Henry I don't know what website you are looking at but www.mantacatamarans.comhttp://www.mantacatamarans.com/ is updated frequently! There have been pictures of the power cat after its launch on the site for over a month. We currently have orders for 13. With the optional 210 hp D-4 Volvo's, top end is 22 knots and she cruises very easily at 15-16 knots burning about 9.5 gals per hour total, at 8 knots we figure about a 2400 mile range with 500 gal. fuel capacity. The third boat will have the standard 160 hp engines, which weigh 1000 pounds less, but we wont have data until launch in two months. Current production is one per month. As far as how long it took to develop the design, plug, mold and first hull, we didn't use CAD router which would have been quicker but more expensive, than doing it in house the old fashioned way. I don't know if you have ever taken a design from drawings to a production mold to a hull in the water, but for a yacht in this size range, one year from start is pretty quick for a company our size. All deposited owners that have sea trialed are very happy and are more than willing to wait for delivery. We will be displaying at Annapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami shows.
As far as the design goes, Cort and I have been fan's of Malcolm's for many years, and as we know there are few original design concepts, and imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery. Having said all that, one of our goals was very shoal draft (2.5 ft.) so the tunnels were a bit deeper than other designs. On sea trials ,the design turns nicely with a no lean, flat attitude, has very good directional stability with no bow or hull steering, and the gull wind nacelle seems to do the job in a seaway. She hit her lines perfectly on launch, however subsequent hulls will be a bit lighter than the prototype. We are currently resin infusing the hardtop and have plans to use it in the deck and hull eventually.
Henry I don't know what website you are looking at but www.mantacatamarans.com<http://www.mantacatamarans.com/> is updated frequently! There have been pictures of the power cat after its launch on the site for over a month. We currently have orders for 13. With the optional 210 hp D-4 Volvo's, top end is 22 knots and she cruises very easily at 15-16 knots burning about 9.5 gals per hour total, at 8 knots we figure about a 2400 mile range with 500 gal. fuel capacity. The third boat will have the standard 160 hp engines, which weigh 1000 pounds less, but we wont have data until launch in two months. Current production is one per month. As far as how long it took to develop the design, plug, mold and first hull, we didn't use CAD router which would have been quicker but more expensive, than doing it in house the old fashioned way. I don't know if you have ever taken a design from drawings to a production mold to a hull in the water, but for a yacht in this size range, one year from start is pretty quick for a company our size. All deposited owners that have sea trialed are very happy and are more than willing to wait for delivery. We will be displaying at Annapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami shows.
As far as the design goes, Cort and I have been fan's of Malcolm's for many years, and as we know there are few original design concepts, and imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery. Having said all that, one of our goals was very shoal draft (2.5 ft.) so the tunnels were a bit deeper than other designs. On sea trials ,the design turns nicely with a no lean, flat attitude, has very good directional stability with no bow or hull steering, and the gull wind nacelle seems to do the job in a seaway. She hit her lines perfectly on launch, however subsequent hulls will be a bit lighter than the prototype. We are currently resin infusing the hardtop and have plans to use it in the deck and hull eventually.
