Outremer 5X to Display at Annapolis Boat Show 2013

The rumors are true!!!! The Outremer 5X will make her official US debut at this year's Annapolis Boat Show! I just booked my tickets, this yacht is a must see for me. If it is for you, then you better get going! It is hard enough to get a glimpse of an Outremer catamaran here in the states, harder even to see Outremer's flagship luxury world cruiser sitting on a dock waiting for you to board. Book your tickets. I'll see you there! If you can't make it and need video or have questions, call me. 786-879-0700. =) More info here:justcatamarans.net/news

Power Catamaran Comeback

Power Catamarans have been a hot topic lately, with many of my clients attracted to the trawler type cats as a transition from sailing but reluctant still to give up life on the water. To date, there have not been many made as very few manufacturers took on the task: Manta, Lagoon, Privilege, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard and PDQ had some success. Lagoon, having a strong financial force had the ability to create a new market backed with supporting research. However, their research led them to a different course - developing the hybrid diesel-electric systems for the sailing market. In 2007 Lagoon ceased the production of their Lagoon power catamarans to make way for the demand they anticipated with the new technology. As fate would have it, the market crashed in 2008 and virtually all motor yachts were on standstill for sale or were given away (for cheap).

Now, here we are in mid 2013 and the consumer market as a whole has been on a steady climb. So, naturally, some of the manufacturers are ready to talk power again. This time they're going BIG. Lagoon is developing their 62ft powercat (based on the current Lagoon 620 sailing catamaran) and Leopard is coming in with the 51 (based on their 48). These big cats should make a splash, particularly among those whose plans include vacationing on the water (maybe a little less so for the Great Loop crowd). In my experience, sailors and power boaters have a very different mentality, especially considering speed! Try it ... ask a sailor what he considers fast then ask a typical boater. The results won't surprise you. Speed has been one of the main issues for the power minded. The Leopard 51PC is said to come with two Standard 150hp John Deer 4 cyl - with an option to upgrade to 370hp Yanmar 8 cyl. Lagoon's will come with Volvo D4 260HP or Volvo 300HP engines and will debut in April 2014. Let's see if they can match the speed of a similarly priced yacht. If so, you might be seeing more catamarans with or without masts floating about!! If so, call me. I will bring drinks!

Manta Catamarans Planning a Comeback

After the company ceased production following the former and beloved owner's death in 2008, the company never picked itself back up, despite having a hard core following and being one of the very few US builders of catamarans. Now, Manta Catamarans are in the early stages of re-opening production of the Manta Power and Sail Cats under the new ownership of Charlotte Harbor Sails in Florida. While the new owners are still gathering data for their business plan, they state they hope to begin cleaning and prepping the molds in mid-July and aim to be ready for production in August. Manta's first boat will be the Manta 44 (tentatively called the Mark V) Power Cat with plans to be ready for display at the Miami Boat show. If they are met with enthusiasm by the public, they will continue with their plans to begin production of the Manta 42 Sail Cat shortly thereafter. In addition to reviving the models we have come to know, plans for a new line are in the works for sometime in late 2014-2015. Calling all Manta Owners for their input! (image pictured above is of Manta 44 Powercat PANGEA in 2011 when she was out for yearly bottom paint.)