Mark suggested:  However, I've been keeping in tabs on Dick Vermeulen's P47
project.

Scott gasps:  Oh GOD another cat!  Mark, I'm going to say some things and I
want to start off by saying I respect  your opinion but have very different
thoughts.

First, my opinion on cats is well known.  I don't like em.  I also don't
like broccoli so I'll likely die of cancer.  I do believe the new Volvo D3,
4 and 6 motors are marvels of engineering.  I had a Volvo TAMD40 on my
Camano and it was a sweetheart.  Parts are really, really expensive, but I
guess quality is worth paying for, or is it the devalued dollar?  Anyway I
knew the Volvo D series was going to set the world on fire when I met Reuben
Trane at a Seattle Boat show.  He actually saw the performance specs of the
D6 and went out and designed a boat to take advantage of its capabilities,
it's the good selling Island Pilot.  So to see another builder using a D3
and making great claims about performance makes a lot of sense, but come on,
that's  cat, how do you power a cat with a single?  Answering John's get
home question by suggesting a cat is a bit off target.  If you like cats
great, but to suggest you buy a cat because it's a better get home solution
is a stretch.

I watched the video at:  http://www.mecat.com/indexpower.htm

A few thoughts:

First he said there was 10,000 lbs of sand to load the hull to the projected
waterline.  Then he walks around the boat and says, "imagine this big empty
sky is really your galley with storage here and this there and that there.",
then he moves forward and says, pointing up in the air, imagine this is your
forward stateroom with a queen size bed and bookshelves.".  In reality all
there is is a hull.  Is that hull really going to only get another 10,000
lbs of weight?  What about the water, genset, fuel tanks, more crap, then
you bring your stuff aboard?  Quoting fuel figures for a cat hull going
through the water seems like a pretty far leap of faith.  But the real issue
is did you see the view of those motors buried in the hulls?  HOW is ANYONE
going to MAINTAIN those things?  Even with the top off the hull you can't
get at the sides of the motor to change the oil filter.  Those things are
going to be a BITCH to service.  God forbid you have to get to the oil
pan!!!

Anyway, I just have a real problem with cats.  I'll post a different
response on get home engines.  I'd be curious to know what others think when
the assess serviceability as part of ownership?  Another example of how
service influenced my perspective on boats was the Selene 40 trawler.  I was
really interested in them early on, but when I looked at the helm wiring I
realized I'd NEVER and I mean NEVER be able to get back there to do any
service.  For me, that ruled the boat out.  Even on my big fat Nordhavn
there are places that are hard for this big fat guy to reach.  Fortunately
my wife is smaller so I send her into those deep dark recesses to cycle the
through hulls every so often!

I obviously have way too much time on my hands while we sit in Reedsville
and wait for the winds to die down!

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA

Reedsville VA

Yes Scott, I know you are allergic to cats, I almost put a disclaimer up front just for you.  There is no point in a debate, I have no goal in converting anyone.  I just see them as another option. I have great respect for Nordhavn, their aesthetic and functional design is just not for me.  As an aside, my profession is challenging the status quo, so I give great credit to those who try something new. When they create a viable new options I believe they should be applauded - no product is for everyone but more options are good for all of us in the long run.

I went out to Maine to see the first prototype in April '07 that was running on the hybrid system.  I can you tell it was loaded to the waterline.  Note that it doesn't need active stabilizers, flopper stoppers, all the extra fuel, etc.  Much of what he talked about during that visit was techniques to keep weight down, strength up, and systems simple. I was impressed with Dick, he seems like a solid guy.  Then again, I tend to prefer the engineer types who are honest about their product and the tradeoffs vs the sales guys who try to turn a defect into a feature.

Scott, Truce? :-)