CraigCat brings Florida experience Downunder

When the doors open at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show on Thursday one of the more unusual boats on display will be the CraigCat.

Described as a "patented horizontal catamaran", it first brings to mind those imposing aluminium airboats that were once used (and possibly still are) to skim the waters of the Florida everglades.

This is mainly because one sits at the front of the boat, legs outstretched, with the engine and a radar arch behind.

There, however, the similarities end. The CraigCat is GRP not alloy and it is not powered by a large fan but by either an electric engine or by a 25hp or 30hp outboard.

The arch holds the convertible bimini, the 55-watt halogen lights and the large stereo speakers.

There are seven different models including two police models. New Zealand distributor Paul Mcfarlane says CraigCats are also great for towing a sea biscuit or for diving, fishing or hunting.

"It is also a great boat for exploring rivers or waterways; with a 75mm draught with prop up or just 330mm with prop down these boats will go anywhere."

Mcfarlane says the CraigCat's pontoons are made of roto-moulded, seamless polyethylene and filled with foam. "This makes them unsinkable," he says.

The boats weigh approx 350kg on the trailer and can therefore be towed with virtually any vehicle and are apparently easily handled.

While they don't look the most practical of boats, they do look like an enormous amount of fun. Measuring 3.4m, with a beam of 1.6m, they are apparently capable of speeds of up to 26 knots and come with a price tag in the mid-$20,000s, depending on the model and options.

I, for one, will be keen to take a closer look and book a test blast, too.