Please help ID this hull.

[rich158]

Hi All,

Need your help to ID the manufacturer of this catamaran hull. I picked it up as an unfinished project & need some more info (Google has let me down for the first time! :'( ) The only history I have is:

1. that it was from Victoria.
2. originally fitted out as a ski boat - you can see the space for the ski pole & the glassed base of front2back seats. in the pics.
3. it has had the dashboard, front combing and windscreen cutoff as part of the conversion to a centre console.
4. vicroads say it's not stolen but can't give me any more info.
5. Length 4.75m, Beam 2.3 metres

I know the transom needs replacing before I can put a decent motor on the back. Also one of the stringers needs replacing


It's load of work but should end up with a very stable platform to fish off. So, back to my original question, can anyone help ID the hull type?

Cheers

Rick

[bushbeachboy]

Maybe an Aussie Whaler???????

[preso]

Sorry mate have no idea

[Big_unit]

Yeah Id go with Aussie Whaler, although I dont know why anyone would use that hull design for skiing ?

Cheers
James

[juju]

What ever it is it looks like it will keep you quiet for awhile.....test cricket in the shed time...:)

[juju]

Here is an Aussie 5.5 for reference

[sid_fishes]

looks like a thurger tunnel runner to me. did not think of it as a fishing platform

[rich158]

What ever it is it looks like it will keep you quiet for awhile.....test cricket in the shed time...:)


LOL, you're not wrong!;D

[rich158]

looks like a thurger tunnel runner to me. did not think of it as a fishing platform

Thanks Sid, that's somewhere to start. The main idea is to use the very shallow draft in the sea lakes & esturies especially around the mangroves. The foredeck will convert easily to a casting platform & those wide flat hulls work well at keeping the thing flat. Had it on the water last weekend for a test drive with a little 6hp. will be interesting with a bigger motor 60-70hp? not sure what size I can get away with. Also tried me & 3 big mates standing all on the one side, hardly listed at all.

The second idea is: It won't matter if the kids all run to the one side when someone catches a fish - they've almost sank every tinnie I've taken them out in!


google & yahoo still not coming up with any images (or valid ads) so any other info you Guys can provide would be a great help.

[rich158]

thank you yahoo images, Could be an american powercat 15c like in these pics:

http://www.powercatboat.com/Group/LW_15c/LW_15c.html


hull shape seems right although I have no idea about what the dash and foredeck looked like. I'm a bit surprised these things were only made upto 1964. - it doesn't look that old.:o

Anyone know if these things were imported to Oz?

[DR]

thank you yahoo images, Could be an american powercat 15c like in these pics:

http://www.powercatboat.com/Group/LW_15c/LW_15c.html


hull shape seems right although I have no idea about what the dash and foredeck looked like. I'm a bit surprised these things were only made upto 1964. - it doesn't look that old.:o

Anyone know if these things were imported to Oz?

:thumbsup: good find, looking at the pics, i would agree with that. the markings down the side look identical, as does the rest..

[rich158]

Bargain!

owner of http://www.powercatboat.com/ confirms it is a 15C power Cat.


Only a limited few were imported from California in 1960-62 thereafter they were built here in Oz under licence.

Question is, where? Son of the original Power Cat company owner does not know. Can the Ausfish boaters help?

Please post any thoughts you have.

Thanks,

Rick

[DR]

http://www.powercatboat.com/87.html

it would appear you have found yourself a classic, what a pity someone has taken the front deck out.
that is an interesting site to look around. i like the white mercs that they had on them..

[finding_time]

giday rich158


How are you going to power this, it loks like the american one had twin engines judging by the mounting holes on the transom? twin 25's? maybe even twin 40's ?

Be an interesting project a casting deck fowaed would work well but there must be some urge to return it to it's original glory.

Ian

[rich158]

http://www.powercatboat.com/87.html

it would appear you have found yourself a classic, what a pity someone has taken the front deck out.
that is an interesting site to look around. i like the white mercs that they had on them..

Hi DR,

They've got some real beauties in the site. love the look of the 2 finished Mercs here: http://www.powercatboat.com/FGS-SSM/FGS-SSM.html

It is a shame about the front deck & dash. However, it's gone & I don't have the cash to fix it now. The original plan was to glass in a cheap centre console, the casting deck was to be a large flat area incorporating flush anchor locker & storage bins in the front of the hulls. live well & kill tank behind those bins and dry storage lockers right next to the console itself - cheapy prefabs from Bias at about $40 each. The stern of the boat gets a new transom, more comfortable seat & better rod holders.


Having found out about the history of these boats I don't really want to stuff it up any more than it has been. My only option given the current tight budget is continue with the centre console but modify the design and positioning so the console itself becomes a bolt-on. Also the current casting deck, which has to go anyway, and currently sits on top of a thin glass moulding ( see original under the dash in some of these shots: http://www.powercatboat.com/Group/BG_15c/BG_15c.html) is replaced with a modular setup. 1 main structural piece that creates the foredeck reinforcing the flimsy original moulding incorporating an anchor/storage locker in each of the hull tips But maintaining the original position and twin flattop storage bins that sit on the hull, secured by bolting onto the reinforced foredeck section & side of the centre console.

That should give me a fishing platform for a few years while not causing additional problems should I get the cash to have a replacement foredeck, dash & windscreen fabricated - that's well beyond my glassing abilities & budget for now.

Will draw some plans & do some costings. see how we go.

Cheers
Rick

[rich158]

giday rich158


How are you going to power this, it loks like the american one had twin engines judging by the mounting holes on the transom? twin 25's? maybe even twin 40's ?

Be an interesting project a casting deck fowaed would work well but there must be some urge to return it to it's original glory.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Temptation to return to original state is definitely there, but, the budget is not.

yes the original config for this boat was twin short shaft motors (no idea what size) before a previous owner raised the transom height & installed a single lump on the back. The bloke I bought it off had a stainless transom support made for it (see attachment) with the intention of putting a 100hp+ on the back. I don't think that's necessary - not after a racing boat. At this moment the bare hull weighs around 200kgs. add to that my mods, anchor, chain, fuel tanks & safety kit should be around 280kgs. 400kgs with the 65hp Mercury I've got for it. That'll be plenty quick enough even with 4 adults onboard.

The examples still running in the states with twin motors vary in size from twin 18hp johnsons to twin 115 evinrudes. There is one little beauty running twin 2006 evinrude 35hp 4-strokes - that would be nice. the majority of them seem to run twin vintage (60-70's era) Mercs of 60-100hp. Much lower torque than the newer motors, but, they look good!


Catch you later,
Rick.

[Wyoming]

No question about it : That is undoubtedly the rattiest trailer I have ever seen. Ugly Betty...

[rich158]

No question about it : That is undoubtedly the rattiest trailer I have ever seen. Ugly Betty...


:o ugly betty? ;) would you be any better after an unknown number of years sitting out in the bush?

From my point of view: It's solid, with new bearings, has no serious rust & just needs a little TLC: new winch handle, general sanding & painting plus a jockey wheel.

Will get the boat in the water first then worry about a pretty trolley to cart it on further down the track.

[Sea-Dog]

Hey Rick, I would paint over or remove the chep pallecon material that is in the forward section of the hull.

I reckon chep might get a bit upset if they saw their containers cut up for boat parts. ::)

They might want it back....

[rich158]

Hey Rick, I would paint over or remove the chep pallecon material that is in the forward section of the hull.

I reckon chep might get a bit upset if they saw their containers cut up for boat parts. ::)

They might want it back....

;D LOL! if they want it back, they're welcome to pull it out of my bin!