Largest Passenger Catamaran from Nichols

The largest passenger catamaran to be completed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders - at 144 ft. in length and with a 450-passenger capacity - was delivered to Catalina Cruises. The four-engine, 36 knot vessel is planned for service between Long Beach, Calif. and Catalina Island. Catalina Jet employs four Caterpillar 3512B, electronically controlled, 1,950-hp diesel engines to power MJP J550 DD waterjets supplied by Ulstein Bird Johnson. Power is transmitted through unique ZF gearboxes with diagonal offset, 1.42:1 ratio reduction gears. An active ride control system was supplied by Maritime Dynamics, to smooth out the passage on the Catalina Channel. The system includes trim tabs and "T-foils" beneath the twin hulls to counteract the pitch and roll motions induced by the sea surface.