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Bash · 03-10-2011, 23:10

Five problems:
1. Wet
2. Wet
3. Wet
4. Wet
5. Wet

Other than for that, we'd all own one.

deckofficer · 04-10-2011, 00:21

Mattofosho,

I hope you return to this thread and tell me more about your tender. From what I have seen on their web site, I am impressed.

Fast Inflatable catamaran - Takacat Freedom - www.takacat.com - YouTube

mattofosho · 04-10-2011, 05:26

I have the 3.1 meter 'lite' model, its fully inflatable/folddownable.
Its quite lightweight, and i have an old tired mercury 5hp outboard.
Its quite quick to get up on the plane one up(I'm a petit 100kg ),takes approx 10-15 mtrs ....
it really needs a 10hp motor (i'm guessing here) to get it up on the plane 2 or 3 up(its rated for up to 20hp). It is not at all a wet boat. It is very 'lively' in its handling compared to my previous tender (a 2.8 m alloy rib).
I've had 4 big heavy blokes,and thier gear, in the boat with no problems other than the poor OLD motor not having enuff oomph t make it fly.No matter how they chose to get into and out of it they couldnt upset it,it remained quite stable.....

Oh, and I have no commercial interest or involment with the Takacat people.

Jimbo485 · 04-10-2011, 08:56

The WaterTender 9.4 with a 3.3 hp and just me will plane. If that is important. Has a tri hull.

deckofficer · 04-10-2011, 11:14

Matt,

Is this one like yours?

And Jimbo, yours is this one?

The larger version of Matt's is catching my attention

Jimbo485 · 04-10-2011, 12:31

Correct, deck officer.

mattofosho · 04-10-2011, 14:57

Deckofficer ... Yep mine is jus like that one .

deckofficer · 04-10-2011, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattofosho

Deckofficer ... Yep mine is jus like that one .

Now all I need to do is find out if that new company has a dealer network yet in the States. With this type of performance tender, we here in the US has always been behind the Kiwis, Aussies, and South Africans. I wonder why that is? Could it be our liability laws? Those little suckers can scoot over 60 mph with 40 hp.

Bob

svcattales · 04-10-2011, 17:34

I have been using a 10ft Livingston Dinghy for 7 years and it meets my requirements for a "high performance cat/tunnel hull dinghy." With a 15hp 2-stroke it will do 19kts with one person and about 15 with two. It will also plane off with 2 people and a load of groceries.

The boat is very stable (i can stand on the gunnel) and it is a dry ride compared to most dinghies. Click on link for details. (I have no commercial interest... just a happy customer)Livingston Boats - Home

deckofficer · 04-10-2011, 18:03

Greg,

Can you tell by these pictures if they are using the same mold as your 7 year old model? I couldn't tell by your picture.

svcattales · 04-10-2011, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Greg,

Can you tell by these pictures if they are using the same mold as your 7 year old model? I couldn't tell by your picture.

Yes. The same boat. It's not real fancy on the inside, but the hull structure is relatively high tech. The bows are deep-vee for smooth/dry ride over chop and the hulls flatten out aft to give a good planning surface.

deckofficer · 04-10-2011, 18:28

Thanks Greg.

Katiusha · 05-10-2011, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Now all I need to do is find out if that new company has a dealer network yet in the States. With this type of performance tender, we here in the US has always been behind the Kiwis, Aussies, and South Africans. I wonder why that is? Could it be our liability laws? Those little suckers can scoot over 60 mph with 40 hp.

Bob

Thanks for this thread! Much new info compared to when we did our research (3 years ago). My other half is now eyeing Takacats as well

One question though: together with Kiwis and Aussies you mention South Africans as producers of high performance tenders. Which SA company are you thinking of?

deckofficer · 05-10-2011, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katiusha

Thanks for this thread! Much new info compared to when we did our research (3 years ago). My other half is now eyeing Takacats as well

One question though: together with Kiwis and Aussies you mention South Africans as producers of high performance tenders. Which SA company are you thinking of?

I wish I could remember off the top of my head, but I know that country has been in the game for awhile. Do a google search using a SA mirror so that SA companies are given priority in the search results.

I keep forgetting, depending on how long you have been out cruising and how little time you might have had during that time on the Internet, I've found a page that I'll just give the link, tell me if you find anything interesting......

http://www.summerseriesracing.co.za/associates.php

The first site I looked at on the link had 115 kph inflatables, a bit fast for our needs, but it does have an efficient hull and probably a wet boat. (or surely would be at 70 mph) Being that close to the water at that speed has to feel like flying!

Bob