[PCW] The Weirdness of Power Cats

[Drew Dolak]

Weird, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If one considers the 
plethora of vessel designs over the ages, Where do power catamarans 
fall among dhows, junks, caravals and Kon-Tiki? These and many other 
vessels, power catamarans included, follow the artists' maxim, "Form 
follows function."

We first saw a cruising power cat in 2003 in the Bahamas; Journey, an 
Endeavour 44. It was described by the owner, George, as an ugly boat, 
but it made so much sense. The Endeavour 40 is even "uglier" but to 
us made even more sense. We were sold on power cats.

We have a Motorcat 30. A great boat for short cruises. Six weeks in 
the Bahamas and this 30 footer gets a bit cramped. So, a larger boat, 
but what? We sold our 45 foot sailboat, yet miss the quiet of hearing 
the porpoises "poof" as they go by. So, bigger than 30 feet, smaller 
than 45 feet, shallow draft, narrow enough to berth, live aboard 
capable, great gas mileage, (the MC30 gets 2.34 mpg average, but gas 
is $5/gallon in the Bahamas. Any guesses where the price of fuel will 
top out?), fast enough for 200 mile days, reputable, amenable 
builder, excellent fit and finish, and quiet. Dse 12m Hybrid. Weird, huh?

Drew Dolak