The 35 Catamaran was introduced to offer a model that’s easier to handle and fits in smaller dock spaces while still offering many of the advantages of its larger siblings.
The design firm Morrelli & Melvin employed computational fluid dynamic computer software to test various running surfaces before tooling up to build the latest Invincible.
Unlike many V-hulls that want to decelerate when meeting seas, the Invincible tends to ascend and descend with the waves while the hulls knife smoothly through seas at speed, minimizing bow-to-stern rocking.
In addition, a pod between the sponsons helps split the water that rushes in between to further soften the ride. With the patent-pending hybrid semi-asymmetric design of each sponson, the boat corners with a slight inward lean, and the wide stance lends the 35 Cat exceptional stability at rest.
Invincible’s state-of-the-art vacuum-bagged cored construction, 100 percent vinylester resin, and impeccable fit and finish result in a boat that is relatively light for its size, for greater efficiency, but still feels solid while underway in rough seas.
The 35 Cat, through a dealer or factory direct, may be tailored to the wishes of the buyer. Our test boat was powered by four Mercury Verado 300 hp V-8 outboards, two on the transom of each sponson, representing the maximum rated power.
With the quad 300s and loaded with six crew, ice, full livewells and 200 gallons of fuel, our 35 Cat reached 30 mph in 9 seconds en route to a top speed of 71.5 mph at 5,600 rpm. Optimum fuel efficiency occurred at 3,500 rpm and 40 mph, where the Mercs burned 39 gallons per hour for 1.03 mpg. That equates to a range of more than 500 miles, based on 90 percent of the 550-gallon fuel capacity.
An easy-to-access, pressurized 65-gallon livewell resides in the middle of the transom, with a second 70-gallon in-deck well on the starboard side, enabling you to separate bait species. A pair of pump boxes—one in each sponson—are equipped with two Rule 1500 pumps to deliver air-free water to the livewells.
An optional portside door with boarding ladder eases reboarding after a dip, lets guests step aboard from a floating dock, and allows anglers to slide a big fish on board.
Deep, insulated insole fish lockers flank the center console, and a second pair sits in the foredeck, providing plenty of room to keep the catch chilled. The test boat came with eight gunwale rod holders on each side, and six more across the transom.
It was also equipped with three-across seating at the helm, an aft-facing seat for three abaft the helm seats with an insulated cooler underneath, and a forward console seat for two with another cooler inside.
The padded top and wraparound backrest of the optional insulated coffin-box cooler on the foredeck, which is lined with five rod holders on each side, doubles as a 64-inch-long lounger for two. In addition, you find two jump seats at the stern—one in each corner—that quickly fold flat against the transom when fishing action heats up.
Forward recessed handrails offer the crew security in rough seas yet minimize obstruction and snag points when cast-netting for bait. Wide walkways aside the console make it easy to transit forward or aft. Coaming pads encircle the interior, providing some cushion for the legs of anglers bolstered against the gunwales or the transom while fishing.
As for electronics, a pair of Garmin GPSMap 8617 touchscreen MFDs on our test boat allowed easy access to the chirp sonar, chart plotter, xHD 12 kW open-array radar, and autopilot.
The hardtop with integral full-height glass windshield and side windows offered outstanding weather protection. The top featured recessed spreader lights and stereo speakers as part of the JL Audio sound system, with 10 speakers and two 10-inch subwoofers.
Six rod tubes sit at arm’s length across the aft edge of the hardtop, and five recessed rod holders lining the starboard aside of the console further augment rod storage.
The console’s interior is accessible via a companionway on the port side. Because of the catamaran design, the console interior does not offer a step down, but it still provides a comfortable 51 inches of headroom, and privacy for changing or utilizing the electric head.
Easy to handle, comfortable and secure in rough seas, and thoroughly capable when it comes to offshore fishing, the 35 Cat extends Invincible’s winning streak in the growing multihull market.
Specs
Length: 35′10″ Beam: 11′7.5″ Draft: 20″ Fuel: 550 gal. Water: 35 gal. Max HP: 1,200 Dry Weight: 10,350 lb. Price: $350,000 with twin Mercury 350 Verados Invincible: invincibleboats.com
Test Conditions
Weather: Partly cloudy Location: Miami Wind: Southeast 10 to 15 mph Sea State: 1- to 2-foot waves Test Load: Six adults, 200 gallons of fuel
