Alucat W25 Cabin 8

Alucat is a Finnish family business. The company was founded 35 years ago, and the catamaran activity began in 2003 with the aim of building a powercat for work or government use. The project was born in Pieksämäki, eastern Finland, and brought together a team of experts specializing in boatbuilding, professional uses and even racing boat drivers. Indeed, the initial idea in choosing the catamaran design was to be able to carry fairly heavy loads, give the boat good sailing capacities and achieve convincing performance. In fact, the boat is based on a catamaran hull originally used for racing!
In 2009, to take the project forward, Alucat LTD was created, with the W600 designed for the government as its first model. The highlight of this powercat is the opening front door, essential for easy loading and unloading of equipment. In 2013, the W8, a small open powercat particularly popular with fishermen, was launched as a more versatile project that could meet the needs of both professional and leisure users.
Since then, the company has continued to develop its range, and has even moved into a new factory in 2019 to satisfy rapidly growing demand (100% every year!)

A catamaran that’s almost entirely recyclable

In addition to their design, what sets Alucat catamarans apart is their production method, which focuses above all on protecting the environment. Aluminum was chosen because it is entirely recyclable - and also because it is a very popular material in Scandinavia. The builder’s approach doesn’t stop at aluminum, since Alucat manages to manufacture a complete catamaran that is almost 100% recyclable. This also applies to the factory, which uses the latest technologies to protect the planet. What’s more, each model is built to workboat quality standards, i.e. with very thick aluminum and solutions that are made to withstand intensive use. As an example, our test model can support up to 5 tons of payload, and the anchoring points and other cleats are designed to withstand up to 10 tons!
The W25 we’re seeing in Finland is one of the yard’s latest products. As always at Alucat, this is a platform whose layout is entirely decided by the customer. In concrete terms, this means the famous competition-inspired catamaran hull, and after that, almost anything is possible, since the boat can be completely open, with a small cabin or even a cozy layout for a weekend on the water. The nacelle, or rather the platform in this case, remains low enough above the water to offer easy access to the deck.
Our test model, the W25 Cabin 8, is designed for transporting goods or light vehicles, i.e. ATVs, motorcycles or other equipment. In addition to the sturdy and flat floor, the W25 naturally features a tilting front door that doubles as a ramp. This configuration is primarily utilitarian, of course, but it is perfectly suited to accommodating one or more wheelchairs. If this ramp isn’t enough, a crane is installed on the starboard side for loading and unloading goods. Getting around on board is easy, even to the stern which features a handy little platform between the two engines.
In case of rough seas, sturdy handrails provide support. Like the layout, the powertrain is chosen by the customer and can be inboard or outboard, as on our test model. A hybrid engine will also be available from 2024.
There’s also an aft platform between the motors, something that’s always practical.
As its name suggests, the Cabin 8 has an enclosed wheelhouse. Easily accessible thanks to a sliding side door on each side, this cabin is also elevated, allowing optimum visibility even when the foredeck is loaded. This relatively basic cabin benefits from large picture windows, offering a 360° view. Once again, such a panoramic view is quite useful, both when sailing and maneuvering. With its high ceilings, this cabin can accommodate storage space above the windshield and on the sides. The rest of the dashboard is basic but complete, with plenty of space for instruments. For the occasion, we had driver and co-driver seats with suspension, which makes navigation even more comfortable, especially for professional use.
At the rear, you can opt for two individual seats, a small bench or two seats with a table in the middle to make the trip more comfortable. On this model, storage space was a little lacking, especially in the cabin, but once again, we’re on a custom boat, so you can ask for almost anything.

A very comfortable ride

The W25 Cabin 8 weight is about 5,500 lbs (2,500 kg), which is reasonable for a 34-foot (10.4 m) powercat. It can be powered by two inboard engines (maximum 2 x 270 HP) or two outboard engines (maximum 2 x 250 HP). That’s more than enough power. In fact, 2 x 200 HP would even be sufficient, and it’s precisely in this configuration that we tested it.
Positioned high above the water, the Captain enjoys an unobstructed view, rather like in a minivan or SUV. Comfortably seated on the leather suspension seat, all that’s left to do is push the throttle. With the doors closed, the engine noise is barely perceptible, allowing you to sail in silence, chat or listen to music. As a catamaran, the time to plane is quite short (5.2 seconds). Once underway, the powercat quickly picks up speed, reaching a cruising speed of around 22 knots and a top speed of 27 knots - more than enough for most uses. With 2 x 250 HP, you could even easily exceed 30 knots, but that’s not really what the Alucat is all about. Performance aside, what we really appreciate is the boat’s on-board comfort and stability. As the boat picks up speed, the two hulls shift significantly, and the slight camber helps to create a cushion of air under the platform - a real natural shock absorber! Once underway, the powercat literally flies over the chop and smoothly over the waves. Same feeling in curves, where the W25 turns fairly short and, above all, stays flat, making for a very pleasant ride.

Conclusion

Although it’s first and foremost a powercat dedicated to working, the Alucat W25 can offer a completely different face. All modifications are carried out at the shipyard and on request, making it an extremely versatile platform attractive not only to professionals, but also fishermen, yachtsmen and those looking for an original, solid craft that is, above all, totally adapted to their use.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Builder: Alucat (Finland)
Overall length: 34’1” (10.4 m)
Beam: 11’4” (3.45 m)
Light displacement: 5,500 lbs (2.5 t)
Max power output: 2 x 250 HP outboard 2 x 270 HP inboard
Recommended power: 2 x 200 HP
Fuel: 2 x 79 US gal (2 x 300 l)
Water: Option
CE Category: C
Max number of persons: 24
Cabins: 1
Sleeps: 0
Price: starting at € 140,000

One of the W25’s strong points is of course its tilting bow door, which makes it easy to load goods or provide wheelchair access

The Powercat can also be equipped with a crane, further enhancing its versatility.

The huge, totally flat front cockpit can carry around 3 tons of equipment.

The wheelhouse is a good size, with plenty of room to move around, and is raised for good visibility from the helm.

On our test model, there are 4 individual seats, but you can opt for two seats and a small table in the rear.

The dashboard is fairly basic, but there’s plenty of room for all the necessary equipment.

Suspension seats are a real plus for comfort, whether for work or leisure.

The powercat can be powered with inboard or outboard propulsion, as on our test model.