From: Robert Deering <deering@ak.net> I'm Bob Deering. I've been a long-time (though inactive for a couple years) subscriber to Georgs' Trawler list, and while reactivating my account there discovered this new list. In scanning through the archives I see several friends are regulars too - Dennis Raedeke of the WildWind IV (met Dennis when he cruised through SE Alaska a couple years ago - hope you finally caught that big halibut you were seeking Dennis!), Bob Austin of the trawler list, and others. For many years now I've owned a 28 ft aluminum power catamaran built by Armstrong Marine of Sydney, BC. It's a fast, planing cat powered by twin 225 4-stroke Yamahas. Yes, it's fast. Primary use is sport fishing and exploring SE Alaska. Armstrong Marine folded shop in BC then subsequently reopened in Port Angeles. Very fine boats, and the Armstrong family was a joy to deal with. Understand that things have not changed from what I hear. I saw a discussion on Moose Boats - that company was started by one of the Armstrong boys down in CA. I see the heritage of my boat in the Moose boats, though Moose is considerably upscale (and up-budget!!). My plan is to design and build my next catamaran - a 45 ft cruiser/fisher/liveaboard for extensive coastal cruising in SE Alaska and points south (and north). I'm close to finishing the hull lines, but I need to make some decisions on propulsion so I can wrap up the hull design portion. I could certainly purchase a commercial boat that meets many of my needs, or buy a known design - those would be rational things, and a lot less risky, but since when do recreational boats have anything to do with "rational"? So far I'm having fun, and my wife is tolerating it. As I'm getting my head around this design, lots of questions are popping up. Hoping I can use this board as a source of technical info and motivation. Bob Deering Juneau Alaska ------------------------------------------------------------------- Glad to have you aboard, Bob! Be sure to keep us posted as your power-cat project moves forward. --Georgs -- Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com