Power Catamaran play boat?

I’ve had a fascination with power catamarans since I was a kid. Years ago I even started designing one but I have no idea what happened to all of my work. Somehow life got in the way and I lost some time. It also didn’t help that I moved from the Great Lakes to Alberta where the lakes aren’t so great. But recently after doing a bunch of bikes and cars I have started to think more about boating and I’m considering a long term plan of trying to build a boat again. I have a HUGE shop and have all of the required tools for any direction I want to go so skills and tools are not a concern. The question is what to build and design and what materials to use.

I’m thinking of something small between 21’-27’ that I can use on calm lakes. Biggest waves I’ve seen here are only 2-3 feet. But I’m thinking of a catamaran that I could also us for fishing, tubing with the kids and possible some other water play. I really just want something different than everyone else. I just need an idea what designs and boats styles to start looking at.

Besides the weird wakes. Why aren’t people using catamarans for skiing and tubing? Has anyone ever done a wood catamaran hmmmm.

 

Welcome to the forum

Many people like a big wake when waterskiing or wakeboarding as it is fun to jump through. So as a catamaran only makes a small wake it won't appeal to many

I am one of several designers who do have plans for smaller plywood powercats

http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs/6-powercats

Richard Woods of Woods Designs

www.sailingcatamarans.com

 

Thanks. I’ll definitely take a look.

At first glance these look like they are a little bigger than what I am looking for. I definitely need it to be easily trailer-able as I don’t have real water anywhere close by. That means a 2-5 hr. pull every time it goes in the water.

 

Maybe some more like the link below but with more consideration for play than GO FAST.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/powerboats/review-self-made-catamaran-50706.html

 

Anyone have any idea where to start with finding some plans?

 

Recommend Richard Woods Designs.

- Different than most of the other boats on the lake

- Fun. Read his cruising blog about his trip in the power cat. It's got enough power to pull a tuber.

- Economical.

Gas prices aren't going down. In a few years when other boats are parked in the garage you'll feel good having a Woods powercat on the water. You won't have to have guilt pushing it to full throttle or worry you only have a few more years of being able to run it.

 

No body has mentioned Glen-L yet so here's a link in case you havent seen it.

Cheers
Edd

http://www.boatdesigns.com/24-Wildcat-E-X-T-Cuddy-power-catamaran/products/900/

 

here is one http://www.boatdesigns.com/25-6-Bear-Cat-Sport-power-catamaran/products/781/ they have others also.

 

I remember reading about this lady who skied behind Thunderbird ... it may have helped to get a lot of that out of her system.

PS: I'm still thinking a coin-op throttle on a high power boat might be a selling point to frugal owners with gas happy relatives....