FAQ
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Question
We’ve put together the most common questions we get about FatCat boats and their handling but if you have a question that’s not detailed here or want to chat and get more details please give us a shout!
The Basics
A Catamaran is a boat with two hulls spread apart rather than one hull.
A special blend of high grade rotomoulded Polyethylene with additional stiffening in key locations. The material is also really quiet in the water – no more clang, clang, clanging of an aluminium boat. It also has a low friction co-efficient so is relatively easy to push around.
Nope - it's not difficult at all. Being a thermoform material, dings and scratches can simply be heated back into place with a heat gun. For more substantial damage, parts can easily be plastic welded into place either by us here in the factory or a plastic welder/panelbeater/water tank supplier that is local to you.
Yes, the Polyethylene base is a common thermoform material which allows them to be easily recycled. Many other boats, such as fibreglass boats are not.
Building 2 hulls takes longer than one hull. There are more corners/edges to form, more detailing, more parts to fit and more complexity in the engineering solutions. Further, FatCat Catamarans have a lot more volume (width x length x height) which requires more materials, wider trailers, more space when truck/shipping to customers etc. However it’s definitely worth it to have a safer, more spacious, more stable, better performing boat.
Warranty
3 Year Structural Warranty for recreational use.
Launching
Yes. The FatCat is light and its shallow draft makes it easy for single-handed launch and retrieval.
Yes. You’ll really appreciate the shallow draft and ability of the boat to sit flat.
Engines & Colours
40hp on the FatCat 4000, on the FatCat 4500 it's 70hp or 125kg (lessor of either).
Depends on loading but generally a FatCat 4000 will go a maximum speed of 23 knots with 30hp or 26 knots with 40hp.
A FatCat 4500 will go 22 knots with 40hp and 28 knots with 60hp.
White, Yellow, Grey, Lime, Camo Green, Blue, Orange, Red.
The polyethylene itself will not degrade for at least 30 years however the colour pigment itself may fade a little with prolonged exposure to the Sun. Visit almost any beach in NZ and you will see Kayaks from 30 or 40 years ago, left out in the sun, treated badly yet all retaining their colour and are still going strong.
On the Water
Yes. Its quickness to get on the plane, manoeuvrability and stability at both high and low speeds make it very safe. Obviously the basics of handling any boat over a bar safely need to be followed.
Great! They are stable and flat the whole time. Many years were spent creating a hull shape that performs well across all conditions. FatCats are arguably the safest, most stable, quietest boat for their length in the world.
Fine bows make for minimal resistance which means a smoother, more comfortable ride.
A wide foot-print makes the boat stable and reluctant to broach.
Purchase Options
Yes. However we are quite specific about trailers to ensure the hulls are adequately supported. Give us a call to talk through your requirements.
Yes happy to. We do have to charge for the time it takes.
We aren't set-up to take trades at the moment.
Delivery
Yes. We run a demo day regularly – get in touch with us to come along to our next one.
If in stock it will be available immediately. Alternately, we’ll have one built for you within 2 months (subject to seasonal demands).
Yes. Please get in touch with us for a price.
Yes. Please get in touch with us.