I’m currently in the middle of writing an article entitled ‘World’s Greatest Superyacht Toys’. It’s a lot of fun and brings a delightful variety of marine concepts into play – but while the remarkable looking Helicat 22 was initially in the running, it didn’t take long for it to fall off the shortlist...

Helicat 22

The Helicat 22: Judging from the name and the profile view, this is a vehicle that should fly... How disappointing to find out the truth.



Designed to be a fast and stable catamaran with an added degree of stylistic flare, this vessel is described by its manufacturers as a “bass boat for rough water”. Powered by a pair of Mercury F60 four-stroke outboards, the prototype will reportedly travel through white-topped waves at speeds of between 17 and 26 knots – and maintain fuel economy approaching one nautical mile per litre at up to 35 knots.

The twin hulls mean plenty of stability and the central, helicopter-style structure houses four usefully sheltered seats. The elevated tail serves as a wakeboard tower and if you want to use it as a fishing platform or a sports machine, you can either spec it with a set of swivel seats and rod holders or ramp things up with a pair of 125hp outboards.

helicat 22 - front view

Viewed head-on, the helicat looks more like a high-performance multihull – but it's so narrow in the cockpit area.



However, with flat catamaran cornering, an elevated seating position and modest maximum speeds, the company’s claims regarding motorbike-style thrills are unlikely to hold much water. The “virtually unsinkable” claims are also pretty commonplace and as for that helicopter pod, it is so narrow that it sacrifices one of the catamaran’s greatest natural advantages – namely, inboard space.

However, the really crushing disappointment here is that it doesn’t fly – and that begs the question, why make it look like it does? Of course, the designers are perfectly entitled to make it look however they like but it all feels slightly fraudulent to me – like a man in a muscle suit or a cup of decaffeinated coffee.

Of course, it might well become a cult favourite for the rental market - but as a serious option for the recreational boater, it will always be tarnished by the fact that it is much less interesting than it looks.

See www.helicat.net for more.

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Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.