For conversion to a power cat, I think that boats like Nacras make better candidates. The Hobie has a sharp "v" hull with lots of rocker, this helps reduce leeward slip without dagger boards, but that's really not important for a power cat. This "v" shape reduces the hulls weight carrying capabilities, add batteries and such and the hulls will settle deep (I think that someone posted pictures of an electric Hobie conversion in the Pacific NW, that boat looks close to maxing out the hulls). The deep rocker will increase hobby-horsing in choppy water as well.
The Nacra hulls are "U" shaped and carry extra weight much better. With more hull at the ends, the boat runs a bit smoother through chop. And another big plus is that they come in sizes up to 20'. The longer ones are more easily driven and carry more weight, etc. ect.
I have a friend that has used Nacra hulls (for exactly these reasons) as the basis for a number of power cat conversions, most of the time, he adds more freeboard to increase the operational displacement of the hull.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, James Sizemore <james@...> wrote:
>
> Or you could just buy a Hobie Cat.
>
>
>
> On May 28, 2012, at 12:25 PM, Edward Bachmann <edbz@...> wrote:
>
> > Dan asked: “What's the ideal boat for a Torqueedo?â€
> >
> > How about two long thin kayak hulls tied together to make a very slippery catamaran?
> >
> >
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