[PCW] New powercat

[Alan Bliss]

The original G-Cat, a 16' beach-launched daysailing catamaran, had an  
uneven reputation for construction quality. It was pitched as an  
alternative to the ubiquitous Hobie 16. The company concentrated on  
marketing, rather than on design and construction. To be fair, the  
same may be said of many yacht builders who got their start in the  
1970s, but whose practices improved since. Hunter Marine is one  
example. Maybe G-Cat can make the same leap.

Mr. Scheiffelin seems correct - the spaces aboard this 36' power cat  
appear extremely cozy, and hard to cool in the summer. At the same  
time, 30" of draft isn't exactly skinny for a boat that weighs only  
7600#. Overall, it's what a Stiletto sailing catamaran would look like  
if it were stretched out, then had a Disney monorail car bolted to the  
cross-members. It's innovative, but I'm not sure what kind of boating  
it's suited for.

Alan Bliss

On Jul 18, 2009, at 10:52 AM, John Schieffelin wrote:

> While browsing through a recent copy of Yacht Trader magazine I came  
> across
> an advertisement for the GCat36 power cat. I have not seen this boat  
> before.
>
>
>
> It is an outboard-powered catamaran with very thin hulls and a  
> somewhat
> ungainly, boxy cabin. You can see the boat and a video on the  
> company's web
> site,
>
>
>
> www.gcat36.com.
>
>
>
> I gather the GCat 36  is made in Florida, and the founder made  
> sailing cats
> for many years before starting this power cat company. The hulls are  
> so thin
> that I wonder if the well-padded among us could squeeze between the  
> sink and
> the wall in the head area. The cabins in the hull seemed awfully
> claustrophobic at first glance, but perhaps they are bigger than  
> they look
> on the web site.
>
>
>
> What is the impression among the readers of this blog?
>
>
>
> I also noted in the same issue an advertisement for Prout  
> Catamarans. I
> remember an interesting 64-foot Prout power catamaran I saw at a  
> boat show
> many years ago, but I hadn't realized the company was either still in
> business or had been resurrected. The web site is
> www.proutinternational.com.
>
>
>
> Does anyone know these boats?
>
>
>
> The first complete Maine Cat 47 powerboat should be near completion.  
> I look
> forward to magazine reviews with interest. The boat seems to be one  
> of the
> best thought-out designs in several years, and I hope the company  
> will make
> a go of it. I was sad when PDQ folded, since their boats were so well
> designed and well built.
>
>
>
> J. Schieffelin
>
> Jamestown, RI
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