----- Original Message ----- From: Pat Reischmann<mailto:preischmann@msn.com> To: power-catamaran<mailto:power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com> Cc: dan<mailto:dan@mantacatamarans.com> Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 6:06 PM Subject: Re: Power-Catamaran Digest, Vol 9, Issue 11 Just an update on performance with the Manta 44 PowerCat. We recently launched hull no. three and four. Hull no. three has the standard Volvo 160 hp D3 engines. With half fuel, top speed was 20 knots, she cruised at 15 knots consuming 10 gal per hour. Hull no. four had the optional Volvo 260 hp D4 engines, these are the same engine as the 210 hp D4 but supercharged. With half fuel, top end was 23 knots, and she cruised very easy at 18 knots, consuming 12-13 gals per hour, and at 15.5 knots, only consuming 9 gals per hour. The D3 is an all aluminum engine and weighs 500 lbs less than the D4 which is a cast iron engine. The D3 however runs at higher rpm. max is 4000, while the D4 max is 3500, so at speed the larger engine is quieter. On earlier tests the 210 hp D4 engine showed a top speed of 21 knots and cruised at 16-17 knots consuming 11-12 gals per hour. At trawler speed of 7-8 knots, the D4's consumed about two gal per hour, while the D3 was closer to three. Needless to say the larger engines cost more, so one needs to way the cost vs. performance as well. Come January, Volvo will be increasing the hp on the D3 to 190, and the D4 210 hp to 225 hp. Both of these engines are fully electronic common rail, smooth, quiet, no smoke, full computer diagnostics. The D3 has mechanical shift and throttle, and require after market electronic shifters and synchronizers, while the D4 comes standard with electronic shifters and synchronizers. There are currently 14 hulls sold, base price with standard equipment is 420k US. Also there has been a lot of discussion about centerline beds and what might be sacrificed to do this in a boat our size, and I will tell you the first thing is performance, it requires more head room on the main deck, hence more weight and windage which all affects fuel economy and performance and ultimately aesthetics as well. We looked at this very carefully with the Manta when we designed it, and new it was a concern for many wives (They have to make the bed), but to do it in a cat in the 44 size range would have compromised our performance goals in a big way. Certainly on larger cats in the 50 ft. and above range there is enough size and length to have this feature without serious compromise of performance. We on the other hand put great emphasis on the area where one spends 90% of the time, the cockpit!.