catamaran from northern diver

[Fenlander]

Must admit I'm really looking forward to testing the Elling KB350 to see how much effect the floor to wave contact has in different sea states.

[jeffstevens763@g]

a shame that, not a lot on info on the ND site, odd if its a flat bottom that its shown with a 15hp engine on it which would make it very dangerous and why would you want that kind of power

[Fenlander]

Must admit I'd not noticed the floor height in relation to tubes on the ND one. Makes sense for maximum interior depth and hauling folks aboard over the bow. But yep it's going to be a flighty tea tray of a SIB on the plane.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

a shame that, not a lot on info on the ND site, odd if its a flat bottom that its shown with a 15hp engine on it which would make it very dangerous and why would you want that kind of power

I don't get the 15hp either. From the way he was talking, I think they are aiming it at canals, reservoirs, floods etc
If you take a look at the 2nd picture on the website, I think you can tell it has a flat bottom.

[Steve509926]

Chipko, Where's "Up North and right a bit"?

[chipko]

Steve we’re based at Beadnell during the season.

[Steve509926]

"For the season" - So where are you for the other 10 months of the year
Beautiful part of the country, but that North Sea wind can be bloody cold! Spent a lot of time around there when we lived in Hexham, but it's a good few years since I've been up that way. Never been on the water on that coast, another place on my must visit list. I remember there was a great pub which did fantastic seafood at Low Newton, just off the beach. I can see a long weekend being planned during the summer

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by chipko

Steve we’re based at Beadnell during the season.

wow spent some time diving from there over the years

[Poly]

Originally Posted by pumpkinking

Do we think this catamaran is more for river and lake use? Seems very flat hulled?

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Must admit I'd not noticed the floor height in relation to tubes on the ND one. Makes sense for maximum interior depth and hauling folks aboard over the bow. But yep it's going to be a flighty tea tray of a SIB on the plane.

is that not the point of a cat? very easy to plane, lots of grip in corners, very shallow draft, not necessarily comfy in big chop.

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I don't get the 15hp either. From the way he was talking, I think they are aiming it at canals, reservoirs, floods etc
If you take a look at the 2nd picture on the website, I think you can tell it has a flat bottom.

15HP might make sense heavily laden in floodwater / fast flowing rivers.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Sorry to spoil the party!
Just back from ND, picked up another dry suit to try for size.
I asked them a few questions about the catamaran :-
1. Not out of the same stable as Saturn
2. The "trampoline" is attached to the bottom of the tubes from bow to stern. So it's a flat hull not a tunnel hull.
3. Primary use is for inland water search & rescue.
4. They did some trials on the Humber estuary with Humberside Fire & Rescue. Bounced a lot in slight chop.
I'll be back there tomorrow, so if you want me to ask anything else let me know.

you could ask why they call it a cat when its flat bottomed like a punt Steve, i notice two skegs in the kit picture too


found this one air cat
https://www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk/bo

[pumpkinking]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

you could ask why they call it a cat when its flat bottomed like a punt Steve, i notice two skegs in the kit picture too


found this one air cat
https://www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk/bo

Also looks good!

But, alas, from the video looks again like it’s designed more for cruising around Italian lakes than flying over white tops. Although perhaps more Cat than Flat so in the right hands could made to fly?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_con...&v=fS2sKpk54zo

https://www.aquamarina.com/products/aircat/

[Fenlander]

Powered by a Chinese air cooled strimmer too... oh dear.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Air cat two boats 5& 10 hp rated as with all boats they have to be driven to the conditions you have to go Cesar surf cat etc if you want to jump waves these small cats great for throwing in the boot with small hip engines in sheltered water IMO

[chipko]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

found this one air cat
https://www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk/bo

Hey Jeff another good find. Keep em coming there matey.

Joking apart, for £800ish quid this little 3.4ish cat is probably worthy of a second gander. In its favour it has thermowelded seams and 4 + 1 compartments...Takacats have only three...crazy or what. Only rated to 10hp (common for lightweight cats) it will be eminently suited to the featherweight Tohatsu 9.8 two stroke.

Despite the crass video, powered by ‘strimmer’ motor, if its got decent diameter toobs and with a decent motor then reckon it has potential to give a fun ride.

Personally I’d not dismiss any of these small lightweight cats as low speed, flat water,river only wallers. Having piloted 3.4 Takacat’s (and Surfcats...another story) then can vouch these can be so much fun playing around in the surf zone and generally hooning around in. Yes, relatively easy to flip if being stupid upwind, but can also give a smooth/ish ride pushing on in chop....use that air cushion.

Fully appreciate it’s a no name, Chinese made piece of pvc and air, but it is cheap and perhaps worth a punt...or at least a bit more research. Cheers.

[jeffstevens763@g]

The takakat started out as a 15 hp rated but they dropped to 10 hp but as you know you’d just have to have it flat out even at my age she’d have to have it

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

you could ask why they call it a cat when its flat bottomed like a punt Steve

When the question was asked - "two hulls was the answer given"

Search and rescue is definitely their main business though, when I was there I think the whole of the Welsh police diving team was there, testing kit and using the pressurised diving water tanks they have there. Interesting to see how many police are divers in Wales, there was loads of them.

On a different note, if anyone is in the market for dry bags, their own make look great quality for the money.

https://www.ndiver.com/roll-top-dry-bags

[chipko]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

found this one air cat
https://www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk/bo

Hey Jeff, thanks for the heads up on Aqua Marina, took a punt and ordered one....holy shit!

Initially interested in the AirCat but noticed their U-Deluxe range of sibs also share the same flat deck tunnel hull. Managed to get a good deal well under 600 quids delivered from their fleaBay outlet on the middle size 298 model.

No idea on quality but we’ve had a couple of Aqua Marina paddle boards for over 7 years still going strong. The boat does look a tad basic with virtually no d-ring tie down points or lifting handles, only has 41cm dia toobs and the rubbing strake appears to lack any anti-splash drip. In its favour though are thermowelded toob seams and the tunnel hull, plus it only weighs 28kg.

Hoping for this to replace our little Bic Sortyak which is kept on the beach and used on calm days chilling out in the bay. Not envisaging leaving this on said beach but light enough to be easily dragged the short distance through the dunes on transom wheels. Initially will pop our spare 3.5hp motor on but if a keeper will source a 9.8 Tohatsu 2-stroke for it.

Obviously hoping it’s going to be better than it’s meagre price suggests but not the end of the world if it turns out to be a bit of a melon.

Fingers crossed! Ha Ha.

[jeffstevens763@g]

That looks ok chipco should be ok with the 3.5 for pottering

[ShadowDiver]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

you could ask why they call it a cat when its flat bottomed like a punt Steve, i notice two skegs in the kit picture too


found this one air cat
https://www.marineandoutdoor.co.uk/bo

Is it CE Marked and, if so, then I presume it must be Design Category C or D. I expect D. It says 3 + 1 chambers, how can this be? If we presume that the +1 is the floor then how can two tubes have a total of three chambers? That makes no sense at all. If each tube had a fore and aft chamber then that would be 4 + 1 total. If each tube has only one chamber then it would not be compliant.

The CE mark is critical, it is not legal for them to sell it for leisure use otherwise. But they could sell it for rescue/commercial use. But the website says makes a great stable fishing platform, weekend pleasure cruiser for whole family clearly they are aiming at the leisure market.

[Fenlander]

>>> took a punt and ordered one....holy shit!

Holy impulse buy Batman!!