2023 Power Buyer’s Guide

30 to 40 feet

This category of ‘multipowers’ incorporates a wide variety of models - from the Open designed for shoal draft waters to the comfortable Cruiser that can accommodate you for weeks on board, or even the catamaran designed just for big game fishing. The common theme: all these models easy to handle thanks to their dual engines and their still modest size.

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Published 28/10/2022

By Emmanuel van Deth

Subscribers Only

Issue: SP19

Published: dec. / jan. 2023

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AEGEAN 30

Dismantlable and transportable

A dismantlable powercat can be transported on a simple flatbed trailer... as long as it is of reasonable length and light in weight. Naval architect Richard Woods was able to test the validity of the concept with his own Skoota 28: the Aegean 30 is a development of the Skoota 28, still for building in plywood/epoxy and dismantlable. The objective was to increase the beam - now close to that of a sailing catamaran - and the headroom while offering two additional berths in the hulls. The outboard motors make beaching easier and safer - no rudders and engine legs. Two 40 to 60 HP engines guarantee a cruising speed of 10-12 knots (16-20 knots top speed).

Architect: Richard Woods Design
Material: Epoxy plywood
Overall length: 30’2” (9.20m)
Waterline length: 289’ (8.85 m)
Beam: 16’5” (5.00 m)
Draft: 14” (0.36 m)
Headroom in nacelle: 6’3” (1.90 m)
Light displacement: 5,500 lbs (2.5 t)
Laden displacement: 7,000 lbs (3.2 t)
Engines: 2 x 40 to 60 HP outboards
Cruising speed: 10/12 knots
Max speed: 16/20 knots

www.sailingcatamarans.com

L925 SEMI DISPLACEMENT POWER CAT

Amateur or professional construction in plywood/epoxy

New Zealand-based naval architecture firm Dan Leech is offering a number of power multihulls from 25 to 60 feet (7.5 to 18 m) for amateur or professional construction. Among them, the L925 is the perfect choice for relaxed cruising for a couple. This model is built in ½” (12 mm) plywood - the panels can be digitally cut - with glass/epoxy reinforcements. Its limited beam will allow you access to a marina slip without any noticeable extra cost. On the other hand, the gain in habitability and stability is considerable compared to a single-hulled motorboat. This kind of construction is very accessible to an enlightened amateur (4,000 hours of work were counted for the first model) all the more so as having outboard motors for propulsion considerably simplifies the technical aspects. Despite its semi-displacement hulls, the L925 is capable of making more than 20 knots with two 90 hp engines.

Construction: Amateur or professional
Architect: Dan Leech Naval Architect
Length: 30’4” (9.25 m)
Waterline length: 24’9” (7.55 m)
Beam: 11’ (3.35 m)
Draft: 19” (0.48 m) - engines up
Recommended engines: 2 x 90 HP outboards
Cruising speed: 17 knots
Max speed: 22 knots
Fuel: 79 US gal (300 l)

www.leechboats.com

ARROWCAT 320

Compact but luxurious

The ArrowCat 320 is a successful model - now in its third generation. The smallest of the Arrowcat range, it features a luxurious finish - rare in compact powercats - such as a wooden steering wheel, or modern, full instrumentation on a carbon-look dashboard. Inside, the manufacturer has paid particular attention to the owner’s cabin. The 320 is powered by two outboard motors. The limited beam of 10 feet (3.05 m) allows the boat to be transported by road in certain countries such as the United ...

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