INVINCIBLE
As nimble and lethal as a leopard, this big center-console catamaran is a baby to drive and a pleasure to fish.
46 CATAMARAN
The canyons just got a little bit closer with this big, bad fishing cat with a heck of a lot of range.
IInvincible Boats continues to gobble up market share like tuna devouring baitfish in the most competitive boat market of all: hardcore fishing boats, particularly serious offshore fishing boats. And it has proceeded to compete with a line that includes both center-consoles and some of the most exciting catamarans to hit the waterways. Twenty-five years ago, boatbuilders began to bring forth cats, and while some anglers embraced them, most did not. Why not? Cats get boaters to the fishing grounds through heavy seas in greater comfort, and they let anglers fish on a more stable platform that straddles waves as they move under the boat instead of cresting over them as
with monohulls. But some early cats heeled outward in turns, giving the impression the hull might topple over until straight travel was resumed. Many old cats required an inordinate amount of horsepower to make speed but still didn’t attain expected performance. Comically, some “sneezed” as air and water compressed beneath the deck and between the sponsons got forced forward to sweep back over the boat.
Why are Invincible’s cats so popular? These custom-built boats display none of those nasty characteristics. In fact, the new 46 Catamaran, when properly trimmed—i.e., the outboard engines inward, and the inboard engines out—heeled sweetly inward in turns as sharp as we cared to make.
Morrelli and Melvin, famous designers of racing and power cats, drew this boat. Like all Invincible cats, the 46 has a hybrid semi-asymmetrical design that is responsible for its comfortable maneuverability. The inside sponson walls are nearly vertical, while outside walls are shaped like a longitudinal cross section
of a V-hull. The designers added a double step, and the effect is quick acceleration, comfortable turning, and a soft ride that will make you eager to fish in all but the roughest weather.
Our 46 Cat was powered with quad Mercury 450 Racing outboards. You might ask, “Why all that horsepower?” The simple answer is: Why not? This 46-foot platform carries crew in comfort and has all the accoutrement of a sport-fishing battlewagon.
It would run well on less horsepower—say, quad 300s—but why scrimp?
The helm station is wide enough to accept dual Garmin 24-inch displays, and our test boat’s system boasted chirp, side imaging and standard sonar, along with radar and autopilot. The hardtop is bonded to the console, and tempered-glass windshields protect the crew. Acrylic side curtains deflect wind from the speed, preventing lost hats. Despite the massive console, we enjoyed a clear view forward from the cushy chairs with flip-up bolsters.
There are two rows of helm seats, each three seats wide. Behind these is the mezzanine area with an aft-facing bench that conceals a rigging station—fold the back down to reveal three compartments with drawers and tackle boxes. A cooler underneath that bench was equipped with a chill plate to minimize the need for ice. Even more tackle storage resides in cabinets on each side of the lounge.
At the foredeck, two large lounges with contoured cushions, folding armrests with cup holders, and comfortably reclining backs
The 46 Cat, when properly trimmed—i.e., the outside engines inward, and the inside engines out—heeled sweetly inward in turns.
sit atop dual coffin boxes, accessed when one lounge or the other is lifted toward the centerline. Compartment dividers can be removed, turning three compartments per side into one large enough to ice fish.
Most surprising was the spacious compartment inside the console, large enough for comfortably changing clothes. It is also equipped with a head and sink. Easy access to all electronics, batteries, circuit breakers and more can be found inside.
The fishing cockpit has four livewells: Two in the deck at 72 gallons each, and two in the transom at 60 gallons each. Our tester sported a pair of dual tuna tubes, but if the owner opts out of them, the spaces can hold additional seating. There are so many rod holders on the gunwales and transom, you could just about close your eyes and slip a rod butt in one. A dozen rocket launchers in the hardtop and 10 more rod holders in the console’s side tuck through ports in the hardtop.
Competitors are rare in the 46-foot range, but Freeman Boat Works makes a beautiful 47 ($1,250,000 with quad Mercury Racing 450s) that boasts comparable handling benefits, and is generously equipped for the hardcore angler.
Considering its size, nimble handling and serious fishability, the Invincible 46 Catamaran is a tough competitor to beat.