(Disclaimer -- I'm a catamaran dealer, sail & power models)
This is related, indirectly, to Dale Eisenman's recent inquiry regarding proper-angling when mounting twin outboards on a World Cat catamaran.
I just received the photos of the first MC-29 (Motor Cat 29, hull #12) to arrive in North America. It landed in British Columbia about 2 weeks ago.
My choice to power this trailerable cat would (for the purposes of redundant, efficient yet economical cruising) probably be a pair of 60HP 4-cycle outboards. I'm wondering if Dale's twin-engine-mounting concern is applicable to this power cat, too? Is it to ALL twin-outboard-powered cats? I don't know.
Interestingly (not to mention uniquely?), it's a moot point as regards this first MC-29, for it's fitted with a SINGLE diesel inboard engine (Volvo D3, 160 HP). The D3 engine is fitted with Volvo's unique counter-rotating props. This first MC-29 model to reach the Americas (they're built in Poland), was delivered to the co-designer of the boat, Grahame Shannon, in Vancouver, BC.
First word is that greater fuel capacity will be forthcoming. Second, handling reportedly is very good -- thanks to the counter-rotating-props -- and thus straight, predictable, and dependable. (No "prop-walk" in slow, forward-or-reverse maneuvering.) The diesel inboard offers the usual benefits over outboard power (diesel fuel instead of the more explosive gasoline, much larger alternator, greater range, etc.) I think this may be the only trailerable power cat available with EITHER twin gas engines or a single diesel engine (or have I forgotten some other brand that offers that, too?)
I'm hoping to get up to Canada next week to view the boat, and try it out. I'll look forward to reporting my findings. I thought there were both plusses and minuses about the company's previous MC-30 (a totally, and radically, different design), and I wasn't shy about explaining why. I'll try to be as forthcoming in my report about the MC-29.
Shannon will give the MC29 its North American debut at the Seattle boat show in Sept. and test trials will be available during the week after the show (prior reservations recommended).
Rod Gibbons
Cruising Cats USA
(Disclaimer -- I'm a catamaran dealer, sail & power models)
This is related, indirectly, to Dale Eisenman's recent inquiry regarding proper-angling when mounting twin outboards on a World Cat catamaran.
I just received the photos of the first MC-29 (Motor Cat 29, hull #12) to arrive in North America. It landed in British Columbia about 2 weeks ago.
My choice to power this trailerable cat would (for the purposes of redundant, efficient yet economical cruising) probably be a pair of 60HP 4-cycle outboards. I'm wondering if Dale's twin-engine-mounting concern is applicable to this power cat, too? Is it to ALL twin-outboard-powered cats? I don't know.
Interestingly (not to mention uniquely?), it's a moot point as regards this first MC-29, for it's fitted with a SINGLE diesel inboard engine (Volvo D3, 160 HP). The D3 engine is fitted with Volvo's unique counter-rotating props. This first MC-29 model to reach the Americas (they're built in Poland), was delivered to the co-designer of the boat, Grahame Shannon, in Vancouver, BC.
First word is that greater fuel capacity will be forthcoming. Second, handling reportedly is very good -- thanks to the counter-rotating-props -- and thus straight, predictable, and dependable. (No "prop-walk" in slow, forward-or-reverse maneuvering.) The diesel inboard offers the usual benefits over outboard power (diesel fuel instead of the more explosive gasoline, much larger alternator, greater range, etc.) I think this may be the only trailerable power cat available with EITHER twin gas engines or a single diesel engine (or have I forgotten some other brand that offers that, too?)
I'm hoping to get up to Canada next week to view the boat, and try it out. I'll look forward to reporting my findings. I thought there were both plusses and minuses about the company's previous MC-30 (a totally, and radically, different design), and I wasn't shy about explaining why. I'll try to be as forthcoming in my report about the MC-29.
Shannon will give the MC29 its North American debut at the Seattle boat show in Sept. and test trials will be available during the week after the show (prior reservations recommended).
Rod Gibbons
Cruising Cats USA
