Featured Boat Of The Month

Featured Boat Of The Month

Aksano Mini-Cat Provides Perfect Platform For Family Fun

The latest, hottest entry in the sportboat and yacht tender arenas is a feisty, 13-foot catamaran that can run 45 mph with a 50-hp engine. Introduced in 2005 and built by Aksano Catamarans, Inc. (AC), of Monroe, Wash., the Aksano F-3 promises to give competitors a run for their money.

"We think there is a market for a fast, family watersport boat that can be pulled by a small car and still have big fun," said Oz Aksan, CEO and president Aksano Catamarans. "The cats are small, efficient, economical, and loaded with features that you won’t see on other boats this size. They also make great fishing boats and yacht tenders."

Sportsmen such as airline pilot Bill Sleeper of Bainbridge Island, Wash., purchased his Aksano as a runabout that gives him crabbing, fishing, and trailering versatility. He has equipped the 13-footer with a manual downrigger, color video fishfinder, and a color chartplotter/map.

"When I get the urge, I can blast off salmon fishing in Puget Sound," explains Sleeper, who appreciates the cat’s lateral stability and high gunnels when it comes time to fight the fish. "I’ve had it out in 2- to 3-foot seas and 25 knot winds, and while it’s bouncy, I feel safe and secure that I can run back to shore."

Currently, AC offers a line of three models that utilize the same hull design. They vary only in the engine size and the colors/graphics. All Aksano F-3’s come" turnkey," with trailer and motor standard.

The white boat or "Fun Cat," is equipped with a 30 mph engine. It is targeted toward families and newcomers to boating. The yellow "Fast Cat" boasts a 40-hp engine that promises lots of "zip." Blasting about with a 50-hp engine, the red boat or "Type R," maneuvers like a mini-hydroplane!

These four-passenger "fireballs" come loaded with fun, fishing, and diving features such as dual swim platforms and a swim step. The driver sits on a molded, sliding seat, and the aft passenger seats are bucket-shaped to hold passengers in place during the "blasting" around. Some of the notable options include a boat cover, trailer, Bimini top, stereo, color GPS chart plotter/fish finder, and ski tower.

One of the most innovative features on the AC is a new product called a "pop-up bollard" cleat. The beauty of these stainless steel cleats, which "pop-up" when needed and disappear when not, is that they serve various functions. They can hold mooring lines or as a feed for a bridal for water skiing, hoisting, or towing.

Of course, the real beauty of these small boats is their performance. The gas tank holds 7.5 gallons of fuel. Running a 30-hp, four-stroke engine, that is enough gas to run a family of four around all weekend.

• Boat Depot: San Diego, Calif., (619) 296-2866;joannparadis@boatdepot.net; www.boatdepot.net
• Boat Depot North: Newport Beach, Calif., (949) 533-2844; jeffboatdepot@sbcglobal.net; www.boatdepot.net
• Aksano Catamarans, Monroe, Wash., 98272 (360) 805-1000; www.aksano.com; oaksan@aksano.com