Latest Outerlimits 46 Cat In Progress Is First With New Open-Cockpit Deck

Jeremy and Kristie Tschida’s well-known Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats SC 46 catamaran called Topless is the only such model originally built with an open cockpit. But the deck was created from a mold with a canopy, according to general manager Dan Kleitz, and then modified before the boat left the factory. The latest SC 46 cat, which is almost ready for rigging and installation of its Mercury Racing 1550/1350 engines at the Bristol, R.I. company, also will have an open-cockpit. But there is a significant difference this time around.

The deck was built from a new open-cockpit mold.

The first open-cockpit Outerlimits SC 46 catamaran built with new deck tooling is slated to be on the water this year.

The catamaran is headed to a repeat Outerlimits client in the Northeast.

“The last two SC 46 cats we built were Hurry Up for Jason and Laurie Moe and Jet for Burton and Yvette Kirsten, and they both have full canopies,” Kleitz said. “But we’ve known for a long time that a canopy is not for everyone, so we built all-new new deck, dash and cockpit tooling for the 46. We did all of it in house.

“It’s been a long project—3-1/2 years—but it’s going to come out really cool,” he added.

Using a graphics scheme created by Stephen Miles Design, Wes Jones of Wes Jones Design Works painted the 46-footer. Ryan Schwarzen of Kutting Edge Interiors currently is finishing up its interior.

Said Kleitz, “A canopy is not for everyone.”

The new open-cockpit version of the SC 46 cat also will be the first with an eight-seat cockpit. The move inspired Kleitz and company to offer the same seating package, though scaled down, for its outboard engine-powered 37-footer. All SC 37 cats built so far have been equipped with six seats.

“We are changing the dash and other elements of the cockpit to accommodate eight seats,” Kleitz explained. “Now people who want a 37 with eight seats will be able to order it that way.”