As a test vehicle for motors I'd say you guys did the right choice. 20% less weight is a deal breaker for my back. A bit surprising the cat don't come with a "closing mesh" to stop stuff to roll off. Can't be that hard to make thought. Anyway, a comment for the AI to chew on. Hope people discover your channel asap. I think you guys do a great job 👋
Hey!! Thanks man, it was. Tough one to make as I too have troubles with my body! Thanks for the comment too, in an AI world it’s why makes soooooooo much difference and we now have the research to back it up! So much appreciated, thanks! 👍😀❤️
I've owned a Takacat. They're great. One of their best features, I think, is the built in, stable boarding ramp at the front when you pull up to shore; no rocking, easy to un/load heavier things like ice boxes. I also enjoyed not having to bail it out after a rain storm when being used for tender duties.
Yeah, I can see those advantages working well. The open transom grew on me, most likely due to the overall stability of the boat, it basically meant that I felt confident the bags in the boat would stay upright. That being said, I’m pretty sure I would put a mesh there as I’m generally quite clumsy 😂🤷♂️
Very nice presentation I even admire the fact you doubted the cat yet clearly loved it. your decision and your reason behind choosing the boat you did makes total sense. I look forward to the upcoming challenges you put the outboards through.
Thanks for that. It was a total surprise and I honestly loved it. But.. we’ve got to do what’s right for us, hopefully the outboard testing works out. Just at Boot Dusseldorf show at present organising some of the testing, looks like we’ve got some good stuff to test!
Get hold of a Truekit Chris. We just have a small 2.5m because we store it on deck athwartships, but it's great. Light enough to pull up on deck by hand (no halyard) will plane 2 up with my 9.8hp 2 stroke and goes really well with the ePropulsion Spirit. The thing we're all waiting for though is an electric outboard that will plane a dinghy with 2 people, when that happens petrol outboards are dead.
Hey Steve, good to hear from you matey. Thanks for the pointer, I think when we’ve finished this outboard series we’re thinking cat for the aluminium boats tender. I’ve seen seem cool motors here at Boot, and some promise the figures that we wishing for…. Question is, where is reality! Let’s find out! P.s good choice on your motor, I presume it’s the Tohatsu - I think they have the best power to weight ratio on the market?
I saw a Torqeedo Travel XP Review recently the rubber dinghy was on the Edge to go into plane with one person. I am pretty sure with a better cavity plate, catamaran dinghy and optimized prop it would have been archived. But there are 2-3 kw options out there do you know anyone who tried it? By the way I love your yt films
@mauersegler9894 the problem there is the optimised prop. Sadly the guys are selling on numbers due to many magazines wanting figure like static thrust. This is great but it’s not much use for functional movement, there are some out there who are really going into prop development for certain speeds etc. Remigo being one. There are a few other out there and we hope to discover these in our testing!
@mauersegler9894 ahhh! Nice to see a familiar face! We met by his guy a few years back at a trade event. He’s a german importer and supplier of electric propulsion systems. Great video too but I’m not convinced she was planning there was no significant rise in speed and the bow appeared to remain pointing at the sky. Let’s see if we can get XP on test too and try to get some more revealing shots. Cheers for the link, really valuable 😀👍
Watching for the last couple of years and I wanted to say a big thank you! This is one of my favourite channels; I didn't know where you'd go a year (maybe 2 ago) but I really look forward to keeping up with your journey. (I don't generally comment but now I have broken that silence, is there a way to support you both? And Secondly, keep on at the trade shows regardless of audience demands - you do you, some of us do care about latest marine tech!) Much love from whitstable
Hey!! So nice to read this, thank you! It’s great to get support like this. We are currently at BOOT Dusseldorf and it’s been great meeting some of our viewers and receiving their feedback too. It’s been a while since I was around your way, I remember the isle of Sheppy, Whitstable brewery and some cool wooden boatyards not far away too! Great place and great sunsets! Thanks again! - if you do want to support us further you can join us over on Patreon, we have a small community growing over there which we would gladly welcome you into!
Sorry to hear that you were not able to choose the Cat. I bought a Takacat 3 years ago and love the fun and performance. It is so stable and easy to assemble and go. The floor of the boat actually does not touch the water when on plane keeping the wetted surface to a minimum. I also experienced ventilation issues with my 6HP motor. Once I installed the plate it no longer was an issue. In bigger waves I found that taking them at a 45º angle was stable and when going upwind kept the spray down.
Having for that, some great info there. The ventilation is a bit of an issue, I presume it’s because the stern wave is minimal. Which of course gives us that efficiency. Cheers for the tips, super valuable for cat owners. As for us, I kinda fancy building a cat dinghy some point, I think it would be really interesting and fun!
Hi from Portugal. I had several tenders, in 2023 I bought a Takacat, amazing, fun, until I had some strong upwind and waves... i just sold it last year. It's not for rough seas (medium seas...).
We really like our Takacat 260. Max legal outboard is a 6. True kit is probably a better brand longevity wise but we prefer the open stern of the Takacat. No bailing after a rain or when it gets a little sporty outside. Dont tow it any faster than 15 or so as it can start to kite a bit. Near zero drag towing it. Either add a net to stern or just move the inflatable seat to the stern. No gear is lost but water if any just drains out the back. we use net bags for gear anyway. These all need plates when a higher horsepower outboard is used. Packable, less than 60 pounds and very stable.
@stevenhorwood1300 sounds fab, there’s a lot of people love the takacat! Nothing better than a kite influenced dinghy for some entertainment mind! 😂🤦♂️
Great review! The cat wouldn't get swamped with rain while unattended nor while being towed. Are they rated to be towed? I wonder if some mesh or netting could be attached to the transoms to catch the apples, oranges and beverage containers rolling around. Also, how well do they row or paddle?
Hey Kyle, Thanks for joining the conversation! Yeah, god pot about the rain, one thing less to think about! The netting too - simple. As for rowing… I’m lazy you see so I’m not sure 😂 mind yo it’s clearly more efficient in use so it’s got to be easier. As for holding direction I can’t see it being much different. Sadly though, it’s gone back so I can’t give you any further info on that, maybe his fair isle up and ask about their cat dinghy 👍🏼
Nice to watch another good video, as always! It looks we have common passions, relatively .. campers and boats. I'm also building my camper (an ex fridge box on a VW T5 chassis), so I was looking to buy a dinghy and outboard for storing them under the chassis in a custom alloy box. Got a 5yo used pvc boat for 500 euro, 1 month ago, mono, Quicksilver Airdeck 320 wich allows for 20hp motor (a rare option for that dimension). Choosed it because of the good price, but my future dream is to build an inflatable cat with a foldable carbon fiber deck panel. Then, 2 grp nesting hulls for a bigger cat - to support the whole weight of the camper, kind of an amphibious. Now I am looking for best deals on the european sites to buy a new 20hp Merc or Tohatsu. I just returned yesterday from CMT Stuttgart expo, wished I could come to Dusseldorf, too. But time and budget was short. Do you have any contacts or links of the Tohatsu or Mercury dealers in EU present in the Boot Dusseldorf that had discounts for the expo period? Thanks! Silviu
Hey Silviu, Thanks for your comment. Yeah, it sounds like we do have a lot in common! Mind you, I won’t be going amphibious with our camper! You nutter! That’s sounds fab!! As for the dinghy, I quite fancy building one too, although we’ve got a yacht to get floating first so I think you will likely beat us to that! As for motors. Sadly we don’t have any contacts for petrol motors at present. I would be going for a Tohatsu 9.8 2t if I had the option as the power to weigh ratio is unbeatable. That being said…. They are not easy to get a hold of without a marine business. Sorry I can’t help with a 20hp though.
If you have some time on your hands have a look at 'truekit' inflatables. They are made in New Zealand. Pretty sweet boats. Anyways rad vid, keep up the good work 🙌🏼
We have a Caesar Pencil, which is very similar, basically a smaller Zapcat, which we use as a tender. As the Caesar has a solid floor, it can handle up to a 25hp motor, which is very very scary! A 15hp is a good compromise for weight and speed. The Catamaran hull seems to like a longer engine shaft length, as once you get fully on the plane you are just riding on the back third of the sponson and the outboard leg. It’s a lot of fun 😀
Great video, dingy aside the A-frame boat house in shot has been a restaurant shop and not sure what it is now, but since my 20’s and I’m 60 now I’ve wanted to but that building make it a home and put an in house jetty underneath it, also pity the ski jump is no longer there as that might have been best test for a dingy 😂 oh and love Lochernhead most my youth was playing in that area, St Fillans end is nicer though
I use to hang with the McLaren brothers who worked in the water centres they also played a band in the hotel now and then, after centre shut we used to jump it and bugger about on the mastercraft they had?! Great stuff?!
Fascinating comparison, like you I have never tried a cat dinghy. Added flexibility as a sup, which got me to thinking about the relative psi pressures' and whether the cat had a higher inflation pressure thereby making it flex less?
Yeah, the cat is a cool set up, the pressures were the same though, the cat get on the plane at much lower speeds and the floor is basically not on the water when planing, only the tubes are. The V hull needs to channel the water and waves to the back of the boat so it has a lot more forces acting on it which cause it to flex.
For ocean cruising I'd definitely favor the more traditional black dinghy as well. Flat water is wonderful; however, when cruising to more remote communities you can often end loading and unloading in nasty locations. You don't want bags washing out of the dinghy. Personally, I'd want to see how well both boats handle when rowing.😊
Would have been nice with 2 people on boat which is most of the time didn't say the weight load on either boat long shot can you operate cat without deck attached ? Very good video oh would deeper shaft solve problem?
Hey, yeah I think a longer shaft would fix it! So you need the floor fitted for the cat to work. As for the load, I mentioned the weight carried and all tests were done with two people on board. The drone shots and a few others were taken from land so Jenni was not on board but all testing was done with two people and around 30kg extra weight.
I think you made the right choice. Yes, the cat is fun, goes faster, is lighter, and has the advantage you identified. However, in the real world, what do you use a dinging for? Transporting goods and people to and from the boat to shore. Think of that bag of oranges or apples that falls over and out the stern in the cat. Where do you secure the laundry you are taking to shore to wash or the bags of trash to dispose of? If I wanted a toy I would get the cat, but if I want a boat to service my larger boat the conventional inflatable serves you better.
Sure, I think your right, but if I were building one from scratch I think I would reinvent the cat. It’s so much easier to lift and move around which for me is the reason I sometimes don’t make it ashore when I really should….. Anyhow, we’re happy with our choice so let’s have some fun testing motors! Thanks for joining the conversation too, some great points there👍😂😀
Whenever you do it my friend! Sadly we don’t make anything from these videos and a day is all we had to spend with both boats. If we can make the channel work we look forward to some more in depth reviews 👍
One problem with catamaran type that I don't think was mentioned is the "internal freeboard"... as the floor is between the tubes there's not as much height between seat or tube top and floor, as compared to a monohull with floor below tube. So on a cat you either sit with your knees uncomfortably high, or tend to end up part-kneeling (at least one knee on floor) as you were in much of the video. This can be quite uncomfortable on longer journeys, particularly if you have "old" knees!
Considering your budget I'm surprised you didn't check out the Aqua Marina Aircat 335. It's lighter, has a much better transom and is cheaper. I think you should give it a go. Truekit is really good, however, they're out of your budget for the time being. Saying that, I understand your reason going for the mono though. Cheers.
Cheers for the info! Always nice 👌 and yeah, they probably could have been a valid option. Hopefully your comment helps others find them too! Thanks 👍🏼😀
Like your logic. Just my bias 2cents but Isle makes the Flywater-only 49 lbs. and 12.5ft. It's a cat w/ a closed bow that's really rigid (3x+ comp) with a ridged built in air deck and 5 chambers total. A little pricy and its open stern only takes up to a 5hp, but I bet your Temo would push it 5-6 knots. Functional for a Dingy that can carry up to 600 pounds. I must say your Cat does look fun
Sadly she’s not my cat - it’s gone back as we chose the mono. I can see your thoughts on your other boats but I really don’t see a 450w motor pushing anything at 5kn. Mind you, a 1kw would be an interesting test for sure. Maybe in the future we can make that happen. 🤔
@@SailHub I have the Elite which is 500w electric and can move the Sea Eagle FishSup1210 up to 7mph per their marketing. I gotta think it would move a Cat like yours (better hull design) is faster. That Temo is the same as the Elite. Anyways enjoyed your vid
@GuySkellenger thanks! Much appreciated! I can see your thoughts, my only thought is the cat we tested is twice the weight which will be making a difference to lift out and into the plane. I guess we won’t know unless we test it! Still though, some great valuable info there. Thanks ! 👍
@belkenator that’s very true, and of course as a marine business you can usually still buy them too. In the uk for instance, it’s just public sales that are effected.
I think that would be the simplest option but personally I don’t understand why the don’t just make the transom lower, especially the open transom models.
@andrewjamez ahhh thanks, I think it’s due to the efficient hull making a smaller stern wave. If we get to faff with one again I think I will start modifying the transom to simulate a longer leg and see if that helps.
Hi Rod, Cheers chap, yeah they have offered us some help but it’s really about us and our needs for this year. It’s more about testing motors and we want the results to relevant to our audience of which I presume the majority use monohull dinghy’s.
Hey up! How’s that boat of yours coming along? Not sure about the spam but we didn’t get a link, that’s for sure. Tell me more about the Anglesey cafe, it’s not making much sense to me at present
@@SailHub Hi, Just arrived for 24 hours (waited for Storm Éowyn to die down). Going to remove the chart table to prepare space for Refleks, and plan the central heating. Not been down since the new year. Dinghy wise, we went for a Highfield 290 classic as we were expecting a 1nm "commute" in the Menai Strait. Should just fit between the staysail stay and the mast. As we expect to spend most time at anchor having a dinghy that is dry and can carry lots of stuff was our priority. We have an Epropulsion Spirit with 2 batteries. Our longest test was from Gallows Point (south of Beaumaris) to the "beach" at Penmon Point (through the channel at Puffin Island). We have wheels on the transom and were able to beach in the small swell and get up the beach pretty easily. There is a really nice cafe called the Pilot House there so made a great destination for the test. We can do about 3.5knots without going flat out. With a very old (and not yet refurbished) Mercury 9.9 I can get on the plane one up, really needs a tiller extension. Two up can't currently get on the plane. Unfortunately, it would be hard and expensive to do a big real world test in different conditions with different loads. For us coping with big chop and lots of kit was the priority. We love the double floor for dry feet and kit, plus the lockable bow locker for batteries or fuel. The big compromises are losing so much of our foredeck and having to lift it in/out all the time.
@@SailHub my first reply to this also disappeared 😞 Arrived Fri evening after the Storm Éowyn had eased. Today tackling turning the old navigation area into space for Refleks plus comfy on watch seat.
We bought a Highfield Classic 290 with Epropulsion Spirit. Was to be suitable for a 1nm "commute" in the Menai Straits. Downsides are storage (should fit between mast and staysail stay), price and size for lifting aboard. Upsides are the double floor, bow locker (for fuel or batteries), hyperalon. Longest trip from Gallows point to Penmon Point (through the channel between Puffin Island and Anglesey). Went ashore on the rocky beave with small swell, no problem. Had a great brunch at the Pilot House Cafe. Also coped well with nasty Menai chop and 4 people. Testing for real world uses (like lots of shopping, laundry, guests from anchor in poor weather) is always going to be expensive and challenging.
Sounds like some serious dinghy travelling down your way, the heighfield’s have become a solid choice. Almost an industry standard and should prove to be reliable 👍🏼
@@SailHub No problem! Also, I've been subscribed for a while and I'm always impressed by your presenting style. Did you work in television or are you a natural?
@Rodrifuuu thanks mate. Great to hear you’ve been with us a while, it’s super nice to get comments from regular viewers. Thanks for your compliments too! So, I worked in boat yards 😂 and a hospital before that… It’s taken a while to get used to the camera and I’m getting better every time (I think). Thanks to Jenni really, she keeps me right, in all walks really 😃👊
I’m sorry but I did not see you turn the mono hull like you did with the cat,that being said any fast turns in both hulls will produce the same effect. The cat will turn on a dime compared to the mono hull even at speed. The main goal here is to move people and goods safely and efficiently. I see comments here about spilling groceries and such and losing them overboard,I for one never leave the boat / dock without securing everything properly. I can spout off here because I fortunately own both and would choose the cat every time, seems to me that people are afraid of catamarans because they are not a popular choice. But they seem to be making some slow progress in people’s minds once they pilot one. As for using a long shaft you would only be making the center of gravity higher and creating more drag in the water with more shaft in the water.
You are killing me. Outboards are designed to be driven with your left hand so when sitting on the seat with the engine behind you the tiller is on your left hip while in a neutral steering position. Otherwise love the stuff you are putting out. Keep up the good work.
I operate from both left of right depending on size of boat. Current boats is right handed while sitting on port pontoon, to wide for me to operate from starboard side, which is case for most 3.5m and up inflatables. Seats in inflatables just get in way. Pontoon also gives slightly higher seating allowing legs to help absorb shocks and more comfortable on longer trips. This is one plus of rigid hull inflatable with their deep floors compared to inflatables especially cat in test which have very low seating position.
Possibly the case, mind you we had 1/2 bar less than recommended. They are known to need a plate on them to help matters, I personally think the transom could do with dropping a little. Anyhow, without the weight in the front it’s pretty sweet.
@@SailHub 1/2 bar less is not good. The biggest mistake people make with their rubber dinghies and ribbs, is to low air pressure. An other ting is that black tubes makes the air pressure change a lot, depending on the sun. And the material deteriorates faster due to the heat.
The way you are positioned in the boat is horrible. You really should practice driving it from the otter side. I have hundreds of hours in a Honwave 350 with 18 hp Tohatsu.
I have a takacat which has had leak issues along the seam on the pontoon…I think that the takacat has glued pvc seams while the better true kit has heat welded pvc seams. Maybe someone out there knows for sure.
Thanks for the info, super valuable. Embarrassingly I did not talk about the construction technique. When we give our long term review on the boat we chose I will be sure to include this. Thanks 👍
@ if you do that segment see if you can find an expert on plastics…glue vs heat welded PVC seams, as well as PVC vs hypolon…everyone know hypalon is better in the tropic sun, but at the same time you can’t heat welded hypalon as far as I know…to me dealing with seam leaks and finding a solution is the most important issue….this is especially true with roll ups that have the added stress of being rolled and unrolled. Thanks for your efforts.
Thanks for doing a video for people on a budget. We’re the ones that need the help! Fantastic stuff.
Cheers George! Glad you appreciated it 👍😀
As a test vehicle for motors I'd say you guys did the right choice.
20% less weight is a deal breaker for my back. A bit surprising the cat don't come with a "closing mesh" to stop stuff to roll off. Can't be that hard to make thought.
Anyway, a comment for the AI to chew on. Hope people discover your channel asap. I think you guys do a great job 👋
Hey!! Thanks man, it was. Tough one to make as I too have troubles with my body!
Thanks for the comment too, in an AI world it’s why makes soooooooo much difference and we now have the research to back it up! So much appreciated, thanks! 👍😀❤️
Lets make annonser one for the airplane to chew on!😂 i liked that phrase!
I've owned a Takacat. They're great. One of their best features, I think, is the built in, stable boarding ramp at the front when you pull up to shore; no rocking, easy to un/load heavier things like ice boxes. I also enjoyed not having to bail it out after a rain storm when being used for tender duties.
Yeah, I can see those advantages working well. The open transom grew on me, most likely due to the overall stability of the boat, it basically meant that I felt confident the bags in the boat would stay upright. That being said, I’m pretty sure I would put a mesh there as I’m generally quite clumsy 😂🤷♂️
Fantaaaastic!!!!! Good to see you back on the water!! Also Jenny Lovely camera work as always!
Cheers fella! Yeah, stoked to be on the water and looking forward to the text of the series!!!
Very nice presentation I even admire the fact you doubted the cat yet clearly loved it. your decision and your reason behind choosing the boat you did makes total sense. I look forward to the upcoming challenges you put the outboards through.
Thanks for that. It was a total surprise and I honestly loved it. But.. we’ve got to do what’s right for us, hopefully the outboard testing works out. Just at Boot Dusseldorf show at present organising some of the testing, looks like we’ve got some good stuff to test!
@@SailHub Enjoy the show I look forward to the testing.
Good video and beautiful location. I hope to see more from you.
Thanks for that! Curious, do you recognise the loch?
Get hold of a Truekit Chris. We just have a small 2.5m because we store it on deck athwartships, but it's great. Light enough to pull up on deck by hand (no halyard) will plane 2 up with my 9.8hp 2 stroke and goes really well with the ePropulsion Spirit. The thing we're all waiting for though is an electric outboard that will plane a dinghy with 2 people, when that happens petrol outboards are dead.
Hey Steve, good to hear from you matey. Thanks for the pointer, I think when we’ve finished this outboard series we’re thinking cat for the aluminium boats tender.
I’ve seen seem cool motors here at Boot, and some promise the figures that we wishing for…. Question is, where is reality! Let’s find out!
P.s good choice on your motor, I presume it’s the Tohatsu - I think they have the best power to weight ratio on the market?
I saw a Torqeedo Travel XP Review recently the rubber dinghy was on the Edge to go into plane with one person. I am pretty sure with a better cavity plate, catamaran dinghy and optimized prop it would have been archived. But there are 2-3 kw options out there do you know anyone who tried it?
By the way I love your yt films
Found the review
Nearly in plane I would say or?
m.ruclips.net/video/OeamJYQ5Eko/видео.html
@mauersegler9894 the problem there is the optimised prop. Sadly the guys are selling on numbers due to many magazines wanting figure like static thrust. This is great but it’s not much use for functional movement, there are some out there who are really going into prop development for certain speeds etc. Remigo being one. There are a few other out there and we hope to discover these in our testing!
@mauersegler9894 ahhh! Nice to see a familiar face! We met by his guy a few years back at a trade event. He’s a german importer and supplier of electric propulsion systems.
Great video too but I’m not convinced she was planning there was no significant rise in speed and the bow appeared to remain pointing at the sky.
Let’s see if we can get XP on test too and try to get some more revealing shots.
Cheers for the link, really valuable 😀👍
Watching for the last couple of years and I wanted to say a big thank you!
This is one of my favourite channels; I didn't know where you'd go a year (maybe 2 ago) but I really look forward to keeping up with your journey.
(I don't generally comment but now I have broken that silence, is there a way to support you both? And Secondly, keep on at the trade shows regardless of audience demands - you do you, some of us do care about latest marine tech!)
Much love from whitstable
Hey!!
So nice to read this, thank you! It’s great to get support like this. We are currently at BOOT Dusseldorf and it’s been great meeting some of our viewers and receiving their feedback too.
It’s been a while since I was around your way, I remember the isle of Sheppy, Whitstable brewery and some cool wooden boatyards not far away too! Great place and great sunsets!
Thanks again! - if you do want to support us further you can join us over on Patreon, we have a small community growing over there which we would gladly welcome you into!
Sorry to hear that you were not able to choose the Cat. I bought a Takacat 3 years ago and love the fun and performance. It is so stable and easy to assemble and go. The floor of the boat actually does not touch the water when on plane keeping the wetted surface to a minimum. I also experienced ventilation issues with my 6HP motor. Once I installed the plate it no longer was an issue. In bigger waves I found that taking them at a 45º angle was stable and when going upwind kept the spray down.
Having for that, some great info there. The ventilation is a bit of an issue, I presume it’s because the stern wave is minimal. Which of course gives us that efficiency.
Cheers for the tips, super valuable for cat owners. As for us, I kinda fancy building a cat dinghy some point, I think it would be really interesting and fun!
Chipping in for the drone (or the SD the card at least)🖖
Mate! What a legend! Thanks mate, we’re super grateful 🙌😃❤️
Hi from Portugal. I had several tenders, in 2023 I bought a Takacat, amazing, fun, until I had some strong upwind and waves... i just sold it last year. It's not for rough seas (medium seas...).
Ok, nice to hear, thanks for the info 👍
We really like our Takacat 260. Max legal outboard is a 6. True kit is probably a better brand longevity wise but we prefer the open stern of the Takacat. No bailing after a rain or when it gets a little sporty outside. Dont tow it any faster than 15 or so as it can start to kite a bit. Near zero drag towing it. Either add a net to stern or just move the inflatable seat to the stern. No gear is lost but water if any just drains out the back. we use net bags for gear anyway. These all need plates when a higher horsepower outboard is used. Packable, less than 60 pounds and very stable.
@stevenhorwood1300 sounds fab, there’s a lot of people love the takacat!
Nothing better than a kite influenced dinghy for some entertainment mind! 😂🤦♂️
Great review! The cat wouldn't get swamped with rain while unattended nor while being towed. Are they rated to be towed? I wonder if some mesh or netting could be attached to the transoms to catch the apples, oranges and beverage containers rolling around. Also, how well do they row or paddle?
Hey Kyle,
Thanks for joining the conversation! Yeah, god pot about the rain, one thing less to think about! The netting too - simple.
As for rowing… I’m lazy you see so I’m not sure 😂 mind yo it’s clearly more efficient in use so it’s got to be easier. As for holding direction I can’t see it being much different. Sadly though, it’s gone back so I can’t give you any further info on that, maybe his fair isle up and ask about their cat dinghy 👍🏼
Nice to watch another good video, as always!
It looks we have common passions, relatively .. campers and boats.
I'm also building my camper (an ex fridge box on a VW T5 chassis), so I was looking to buy a dinghy and outboard for storing them under the chassis in a custom alloy box.
Got a 5yo used pvc boat for 500 euro, 1 month ago, mono, Quicksilver Airdeck 320 wich allows for 20hp motor (a rare option for that dimension).
Choosed it because of the good price, but my future dream is to build an inflatable cat with a foldable carbon fiber deck panel.
Then, 2 grp nesting hulls for a bigger cat - to support the whole weight of the camper, kind of an amphibious.
Now I am looking for best deals on the european sites to buy a new 20hp Merc or Tohatsu.
I just returned yesterday from CMT Stuttgart expo, wished I could come to Dusseldorf, too. But time and budget was short.
Do you have any contacts or links of the Tohatsu or Mercury dealers in EU present in the Boot Dusseldorf that had discounts for the expo period?
Thanks!
Silviu
Hey Silviu,
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, it sounds like we do have a lot in common! Mind you, I won’t be going amphibious with our camper! You nutter! That’s sounds fab!!
As for the dinghy, I quite fancy building one too, although we’ve got a yacht to get floating first so I think you will likely beat us to that!
As for motors. Sadly we don’t have any contacts for petrol motors at present. I would be going for a Tohatsu 9.8 2t if I had the option as the power to weigh ratio is unbeatable. That being said…. They are not easy to get a hold of without a marine business. Sorry I can’t help with a 20hp though.
If you have some time on your hands have a look at 'truekit' inflatables. They are made in New Zealand. Pretty sweet boats. Anyways rad vid, keep up the good work 🙌🏼
Hey thanks!! Cheers for the tip off too 🤟🏼
We have a Caesar Pencil, which is very similar, basically a smaller Zapcat, which we use as a tender. As the Caesar has a solid floor, it can handle up to a 25hp motor, which is very very scary! A 15hp is a good compromise for weight and speed. The Catamaran hull seems to like a longer engine shaft length, as once you get fully on the plane you are just riding on the back third of the sponson and the outboard leg. It’s a lot of fun 😀
Sure! I can see that being great fun!! Awesome 🤙❤️
Great video, dingy aside the A-frame boat house in shot has been a restaurant shop and not sure what it is now, but since my 20’s and I’m 60 now I’ve wanted to but that building make it a home and put an in house jetty underneath it, also pity the ski jump is no longer there as that might have been best test for a dingy 😂 oh and love Lochernhead most my youth was playing in that area, St Fillans end is nicer though
Haha!! Nice you recognise the area! And yeah… the jump would have been ace! Jenni no doubt did that jump back in the day!
I use to hang with the McLaren brothers who worked in the water centres they also played a band in the hotel now and then, after centre shut we used to jump it and bugger about on the mastercraft they had?! Great stuff?!
Fascinating comparison, like you I have never tried a cat dinghy. Added flexibility as a sup, which got me to thinking about the relative psi pressures' and whether the cat had a higher inflation pressure thereby making it flex less?
Yeah, the cat is a cool set up, the pressures were the same though, the cat get on the plane at much lower speeds and the floor is basically not on the water when planing, only the tubes are. The V hull needs to channel the water and waves to the back of the boat so it has a lot more forces acting on it which cause it to flex.
For ocean cruising I'd definitely favor the more traditional black dinghy as well. Flat water is wonderful; however, when cruising to more remote communities you can often end loading and unloading in nasty locations. You don't want bags washing out of the dinghy. Personally, I'd want to see how well both boats handle when rowing.😊
Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback 👍
Would have been nice with 2 people on boat which is most of the time didn't say the weight load on either boat long shot can you operate cat without deck attached ? Very good video oh would deeper shaft solve problem?
Hey, yeah I think a longer shaft would fix it! So you need the floor fitted for the cat to work.
As for the load, I mentioned the weight carried and all tests were done with two people on board.
The drone shots and a few others were taken from land so Jenni was not on board but all testing was done with two people and around 30kg extra weight.
To help with the cavitation on the cat a shaft that’s slightly longer will of course, be deeper in the water
Sure! Good advice 👍 If I were going to keeping I would just make a new transom with a four bends in the top rail to lower it a few inches.
I think you made the right choice. Yes, the cat is fun, goes faster, is lighter, and has the advantage you identified. However, in the real world, what do you use a dinging for? Transporting goods and people to and from the boat to shore. Think of that bag of oranges or apples that falls over and out the stern in the cat. Where do you secure the laundry you are taking to shore to wash or the bags of trash to dispose of? If I wanted a toy I would get the cat, but if I want a boat to service my larger boat the conventional inflatable serves you better.
Sure, I think your right, but if I were building one from scratch I think I would reinvent the cat. It’s so much easier to lift and move around which for me is the reason I sometimes don’t make it ashore when I really should…..
Anyhow, we’re happy with our choice so let’s have some fun testing motors!
Thanks for joining the conversation too, some great points there👍😂😀
When's the rough water beach landing test through a reef with breakers?
Whenever you do it my friend! Sadly we don’t make anything from these videos and a day is all we had to spend with both boats.
If we can make the channel work we look forward to some more in depth reviews 👍
One problem with catamaran type that I don't think was mentioned is the "internal freeboard"... as the floor is between the tubes there's not as much height between seat or tube top and floor, as compared to a monohull with floor below tube. So on a cat you either sit with your knees uncomfortably high, or tend to end up part-kneeling (at least one knee on floor) as you were in much of the video. This can be quite uncomfortable on longer journeys, particularly if you have "old" knees!
That, is a very valid point. Thanks 👍❤️
Considering your budget I'm surprised you didn't check out the Aqua Marina Aircat 335. It's lighter, has a much better transom and is cheaper. I think you should give it a go. Truekit is really good, however, they're out of your budget for the time being. Saying that, I understand your reason going for the mono though. Cheers.
Cheers for the info! Always nice 👌 and yeah, they probably could have been a valid option. Hopefully your comment helps others find them too! Thanks 👍🏼😀
Keep up the GREAT content?
Thanks Colin, much appreciated fella 👍👊😃
Thank you so much for your support Colin 👍🏼 you keep us going!
Like your logic. Just my bias 2cents but Isle makes the Flywater-only 49 lbs. and 12.5ft. It's a cat w/ a closed bow that's really rigid (3x+ comp) with a ridged built in air deck and 5 chambers total. A little pricy and its open stern only takes up to a 5hp, but I bet your Temo would push it 5-6 knots. Functional for a Dingy that can carry up to 600 pounds. I must say your Cat does look fun
Sadly she’s not my cat - it’s gone back as we chose the mono.
I can see your thoughts on your other boats but I really don’t see a 450w motor pushing anything at 5kn. Mind you, a 1kw would be an interesting test for sure. Maybe in the future we can make that happen. 🤔
@@SailHub I have the Elite which is 500w electric and can move the Sea Eagle FishSup1210 up to 7mph per their marketing. I gotta think it would move a Cat like yours (better hull design) is faster. That Temo is the same as the Elite. Anyways enjoyed your vid
@GuySkellenger thanks! Much appreciated!
I can see your thoughts, my only thought is the cat we tested is twice the weight which will be making a difference to lift out and into the plane.
I guess we won’t know unless we test it! Still though, some great valuable info there. Thanks ! 👍
Sorry without deck seems like good for ice fishing lol.
Ice fishing!! Your certified nuts mate! I love it 🤙😀
sadly in many countries 2 strokes are banned due to polution of oil in the cooling water.
Hey John, yup your right. We’ve had this one for a while but it seems a good test for the dinghy so we used it!
Mostly, they're just banned for purchasing NEW, not the actual use.
@belkenator that’s very true, and of course as a marine business you can usually still buy them too. In the uk for instance, it’s just public sales that are effected.
All these little cats seem to cavitation. I'm thinking maybe they would be more suited to long shaft outboards
I think that would be the simplest option but personally I don’t understand why the don’t just make the transom lower, especially the open transom models.
@@SailHub ive been in takacat with solid transom and it still cavitates
@andrewjamez ahhh thanks, I think it’s due to the efficient hull making a smaller stern wave. If we get to faff with one again I think I will start modifying the transom to simulate a longer leg and see if that helps.
Multihulls win again.
Why not buy both and test on both? I'm sure the company will offer you the boat if it's going to do better in every case.
Hi Rod,
Cheers chap, yeah they have offered us some help but it’s really about us and our needs for this year.
It’s more about testing motors and we want the results to relevant to our audience of which I presume the majority use monohull dinghy’s.
👌
Ah cheers! 🍻🤙
boatworld link a security risk in firefox haha
No way! We need to let them know that! 🤣 thanks for letting us know!
😎😎😎
Ohhh Yeaaaah! 🤙
Ventilation, not cavitation.
Good shout 👍
Oops I think my comment has gone into spam because I included a link to the lovely Pilot House Cafe, Penmon, Anglesey (dinghy test to there)
Hey up! How’s that boat of yours coming along? Not sure about the spam but we didn’t get a link, that’s for sure. Tell me more about the Anglesey cafe, it’s not making much sense to me at present
@@SailHub Hi,
Just arrived for 24 hours (waited for Storm Éowyn to die down). Going to remove the chart table to prepare space for Refleks, and plan the central heating. Not been down since the new year.
Dinghy wise, we went for a Highfield 290 classic as we were expecting a 1nm "commute" in the Menai Strait. Should just fit between the staysail stay and the mast. As we expect to spend most time at anchor having a dinghy that is dry and can carry lots of stuff was our priority. We have an Epropulsion Spirit with 2 batteries.
Our longest test was from Gallows Point (south of Beaumaris) to the "beach" at Penmon Point (through the channel at Puffin Island). We have wheels on the transom and were able to beach in the small swell and get up the beach pretty easily. There is a really nice cafe called the Pilot House there so made a great destination for the test. We can do about 3.5knots without going flat out.
With a very old (and not yet refurbished) Mercury 9.9 I can get on the plane one up, really needs a tiller extension. Two up can't currently get on the plane.
Unfortunately, it would be hard and expensive to do a big real world test in different conditions with different loads. For us coping with big chop and lots of kit was the priority. We love the double floor for dry feet and kit, plus the lockable bow locker for batteries or fuel. The big compromises are losing so much of our foredeck and having to lift it in/out all the time.
@@SailHub my first reply to this also disappeared 😞
Arrived Fri evening after the Storm Éowyn had eased. Today tackling turning the old navigation area into space for Refleks plus comfy on watch seat.
We bought a Highfield Classic 290 with Epropulsion Spirit. Was to be suitable for a 1nm "commute" in the Menai Straits. Downsides are storage (should fit between mast and staysail stay), price and size for lifting aboard.
Upsides are the double floor, bow locker (for fuel or batteries), hyperalon.
Longest trip from Gallows point to Penmon Point (through the channel between Puffin Island and Anglesey).
Went ashore on the rocky beave with small swell, no problem. Had a great brunch at the Pilot House Cafe.
Also coped well with nasty Menai chop and 4 people.
Testing for real world uses (like lots of shopping, laundry, guests from anchor in poor weather) is always going to be expensive and challenging.
Sounds like some serious dinghy travelling down your way, the heighfield’s have become a solid choice. Almost an industry standard and should prove to be reliable 👍🏼
Duel!
Oh yeaaaah!
Oops you’re right! Thanks for spotting that! 🤣
@@SailHub No problem! Also, I've been subscribed for a while and I'm always impressed by your presenting style. Did you work in television or are you a natural?
@Rodrifuuu thanks mate. Great to hear you’ve been with us a while, it’s super nice to get comments from regular viewers.
Thanks for your compliments too! So, I worked in boat yards 😂 and a hospital before that… It’s taken a while to get used to the camera and I’m getting better every time (I think). Thanks to Jenni really, she keeps me right, in all walks really 😃👊
I’m sorry but I did not see you turn the mono hull like you did with the cat,that being said any fast turns in both hulls will produce the same effect. The cat will turn on a dime compared to the mono hull even at speed. The main goal here is to move people and goods safely and efficiently. I see comments here about spilling groceries and such and losing them overboard,I for one never leave the boat / dock without securing everything properly. I can spout off here because I fortunately own both and would choose the cat every time, seems to me that people are afraid of catamarans because they are not a popular choice. But they seem to be making some slow progress in people’s minds once they pilot one. As for using a long shaft you would only be making the center of gravity higher and creating more drag in the water with more shaft in the water.
Interesting points there, not sure I agree with all of them but all the same, no doubt they are valuable for many. Thanks for sharing 👍
the cat will be better at spd , if it runs on the keels du to less wettted surface!
Exactly! And it was, a lot better!
You are killing me. Outboards are designed to be driven with your left hand so when sitting on the seat with the engine behind you the tiller is on your left hip while in a neutral steering position. Otherwise love the stuff you are putting out. Keep up the good work.
@26N80W That they are mate, but I’ve got nerve problems after a spinal injury… Sometimes my left hand stops working! 🤣
I operate from both left of right depending on size of boat. Current boats is right handed while sitting on port pontoon, to wide for me to operate from starboard side, which is case for most 3.5m and up inflatables. Seats in inflatables just get in way. Pontoon also gives slightly higher seating allowing legs to help absorb shocks and more comfortable on longer trips. This is one plus of rigid hull inflatable with their deep floors compared to inflatables especially cat in test which have very low seating position.
@montyspearo good points Monty! Cheers 👍
I’m fairly certain the motor doesn’t really care which hand you use to operate it.
@ 😂 there’s some truth in that!
A Jenny (Gene) sounds like the perfect accompaniment for an electric outboard test. Dunno what you're moaning about
@KiteTurbine I’m a bit lost here? Are you referring to my wife Jenni? Or a generator?! 😂
You probably have too little air in the floor.
Possibly the case, mind you we had 1/2 bar less than recommended. They are known to need a plate on them to help matters, I personally think the transom could do with dropping a little. Anyhow, without the weight in the front it’s pretty sweet.
@@SailHub 1/2 bar less is not good. The biggest mistake people make with their rubber dinghies and ribbs, is to low air pressure.
An other ting is that black tubes makes the air pressure change a lot, depending on the sun. And the material deteriorates faster due to the heat.
We have a jocymarine cat amazing made in holland i think
So cool all of these cat manufacturer’s are coming to light! Thanks! 👍😃
There are real catamaran Dinghy's. But thats not a cat. its just a dual tube.
Hey, that’s an interesting comment, can you give me a bit more of a technical description to understand it?
The way you are positioned in the boat is horrible. You really should practice driving it from the otter side. I have hundreds of hours in a Honwave 350 with 18 hp Tohatsu.
Yes Ray, in that you are correct. I had to re-learn dinghy driving due to a spinal injury and nerve compression.
I have a takacat which has had leak issues along the seam on the pontoon…I think that the takacat has glued pvc seams while the better true kit has heat welded pvc seams. Maybe someone out there knows for sure.
Thanks for the info, super valuable. Embarrassingly I did not talk about the construction technique. When we give our long term review on the boat we chose I will be sure to include this. Thanks 👍
@ if you do that segment see if you can find an expert on plastics…glue vs heat welded PVC seams, as well as PVC vs hypolon…everyone know hypalon is better in the tropic sun, but at the same time you can’t heat welded hypalon as far as I know…to me dealing with seam leaks and finding a solution is the most important issue….this is especially true with roll ups that have the added stress of being rolled and unrolled. Thanks for your efforts.