Fastcat 305 Buyer's Guide
The Fastcat 305 is a 30-foot cruising catamaran built by African Cats B.V. between 2002 and 2008, designed by Rajan Naidu. On the used market she appeals to couples or small families wanting a light, beamy multihull with genuine six-berth accommodation without stepping up to a 35-foot-plus platform. Her epoxy-infused construction and shallow draft make her a practical coastal and island cruiser rather than a bluewater expedition boat.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Fastcat 305 follows the same core plan: three cabins sleeping six, with rear berths of 2.00 by 1.30 meters, a shared spacious bathroom, and a galley set in the saloon. The saloon itself seats six and wraps the occupants in exterior views, while the cockpit also holds six. Nearly six-foot headroom in both the bridgedeck and hulls is a consistent trait, so buyers should not expect major layout variants — condition and equipment, not floorplan, separate individual boats.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Factory-standard kit worth checking includes wireless wind, depth, and speed instruments and LED lighting, both fitted as original equipment. The builder fitted a 250-litre water and 150-litre fuel capacity with twin 13-horsepower diesel saildrives, so power and energy systems are modest; buyers wanting more autonomy should budget for a generator or larger battery bank. Sail-handling and canvas upgrades are common owner additions on cats of this size, and navigation electronics may have been modernized beyond the original wireless units. Comfort items such as upgraded mattresses or ventilation fans build on the factory air-mat ventilated berths.
What to Inspect
The defining construction claim is the Vector-K vacuum infusion process using epoxy resin, with the builder stating the hulls are completely osmosis free, now and in the future anchor. Inspect the solid fiberglass hull and deck for any evidence contradicting that claim, since osmotic blistering would be notable on an epoxy boat. Confirm the ventilation of the mattresses via the special air mats, as damp and mould prevention depends on those remaining intact. Verify the wireless instruments and LED lighting function, and check the twin saildrives for service history given their age.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Regional availability is not characterized by a current listing summary, so buyers should treat the 305 as a limited-production 2002–2008 catamaran best located through multihull brokers and specialist listings rather than mass market channels.
- Confirm epoxy hulls show no osmotic blistering
- Verify mattress air-mat ventilation is intact
- Test wireless wind, depth, speed instruments
- Check twin 13-hp saildrive service records
- Assess upgrade quality on power and sail-handling systems