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Take It To The Max
The Maxicat 4.6 crams a lot of performance and fish-ability into a small package, as COL BUCKLEY discovers.
Col Buckley
It was only 10 years ago that cats were mainly the domain of the well-heeled. The price of two motors, their upkeep and related fuel costs were factors that kept most fishos ploughing their hard-earned into the cheaper monohulls.
All this changed when forward-thinking designers devised ways of mounting single donks on multihulls without sacrificing performance. This immediately made cats price competitive with the monohulls. Their popularity rose overnight as offshore bait-soakers found what a stable fishing platforms cats were at rest. Large areas of cockpit space were now on offer for small overall length. On the performance side, the tunnel created by the twin-hull design cushioned out the eastern seaboard chop and it wasn’t long before the cat was well and truly here to stay.
Those of my vintage may remember the Maxicat 427 (4.27m overall length) originally released in the early 1980s. This model had two motors and was soon joined by its larger, twin-engined brother, the 527 (5.27m overall length). Both boats enjoyed a modicum of success but the initial investment was above what the average angler could afford.
Seton Reynolds, the original designer, has brought back the Maxicat, this time with a single engine mounted on a fully-floating pod, with more planing area and a much-improved performance.
I took this new 4.6m baby for a spin up Pittwater and out to sea and I liked it. The boat looks good, performs well and is a dream to fish from. Our test boat was a prototype and needed a few more inclusions added for passenger comfort.
Boarding platforms
The actual length of the boat is 4.3m but add on the pod and you arrive at 4.6m. Boarding platforms either side of the engine allows easy access as well as a place to mount a reticulated live-bait tank. The boat sported a 70hp standard-shaft Yamaha two-stroke driving a 15” prop, giving a top speed of around 30 knots at 5700rpm.
If you have a budget of $20,000, the Maxicat will readily take a 40hp, where top speed will be touching 27 knots. For anglers with a need for speed, the hull is rated to 90hp.
My companion for the test was Chris Tocchini, owner of the North Narrabeen boat dealership Enterprise Marine. After being in business for over 14 years, Chris has forgotten more about boats than most of us will ever know. Chris has taken on the Maxicat because he sees a market for a craft that can do close offshore work, combined with the manoeuvrability for fishing the many enclosed waterways surrounding this fair city of ours.
The first thing you notice about cats is space. With the new Maxicat’s four square metres of cockpit room, even fishing with three Mr Clumsys will present no problem.
The helm position is comfortable, with a well either side of the tunnel mount to stretch the legs. The throttle quadrant fell nicely to hand and, in the seated position, it’s easy to see above the level of the windscreen. Standing up gives a magnificent panorama of the surroundings, keeping all instruments in view as well as the throttle to hand.
Rear lounge
The windscreen does need to be higher to protect driver and passenger from inclement weather and grab rails will be added to production models – a must for when the going gets a little bouncy.
Gunwale height is 58cm – a little low, but the side rails will allow a snug hip-hold to fight fish safely. The project boat had a full-length back lounge across the transom, a feature that some will like and some won’t. The battery is underneath the lounge, allowing easy access yet still well away from the wet.
Up front, a split windscreen gives entry to the twin, outward-folding anchor hatches that service a large, single anchor well. Below the dash is a large, dry, full-width storage area for safety gear, cameras, etc. Two 16cm-wide side pockets run the full length of the cockpit for nets, gaffs, knick-knacks and even rod storage. The boat comes fully marine-carpeted and with all registrations and safety gear to get you on the water fast.
Flat turns
So how did it go? Those who have driven a twin hull know it can be a bit scary when these boats lean away from the turn. With some cats, this lean can become quite frightening, although still safe. The Maxicat, due to its very wide, near two-metre, beam, turns relatively flat. Giving plenty of throttle and extreme wheel input, the Maxicat responded with no loss of speed, minimum tilt and no sign of cavitation.
With the motor properly trimmed, the helm returned a very light response, aided by the standard Teleflex steering. The test day was cloudy with a freshening northerly wind. As usual, there was swell at the entrance near Lion Island and I hit the throttle hard as the waves built and tightened. The cat leapt at them, eager to devour any bump and trough, and I totally forgot I was only piloting a 14-foot boat. The performance was equal to a craft at least a third bigger.
It was this sure-footedness that convinced me the Maxicat would be safe offshore and could easily handle the resident nor’-easterly chop. Running downwind, the craft showed no pronounced vices and, even against a beam sea, there was little deviation from the set track and minimal entry from wind-driven spray. Believe me, sponson and tunnel design really is rocket science but Seton Reynolds has got it just right to give maximum penetration and a very smooth cushioned ride – all with minimum drag.
Sleek lines
Back in Pittwater, we did the lean test with both of us over the same coaming and then the full-reverse test to find out if there was any water intrusion. The boat passed with flying colours on both accounts.
When I was photographing the boat as Chris did a few passes, it looked more like a monohull than a cat because it didn’t have those slabby sides associated with many modern-day multis. This low profile is ideal for the flathead-drifters, as it wouldn’t skate along in a blow. Sleek, drop-down lines give the Maxicat a contemporary look that is modern, pleasing to the eye and stylish. As usual, my mind went into overdrive as I conjured up thoughts of how to rig rocket launchers, cutting boards and bait boxes. As the rig comes in at under 900kg, towing by a large four-cylinder car would be a snack. With the way the trailer is set up, it would be a breeze to launch and retrieve solo.
All in all, a nice boat, a safe boat and quite moderately priced – well worth a look at.
Package as tested
70hp oil-injected two-stroke Yamaha
Deluxe full-width rear lounge
50-litre stainless steel cruise tank
Marine-grade cockpit carpet
Custom fully galvanised Maxi trailer with override brakes
All registrations
Safety gear for five adults
Total cost (including GST) $23990.
Boat supplied by
Enterprise Marine
1416 Pittwater Road
North Narrabeen 2101
Phone (02) 9913 7767 |
