PDQ. A Second-Generation Power Cat That Points To The Future. Story And Photography By BILL PARLATORE

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1 PDQ 41 A Second-Generation Power Cat That Points To The Future Story And Photography By BILL PARLATORE Q Istill remember the first time I stepped aboard PDQ s 32-foot Passagemaker. It was 2001, and the sailing catamaran builder had ventured for the first time into the budding power catamaran market. The boat struck many as a fresh idea: a stable, economical 32- footer with lots of room. Certainly worth consideration by couples wanting an affordable cruising boat. Several years later, PDQ evolved this model into the PDQ 34, arguably one of the most popular and successful powers cat of all times. The company continued to flourish as it met demand for this very competent cruising cat, and its boats could be found all across North America. Unfortunately, the PDQ success story did not last. The company went out of business, sadly, despite its record of solid engineering, quality construction, and outstanding marketing. Amid the incongruities of the U.S. dollar in the world market, the many challenges faced by PDQ Yachts grew to daunting proportions, and it could not stay afloat. This was a real shame, as the Canadian boatbuilder had just created a second-generation power catamaran utilizing all the knowledge and owner input from boats cruising across the continent. Engine access, storage, and overall livability were important criteria that PDQ had aimed to optimize in a newer, larger model that it hoped would prove to be a capable liveaboard power cat with few compromises. But all is not lost. Indeed, the future is back in focus, as Pearson Composites of Warren, Rhode Island, has purchased the molds and the components needed to bring the PDQ fleet back into production. Pearson already builds leading-edge boats representing technology at its best, so the power cats perfectly fit the firm s business model. When the first boats are launched in Narragansett Bay late this summer, we ll see what spin this company injects into the successful PDQ designs. The folks at Pearson Composites assure us that we won t be surprised with major changes to the original boats. With that in mind, I thought I d share a tour of a PDQ 41 that I went aboard before the lights were turned off at the PDQ plant in Whitby, Ontario. Sleigh Ride, which is hull number 4, highlights the evolution of the power cat concept in a larger boat for couples who want more room and sleeping accommodations out of the hulls. A BETTER LIFESTYLE FIT Rick and Sharon Richardson previously owned a Grand Banks 42 Europa, their first powerboat, but they found that their beloved GB didn t fully fit their needs.

2 PDQ 41 They now have grandchildren, so they require more space. Lifelong boaters, the Richardsons started waterskiing when they were kids and owned sailboats for many years. The lure of the trawler lifestyle brought them over to our side, and now they are learning what they really want in a cruising powerboat. More room, larger living accommodations, and the high price of fuel all were factors for the couple. They loved their GB, but Rick became enamored with power cats for their stability, economy, and spaciousness, and Above: Most days, the PDQ 41 s flybridge is the undisputed command center. The view is terrific, and with a bimini over top, it will give the crew a wonderful experience. The console is compact but complete. Left: Expansive seating behind the helm adds to the social possibilities when moored in a quiet anchorage or running on a lovely day with friends. And when it is time to have a cool one and fire up the grill, life is good. the shallow draft that offers the opportunity to cruise the Bahamas up close and personal. They looked at all the power cats out there, and they chose the PDQ 41 as the boat that would best suit their needs. The couple loved the layout of the cat. The storage is phenomenal, Sharon told me. And the galley is so friendly. Rick agreed and added, They thought of everything. Every boat is going to have a stereo, for example, so PDQ built that in. After living on the cat for two weeks, the Richardsons could not believe how much disappeared into the boat s storage areas. They were simply amazed. As people who take pleasure in life on the water, Rick and Sharon mix up their cruising, enjoying some meals aboard and some ashore. That is typical of many cruisers, who split Above: The wide foredeck found on power cats is always a great feature (especially for those who cruise with pets), and PDQ improved on it by adding a seat at each bow. One can move about and access the lockers under the large hatches without gymnastics. Right: The tender issue is easily solved on a power cat. On the PDQ, provision is made for a good size dinghy, which stows and deploys easily from the protected aft cockpit area. It is hard to fault this arrangement. time on the hook and in a slip. The PDQ fits that mix perfectly, at least for this couple. They say the cat s 18.5-foot beam has not proven to be a problem when getting a slip, although, given the choice, they prefer to anchor out. The Richardsons hail from Jacksonville, Florida, but once they arrived on Chesapeake Bay during their delivery cruise from Whitby, they decided to spend their first season with the boat in Chesapeake waters. Enjoying a slow pace is their idea of fun. Anecdotally, Rick compared his and Sharon s experiences aboard their GB, Rhapsody, with Sleigh Ride. He recalled that the Europa cruised at 9 15 knots but burned a lot of fuel at the higher end of that range and created a huge wake. In comparison, Sleigh Ride burns 2.5gph at 8 9 knots, and 8gph at 15 knots. He feels that is a consideration with today s higher fuel prices. The couple also likes the intuitive integration of all the boat s systems. Sharon commented how easy it is for her to use the electronics on the boat. The Richardsons also mentioned that visibility is great everywhere on the PDQ 41. While they are still in their first season with the new power cat, they say that, so far, routine maintenance seems a well-thoughtout feature of the boat s design.

3 PDQ 41 about a smooth, gentle ride, a sleigh on water. Sleigh Ride is also a good party boat, they have discovered. Looking into the near future, the Richardsons plan to cruise and play golf. They will stay in Hilton Head, South Carolina, for a couple of weeks, for instance, then head over to the Bahamas for a month or more. They ll also go on as many cruises as they can from Jacksonville s Queen s Harbour Yacht Club. It sounds like a lot of fun. Above: Wide side decks and secure handholds add to the ease of moving around the 41-footer under way or when anchored no fancy footwork required here. Right: Steps in the cockpit lift to reveal storage bins that will hold all the stuff of cruising, from lines to rags and cleaners. Sleigh Ride is a standard PDQ, which means options are more about systems choices in watermakers, TVs, and UV water filters than layout changes. The walkaround queen berth, which is up on the bridgedeck rather than down in one of the hulls, is a huge asset for anyone looking for a comfortable cruising boat. With lots of hatches and opening ports, I found the interior open, inviting, and well ventilated. Sitting in the saloon with Sharon, I asked her about the name she and Rick chose for their cat. Every boat has a personality, Sharon told me, and this boat is all EASY BOARDING The boat can be boarded from the transom steps in each hull, and there are handrails to ease that side-step motion. There are also two other access gates on each side deck, so there are really good options for getting on and off this cat in varying tidal and docking situations. Thirty-inch-high rails surround the side decks, foredeck, and aft cockpit, and one feels very secure walking around the boat. Additional handrails along the cabin eyebrow add extra security when under way. I found that the side decks, a minimum of 14 inches wide, allow easy movement forward and back to the cockpit. Some exceptional engineering and design work went into the PDQ 41; engine access, for example, is terrific. Lifting a 36-by-34-inch hatch on either side of the cockpit reveals a walk-down engine room where the Yanmar diesels, fuel filters, and related seacocks and plumbing are easily reached. I expected things to be tighter and was pleasantly surprised. Two other lazarette hatches in the cockpit offer good storage, and another large hatch lifts for access to the master battery switches, as well as more storage. Buckets, sponges, brushes, cleaners, docklines, and all the other gear needed for real-world cruising will fit easily. A fixed Edson davit system provides outstanding tender management. Sleigh Ride carries a 10-foot Aquapro RIB with a 15hp Yamaha outboard, and it is simple to launch and retrieve the dinghy with this system. Walking around the boat s exterior, I found that the necessary, everyday features of a cruising boat, such as shorepower fittings, line and fender storage, and cockpit shower, were all thought out, not added The bridgedeck layout offers a spacious saloon with great visibility and an inside helm that works well in wet or cold weather. Built-in consoles, speakers, and lighting attest to the serious design that went into this boat, and one finds easily accessed storage throughout. after the fact. As a result, the boat never feels crowded. It s relaxed and open. The bows and foredeck are 6 feet 4 inches off the water, and the foredeck is one of my favorite PDQ elements. I ve locked through several canal systems on PDQs, and it is easy to handle lines and fenders from this location. The two bow seats are just over the top of luxury as one waits for lock tenders to handle the lines. The boat s Lewmar windlass is at the aft end of the foredeck, which keeps the weight of 200 feet of chain away from the bows. A 35-lb. CQR anchor is standard for the 26,800-lb.-displacement cat. Two huge forward lockers house a 6kW Northern Lights generator and a holding tank. Each locker is large enough to stand up in, representing enormous storage opportunities. Five steps lead from the aft cockpit to the flybridge, with sturdy handrails assisting movement up to the boat deck and upper helm. Sleigh Ride will soon get a bimini to shelter those on the bridge from the sun s rays. The boat s radar arch, hinged and hydraulically driven to lower for bridge clearance, is perfect for satellite television, radar, and the various antennas needed on a modern boat. Also on the spacious flybridge is a built-in outdoor cooking area with barbecue, sink, ice maker, refrigerator, and storage, perfect for a relaxing evening of grilling and lounging. I m seeing this more and more on new boats, as builders better understand how boats are used. Such features have much to recommend them. Two Pompanette helm chairs sit behind the wheel, while a long settee on the starboard side and a curved settee behind the helm offer seating for lots of guests to enjoy life at day s end in a paradise anchorage. An adjustable table is the ideal size for the settee area. The boat s propane locker is just aft of the ice maker.

4 Left: The view down into the galley from the saloon. The chef has access to all cooking functions while standing more or less in one place, and he or she also can stay in touch with those seated in the saloon. Right: Details are visible looking aft from the galley: the companionway to the guest cabin, lockers, and relaxed steps up to the saloon. STEP INSIDE Back in the aft cockpit, a 6-foot-long companionway leads to the boat s interior, with 3 feet of overhead protection from rain and lousy weather. There are storage lockers on one side of the entrance. One steps easily through a nicely sized door directly into the saloon, rather than having to negotiate stairs or squeeze through a narrow entrance. It is a very ergonomic way to enter the saloon. Once inside, two things are immediately noticeable. First, it s easy to see how well the lower helm works for running the boat in said lousy weather. Visibility is good forward, and the helm console has plenty of room for all the electronics. I ve run the cat from the lower helm in colder weather (preferring to stay warm rather than experience the thrill of frostbite up top), and I can attest to its competence. The other conspicuous feature is the master stateroom on the bridgedeck. You ll find a walk-around queen berth in the 9-by-8-foot cabin, and opening windows and hatches that provide ventilation, light, and a view outside. A vertical pocket door allows improved visibility aft from the lower helm and provides privacy in the master stateroom when closed. Steps lead down to the starboard hull, an extension of the master cabin that contains a dressing area, head, and separate shower toward the bow. About the only thing one might find lacking is some manner of a vanity and seat for makeup, hair drying, and other get ready chores. The boat s cherry-trimmed interior is very livable; it s airy and bright, with a contemporary treatment. And I found that all the stairs in the interior of the boat are wide and allow unrestricted movement without fear of slipping. A large saloon table and seating lie just forward of the helm and are definitely where the crew will sit around when inside the boat. Shelves and lockers are everywhere, and I can see why Rick and Sharon feel so good about this cat. There is room to host lots of guests for drinks Top: The bridgedeck master stateroom, which offers standing headroom and great visibility outside, is the major achievement of the 41 s layout. The entire starboard hull is dedicated to supporting this owner s cabin. Above: A panel in the master stateroom bulkhead slides down to give a view aft from the lower helm; simply raise it when privacy is desired. Right: The master head and separate shower are bright and easy to keep clean, and they work well for extended cruising. This head shows how far cat builders have come since earlier designs. and nibbles, and the saloon is a great place to lounge, read a book on a rainy day, or check on a laptop. The galley is in the port hull and comes equipped for full-time living aboard. Sharon is surprised by how many of her provisions can be stored right in the galley, although most seating in the boat has storage

5 PDQ 41 LOA 41' LWL 39.3' BEAM 18' DRAFT 2' 10" DISPLACEMENT 26, 800 lb. BRIDGEDECK CLEARANCE 28" BRIDGE CLEARANCE 19' 10" ENGINE GENERATOR FUEL WATER HOLDING TANK MAXIMUM SPEED CRUISE SPEED RANGE AT CRUISE SPEED DESIGNER Twin 260hp Yanmar diesels 6kW Northern Lights 360 U.S. gal. 150 U.S. gal. 80 U.S. gal. 24 knots 18 knots 540 nm Ted Clements One might say the PDQ has two standing-headroom engine rooms. Engine access is better than on other cats in this size range, and easy access to major maintenance components has been incorporated throughout. beneath as well. Sleigh Ride s wine cellar, for example, lies under the sole beneath the saloon table. The galley has counter space on both sides and features a three-burner Princess stove, a microwave/convection oven, a Nova Kool refrigerator/freezer, and double stainless steel sinks. Because of the interior layout, anyone standing in the galley feels cozy but at the same time fully included. The cook can stay involved with activities in the saloon or at the helm. It is nice. Forward of the galley is a guest head; aft of the galley, one finds a chart table and electrical panel. A passage leads to a guest cabin that is typical for a power cat, with the berth taking up the full width of the hull. There is a washer/dryer combo under the guest berth. HIGH-TECH BOOGIE MACHINE PDQ s second-generation power catamaran is loaded with technology, and chief designer Ted Clements was extraordinarily focused on getting things right before the boat was built. Numerous weight distribution studies were performed before the 41- footer came to be, and modular construction of the interior, along with carefully engineered composite BUILDER BASE PRICE $650,000 For more information: Pearson Composites LLC pdqyachts.com info@pdqyachts.com Pearson Composites LLC Courtesy of PDQ Yachts components that were developed to work together, make the boat tight, right, and as light as possible for a craft with such capabilities. As I mentioned earlier, Pearson Composites doesn t plan to change the results of all this hard work. The common-rail BY260 Yanmar diesels crank out 260hp at WOT (4000 rpm), and their electronics fully support NMEA 2000 protocols, so digital data networking is easily accomplished. The boat comes standard with dual Raymarine E120 multifunction Top: Another PDQ 41 undergoes sea trials after launch. The boat looks good from all angles very balanced. Above: Rick and Sharon Richardson are happy with their choice of cruising boat, and they look forward to many years of relaxed, economical adventure. displays. Everything on the PDQ 41 is about technology and composite construction. The boat that came out of Ontario is complete, and I mean complete. Hopefully, this is a direction that the Rhode Island builder will continue. When Rick and Sharon told me that PDQ had put a stereo in the boat because the builder knew every owner would eventually install one, they didn t mention that it is a Clarion radio/mp3/cd, Sirius-ready, four-speaker system that sounds great. Complete also means the standard boat came with a 26-inch flat-panel TV/DVD system, a second TV in the master cabin, a three-zone Cruisair air conditioning system, Raymarine 4kW radar, full electronics at both stations...and the list goes on. You don t need to spend much time moving aboard other than unloading your clothes and provisions. The other exciting feature of this boat is the performance. This cat runs just as Clements intended. She can hit 24 knots at full throttle, burning roughly a gallon per mile in total, or less than a gallon per mile at 5 knots. With a full 360-gallon fuel load, this translates to a range that varies from almost 2,300 nautical miles at low speeds to more than 330 nautical miles at top speed. I was thrilled when Rhumb Line Yacht Sales Dick Tuschick took me for a ride on the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida. We idled one engine and ran the other engine up to full throttle. The cat ran over 18 knots on just one engine! And she tracked as if she were on rails; the steering remained straight. It was amazing. The performance of the new PDQ 41 is impressive in flat water, and even more impressive when conditions are anything but calm. If you have not stepped aboard a second-generation power cat, I suggest you take a look at the PDQ 41, soon to come from Pearson Composites. It may make you reconsider a traditional boat for your into-thesunset cruiser. This cat will soon be back on the water, a classic phoenix story if ever there was one. Reprinted from PassageMaker Magazine courtesy of the publisher, Dominion Enterprises. Copyright All rights reserved.