We are often called in as consultants for corrections or modifications. This is a typical example.

The “High Flyer” is a 32’ x 13’ aluminum catamaran owned by Vancouver Island Airlines and was intended to supplement airline their service. Our first introduction was by means of a question via a telephone call:

Question: “If I add 1600 pounds of ballast on the stern of a 32 foot (high speed) boat and the speed increases by 2 knots, do I have a problem?”
Answer: Something isn’t right!

The design itself was not too bad but there were quite a number of things that were glossed over or incorrect. The center of gravity was one of several: it was too far forward.
To move the C of G aft (were it should be) tanks had to be shifted and the owner also decided to fit heavier duty engines and drives. The before and after specifications as follows:

Before:

• 2 x 250 hp diesels with 2 x ASD* 6 units (*Arneson Surface Drives).
• Noisy (water impact on the ‘aka’ underside).
• Wet (bow wave sheeted up side of hull and did not permit viewing from the side windows. It also deflected a lot of spray into the cockpit area.(see shaded photo).
• Not particularly fast – 34 knots max. with full load – cruise was 28 knots with the engines working quite hard.

After:

• 2 x 370 hp diesels.
• Quieter.
• Dry (bow wave lower- permits viewing from the side windows.
• Faster – 43 knots max. with full load.
  

These modifications did not come cheap but now the owner has a vessel that meets his needs.

NB: As a result of this work, some of the above modifications have been incorporated into other catamarans from the same builder. With the existing engines and few if any internal modifications the owners report some reduction in noise levels and improved ride and performance.

Note: The following photo was taken from one of VIA’s aircraft –a Twin Beach seaplane on takeoff step. For more information about Vancouver Island Airlines go to their website here.

Image of Highflyer before modifications. Shaded area indicates size and location of bow wave.