Takacat Catamaran Dinghy

[deckofficer]

kalewa,

Very informative and thanks for posting. I'm guilty of promoting catamaran dinghies including the Takacat without first hand experience. They just seemed perfect for us that want to use very small gas outboards or in my case electric propulsion.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Alot of things that look good in theory then get hyped on the internet... then suddenly someone actually tries one. Great informational post Kalewa. Thanks.
There is always a reason when you discover that a high percentage of people do something in a particular way. It's always tempting to "break new ground " with you own decision. When it comes to boats that can often be an expensive or dangerous way to go. With all things "boat" I like to see it used for a decade or two before I invest! :>)
"Time wounds all heels.." or something like that!

It’s all about evolution.
Any hard dingy will row easily
Hard dingys last forever
Hard dingys are easy to clean
Hard dingys need little to no maintenance
Hard dingys are tippy, hence the cat dingy design
Cat dingys are even easier to row
Cat dingys need less horse power to go through the water. Perfect for electric motors.
Cat dingys are very stable and efficient.

I do things that many a friend have told me can not be done. That's what engineers do.

[Cheechako]

Ah, yes, I'm an engineer too. Then you must know that prototypes seldom work properly. You must have heard the engineers motto? "revise, revise... let no numbers evade thine eyes..." I hired and fired quite a few engineers, the ones that were out of touch with the "real world" didnt last long.....

[Boatguy30]

So do you have any more details on your super dinghy?

[Cotemar]

Cat dingys have been around a long time. Some are just poorly designed and heavy, hence the evolution part is taking place making them better and better.

www.takacat.com

THE 10 FOOTER | Sorensen Boats

LV10 | Livingston Power Catamaran Skiff Boats | Livingston Boats

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Cat dingys have been around a long time. Some are just poorly designed and heavy, hence the evolution part is taking place making them better and better.

www.takacat.com

THE 10 FOOTER | Sorensen Boats

LV10 | Livingston Power Catamaran Skiff Boats | Livingston Boats

The Livingston and Sorenson (almost identical) are awful boats. I worked for the guy who at the time owned Livingston for a while. These boats are very heavy and poorly built, with very poor performance. Their only selling point is added stability.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by minaret

The Livingston and Sorenson (almost identical) are awful boats. I worked for the guy who at the time owned Livingston for a while. These boats are very heavy and poorly built, with very poor performance. Their only selling point is added stability.

I agree, both of the Livingston and Sorenson cat dingys are poor designs.
They are both to heavy and their stern hulls end at the transom.

A better cat design will carry the stern hulls past the engine just like the newer inflatables do.

[deckofficer]

Cotemar missed one "takes a cat" evolution, 70 mph is only possible in a cat dinghy. It was these cat tenders that I got me thinking in that direction about 10 years ago.

Inflatable Powerboat Racing - Mykonos 2013 - Nulandis Team - YouTube

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Cotemar missed one "takes a cat" evolution, 70 mph is only possible in a cat dinghy. It was these cat tenders that I got me thinking in that direction about 10 years ago.

Inflatable Powerboat Racing - Mykonos 2013 - Nulandis Team - YouTube

Great video.
You’re on the right track. Do not loose hope, no matter what others may say.

Cat Dingys rule.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Great video.
You’re on the right track. Do not loose hope no matter what other may say.

Cat Dingys rule.

I don't need to go 70 mph, 15 is plenty fast for me, so my hopes are that a Takacat light (72 lb) with the 4 kw Torqeedo 4.0 and their optional V30 prop will give me that 15 mph. The V30 is pitched for 30 kmh at full rpm, so about 18 mph.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I don't need to go 70 mph, 15 is plenty fast for me, so my hopes are that a Takacat light (72 lb) with the 4 kw Torqeedo 4.0 and their optional V30 prop will give me that 15 mph. The V30 is pitched for 30 kmh at full rpm, so about 18 mph.

Sounds like a great combination. Whats holding you back?

[tamicatana]

Here's some firsthand experience: I'm still tickled shitless with my 10' Takacat. Stable, light, easy to deal with, Elgin pushes it just fine, rows decently.

BTW, the guy with the problem has underinflated the boat: floor is supposed to be 10, tubes at 3...

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Sounds like a great combination. Whats holding you back?

Don't need a dinghy when I'm between boats.

[smj]

We had a 10' Livingston and loved it. Your right it could use some hull behind the transom, a modification we've seen done quite a few times. The main disadvantage for us as the lack of payload. With four adults she was dangerously close to swamping.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by smj

We had a 10' Livingston and loved it. Your right it could use some hull behind the transom, a modification we've seen done quite a few times. The main disadvantage for us as the lack of payload. With four adults she was dangerously close to swamping.

The right Cat dingy design can carry a large payload.