Design Brief & Intent
The core philosophy behind the Fastcat 50 was the absolute minimization of weight to unlock exceptional sailing performance, combined with a commitment to ecological sustainability. To achieve this, African Cats rejected traditional high-volume production methods. Instead of using polyester resins and heavy fiberglass, the yard employed a highly advanced vacuum-infused epoxy resin process. Hulls were laminated using basalt fiber (marketed as Green Silk) or carbon fiber, supported by a Divinycell PVC foam core and reinforced internally with Twaron aramid fibers for superior impact resistance. To save hundreds of pounds of deadweight, the yard entirely omitted gelcoat and interior flow coats, opting instead to post-cure the completed hulls in an oven at high temperatures and spray-paint the exterior with two-component polyurethane paint.
This minimalist, high-strength construction set the Fastcat 50 apart from contemporary competitors of the era. While heavy, charter-focused catamarans relied on massive volume and heavy solid-teak cabinetry, the Fastcat 50 featured a lightweight interior with foam-cored composite panels finished in thin veneers or painted surfaces. This interior finish, though less traditional, felt clean, bright, and aerodynamic. It was intended for short-handed couples seeking a true blue-water passagemaker capable of rapid, comfortable ocean crossings without the sluggishness typical of heavily loaded cruisers 3.
Variations & Configurations
The Fastcat 50 was primarily built to order, leading to several distinct variations in layout, rig, and propulsion. In terms of accommodation, the standard layout was an elegant Owner's configuration, where each hull was dedicated to a spacious private suite. These suites featured king-size berths, ample headroom, dedicated heads, and separate shower stalls.
Beneath the waterline, the Fastcat 50 featured twin low-aspect-ratio fixed keels. Drawing only 4.10 feet, this configuration offered a sensible compromise between shallow-water capability and windward performance, allowing the boat to be easily beached for maintenance without the mechanical complexity and hull-intrusion of daggerboards.
The sail plan was configured as a powerful fractional sloop rig, typically featuring a rotating carbon fiber mast and a carbon boom. The most notable configuration split occurred in the propulsion department. Buyers could opt for standard dual Yanmar or Volvo Penta diesel sail drives (ranging from 30 to 40 horsepower), or choose the highly publicized, proprietary Green Motion hybrid system. The Green Motion system utilized retractable electric motor-generators mounted on hydraulic legs. These could be swung down into the water for electric propulsion or to generate power under sail (hydrogeneration), and then retracted flush into the hulls when sailing to completely eliminate underwater drag.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the Fastcat 50’s performance metrics translate directly into an incredibly responsive and lively helm. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 27.18, this catamaran possesses an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. It does not require a gale to get moving; in single-digit light breezes where standard cruising catamarans are forced to motor, the Fastcat 50 easily accelerates into double-digit speeds.
The boat's displacement to length ratio of 117.89 places it firmly in the ultralight displacement category. It glides over the water rather than pushing through it, minimizing wake and wave resistance. However, this light weight impacts its sea motion. With a comfort ratio of 11.45, the Fastcat 50 lacks the heavy, dampening inertia of a displacement monohull. In a confused seaway, its motion is quick and can feel jerky to those accustomed to heavier boats. Nevertheless, its wide beam of 26.25 feet provides immense initial stability, and the high bridgedeck clearance prevents the exhausting bridgedeck slamming and pounding that plagues lower-profile cruising catamarans.
While the twin fixed keels do not allow the yacht to point as high as a daggerboard-equipped racing catamaran, its narrow hull entries and lightweight hull forms ensure windward performance that far outclasses standard production multis. Off the wind, under a gennaker, the boat is capable of effortless, sustained speeds in the mid-to-high teens.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Finding a Fastcat 50 on the brokerage market is an exceedingly rare event. African Cats was a highly specialized, low-volume boutique yard, and independent industry researchers have noted that the builder produced only a handful of original hulls across its entire model range. Consequently, there is no standardized market pricing, and these vessels command a premium among niche buyers who appreciate advanced composite engineering and performance cruising.
However, the economics of owning a Fastcat 50 are heavily influenced by its custom nature. Unlike buying a mass-produced catamaran with a global dealer network, a Fastcat 50 owner must approach maintenance with a custom-yacht mindset. Standard replacement parts are rarely off-the-shelf; structural or rig repairs will require specialized composite fabricators. Prospective buyers must factor in the potential costs of upgrading outdated electrical and hybrid propulsion systems, which can be highly capital-intensive.
Known Issues & Triage
Because of the highly experimental nature of the yard’s builds and systems integration, several critical areas require diligent inspection:
- Propulsion and Hybrid System Reliability: The experimental Green Motion electric drive system is the most significant source of technical headaches. Early owners reported that the systems were often under-engineered or paired with undersized generators, meaning the electric motors could not run at continuous cruising speeds without rapidly draining the battery bank. The hydraulic rams and pivoting legs for the retractable drives represent significant mechanical failure points and are prone to calcification, seal failure, and electrical faults.
- Hull Lineage and HIN Verification: A notable controversy exists regarding the origins of the Fastcat 50. Industry watchdogs have documented instances where the builder was accused of rebranding existing South African hulls, specifically the St. Francis 48, as their own builds. Buyers must conduct exhaustive due diligence on the Hull Identification Number (HIN) and original builder's certificates to verify whether a particular vessel is a genuine vacuum-infused basalt/epoxy African Cats build or a modified fiberglass hull from another manufacturer.
- Systems Design and Fit-Out: Early hulls suffered from amateurish systems installation. Documented issues include structural deck fittings that were poorly bedded and bonded, resulting in active freshwater leaks into the cabins. Additionally, grey and black water plumbing layouts were sometimes poorly routed—such as head pumps being located too far from the heads—leading to frequent clogging and poor flushing. The composite cabin soles on some early models also required complete replacement due to bonding failures underfoot.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners and refit yards have successfully addressed many of the Fastcat 50's original shortcomings by implementing modern technology:
- Propulsion Overhauls: The most common and successful modernization involves decommissioning the temperamental, proprietary Green Motion hybrid systems. Owners typically convert the boat to modern, standardized diesel propulsion (such as twin Yanmar common-rail diesels) or install modern, commercially supported electric drivetrains (such as Oceanvolt or Torqeedo) paired with high-capacity lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery banks.
- Electrical and Solar Arrays: Given the spacious carbon bimini and salon roof, owners frequently install high-efficiency walk-on solar arrays. Paired with modern MPPT controllers and large lithium banks, a modernized Fastcat 50 can easily run high-load appliances like air conditioning and watermakers entirely off solar power, fulfilling the original "green" design brief without the reliability issues of the original hybrid setup.
- Exterior Paint Refinishing: Because these boats were built without a protective gelcoat, they rely entirely on polyurethane paint for UV protection. Depending on their exposure to the sun, older hulls will require a complete professional haul-out and respray (using marine paint systems like Awlgrip) to prevent UV degradation of the epoxy-composite laminate.
The Verdict
The Fastcat 50 is a rare, high-performance catamaran that represents a bold, if flawed, attempt to pioneer eco-friendly, lightweight multihull cruising. For the sailor who values exceptional light-air performance, high bridgedeck clearance, and advanced composite construction, it offers a level of sailing excitement that production "condo-marans" cannot match. However, the builder's controversial history, combined with highly experimental early hybrid systems and inconsistent interior plumbing installations, means that any purchase requires rigorous marine surveys and a willingness to invest in modernizing the boat's propulsion and electrical grids.
Pros
- Outstanding sailing performance with a very high power-to-weight ratio and excellent light-air speed.
- High bridgedeck clearance significantly reduces slamming in heavy seas.
- Advanced composite construction utilizing vacuum-infused epoxy, basalt/carbon fiber, and aramid reinforcements for a light, strong hull.
- Twin fixed keels offer a shallow draft and allow for easy beaching without the complexity of daggerboards.
- Highly aerodynamic cabin and modern, bright interior layouts.
Cons
- Original Green Motion hybrid propulsion systems are notoriously unreliable and often require expensive conversions.
- Complete absence of factory gelcoat means the hulls require costly periodic painting to prevent UV damage to the epoxy laminate.
- Inconsistent early systems installation, with documented issues in plumbing routing and deck hardware bedding.
- Extremely limited production run makes sourcing replacement parts difficult and requires custom fabrication.
- Navigational and hull-origin controversies require exhaustive HIN and builder certificate verification before purchase.
