Project—Cat 300 Jackhammer Raceboat In The Works

Though the single-outboard-engine, canopied 3C class in offshore racing is nothing new to the Union Internationale Motonautique organization, the category is growing with a new name in the United States under the American Power Boat Association. Starting this season, the stateside spec-class category will be called Cat 300—per Paul Rose at APBA—for its single Mercury Racing 300R outboard class-spec power.

Veteran racer Ricky Maldonado is transforming a 1997 model-year 23 Argo cat built in Finland for the class to meet current standards for both organizations at Manatee Marine Unlimited in Palmetto, Fla.

The newest addition to the Jackhammer team’s stable is a Cat 300 raceboat being updated at Manatee Marine Unlimited.

“It was born as a 3C-class raceboat in Finland,” said Maldonado, who is more than a little excited about the project. “It earned two world championships in Sweden so it is already a winning boat.”

But transformation barely begins to describe what Maldonado and company are doing to meet build-standards for the 28-year-old cat. The boat’s original cockpit had tandem seating, meaning one seat in the back and one seat up front. That configuration is not allowed under current ABPA and UIM rules.

This piece will be used as the mold for the 23-footer’s polycarbonate windshield.

The boat is owned by 21-year-old Connor Langheim.

“We are converting the cockpit to side-by-side seating for the driver and co-pilot, Maldonado said. “We’re doing all the new structural improvements under the UIM rules including water deflectors on the front, side and back of the boat, double walls and a really thick firewall. We are using Coosa Board for coring, which is stronger than foam.”

To create the boat’s new canopy, Maldonado modified one built by Skater Powerboats.

This Victory escape hatch will be installed on the underside of the hull between the sponsons.

“You can see how aerodynamic it is,” he continued. “The front area is triangular, like a Victory catamaran. We are making it light and strong, but very sleek.”

Maldonado and his three-person crew spent 22 hours working on the cat last weekend. They will paint the boat this weekend, and plan to have it rigged and on the water for testing in two to three weeks.