This helps smooth the water flow over the propeller to avoid cavitation, which can be an issue for catamarans with only one engine. The FatCat has a central ‘sponson’ (stability pod) under the wing deck that gets lower, wider and flatter towards the transom. These can be replaced when all that dragging up the beach and over rocks starts to impact the running surface. Sacrificial wear plates protect the hull from damage when launching and retrieving. The boat only weighs under 500 kg all up. With a gross weight of under 750 kg (plus extras), including engine, trailer and full fuel tank, the FatCat 4500 is comparatively light to tow and easy to manage at the ramp.

While the 4500s are easy to launch and retrieve (the simple ‘flatbed’ trailers supplied, making retrieval especially straightforward), they can also safely occupy many people, even in the rough stuff. Their small size restricts the number of occupants they can accommodate, and their use is often limited to sheltered waters in good weather.Īlthough this is generally true, the FatCat 4500s are an exception to the rule in several ways. Small boats are easier to launch and retrieve, need minimal horsepower, and are cheap to buy, run, and easy to store.

Fat cat boat reviews