The new Thai Cat range of catamaran boats is imported by Osmotech, a company based in Hamble, Hampshire with a background and reputation based on precision marine engineering and boat building.

The Thai Cats are a popular boat founded in the demanding Australian market, both with pleasure boaters and especially anglers. They were the talk of the 2008 Southampton Boat Show when first demonstrated by Osmotech, and with the small Cat market growing rapidly now in the UK, Osmotech have read the long term market well in introducing these new to the UK craft.

DESIGN FEATURES
Thai Cats are built in Thailand, but in an Australian owned and run factory, so potential quality control issues, often voiced when boats are built in Asian countries, are overcome.

The CC on test is a cabin boat designed both for a couple to weekend on in the marina in comfort, but with the overall design built for practical offshore fishing.

The test boat was fitted with a power winch at the bow, with deep rope lockers either side, forward facing stainless steel safety rails and flip-up type stainless steel cleats. Access to the anchor, if needed, is through a Houdini hatch in the cabin.

The helm seat and steering console is on the starboard side. There are moulded steps up to the raised seat position and you’re sat in a secure and comfy upholstered seat which gives exceptional all round vision. The wheel is unusual being a slim diameter, but coated with a high grip finish that is very comfy. The instruments are arranged neatly behind the wheel but all are clearly in view when travelling. The switch panel is to the right with easy access. The console shelf rearward also has masses of room for additional electronics.

The port side passenger seat is again raised and has stainless steel foot and hand grip bars in front on the main console bulkhead, plus side shelving space.

The helm positions are protected by a full length see through visor, plus you have a full canopy over the top based around a tough stainless steel frame. The frame also carries five stainless steel rocket launches, and the navigation lights are positioned high up on top and sides of the canopy for maximum visual effect.

Cabin access is through a hatch type door. The toilet is on the port side, with the starboard side bulkhead carrying portals for hiding small items of gear away, plus there is a fold down table. The double bunk is massive and hides two large underneath lockers for additional storage. Also built in to the bunk configuration is a central sink and wash basin, plus a double bunk seat for access to the table. Very neat and well thought out!

The cabin windows are tinted for privacy, as is the Houdini hatch, you have interior lighting, plus the walls and ceilings are covered in a durable grey material which gives a neat attractive effect.

Out on deck the gunnels carry a T-Cleat amidships, plus cleats and a rod holder at each stern corner. The gunnel tops are also finished in a teak material. The inside of the gunnels also house access hatches to the battery isolator switches etc, plus additional storage.

The rear of the helm seat console, giving direct access off the deck, has a large built in fridge for food, drinks and bait, and the passenger seat console is designed with a neat tackle drawer section at the top, and locker access built in to the base.

The stern offers a double upholstered bunk seat and storage locker in the middle, plus there is a hatch type live bait tank on the starboard side stern corner, and a wash down well on the port side.

The deck is finished in teak, which looks smart, plus there are two fish lockers built in to the deck.

The splash well carries a central stainless steel dive ladder, but the well is good and deep reducing the chance of water coming over the stern if you ever need to back down.

Looking carefully at the overall finish, it’s very good, neat, and with no nasty sharp edges left bare or rough patches of gel coat finish. The fixtures and fittings are of a high quality and everything is marine grade stainless for durability.

She’s fitted with twin 150-litre fuel tanks and a 60-litre freshwater tank.

ON THE WATER PERFORMANCE
Jumping in to the helm seat, the vision forward and all around is excellent and the steering position comfy.

Easing the throttles forward there is a slight pause as the boat lifts in the water, and acceleration is steady until you reach mid throttle, push on from mid throttle and the boat leaps forward to full cruising speed. The boat feels bigger than she actually is and sits well up off the water.

Putting the boat through tighter and tighter turns under power she stays rock solid with next to no perceptible lean. Your passengers feel totally secure, plus several of you can walk about on deck whilst at speed with no correction needed at the wheel. The steering seemed a little heavy at first, but you quickly get used to it, plus it’s a brand new boat and will loosen up.

Running the throttles up to full, the slim line hulls slice cleanly through the waves easily and the ride is both comfortable and with no noisy slamming. A little spray crept back in to the helm position when running in to the wind, but this was minimal.

On the drift, the low profile of the cabin and the canopy means she catches minimal windage, drifts just slightly off the wind, but is predictable

Out on deck the gunnels are good and high for maximum safety, and the deck area safe when working.

Performance wise the Thai Cat CC tested was fitted with twin Mercury 100 4-stroke engines and cruises easily at 30mph, but running at 5500rpm she achieved 40mph on the day and will do 45mph in flat calm, ideal conditions.  

Fuel consumption, well an educated guess would be somewhere in the region of 30-lires an hour at 30mph, maybe slightly less, which is excellent given the size of the boat.

THINGS I’D CHANGE
The twin-throttles are not in a good position to the right of the helm seat on the test boat and prove difficult to co-ordinate. The lads at Osmotech have realised this and are in the process of manufacturing a special console to improve the positioning of the throttles on future boats.

The rocket launchers for holding the rods are too low off the back of the canopy and taller people will bang their heads on the bases of these when accessing the helm position.

If fitting the boat out from new, then I’d add a few more gunnel positioned rod holders, which is easy enough to do.

OVERALL CONCLUSION
First thing I looked for underway were rattles and vibrating body panels, but this was not the case and the boat was very well constructed throughout.

I really liked the interior design. On deck there is no clutter, just loads of working deck space, plus you have stacks of storage areas, and the neat fridge and tackle drawers further minimise loose items.

The accommodation is also top notch with loads of room for two people to eat and sleep in comfort inside the cabin.

The Thai Cat CC is a top consideration for an angling couple looking for a trailerable boat they can overnight in on the marina, but she’s also a cracking angling boat for two to four anglers looking for a day out, either inshore, or way out on the offshore grounds and wrecks.

As a sea boat she’ll bring you home in the worst of weather, but give you the comfy, predictable ride that only cats can.

STATISTICS
Length: 6.60-metres
Beam:  2.20-metres
Draft: 0.28-metres
Displacement weight: 1820kgs

PRICE
The Thai Cat CC, as tested, retails for £48,750 including VAT, and comes with a full 5-year hull warranty. Optional extras include a clear, full all-round helm position cover and a sun shade for the deck area. A trailer for the Thai Cats Cabin Cruiser retails for £2300.00 plus VAT.

CONTACT
Jim Hurst or Tim Leroy at Osmotech UK, Hamble Point Marina, School Lane, Hamble, Hampshire SO31 4NB. Tel: 02380 456450. Website: www.thaicats.co.uk.

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