated: December 21, 2018

Power Catamarans have been growing leaps and bounds in popularity, and, in lengths and widths. And for good reason. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient and are fairly intuitive to run. Power cats are popular in the bareboat charter market too, for these very reasons.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

fountain pajot my44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY44

Silent-Yachts 55

silent 55 yacht

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Read more: Silent 55

Horizon PC74

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Read more: Horizon PC74

aquila 36

The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Read more: Aquila 36

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon Seventy 8

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Read more: Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Horizon PC60

horizon pc60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran , you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

Read more: Horizon PC60

40 Open Sunreef Power

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open ­day-boat category with creative designs. ­Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power ‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Read more: 40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition , with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Lagoon 630 motoryacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Read more: Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called ­Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY 37

Solarwave 64

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64 , launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Read more: Solarwave 64

Glider SS18

SS18, Glider Yachts

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

Read more: Glider SS18

  • More: aquila , Aquila Boats , Express and Flybridge Cruisers , Fountain Pajot , Glider Yachts , Horizon Power Catamarans , Lagoon , Power Catamarans , Silent-Yachts , Sunreef , Yachts
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Five of the Top Power Catamarans

  • By Boating Tech Team
  • July 24, 2024

Somehow, the anglers knew. When power ­catamarans first started working their way into the mainstream a few decades ago, offshore fishermen were among the first adopters. They didn’t mind the different look because they knew what they were gaining in the stability and seakeeping that a twin-hull boat could provide. Soon the long-distance cruisers took to them too, as the secret got out that they could take to waters in smaller boats normally reserved for the biggest and burliest of V-hulls. Now? Cats are part of the big-boat circuit as well, with 35- to 50-footers seen roaming the canyons and cruising hotspots. If you like to roam outside the inlet, here are five of the biggest cats that get the job done. 

Invincible 46 Pilothouse running offshore

Invincible 46 Pilothouse 

The Pilothouse version of the Invincible 46 allows you to overnight in style and comfort, or enjoy weather protection en route to the fish, and the 1,000-gallon fuel capacity gives the boat incredible range. When we tested this boat with quad Mercury Racing 450s, we recorded a range of 593.9 miles while cruising at 40.7 mph at 4,000 rpm. Top speed, if you’re wondering, was 71.2 mph. But this angling platform is about so much more than just the performance numbers.

The Invincible 46 rides on a hybrid-­asymmetrical hull that combines the best of a proa cat’s efficiency with the wave slicing and ­stability of identical twin sponsons. The hulls are double-stepped to further improve efficiency and running attitude. This cat can handle heavy seas and provide comfort offshore on days when less-worthy boats are still in their slips.

The pilothouse allows the captain and crew to experience the ride in plush comfort. In addition to the helm seating and the aft U-shaped lounge, there is an aft row of captain’s chairs. However, you can delete the second-row seating and ­extend the lounge for a roomier feel. If you want some fresh air, the pilothouse opens up nicely with port and starboard sliding doors, helm and passenger sliding windows, and a power-sliding window on the aft bulkhead that opens the cockpit to the cabin. Belowdecks, there’s sleeping accommodations for four, plus a galley that can be custom-fitted to your needs.

Invincible 46 Pilothouse near the beach

Even with the pilothouse, Invincible bills this boat as having 360-degree fishability. There’s plenty of fish-fighting space in the cockpit and the bow, which can convert to a three-person sun pad when the lines are in. Bring all the bait you want with the dual 60-gallon transom livewells, along with the 70-gallon in-floor well. All are fed by a sea chest with six pumps to keep the bait fresh. A rigging station folds out of the mezzanine seatback so cleverly that we might have missed it in our initial inspection if it hadn’t been pointed out. Drawers and tackle-box slots keep gear, tools, and leader spools organized. Six shotgun rod holders on the transom will prove ideal for storage and rigging. There’s lockable rod storage under the gunwales too. The transom arrangement eschews a transom door, but Invincible has an inward-opening portside door for hauling fish to the deck.

Overall, the Invincible 46 Pilothouse is set up to be a badass long-distance fishing and cruising machine.

Unavailable
45’11”
12’0″
2’0″
27,000 lb.
1,000 gal.
1,800

Invincible Boats  – Opa-Locka, Florida; 305-685-2704 ;  invincibleboats.com

Four Winns TH36 in the ocean

Four Winns TH36 

With an aggressively wide 14-foot-7-inch beam, the Four Winns TH36 packs a ton of creature comforts into this catamaran to exceed the needs of the typical dayboater. Start with the aft living room—er—cockpit, which rivals the setup of many backyard patios. The seating is genius; the cockpit lounges slide and lock in several positions, both with and without tables. Slide them outboard, and two L-lounges reside on each side of a central walkway. Slide them inboard, and you create a giant U-shaped lounge. At the cockpit’s forward end, large plush, upholstered double chaises face aft. It’s all one level from here, right up to the bow lounge. Amidships, a pair of counters to port and starboard house the galley. Lift the faux-stone lids to reveal a cooktop, sink and optional grill, with a fridge hiding underneath. The massive bow lounge provides even more social space for up to eight people.

The dual-console layout evokes the feel of a bowrider on steroids. The helm provides excellent visibility from the adjustable captain’s chair, from where the captain can observe twin MFDs mounted in a pod that extends from the top of the console without restricting the view beyond. We tested this boat with a pair of Mercury 350 Verados, achieving a top speed of 37.1 mph and a nice cruising speed of around 25 mph. With the twin hulls, we found the boat to be as smooth as silk while knifing through swells that might cause a similar-size V-hull to pound.

Four Winns TH36 overhead

While designed primarily for ­daytime roaming, the TH36 is set up to also be an ­overnight cruiser. Two cabins with queen berths reside belowdecks, each with its own separate head and shower. So you and your guests, or a family of four, can enjoy some ­privacy when it’s time to draw the curtains.

The extended platform between the ­outboards proved to be a favorite feature. It’s a great spot for taking a dip at anchor when the engines are off, but it also makes for a great boarding spot, showing that the TH36’s comfort factor starts before you even leave the dock.

$730,000
38’5″
14’7″
3’2″
15,995 lb.
244 gal.
700

Four Winns – Cadillac, Michigan; fourwinns.com

World Cat 400 CC-X ready to fish

World Cat 400 CC-X 

An OG in the power-cat space, World Cat has been producing center- and dual-console fishing catamarans for decades. Coming out on the heels of its 40-foot dual-console, the 400 CC-X is the flagship of its center-console fleet.

With a 604-gallon fuel tank, the 400 CC-X can deliver a range of over 600 miles, as proved during test day when, powered by quadruple Yamaha F300s, we recorded a range of 611.6 miles at a 27.5 mph clip at 4,000 rpm. You can get to the blue water and back, or the Bahamas if you live in Florida, and still have fuel to fish along the way.

Because of its long length and wide beam, the 400 CC-X can fit three high-back seats with armrests at the helm. The captain’s place would be at the center seat, which adjusts electrically behind the brushed-aluminum Edson wheel with brodie knob. The three-­sided tempered-glass windshield provides wind and spray protection, while an electric opening vent at the top of the windscreen allows a breeze on hot days. Our test boat sported two 22-inch Garmin touchscreens—a trio of ­17-inch displays is also offered—that showed everything, from systems (lighting, pumps, etc.) to the engine readouts. The 400 CC-X comes with a key-fob control, so you can turn on the lights and systems while walking on the dock. Some thoughtful touches at the helm include a padded recess atop the dash to securely hold phones and glasses, plus a handy glove box with a drain.

World Cat 400 CC-X headed offshore

In terms of fishy features, the 400 CC-X is stacked, with an inward-opening tuna door leading into the 200-square-foot cockpit, with padded coamings and nearly 30 inches of walk-around space past the console and T-top to chase fish. In the cockpit sole are a pair of 80-gallon insulated fish boxes (with overboard Grouper Gulper pumps) that can be optioned as bait tanks; another pair of 154-gallon fish boxes (5-by-2 feet) are forward. Up at the bow, there’s actually a casting platform that hides the Lewmar anchor windlass. Our tester boasted the optional Cat Track sliding seats forward, which can combine into a centerline coffin box, creating a sun pad, or separate into a U-lounge. So there’s definitely room to relax and chill. Rod capacity? There are four vertical holders on each side of the console, three rod racks on each side of the cockpit aft, six lockable racks forward, an ­additional six locking racks under each ­gunwale, plus six rocket launchers on the ­T-top—five behind the helm and 11 scattered around the bow. Bring your entire arsenal.

Unavailable
39’8″
12’8″
1’9″
14,500 lb.
604 gal.
1,200

World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; worldcat.com

Aquila 47 Molokai cruising

Aquila 47 Molokai

The largest of the cats in this roundup, the ­ Aquila 47 Molokai can take on square-edged seas with aplomb. When we tested it with four Mercury 400 Verados on the transom, we pointed the bow through the inlet and took on some serious swells with nary a shudder. It can run far, fish hard, and cruise in comfort—all in one finely appointed package.

Aquila’s heritage stems from the ­cruising side, so we’ll start with all the amenities ­designed to keep you in comfort between ­marina runs. Tucked into the low-profile console is a fully outfitted air-conditioned cabin with a queen berth; 6 feet, 7 inches of headroom; big windows; overhead skylights; and a surprisingly spacious head with shower. The genset is powered by lithium batteries that provide eight hours of juice for cooling the cabin.

Abovedecks, the 47 Molokai is all ­fishing. There are 22 rod holders all around the gunwales, plus attached to the carbon-fiber hardtop and in piping along the hardtop stanchions. Twin 42.5-gallon livewells are built into the transom for your baits, and insulated 4-foot, 148-gallon macerating fish boxes hide under deck hatches along the console walkways.

Aquila 47 Molokai anchored

Tucked under the carbon-fiber hardtop (reinforced for the optional Pipewelders tower) are seven Stidd seats: three up front behind the helm and four in the raised mezzanine to spectate the action. That helm is impeccable, from the eyebrowed black dash with twin (or triple) Garmin MFDs, C-Zone switching, custom Fusion audio, and Mercury joystick. Driving the 47 Molokai when equipped with 1,600 hp is an absolute blast. The double-stepped hulls keep the boat at a good attitude while running along at a crisp pace. We recorded a top speed of 66.5 mph with the throttles pinned, while still maintaining a range of 562 miles. Throttle back to a comfortable 48.1 mph cruising speed at 4,500 rpm, and the range jumps to 654 miles.

Overall, the Aquila 47 Molokai is a boat ­designed and built to go places.

$1,659,724
49’4″
14’7″
3’8″
33,400 lb.
1,048 gal.
2,000

Aquila Catamarans – St. Petersburg, Florida; aquilaboats.com

Read Next: Six Boats Built for Adventure

Twin Vee 400 GFX2 running nearshore

Twin Vee 400 GFX2 

The new Twin Vee 400 GFX2 is the next generation of the builder’s GFX model , with many redesigned features and a new digital control system to make operation smooth and seamless.

As of press time, we haven’t been able to get on the Twin Vee 400 GFX2, the newest model in the lineup. But we will soon. Here’s what we know about the company’s flagship offering. This boat is designed to be an offshore fishing machine. It will feature more than 450 square feet of deck space, 2,500 quarts of insulated storage, 150-gallon livewell capacity, and plenty of space to fight and land fish.

Twin Vee 400 GFX2 cresting over waves

Fishing-wise, the GFX will have twin 475-quart coffin boxes with stainless-steel inserts and two in-deck 700-quart fish boxes with macerators. There will also be four electric-­reel outlets if you’re looking to fish deep. For rod holders, there will be 10 mounted into the gunwales per side, plus eight more on the hardtop piping aft of the helm. The main cockpit will have a rear-facing tackle station to prep your arsenal. A starboard-side tuna door helps for landing large pelagics and doubles as a great spot for dockside ­boarding. The helm has triple captain’s chairs, with ­additional seating for three just aft. A fully enclosed windshield keeps the captain and crew protected from the elements. The dash has space to mount twin 22-inch MFDs. A freshwater head in the console and transom jump seats add to the creature comforts.

The 400 GFX2 can be powered by quad Mercury, Yamaha or Suzuki outboards up to 1,800 hp total. Depending on your power choice, cruising speed should be in the mid-40s, with top speeds in the high 60 mph range.

$793,600
40’0″
12’0″
2’3″
14,500 lb.
750 gal.
1,800

Twin Vee – Fort Pierce, Florida; twinvee.com

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Boating Beast

A Guide to Power Catamaran Boats

John Sampson

If you’re into offshore fishing or water sports, the Power Catamaran or “multi-hull powerboat” offers you a great option for your first vessel. These powerboats provide you an excellent combination of performance, stability, and maneuverability.

These boats have a catamaran design, relying on two hulls to float the vessel instead of the typical deep-V hull found on other powerboat models. The multi-hull powerboat is ideal for cruising, and you can set it up for fishing or watersports as well.

With the multi-hull powerboat, you get options for multiple fishing stations over each hull without disrupting the boat’s balance on the water. They are ideal for use in lakes and estuaries, and they excel on the open ocean.

These boats come in lengths ranging from 16 to 30-feet, with plenty of customizable options and accessories. Typically, you get a stern-drive or outboard motor configuration, with center consoles for the driver and loads of storage space onboard.

These boats can carry from six to eight passengers easily, and most models will fit on trailers. This post gives you all the information you need on selecting the right multi-hull powerboat to suit your aquatic needs.

What Is a Multi-Hull Powerboat?

The multi-hull powerboat features a catamaran design, with two hulls running down the boat’s length, featuring a gap between the two. This configuration makes the boat exceptionally stable at higher speeds, allowing fast movement through choppy water inshore or offshore.

The catamaran might seem like a niche boat design. However, it offers you several advantages on the water, such as a smooth ride, stability, and economy. These boats come in a wide range of designs and lengths, with the smallest versions measuring around 12-feet, and the largest extending up to 70-feet or longer.

The longer vessels come with liveaboard facilities and all the amenities you need to spend days out on the water. We like to think of the multi-hull powerboat as the catamaran design of the cabin cruiser or cuddy cabin boat. You get all the same advantages as these models but with an added performance on the water.

Multi-Hull Powerboat

You get plenty of options for live wells, rod holders, gear storage, and integrated coolers for drinks and fish. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or just going out for the day, the multi-hull powerboat is a great choice for your ocean-going excursion.

While the catamaran model is the most popular choice in this category, there are models featuring a tri-hull design. Typically, these vessels cater more towards fishing than performance or watersports, offering slightly less steering maneuverability than the dual hull setup. However, the addition of the third hull brings superior stability to the boat, making them ideal for fishing in choppy water or cruising from island to island on rougher seas.

The ripple hull models typically feature more liveaboard space, with some models having multiple separate living areas beneath the deck.

Benefits of Multi-Hull Powerboats

The Multi-hull powerboat offers you plenty of advantages for fishing, cruising, and watersports. Here are our top reasons for adding this boat to your shortlist of considerations.

Speed and Handling

The multi-hull boat relies on two separate hulls contacting the water. As a result, there is less drag from the hull when cutting through the water. You get faster speeds than you do with a mono-hull design and excellent handling with tight turning circles. These boats do well on open water, allowing for superior stability in rough waters when fishing offshore.

Dynamic Cruising

The multi-hull powerboat features dynamic cruising capability. These boats are most popular with recreational users that want to cruise down the coastline on the weekend or take a few days out on the water for a fishing trip. The built-in accommodations in many designs make it suitable for staying out on the water overnight.

Stability and Performance

Multi-hull powerboats can come with several engine configurations. The motors on these boats offer excellent performance, propelling the watercraft up to speeds of 50 to 80-mph, depending on the model. They also make suitable watersports boats, allowing for skiing and wakeboarding.

Plenty of Storage

The multi-hull boat offers you more storage capability than mono-hull models. You get loads of storage room above and below deck for your dive gear or fishing equipment. There is under-seat storage, and the v-berths in the bow of these models can include plenty of amenities.

Cabin of the Calcutta 480 Catamaran

Center Console Design

The center console driver configuration is common with the multi-hull performance boat. This driver position gives you more control over the vessel when turning. Some consoles may position closer to the bow or aft of the boat, depending on the length and design features of the boat.

Hardtop Designs

Most multi-hull powerboats come equipped for long ocean-going trips. As a result, they may have a covered driver cockpit leading to below deck accommodations or storage facilities. Some models have wraparound cockpits with doors sealing the cabin, allowing for air conditioning inside the boat on hot days. Other models come with an open plan design and a hard roof.

Trailerable

Most models of multi-hull power bats range from 16 to 24-feet, but there are plenty of longer models. The shorter lengths are easy to trailer, allowing for easy removal for the water and transportation. However, some models may be wider than 10-feet, requiring a special license to operate the loaded trailer. Check with your local authorities for trailer regulations and laws.

Fishing and Watersports Capability

These boats are excellent fishing vessels, offering you plenty of stability for casting on any side of the boat. The center console design means you have walkways on either side of the console, allowing the angler to chase the fish around the boat if it decides to drag the line. Most models also feature setups for watersports like wakeboarding, with T-tower bars or Bimini tops for higher tow points.

Outboard or Stern Motors

The multi-hull powerboat comes with a design for performance out on the water. As a result, these boats usually feature outboard motors with capacities ranging from 150-HP to 450-HP. Some models may use dual-motor setups or stern-mounted motors that hide out of sight.

Multiple Sizing Options

As mentioned, the multi-hull boat comes in a variety of lengths to suit your requirements. Whether you need a large boat for spending days out on the water or a simple day fishing vessel, there’s a multi-hull design to suit your requirements.

Disadvantages of Multi-Hull Powerboats

While the multi-hull powerboat is a flexible design suited for cruising, fishing, or water sports, it does come with a few drawbacks.

Large Engines and More Fuel

These boats feature design and construction for speed, with large outboard motors. As a result, they are somewhat heavy on fuel, especially with a large-capacity dual-motor setup.

Top Multi-Hull Powerboat Models

You have plenty of choices when selecting your multi-hull powerboat. Here are some of our top picks for the best models available.

Calcutta 480

This multi-hull powerboat has a 51-foot length, and it’s ideal for offshore use, providing exceptional stability thanks to the size and the 17-foot beam. It’s one of the largest models available, featuring world-class multi-hull design.

You get a spacious deck with a center console configuration and enough room to walk down either side of the boat when fishing. The dual hull provides exceptional stability combined with the long length, and you get options for diesel-powered or gasoline engines in outboard or in-stern setup to suit your requirements.

Calcutta 480

The Calcutta brand custom-builds boats for its clients. You get options for fully enclosed bow areas and fishing-style cabins with a roomy helm deck and a sleeping berth included in the bow. You also have an enclosed head for ablutions, but there is no option for a shower.

This model comes with an enclosed cockpit and air conditioning to keep you cool when cruising. The motors on this boat are monsters, featuring a twin setup of 550-HP Cummins diesel inboards available on the sports version for superior power and speed on the water while maintaining the boat’s maneuverability.

There’s a 600-gallon fuel capacity for the thirsty engines, allowing you to spend days out on the water without running out of fuel.

Insetta 35 IFC Hydrofoil

The Insetta 35 IFC hydrofoil offers you the smooth-sailing benefit of hydrofoils, with premium multi-hull designs. The hydrofoil system generates the lift under the hull, allowing for superior, stable sailing in rough water conditions.

The hydrofoil reduces friction and dragging on the hulls, reducing your fuel consumption by as much as 40% compared to other models with a similar dual hull design. The foil fits between the sponsons, featuring design and construction with stainless steel.

Another interesting design feature with this model is the way the inboard motors have positioning towards each other. This configuration allows for maximum thrust for the propellors on the asymmetrical multi-hull.

Insetta 35 IFC Hydrofoil

The foil and motor setup design also allow for much tighter turns than you get with other multi-hull models, giving you similar performance to what you expect in a mono-hull design.

The boat comes with a large coffin box with 156-gallons of space available and an insulated finish. You get eight rod-holders positioned in the bow and aft of the boat. You also get dual 30-gallon transom live wells and an option for a third below the mezzanine seat.

The Insetta 35 IFC hydrofoil comes with a three-pump sea chest, a folding bait station, and plenty of tackle storage. The boat gets its power and performance from dual Mercury 400 Verados, with the vessel topping out at speeds of 58-mph on open, calm waters.

Invincible 46 Cat

This model is the largest in the Invincible range, and it’s a great choice for offshore fishing. This flagship model comes with a 42-foot length and a center console design for easy driver operation. This multi-hull powerboat relies on a hybrid semi-asymmetrical multi-hull giving it great turning capability and maneuverability out on the open water.

Invincible 46 Cat

The Invincible 46 Cat features a stepped hull with fast acceleration and plenty of lift. You get a quad engine setup with Mercury 450 Racing outboard motors, and the craft can reach a top-end speed of 78-mph. Other notable features of this boat include a vacuum-infused hull and grid-stringer system for an “invincible” boat that’s virtually unsinkable.

Bali Catspace

If you’re looking for a luxury powercat model, the Bali Catspace Motoryacht is a fantastic – but expensive choice. This model features a design from legendary boat maker Olivier Poncin. This model is a natural cruiser and ideal for the longest ocean-going trips.

The dual hull and high ride height from the water provide exceptional stability for the boat, even in the roughest offshore and coastal waters. The boat comes with a lounge on the deck, and there’s plenty of room around the center console cabin to walk the length of the boat on either side of the vessel. The top level of the boat features the captain’s station and wheelhouse, with luxury living quarters underneath.

Bali Catspace

You get a huge lounge and a v-berth with sleeping quarters for spending the night out on the water. The cockpit presents the captain with a 360-degree view of the water, and the high riding position gives you a view of the ocean that extends for miles.

The boat comes with all the amenities you need, including tables, a full kitchenette, and luxury sleeping accommodations. There are plenty of entertainment options for TVs and stereo systems down below, with an optional hardtop Bimini.

The Bali Catspace Motoryacht receives its power from a single or dual engine setup featuring 150-HP or 250-HP Yamaha motors.

Wrapping Up

With so much variety available in multi-hull powerboats, you have options for any activity out on the water. These boats are more common in coastal waters, and they make excellent fishing vessels.

Decide on the model that suits your activity, as most have a purpose-built design for fishing, watersports, or cruising. There are plenty of customization options, so make sure you keep a budget in mind as the additions can cost more than 20% of the boat’s initial sticker price, increasing your costs.

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John is an experienced journalist and veteran boater. He heads up the content team at BoatingBeast and aims to share his many years experience of the marine world with our readers.

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HammerCat 35

Fast, Luxurious, Light, and Fuel Efficient.

HammerCat 35 - Dimensions

35’ / 10.4m
12’1 / 3.7m Fuel : 2 x 200GI / 2 x 800L
2 x 200GI /   2 x 800L
150L / 40 Gl (option for increased water capacity)
9,000 Lbs /   4000 kg (with engines / half tanks / gear/ crew)
2200Lbs / 1000kg (with engines / half tanks / gear / crew)
>50 mph with standard 2 x 350HP Suzuki dual prop
850HP
Schionning / Hammer Yachts

Epoxy and E-glass, reinforced with carbon fiber. Light and strong, this is the construction method of choice for high end boat builders.

The Design Details

The HammerCat 35 is the first model of the next generation of power catamarans. The design concept was to pencil an elegant, fast, fuel efficient and modern power catamaran in the mid 30’ range.

The impressive “Carolina bow” gives the impression of a much larger vessel. Around Fort Lauderdale, people call the HammerCat 35 'The Beast' as it is so impressive and commands attention and authority. The substantial raised bow (5' / 150cm of the water!) allows for a dry ride at superior speeds even in adverse conditions.

There is a (removable) marlin door in between the engines with a bathing ladder incorporated into the bridge deck. The stern of the vessel has a cut-out just in front of the engines (underside of the hull). This feature allows for faster backing up / reverse following the fish once the big one is hooked and assures clean water over the propellors when underway.

The tunnel / bridge-deck on the HammerCat 35 is significantly higher as compared to other power catamarans, not only does this ensure a softer ride as there is much less slamming but this also reduces any “front splash”, water that is coming back from the inside tunnel towards the bow. The HammerCat 35 also features a "splash guard", a chine with a negative angle under the bridge-deck which pushes any front-splash down, and thus prevents slapping / coughing in between the 2 hulls. The bridge clearance when underway is almost 2’/60cm. While standing on the dock, you can view the underside of the HammerCat from stern to bow. The underwater body also features "double steps" which generate aeration (air cushions) under the hull while traveling at high speed and assure a very comfortable ride.

We paid particular attention to the weight distribution. Catamarans don’t like weight in the bow / stern of the yacht. Our fuel and water tanks are located at the COG (center of gravity), ensuring a smooth and flat ride.

The HammerCat 35 will get on a “plane” on one single 350HP engine and run up to almost 25 mph. We added 2 x towing eyes at the waterline on the bow as some larger yachts appreciate the features of the HammerCat 35 and use it as a multi-functional tender. 

The design features in combination with the high-tech light weight construction make it amply clear why the HammerCat 35 truly is "the next generation power catamaran".

Unique features of the HammerCat 35

Deck: The deck design has its background in commercial fishing for both efficiency and a no-nonsense approach. The stern features a marlin door (and folding swimming ladder under the bridge deck) in the center and two large 65 gallons cooler boxes on each corner (which can be set up as live bait wells with the optional Seachest). The advantage of placing the coolers / bait wells on the corners is the added depth on the corners of the boat as opposed to restriction of placing a bait well on the centerline. The deck also features 2 x forward fish boxes with a length of 8’ and 2 x 7' aft fish boxes. All fish-boxes are insulated, and the drain point is above the waterline, which eliminates the need for pump out or macerator systems. The deck is slightly cambered side to side, and also features a 3-degree slope front-to-aft to allow for any water to flow off easily.

Helm station:  The lay out of the helm station allows for 2 x 24” MFD screens (unheard of for a 35’) and has flat areas for storage of phones & sunglasses. Inside the helm station is space for an optional electric fresh water flushing head. Three Llebroc sport seats with folding bolsters ensure a comfortable ride. The aft facing workstation has a large work area (with sink) and space for storage / tackle box. Forward of the helm station is a double seat with, the starboard side is set up as an insulated cooler. The helm station is covered by a standard carbon fiber hardtop and integrated "rocket launcher" for 8 rods.

Foredeck: Coffin box or U-shaped settee The HammerCat 35 can be ordered with an open fore-deck, a coffin box / lounger or a U-shaped settee.  

The hardtop of the HammerCat 35 measures 10’ x 12’ and weighs just 150 Lbs., so there is no weight high up which can influence the ride in offshore conditions. The hardtop is much larger & wider than on most other center consoles so you and your crew are protected from the sun / elements.  

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power catamaran design

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Schionning Designs International Pty Ltd Leaders in Multihull Design and Kit Development.

Prowler Series

The prowlers use semi-displacement hull shapes, which means if you want to potter around comfortably at 10 - 12 knots or if you prefer flying along at 20+ knots, this boat will do it all in comfort., prowler designs moved into the growler family.

Previous Prowlers with planing hulls have been moved to the Growler Series.

The Prowlers Series have semi-displacement hulls.

  • Prowler VT650
  • Prowler VT950

Now is the Growler 650 VT

Now is the growler 950 vt.

The bigger designs are inboard diesel powered where the smaller designs use 4 stroke outboard motors. Engine size depends on required performance.

Browse the individual designs below and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact the Schionning Designs sales team for a prompt reply.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO

Prowler 1040 GTR Power Catamaran - SDI - Schionning Designs International

Prowler 1040 GTR

The Prowler 1040 GTR looks quite like the Growler VTR, both sharing the new ‘Schionning’ sleek, stealth styling above water but the underwater shape is quite different. The Prowler GTR has a standard semi-displacement hull shape. This is a very efficient hull that travels through the water so doesn’t plane or achieve the very high speeds of the Growler but she is however more economical for longer distance travel and she’ll cruise comfortably and efficiently from 0-22kts.

SDI Prowler 33 Cruiser Power Catamaran - SDI - Schionning Designs International

Prowler 1360

The Prowler 1360 is a semi-displacement power catamaran design, following a more traditional style in comparison to some of the more modern power designs such as the Growler Series. The bows have been kept quite square and sharp, and the cabin features large wrap around windows and angular styling. The foredeck runs forward to the front of the bridgedeck providing a wide spacious area for sunbathing, enjoying a glass of champagne or giving storage space for dinghy or other cruising toys.

Schionning Designs Prowler 1500 Power Catamaran - Exterior CAD Render 01

Prowler 1500

The Prowler 1500 is a semi-displacement power catamaran design, following a more traditional style in comparison to some of the more modern power designs such as the Growler Series. The bows have been kept quite square and sharp, and the cabin features large wrap around windows and angular styling. The foredeck runs forward to the front of the bridgedeck providing a wide spacious area for sunbathing, enjoying a glass of champagne or giving storage space for dinghy or other cruising toys.







 

 

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Power Catamaran Design Information

Discussion in ' Boat Design ' started by IAintYoBarber , Mar 19, 2023 .

IAintYoBarber

IAintYoBarber New Member

Hey everyone, I am looking for some information on the design and architecture of power catamarans. My plan is to design a catamaran between 7-12 meter length. I have read "Modern Ship Design" by Thomas C. Gilmer as well as VI&II of "Principles of Naval Architecture" by Rossel&Chapman. Both books have helpful information, but neither hits on catamarans. I understand there are different structural ideas when it comes to design a catamaran than a mono hull. I am looking more into the planing power cat vs displacement, but all information and suggested literature is much appreciated. I have also looked into some online courses, but haven't found anything that seems more informative than I could get on my own. If you disagree/have a suggestion through personal experience, I'd like to hear it. Thank you for your time.  

jehardiman

jehardiman Senior Member

Welcome to the forums. Hydrodynamics of single-deadrise hulls and their catamaran configurations - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2092678216306045 Also check the references.  

gonzo

gonzo Senior Member

Are you designing it just for fun, or is this to build it? If you are planning on building, a stock plan will save you a huge amount of time and money.  

Ad Hoc

Ad Hoc Naval Architect

Welcome to the forum IAintYobarber You may find these papers helpful. They'll give you all you'll need....  

Attached Files:

MulerGrafCatamaran S'89 - compressed.pdf

MulerGrafCatamaran S'89 - compressed.pdf

soton uni-molland paper.pdf

soton uni-molland paper.pdf

bajansailor

bajansailor Marine Surveyor

Skene's Elements of Yacht Design is an excellent book, and probably more relevant to you than Modern Ship design and PNA. https://www.amazon.com/Skenes-Elements-Yacht-Design-Eighth/dp/0396079687/ref=sr_1_1 How to Design a Boat is another very useful book - https://www.amazon.com/How-Design-Boat-John-Teale/dp/157409050X/ref=sr_1_4 I have copies of both of the above books. Re powercat design, there is an awful lot of free info out there - for instance, have a look at all the free study plans that Richard Woods offers for his Skoota range of power cat designs. Sailing Catamarans - Click here for Power Catamarans (8 designs) http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/6-powercats And do some googling re other power cat designers - the world is at your finger tips via your keyboard.  
IAintYoBarber said: ↑ ...I am looking more into the planing power cat vs displacement, ... Click to expand...
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Alik

Alik Senior Member

We published plenty of papers on power catamaran design: Our Research http://amdesign.co.th/Our_Reserch.html In particular, you can look at this: Nazarov A. Small Catamarans: Design Approaches and Case Studies//International Journal of Small Craft Technology, - The Transactions of Royal Institution of Naval Architects - Part B1 2015.  

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Looking for custom power catamaran boat builder

Pete Smith

Small electric powered catamaran for safety boat use?

saltifinch

Power Trimaran vs Power Catamaran efficiency

Andrew Kirk

A pedal powered catamaran with sail assistance

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Catamaran Design Formulas

  • Post author By Rick
  • Post date June 29, 2010
  • 10 Comments on Catamaran Design Formulas

power catamaran design

Part 2: W ith permission from Terho Halme – Naval Architect

While Part 1 showcased design comments from Richard Woods , this second webpage on catamaran design is from a paper on “How to dimension a sailing catamaran”, written by the Finnish boat designer, Terho Halme. I found his paper easy to follow and all the Catamaran hull design equations were in one place.  Terho was kind enough to grant permission to reproduce his work here.

Below are basic equations and parameters of catamaran design, courtesy of Terho Halme. There are also a few references from ISO boat standards. The first step of catamaran design is to decide the length of the boat and her purpose. Then we’ll try to optimize other dimensions, to give her decent performance. All dimensions on this page are metric, linear dimensions are in meters (m), areas are in square meters (m2), displacement volumes in cubic meters (m3), masses (displacement, weight) are in kilograms (kg), forces in Newton’s (N), powers in kilowatts (kW) and speeds in knots. 

Please see our catamarans for sale by owner page if you are looking for great deals on affordable catamarans sold directly by their owners.

Length, Draft and Beam

There are two major dimensions of a boat hull: The length of the hull L H  and length of waterline L WL  . The following consist of arbitrary values to illustrate a calculated example. 

L H  = 12.20      L WL  = 12.00

power catamaran design

After deciding how big a boat we want we next enter the length/beam ratio of each hull, L BR . Heavy boats have low value and light racers high value. L BR  below “8” leads to increased wave making and this should be avoided. Lower values increase loading capacity. Normal L BR  for a cruiser is somewhere between 9 and 12. L BR  has a definitive effect on boat displacement estimate.  

B  L / L In this example L  = 11.0 and beam waterline B  will be:
Figure 2
B = 1.09A narrow beam, of under 1 meter, will be impractical in designing accommodations in a hull. 
B  = B  / T  A value near 2 minimizes friction resistance and slightly lower values minimize wave making. Reasonable values are from 1.5 to 2.8. Higher values increase load capacity. The deep-V bottomed boats have typically B  between 1.1 and 1.4. B  has also effect on boat displacement estimation.
  
T  = B  / B 
 T  = 0.57
Here we put B  = 1.9 to minimize boat resistance (for her size) and get the draft calculation for a canoe body T  (Figure 1). 
 Midship coefficient – C 
C  = A  / T  (x) B  We need to estimate a few coefficients of the canoe body. where A  is the maximum cross section area of the hull (Figure 3). C  depends on the shape of the midship section: a deep-V-section has C  = 0.5 while an ellipse section has C  = 0.785. Midship coefficient has a linear relation to displacement. In this example we use ellipse hull shape to minimize wetted surface, so C  = 0.785
Figure 3
 
C =D / A  × L where D is the displacement volume (m  ) of the boat. Prismatic coefficient has an influence on boat resistance. C is typically between 0.55 and 0.64. Lower values (< 0.57) are optimized to displacement speeds, and higher values (>0.60) to speeds over the hull speed (hull speed    ). In this example we are seeking for an all round performance cat and set C  := 0.59
 
 
C  = A  / B × L where A  is water plane (horizontal) area. Typical value for water plane coefficient is C  = 0.69 – 0.72. In our example C  = 0.71
  
 
m  = 2 × B  x L × T    × C  × C  × 1025 
m  = 7136
At last we can do our displacement estimation. In the next formula, 2 is for two hulls and 1025 is the density of sea water (kg/m3). Loaded displacement mass in kg’s
  
 
L  = 6.3
L  near five, the catamaran is a heavy one and made from solid laminate. Near six, the catamaran has a modern sandwich construction. In a performance cruiser L  is usually between 6.0 and 7.0. Higher values than seven are reserved for big racers and super high tech beasts. Use 6.0 to 6.5 as a target for L  in a glass-sandwich built cruising catamaran. To adjust L  and fully loaded displacement m  , change the length/beam ratio of hull, L  . 
  
 
m = 0.7 × m
m = 4995
We can now estimate our empty boat displacement (kg): This value must be checked after weight calculation or prototype building of the boat.
  
   
m = 0.8 × m 
m = 5709
The light loaded displacement mass (kg); this is the mass we will use in stability and performance prediction:
 
 The beam of a sailing catamaran is a fundamental thing. Make it too narrow, and she can’t carry sails enough to be a decent sailboat. Make it too wide and you end up pitch-poling with too much sails on. The commonly accepted way is to design longitudinal and transversal metacenter heights equal. Here we use the height from buoyancy to metacenter (commonly named B  ). The beam between hull centers is named B  (Figure 4) and remember that the overall length of the hull is L  .
 
Figure 4
  
 Length/beam ratio of the catamaran – L 
L = L / B If we set L  = 2.2 , the longitudinal and transversal stability will come very near to the same value. You can design a sailing catamaran wider or narrower, if you like. Wider construction makes her heavier, narrower means that she carries less sail.
  
B  = L / L  B  = 5.55Beam between hull centers (m) – B 
  
BM  = 2[(B  × L x C  / 12) +( L × B × C  x (0.5B ) )] × (1025 / m )

BM = 20.7
Transversal height from the center of buoyancy to metacenter, BM  can be estimated
  

BM = (2 × 0.92 x L   × B   x C   ) / 12 x (1025 / m  )

BM = 20.9  
Longitudinal height from the center of buoyancy to metacenter, BM  can be estimated. Too low value of BM  (well under 10) will make her sensitive to hobby-horsing
  
B  = 1.4 × B We still need to determine the beam of one hull B  (Figure 4). If the hulls are asymmetric above waterline this is a sum of outer hull halves. B  must be bigger than B  of the hull. We’ll put here in our example:
  
B  = B B B  = 7.07Now we can calculate the beam of our catamaran B   (Figure 4):
  
Z  = 0.06 × L   
Z  = 0.72
Minimum wet deck clearance at fully loaded condition is defined here to be 6 % of L   :
  
 EU Size factor
SF=1.75 x m  SF = 82 x 10 While the length/beam ratio of catamaran, L  is between 2.2 and 3.2, a catamaran can be
certified to A category if SF > 40 000 and to B category if SF > 15 000.
  
 Engine Power Requirements
P  = 4 x (m /1025)P  = 28The engine power needed for the catamaran is typically 4 kW/tonne and the motoring speed is near the hull speed. Installed power total in Kw
V  = 2.44 V  = 8.5Motoring speed (knots)
Vol = 1.2(R / V )(con x P ) Vol = 356motoring range in nautical miles R  = 600, A diesel engine consume on half throttle approximately: con := 0.15 kg/kWh. The fuel tank of diesel with 20% of reserve is then
  • Tags Buying Advice , Catamaran Designers

Rick

Owner of a Catalac 8M and Catamaransite webmaster.

10 replies on “Catamaran Design Formulas”

Im working though these formuals to help in the conversion of a cat from diesel to electric. Range, Speed, effect of extra weight on the boat….. Im having a bit of trouble with the B_TR. First off what is it? You don’t call it out as to what it is anywhere that i could find. Second its listed as B TR = B WL / T c but then directly after that you have T c = B WL / B TR. these two equasion are circular….

Yes, I noted the same thing. I guess that TR means resistance.

I am new here and very intetested to continue the discussion! I believe that TR had to be looked at as in Btr (small letter = underscore). B = beam, t= draft and r (I believe) = ratio! As in Lbr, here it is Btr = Beam to draft ratio! This goes along with the further elaboration on the subject! Let me know if I am wrong! Regards PETER

I posted the author’s contact info. You have to contact him as he’s not going to answer here. – Rick

Thank you these formulas as I am planning a catamaran hull/ house boat. The planned length will be about thirty six ft. In length. This will help me in this new venture.

You have to ask the author. His link was above. https://www.facebook.com/terho.halme

I understood everything, accept nothing makes sense from Cm=Am/Tc*Bwl. Almost all equations from here on after is basically the answer to the dividend being divided into itself, which gives a constant answer of “1”. What am I missing? I contacted the original author on Facebook, but due to Facebook regulations, he’s bound never to receive it.

Hi Brian, B WL is the maximum hull breadth at the waterline and Tc is the maximum draft.

The equation B TW = B WL/Tc can be rearranged by multiplying both sides of the equation by Tc:

B TW * Tc = Tc * B WL / Tc

On the right hand side the Tc on the top is divided by the Tc on the bottom so the equal 1 and can both be crossed out.

Then divide both sides by B TW:

Cross out that B TW when it is on the top and the bottom and you get the new equation:

Tc = B WL/ B TW

Thank you all for this very useful article

Parfait j aimerais participer à une formation en ligne (perfect I would like to participate in an online training)

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power catamaran design

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9 Best Power Catamarans For Rough Seas and Coastal!

power catamaran design

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Power catamarans are gaining popularity in the cruising world thanks to their enhanced stability and ease of operation. They’re ideal for coastal cruising but can also be used for ocean crossing thanks to their stability and speed.

Here are some of the best power catamarans on the market:

  • Fountaine Pajot MY6
  • Nautitech 47 Power
  • Horizon PC74
  • Lagoon Seventy 8
  • ArrowCat 420
  • Sunreef Supreme 68

In this article, I’ll review some of the best power catamarans out there. I’ll also go over the main features of different power cats and if they can handle rough weather. 

But before we dive in, let’s get a better understanding of what power cats are.

Table of Contents

What Is a Power Cat?

A power catamaran (power cat) is a motor-powered boat that, unlike traditional boats, has two hulls connected by a bridge deck. These vessels are more stable than monohulls because of their wide base.  

Power cats also don’t have a leaded keel to weigh them down, so they’re pretty lightweight and fast. The lack of a keel also means that power cats are more suitable for shallow waters.

power catamaran design

They feature large engines designed to handle their bigger bodies and weights, and serve different purposes, like fishing, cruising, or crossing rough seas. In addition, each hull has a separate engine which makes them more maneuverable, especially at turns and tight spaces.

Power catamarans don’t have sails or masts and get all of their power from the combustion engine (or electric motor), unlike their sailing cousins. In addition, these vehicles are much easier to steer because of their increased stability.

Power catamarans have more interior and exterior space thanks to their multihull design, making them perfect for cruising and liveaboard . They also have ample space for storing everything you need on a cruise without worrying about weighing it down. Catamarans offer increased privacy as well because each hull houses one sleeping area, separated by the living area between them.

Are Power Cats Good in Rough Water?

Power catamarans are good in rough waters particularly because of their multi-hull design. Their wide base makes them stable, and their high speed allows for outrunning bad weather.

Power cats that feature a high bridge clearance, will handle rough waters effortlessly. With the added height, you won’t experience pounding and slamming even in heavy waves, allowing the crew to easily control the vessel in challenging situations.

power catamaran design

These boats are also faster than their sailing counterparts, which means they can get you out of rough waters quickly.

In addition, since catamarans are large and tall, maneuvering is easier because you have a better view of the surroundings. Additionally, you can steer from the interior cockpit (on certain models), making it easier to control the vessel in bad weather.

Finally, although a power cat doesn’t have a keel to help it right itself in case of capsizing, it will still float easily because of its positive buoyancy.

Are Power Catamarans More Efficient?

Power catamarans are more fuel-efficient than monohulls because they don’t have leaded keels. While keels are designed to offer stability by weighing down the vessel, they increase the wetted surface and thereby add drag.

Due to the catamarans’ narrow bow entry, there’s lower resistance, leading to smoother acceleration and greater fuel economy in catamarans. In addition, power cats show fewer spikes in fuel consumption in a single power band, especially because of their smooth acceleration and fuel consumption.

The figures reported by cat owners or manufacturers show that power cats have the best power-consumption-to-speed ratios.

That being said, you can improve fuel efficiency by maintaining lower speeds; studies have shown that speed can be the most important factor in fuel efficiency, regardless of the number of engines or hull types. 

Now that you have a better understanding of power catamarans, let’s take a look at the ten best models on the market.

1. Leopard 53

This 53ft (16.19m) power cat is the fourth generation of the widely popular Leopard catamarans, and brings with it all the great features from her predecessor, the 51. 

Although the 51 was the company’s best-selling cat, they added these features to the 53 along with new ones to repeat its success. For example, they have built an enormous saloon, flybridge, and galley by removing the foredeck cockpit in the 51 PC, making it 30 percent larger than the previous model.

This model comes with three or four stateroom layouts, with the 3-stateroom version featuring an owner’s stateroom, two sinks, a loveseat, and lots of storage space.

With two Yanmar 370 hp engines, a maximum speed of 22 knots, and a cruising speed of 17.5, you can enjoy a magnificent ride, whether it’s long-distance cruising or a fun night out with friends.

2. Fountaine Pajot MY6

This luxury power cat is 44ft (13.40m) long, making it super spacious and suitable for families and big parties. With its spacious flybridge, sunbathing lounge, and enormous galley, it’s nothing short of a second home on the water. 

You can steer the cat from the saloon or the 21sqm (68 sq ft) flybridge which features a sunbathing lounge, a pool, and a galley.

This motor yacht continues to delight with its luxurious combination of privacy and pleasure, with views of the sea in almost every interior space. With three cabins, two bathrooms, six cabin beds, ample storage, and a kitchen that opens into the cockpit, you can enjoy practicality and luxury in one place.

The MY6 is exceptionally seaworthy and stable thanks to its wave-piercing hulls and Volvo IPS engines.

Like all power cats, it has straightforward steering, enabling you to control this beast even in the roughest circumstances.

3. Nautitech 47 Power

Powered by dual Volvo Penta D4 engines, this model can output 225-300hp, reaching a maximum of 22 knots and a cruising speed of 18-20 knots . This 46′ 8″ (14.23m) long power cat comes in three or four cabin versions, depending on the customer’s preference.

No matter which layout you choose, you’ll get a spacious, luxurious, and comfortable catamaran with panoramic views from the cabin. The sleek, streamlined exterior design ensures elegant sailing and seaworthiness.

It’s easy for passengers to navigate the deck thanks to its seamless design that connects the saloon to the cockpit and the rear deck. The stern features a big swimming platform that can also accommodate a tender. The cockpit is usable in different weather conditions thanks to the clear covers wrapping the whole area.

This efficient catamaran promises long cruising for big families and groups with two 300L water tanks and a pair of 645L fuel tanks.  

4. Horizon PC74

The Horizon PC 74 is another luxury power cat that can give you the comfort of your home on water. This 73′ 9” (22.48m) long power cat with a 2,000gal (7570L) fuel tank is an enormous vessel that can accommodate more than 14 people.

The enormous hardtop on the three-piece windshield, the teak dining table, the U-shaped bar, the sun pad, and the swing-out stools all guarantee that you’ll have the luxury cruising experience of a lifetime.

This vast and wide catamaran allows you to access the aft deck from the flybridge via a curving staircase. The vast aft deck has a ten-person dining table, a wet bar, and storage space. You can separate the interior and exterior spaces through sliding glass doors and make the space appear bigger by opening them.

Reaching a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 19 knots, this enormous catamaran was built for efficiency and practicality.

5. Lagoon Seventy 8

This 78’1″ (23.80m) power cat with two 494 HP engines and a 2246gal (8500L) fuel capacity is one of the largest power cats on the market, offering both comfort and reliability. The enormous flybridge can feature a jacuzzi, a sunbathing area, a large foldable dining table, and a hardtop with a moveable roof. However, you can customize the flybridge based on your preferences.

The designers have compromised nothing in terms of elegance and high-quality materials with top-of-the-line finishes and interior paneling to create the kind of luxury you want.

The saloon is huge, well-ventilated, and separated from the exterior by glass doors and panoramic windows.

But what sets Lagoon Seventy 8 apart from other power cats, in addition to its enormous size, is the wide choice of layouts. You can choose between five different versions, all offering the same amount of storage space, living and sleeping area, and privacy.

Additionally, some versions are fully customizable, allowing you to pick every detail to your liking.

6. ArrowCat 420

This 41′ (12.73m) long express cruiser is a semi-custom catamaran with two-stateroom and three-stateroom layouts. The ArrowCat 420 is designed and built with comfort and strength in mind, and capable of handling rough waters safely.

The two Suzuki 350 hp engines give this model a maximum speed of 40 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots.

The streamlined design and the angled hulls ensure the vessel cuts through the waves effortlessly, making it easy to maneuver.

The fully-equipped head features an electric toilet, a shower, sink, and mirrors, coupled with a dining table, floor storage locker, and teak-finished floors. This cat is built to combine luxury and comfort for both onshore and offshore cruising.

7. Bali 4.3

This 43′ (13.1m) power cat is made for ocean crossing in mind. With five different layouts featuring different combinations of cabins and heads, the company ensures you’ll get the kind of setup you want. Regardless of the layout, this cat offers a spacious master suite with a large double bed and other private sleeping quarters.

You can quickly add to the overall space by removing the adjustable glass doors to merge the cockpit with the saloon.

A feature that sets the 4.1 apart from its predecessor is the fixed aft deck between the hulls, which provides a passageway and eliminates the need to go from one hull to the other without entering the cockpit.

8. Sunreef Supreme 68

According to its designers, this model was built with a radical concept in mind while staying true to the company’s promise of building the most comfortable and spacious power cats in the world.

One of the greatest features of the Supreme 68 is its aft garage that houses a 5m (16 ft) tender and two jet skis in addition to other water toys.

You can also transform the aft to a large platform for water sports by lowering the garage door.

The four-stateroom layout features ample storage, ensuite guest cabins, queen-sized beds, and TVs to create a memorable stay. The white and beige furniture with chrome details and floor-to-ceiling glazing create a soothing atmosphere that blends with the practicality of the well-equipped galley. 

However, if you’re looking for something different, you can opt for a customized model from three different layouts.

9. Hudson 48

The sleek, diamond-cut design of this 46.46’ (14.16m) long power cat is usually the first thing to catch your eye.

It’s a light displacement cat that ensures fast cruising with a top speed of 24 knots and cruising speed of 8 knots thanks to the two 370hp Yanmar V8 engines.

The three-cabin layout features a master stateroom with a spacious and well-ventilated design made possible via the three overhead windows and opening deck hatches.

The saloon’s enormous helm station allows for comfortable and safe accommodation, making it great for rough waters and bad weather conditions.

This model also offers a few entertainment options with its large TV systems and mood lighting. The storage areas and the full-sized walk-in wardrobe give this model a comfortable, homely setting.

Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats .

Books:  For getting started, I really like  Cruising catamarans made easy . It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.

Communication:  Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)

Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd .

To see all my most up-to-date recommendations,  check out this resource  that I made for you!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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  1. Power Catamarans: A Complete Guide

    However, the power catamaran is a relatively modern innovation that marries the traditional twin-hull design with powerful engines, offering a unique blend of speed, stability, and space. Distinguishing Design: Power Catamarans are characterized by their twin hulls, which significantly reduce the drag, thus enhancing speed and fuel efficiency.

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    The TH36's comfort factor starts before you even leave the dock. Tom King Four Winns TH36 With an aggressively wide 14-foot-7-inch beam, the Four Winns TH36 packs a ton of creature comforts into this catamaran to exceed the needs of the typical dayboater. Start with the aft living room—er—cockpit, which rivals the setup of many backyard patios.

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    Power Multihulls. These low-drag powerboats give a much better ride and require far less power than other types for target speeds of up to 2.5 to 3.0 times the vessel's hull speed. Excellent economy, a superior ride, and a more extensive cruising range are possible with these displacement multihulls. Some of those catamaran powerboats are ...

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