*To power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com The article below came to my email box as part of a longer R33 newsletter. A sport boat Powercat. Now that is a concept! John --------------------------------------------- <http://www.r33.com/> The Reynolds Powercat* The most exciting new development around Reynolds Design is the introduction and first sea trials of the new Reynolds Powercat. It is essentially an R33 without rig and equipped with a hard deck and twin 60 HPs and has proven to be an amazingly powerful, and agile sport boat. The Powercat is very economical (4-7 miles to the gallon) and versatile. The Mariner magazine out of Marina del Rey California did a review on the boat in this month's issue: <http://www.r33.com/en/update/index.asp> The Mariner -- The schism between powerboaters and sailors has long roots and in all likelihood they're not going to stop growing anytime soon. Like Oscar and Felix, they coexist based on some commonalities and shared interests, but they find them selves often being annoyed by each other. But lo and behold maybe there is finally a boat that bridges the gap between the factions and, like Jimmy Carter in 1979, can make the two adversaries shake hands, smile and agree. The 33-foot Reynolds Powercat might be such a boat because it uniquely and effectively blends elements of both types of vessel into a fun agile sport boat. The Reynolds Powercat is a derivation from the R33 catamaran sailboat that was just recently voted Sailing World's Multihull of the Year for 2006. Last year the R33 won the Founder's Cup, The Governor's Cup and the Newport to Ensenada Race (ORCA Class) and a host of other competitions across the country as well. This sailboat has been reviewed in many publications and websites with strong accolades consistently written about its solid and sturdy base construction. That solid foundation is what makes the Powercat a worthy choice for the buyer who is looking for a boat that is fast, economical, comfortable and versatile. "I love going to Catalina, " said designer Randy Reynolds. "I have a 34' Scarab right now, but I stopped taking it out because it costs a hundred bucks every time I take the thing out, but in this boat it only takes twenty dollars and it's only ten knots slower." The Reynolds Powercat currently is set up to carry twin 60 HPs, but will soon be equipped with twin 90s which Reynolds believes will enable the boat to cruise at speeds around 28 knots. Due to its lightweight construction, the boat boasts gas mileage between 4-7 miles per gallon. Its open deck allows ample room for guests, family or fishing buddies as the case may be and it also has sleeping quarters suitable for 4 adults. As a sailboat, the R33 has encountered and survived some enormous seas and treacherous wind conditions, proving it to be a boat that has the strength to handle whatever is thrown its way. During initial sea trials of the Powercat's prototype, Reynolds encountered some dreadful conditions and put the boat through a particularly rigorous test right out of the gate. " I went out in gale conditions - 12 foot seas --real close together, 50 knot winds and I'm still around to talk about it," Reynolds said only half kidding. "The seas were coming from three different directions -- 10 to 12 feet tall breaking. I felt like I was in the surf. I started out heading into the waves then turned around and ran with the seas and was doing twenty-five knots. The boat preformed very well from a steering standpoint. Even though it looked like it could easily broach (due to the conditions), it had enough power and maneuverability to steer straight." Reynolds made it back from the harrowing trial pumped with adrenaline, but more confident that the boat is indeed sturdy and safe. The cockpit of the Reynolds Powercat has an enclosure and built in back rests making for both a comfortable ride with added security. This boat makes for a practical fishing boat or a sporty family cruiser that is easily trailerable or can fit into a standard slip. It's plenty fast and the sleeping accommodations are surprisingly comfortable. The Reynolds Powercat comes in at around $118,000 equipped without the motors and appears to be a solid versatile boat for the potential owner that's looking for something that can suit a myriad of purposes.

>The Reynolds Powercat* >The most exciting new development around Reynolds Design is the >introduction and first sea trials of the new Reynolds Powercat. It >is essentially an R33 without rig and equipped with a hard deck and >twin 60 HPs I don't know what to make of the PR the boat is getting. When I was in California before Christmas, and wanted to see the boat, my emails and telephone calls went unanswered. Undaunted, I decided to drive to the shop but discovered the address on the site was a mail drop--at a UPS Store that no longer accepted mail for Reynolds Design. If anyone has better luck than I did in seeing the boat, please post your impressions. --Georgs -- Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com