Searching for power cat plans

[Mr Efficiency]

There are not many hovercraft, are they really terrible?.. there are not many SWATHs, are they poor seakeeping...and so on...

Good design does not always = prolific and widely used.

Factors such as price and immediate availability, as well as location of said product to yourself (i.e. large number of distributors) etc... in the leisure market, ....play an important part in the popularity of any design, rather than any technical issues.

neither of those two you mention, are analogous to mass market boats, but sleds are, they are just a hull form variant that functions in much the same way as other planing hulls, but with little penetration of the market, and there has to be reasons for that, because they are superficially attractive, with good stability, and roomy, but all reports say the ride is not up to scratch. It they rode in an acceptable manner, they'd have taken a big share of the market.

 

[Ad Hoc]

neither of those two you mention, are analogous to mass market boats,....

You are clearly missing the point....

 

[Mr Efficiency]

You are clearly missing the point....

I don't think so, the two you referred to are specialised, the sled is just supposed to do the same duty as "garden" variety power boats, but apparently falls short.

 

[Ad Hoc]

That'll be a yes then... you clearly are...

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Commercial operators are typically not fashion victims, but avoid sleds like the plague, so far as I can see, why would that be, I wonder....I'd say because other designs are better for most applications.

 

[BlueBell]

Mr E,

I believe Ad Hoc has put it much more politely than what I had in mind.
Perhaps you could start your own thread to argue your points.
Stop hijacking threads please.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I'll defer to the moderator, as to whether I am "hijacking threads", if he thinks so, I will retire from the forums. Simple as that.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I think I am well justified in advising caution on the part of the OP, in dallying with the idea of a sea sled, if that upsets people, I might be in the wrong place !

 

[Ad Hoc]

I think I am well justified in advising caution on the part of the OP, in dallying with the idea of a sea sled,...

So..the endless ad nauseum comments noted so many many times on many other threads, such as HERE... is not enough berating, it needs constant and endless repeating??

...Stop hijacking threads please.

Concur.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I would not steer anyone into a sea sled, for very good reason, they are not up to the job ! That's putting it politely. I'd say if you have a big load to carry, over smooth waters, yes, otherwise, forget it.

 

[Ad Hoc]

I would not steer anyone into a sea sled, ....

Sadly it is worth repeating
You clearly don't get it.. you have said this endless times.... yawn ...and the fact is, this is not YOUR boat.

Either stick to the topic under discussion or start your own thread on your own opines of the sled and you can bleat and moan as you like, in your own echo chamber.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

If you don't like it, don't read it, I am simply performing a public service, warning the OP that sea sleds are not to be considered a viable alternative to a decent power cat, which he says he wants, anyone who thinks otherwise, is on the wrong tram. Look what happened to the cathedral hull, and for the same reasons.

 

[BlueBell]

I don't read your posts but others do and it derails threads.
Start your own thread on why SeaSleds are so bad.
Derailing threads seems to be your modus operandi.
It must stop.
Moderator, please help get "him" his own thread as this one is now screwed.
Good job Mr E!

 

[DogCavalry]

If you don't like it, don't read it, I am simply performing a public service, warning the OP that sea sleds are not to be considered a viable alternative to a decent power cat, which he says he wants, anyone who thinks otherwise, is on the wrong tram. Look what happened to the cathedral hull, and for the same reasons.

How the hell would you know? You've never seen one, never been in one, never talked first hand to anyone who has. And you can't be arsed to actually read anything on the subject that was written by anyone who has.

 

[kenfyoozed]

Ive been reading the comments of Ken Handman on the design that he built. If the numbers are true I am very impressed.....

"The boat can comfortably run from King Harbor to the Isthmus at Catalina Island, a distance of 30 miles, in 50 minutes, on seas that would keep most boats behind the Redondo Breakwall.
It is powered by two 115 horsepower (about half the power most fast production boats require) Evinrude FICHT outboard motors. Fuel mileage is remarkable and top speed is 53 mph.

We carried out a lot of testing during the summer.One run was from King Harbor to the west end, around Catalina, past Avalon, and returning to King Harbor - over 85 miles --in just under three hours on a rough day. The fuel consumption was less than 25 gallons. In moderate and worse conditions, the vessel covers twice the distance at half the fuel consumption of any conventional boat her size.Even though Albert Hickman might not approve of my changing some of hisdesign, I am still very much in his debt for the boat I call Aero Cat."