2019 OceanCat 26 Offshore review

Established in 2016, OceanCat Marine Australia is owned by partners Peter Moran and Peter McIntyre. The duo, who have considerable boat manufacturing experience, teamed up to produce a new range of trailerable aluminium catamarans using the latest hull design and interior layout concepts.

Related stories:

As noted, the pair entrusted the design of the first two boats to Kiwi naval architect and long-time friend, Roger Hill. His brief was to design a bulletproof, yet very efficient planing hull that would deliver the smoothest ride possible, with a 660-litre fuel capacity to give more than a 300 nautical mile offshore range.

True to the design targets, the new OceanCat 26 Offshore and 26 Weekender can both achieve a maximum range of 320 nautical miles when rigged with twin Yamaha 175hp four-stroke outboard engines. Moreover, this range figure is achieved at an easily maintainable (and comfortable) offshore cruising speed of 21 knots.

As we discovered, these quality-built new boats are also very soft riding, their fine, knife-sharp hull sponsons combining with a high-tunnel catamaran configuration to slice easily through bay chop and ocean swell.

More models (smaller and larger) will be released during the next 12 months, but for now, the OceanCat design team is concentrating on the launch models, the 26 Weekender and the subject of this review, the 26 Offshore.

As a small, boutique boat maker, OceanCat sells each model direct from its factory in Lytton, Brisbane. The absence of interstate dealers may be an issue for some buyers, but with each boat being sold ex-factory, you do have the option of having your new craft completed to turn-key, ready to fish standard.

There's also a high degree of customisation available. If you don't like the standard boat's back-to-back helm chair set-up, for example, you can swap it out for a regular pedestal chair. There's also a fair degree of flexibility with the internal layout with regard to passenger seating, storage areas, fishing features and options, and more.

Pricing for the 26 Offshore starts from around $276,000 with the dual Yamaha 175hp four-stroke outboard engine option, but no trailer. This is a tidy sum for a 7.0-metre powered cat, but these boats are built to NSCV commercial survey standard and come with a vast inventory of features and inclusions.

We haven't the space to run through all of the OceanCat's good gear, but some of the key items include a double berth cabin to starboard; combined head/shower compartment to port; semi-enclosed helm station with toughened glass windscreen and fibreglass hardtop; a large, moulded fibreglass galley with sink and mixer tap; 57-litre Engel fridge; and a self-draining rear cockpit with two large sub-floor storage areas.

Fixtures and quality fittings include Hella LED lighting throughout; a Savwinch electric drum winch with Rocna 10kg anchor and rode; three batteries with isolation and battery switching; battery charger, battery monitor; ship-to-shore power connection; a Simrad electronics package; dual windscreen wipers; plumbed live bait tank; deck wash; freshwater deck shower; tackle storage drawers; SeaDek flooring; Gebo brand deck hatches throughout; four separate bilge pumps, and more.

Our test boat was set-up as a deluxe model demonstrator, complete with an upgraded Simrad 16-inch multifunction display, Simrad autopilot, Duetto 12/24-volt hot water system, Oceanblue outriggers, an extra 100 litres of freshwater, and transom bait boards.

Adding a 4500kg rated, Transtyle dual-axle alloy trailer to the optioned test boat package lifts the drive-away price to $318K.

If the OceanCat's hull was painted below the waterline you'd swear at first glance that the boat was made from fibreglass, so smooth are the topsides and so good is the rich blue-coloured two-pack paint finish.

I certainly thought it was a 'glass boat when I first saw the OceanCat at the 2019 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show. The hull, though, is made from 5083 marine grade alloy, beautifully finished using 5mm alloy below the water (unpainted area) and 4mm alloy above it. The boat also has a 6mm keel, while the decks, self-draining flooring and coamings are made from 4mm where many competitors use lighter weight 3mm.

So, there's no questioning the construction strength of the OceanCat.

With regard to safety, to meet NSCV survey standards both hulls have collision bulkheads at the bow and a second bulkhead amidships to create four separate watertight bulkheads, each equipped with a 6000L/h alarmed bilge pump.

The two hull sponsons are symmetric in shape with a 40-degree vee angle at the bow and 18 degrees aft, with wide, reverse chines to provide buoyancy to plane the hull quickly and efficiently.

Whilst the hull and decks are made from alloy, OceanCat does outfit the 26 Offshore with fibreglass componentry to save weight. For example, the main cabin sides are lined with fibreglass panels and the hardtop, galley unit and drop-in head/shower compartment are made from the composite material for a neater finish.

The 26 Offshore is the fishing version of OceanCat's two 8.0-metre models. Accordingly, it is designed with a shorter overhead hardtop, a larger rear cockpit, and simpler, yet no less practical saloon layout.

From the helm station forward, the 26 Offshore and Weekender are identical. Steps on the port side lead down into the combined head/shower compartment. Features inside include 1.8 metres of standing room, flush-out toilet with macerator and 70-litre black water tank, handheld shower rose, vanity basin, port hole for ambient lighting, mirror and storage locker.

Alongside the head compartment is a low, open doorway providing access to the 2.0-metre-long x 1.5-metre-wide double berth. I'd be hesitant to describe this space as a cabin because the berth takes up the entire area and the access into it is a little tight. Once inside the berth space/cabin, there is ample headroom.

The cabin/sleeping space has attractive vinyl lining to the ceiling and sides and there is ample light due to the inclusion of a transparent Gego overhead hatch and port hole, along with Hella LED lighting.

A series of drawers provide storage for clothing, and there's a large, deep storage area in the hull sponson beneath the berth on the starboard side.

Our test boat was fitted with a drop curtain over the cabin entryway, but there's an option to fit a lockable door.

Overhead, the OceanCat has a wide dash with a lip to stop stuff sliding off, while the fascia to starboard can easily accommodate a single large electronics display and engine instrumentation.

The throttle box is mounted on a purpose-designed pad to starboard of the stainless steel steering wheel. Both are well-positioned and easy to reach whilst standing at the helm.

The boat is not as comfortable to drive while seated as the back-to-back moulded bench seat is fixed into position and can't be moved back and forth. As noted earlier, however, this helm seat can swap out for a regular pedestal chair.

The back-to-back seat does work in a fishing situation, as it provides an aft-facing bench seat for two people to sit and watch the lure spread out the back while trolling.

Sliding glass side windows provide excellent ventilation to the saloon, and the skipper has excellent visibility forward through the tall, two-pane toughened glass windscreen.

Whilst some anglers might prefer to have a portside helm chair in place of the moulded galley unit, being able to wash your hands in the freshwater sink or retrieve a cold drink from the Engel fridge will be appreciated by others. You can't whip up a cuppa, however, as the included galley unit does not have a cooktop, though it is an option.

Most anglers will be very happy with the size of the rear cockpit and the layout of the transom. At 800mm along the sides, the cockpit freeboard may be a tad high for stand-up game fishing (as it makes it more difficult for shorter anglers to lower a rod on the down-stroke when fighting a fish), but for all other fishing activities the extra high freeboard is ideal.

The SeaDek foam-rubber lined, self-draining cockpit has an overall length of 3.5 metres from the cabin bulkhead back to the transom wall by 2.35 metres across. Aft of the twin bench seat there is 1.7 metres of uncluttered space.

Key features include a gated walkway out to the boarding ladder between the outboard engines; a decent-sized, plumbed live bait tank built into the transom on the starboard side; similar-sized bait box opposite; elevated side storage pockets; relatively narrow, 135mm wide side coamings; four gunnel-mount rod holders (with PVC inserts that are not really strong enough for game fishing); tackle storage drawers; raw-water deck wash; switching for the ship's electrical system; and optional, removable bait boards.

There's also access to the plumbing, water tank, filters, batteries and bilge area beneath two large cockpit storage hatches. You can stow stuff in these large compartments, but they are not really suitable as kill tanks. That said, you could feasibly drop a removable Nalley box into one of the compartments and use it as a fish box.

I have driven many powered catamarans over the last few decades and this new OceanCat is definitely one of the better performers.

Like most big, high-sided cats, the OceanCat 26 will not carve up high speed turns, or perform radical sports boat manoeuvres, but nor does it need to; the OceanCat is not that type of boat. This is a craft that you buy to fish and cruise offshore, to tame the rough stuff, to keep you comfortable, warm and dry in nasty weather.

We did not have a lot of weather to deal with during our boat test, but we were able to run the boat through the Gold Coast seaway a few times to test its mettle – and it impressed. The hull dealt easily with low chop and boat wakes thanks to the sharp sponsons and high tunnel, and it rode easily and comfortably over rolling swells further wide offshore.

The OceanCat 26 is rated for a pair of 150-200hp extra-longshaft outboard engines. Our test boat was fitted with the middle, and arguably best option, a pair of 175hp Yamaha in-line four-cylinder four-stroke outboard engines.

Underway our Yamaha-powered test rig proved to be agile, quick to plane, and responsive right through the rev range. It never felt lacking in speed or power, and when pushed you could feel the hull respond by lifting up further out of the water and accelerating on to a top speed of 40 knots.

Performance*

*Both engines
Range on 95% of the 660L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 321.1nm

The OceanCat 26 Offshore is a terrific new boat; very well appointed, and built to world-class standards. We rate this big, border-line trailerable craft highly for bluewater fishing and coastal cruising - thanks to its practical, all-weather interior layout, seaworthy hull and large, self-draining aft fishing deck.

In recent times, Aussie boat makers have been dwindling in numbers - so it's great to see the emergence of a new brand and a new range of powered catamaran boats. Expect to see more good gear from OceanCat in the coming year.

Specifications
Model: OceanCat 26 Offshore
Length overall: 8.12m
Hull length: 6.40m
Beam: 2.49m
Draft: 825mm (outboard engines down)
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Displacement: 2865kg (dry), 3553kg (wet)
Weight on trailer: 3700kg (dry)
Height on trailer: 3.51m
Bottom and transom alloy: 5mm (6mm keel runners)
Topsides, decks and coamings: 4mm
Maximum power: Twin 200hp (25-inch extra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Twin Yamaha 175hp (counter-rotating) four-stroke
Fuel: 660L
Water: 100L
Holding tank: 70L
Maximum persons: 11

Priced from: $275,682 with dual Yamaha 2.8L in-line four-cylinder, 175hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engines with hydraulic steering and digital controls

Price as tested: $318,105. As above but with the addition of a Transtyle dual-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes (and axle oil-bath bearing system); upgraded Simrad 16.0-inch multifunction display; Simrad autopilot; Duetto 12/24-volt hot water system; Oceanblue outriggers and bases; extra 100L freshwater tank; bait boards; and dash carpet.

Supplied by: Ocean Cat Marine Australia