A marine industry sales veteran turned boat-builder with a factory he set up in Brazil, Randy Sweers is feeling pretty upbeat these days. First, he just celebrated a milestone birthday and looks half his age. Second, he recently tested another Statement Marine 396 catamaran—Sweers produces the 39-footer and 47-foot center console under a licensing agreement with Statement—and was dazzled by its performance.
Powered by twin 500-hp outboard engines from some company in Wisconsin—OK, dang, Mercury Racing, of course—and set up by the wizards at Shaun Torrente Racing, the 39-footer reached 135 mph.
Still minus it final upholstery and paint, the catamaran is the property of a Michigan-based father-and-son.
“I know you hear this all the time, “Sweers said, then laughed hard. “But the boat probably had a little more speed in it. One good pass was all it took to reach 135, so that was all I did.”
Sweers knows that speed numbers move the needle more than they should with would-be buyers in the high-performance catamaran market. But what he’s really after with the 39-footer is all-around performance.
“What I want to deliver is a great-running, super-stable catamaran that propped for everyday use run in the 120s,” he emphasized. “That’s what I want from every 396 we build.”
Sweers paused to chuckle.
“Of course, it is nice to know what they are capable of,” he added, then laughed again.
