With the engines turning 5,300 rpm, the Luxury Cat topped out at 96.9 mph. (Photo courtesy/copyright Tom Newby)

With the engines turning 5,300 rpm, the Luxury Cat topped out at 96.9 mph. (Photo courtesy/copyright Tom Newby)



Not all that long ago, we marveled at the new breed of high-performance, single-engine deck boats based on catamaran hulls. Now we're seeing double, as in a growing fleet of twin-engine deck boats with performance and handling manners of their sport-cat cousins. It's a lovely, not to mention, exhilarating evolution.

Among the best of the breed is the Luxury Cat from E-Ticket in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. We know because we've tested a few. In our most recent encounter the builder sent the 29-footer, which rides on stepped sponsons and a stepped center pod, with power from two Mercury Racing HP525EFI engines. And civilized as it was, the boat's performance was anything but docile.

Performance

Equipment included Bravo XR drives with IMCO lower units, and Mercury lab-finished Brave One 15 1/4" x 30" four-blade stainless-steel propellers put the combined 1,050 horsepower to the water. With the engines turning 5,300 rpm, the Luxury Cat topped out at 96.9 mph.

With that propulsion package, the cat reportedly has run 100 mph. We don't doubt it, but our test-day conditions, which included some nasty 20-mph crosswinds, were less than ideal. Still, a deck boat running in the high 90-mph range on tame power is an attention-getter.

Standing-start and midrange acceleration were equally compelling. After coming on plane in 4.5 seconds, with minimal bow rise, the boat reached 81 mph in 20 seconds. The cat shot from 30 to 50 mph in 3.8 seconds, 40 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 40 to 70 mph in 8.2 seconds. Rarely does a boat deliver such a pronounced "pushed back in the seat" feeling on naturally aspirated power, which is a testament to the Luxury Cat's efficient hull as well as Mercury Racing's engines.

In each of our agility drills, the Luxury Cat earned the highest possible marks. Even at low speeds it leaned into slalom turns and carved them as crisply as any first-rate V-bottom. It handled circle turns at cruising and middle speeds in the same reassuring fashion?leaning in, holding a pure line through the turn and exiting without the slightest pitch to the outside. The cat handling manners were, in a word, elegant, and the full hydraulic steering from IMCO certainly contributed to its responsiveness at the helm.
Tracking was precise at all speeds, whether accelerating or decelerating. And as hard as we tried, we could not find a speed at which the Luxury Cat even hinted that it might porpoise. As one of our test drivers said, "Anyone, beginner or expert, could drive this boat and have a good time."

Workmanship

We have yet to see an E-Ticket offering that didn't have exceptional mold work and in-gelcoat graphics. Our latest encounter with the Luxury Cat was no different. Separated by pinstripes, all colors were vibrant and without bleed. Fades were progressive and even. As for the mold work, its uncompromising smoothness accentuated the boat's soft, flowing lines. The Luxury Cat is most definitely a deck boat, but it sure doesn't look like one.

Hardware included LED?no doubt 2006 will go down as the year of LED lighting in West Coast custom boats?navigation lights, handrails and push-pin receptacles for lines and cleats. The builder clearly chose to add nothing that might spoil the Luxury Cat's lines.

The fiberglass engine hatch fit into a
molded recess like the "hood of a Ferrari,"
in the words of our workmanship inspector. Two screw jacks raised and lowered the hatch.

The engine compartment boasted generous working space for a twin-engine installation in a 29-footer. To secure the engines, the builder mounted them on L-angles that were through-bolted to the stringers. Trim pumps, as well as an aluminum fender holder, were mounted on the fire wall. Almost all of the wires and hoses were concealed, and those we could see were neatly routed and well supported. The builder even took time to sand the red gelcoat in the bilge to a smooth, easy-to-clean finish.

Interior

All the way forward, the contoured lounge on each side of the Luxury Cat was actually part of the deck. Gunwales on the boat were richly padded. The builder left open the entire bow section?there was no gate on the boat's nose. There was, however, a pullout freshwater shower for cleaning off sandy feet, as deck boats often are beached nose-forward on the Colorado River, which is home to many boats in this class.

Bucket seats were provided for the driver and co-pilot, and the console in front of each seat had a wind deflector. But it was what we found inside the observer's console?a usable cabin with a headliner, a mirror, courtesy lights and map pockets?that impressed us as much as anything else in the boat's interior. A portion of the roof/ceiling for the cabin actually was done in a smoked acrylic section that not only fit the boat spot-on, but also let in ample light. Of course, the entire cabin could be used as a stowage space to augment the various stowage lockers throughout the boat.
To starboard, the helm station was decked out with a tilt steering wheel, Livorsi gauges in red rims and shifters and throttles from Eddie Marine. Rocker switches activated the accessories.

Aft of the buckets was a U-shape lounge. The bottom cushions for the lounge flipped forward on custom-fabricated brackets for access to the stowage lockers. Behind the back portion of the lounge was a substantial sun pad.

Overall

Both of our test drivers gave their highest scores to the Luxury Cat when it came to performance. Our workmanship inspector raved about the boat's fit and finish and attention to detail. Our interior inspector praised its functionality. In the twin-engine deck-boat realm, E-Ticket has thrown down the gauntlet.

Manufacturer Contact Information

E-Ticket Performance Boats
928-505-7886
www.eticketboats.com