There is no "perfect" boat
design .... but the Wizcat 130 comes close.
The WizCat is absolutely unsinkable due
to solid foam core pontoon catamaran design. The WizCat will not
sink or flip over. With it's high floatation and 4" inch draft you
can easily slide over those shallow fishing spots.
The 'secret' is Dupont Foamular or
Dow Corning Blue Styrofoam (closed cell foams). One cubic foot of Dupont
Foamular will displace 60 lbs of fresh water or 62lbs of salt water. Each
pontoon (12' x 2' x 1') can displace 1,440 pounds. Total 2,880 lbs of displacement.
The beauty of this design is you can build
it any size you want. You can even build a pontoon houseboat.
The pontoons and deck are solid foam core
rib contruction and fiberglass reinforced. It is strong enough to operate
in rivers and lakes with ease, even taking bumps from floating logs.
Perfect for fishing
Safe to walk around and stand on the side
- it is sturdy and will not tip.
Perfect for swimming, snorkeling and
scuba diving
Low to the surface for easy access to
the water. Large 78 sq. ft. deck area.
Perfect for overnight camping
It's beam is wide enough to set up a six
foot tent. It has the capacity (2880 lbs) to carry up to 5 people and their
gear.
The WizCat will handle several power options:
-
6hp to 50hp outboard motor. (A 6hp outboard
motor gives surprisingly good results but a bigger outboard engine is recommended
if you plan to take the family. A 5 to 7.5hp is more than sufficient for
1 or 2 persons.)
-
electric trolling motor (or several trolling
motors.)
-
aircraft / hovercraft type wind power setup
using an air cooled aircraft engine and propeller.
Perfect for cruising
With a place for two (2) 6 gallon fuel
tanks under the rear seats of the boat, you're all set for a long cruise
range with a 10-20 hp outboard motor.
This boat trailers, launches and loads
at the boat ramp easily.
Consider adding these accessories
-
Center boat seat with mast hole
mount for sun canopy or small sail mast
-
Navigation lights w/ switch
(need battery)
-
Rear boat seats across the stern
-
A console with boat gauges
Do It Yourself
-
Build the Wizcat 130 pontoon
boat using common building materials from Home
Depot or Lowes home improvement
centers.
-
Inexpensive galvanized boat
trailers can be found at Northern
Tool and Harbor Freight.
The author bought a dual watercraft trailer from Harbor
Freight and reconfigured it to a pontoon boat trailer.
-
Boat lifts are available if
you live where you have water access on a lake or river.
Specifications
-
Length 13' 2"
-
Beam 6' 3"
-
Draft 4"
-
Weight 350 lbs
-
Capacity 2880-3000 lbs
-
Seating for 5
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Power options
-
6hp - 50hp outboard motor
-
Sail with mast and rudder
-
Electric battery powered trolling
motor(s)
-
Hovercraft type duct and prop
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