Dave Hemmingson’s DCB (Dave’s Custom Boats), located in El Cajon, California, has introduced 15 new custom-built performance boat models the past 20 years.  According to the DCB website, every boat produced by the company is customized to satisfy the wishes of the boat owner. 

One of DCB’s newest models is the M31 Widebody.  See the incredible performance of an M31 equipped when twin Mercury Racing 1350s in this YouTube video.  For more information about Dave’s Custom Boats, visit the company website.

At the 2010 Miami International Boat Show, Mercury Engines unveiled their 1350 and 1300 HP turbocharged engines.  Mercury President Fred Kiekhaefer described the engines as the most sophisticated products from the company to date, featuring a 552-cubic-inch, 32-vale quad-overhead cam platform.  The close-cooled aluminum block and cylinder heads are designed to eliminate turbo lag and torque deficiency, problems often associated with turbocharged engines of this type.  The engines also feature a patent-pending pulse tuning exhaust which is unique for four-stroke engines.

The 1350 and 1300 are advertised as being significantly quieter and more fuel-efficient than other engines in the same power range.  They also meet all EPA exhaust emission standards.

Find out more about the 1350 and 1300 at the official Mercury company website.  You can also read a review at Boats.com.

The Big Cat Poker Run is scheduled to take place July 22-23, 2011, in the California Delta. Offshore monohulls and power cats will compete to raise money for local charities. The event is sponsored by the Discovery Bay Lions Club. 

We love the concept behind of Poker Run races and have blogged about it here in the past. This as much a game of chance as a race. Power boat navigate a charted course at top speed, stopping at 5 designated card stops to pick up a sealed envelope containing a playing card. At the finish line, all envelopes are opened and the boat with the best poker hand is the winner.

To see footage from another Poker Run held earlier this year, check out this YouTube video of the Miami Boat Show Poker Run 2011.  You can find out more about the Big Cat Poker Run on the official website.

The 2740 Renegade from Glacier is a stylish powercat that’s built to satisfy the needs of a boating and fishing family. Twin semi-displacement hulls provide lift and stability. Built-in rod racks, holders and insulated fish boxes satisfy the requirements for any fishing enthusiast who’s looking for a cat.

The Renegade is a product of the new Glacier Bay owner, PowerCat Group. This multihull features a composite core and full-fiberglass liner reflect the PowerCat influence.

Read a complete review the of Glacier Bay 2740 Renegade on the Boating magazine website.

You can also get more information about the 2740 Renegade on the Glacier Bay website.

Aspen Power Catamarans are among the world’s most fuel efficient power cats.  The Aspen C90 was introduced at the 2010 Seattle International Boat Show.  It’s the same boat that won an NMMA Innovation Award at the 2009 Miami International Boat Show, but with the addition of a cabin.  This 28-foot powerboat as a cruising speed of almost 18 mph with a fuel efficiency of 6.6 miles per gallon. 

The Aspen C90 has twin hulls, but its port hull carries about 35% less beam than the starboard hull.  The starboard hull carries extra weight in the form of the diesel engine, 2 water tanks and access to the king-sized bed equipped stateroom.  The single small diesel engine keeps keeps maintenance costs down and a built-in solar charging systems provides additional economy. 

The Aspen C90 was designed by Larry Graf, founder of Aspen Power Catamarans and former designer for Glacier Bay, one of the world’s largest power cat manufacturers.

Read a full review of the Aspen C90 on the Sea Magazine website.

When most people think of the Virgin Islands, it’s the U.S. or British Virgin Islands.  Less well-known are the islands of Culebra, Vieques and Palomino, known as the Spanish Virgin Islands, even though they are located just 6 miles east of Puerto Rico and about 20 miles from the more famous Virgin Islands. 

The Spanish Virgin Islands were ceded to the U.S. in the late 1900s and were used almost exclusively by the U.S. military until 2003.  This kept the islands in a pristine state, with crystal clear blue water, white sandy beaches and reefs teaming with marine life.  If you’re looking for a remote paradise for your next cruising vacation or charter, consider the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Read more about the Spanish Virgin Islands at Fodors.

One of the newer offerings from the PowerCat Group is the Carolina Cat 18CC.  According to BoatTest.com, the PowerCat Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of catamarans, having produced more than 80,000 multi-hull boats.  The Carolina Cat 18CC is an 18′ basic utilitarian powerboat that provides a stable, safe ride and gets you where you want to go within a 120-mile range with a top speed of 35 mph and a 23 mph cruising speed.

The total price for the Carolina Cat 18CC and its Yamaha 115 HP 4-stroke engine is less than $35,000.  Read more about the Carolina Cat 18CC on the Carolina Cat website.

Livingston Cat Boats, a company with a 40-year history, is one of the newest additions to the PowerCat Group.  More than 75,000 Livingston boats have been sold for use as fishing boats, dinghies and yacht tenders.  Livingston currently offers 7 models (named 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 19) that range in length from 7′ to 18′.  Prices range from about $1300 to $14,000.  A wide variety of options available, including swivel seats, remote steering, rail systems, protective boat covers and special colors.

Find out more on the Livingston Boat website.

The 3480 Cuddy Hardtop powercat from Glacier Bay is both stylish and versatile, the perfect boat for fishing expeditions and extended cruises.  This 37′ powercat boasts many features normally found on yachts, including two large staterooms, a private head with an enclosed shower, a fully-equipped galley and a large aft cockpit.  The hardtop provides added protection from the sun and elements.

The Glacier Bay brand is known for soft-riding offshore cruising cats that provide maximum comfort on the high seas.  The living spaces below deck are surprisingly luxurious.

Find out more about the 3480 Cuddy on the Glacier Bay website.  Glacier Bay is part of the PowerCat Group that we wrote about in an earlier post.

We’ve written in this blog about WorldCat power cats, a top manufacturer of high-performance fishing and cruising power catamarans.  In 2009, WorldCat owners Andrew Brown and Chris Brockway bought Glacier Bay, the oldest U.S. maker of catamaran’s and WorldCat’s biggest competitor.  Two more acquisitions followed in 2010 – Carolina Cat and Livingston Boats.  At this year’s Miami Boat Show, the PowerCat Group made its debut as the union of these four brands.

We’ll be looking at some of the current offerings of the PowerCat group in our next few posts.  You can learn more about the company on the PowerCat Group website.  You should also check out this PowerCat Group YouTube video that shows why mono-hulls just can’t compete with powercats on the high seas.