Family Cat: Leech 825 powercat review

Most displacement power cats are either large offshore-oriented launches or hard-working commercial fishing boats. Christchurch designer Dan Leech has taken the best features of these efficient, stable working platforms and applied them to an innovative, family all-rounder that can be trailered to South Island lakes and harbours.

As a former runner-up in the Tanner and Tauranga Cups and six-time consecutive R-Class skiff national champion, Leech has designed boats ranging from commercial workboats to fast performance racing yachts, including Te Waka [Boating, November 2014]. With the launching of his L825 prototype Kokomo, Leech has applied a sailor's sensibility to the displacement power catamaran concept and come up with a liveable and efficient powerboat.

Construction

As part of this innovative design, Leech has harnessed the efficient production method of a full CNC cut-out, kitset type build system using marine plywood. This simplifies the construction and speeds up build time, but still allows for the finish of pricier production, high-end GRP and maintains the underlying strength and stiffness of composite construction.

Kokomo's hull is constructed of 12mm marine ply with an epoxy E-glass laminate inside and outside. This is reinforced with 12mm frames with 12mm doublers in some areas. The pilothouse uses 9mm plywood; the cockpit sole and hardtop are in 18mm plywood, and all decks have an epoxy E-glass laminate as well.

There are collision bulkheads in the bow and the interior has deep bilges.

The hull form is a flat U at the stern tapering into a tight U at the stem, strengthened by a twin-chine form which deflects the spray down and offers rigidity and more beam up high where it is needed.

With a waterline beam of 670mm on each hull, the resistance is kept to a minimum. A relatively narrow waterline beam tends to be a feature of performance sailing multihulls rather than power cats, but it means Kokomo requires less horsepower to perform.

Layout

Displacement power cats work well when the hulls are narrow and the bridge decks high as narrow hulls require less engine horsepower to drive them through the water. A high bridge deck reduces wave pounding through the tunnel.

Leech has incorporated some eye-pleasing lines into this basic concept. Kokomo has a reverse sheer accentuated by a spray chine that runs the length of each hull and terminates at the bows with a step, thus achieving good interior room with a dry ride. The reverse sheer gunwale allows full standing headroom throughout the entire boat and allows the pilothouse to integrate nicely with the steep sides of the hull.

The narrow hulls provide a low-drag efficiency to Kokomo's underwater profile and allow ample storage space under the floors. The bridgedeck is 500mm above the waterline at the aft end which reduces pounding and gets the deck up high and away from the spray. Kokomo's paint job in Resene Durepox and Acrythane look smart on the water.

The aft wet deck provides generous room for fishing or diving from between the motors. An alloy fold-down boarding ladder means the aft deck can function as a comfortable swimming platform and dinghy launching ramp, allowing the main cockpit to remain clear and dry.

The steering system is a Seastar hydraulic unit on the starboard motor, which is connected to the port motor by a stainless steel link bar – this allows for a degree of adjustment to get the desired toe-in configuration. Forward of each motor is a small space for lashing 20-litre tote tanks, although there is generous room for built-in tanks in the massive, twin, 2m x 1m storage lockers accessed from the main deck. The cockpit suits fishing, thanks to a removable bait board and well-proportioned coamings at a comfortable height for perching.

In the spirit of simplicity, cockpit seating is two, outdoor bean bags which, as any multihull owner will tell you, is a great way to lounge on deck. The 2.6m x 2.1m self-draining cockpit has a spacious uncluttered feeling and leads nicely into the main saloon; a small lip in the cockpit sole keeps out any boarding seas.

Folding doors in strengthened glass open along the entire aft face of the saloon, allowing the deck and living space to combine into a spacious, multi-function living area. Inside are settees to port and an ample 2.1m galley bench with gas hob, Waeco 12V fridge and sink arrangement, usually the preserve of much larger boats. With the height above the water and use of the tinted, strengthened glass windows, the view from the saloon is unobstructed and dry.

The substantial saloon area is complemented by private and well-proportioned accommodation areas with access to a substantial double bunk and single quarter berth to port and large toilet and quarter berth to starboard. There is headroom throughout the below decks accommodation and the quarter berths make excellent dens for the younger members of the family.

The helm station is a central, stand-up arrangement with provision for a seat if desired. There is excellent 360-degree visibility from the helm position helped by the raised height of the bridge above the waterline. The instrument panel contains all the electrical switches, a Fusion stereo, twin throttle controls and space for an iPad to provide charting and weather information at the swipe of a finger. At anchor, the iPad detaches from the dash to perform as an entertainment system and will no doubt be the source of some epic spacies marathons by Leech's sons, Will and Jonty.

Two start batteries are in lockers port and starboard in the aft cockpit coaming. A house battery is mounted beneath the aft settee in the saloon with a solar panel for topping up. The dual battery system teamed with twin motors means there is always a back-up without the need for an auxiliary outboard.

The Cule fore hatch leads to a spacious foredeck area and accesses the large chain locker and king post. Kokomo does not have a windlass, however there is provision for one as budget allows.

The powerhouses of the L825 are the twin Parsun 40hp two-stroke outboards that spin 11.8-inch props and provide more than enough power to push the low drag hulls quickly up to 19 knots. The L825 will accommodate twin motors up to 60hp; any bigger and the weight gain and associated extra engineering of the hull would pretty much negate the increase in performance.

The construction system and lightweight motors allow Kokomo to weigh in at just 2000kg and, with her 3m beam, she can be towed as an over-dimensioned load without the complication of special braking systems or pilot vehicles. At this size, towing would be a twice-a-year proposition, to and from new cruising grounds, or if you keep her in the water, a comfortable fit in a standard 10m marina berth.

On the Water

The best way to test a family boat is to bring the family, and a six-year-old and a three-year-old are a good test of livability for any boat. The L825 absorbed the Leech family, myself and the kayaks, dinghies, fishing rods and snacks required to entertain and feed the crew. We certainly took advantage of the powercat's spacious areas and stability. Every centimetre of the 3m beam and 8.25m length has been used efficiently with some clever design ideas.

As you'd expect, the berths and toilet facilities are in the hulls, while the helm, galley and socialising are up on the wingdeck. The separation of space works well, allowing family members some areas of private retreat.

Opening up the aft end of the saloon to the deck creates a spacious living area which, combined with massive storage capacity, provides for comfortable family cruising.

Leech is working towards a road trailer. With Kokomo on wheels he has his eyes firmly set on Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay. Kokomo's livability, shallow draft and ability to dry out at a level attitude will mean some special cruising possibilities for the Leech family.

Manoeuvring away from the wharf or marina is easily done with the twin throttles on widely-spaced motors, providing excellent low-speed manoeuvrability. Acceleration is smooth and we were soon at cruise speed of 14 knots. From our possie on the bridge deck, there was little sensation of speed, and I was constantly consultating with the GPS to prove we were even moving.

Kokomo tracks well, thanks to the long thin hulls. Any spray from the hulls is deflected downwards so it's fairly dry on deck. If the skipper feels fore and aft trim is required, he can dial it in with the dual tilt buttons on the throttle controls.

Kokomo corners with a slight outward roll. While she will not corner like a jet boat, she does keep her feet nicely, pulling some smooth curves in the process. At full revs of 5000rpm she reaches her top speed of 19 knots. At cruising revs of 3500rpm she sits on 14 knots.

During our outing, a solid 18-knot southwesterly developed on the harbour, building a chop, and Leech swapped to the RIB camera boat to get a good view of his creation at speed. He got a rough ride but we sipped tea and the boys read books while Leech bashed along beside us. Running downwind, Kokomo stayed well on her tracks. This ability to get home when it cuts up rough, without scaring the crew, is essential in New Zealand weather.

We headed to one of the many secluded bays of Moepuku Peninsula and, with the anchor down, Kokomo became a platform from which to kayak, fish or barbecue a nice feed of mussels. Leech and his wife Amy agree that in the future Kokomo will need a roof rack to carry all the toys as the boys set out kayaking and taking on the local spotty population. We folded back the saloon doors to create an ideal space for lounging, swimming and entertaining – a superb cruising platform.