[MHml] Big outboards and rudder fences

[Woods Designs]

I did the Banshee engine tests about 13 years ago so its all a bit hazy, but
I don't think the engine was any deeper because it was behind the hull.
Obviously the boat did squat, there's a photo of it towing a water skier in
my brochure with the bows well in the air. The advantage of the sqat is that
the bows lift and there's much less bridgedeck slam than you might expect.
ie on a power cat you can get away with less bridgedeck clearance. I think
the central engine works on racing powercats because they are basically
flying. One local cat sailor made a 16' powercat and he only got it really
moving when he put an outsize anti aeration plate on the engine (it was
mounted centrally).

I have just come back from my Christmas cruise to the Scilly Isles. That's
the home of the small power cat, Keith Bennett has been building them there
for 30 years. A 24' open fishing cat does 12 knots with two 9.9 outboards,
one on each hull. Don't think he has a web site, but his boats should be
looked at if you are thinking of a small power cat. Also the Ecocat, 24'
built here is a good example of an open powercat.

I have found the rudder fences very effective on transom hung rudders. They
seem to fool the water into thinking the boat is longer than it really is.
The water flows off the transom much more neatly. Based on my experience I'd
always fit them on "dinghy style" rudders, but they are prone to damage.

Best wishes
Richard Woods
Woods Designs offer quality sailing catamarans for home and professional
builders
and also rowing and sailing dinghies for home boat builders
Website:
http://www.sailingcatamarans.com

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RWoods at sailingcatamarans.com
Foss Quay, Millbrook, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL10 1EN UK
TEL and FAX +44 (0) 1752 823301


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