The following is a sponsored article by Arnie Hammerman of Aspen Power Catamarans:
Built locally in Burlington, WA Aspen power catamarans have been delivering stable and efficient proa cats for many years. Their newest model, the 38’ (11.6m) Aspen C110 uses modern gas outboards to drive their patented hull form. The slightly longer waterline of the C110 has several benefits. Additional buoyancy aft helps support the Mercury outboards and allows the tender (typically a Carbon Cat T11) mounted on an EZ Davit to sit further aft. The repositioning of the tender creates more useable cockpit space, and the longer waterline improves performance.
Proa Cat Design
The hulls on the new C110 like all Aspens are the same length and appear similar, but one hull is 35% narrower than the other, hence the proa cat designation. The thinner hull has less resistance, so it is easier to move through the water which increases efficiency. The Aspen C110 comes standard with a 175 HP engine to port and a 225 HP engine to starboard. Optional twin Mercury 225 HP outboards will increase top speed and presumably use a little more fuel. Mercury 225 and 175 HP outboards are the same physical size so both fit equally well on the C110.
Driving the C110
The Aspen C110 sea trialed had the standard 175/225 HP engine combo. Top speed was a zippy 31.5 mph/27.4 knots even with a T11 (11’2”) tender and a considerable amount of the owner’s gear aboard. The boat felt stable and controlled all through the RPM range even at wide open throttle. Aspens don’t plane so they accelerate smoothly and evenly through all RPMs as there is no hump to get over. This also means that you can choose the speed you want to suit your cruising agenda. The Aspen C110 handles nicely, taking sharp turns in either direction with a gentle almost imperceptible lean and only a slight speed loss in the turns. At 6.9 mph / 6 Knots the calculated range with optional 201-gallon expedition tanks onboard and a 10% reserve was 430 miles/374 nm (nautical miles). A faster cruise of 19.5 mph/16.9 knots used 11.7 gph (gallons per hour) which gives the C110 a range at that speed of 303 miles/269 nms. Faster speeds of 26.7 mph/23.2 knots still provided a good cruising range of 241 miles/229 nm. The Aspen C110 is ideally set up for exploring the Pacific Northwest. You can head out for a day cruise or weekend in the San Juans or explore into Canada or even to Alaska up the inside passage. If you want to go fast the C110 is still efficient and if you slow down to enjoy the scenery you have tremendous range.
Designed to cruise
Aspens are not just about performance, their ride and seakeeping are also important when cruising. The catamaran platform of the Aspen C110 doesn’t roll easily from to side. With a 10′ 8″ (3.25 m) beam the boat is trailerable but doesn’t shift side to side when people board and remains remarkably stable in both rollie anchorages or in a seaway. The narrow entry forward slices through waves, and the shape of the tunnel prevents slapping that some cats exhibit.
Cruising Comforts
The Aspen C110 hosts a large cockpit ideal for entertaining, fishing or watersports. The tender is held aft so you can maximize the use of the cockpit space and there is an ample swim platform with a hot/cold freshwater shower handle. Adjacent to the glass and stainless salon door there is a fold-up window connecting the lounge and cockpit. Removable bar stools swing out along a counter, protected under the hard top above. Inside, the fully equipped galley has a deep stainless sink, Force 10 gas cooktop/stove, refrigerator/freezer and plenty of storage. The galley is conveniently located close to the action with access to the cockpit, the dinette/lounge, and the forward helm.
There are three sleeping cabins and one head. The owner’s stateroom features a king-sized bed, rarely found on boats of this size. The single berth cabin is accessed off the salon, and the third cabin has a double bed. The double bed cabin is reached through the head and has a hatch into the cockpit. The interior provides accommodations for family or guests and storage spaces for longer cruises.
No generator needed
The Mercury outboards on the Aspen C110 can be ordered with optional 115-amp alternators which can provide enough power for commonly used cruising electronics and electrical equipment. These high output alternators charge a custom Victron Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery package. The Aspen C110 can run all standard systems including a 17,000 BTU Air Conditioning/Heating system even overnight without having a generator.
The new Aspen C110 is a stable and efficient cruiser with enough speed to use as a dayboat and enough range to do some serious exploring. The boat is ruggedly built and comes with all types of equipment to keep you safe and comfortable underway. Two engines and a standard bow thruster (stern thruster is an option) make the boat easy to handle. Uniquely efficient, comfortable, and fun to drive the new Aspen C110 is worth a look if you are planning a boating journey.
https://aspenpowercatamarans.com/aspen-c110/
Pricing: Aspen C110 with standard equipment $664,300.
Aspen C110 Specifications:
LOA with Swimstep: 38’ (11.58 m)
Beam: 10′ 8″ (3.25 m)
Draft engines half tilt: 22″ (.56 m)
Air draft (mast down in water): 8′ 2″ (2.49 m)
Air draft (mast down on trailer): 12′ 8″ (3.86 m)
Estimated Dry Weight: 10,840 lbs (4,917 kg)
Fuel Capacity Standard (Gasoline): 180 US gal (681 L)
Fuel Capacity Optional (Gasoline): 201 US gal (760 L)
Freshwater Capacity: 50 US gal (189 L)
Blackwater Capacity: 30 US gal (114 L)
Cockpit: 65 ft² (6.04 m²)
Standard Power: Mercury Outboards: 1X-175HP Port, 1X-225HP Starboard
Optional Power: Mercury Outboards: 2X-225HP
Article By Arnie Hammerman
Aspen Power Catamarans
