| Nor-Tech 4000 Roadster | | Print | |
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The new 4000 Roadster from Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats demonstrated excellent handling and superb styling during Powerboat’s exclusive first look. Originally published in the June 2009 issue By Jason Johnson Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats has held its own in what is a very competitive offshore-catamaran market. And as offshore catamarans have grown in popularity and made huge strides when it comes to performance, styling and creature comforts, Nor-Tech has risen to the challenge with boats from 36 to 50 feet. The new 4000 Roadster from the Fort Myers, Fla., boatbuilder is a prime example. Listening to its customers, Nor-Tech opted to create a catamaran that performs with the best of them, but also offers luxuries not normally found in a boat of its size. “When it came time for a new model, we looked to our customers to come up with a wish list of features they wanted,” said Terry Sobo, Nor-Tech’s director of marketing. “In addition, we took a look at features that would convince someone to buy a cat in the first place.” What Nor-Tech came up with was a sizable catamaran that utilizes basically the same hull as its 3600 Supercat, yet offers as many amenities as its 4300 Supercat or 4400 Roadster. The 4000 Roadster gives buyers an opportunity to get into a larger offshore catamaran without having to move up to a 12-foot beam, which can be a deterrent since it makes trailering a boat more challenging. Nor-Tech didn’t shy away from the power when building its first 4000 Roadster, which made its debut at the Miami International Boat Show in February. Equipped with a pair of Mercury Racing HP1200SCi engines, the six-seater catamaran came with an $850,000 price tag. Sobo said the power options are abundant for the boat. Putting the power to the water were Hering 38"-pitch, five-blade propellers bolted on to Mercury Racing No. 6 drives with a 1.24:1 gear ratio. And based on a first-look evaluation of the 40-footer on Miami’s Biscayne Bay in early April, Powerboat test driver John Tomlinson was impressed with the catamaran. “All in all, the boat performed well,” Tomlinson said. “It feels really good at all speeds. I also liked the way it turned. We took some pretty hard turns, and it didn’t try and hook or spin the boat out.” Set up for top speed, the well-mannered catamaran did take some time to reach plane—9.5 seconds to be exact. But once on plane, the 4000 Roadster accelerated to its top speed in short order. On the way, it hit cruising speeds of 92 mph at 4,000 rpm and 127 mph at 5,000 rpm. “Once you’re up to speed, the throttle response is good,” Tomlinson added. “It starts climbing through the 100s really quick.” With the engines turning 6,300 rpm, the boat topped out at 160 mph. Sobo said they’ve seen a few mph faster. Still, 160 mph was quite impressive across the wind-whipped chop in the bay. The 40-footer did have a mild hop in the 70- to 80-mph range, but once it pushed through the mid-80s, the catamaran planted its bow and ran smoothly. Our test driver and co-pilot were especially impressed with how comfortable it was in the cockpit. From the placement of the Livorsi Marine throttles and shifters in a small center-console between the adjustable bucket seats to the easy-to-see Mercury SmartCraft VesselView system on the port-side dash panel, everything was right where it needed to be.
A $6,500 option—and quite mesmerizing—was the 15-inch 8000i Northstar navigation system that was centered in the dash ahead of the throttles and shifters. Sobo said most buyers will opt for the smaller 12-inch navigation screen. Just below the large monitor were tabs for the drives and trim tabs, along with a remote control for the premium stereo system installed by Waves and Wheels of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. Passengers on the four-person bucket-style rear bench won’t be left out either. Along with a GPS Monster gauge mounted in the center-console to keep an eye on the speed, video screens were installed in the back of the driver and co-pilot buckets. Nor-Tech positioned T-style grab handles between each of the four plush rear bucket seats, which had stowage space under the bottom cushions. The 40-footer also included a sizable cabin that could be entered via lift-up access doors on each side of the dash. Inside the cabin was a head compartment with a portable toilet and a sink, a bench seat and a large bunk for resting. In response to customer feedback, the builder made sure to incorporate a sizable sun lounge by covering each of the outward-opening engine hatches with upholstery that matched the boat’s red, gray and white graphics. As not to spoil the cat’s lines, the upholstery was recessed into the hatches. Also new to the Nor-Tech catamaran lineup was the boat’s extended transom that covered the drives and tiebar, making it easier to get on and off the boat for a swim. Also helpful was the grab handles above the platform, which was covered in nonskid. It’s obvious Nor-Tech set out to improve its catamaran lineup with the new 4000 Roadster. And from our standpoint, the stylish boat did just that. It handled with ease, was loaded with amenities and featured excellent fit and finish. CONTACT INFORMATION If you like what you're reading, get more by subscribing to Powerboat magazine here. |
In what is becoming the norm, Nor-Tech set up the boat with dual steering for one- or two-person operation. Each side of the carbon-fiber dash included Livorsi Monster gauges for the tachometers, but only the starboard side had a 180-mph GPS tattletale speedometer.