high speed catamaran

6 Best Performance Cruising Catamarans (Buyer’s Guide)

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Performance cruising catamarans are impressive-looking vessels that focus on speed above comfort. These fast boats are ideal for racing and long cruising vacations. But with the numerous brands and models on the market, how do you know which is the best one?  

The best high-speed performance cruising catamarans are the Outremer 4x, McConaghy MC50, Nautitech 44, Gunboat 62, Balance 526, and Marsaudon Composites ORC50. All these boats deliver outstanding speeds and are light in weight, relatively comfortable, and incredibly safe.  

This article will explore the brands and models that I believe have the best combination of performance and comfort . We’ll look at their speeds and what makes them cruise so fast. We’ll also examine the factors to consider when shopping for a performance cruising cat.  

Table of Contents

How Fast Are Performance Cruising Catamarans? 

Cruising catamarans are generally faster than monohulls of similar lengths. This means most well-built and well-balanced cats will arrive at their destination much sooner, and the cruise is much more comfortable. Performance cruising cats like the Nautitech include deep daggerboards and rudders, narrow waterline beams, hull chines, and big sail plans that allow for faster sailing than a standard cruising cat.

Outremer 4X

Outremer Catamarans are well-known for their high speeds. These exciting cats sport brilliant designs, narrow bows, and large rigs. Built in Southern France, the vessels are strong and long-lasting since their structures feature materials such as carbon, glass, and vinyl ester. 

The Outremer 4x is a stable and comfortable high-speeding cruising catamaran that performs ocean crossings and confronts any weather with remarkable ease. Named the European Boat of the Year in 2017, this 48-foot (14.6 m) bluewater cruiser sails faster than wind speed and attains maximum cruising speeds of 20 knots.

The 4x is an upgrade of the extremely popular Outremer 45, thus retaining Outremer’s core values of speed, safety, and comfort. It’s built for maximum performance and enjoyment, with the lightweight, carbon fiber structure allowing for additional speed under sail . 

Featuring comfort typical of much larger vessels, the Outremer 4X features 4 double cabins, hot water showers, a full kitchen, spacious storage, and excellent ventilation. There’s also an expansive deck, an unobstructed cockpit, and large trampoline areas. Most importantly, your safety is assured through the cat’s unique features including a robust structure, offshore design, stability, and unrivaled speed potential.

The 4x’s cutting-edge design makes it ideal for competitive racing or blue water cruising, and it does both without compromising your comfort, safety, or onboard livability. However, to sail at maximum speed, the boat must remain lightweight, requiring your interior to be fitted out quite minimally. The other downside is the high price tag; the Outremer 4X commands a price between $912,322 and $1,202,945 .

McConaghy MC52

The McConaghy MC52 is a performance luxury cruising cat reflective of McConaghy’s 50 years of experience in building high-tech composite projects. The luxurious boat features a flybridge, retracting centerboards, optimized hulls, and an open space bridgedeck combining the salon with the cockpit. You can also customize the boat to your specifications.

This hi-tech cat comes with sizeable sliding salon windows and frameless doors that provide fantastic views. Its wave-piercing bows can cut through waves, thus helping to increase performance by minimizing pitch resistance, while still retaining a smooth ride. Also, the saloon offers spacious dining space for up to 8 people, and the galley area is more like a penthouse.

The manufacturer’s background in building high-end racing yachts has resulted in an incredibly strong and lightweight vessel capable of reaching 22 knots (40.7 km/h or 25.29 mph). The main downside to this boat is the boom placement on the mast, which is much higher than other high-performance cats. This makes accessing the mainsail somewhat challenging. It also increases the MC50’s center of gravity and center of effort.

You can get the MC52 for about $1.6 million.

Nautitech 44

The Nautitech 44 easily blends comfort and fun to deliver an impressive sailing performance, whether you take short trips or long ocean crossings. The boat offers a good balance under sail, and it features helming stations on each hull. Plus, there’s an integrated hardtop bimini complete with sunroof opening. Slim hulls translate to higher speeds, with the vessel reaching up to 17 knots (31.4 km/h or 19.51 mph).

The well-laid-out interior boasts a functional design, ample storage space, plus all the equipment you require for ocean cruising, such as a fridge, watermaker, and solar. 

Nautitech 44’s twin helms give you the real sailing experience with a fantastic view of the sails and great visibility when maneuvering into port. However, you might not appreciate being stuck in the aft helm position without protection in lousy weather or during hot days.

Nevertheless, the boat’s responsiveness makes sailing more pleasurable. Plus, it’s affordable; the price is between $236,000 and $334,000.

Marsaudon Composites ORC50

Marsaudon Composites vessels are ideal for both racing and cruising. The sporty-looking ORC 50 comes with large inverted bows, an angular coachroof, a high freeboard, and a sturdy rotating carbon mast. In addition, the vessel is light which allows it to accelerate quickly, while the angular coachroof offers lots of space and excellent visibility. 

The ORC50 can attain 23+ knots (42.5+ km/h or 26.41+ mph) and is among the fastest high-performance livable multihulls. It’s capable of doing more than 350 miles (563.27 km) per day.   

The downside to the ORC50 is it’s a bit technical to sail, thus requiring a skilled sailor. Furthermore, its immense power and speed can be intimidating to less experienced sailors. Solely designed for speed, the ORC50’s interior is simple, less roomy, and somewhat spartan; hence the boat might not be all that comfy. Still, it’ll get you where you want to go pretty fast, and it’s an excellent value for money at approximately $787,751.25.

Gunboat 62 

The Gunboat 62 is a true high-speed catamaran capable of sailing at 20 knots (37 km/h or 23 mph) over true wind speeds and known to notch up speeds of 36+ knots (66.7+ km/h or 41.45 mph) on a surf. The initial 3 Gunboat 62 boats featured epoxy, E-glass, and carbon fiber construction, but the fourth vessel was all carbon, sported a taller rig and a more expansive sail area. 

These structural features made the Gunboat 62s extremely light, and they formed the original luxury high-performance cruising cats.

This multihull sailboat boasts a carbon mast, round hull sections for a minimized wetted surface area, high-aspect rudders, and retractable daggerboards. The steering station offers 360-degree visibility and sports overhead hatches that you can use to monitor the mainsail trim. The boat also contains 3 private cabins with queen berths, 2 spacious heads with showers, an aft cockpit, galley, and lounge.

On the downside, Gunboats are pricey cats; hence they’re also expensive to maintain. The Gunboat 62 isn’t that spacious either as it’s more focused on speed, but it’s extremely comfortable, plus there’s plenty of space for hanging out. You can buy this catamaran starting from $2 million .

Balance 526

Built with a combination of carbon fiber, E-glass, epoxy, closed-cell foam, and composite bulkheads, this boat is strong, light, and can withstand terrible weather. The retractable daggerboards allow for good upwind performance. All high load areas contain carbon fiber, while furniture and cabinets feature cored sandwich construction, producing the lightest yet most robust catamaran. 

A Balance 526 will reach speeds of up to 20knots without stressing the rig too much.

The boat is available in various layouts and comfortably accommodates 6 people. The spacious aft cockpit and saloon provide panoramic visibility. And since Balance 526 can handle the extra weight, you get performance plus all the creature comforts you desire.

Still, Balance 526’s pricing is on the higher end, beginning at $1,440,000 . Also, the slender hulls result in less space down below. Nevertheless, the boat lives up to its name, achieving the perfect balance between superb performance and comfort.

What Makes Performance Cruising Catamarans So Fast? 

Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Narrow Hulls 

Performance catamarans contain two small narrow hulls, which cause them to have less water resistance. Smaller hulls mean the vessels have much smaller bow waves to fight, allowing them to move extremely fast. In addition, the less hull area is underwater, the faster the boat is capable of moving since there’s less drag.

Having said that, it’s important to note that a narrow hull is more prone to burying its bows in rough seas. The wider the hull, the more buoyancy it offers, but only up to a given point. After which, the excessive width becomes unmanageable and performance suffers. The key lies in finding the right balance.

Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Considerable Length

The longer a cruising cat is, the faster it’ll move. While each vessel bears a maximum hull speed, in most cases, the lengthier the boat, the higher the speed it can reach. The length of the hull (length on the waterline) also has a significant impact on the speed performance. Thus, the cat attains maximum speeds when the wavelength is equal to the length on the waterline (hull speed).

Therefore, the longer the length of the hull, the better the performance of a high-speed cruising cat. You can also compare two cruising cats’ speeds based on this measure. 

Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Quality Builds

Modern cat manufacturers continue designing more innovative high-performance cruising cats that deliver a new blend of performance and cruising features. They achieve this by using advanced construction materials, better daggerboard designs, and creative weight allocation. They also keep a keener focus on onboard amenities. For instance, asymmetrical daggerboards placed midships in each hull can help achieve proper balance and hull trim.

The overall goal is to design cruising cats that offer high speeds, outstanding performance, and enough offshore comfort. 

Here’s an article if you are wondering what daggerboards and centerboards are and why they impact performance so much.

Performance Cruising Catamarans Are Light-weight

The lighter a cruising catamaran, the greater its performance. And some of the most popular high-performance catamarans find an optimal balance between performance and comfort. As a result, modern performance-based cruising cats have embraced the use of carbon composite construction for hulls, daggerboards, and rigging, instead of the somewhat heavier glass fiber materials.

A weighed-down cat produces less speed, which means excess immersion of the hulls renders the boat sluggish . The hull submersion also reduces the bridge deck clearance, promoting uncomfortable hull slamming.

You won’t find much difference in top speed between performance catamarans bearing similar lengths because they all have displacement hulls and mostly sail to hull speed with occasional surfing. This means that under skilled hands, these cats should exhibit roughly the same performance. A cruising cat’s performance is also highly dependent on the state of the sea, wind direction, and speed, amongst many other factors.

What To Consider When Choosing a Performance Cruising Catamaran

Speed is the number one consideration when choosing a high-speed cruising cat. Yet there are other factors just as important since they contribute to the overall cruising performance, including:

•  What you’ll use the vessel for and where. Are you planning on doing coastal cruising or serious offshore cruising? Consider the number of people that you’ll be sailing with and the activities you’ll engage in. This also helps determine the size catamaran you’ll need.  
• Comfort. While some racing enthusiasts might prefer spartan accommodation plans, most enjoy relative comfort on the high seas. In any case, modern high-speed cruising cats are designed to provide a certain level of creature comforts. And since most performance cats are custom-made, new boat owners may decide precisely which features to include in their cats. 
• Quality. To produce light boats, builders employ the use of fine resins, carbon, epoxies, foam cores, and fiberglass. They build using a combination of vacuum-bagged techniques, foam cores, foam composite bulkheads, and make furniture and cabinetry with cored sandwich construction . 
• Livability. One cannot underrate the appeal of sailing in a vessel with no heeling, not to mention the high privacy attained from separate living and sleeping areas. Panoramic views and exceptional deck space for lounging and entertaining are also essential in ensuring maximum cruising comfort. Fortunately, most high-speed cruising cats offer all these features and more.
• Equipment. Sailing upwind is a challenge for cruising cats since they tend to make lots of leeway. To make things easier, high-speed cruising cats come equipped with bigger rigs and either daggerboards or centerboards. However, this also means skilled sailors are required to operate them. 
• Cost. Catamarans are generally expensive, but a cat built with longer, leaner hulls and less costly materials can still give an outstanding performance. Such materials include foam cores, epoxy bulkheads, and epoxy resins. Furthermore, it’s not necessary to use only carbon to build a lightweight boat. 

Final Thoughts

Performance cruising catamarans are built using exotic, high-tech, lightweight materials to deliver an electrifying sailing experience. And as we’ve seen from the above list, these boats deliver performance plus much more. They’re not only speed cruisers, but they also provide a smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable cruising experience. 

So, whichever option you go for – from the luxurious Gunboat 62 to the much more affordable Nautitech 44 – you’re sure to get a boat that suits your needs. 

• Wikipedia: Spinnaker
• Wikipedia: High-Performance Sailing  
• Yachting World: Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 Review
• Aeroyacht: Catamaran Speed
• Cruiser’s Forum: Nautitech 44…
• Nautitech Catamarans: Nautitech
• Katamarans: Marsaudon Composites ORC50 (TS5) Review
• Outremer USA: New Outremer 4x Performance Catamaran
• Dutoit Yacht Design: Balance 526 Review
• Go Downsize: How Fast Do Catamarans Go?
• Catamaran Guru: The Cruising Catamaran Performance Debate
• The Boat App: The Fastest Cruising Catamarans of 2020
• Sail Magazine: Performance Cruising Cats Set New Standards in Sailing Speed
• Cruisers Forum: Fast Cruising Catamarans – How Fast?
• Lagoon – Inside: The Secrets of a Catamaran’s Performance
• Sail Magazine: 10 Great Cruising Cats
• Cruising World: 40 Best Sailing Catamarans and Trimarans, Cruising Catamarans…

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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HSV-2 Swift (High Speed Vehicle)

The HSV-2 Swift (HSV 2) is a chartered high-speed vessel of the US Navy Military Sealift Command. The hybrid wave piercing catamaran was designed and built by Bollinger / Incat.

35 (total people - 353 maximum)

Bollinger / Incat

Length – 97.22m, beam – 26.6m, draft – 3.43m

Displacement

Four x Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines at 7,200kW

38kt at 627t deadweight, 42kt at 300t deadweight

Four 0.5C M2 Browning machine gun stations

The HSV-2 Swift (HSV 2) is a chartered high-speed vessel of the US Navy Military Sealift Command. The hybrid wave piercing catamaran was designed and built by Bollinger / Incat in Hobart, Tasmania.

It is the fourth high speed catamaran built by the partners, after HMAS Jervis Bay, HSV X1 Joint Venture and TSV 1X Spearhead. The HSV-2 Swift is also acting as a prototype for the joint high speed vessel (JHSV) programme.

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The HSV-2 Swift is owned and operated by the New York-based shipping company Sealift. The HSV-2 was leased by the US Navy and delivered to the Military Sealift Command from Lockport, Louisiana, in August 2003.

The vessel was built for the Navy in eight months from the award of contract. Sea trials of the HSV-2 were conducted from February to May 2004. She was designed to conduct sea basing tests and support transformational mine warfare modular payloads.

The vessel has a crew of 35-18 military personnel and 17 civilian contract mariners from the Seafarers International Union and American Maritime Officers.

The vessel serves for 11 months of every year and participates in exercises such as Southern Partnership Station by USSOUTHCOM AOR. The HSV-2 catamaran currently serves the navy in humanitarian missions, experiments, training, exercises and fleet support operations. In April 2011, the vessel was deployed in the disaster relief operations in Haiti.

Design and features of the chartered high-speed vessel

The HSV-2 is an all-aluminium naval vessel. It is 97.22m long and has a beam of 26.6m, a draft of 3.43m and a mission deck of 2,601m2.

The 24.7m x 15.24m helideck of the vessel is NAVAIR certified to carry helicopters such as the AH-1, MH-60, CH-46 and UH-1. She can also accommodate about 350 personnel and military equipment, or a payload of up to 500t at a top speed of about 35kt.

She has space to store and maintain two MH-60 choppers in weather protected space. A ramp at the stern allows loading and unloading of military vehicles of up to 11,793kg, such as an M1A1.

The vehicles are moved to and fro the flight deck using a crane that supports 9,979kg RIB or small craft launch and recovery.

Accommodation onboard HSV-2 Swift

The HSV has 170 sleeping berths, crew storerooms and 128 aircraft-style permanent seating and 122 temporary seating, configurable to additional berthing for 87 people.

It has a 39-seat crew mess / day. Other amenities include laundry space, medical space, a planning room, sanitary and watertight storage spaces, office spaces and computer workstations.

Safety systems, propulsion and performance of the US Navy Military Sealift Command’s HSV 2

The vessel is equipped with two marine evacuation systems consisting of a 17m inflatable slide with SOLAS A pack life rafts for a total capacity of 500 people.

A 30hp SOLAS RHIB dinghy acts as a rescue boat and another 7m RHIB stowed on the deck can carry about 15 personnel. It is also mounted with four 0.5C M2 Browning machine guns.

The HSV is powered by four resiliently mounted Caterpillar 3618 marine diesel engines. Each of the engines produces 7,200kW at 35/53oC and has a vertical dry exhaust system.

Four Wartsila LIPS LJ120E waterjets allow the reverse and steering of the vessel. Four ZF 53000 NRH gearboxes provide the transmission.

An active Maritime Dynamics ride control system with fold-down T-foil, bow fins and trim tabs aft increase passenger comfort. The HSV-2 Swift has a minimum operating range of 1,100nmi at 35kt and can be operated 24 hours a day at speeds of 3-10kt.

It does not need tugboats for pier assistance and can manoeuvre in waters of depths as low as 12ft.

Command and control

The catamaran is equipped with a Mine Countermeasures Squadron Staff (MCMRON) designed command and control (C2) facility. It provides commercial and military satellite communications and has all digital switch transceivers allowing HF, VHF and UHF communications.

The main deck has a combat information centre (CIC) with workstations and tactical displays, a mission planning and post mission analysis room, a conferencing facility and manned equipment space.

A 700ft² upper C4ISR room and a 200ft2 lower C4I equipment room supply 70kW for electrical and climatic control requirements.

A multicompartment and an equipment room is connected to the command centre configurable to allow five independent missions.

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'Bloody scary' but 'a hell of a load of fun': On board the 'mind-blowing' 60 mph F50 catamaran

If you have ever travelled in a car, that most typical of daily tasks, the chances are you will know what moving at 60 miles per hour feels like..

But do you have any idea how it feels to be out on the waves on one of SailGP’s cutting-edge F50 catamarans, hitting nearly 60 mph as the elements do all they can to win this battle of nature vs technology?

For the lucky few, those elite athletes on the SailGP roster, the answer to that question is yes.

But for the rest of us, we can only watch on with envy; we jealously observe, awestruck at the speed of these miraculous creations, and just try to imagine how it feels to fly one of the most revolutionary racing machines ever designed.

Unfortunately, we cannot fulfil that dream of yours – to live first-hand the on-board F50 experience.

We can do the next best thing, however; we can hear from those who have been aboard these remarkable boats as they hit breakneck speeds as part of SailGP’s cutting-edge sail racing league.

Episode two of the new docuseries SailGP: Racing on the Edge in partnership with Rolex focuses on the race to 50 knots, with the athletes involved having their say on this record-breaking achievement.

THE F50 CATAMARAN

First things first, let’s take a tour of the F50 and learn just how much goes into flying one of these state of the art creations.

The F50 is a technological marvel, boasting cutting-edge technology to make it a remarkably fast boat in the annals of sailing history. The standard wing is 24m, though it can be altered to suit wind conditions, while the foils are constructed with high modulus carbon fiber and the lower section of the rudders are manufactured using high-strength stainless steel to reduce drag.

Not only is SailGP the most cutting-edge sail racing league in the world, we also strive to accelerate change to a cleaner and more inclusive future through our Race for the Future initiative. The F50s are front and centre of this vision, as they produce thrilling racing at each SailGP event while being Powered by Nature.

BREAKING THE 50-KNOT BARRIER

The F50 has an estimated top speed of 52+ knots (60 mph), and the Australia SailGP Team holds the honour of becoming the first crew to break the 50 knot barrier in sail racing, doing so at Cowes, UK in August 2019.

“I was surprised actually, as I thought the 50 knot barrier would be broken in San Francisco,” says SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts in episode two of SailGP: Racing on the Edge . “And then when we got strong winds again in Cowes, I was pretty certain it would be broken.”

All the build-up to Cowes was focused on hitting 50 knots, and the Great Britain SailGP Team managed it in practice - only to later see Tom Slingsby claim the official record as he helmed the Australians to 50 knots while crossing the finish line of the first race.

“We had a day’s practice racing on the Wednesday,” begins Dylan Fletcher, ex-helmsman for the British team. “That was actually my fondest memory of Cowes, because we did two practice races and won both comfortably and there were thousands of spectators who came out to watch.

“To be honest, we nearly pitchpoled the boat on the way in trying to hit 50 knots, but we just did it and hit 50 knots - and we didn’t even realise at the time. We weren't looking at the speedo, we were just heads down, focusing, and holding on for dear life!”

Fletcher certainly made the most of the achievement - by ‘winding everybody up’ in Nathan Outteridge’s words - and he even signed his name on the Brits' F50.

This elicited various responses from the rival teams, including a slightly salty Slingsby.

“We’re sitting here on shore and it’s not really a fair playing field as we’re not allowed to be out there training with them,” says the Australian helm. “They are given all the tools to break it and we are not, so that’s the way I think of it.”

Slingsby and the Aussies got the last laugh though, winning the first race in Cowes and hitting 50 knots to set a new speed record for sail racing - and celebrations were even sweeter as the previously jubilant Brits capsized and coudn’t race again for the remainder of the day!

This was a stark reminder that the F50 can truly reward those who sail it perfectly, but punish those who make even the slightest of errors.

THE F50 EXPERIENCE

When the Australians hit 50 knots in Cowes, the team's F50 was travelling at a remarkable 57.5 mph.

But how did it feel to be on board the F50 as it broke the 50 knot barrier? Slingsby made clear his feelings shortly after the race.

“I was definitely s---ing myself,” said the Australia helm in post-race footage highlighting the incredible achievement.

Phil Robertson, helmsman for Spain SailGP Team in Season 2 , has been similarly forthright with his description of flying an F50.

“It’s bloody scary, to be honest," admitted Robertson.

Saskia Clark, the British Olympian, got her chance on the F50 in the build-up to Sydney SailGP in February 2020.

“It’s mind-blowing,” said Clark of her F50 experience. “When you turn the corners, you feel like your head might fall off and you have to hold it on! When you do the turns up and the tacks it is a totally different sensation.”

The F50 might be ‘mind-blowing’ and ‘bloody scary’, but Sir Ben Ainslie could not contain his excitement at helming one of these technological marvels ahead of his SailGP debut with the British team on Sydney Harbour last year.

“It’s a real privilege to sail these boats,” said Ainslie. “Sometimes you have to pinch yourself. It’s a pretty wild ride, and a hell of a load of fun.”

The second episode of SailGP: Racing on the Edge in partnership with Rolex is available to watch BELOW, as well as on the SailGP YouTube channel and SailGP Facebook page.

Alpha Catamaran

Uscg certified open ocean rated 100 passenger catamarans, 100 passengers + crew | coi rated.

Custom Built, High-Speed Passenger Catamarans

Alpha Catamarans are great for tours, water taxi, dinner cruises, etc!

This is a true ocean-going “Subchapter T” Passenger Catamaran rated for the open ocean.

The hull is powered with twin Mercury 150’s. Pricing will vary widely for each build due to component pricing and availability.

The hull is rated for up to Four (Quad) 600hp Mercury engines for a total of 2,400hp if you desire to get your passengers there in a hurry!

Endless options available from our design team including a second story with controls, passenger bench seating, etc.

Launched in Sarasota Bay, FL. Coast Guard tested & inspected. Completed Sea Trial & C.O.I.

Meet the Lazy Lady

An alpha catamaran in the wild.

Introducing the Lazy Lady, your ultimate floating paradise! This magnificent 53-foot custom-built Alpha Catamaran tiki boat, proudly owned by Sabago Watersports in Key West, Florida, has everything you need for an unforgettable day at sea.

With Lazy Lady, you can enjoy the convenience of a spacious full-size restroom, ensuring your comfort throughout the journey. Need to cool off? No problem! The misters will keep you refreshed even on the hottest days. And don’t forget about the state-of-the-art stereo system that will set the perfect mood as you sail away. Call Sabago Watersports and book your next water sports adventure today!

Questions? Drop us a line!

Contact alpha catamaran.

Traver Smith: Yacht & Ship Sales Phone:  813-404-9867 Email: [email protected]  

Keeven Taylor: Manufacturing & Sales Phone: 501-276-2222 Email: [email protected]

Address: 12781 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island, FL 33706 USA

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THE ALL AMERICAN DIFFERENCE

Whether it’s a high speed catamaran passenger ferry, a monohull cruise boat, or a government research vessel, we know each of our operator’s needs are unique..

This is why we do not conform their objectives to fit existing designs. We work on every detail of the mission of each vessel prior to production, to ensure the most operator-friendly, fuel-efficient, and best performing vessel in its class. All American Marine is at the forefront of aluminum vessel design and manufacturing. Our team is committed to guiding you through each step of the process, and we deliver great value on a vessel that is truly unique to its specific application.

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Innovation is at our core whether it’s building North America’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial vessel or fuel-efficient & long-range survey vessels.  Our experience building the most technologically advanced vessels in the business serves our operators first and foremost.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution on the water, and that’s why each of our vessels is truly unique to our operator’s mission. Our holistic design/build approach serves our operators in the short and long term in a vessels overall value.

Recognized for our craftsmanship and high quality, our  history of repeat customers knows that once a vessel is delivered, we stand by that vessel for years to come. You call? We answer. We stand by the quality of our vessel’s long-term performance and quality.

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Whether it’s for the LA Port Police or the Texas Game Wardens, AAM has built the toughest and most innovative vessels required for their class.

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It’s happening on our roads and we know we won’t be able to rely on fossil fuels forever, that’s why AAM is on the leading edge of the decarbonization trend.

Passenger Ferries

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AAM is excited about this growing sector, and we look forward to customizing more vessels for this unique application.

STATE-OF-THE-ART Facility

Approximately 85 miles North of Seattle, All American Marine’s production facility is located along the Northern shore side of Bellingham Bay in Bellingham, Washington. In early 2017, AAM moved into the brand new, purpose-built 57,000 square foot boat construction facility located on Squalicum Harbor, allowing for multiple vessels of varying sizes to be in construction simultaneously with staggered production schedules.

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“All American builds the highest quality vessels and offers the best value overall value in the country. When we visited their state-of-the-art facility and saw the rapid progress and the quality of work on our first boat, we decided to go ahead and build two vessels.”

“All American Marine worked with us to refine our goals, build a second, proven vessel that met those goals, and then delivered. In fact, despite building two boats during the midst of a global pandemic, they delivered both boats on time and on budget. This new vessel, with its capacity, comfort, and speed is revolutionizing the fleet for Major Marine Tours. Our customers truly enjoy the spacious and accessible deck spaces when viewing whales and glaciers, particularly the stadium bow viewing area.”

“We chose All American Marine based on their experience and skillset in building such highly customized research vessels, vessels that are in service throughout North America. This new best-in-class vessel will provide an unmatched platform for our continued focus on performing to the most stringent offshore survey specifications in the world, whether that is for nautical charting or for subsea exploration to support offshore wind development.”

The vessel is definitely a game-changer for the Texas Game Wardens. Our key mission is to make sure the Texas maritime border is safe. The fact of the matter is, there’s not an off the shelf vessel available that meets the daily needs of law enforcement, particularly for long-range vessels. Each step of the way All American listened to us, understood our mission, and in conjunction with Teknicraft, designed and built a vessel that has all the versatility we need to be successful on the water.

We are very pleased with the team All American Marine has put together to deliver this unique vessel and are eager for our guests to experience San Francisco Bay from the silent decks of the Enhydra [this fall]. We see the propulsion configuration on the Enhydra as phase one in our move toward the full electrification of our fleet. Stay tuned for phase two.

A successful partnership is one that accomplished the goals of all parties and concludes with superior results. King country citizens will be the beneficiaries of these quality vessels for years to come. Thank you to AAK, Teknicraft and King County.

Working with the All American Marine team from start to finish went beyond expectations, and their commitment to detail and excellent project management throughout the process was the difference maker.

KEEP IN TOUCH

To stay in the know about what AAM is up to, whether it’s current builds and new projects, upcoming launches, or industry news, don’t forget to follow our blog , check us out on Facebook and Instagram (@allamericanmarineinc), or shoot us a note and say hello!

All American Marine Launches Another Research Vessel for NOAA

All American Marine (AAM), together with NOAA, are proud to announce the launch of RV GANNET for NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS). GRNMS is located 19 miles off Sapelo Island, Georgia, and is one of 15 marine sanctuaries and monuments that make up the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary System. This research vessel was constructed inside AAM’s state-of-the-art facility on Bellingham Bay. The vessel is a 52’ x 19’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel is based on the proven design elements found in the recently commissioned More

All American Marine has Delivered an Innovative Research Vessel for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

All American Marine (AAM) together with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa are proud to announce the delivery of an innovative research vessel, on behalf of the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). This state-of-the-art research vessel, IMUA, is a 68.5’ x 25’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel contains proven design elements found in the recently commissioned and successful research vessels “Blue Manta” and “Shearwater” built for BlueTide Puerto Rico and Duke University, respectively. The vessel was constructed to US Coast Guard (USCG) standards and will operate More

AAM Delivers Unique Ocean Tour and Dive Vessel for Hawaii Dolphin Tours

All American Marine (AAM) is proud to have delivered a unique, highly customized vessel for Hawaii Dolphin Tours based in Honolulu, Hawaii. This vessel is a 50’ x 17’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel was constructed in AAM’s state-of-the-art facility on Bellingham Bay and is starting operations this week in Oahu. This new vessel will add capacity to Hawaii Dolphin’s range of snorkel and tour vessel trips. The 70-passenger vessel “Poseidon” was constructed to USCG (US Coast Guard) Subchapter T regulations and is fuel efficient at cruising speeds as More

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Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer

Tracy Arm Inlet

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Wheelchair Accessible

Starting At

Minimum Age

Information Not Currently Available

Approximately 6 Hours

Meals Included

Meals not included

Join this exclusive opportunity to see the very best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area , including exciting, close-up views of the majestic Twin Sawyer Glaciers.

Your adventure begins as soon as you board a luxurious, high-speed catamaran , transferring to the vessel directly from your cruise ship. Relax in the warm, spacious cabin, surrounded by large windows as your experienced captain guides you past curious seals resting on floating icebergs.

As you cruise Tracy Arm, the on-board naturalist will provide a wealth of information about the area, which naturalist John Muir called 'one of the most dramatically stunning fjords of Southeast Alaska'. While exploring the length of this ice-carved fjord, you will cruise beneath cliffs that rise 4,000-feet above the jade-colored sea, and you can feel the mist on your face as the vessel maneuvers almost directly under a plunging waterfall. There will also be frequent stops for you to view and photograph wildlife, such as pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, harbor seals, mountain goats and bears.

The extraordinary maneuverability of the vessel will allow you to get as close as possible to the ever-changing face of Sawyer Glacier.

From the topside observation deck, enjoy this unforgettable experience with all your senses. You can sometimes even feel the 'white thunder' as immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea.

Enjoy a variety of  complimentary food samples  served by the friendly Alaskan crew as you trace the rugged shores of Stephens Passage on the cruise back to Juneau.

Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair. In the event unpredictable and ever-changing ice conditions preclude your cruise ship from entering Tracy Arm Fjord, the tour will be modified to explore Endicott Arm -- a fjord and tidewater glacier of equal beauty. Dress warmly in layers to fully enjoy the outside observation deck. Wear a hat or beanie; bring gloves and a scarf. The vessel is equipped with deluxe seating, a galley and restrooms. Disembark right next to your cruise ship in downtown Juneau. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Bring passport on tour.