Mark S. Blackburn

All objectives were achieved.   Here is a summary of my thoughts on each:

(Incidentally, the MV/32 will become the MV/34 in the next couple months.  The boat is being modified to achieve several objectives:

• Add bouyancy especially aft to sustain heavier (larger) engines
• Extend the forward deck forward of the bows to better deflect spray in rough seas
• Modify the built-in stern swimsteps
• Reduce pounding of waves on the underside of the bridge deck

Rob Porier of PDQYachts has done an excellent job of keeping me informed of the progress and evolution of the MV/32.  After many phone calls it was great to finally meet Rob and other PDQ personnel and customers.  I enjoyed meeting Thomas Monhaghan, who will receive the first of the MV/34 hulls.  I also enjoyed meeting Bill and Donna Cook who are already PDQ customers living on Florida's West Coast.  I was very impressed with the MV/32 when I came aboard.  I prefer a 'galley up' design, but found the MV's layout very well thought out.  Passageways were not as restrictive as in many catamarans.  Underway the boat was quiet when below.  My main gripe was the pounding of seas on the flat exposed underside of the bridge deck.    This pounding also affected cabin sole.  PDQ tells me that this issue is being largely mitigated by the redesign to the MV/34.   The interior of the boat was very nice.  As an owner who might do occasional living aboard, I enjoyed the roominess.  

I saw several competitors to the MV/3x.  One was much sexier:  The Fountaine-Pajot 37.  I was so taken with this boat, I arranged to go out on it.  I was not as impressed with the boat when underway.  Plus it costs 50% more than the MV by PDQ.   And, it is not as economical, and does not have as much range.   The Lagoon 43' Power Cat was a real piece of art, but costs more than 2x as much.  (Out of my price range).   In the final analysis, I believe the MV/3x has greater finesse.  I will be getting a second-generation boat.  It is a boat which appeals to sailors as the graceful sleek hulls are easily driven sailboat hulls.  The boat also has a lot of beam.  I didn't see this as a plus until I went out on another power cat with a narrower beam.  It rolled and did not seem as inherently stable as the MV.

I wrestled over this, but after carefully analyzing all the other boats, I left Miami very glad and excited to be a future MV/3x owner.

I enjoyed going aboard many different sailing catamarans.  I was very impressed with: 

The Maine Cat 30  - a high-performance coastal cruising cat with an innovative design.

The Seawind 1000 from Australia -  another innovative, high performance boat better suited to open ocean passages than the Maine Cat.  Also a superb value.  I will view this boat again in Oakland in April.  If I wanted a sailboat today, this is probably the boat I would buy.

The Fountaine-Pajot Belize 43 - A dream boat for an around-the-world voyage for a couple.  Absolutely the best interior of any current sailing catamaran I know of.

 

Well, due to Ron Porier's flexibility and sportsmanship, we made it to 'Robert is Here.'  This is a tropical fruit market extraordinaire.  The trip down to Homestead was fun.  And, they have a Mango Milkshake which was fabulous.  I bought my first Canestel there.  It was wonderful.  Sadly, after ordering 20lbs. to be shipped to me in California, CA Agricultural Officials had to refuse it and ship it back.  If you're in South Florida, go visit Robert Is Here.

I got sunshine.  I pedaled my rental bike all over Miami Beach for 5 wonderful days.  I swam virtually every day there.  And, I was so busy falling in love with boats at the boat show, I did in fact ignore South Beach's bare boobs.  (Am I getting old)?

Mark Blackburn

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Mark S. Blackburn, MBA

1310  E  Street Victorian

Sacramento, CA 95814
916.444.6500

Write to Mark:   Mark_Blackburn@Yahoo.com