FATCAT 4500 CABIN

But, before exploring the rest of this boat, let us have a look at what makes this a ‘cabin’ boat. Quite simply, Blair ‘plastic’ welded his specifically custom designed, one-piece superstructure; incorporating a fold-back central window for easy access to the anchor locker, onto his existing open 4500 hull. But wait, I hear you cry: “Plastic weld”? Yes, exactly that. Think about how aluminium boat manufacturers weld together their boats and, in essence, it is the same thing for moulded polymer boats. Except in this case there are only two things ‘welded’ together – the hull and the ‘cabin top’. In effect; a bead of hot plastic is run along the two surface parts to be permanently joined together, and in so doing, temporarily melts these two surfaces together and once cooled, the two joined parts and the welds are as strong as if the whole boat had been originally one-piece moulded together. The weld and surrounds become almost invisible after a bit of cosmetic sanding of the surfaces. It’s not Superyacht quality and it is not meant to be. This is an inexpensive family or sport boat – think fishing or diving for example. A boat that you don’t have to worry about if the kids get a bit rambunctious, or dive weights are dropped on the floor or lead fish line sinkers bang against the hull as your catch is reeled on board. It’s a plastic fantastic built for safety and enjoyment. 

With lots of room for up to four people, this catamaran has a beam half as wide as the craft is long (2.05m by 4.6m)! Although somewhat fundamental, the craft, as tested, is sold as ‘ready to go’, including anchor and rode (stowed in a more than adequate anchor locker with an easy access lid and locker drain). Access to the anchor locker is through a ‘fold back’ window, which folds out and back onto the port side of the windscreen and, combined with a lower, fold-down plastic shield, allows you to stand near the bows safely and securely, close to the locker, for easy manual launching or retrieval of the anchor. One of the options FatCat offers is a Maxwell Tasman 6-6 Drum Reel windlass, which easily fits into the existing anchor locker space and is simple to install. 

Positioned in the open windscreen space you find yourself standing in two large, open storage lockers which extend across the full beam of the boat. Wide enough to comfortably stand in, unless you have size 12 feet or larger, these bins provide loads of storage space and aside from stowing things like lifejackets, fishing tackle boxes, scuba tanks, etc.; they are a convenient place to stow all-important chilly bins. I mean, seriously, what’s a fishing trip without a few cold beers when you’re out for a warm summer’s day of fishing? 

On the port side, in front of the passenger pedestal seat and on top of the console, there is a large stow tray, surrounded by retention edges, to prevent items (such as cell phones, sunglasses, etc.) from sliding off when underway. An adequately sized, lidded glove box resides beneath the handy grab rail and to port of this is a fold away drink can holder. Speaking of grab rails, should one be standing at the helm and passenger stations while underway, the top portion of the windscreen sports convenient grab slots, wide enough to hang onto with both hands in a particularly rough sea. I like attention to detail. There is a longitudinal storage locker on the port side forward, beside the passenger seat, but to starboard, this space is logically taken up with the throttle and steering controls and cables, making for a clean and unobstructed look to the whole helm station area.