Cats, by their nature, are quick and agile, although they do have some performance quirks. Both tubes can catch the opposing current when trying to change ferry angles. This makes it difficult to pivot and hold your ferry angle. Another characteristic of cats is the tendency to be launched airborne after entering a steep pushy hole. As the cat punches the hole, the downstream current catches the stern of the tubes and pushes them downward. The cat stands on its tail, sinks slightly, and then launches skyward.
In the design of the SL Cat we set out to solve these problems and substantially improve speed and maneuverability. First, we changed the profile of the tubes and reduced the stern tube diameter to lessen the leverage the current could apply to the tubes. Next, we lengthened the waterline and reduced the attack angle, increasing hull speed and stability. We increased the tube diameter at the central pivot point to create a small footprint for incredibly fast turns. Finally, we added an incredibly smooth bottom for resistance-free rowing.
The result was a top-of-the-line performance-driven cataraft we call our SL series.
