Aspen Power Catamaran

[serpa4]

If you are shopping for Aspen, a call to the factory told me that volvo is discontinuing the D3 in them. They have not decided on a replacement yet. Aspen with twin diesel outboards would be a win, but even more $$$. Diesel 250 and 50 would be nice.

[Gcaddell111]

Originally Posted by Gcaddell111

I like the information on the Aspen 107 . I have talked to Nick at Aspen. Right now I am planning to visit plant. I currently own a world Cat 29ec. Since my world cat is a planning hull, my biggest concern is how the Aspen will perform in sea conditions off the North Carolina coast. I would be using the Aspen for fishing in comfort. Any feed back would be appreciated.

This is a follow-up about our visit to the Aspen factory. We visited the factory a few times, and took two different test rides on the C107 Cat. We were very impressed with both Larry and Nick Graf…and the factory and it’s organization.
Our first test ride was in relatively calm waters… And Nick piloted us around the wakes of the ferry to give us a feel of a little rougher waters. Fortunately, while we were still there, the weather took a turn for the worse and we had the opportunity to experience rough seas like we might here in NC. Larry Graf took us out late in the afternoon when the winds were 25 knots (with 40 knot gusts) and the seas were kicking up ‘washing machines conditions with a constant 3-4 foot chop. We were incredibly surprised and impressed with both the handling and the ride of the C-107 given these unfavorable conditions. I mean.....truly surprised. The Aspen handled much betted than my 29’ World Cat does in similar conditions! The next day we were back in the factory with Nick and Larry placing our order. I am set right now to take delivery in July 2021 of my new Aspen C-107...and I can’t wait!

[Gcaddell111]

Originally Posted by Vizsla_Buddy

Let me know your thoughts. I am on a WorldCat 230DC right now and looking at the Aspens. I love the ride of my WC on the Chesapeake and wonder how the Aspens will do in 3 - 4 foot chop.

Looking forward to hearing how your visit went.

I’ve updated my post to include info from my visit to Aspen.

[want2boat]

Thank you for the feedback concerning 3 to 4 foot chop in high winds. Congratulations Gcaddell111.

[Lingberg]

Originally Posted by Gcaddell111

The next day we were back in the factory with Nick and Larry placing our order. I am set right now to take delivery in July 2021 of my new Aspen C-107...and I can’t wait!

Congrats on your purchase! Have been working with Larry and Nick for quite some time now. They are fantastic. Our C120 is punch listing now and ready to deliver. We'll have it up in Annapolis by April.



Hope to see you on the water.

[serpa4]

Very nice. I would have liked to buy a Aspen over my Cutwater C30, but wow, I don't have that kind of money even with a used one. I would have really like the fuel economy of the 107 diesel and a king bed.
Very very few Aspens have AC and gen. Unfortunately no AC/Gen/Price, I rolled with the C30 which is an excellent boat.

[Vizsla_Buddy]

Originally Posted by Gcaddell111

I’ve updated my post to include info from my visit to Aspen.

Just read your post. Was that you he did a video of and posted on FB? I was thinking that trip was on a 108.

None the less, thanks for sharing. Very insightful. I have the 230DC WorldCat and if it is a lot better than that ... WOW. My 23 is already better than most boats I get to go on.

[Vizsla_Buddy]

Originally Posted by Lingberg

Congrats on your purchase! Have been working with Larry and Nick for quite some time now. They are fantastic. Our C120 is punch listing now and ready to deliver. We'll have it up in Annapolis by April.



Hope to see you on the water.

I run in the southern bay and originally from the eastern shore of Md. If you would ever like to show off your new Yacht, I will gladly get up to the Annapolis area. Just let me know. Hopefully by April I will have a) the vaccine and b) done my factory trip out west.

[want2boat]

Aspen C-90 Practical Adverse Weather Limit.

Relevant Dimensions: waterline to top of mast light 12ft, LOA 30ft, beam 10ft, freeboard at bow 4ft tapers to freeboard in stern 3ft.

I was on my way from Geneva OH to Port Clinton OH (110 miles distance) westerly course. Weather forecasts, multiple sources, showed a 1 foot significant height at 3 sec period from the west, so a head sea.

Waves started to build so I began to tack with speed. I continued to tack with less speed. Then I increased my tack angle from 30 deg to 45+ deg. I dumped the potable water tanks (filled for cruising the NY Canal that was no longer needed) to lighten the boat so she would ride higher.


Eight miles east of Cleveland I encounter several sets of wave triplets with wave height 6 to 8 feet at 3 to 4 sec period from the west. Boat angle was approaching 45 deg. At this point I called it unsafe and headed to Cleveland for refuge.



Key points:

- 7 hours to advance 45 miles
- some superficial damage to boat and no water in bilges
- hull sound, engine performance and electronics reliable
- forensic weather showed 3 ft significant waves that translates to average wave height of 2 feet and a maximum of 7 feet
- 3 to 4 sec period translated to 1/2 to 3/4 length of boat

[Vizsla_Buddy]

Originally Posted by want2boat

Aspen C-90 Practical Adverse Weather Limit.

Relevant Dimensions: waterline to top of mast light 12ft, LOA 30ft, beam 10ft, freeboard at bow 4ft tapers to freeboard in stern 3ft.

I was on my way from Geneva OH to Port Clinton OH (110 miles distance) westerly course. Weather forecasts, multiple sources, showed a 1 foot significant height at 3 sec period from the west, so a head sea.

Waves started to build so I began to tack with speed. I continued to tack with less speed. Then I increased my tack angle from 30 deg to 45+ deg. I dumped the potable water tanks (filled for cruising the NY Canal that was no longer needed) to lighten the boat so she would ride higher.


Eight miles east of Cleveland I encounter several sets of wave triplets with wave height 6 to 8 feet at 3 to 4 sec period from the west. Boat angle was approaching 45 deg. At this point I called it unsafe and headed to Cleveland for refuge.



Key points:

- 7 hours to advance 45 miles
- some superficial damage to boat and no water in bilges
- hull sound, engine performance and electronics reliable
- forensic weather showed 3 ft significant waves that translates to average wave height of 2 feet and a maximum of 7 feet
- 3 to 4 sec period translated to 1/2 to 3/4 length of boat

Great write-up. 7 - 8 foot waves on that period is serious. Whereas I am sure you were not "comfortable", what was your subjective analysis of the boat's performance? For example: Did your confidence remain high through out the trip or were you double checking your life insurance?

[want2boat]

Originally Posted by Vizsla_Buddy

Great write-up. 7 - 8 foot waves on that period is serious. Whereas I am sure you were not "comfortable", what was your subjective analysis of the boat's performance? For example: Did your confidence remain high through out the trip or were you double checking your life insurance?

As long as I rode the waves with sufficient angle to their direction at reduced speed (< 10 mph) the ride was lively with an occasional jarring/shuddering. Concentrating on wave conditions and evaluating appropriate handling was mentally draining underlined by the reality I was falling behind my route plan and might not make my planned destination before sunset. When I encountered the triplets, I recognized a dangerous condition, steep 8ft waves could flip the boat of this size and powerboat catamarans do not roll over (360). At this point, I abandoned the route and sought immediate refuge by safest direct means possible. The nearest harbor was Cleveland and I began calling marinas for reservations when wave conditions improved. The sixth marina I contacted had availability, although I never declared distress the thought did occur to me in response to an earlier marina’s decline on the basis of yacht club rules. During the transit I did not consider USCG assistance, conditions were within boat performance. In the marina, I was mentally depleted and irritated at the forecasts, as well as, Sirus XM weather reporting.

[want2boat]

Post Comment on my recent post. The 8 foot wave and short wave period constraint (self established 'operating envelope' upper bound) was based on a breaking wave. During this incident waves were not breaking; however margin of safety was eroded.

[want2boat]

Purpose. Establish a statistical expectation for boating on the Great Lakes based upon my wave and wind preferences operating an Aspen c90. The results support a GO – NO GO planning process whereby multi-day boating plans consider uncertainty. A particular multi-day trip planning process involves other resources and considerations.

Limitations. Data is from March 2021 through November 2021.
-Up to three discreet locations per body of water are combined into a score.
-My preferences 1) wave height maximum not to exceed 2.6 feet (all wave periods) for hours 6:00am to 5:00pm; 2) sustained wind does not exceed 20 miles-per-hour for hours 6:00am to 5:00pm; 3) gusty wind does not exceed 20 miles-per-hour for hours 3:00am to 12:00pm.
-Data is interpreted from Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA/GLERL Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System, GLCFS) and WindFinder (https://www.windfinder.com/). Bodies of water not evaluated are Michigan Lake (central and south), Superior Lake (west), Ontario Lake (west).
-Analysis tools use user defined functions, Microsoft Excel functions and add-in Analysis Toolkit.
-Actual buoy data are not considered. Fog and thunderstorms are not considered.

Methodology. 6-day forecasts from the sources are scored as meet criteria “GO” or does not meet criteria “NO-GO”.
-Each day, future forecasts are rescored, volatility is identified and rendered into a measure.
-Past data is not changed.
-Scored data is interpreted into accumulated trend [GO is positive 1 and NO-GO is negative 1], simple probability, and conditional probabilities.
-Analysis of data includes trending, correlation, covariance, conditional probability, and t-test evaluation of populations. Analysis is time dependent, i.e., between a calendar start and calendar stop.

Trends (1 June through 1 September).
-Single day GO is 70% or above except Lake Erie (central and east) which are 60%.
-Given one good boating day the likelihood of the next day being a good boating day is 50% or above, except Lake Erie (central and east) which are 40%.
-Given two good boating days the likelihood of the next day being a good boating day is 40% or above, except Lake Erie (central and east) which are 30%.
-Given three good boating days the likelihood of the next day being a good boating day is 30% or above, except Lake Erie (central and east) which are 20%.
-Additionally, the chance (NOAA forecasts) of thunderstorms from middle July through November further adversely impacts Lake Erie, Lake Saint Clair, and Lake Huron (south).

[markseck]

Hey, I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know that I am selling an Aspen C100, 2013. I am down in Fort lauderdale area in Florida. If youre interested give me a call.
954-579-4263