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Playing
with Knives Kevlacat 28: Sharp and fast
By Frank Sargeant
A 50mph fishing catamaran? There aren’t many of them
out there, but the Kevlacat 2800 is right at the mark. Most
power cats are famous for a smooth ride and great fuel economy.
However, the sharp displacement hulls that give them such
a smooth ride have a downside: they prevent full planing,
so speeds a usually moderate.
The kevlacat boasts sharp huss forward and in our test out
of Miami’s Government Cut it went through seas like a
sword. But flattened hulls aft form a planing surface and
consequently they skip on the surface like a pompano fleeing
a shark. Results? With a full load of fuel and Suzuki 200-hp
outboards, the test boat topped out at 49.5 mph.
Of course, maximum speed is not what fishing cats are about,
but this Australian design can cruise at 36.4 mph while delivering
1.6 mpg – excellent figures for any cuddy in this class.
Despite boasting a beam nearly 1’ wider than most competitors
in the 24’ to 28’ range, this is a light boat, scaling
just 3,500 pounds. The secret? Using Kevlar instead of fiberglass
in the layup shav3es off about 875 pounds on the 2800, saving
about 25 percent of the full weight.
The boat is tough under the skin too. There are nine fiberglass
bulkheads with laminated plywood/glass bridges rather than
the seven or fewer seen in most competitors. On catamarans,
strength and placement of bulkheads is critical because they
hold the hulls together.
|
SPEED |
|
EFFICIENCY |
|
|
|
|
OPERATION |
|
| Rpm |
Knots |
Mph |
Gph |
Naut.
Mpg |
Stat.
Mpg |
n.
ml. Range |
s.
ml. Range |
Run
angle |
Sound
level |
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
5800 |
4.2
5.0
7.9
11.6
15.0
22.6
31.6
34.7
37.0
40.1
43.0 |
4.8
5.8
9.1
13.4
17.3
26.0
36.4
39.9
42.6
46.1
49.5 |
4.6
5.8
9.5
13.7
16.3
21.7
22.9
27.6
29.3
33.1
43.6 |
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.0 |
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.0 |
196
188
180
184
199
225
298
271
273
261
213 |
225
216
207
211
229
259
343
312
314
301
245 |
0
1
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2 |
68
70
73
75
80
83
86
90
91
93
96 |
The prototype we tested was a rough-and-ready Australian version.
Shift cables and wiring were exposed inside the cuddy. There
was minimal stowage space and no under-gunwhale rodholders,
and batteries sat under the gunwhales. However models built
in the United States will include rodholders, more stowage,
transom battery stowage and a circular baitwell in the transom.
Cabin options will include a $7,250 dinette and galley. With
the changes, the base boat is still priced right at $46, 416
less power.
One more change that might be considered for US buyers who
visit McDonalds a bit too frequently: the cabin entry door
is only 16 and a quarter inches wide.
Comparison shopping? Check out the 26’2" Glacier
Bay 2760 cuddy, a smooth-riding displacement cat that is narrower
at 8’6", but heavier at 4,400 pounds. It lists for
$44,995 without power. The Glacier Bay probably winds on fit
and finish, the Kevlacat on performance and fishing space.
Looking for a tough, no-nonsense cat that delivers a smooth
ride and high speeds? The Kevlacat 2800 might be for you.
For more information contact Kevlacat Powerboats Australia:
Sharlene Roberts
Kevlacat Powerboats Australia
12 Main Drive
Warana Qld 4575
PO Box 234
Buddina Qld 4575
Ph +61 7 5493 3799
Fax +61 7 5493 3168
info@kevlacat.com.au
www.kevlacat.com.au
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