Glacier Bay Catamarans

They're heavier than the rest of their breed and so fuel mileage will not match the others. The ride might be better though. I think there are about five different builders so my suggestion is test as many of them as you can.

My view is there are very few situations in which multihulls are not superior to monohulls. You're on the right track for sure.

Glacier Bay is certainly the best known US cat builder. Fountaine Pajot also has some interesting designs. But they don't seem to have anything under 35 feet -

http://www.*******************/-Highland-35,174-.html

Kelly

resale on power cats

Glacier Bay makes a nice boat, but you should take a look at the resale compared to mono hulls of the same length. Power cats are very expensive and take a huge hit on resale due to limited demand in the used boat market. Do not know if this applies to where you are located.

Though not nearly so well known as Glacier Bay, the Prowler cats also have something of a following in the US. Hard core fishing boats though, do not lean toward cruising like GB -

http://www.renaissancecats.com/

Kelly

Glacier Bay Catamarans out of business?

Seen three of there boats at a liquidator in Seattle. They also had rooms filled with misc. boat parts from Glacier Bay Catamarans. Went to Glacier Bay web site and they are having a factory sale with the bank helping out with offers on boats that are in dealer stock.

Quote from there website
We are responsible for helping the banks and dealers liquidate all current inventory boats

Any one know more details?

A friend of mine has a Glacier Bay 20-something as a tender. I've never been on any other boat between 20 to 30 ft that navigates as good as that one. It has my vote.

Kinda surprised to read this. Glacier Bay busted open the multi-hull segment for sport utility boat buyers who had more sense than dollars. Wait, I take that back. They were just as expensive as everything else. Anyhow... stable, fuel efficient, tracked well, decent quality and ergonomically somewhat correct... for a boat missing a V.

Might be a case of trying to expand a line too fast, while the demand wasn't keeping up? It seems Glaciers really are melting... and the deep-V is deep seeded.

I've found that the catamarans do very well in moderate seas. BUT, when the weather kicks up and the waves are large enough to hit the center hull, they are a downright nightmare. When it's rough and you plow into a large wave, it hits the center hull and the catamarans feel like you hit a brick wall, come to almost an immediate stop, and you almost fall on the floor if you're not really holding on.

I also was on one with inboards and after loosing 1 engine all the boat would do is go in circles and you could not go straight or any resemblance of straight on a single engine. I do not know if the outboard ones have the same issue, or being able to turn the motor/prop is enough for the boat to go straight considering the motor is so far off of centerline.

Well, maybe I wouldnt know about really bad seas. I just know that, like you said, in moderate seas it goes well.

now that I think about it, I was going with my friend on his glacier bay and a single rogue wave hit us, and I must say the hit was VERY unpleasant. it was like you said, like hitting a brick wall.

They're done.
I have worked in the area for a number of years, I used to have a workshop directly behind thier old facility.
I recently attended the final sale of thier tools and office equipment.
There is no more Glacier Bay.

Its too bad, because they did make a fine quality boat.

Thats is to bad.
I have driven by there building in Monroe, Washington and it was a good size location. Seems likes there is alot of buildings for lease (vacant) in that area. Real scary, with this economy whos next?

This is also on their website.

Our goal is to eliminate field inventory especially while the banks feel compelled to contribute to make the deal. Once the support funds are used, then the discounts are gone.

I guess this means when this period of giving "discounts" there will then be a time when any offers will be accepted to clear these boats

I think its just a sign of the economic times...lots of boating businesses going out of business. Boat manufacturing has always been a cash starved business anyway, so a few bad months and no banking resources...boom

Interesting variation on 'single engined multihull'
Aspen Power Catamarans

After considering many designs, the team settled on a completely new hull design and drive system that can be described as a "single diesel power proa." While identical in profile, the hulls are very different in plain view, with one hull 35 percent thininer than the other. Additionally, the design utilizes only one engine, shaft, prop and keel. The design's non-symmetrical or asymmetrical hulls are shaped to compensate for the engine torque. Since both forces are proportional to speed and thrust, the boat runs straight. We call this the SeaGlider system.

I can see how that would work in a tank test, but I can't believe it would work in real life where the forces on each hull would change second to second.

i-90 Marine Center was the local Glacier Bay dealer. They went under before the beginning of the year iirc. They had a dealer slip at our marina....

I have heard great things about the boats, very nice ride from the multiple owners we have......

NYCAP- I suggest you make some enquiries as to just what forces and sea conditions can be attained and simulated in a modern Test Tank.

It can be run to simulate a swimming pool or the roughest sea conditions you will experience.