Tibona 20

December 2010 WebXtra

Tibona Boats introduces its custom 20-foot catamaran.

The December issue of Florida Sportsman highlights the Tibona 20 in our Casting Off section. Florida Sportsman staff met with Dan Hollins, of Tibona Boats, to boat-test his original catamaran at the St. Lucie River. Dan's worked on and rigged a variety of boat styles in the past, and he's tried to equip this catamaran with his favorite boat attributes.

Measuring 20 feet and weighing less than 3,500 pounds rigged, the Tibona 20 isn't your average catamaran. Gunwale height reaches 28 inches and deck space totals 100 square feet. But Tibona's compact size also makes it manageable behind a truck or in tight quarters on the water. We maneuvered around a trestle as a train passed overhead.

Features include a forward 240-quart fish box, optional 20-gallon baitwell, stainless hardware, two automatic bilge pumps, and twin 45-gallon fuel tanks. Options include a hard-top, freshwater washdown and an array of electronics for the console. The hull features a foamed fiberglass stringer grid system and hand-laid lamination. Beam is 8 feet, 4 inches; draft is 13 inches; power tops out with twin 90-hp engines. Price of boat and Evinrude E-TEC motors is $41,500.

Tibona Boats

2211 Fruitville Road

Sarasota, FL 34237

(941) 812 4239

www.TibonaBoats.com

Specifications:

Length: 20 feet (with engine bracket)

Beam: 8 feet, 4 inches

Draft: 13 inches

Weight: 3,500 pounds (with engines)

Max horsepower: 180 hp

Fuel capacity: 90 gallons

Gunwhale Max Height: 28 inches

Baitwell: 20 gallons

A view of the 20-footer's two-tiered front deck. All hatch hardware around is flush and stainless steel. Side steps allow easy access to the front deck. The Tibona hull is built from a fiberglass stringer system.

 

Anchor locker drains directly overboard.

 

At the bow, pull-up cleat and pull-up navigation light can stay retracted when not in use. Throughout the Tibona, there are 3 stainless steel pop-up cleats.

 

Forward insulated fishbox handles most storage needs. Fishbox drains fish guts directly overboard.

 

The optional T-top rigged with PFD storage. A hardtop is another option. Match the color of the T-top with the deck color, just about any shade is available.

 

Console door has two handles. Open the top section without opening the bottom.

 

Inside, there's access to three batteries and console wiring. Plus, there's more storage space, which can be tough to come by on a catamaran.

 

There's still plenty of room to get around the console. Forward gunwhale height is 28 inches; aft gunwhale height is 26 inches.

 

Four stainless gunwhale rod holders are spread throughout the boat.

 

Dan Hollins mans the fully-rigged console. Options include marine stereo, hydraulic tilt helm and Evinrude gauges, plus an array of electronics.

 

Console gauges are protected from saltwater spray.

 

Dual ignition switches and kill switch are easy to reach, right below the beverage holders (not pictured).

 

Inside the console leaning post is a compartment for tackle storage boxes.

 

Optional 20-gallon baitwell sits behind the leaning post seat. Livewell features a light for night fishing.

 

A shot of the stern. Dual engine brackets handle 90-hp Evinrude Etecs. Notice the optional rod holders and walk-through to the platform. Stern dive ladder is available.

 

Easy to open stern access panel. At left, ball-scupper deck drains. Tibona's deck is a molded non-skid surface.

 

Dan Hollins maneuvers the Tibona toward the dock. While running, two boaters felt little spray, even without a windshield.