Page 1 of 2
How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 04:55
by MauiBen
Because of the catamaran design, it shouldn't slap the water when headed into the wind, like a flat bottomed boat would, right?
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 11:21
by chris moody
I have only done one outing in my Takacat so far, and it wasn't that choppy. But based on the limited use so far I expect it will handle a head sea well.
Should be using it again next month so I'll keep you informed of how it handles.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 15:32
by harrison
I've no experience with the Takacat but would tend to agree with Chris. It should handle a head sea and chop well and probably slightly smoother than a similar length sib. It will still bounce off the waves despite its twin hulls as too light to cut through, but the trapped air between the hulls should dampen the landing slightly.
Although never been on a Takacat I have piloted and crewed a Zapcat on which the handling, cornering, take off and landing is seriously impressive and often scary. If cruising and not racing at full tilt it is an immensely capable craft. Whilst I acknowledge this is a larger and far more aggressive boat I assume the handling traits will filter down somewhat to the Takacats.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 15:47
by chris moody
@harrison you are welcome to have a go in my Takacat if you are coming on the March trip to Ryde.
The part of the handling that surprised me was the ability to execute full throttle turns on full lock. Only tried it on full throttle to starboard so far as I'm worried I might fall out doing doughnuts round to port, and the waters a tad cold this time of year for impromptu swimming events.
One challenge with these cats is getting the engines and props setup correctly. They can be very prone to propeller ventilation. I'm currently waiting on a replacement propeller that I'm going to get cupped.
harrison wrote: ↑19 Feb 2019, 15:32
I've no experience with the Takacat but would tend to agree with Chris. It should handle a head sea and chop well and probably slightly smoother than a similar length sib. It will still bounce off the waves despite its twin hulls as too light to cut through, but the trapped air between the hulls should dampen the landing slightly.
Although never been on a Takacat I have piloted and crewed a Zapcat on which the handling, cornering, take off and landing is seriously impressive and often scary. If cruising and not racing at full tilt it is an immensely capable craft. Whilst I acknowledge this is a larger and far more aggressive boat I assume the handling traits will filter down somewhat to the Takacats.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 16:32
by harrison
Thanks @chris moody still hoping to make the Ryde trip in March.
Yeah would love a go in the 'cat' thanks for your offer. I'll keep off the full throttle turns though, honest. The racing boys say they can pull 3g in the turns...how insane is that.
Hope the prop fettling goes well.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 19:38
by chris moody
@MauiBen if it's choppy on the March group run to Ryde I'll see if we can get some of the other guys to video me so you can see how it handles.
The cats seem to go remarkably well with the lower powered outboards. My 3.4m Takacat performs well with only a 9.8hp on the back.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 19:54
by Andy
@chris moody to be fair, you had to spend loads of time getting it setup right, and you were close at the end of the trip to getting there. You turned the thing on a sixpence at the end !
Nice bit of video comes watching
@harrison giving it full lardie !
Go Pro on order !
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 19 Feb 2019, 20:19
by chris moody
Still a fair bit of fine tuning needed
@Andy . I've yet to get the engine height correct, and I need a new propeller with some degree of cupping, and then there is the trim to get right.
It's now close enough to be usable, but I want to get rid of all traces of propeller ventilation.
The Takacats don't work straight out the box, but it's going to be awesome when I have it setup correctly.
Andy wrote: ↑19 Feb 2019, 19:54
@chris moody to be fair, you had to spend loads of time getting it setup right, and you were close at the end of the trip to getting there. You turned the thing on a sixpence at the end !
Nice bit of video comes watching @harrison giving it full lardie !
Go Pro on order !
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 20 Feb 2019, 02:31
by MauiBen
Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm really liking the idea of a cat.
Re: How does the Takacat handle wind chop?
Posted: 20 Feb 2019, 09:42
by chris moody
If buying one of these inflatable cats be very careful on your choice of engine. The inflatable cats are very fussy on propeller size and shape, and with some outboards it's very difficult to get them to work without extreme propeller ventilation.
MauiBen wrote: ↑20 Feb 2019, 02:31
Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm really liking the idea of a cat.