MCM 380 Cat Hull

Model Description

The MCM 380 Catamaran Hull Surf Rescue Inflatable Rescue Boat incorporates an alloy wash-thru transom with adjustable alloy transom saddle. The floor board is of a composite core vacuum infused moulded fibreglass design. This method ensures 100% saturation of resin to materials and guarantees removal of excess (unwanted) resin. This method ensures excellent strength to weight ratio.

The hull (pontoons) incorporate the traditional main (upper) pontoon design, but with additional smaller tubes (hijackers) attached to the underside of the main tubes, creating the cataman hull design or twin hull design.

The main tubes and ancillary items are made from 1100 D/tex polyester hypalon neoprene fabric, and the hijackers are made from double skin pvc, all seams are back brushed glued and double seam taped. Yellow hypalon has been incorporated to signify Surf Rescue and promote greater visibility of the craft.
The MCM 380 Cat Hull is an extremely stable craft, both at rest and while planing. When planing the MCM 380 Cat Hull rides on the two hijackers and a cushion of air, which is forced through the hull and exhausted out the rear of the boat. This cushion of air allows for a very smooth ride, even in rough conditions.

Operating the MCM 380 Cat Hull is by the driver sitting on top of the port pontoon (traditional method) and the crew person can sit on the starboard pontoon (traditional method) or the preferred method of the crew person sitting on the floor on the starboard side.

When sitting on the floor, the crew person places their feet in the foot straps which are glued to the port pontoon the crew person bow rope when sitting on the floor is the shorter bow rope which has its fixing points on the port side bow dodger.

Crewing, while sitting on the floor dramatically reduces the risk of ankle injuries as with the conventional crewing position of traditional V-hull IRB’S.

Operating the MC 380 cat hull does require an adaptation period, always drive at a level that is comfortable and only then attempt more challenging conditions.

Overview

The catamaran hull design surf rescue boat was introduced as an alternative to the conventional V-Hull IRB’S to assist in the reduction of ankle and leg injuries.

In 1995 Midcoast Marine Inflatables submitted a Gemini 3.80 metre cat hull for evaluation, but it was declined due to being too radical in turning. However, in 2000 after leg injuries were spiraling out of control, costing SLSA millions in claims, meetings at SLSQ were held with key IRB personnel, and officials to review alternative designed boats to reduce the amount of injuries.

As a manufacturer, Peter Hallett from Midcoast Marine Inflatables was invited to sit on the panel and recommended that the catamaran style IRB design be re visited, 18 months later, the Gemini was approved.

While the Gemini had its advanage as a cat hull, its obvious disadvantage was its weight at 112kg.An OH&S safe handling practice manual was created to ensure safe handling practices were followed, when lifting the boat.

Midcoast Marine Inflatables then designed their own catamaran hull IRB (MCM380 Cat Hull) specifically for Australian surf conditions with boat weight being a major consideration with its design.

Benefits

Benefits of an MCM 380 Cat Hull. The MCM Cat Hull weighs only 90 kg (22kgs lighter than a Gemini). The side profile of the MCM 380 Cat Hull is a wedge or tapered design which allows for easier planing using less horse power, and excellent surf negotiating ability. The inside depth is slightly reduced by virtue of the taper, but allows for easier retrieval of patients.

The taper design also allows for easier returning to shore and doesn’t track as harshly as other cat hull designs. The MCM 380 cat hull incorporates 6 x smooth, easy access polyeurethane lifting handles for ease of lifting. Splash rails/lifting strakes are an added feature to the side hijacker sail which reduce any residual water deflecting onto the crew or driver.

A bow wrap around water deflector is also fitted to reduce water deflecting over the bow of the boat. The alloy wash thru transom allows for rapid water evacuation and therefore reduces speed loss, or alternatively enables easier onto the plane opportunity. The fiberglass floor is protected by an SLSA approved non slip full length floor mat. 4 x 70mm fuel clips spliced in to flush floor fixings. The front floor mat reduces damage to the fuel cell when the impact from negotiating waves causes the brass fuel cell fittings from rubbing a hole in the bottom of the fuel cell, also the front floor mat reduces the damage to the floor board gel coat when the stainless steel fuel clips continually impact on the gelcoat.

The MCM 380 Cat Hull is a front line surf rescue IRB with many features designed to assist with the operation of and longevity of the boat. However, proper instruction, driving, crewing and maintenance of this craft must be adhered to. A comprehensive instruction manual is supplied with every MCM380 Cat Hull.

Specifications:

Length: 3.80m
Beam: 1.85m
Overall Height: .600mm
Inside Beam: .900mm
Transom: Alloy - Adjustable wash thru
Weight: 90Kg
Hull: 70Kg
Floor: 20Kg with floor mat
Pontoon Diameter: .450mm
Maximum HP rating: 30hp Short Shaft
Maximum Persons: 6 People
Maximum Load: 600Kg
Air Chamber: 3+ 2
Inflation Pressure: Hijackers = 12.5 psi, Main Tubes = 4.5psi
Assembly Time: 12-15 Minutes

Compliance

To comply with SLSA polices for the manufacture of a class 3 catamaran hull IRB, the MCM 380 Cat Hull has been built to, inspected and approved by SLSA boat inspectors.

In addition, the MCM 380 Cat Hull had been approved under 2C survey by an accredited marine /navy architect/surveyor and complies with positive flotation statutory requirements. Maritime registration requirements are complied with via the manufacturers identification code builders plate, providing a regulatory hin number which is fixed on each MCM 380 Cat Hull on an individually engraved alloy hin plate and recorded on a pink slip for registration purposes.

A secondary engraved duplicate hin no# is engraved on the underside of the floor board near the transom. Finally the MCM 380 cat hull is build to ISO 6185-3 inflatables boat standards and ISO 9002 quality assurance. The MCM 380 Cat Hull carries a 12 month manufacturers warranty, which must be signed and returned to Midcoast Marine Inflatables upon receipt of your new MCM 380 Cat Hull
If any further information is required please contact Midcoast Marine Inflatables on (07) 5535 6888 or mcm@midcoastmarine.com.au.

PLEASE NOTE:

All Midcoast Marine manufactured Inflatables come with tow ropes, Full floor mat with fuel clips spliced in and V-strips come standard

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