Castlerock Carbon Cat - Custom High-Performance Conviction Built Design
The world of rigid bottom inflatable boats is entering an exciting new era with the release of the highly innovative Castlerock Carbon Cat.
Australian designed and New Zealand built, the Castlerock Carbon Cat is the brainchild of Dan Oatley, a member of one of Australia’s most well known boating families.
Constructed from carbon fiber and Hypalon, the 5.3-meter-long cat is already being described as “the Ferrari of RIBs.”
“I set out to design and build the high speed, stable and visually appealing RIB and I’m certain that target has been achieved” Dan Oatley said. “This is due primarily to the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic features that I have been able to incorporate in design, along with the benefits that come with carbon fibre construction. This boat ticks every box in its category when it comes to recreational boating.”
Powered by a Mercury four-stroke 115hp Pro XS outboard, the Castlerock Carbon Cat cruises comfortably at 45 knots and has a top speed of 60 knots.
Some of the most honorable features of the boat are the attention to detail, the craftsmanship and its seaworthiness. Not only does the Carbon Cat incorporate racing yacht features, its innovative tunnel hull design is very stable at high speeds due to the custom hull profile that maximizes the aerodynamic lift while reducing hydrodynamic forces. Perfect for recreational boating, spearfishing, towing water sports and racing.
Dan is no newcomer to the world of boats, large and small. After being on the water in small sailing dinghies and runabouts as a youngster he went on to be one of the youngest commercial mariners. Dan’s maritime studies started with his recreational boat licence when he was 12 years old moving onto completing the highest Captains qualification, an Unrestricted Ship Masters.
During his time as a seafarer, he has sailed as a Navigation Officer aboard the 152,000 tonne cruise Liner, Queen Mary 2. He has also been the master of Superyachts, crossed the Atlantic 14 times and cruised to the North Pole. Dan has sailed in the last three Sydney to Hobart yacht races aboard his late grandfather, Bob Oatley’s record-breaking SUPER MAXI, Wild Oats X1. He steered the yacht across the finish line to Win the 2018 race.
“High-performance RIBs have always appealed to me,” Dan said. “I’ve seen plenty of them during my travels, and I can say there is nothing like the Castlerock Carbon Cat. It is a highly efficient design that is as easy to handle at high speed as it is at its cruising speed.”
