If you can imagine driving a boat on rails, then you will love Blackdog Cat’s new 5.1 alloy pontoon boats. Editor Grant Dixon checks out a brace of serious fish and dive craft.
Modelled on Thundercat racing hulls, Blackdog Cat pontoon boats were first introduced in 2009, and they immediately appealed to hard-core anglers and divers.
In recent times the Blackdog Cats’ range has undergone a revamp, with the lines softened and some of the boats’ more ‘interesting’ tendencies, such as the hull(s) sometimes digging in when coming off the plane, have been designed out of them. This, combined with the addition of cabin and hardtop models to the range, has broadened the appeal of these easily-driven boats to a wider boating market.
Latest in the range is the 5.1 model, available in three configurations: dodger/centre-console, cabin and hardtop, and I had the opportunity to reacquaint myself with them after the recent On Water Boat Show.
Upon joining brothers Jonny and Luke Ogle to check out the 5.1 Hardtop and Dodger models, I found both boats sporting the latest Suzuki ‘lean burn’ 115 and 140hp outboards respectively, and Garmin GPS/chart-plotters, set up by Whangarei distributor Warren Hay Marine.
Warren had quite a bit of input into the revamp, and was not prepared to put Black Dog boats on his showroom floor until he was happy with their performance. Changes were made, so Warren accepted the offer to become the brand’s first official dealer.
There is a lot to like about the Blackdog Cat, but the three features that really stood out were the ride, stability and internal space.
Firstly, the ride. These boats are true rough water performers, turn on a dime, and respond well to being driven hard (their raceboat pedigree perhaps?). The previous models used to ‘hang out’ on the turn, but the redesigned hulls offer a ‘flatter’ attitude during changes of direction. It was also pleasing to note that the design creates an air cushion between the hulls, adding to the softness of the ride. The ride is dry, too, with the spray turned down and out. (One option Blackdog Cats partner Luke Ogle recommends involves fitting a customised cavitation plate to the outboards, helping the boat to plane quickly and stay there at lower speeds, even with a decent load on board.)
Secondly, the boats have great stability. Luke and I stood against the starboard gunwale at one stage to imitate an angler assisted by a crew member netting/gaffing a fish. This produced very little heel. (From an angling perspective, I also like the ‘toe space’ present where the hull meets the pontoon, enabling anglers to get up close to the side of the boat for security of stance and better leverage.)
Thirdly, being a catamaran, the Blackdog Cat has a heap of flat internal deck space, enabling up to four people to fish in comfort. Divers will love this boat, too – plenty of space to gear up and stow bags, not to mention the pontoons’ convenient height to rest against while preparing to drop over the side. A swim step and dive ladder with conveniently placed grab rails make getting back on board easier after a splash.
Specifications - Blackdog Cat 5.1 Hard Top
Length | 5.15m |
Internal Beam | 1.71m |
External Beam | 2.18m |
Hull | 4mm |
Topside | 3mm |
Gunwale height | 0.59m |
Hull weight | 660kg approx. |
Tow weight | 1150kg |
Transom height | 20" |
Height on trailer | 3.3m |
Width on trailer | 2.45m |
Length on trailer | 6.5m (engine down) |
Recommended HP | 90-140 |
Price as tested | $74,995 |
Packages from | $51,695 |
From a safety perspective, the Blackdog Cats tick the boxes. For a start, they are positively buoyant; a test with four people aboard and the hull flooded saw the boat still floating. There are three buoyancy chambers built into the design, so if one is punctured, the other two will keep the vessel afloat.
Another feature I liked was the Savwinch drum winch, operated from the helm. There is a free-fall option that enables accurate anchoring over pins when targeting tarakihi or around foul when stray-lining for snapper. There is enough space in the anchor well for a spare anchor warp and ground tackle.
Storage areas around the boat are well catered for, with spaces in the bow, along the gunwales, beside the passenger seat, and on the dashboard, with the latter having a raised-lip surround to stop items ending up on the deck.
Luke says the boats can be optioned according to an owner’s needs and uses, but basically the hard-top version offers added shelter, while the centre console is more for ‘hard core’ fishing, having full walk-around capabilities and offering a forward-casting platform as an option. The cabin model is ‘somewhere in between’.
Depending on intended use, the hull is rated for 90-140hp outboards.
“If you are working a bar, pulling water toys or carrying decent loads, the 140hp is the preferred option,” Luke says.
The two test boats were fitted with Suzuki four-stroke outboards, and there was plenty of grunt to get them ‘out of the hole’ smartly, yet they also provide excellent economy when trolling or
undertaking longer ventures. The Dodger model, being lighter, needs only 115hp, without compromising performance.
Two 25-litre tote tanks were carried, offering plenty of range. The lineup of optional extras for the hardtop model include: a bait board and mount; wash-down kit; bow and gunwale grip tread; paint or wrap; bolster seat upgrade; DC outlets; cockpit drains; marine carpet; sliding side windows; and a live-bait tank.
The boats sit on custom-built galvanised DMW single-axle trailers, complete with LED rear and side lights.
IN CONCLUSION, regardless of the topsides configuration, the Blackdog Cat 5.1 is going to make a lot of people very happy, especially if into serious fishing and diving.
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