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SEACOR Environmental Products presents the patented custom built FlatsCat workboat. Combining a catamaran's
famous smooth stable ride with lightweight welded aluminum and a ram-air hull design, the FlatsCat is able to run in
extremely shallow water, and more importantly provides an extremely stable work platform. Because safety is the most
important aspect in work boats today, the FlatsCat hulls and sub-hull are sealed air tight and injected with foam. Testing
has proven without a doubt that the FlatsCat is absolutely unsinkable. This vessel is available in up to 21' lengths.
A truly revolutionary work platform for working with oil spill containment boom and equipment, the FlatsCat is truly the
best work platform for spill responders.
Shallow Water Capabilities: The ram air affect which affords the Flats¨ Cat to run smoothly across the top of the
waves also serves another function when entering shallow water. As air passes under the bow and approaches the
inside walls of the Cat Hulls, the water under the boat is compressed slightly and in turn rebounds up into the water
channel of the twin hulls. It is here that the water comes in contact with the sub-hull. The sub-hull is a slightly downward
curve about one third of the way back from the bow. The purpose of the sub hull is to purge most of the air out of the
water that is flowing into the Cat Hulls. The water is then wedged or trapped in between the Cat Hulls by the patented
reverse angle inside hull wall. When the water passes under the transom, a jet effect is formed compacting the water
even more and aiding in forward motion. When the water exits the transom it explodes up into the lower unit and
propeller of the outboard which allows for good handling characteristics, and more than adequate water pressure for
engine cooling. At speeds exceeding 20 M.P.H. the Flats¨ Cat Hull has 1/2" draft, meaning the boat is on top of the
water, not pushing through it. When entering water that is 7" or less in depth, the water is compacted between the hull
and the bottom creating a lifting effect which raises the boat to about 1/2" plus draft. This means that the keel-less Flats
Cat will not hit sub surface strata while there is any water below the boat at speed. However, when equipped with a tilt
and trim engine and a standard 5" Jack Plate, skeg drag will occur in about 3 1/2" of water, signaling the boat operator
to seek deeper water. This is a built-in safety factor for shallow water running, which has been well received and
appreciated by our boat owners.
Stability: Catamaran Boats have always been known to be very stable while sitting still on the water or moving at
speeds, simply because you have 2 hulls. One hull enhances the other, meaning that as one hull is raised or lowered
due to water movement, the weight versus the flotation of either hull are trying to stabilize each other. Cat Hulls displace
only about 1/3 of their weight which enables the boat to run across the top of the water - not through it.
Standard Equipment: Aluminum console, 20 gallon fuel tank, safety rails, grab rails on console, injected foam-filled
sealed hulls, dry storage in console, 72 quart ice chest / seat with cushion, & wind-screen.
Optional Equipment: Poling platform, towing post, 5" of 8" hydraulic jack plate with indicator, tachometer, pressure
gauge, tilt & trim indicator, 13" x 17" pitch 4-blade Predator propeller, trailer, extra fuel capacity, & 70 hp+ outboard
motor.
THE FLATSCAT HAS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN BOTH SHALLOW, AND ROUGH & DEEP WATER. |