Konacat News

Catamaran builder Brian Hall is too young to remember when ferries plied the route between Florida and Cuba in the 1950s, but he has plans to be among the first to revive the once-popular route. Boosted by President Barack Obama's policy of seeking to normalize relations with the Communist-ruled island after decades of U.S. isolation, Hall hopes to offer a high-speed catamaran service between the Florida Keys and Havana, perhaps as soon as this year. "My partners and I are ready to start operating as soon as we get the go-ahead," said Hall, 49, president of CubaKat, an offshoot of Fort Lauderdale-based catamaran builder, KonaCat. He is not alone. At least half a dozen Florida companies are seriously considering ferry ventures, with plans to seek licenses from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Boksa Marine Design, Inc. has teamed up with KonaCat to develop the KonaCat 85' Passenger Catamaran. This fast catamaran design can carry up to 200 passengers and 5 crew members. The particular vessel will be designed to cruise at speeds above 30 knots. The ferry will be constructed with Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) under the KonaCat Fast Build Kit System . Expected custom design and build time is just 6 months. Located in Mobile, Alabama, KonaCat is a builder of custom composite catamarans. Their fast build system ensures timely turn around times on custom designed catamarans.