HammerCat 35

Test location: Miami, Florida, USA
Conditions: Wind – easterly 10 knots; Sea state - slight

While highly-powered Open Fishing models are legion on the market - particularly in the United States – very few adopt a catamaran hull. But this is where Hammer Yachts are placing their bets. The general size remains very close to a standard Open Fishing model, with a beam of 11’10” (3.60 m) and length of 34’1” (10.40 m). On the other hand, the almost rectangular foredeck works well between the two sharp bows creating a very marked central tunnel, sculpted in a gullwing shape. This architectural work is the fruit of collaboration between Schionning Naval Architects, the South African builder Uwe Jaspersen from Carbo Tech, and the American Peter Wiersema, formerly at Leopard. The builder opted for foam/epoxy sandwich construction and carbon reinforcements to achieve a hull that is particularly stiff and resistant to impacting the sea at high speeds. The use of these top-of-the-range materials also guarantees a lightweight hull – 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg) fully laden but only 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg) without fuel, water, engines and crew.

The HammerCat 35 is characterized by her two thin hulls, her square foredeck and her relative beam.
This first model is powered by two 300 hp Suzuki outboards.

Excellent seakeeping behavior

Weight centering has been seriously optimized, as well as the double chine to ensure early and stable planing – trimtabs are no longer necessary. Heading into the waves, the HammerCat 35 offers excellent passage through the water and takes hardly any spray thanks to her very tulip-shaped topsides forward. The steering remains very precise during tight turns. The 35 has a slight counter heel: it’s more pleasant than staying flat and being subjected to centrifugal force. Lateral stability, both while under way and at anchor, is excellent - nothing like an Open monohull of the same length. The twin 300 hp outboard motors allow powerful acceleration to reach almost 45 knots. Clearly, 50 knots will easily be exceeded with the maximum 800 hp engines. So, we’re dealing with a very sporty Open Fishing model. The two 210 US gallon (800-litre) tanks allow a surprising range for an Open – in fact, Peter has covered more than 300 miles in a day... enough to broaden his outlook! Nevertheless, the two powerful outboards can only be considered as economical at speeds below 12 knots.
Nb: 140 cubic feet (4,000 liters) of foam make the 35 unsinkable.

The hulls are chined, optimizing the boat getting up on the plane.

 A safe deck layout

The deck design is as simple as it is neat: a nice cockpit area and the central sugarscoop (this can be closed up) give way to the “seating area”, protected by the hard top. Here, there is space for seven on well upholstered seats: two aft, three opposite the helm station and two forward, backs to the console and longer for stretching out. The side decks are wide and perfectly protected by high, thick bulwarks, and handrails surround the boat. There is plenty of storage space. The helmsman sits on the right, with a very complete set of instruments on the console. The view over the water is perfect. There’s no cabin, but still a mini heads compartment.

The side-decks are wide and well-protected by safe bulwarks.
Note the numerous handrails.

Conclusion

An atypical product in the Open Fishing sector and devilishly attractive despite her high price tag: you’d be hard pushed to find a 35-footer with such impeccable behavior at sea.

The Pluses
+ Exceptional seakeeping qualities
+ Large range even at high speed
+ Equipment and quality of finish

The Minuses
- High price for a dayboat
- Higher fuel consumption at speeds over 12 knots

 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Builder: Hammer Yachts
Material: foam/epoxy sandwich and carbon reinforcements
Length: 34’1” (10.40 m)
Beam: 11’10” (3.60 m)
Laden displacement: 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg)
Payload: 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg)
Water capacity: 40 US gal (150 l)
Fuel capacity: 2 x 210 US gal (2 x 800 l)
Max speed: 44 knots with 2 x 300 hp outboards
Max power: 800 hp (up to 4 engines)
Price: $ 299,000 ex-tax
www.hammeryachts.com