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Hawaiian
Punch
By John Page Williams
Would you believe someone has created a 26' cuddy cabin fishboat with 71 square feet in the cockpit? It sounds impossible -- this is as much space as most sportfish boats in the 30'-to-35' category have -- but on Twin Vee's new 26 Hawaiian Fisherman, it's all there. The reason? The cuddy is set far forward, with the helm centered on its aft bulkhead. Most boats would be too rough on the captain with the helm this close to the bow, but since this boat is a catamaran the helm can be placed here and not beat up the crew.
Our test boat carried a "fishing center" helm seat: a leaning post with a livewell and four rocket launchers. Options include everything from siderails to dive tank racks to a Pompanette fighting chair, so you can customize the boat for the way you live and fish. And fish you will - the cockpit has a 6' 8" -by- 3' 10" berth and space for a portable MSD.
Our test boat, rigged with twin Suzuki 115-hp four-stroke outboards ($43,900, including galvanized trailer) had a quick holeshot and brisk performance with reasonable economy. The lifts boat lifts onto plane with hardly any squatting and stays dry and comfortable, riding on a spiraling cushion of aerated water created by the shape inside the asymmetrical hulls. In confused seas with a two-to-three-foot chop, the ride was soft at 4000 rpm and 25.3 mph. The boat also banked inward on turns, a comfort to those unused to conventional catamaran behavior.
- John Page Williams
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