An interesting commission for Nick de Waal of Teknicraft at present under way. This is a 21 metre (68') composite cat with an adjustable foil between the hulls to offer lift and stability. Very low wake characteristics have been achieved with this format. Hulls etc were built by Composite Projects but the interior is being finished elsewhere I think. Intended use is cruising and game fishing I see. Interior is apparently to be superyacht standard. The local owner also has the Trinity explorer vessel "Ulysses" . The cat is nominally called U21 and has a WOT speed of some 50 knots powered by quad jets. The most unusual factor is its appearance. Quite closely resembles Teknicraft's patrol boat designs done for enforcement agencies both in the US and here. Very utilitarian look - but not without appeal - to me at least. Tecknicraft.com
U21 is in the water and has been leaving prying photographers behind in its (small) wake. It comes to mind that a modern sports fishing boat such as this using current technology/design for performance, greater space and efficiency could also example the same comparison as a modern sports car and a classic Pontiac GTO. Both may be very fast but one handles so much better and is infinitely safer and more comfortable. Is it though that the classic US sportsfisher continues to maintain the same approach as for the Pontiac GTO era did despite some very obvious advantages of 'going modern' in terms of design? Does the penchant for classic design override common sense?
