FAQ’s about aluminium boats and Powercat’s

On the water

Innovations in hull design, such as refined shapes and improved structural integrity, have greatly reduced noise levels in alloy boats. Installing rubber or foam padding in areas where the boat makes contact with the water can also help absorb sound. For further noise reduction, and comfort underfoot, we use U-Dek flooring on the deck to minimize vibrations underfoot.

Our Powercats are designed to deliver excellent stability, comfort, and performance in a variety of sea conditions. Thanks to their twin-hull design, Powercats handle rough waters better than most monohulls, offering a smoother and more stable ride with less rolling and pitching. This makes them ideal for offshore cruising, fishing, or leisure boating, even in choppy seas.

Powercats are also more efficient, as their twin-hull configuration reduces drag, allowing for better fuel economy at cruising speeds. In addition, they can plane faster and handle sharper turns with greater ease. The wide beam of a Powercat provides more deck space and enhanced stability when at rest, making them versatile and reliable vessels for various water activities.

Powercats are known for their excellent stability, and this holds true even in a following sea. The twin-hull design provides enhanced directional stability, helping the boat track straighter and reducing the tendency to yaw or surf uncontrollably on waves. This makes Powercats more predictable and easier to handle when seas are pushing from behind.

Additionally, the wide beam and separation of the hulls minimize rolling and pitching, giving the Powercat a smoother, more comfortable ride compared to a monohull in similar conditions. While every boat must be handled with care in following seas, Powercats tend to perform with greater stability, making them a reliable choice for those navigating offshore or in rougher waters.

Alloy as a boat building material

In a properly built boat it shouldn’t be a problem at all – provided:

  1. The electrical system is professionally installed and fitted anodes are tested regularly. (This actually applies to all boats whatever their construction)
  2. Paint applications are done exactly to manufacturers specifications. (even a hand print on a prepared surface can leave a smudge of sweat/oil which can cause corrosion later)
  3. The boat is maintained and underfloor areas in particular are kept dry and free from salt build up and accumulating dirt/leaves/scales etc.
  4. All closed or inaccessible areas are sprayed with a suitable barrier product like Prolan. At Alloy cats we seal all underfloor areas with Prolan, especially inaccessible buoyancy compartments

  1. Clearcoats. There are several brands of clearcoats (like Nyalic) that can be applied to hull. This is a specialist job that can entail acid washing first.
  2. Wet on wet paint. A properly prepared hull can have several coats of the required paint layers applied in a short time. Not all paint manufacturers offer this procedure. This method is popular over unfaired surfaces.
  3. Faired and painted. This can be taken to any level of finish required. Being labour intensive, costs can rise very quickly.
  4. Graphic film. We are using this method more frequently as it is relatively cheap and very quick to apply. You can even have photographic images set on the film for spectacular appearances. The film (like signwriters use) is self adhesive and we are yet to find any problems with it relating to corrosion. Scratches can be quickly patched over.

There are dozens of different alloys created with aluminium. Each has different properties relating to strength, weldability, corrosion resistance and so on. The most common one for boats is the 5083 alloy as it meets most boatbuilding criteria.

Alloy is durable, impact resistant, easy to maintain, and easy to customise to a clients specifications.
For a full article on this topic see The advantages of Powercats

Costings

Our research has shown our alloy boats cost approximately 15% less, this will vary between builders and country of origin and assumes the boats are of very similar specifications.

Our Powercats offer at least 15% more volume than a similarly sized monohull, providing additional space and stability. For a more accurate comparison, we recommend looking at a Powercat alongside a monohull that is the next size up.

While Powercats offer more volume and deck space, their construction involves two hulls, which means twice the labor and materials below the waterline. As a result, the cost of a Powercat can be higher due to the added complexity and build time. However, many customers find that the increased space, stability, and performance benefits justify the investment.