Intercat 1500 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Intercat 1500 was designed primarily as a stable cruising platform rather than a high-performance racing multihull. With its relatively heavy displacement for a catamaran of its size and a moderate sail plan, the boat prioritizes "sea-kindliness" and upright sailing over raw speed. In a breezy reach, the 1500 exhibits the characteristic stiffness of a wide-beam multihull, eliminating the heeling forces that define its monohull predecessors like the Endeavour 37.

Handling is characterized by its predictable tracking, though like many early production cats with low-aspect-ratio keels, its upwind performance is modest compared to contemporary daggerboard designs. However, the dual-engine configuration—typically twin diesels situated in the aft of each hull—provides exceptional maneuverability in tight marinas, allowing the boat to rotate on its own axis. For the long-distance cruiser, the Intercat 1500 offers a secure motion in a seaway, reducing crew fatigue during offshore passages.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The true strength of the Intercat 1500 lies in its cavernous interior volume, a hallmark of the Brooks-led design philosophy that prioritized liveability. The bridge deck saloon is the centerpiece, offering panoramic views and a seamless transition to the cockpit, a layout that was revolutionary at the time of its release. Unlike the narrow "tube-like" cabins of 40-foot monohulls, the 1500 utilizes its 24-foot beam to provide a massive galley-up or galley-down arrangement depending on the hull's specific configuration.

Most Intercat 1500s were built with a four-cabin, four-head layout, making them popular in the Caribbean charter trade, though private owner versions often converted one hull into a dedicated master suite with a larger vanity and storage area. The use of teak trim and molded fiberglass liners reflects the construction transition of the late 80s, balancing traditional aesthetics with lower maintenance requirements. Headroom is generous throughout, typically exceeding 6'4" in the hulls, ensuring a sense of openness rarely found in vessels of this vintage.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of an Intercat 1500 should focus on the structural integrity of the bridge deck and the condition of the core materials.

• Bridge Deck Slamming: As an early catamaran design, the clearance between the water and the bridge deck is lower than on modern designs. Buyers should inspect the underside of the bridge deck for stress cracks or signs of previous repair caused by pounding in heavy seas.
• Moisture in Cored Decks: Similar to the late-model Endeavour monohulls, the Intercat utilized various coring materials. A thorough moisture meter survey of the decks and cabin top is essential to identify delamination or soft spots, particularly around stanchion bases and hatches.
• Rudder Bearings and Bushings: Given the age and the mechanical advantage required to steer a wide-beam cat, the rudder assemblies and steering cables should be checked for "play" or corrosion.
• Engine Access and Maintenance: While the twin engines offer redundancy, access in the narrow hull sections can be restrictive. Potential buyers should verify the service history of the saildrives (if equipped) or shaft seals, as these are critical failure points in older multihulls.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Intercat 1500 are frequently welcomed within the Endeavour Owners Group, which remains the most comprehensive technical archive for vessels associated with the Brooks and Valdes lineage. This community provides a wealth of knowledge regarding the specific build techniques used in the Florida yard and offers a repository of original manuals and modification advice. Because the Intercat 1500 was a low-production model, this peer-to-peer network is the primary source for sourcing replacement parts or navigating structural upgrades.

The Verdict

The Intercat 1500 is an "overbuilt" cruising catamaran that offers an immense amount of living space for the price of a much smaller modern multihull. While it lacks the pointing ability of a performance cat, it excels as a stable, comfortable "floating condo" capable of island hopping and coastal exploration.

Pros:

• Exceptional interior volume and bridge deck space for its age.
• Stable, upright sailing characteristics ideal for families.
• Redundancy and maneuverability provided by twin engines.
• Strong connection to the robust American building traditions of Endeavour.

Cons:

• Limited upwind performance due to fixed keels and weight.
• Bridge deck slamming can be noisy in a head sea.
• Aging systems and potential deck core issues require a rigorous survey.
• The large beam can make finding affordable slip space a challenge.