Have you been looking for a lightweight tender that’s easy to stow and take ashore? The new carbon-fiber tenders from Aspen may be your answer. Larry Graf, founder and President of family owned and operated Aspen Power Catamarans, has just announced their new series of Aspen Carbon Cat tenders.
Dubbed the “Carbon Cats,” these tenders constructed from lightweight carbon fiber are easy to launch, stow, and retrieve aboard your vessel. The 9-foot model weighs only 126 pounds, and the 10-foot model just 139 pounds. An added benefit is the optional transom wheels for even easier beaching, or rolling the boat down a launch ramp.
Aspen Carbon Cats are also fast and efficient. Due to their lighter weight, the power requirements are about 35% less than typical inflatables. Powered by a 9.9hp Yamaha outboard, the T11 tender reached speeds of 21mph during sea trails. The hull design combines the stability and efficiency of a catamaran and the tracking capabilities of a monohull – the bow has a deep single-entry forefoot for cutting through the waves, the hull then widens aft and at the stern for lateral stability. The tender is reported to have good tracking while underway, and you can easily row the tender, too. Most riders can step on the gunnels while boarding and sit on the gunnels while underway. A moveable seating cube provides the seat for powering, while steering with the tiller, or as a seat for rowing.
An avid boater himself, Larry Graf has trailered his 34-foot Aspen to British Columbia and voyaged down the Mackenzie River over 1,100 miles to reach the Arctic Ocean, and he has covered thousands of miles with his Aspen in Alaska.
To learn more about Aspen boats and the Aspen Carbon Cats, go to www.aspenpowercatamarans.com; Aspen’s Factory is located in Burlington, Washington.
Photos courtesy of Aspen
