Back to AboutRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Cheetah Marine has invested in a development programme to produce plugs and moulds for the entire Cheetah range from 5.5 – 11.2m. Continual research and testing using practical testing methods at sea alongside tank testing enables Cheetah Catamarans to remain at the forefront of boat technology.
1. A swamp test was carried out to determine what would happen if a significant amount of water was taken onboard.
Using weights to simulate engines and an additional 300kgs of load, a crane rig was set up above the 6.9m Cheetah. 4500 litres of water was contained one and a half metres above deck in a high capacity Seaflex lifting bag.
2. With a quick release mechanism, the 4.5 tonnes of water was dropped instantaneously onto the deck. The volume of water filled the cockpit, forcing the hull down into the water.
This downward thrust was immediately exceeded as the upward motion of flotation within the sealed buoyancy tanks forced the hulls back to their natural buoyant position.
3. The vessel remained stable under full flood whilst the water drained from the two aft scuppers. Complete draining time was 2 minutes, 20 seconds. Thorough examination of the vessel following the impact proved there was no internal or external structural damage.
The Cheetah construction of light weight materials, including honeycomb, multi axial material and PVC structural foam, has proved to be incredibly strong and robust. Strength is proved further when Cheetahs are hammered daily onto the beach at high speeds in the surf.
