Overboat - (Electric) foiling for anyone
Test in MW#176
This modern and futuristic pocket catamaran allows anyone to fly above the water thanks to its four electronically controlled and automatically adjusted foils. These retractable appendages make it easy to leave from a beach or a pontoon, and return to your starting point. The Overboat is capable of a top speed of 15 knots thanks to its 4.5 kW electric motor in the single-seater version. At 12 knots, there’s enough power for 2 hours. The Overboat, which is classified under category D, passes very well through an 18” (0.5 m) chop, which is quite rare for a boat of this size. A “Classic” version, without foils, is also available.
Builder: Neocean
Length: 10’2” (3.10 m)
Beam: 4’7” (1.40 m)
Max. draft: 2’7” (0.80 m)
Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Motor: 4.5 kW
Max speed: 10 or 15 knots
Classic version price: € 12,500 ex-tax
Overboat 100-Foiler price: € 26,900 ex-tax
Ballistic 5000 - A cat for fishing and day trips
This mini catamaran designed for fishing - and of course day trips – is offered by Australian builder Spirited Designs, a specialist in multihulls in kit form. Delivered at any stage of completion, the Ballistic 5000 is very light thanks to its Divinycell/epoxy foam sandwich construction. As a result, this little catamaran can be powered by smaller engines, and is easily transported on a trailer. The deck layout is clever: the entire surface area has been exploited, thanks to a full deck at the bow and a platform at the stern. The helm station and cockpit are perfectly protected, and the superstructure houses a mini-cabin.
Builder: Spirited Designs
Length: 16’5” (5.00 m)
Construction: Epoxy sandwich
Motors: 2 x 50 HP outboards
Powercat 525 - Small but tried and tested
The test videos of this pocket powercat leave no doubt about its seakeeping qualities: the machine jumps from wave to wave and always seems to be at ease, whatever the sea state. For all that, the designers are not looking for power overkill - 2 x 30 to 2 x 120 HP. The maximum speed quoted by the builder, subject to the chosen drivetrain, ranges from 16 to 30 knots. The deck layout comes in several versions - open, central passage, cabin - and can accommodate 7 people.
Builder: Powercat
Length: 17’3” (5.25 m)
Beam: 7’5” (2.25 m)
Draft: 11” (0.30 m)
Light displacement: 1,300 lbs (590 kg)
Motors: 2 x 30 to 2 x 120 HP
CE Category: C
Castlerock Carbon Cat - The temptation of a rib
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Designed in Australia and built in New Zealand, the Castlerock Carbon Cat was designed by Dan Oatley, a member of an Australian family well known in the boating world. This catamaran RIB is built from an aluminum chassis and a carbon deck. Trim is controlled by a pair of trim tabs. Although this boat’s short length confines it to relatively sheltered waters, the top speed recorded with a modest 115 HP is still 60 knots… We can only imagine that the Formula 1 version, with double the engine power, is reserved for very experienced skippers. The manufacturer is also announcing a 7.5 Chase.
Builder: Carbon Cat
Length: 17’5” (5.30 m)
Beam: 7’10” (2.40 m)
Displacement: 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg)
Capacity: 6 people
Fuel: 21 US gal (80 l)
Motors: 115 HP/135 HP outboard
Top speed: 60 knots
Electricat Big Six - Betting on inflatables
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At a time when paddleboards and many small boats are now adopting inflatable technology for their construction, the choice of the manufacturer Hovercraft to offer inflatable catamarans is not all that radical... The models available today are somewhat smaller than the first 8.30 that we discovered in January 2020 at Boot Düsseldorf. We’re taking a look at the Big Six, which has 130 sq ft (12 m²) of usable space on deck and another 65 sq ft (6 m²) up top, and can sleep six.
Builder: Hovercraft
Length: 19’8” (6.00 m)
Waterline length: 16’8” (5.07 m)
Beam: 10’2” (3.10 m)
Light displacement: 990 lbs (450 kg)
Max power: 8 kW
Max speed: 13 knots
Price: € 10,000 ex-tax
V625 - Compact but seaworthy!
Despite its limited length, this Australian powercat has great seakeeping qualities thanks to its gliding hulls and generous bow volume. With a total displacement of 4,630 lbs (2,100 kg), it is easily transportable by road. The V625 is suitable for many uses: fishing, coastal meandering, family day trips... The cabin can be closed or remain open. Inside, two bunks can be converted into a double bed. This small catamaran offers different seat combinations, as well as an optional shower, toilet, sink, stove or refrigerator. For the roof, you can opt for a hard top or fabric protection.
Builder: Voyager Catamarans
Length: 23’ (7.00 m)
Beam: 7’9” (2.35 m)
Draft: 16” (0.40 m)
Displacement: 4,630 lbs (2,100 kg)
Capacity: 6 people
Fuel: 48 US gal (180 l)
Motors: 2 x 70 HP/115 HP outboards
Speed: 20/40 knots
Price: AUS$ 114,500
Bagou 7.0 - Open and electric
Test in MW#171
Presented to the public just two years ago, this power catamaran is original in more ways than one. First of all, the construction is in epoxy plywood, then, it has an open deck - no cabin - and finally, it offers efficient electric motors. During our test, we easily reached 10 knots and were able to appreciate the hull’s excellent passage through the chop. The different power options will allow you to optimize speed or range. For those not so keen on this fine zero emissions compromise, traditional internal combustion outboards remain an option. A new model, the Bagou 8.0, will be coming soon.
Builder: Bagoù Boats
Overall length: 24’1” (7.35 m)
Beam: 9’1” (2.77m)
Draft: 18” (0.45 m)
Light displacement: 1,875 lbs (850 kg)
CE Category: C/10 D/12
Construction: Plywood epoxy
Motors: 2 x 2 kW, 2 x 6kW, 2 x 10 kW or 2 x 50 kW
Batteries: 10 kW/h to 60 kW/h
Max internal combustion engines: 2 x 75 HP
Price: € 60,000 ex-tax
Timesquare 20 - A catamaran for day-trips
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Austrian boat builder Frauscher specializes in high-end craft - their catalog includes 5 different models of runabout and 4 boats with center console. The company is also well established in the electric boat market with 4 models... What is new, though, is that Frauscher are moving into catamarans, with the TimeSquare 20! This day boat is designed for navigating on protected waters and lakes. A hedonistic program for 7 people which does not skimp on the high-tech side of things, since this multihull integrates carbon fiber in order to reduce its displacement, making it barely a ton. The electric propulsion systems on offer range from 2 x 2 kW to 2 x 10 kW with a battery bank from 7 to 30 kWh. The deck plan totals 215 sq ft (20 m²); it is modular and integrates a refrigerator, a sunshade and an audio system.
Builder: Frauscher
Length: 27’3” (8.30 m)
Beam: 8’2» (2.50 m)
Displacement: 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg)
Motors: 2 x 2 to 10 kW
Battery bank: 7 to 30 kWh
Capacity: 7 people
280CC-X - Suitable for any program (or almost any)!
Test in Special Issue #17
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The American Worldcat range counts six models from 23 to 40 feet - all of them, of course, having a catamaran hull. The 280CC-X we took a look at has a center console, but the manufacturer offers a wide choice of deck plans on most of its hulls - Dual Console, Sun Deck or even World Cat Custom. 11 people can be accommodated aboard this platform, which is suitable for a wide range of uses such as coastal cruising, fishing, diving and water sports. At ease in all sea conditions, the 280CC-X has a cruising speed of 25 knots.
Builder: WorldCat
Length: 27’6” (8.38 m)
Beam: 9’2” (2.79 m)
Displacement: 7,300 lbs (3,650 kg)
Draft: 14″ (0.36 m)
Max power: 2 x 225 HP
Cruising speed: 25 knots
Max speed: 40 knots
Fuel: 2 x 110 US gal (2 x 416 l)
Pinball - Hybrid and versatile
2022 Multihull of the Year Nominee
The designers of this platform, developed in the region of the Arcachon basin in southwestern France, chose to use a catamaran configuration so as to offer a deck area 45% larger than that of a monohull. However, the beam is in line with that of a “modern” monohull – 9’8” (2.95 m) in width with a hull length of 27’4” (8.33 m). The aim is of course to use the same size marina slip. The manufacturer has developed an original hybrid drivetrain: one central diesel engine of 265 HP and two electric motors of 8 kW each, with ducted propellers. At 4 knots, the range in electric mode is two hours. In the internal combustion mode, it is possible to set the electric motors going, but this time using alternator power. The deck plan, which includes a tilting platform, has been optimized for ease of use, comfort and storage. The sundeck folds up to form a mini-cabin for two, VW Combi style.
Builder: Pinball Boat
Length: 29’6” (9.00 m)
Beam: 9’8” (2.95 m)
Displacement: 7,720 lbs (3,500 kg)
Draft: 2’3” (0.69 m)
Drivetrain: 265 HP and 2 x 8 kW
Max speed: 25 knots under engine, 6 knots under electric motors
Fuel: 75 US gal (285 l)
Water: 35 US gal (135 l)
SKWAL 29 - Acatamaran fitted out for diving
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Kaori Concept offers numerous sail and motor boats, all built in wood, to Gildas Plessis plans. Among them, many multihulls... including this new model designed to deliver divers to their dive sites. The Skwal 29 measures 29’6” (9 m) and is built using a very complete kit in plywood / bio-sourced resin and flax fiber in order to minimize its impact on the environment. This lightweight catamaran is powered by twin outboards (though inboards are possible) and will be able to reach 20 knots without excessive fuel consumption. The cabin and deck plan have been designed to accommodate 14 to 16 people.
Naval Architect: Kaori Concept
Length: 29’6” (9.00 m)
Max speed: 20 knots
Material: plywood / bio-sourced resin and flax fiber
