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Kevlacat
2600 Series 7.2 Sportsfisherman
Based at Buddina, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Kevlacat
has been building boats for well over a decade. Designed on
a catamaran-style hull, the company now boast seven base models
ranging from 5.2m to 12.4m.
One of the newest of these is the 2600 Series 7.2m Sportsfisherman.
Like most of Kevlacat’s designs, the 7.2m is available
in a number of versions. While the basic hull design remains
the same throughout, the deck layout and superstructure is
available in a variety of configurations. This means those
looking at a craft purely for leisure and comfort can have
it purpose-built, while game and sportsfishermen can opt for
a well appointed sports model. There’s even a basic pack
available for general bottom bashing and professional work.
Kevlacat’s 7.2m hull features two main side sponsons
and a central tunnel in traditional cat style. It is the additions
Kevlacat has made to this basic cat design, however, that
make its hulls some of the most efficient and smooth riding
on the market.
Each sponson has a generous flat section running along its
bottom, from the stern for around three-quarters of its length.
This ‘plank’ not only gives the hull an efficient
planing surface, but adds the buoyancy necessary to prevent
the vessel from sitting too deep in the water.
In addition to the Kevlacat ‘plank’, reversed planning
strakes run on both the inside and outside edge of each sponson.
These strakes start off at about 40mm in width at the stern
then taper to nothing over the last metre or so to the bow.
The strakes offer additional lift and stability and divert
most of the spray that is generated by the hull, downward.
With minimal spray created on the inside of the tunnel, very
little fine spray is dragged through and sucked back up into
the cockpit while travelling. This was a problem with many
early power-cats and remains a problem with some designs today.
Not so, however, with Kevlacat’s handiwork.
For the technically minded, it’s worth running through
the ins and outs of Kevlacat’s hull construction.
The 7.2m is constructed of glass-reinforced polyester isothalic
resin and chop strand, reinforced with two layers of unidirectional
Kevlar (hence the name!).
All bulkheads and bearers are made from GRP with waterproof
structural ply reinforcing. They are laminated into the hull
with stiffeners.
Balsa reinforcing features in the forward section of the tunnel,
while the transom is reinforced to 50mm thick to take all
types of sterndrive engines (an outboard version is also available).
The Kevlacat’s superstructure is moulded from chopped
strand GRP.
The Kevlar component in the hull make-up offers increased
strength and reduces the amount of overall weight. This, along
with the above mentioned extra buoyancy, contributes to a
shallow draft of around 600mm and good performance from smaller
engines.
Kevlacat’s 7.2m test craft was fitted with twin 170hp
Yanmar diesel inboard engines – an unusual configuration
for a vessel of this size. A to-order set-up, the 7.2m is
usually offered in twin outboard and twin sterndrive set-ups.
The Yanmar engines certainly perform well and get the power boat
up and going with virtually no effort. There is no real ‘lifting
up’ of the hull as the hull moves onto the plane. The
‘dead’ area sometimes experienced when lifting out
of a hole ahead of reaching planing speed is not evident,
either. Indeed, this is one area where the advantage of Kevlacat’s
hull design is clear. It allows very low planing speeds with
minimal effort from its engines. Such an attribute is worth
considering if you intend to do a lot of trolling or tackling
rough weather – in conditions where it’s comforting
to maintain the planing attitude of the hull without careering
along too fast.
Fuel consumption tests in average conditions with typical
loads indicate a cruising consumption of around 9lt/hr per
engine. There’s not too many 7.2-metre boat owners who
would complain about that sort of consumption.
Kevlacat’s tester had twin fuel tanks boasting a total
capacity of 630lt fitted under its floor. That’s a potential
range of over 600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of around
20 knots.
The test boat’s top speed was more than 30 knots and
the company said that with twin 225hp outboards, it has taken
a 7.2m Kevlacat to 44 knots!
Each Yanmar engine is located under a hatch in the aft section
of the hull in the two sponsons. While you can hear the diesels
ticking over, they are not overly noisy.
In fact, the over-riding impression of the 7.2m Kevlacat was
how quiet and soft the hull was when motoring. And with the
twin shaft-mounted props wide-set, steering with the engines
rather than the wheel offers excellent manoeuvreability in
tight situations such as berthing or when fighting fish.
The afternoon of our test had moderate weather but with an
average swell running. We were in Kevlacat’s home waters
off Queenland’s Sunshine Coast.
During the test, I was able to find a few breaking waves and
larger swells off a headland. In steep, close-together seas,
the 7.2 ran nicely down the face of the waves and, with a
bit of a push on the stern, there was no broaching or wanting
to be pushed deep into the next wave.
This is where the Kevlacat’s full-length planing strakes
and ‘plank’ are of additional benefit – they
ensure the hull has the lift to prevent the bow burying.
When you have a look at the Sportsfisherman’s layout
and cabin, it’s obvious a lot of pride goes into every
vessel.
Aside from the boat’s excellent finish and quality componentry,
it has a spacious aft cockpit with room for a small chair
if required. Non-skid and self-draining, the cockpit is easy
to keep clean, although some anglers might wish to add some
marine carpet or neoprene to reduce glare and protect its
floor.
While a gallery is available, the test boat was rigged for
gamefishing with the full aft deck area well utilised.
At the helm, two pedestal seats were mounted on large boxes.
The back half of the boxes are bench seats with padded cushions.
Underneath these boxes is a large plumbed bait tank on one
side and a good storage hatch on the other.
While the Kevlacat is trailerable, it’s a hefty boat
perhaps best suited to being moored in a marina. Said company
spokesman, Adrian Temminck: "On a (road) trailer, you’re
looking at three-and-a-half to four tonne. You might need
some kind of permit for that, but I know a Land Cruiser can
tow it easily."
The helm area features full instrumentation with a hard-top
and rocket launcher overhead.
The cabin is lockable with a good size double bunk that runs
across the beam of the boat.
Access to the cabin area is on the port side where you step
down into one of the sponsons. This side of the Sportsfisherman
has a flushable toilet and adequate headroom. A storage area
is available under the bunk.
Kevlacat’s test boat featured an impressive list of standard
equipment and extras – too long to even contemplate running
through.
Having sampled the factory vessel, it’s safe to assume
Kevlacat purchasers can rest assured they can order a boat
with everything that opens and shuts and ‘must haves’
fitted correctly.
The Kevlacat 2600 Series 7.2m Sportsfisherman is certainly
a boat worth looking at. It has the advantage of being spacious,
efficient, reliable, stable and offers excellent rough weather
handling. All very commendable attributes.
For more information please contact Kevlacat by phone on 07
5493 3799, fax 07 5493 3168 or email:
info@kevlacat.com.au
| Specifications |
|
| Options
fitted: |
Apelco
GPS, Raytheon colour sounder, 27 meg and VHF radios,
Reelax outriggers, head, deck wash, livebait tank, hydraulic
steering |
| Priced
from |
Base
price (w/twin 150hp outboards)….. not given |
| Hull |
|
Material
Type
Deadrise (at transom)
Length
Beam
Weight (hull only)
Fuel capacity
Max rated hp |
GRP
with Kevlar
Catamaran
NA
7.2m
2.77m
3000kg
630lt
2 x 225hp |
| Engines
(as tested) |
|
Make/Model
Rated hp
Type
Displacement (ea)
Weight (ea) |
Twin
Yanmar 4LHDTE inboards
2 x 170hp
Inline four-cylinder turbo-diesel
3455cc
406kg |
Article taken from Fisherman & Boatowner
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