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New Boat News
Twin Vee 19 Family Fisherman
By John Page Williams
Twin Vee builds seaworthy,
soft-riding power catamarans that sell for modest prices. Their twin
hulls are filled with foam and sealed, built solidly enough to carry
limited lifetime warranties. Till now, the dollar-saving trade off has
been plain, spackle-finished interiors. No more. The new Twin Vees have
clean white interiors of nonskid gelcoat.
Our test boat was the new dual-console Family Fisherman version of the
capable center-console 19 Bay Cat (18 feet 8 inches 7 feet 6 inches with
a 10-inch draft). Unlike larger Twin Vees, this hull is designed for a
single engine turning a cupped four-blade stainless propeller. Our boat
carried a 140-hp Suzuki, but I know from experience that this 945-pound
hull performs well with a 90. With the 140, the Family Fisherman topped
out in the low 40s, but like all its sisters, it rises onto plane easily
at speeds in the low teens, so it’s efficient through a wide range of
rpms and allows the skipper to fit speed to sea conditions.
The Family Fisherman’s sociable layout includes a pair of side consoles
holding 18-gallon plastic fuel tanks, stout grab rails around the
windshields and cushioned seats in front. Behind are helm and companion
swivel seats. The tilt hydraulic helm on the test boat allowed for
comfortable running while sitting or standing. A full-width foredeck
with low rails offers storage under but makes a fine casting platform. A
large cooler mounts on brackets just behind it. The stern deck is also
full-width, with storage and a livewell. There’s space under the
gunwales to mount horizontal rod racks, with enough length for fly rods.
List price for the 19 Family Fisherman loaded as tested with a Suzuki
140 & trailer is $28,102.
Twin Vee, Inc. 3101 S. Federal Hwy.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982; 772-429-2525; www.twinvee.net.
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