Mini cat

[Charlyflip]

After building big boats I decided to do something for the kids. The result can be seen at http://www.mulasan.de/html/gocartcat.html
This is a 2.80x1.5m mini catamaran in vacuum assisted infusion weighing 48Kg (empty hull).
With one person, engine, tank... the total weight is 200-220 Kg.
Tests results:
10Hp Jhonson - 18mph
15Hp Mercury- 28mph
25Hp Evinrude- 36 mph
This seems too slow to me.
These are standart engines. Can somebody please help me with advise on how to modify such engines to get a better performance?

[FrenchPhil]

Nice stuff Charlie . The problem with small cats under 12 feet is that they don't carry motor + driver weight very well. Have u considered something bigger ?

[Charlyflip]

Hi Phil
I have been building Formula 3 racing cats for several years. As a matter of fact one of my boats came 2nd in last years 2 litre world championships in Italy.
The problem for 12 - 18 year old's is that they don't have the money for such large boats. So my aim is to get a kid onto the water in a cat for under $3000.- That's engine etc. everything included.
With a larger engine it gets too tail heavy. With a high pitch it just sits there cavitating on the hump and a 50Hp with a low pitch flips over on the spot. (After such an experience my friends gave me the name Charlyflip. :)

[FrenchPhil]

A good compromise could be a 11 footer, hand laid to be heavier around 70 kgs -no kevlar or carbon & cheaper- with a 25 hp max 55 kgs motor weight. Something closer to the US sportc or the European S550. I remember Ole Terjesen running a comparable category in the 80's (pic) running around 85 kph. In Latvia Eastern Europe, they race SN 350 classe with a similar setup.

Keep us posted.