813-855-1413 Voice, 727-787-7092 Fax, Jim@BEACHCATBOATS.NET
and a half in Oldsmar, Florida. Oldsmar, a town founded during the depression by Ransom E. Olds (of Oldsmobile
fame) is located between Tampa, Tarpon Springs and Clearwater, on the northern edge of Tampa Bay. Oldsmar is
about three hours by car from Disney World and 15 minutes from the Tampa or Clearwater/ St. Petersburg airports.
Robert Harwood, the president and founder, graduated from NJIT with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor
in Electrical Engineering. He also has a certificate in Business administration from the American Management
Association, 13 patents and is listed in Who’s Who.
The first product was a modern version of the “old fashioned” pontoon boat. Not meant to replace the aluminum
pontoon boat on lakes and rivers across the country, it was designed to be a coastal salt water boat, with good
handling and ride with extreme durability in the Southern environment (long seasons, high UV, high corrosion.) Long
before the current popularity of catamarans, we produced a “one-piece”, all fiberglass, high speed catamaran hull, with
molded fiberglass furniture and removable cushions. Many changes have evolved over the years in response to
changing styles and emphasis. Many “good ideas” from the customers have also been incorporated, making the boat
better and better. Speed and motor size has increased as the customers realized that they could go quickly in rough
water with the Beachcat. A fully enclosed head (with optional sink and shower) was added (a room down in the hull
under a special console), which offered a truly private bathroom on the boat, an option that made a full day on the
boat a pleasant experience for many wives and daughters. As a plus, the lockable room provides a huge amount of
safe, dry storage. As one customers said, “every boat needs a utility shed.”
In the middle 90’s we added a 10’ wide version of our 26’ Beachcat. This came about as most states increased the
maximum tow width from 8’6” to 10’ (some states require a special plate, purchased at minimal cost.) Since most 26’
boats are kept at a marina or behind the owners house, the extra width made sense, and it almost doubles the amount
of open deck space on the boat (the deck space not used for furniture). As the commercial world became aware of
our recreational boats, more and more were used in rental fleets (the operators called them ”bullet proof”) and as
work boats. Tour operators also began using them as “six packs” and “12 Packs” (Coast Guard approved passenger
vessels). About that time the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico asked us to design two larger sizes of our boat, to be
used as ferries operated by them. Thus began the commercial Beachcat vessels.
Once again we designed a series of boats to replace the “old fashioned aluminum tube” passenger boats used in lakes
and bays around the country, as well as the costlier “off shore” catamarans used in partially protected waters. A
special series of one piece, high-speed catamarans were designed for rough water and large passenger loads were
designed. Three sizes, approved by the engineering center in Washington, have been certified for up to 49 passengers
and 2 crew for use in partially protected waters (20 miles from a safe harbor). Using heavier versions of the
recreational furniture and a larger head under the console, the owners can design their own deck layout to suit their
operations and have an extremely cost effective, “bullet proof” “T Boat” (C G certified
passenger vessel). Since all Beachcats can be ordered with any furniture desired, arranged in any fashion, or even just
the bare hull, many Beachcats are purchased to be used as workboats, barges, houseboat bases, and even hospitals
ships and restaurants. The commercial hulls have extended this use even further. The passenger vessels are used
without C G certification in countries where it is not required (Caribbean and South America).
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