Thanks Malcolm, in that respect the Manta is not a true CS hull, we have a
propeller tunnel and the engine is placed such at we have a slight angle to
the shaft, even though we have a canoe stern. The draft however is very
shallow at 2' 8" with full prop and shaft protection.
Pat

I am planning to buy a power catamaran. In talking with designers and builders
and owners it appears that their boat is the best. Is their an objective certification
that tells me how good a boat is?
?
I know that CE certification is required in Europe--is there something like it for
the US?

What?does "Ocean Class A" mean? Who issues it? Of what value is it?

Is NMMA certification really significant--I don't see any manufacturers
web sites that specify that they have it.

Chuck

Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com

Hi Chuck

Try this link
http://www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/technical/reccraftdir.htm

'A' Ocean category is one of the following:-

Design categories (as in the amended Directive)

Category A - Ocean: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may
exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale)
and significant wave heights of 4m and above but excluding abnormal
conditions, and vessels largely self-sufficient.

Category B - Offshore: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to,
and including, wind force 8 and
significant wave heights up to, and including, 4m may be experienced.

Category C - Inshore: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes and rivers where
conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave heights
up to, and including, 2m may be
experienced.

Category D - Sheltered: Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters,
small bays, small lakes, rivers and
canals where conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant
wave heights up to, and including, 0.3m
may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0.5m maximum height, for
example from passing vessels.

Craft in each Category must be designed and constructed to withstand these
parameters in respect of stability,
buoyancy, and other relevant essential requirements listed, and to have good
handling characteristics.

To my knowledge, the only power-cat builder in N America to achieve  EU RCD
category status is PDQ.
That is not to say that others would not achieve the same - it's just that
they have not.

Regards

Roger Bingham
France