New Catamaran for Dry Tortugas National Park

Caterpillar Engine Products Division has announced the completion of a new catamaran fast excursion vessel for Yankee Roamer, Inc., Key West, Fla. The 92-ft. boat has a top speed of more than 27 knots. Yankee Freedom II was designed by Phil Hercus of Internation Catamaran Designs-Sydney, Australia. The Incat design uses a single chine Z-Bow hull shape that increases waterline length for improved high-speed performance and seakeeping ability. Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass. built the all-aluminum vessel and designed the interior and mechanical systems. Gladding-Hearn is Incat's U.S. East Coast licensee and is schedule to launch two more Incat designed ferries this year. Yankee Freedom II is powered by two Cat 3412C marine engines, each rated 1,050 bhp at 2,300 rpm. The 3412s drive 40 in. diameter Bruntons propellers through ZF BW 190 marine gears. Compared to a 90 ft., 2,600 bhp Lydia composite monohull previously making the Dry Tortugas run, Yankee Freedom II operates with a 20 percent increase in speed while using approximately one-third less fuel.