Catamaran motor: description, pluses, minuses

How does a motor catamaran differ from other boats? This is the name of a vessel standing on two (rarely three) floats connected by a common part - a bridge. Standard passenger solutions have an upper deck over the entire width of the connecting part. There are also options when the floating parts are joined together by simple metal beams.

This design has its positive and negative sides. But where exactly should we include such a ship: to poor or good solutions - let's leave it to the reader. In the meantime, let us touch upon the history of creation.

History

In translation from the Polynesian catamaran - this ... "raft". Braced of several logs of a certain thickness, such a boat with a sail could develop a speed of up to 20 knots (37 km / h). Various tests led to the fact that the outer logs became thicker and the middle part began to rise above the water. So there was a type of ship, now known as a catamaran. The motor variant arose much later in Europe. Experiences of such a plan began in England in the 17th century. There were such developments in the Russian Empire. The first ship was launched in 1834 - it was a boat about two hulls for walks along the Neva. Almost half a century, these ships performed only a promenading role, until in 1874 appeared "Catalonia" - ferry-catamaran, carrying out transportation across the English Channel. It is noteworthy that the ship could take on board up to 1000 people. But the real development of multi-hull vessels was received only in the 20th century.

On the basis of this principle, military, cargo, transport ships and even racing yachts are now gathering. However, the latter are often referred to as the "sail-motor catamaran" due to additional rigging.

Description and features

The main difference between a catamaran and an ordinary motor yacht is the presence of two hulls. Due to this, the main lifting force of such a vessel is concentrated not in the center, but on the sides, which makes it more stable. A successfully constructed bridge (connecting two parts) allows the spray to escape under it, which in turn increases the speed of the vessel.

It should also be mentioned that the internal space of the catamaran is much larger than that of the usual single-hull version. In addition, it can be noted more rational use of the bow, as the ship to the nose is not narrowed.

The next thing you can pay attention to is the maneuverability of the catamaran. Motor boat, especially in windy weather, deploy is not so simple. Thanks to a pair of engines on the sides of the wide stern, the catamaran can be deployed almost in place.

However, the presence of two engines is not only an additional, "spare" option. It is a blow to economy. But this minus is also a plus. A large catamaran-ferry is capable of speeding over 20 knots, which is simply impossible to achieve on a single-body. It should be noted that at the same time the loading of the vessel is practically irrelevant.

Owners of boats know that for the ascent to shore the ship will need a trolley-cart of a certain shape. The catamaran can simply be put on blocks. The presence of two bodies will be a fairly stable support.

Varieties

Ferry crossings - though the most frequent, but not the only place where the catamaran has found its application. Motor double-hull version is used in oceanography. He uses his application in ports, for example, as a floating crane. We should not forget about such an area as tourism. It is the last one devoted to the development, called Helicat.net. This is also a catamaran, but unusual. In its external outlines, this "cat" resembles a helicopter. Weight without motors - 750 kg, with motors - ton. In addition to the driver, the cabin can accommodate two passengers. He will not be able to fly, but it's quite possible to ride with the breeze. After all, one of the proposed engines for this vessel develops 69 km / h.

But there are other options. For example, Russian developers have created inflatable motor catamarans. The design of such a vessel consists of a pair of gondola-floats, which are connected together by metal beams, on the basis of which the bridge and upper deck are assembled. Inflatable development is not only in Russia, and some of them are worthy of a separate conversation.

Conclusion

Catamaran motor - a fairly successful solution, which, thanks to its design, has a number of advantages over a conventional boat. Some of them were described above, but in conclusion we note that in the market you can find such a version, which - packed up, loaded into the car and left, whereas it would be a little problematic to do this with an ordinary boat.