Commercial Boats

Beachcat Boats: Saltwater-Tough Catamarans & Pontoons
Beachcat builds all-composite fibreglass catamarans and pontoons engineered for strength, stability and decades of service. Our boats use hand-laid multi-layer fibreglass for hulls, decks, furniture and stringers – literally “no wood, no rot” – so they resist saltwater corrosion and last far longer than aluminum or wood designs
. Fibreglass is impervious to rust and rot
, and even fuel tanks are epoxy-coated for extra durability
. The result is a boat that stays structurally sound for decades in harsh marine environments. As one industry source notes, fibreglass combines the strength of steel with a fraction of the weight
, yielding high fuel efficiency and payload capacity – ideal for everything from electric-powered water taxis to day‑boat excursions.

Fibreglass advantages: The composite hulls have seamless, self-bailing decks and integrated stringers (built to USCG flotation rules)
. Because there’s no wood or internal aluminum tubes to corrode, Beachcats need no routine painting or anti-corrosion work
. In practice most maintenance is just a freshwater rinse and inspection after each trip. This low‑upkeep profile means Beachcat owners spend more time boating and less on repairs. (By contrast, even a good fibreglass repair takes more effort than popping out an aluminum panel
.) In short, Beachcat’s saltwater-tough fibreglass construction delivers structural integrity and minimal maintenance
.

Stability by design: All Beachcat boats use multi-hull layouts for rock-solid ride quality. Our pontoons (20–23ft models) have two wide fibreglass tubes under the deck, and our commercial catamarans (26–32ft) have twin hulls. Like other power‑catamarans, this spreads buoyancy to the hulls’ extremes, virtually eliminating roll. As Boats.com explains, a catamaran “focuses the buoyancy on the outside of the boat…[giving] a smoother, more stable ride than your average monohull”
. Likewise Beachcat’s wide twin-hull footprint provides outstanding static stability
. Even fully loaded, the boat remains level through waves – a passenger immediately feels the steadiness. For example, a 32×10ft Beachcat catamaran behaves like a much bigger boat in terms of comfort and space, carrying dozens of people with no tip or roll
.

Pontoon vs Catamaran: The 20′ and 23′ pontoons (each 8½ft beam) offer flat, open decks and a very shallow draft – great for sandbars, fishing or family cruising. The long parallel fibreglass tubes provide excellent side-to-side stability, so the boat stays perfectly level. The wide beam (8.5ft) and self‑bailing deck meet all USCG safety standards
. These pontoons handle up to 200 HP (20′ model) or 250 HP (23′) outboards
, giving efficient cruising and smooth acceleration. By contrast, Beachcat’s commercial catamarans step up the size: twin-hull fibreglass platforms that are 10ft across on our 26–32ft models. These larger cats easily carry 300–500 HP in twin outboards
, so even in currents or chop the boat powers confidently. The broad 10ft beam provides huge deck area for seats, bars, or gear, while retaining yacht‑like handling.

Recreational Boats – Beachcat Boats
The combination of wide twin hulls and integrated reinforcements makes Beachcat vessels unusually stiff and planted. A recent analysis notes that a catamaran “pushes less water than one large V-hull,” reducing drag and wave impact
. In practice, a Beachcat rides over waves rather than slamming through them – passengers experience very little heave or roll. This stability benefits comfort and safety, especially on tours or ferries. The extra deck space (often 20–30% more than a monohull of the same length
) lets operators install gangways, bars, or staging areas as needed. Nearly every Beachcat catamaran or pontoon is available with a fully custom deck layout: seats can be arranged for sightseeing tours, benches for commute shuttles, or open decks for water taxi routes – whatever the mission.

Recreational Pontoons: Family Fun Boats
Beachcat’s 20′ and 23′ pontoons are built for easy beach-side fun. Wide open decks mean flexible seating for up to 6–12 passengers, ample space for coolers, fishing gear or a portable grill. We use molded fibreglass bench seats (with under-seat storage) and marine‑grade vinyl or Sunbrella® cushions so the layout looks “done right,” not jerry‑rigged. Amenity-wise, even these small boats come loaded: walk‑in head compartments (marine toilet with standing height) with courtesy lighting, plus freshwater sink and shower systems if desired
. A full-length Sunbrella Bimini top can provide sunshade over most of the deck. From a 20′ “party barge” for friends to a leisure‑cruiser for families, these pontoons focus on fun and comfort.

• Stable and smooth: The 8.5ft-wide hulls keep the boat level even when anchored or cruising at angle. A fiberglass hull offers a quieter, more comfortable ride (no metal pinging or creaking)
. Owners report these pontoons as calm and easy to handle – perfect for novices or anglers.
• Powerful: The 20′ model safely carries up to 200HP in twin outboards, and the 23′ up to 250HP
. Yet thanks to the light fibreglass hull and efficient design, you get quick planing and excellent top speed without excessive fuel use.
• Beach-ready: The shallow draft means you can cruise up close to shore or sandbars. The boat’s construction is 100% fibreglass – no aluminum tubes to pit or wood to rot
– so after a day in saltwater a quick freshwater rinse is all that’s needed. In practice, upkeep is very low: just wash, wax occasionally, and check hardware.

Beachcat pontoons meet USCG regulations for uninspected passenger boats (≤6 paying guests) by default, and any can be outfitted as a “six-pack” COI boat if required. In fact these pontoon hulls were built from the start with USCG stability and flotation in mind
. For example, each has sealed stringers and bulkheads to meet safety standards, plus pop-up cleats and LED lights that comply with regs. Even a 20′ family pontoon can be USCG‑inspected for six passengers, making it legal for charter operation. And because of its low maintenance, our pontoon often ends up being a six-pack operator’s favorite “Best ROI boat” – it runs far longer without costly corrosion fixes.

Commercial Catamarans: Ferries, Tours & Work
Beachcat’s commercial line scales up the same rugged fibreglass philosophy for professional use. The 26′×10′ catamaran (hull length×beam) is rated for up to 300 HP twin outboards, while the flagship 32′×10′ model takes up to 500 HP
. These cats can legally carry dozens of passengers when built to COI standards. In fact Beachcat explicitly cites “USCG inspected & passenger approved” on these models
. The 26ft cat is often used as a six‑pack charter or small ferry; the 32ft version (often with tiered seating) is ideal for 20–30+ people on water-taxi, sightseeing, or commuter runs. Both have enormous deck footprints for chairs or benches, and the dual hulls make the ride extraordinarily steady even at speed
.

In heavy-duty roles – dolphin tours, sunset cruises or party boats – Beachcat offers the Tiki models. These are identical fibreglass cats (26×10′ and 23×8½′) with a tropical twist: open white decks, bamboo or thatch canopies, and space for built-in bars or DJ stations. For example, the 26′ Tiki boat (crew-rated to 250HP) provides a fully open platform where guests can dance or mingle
. Even the smaller 23′ Tiki (rated 90HP) is used as a lively party boat or dive-boat shuttle. Every Tiki boat still has the same 100% fibreglass hulls and railings – so owners get easy maintenance and longevity (and “High ROI” as we note in the specs)
.

In short, Beachcat’s commercial Boats cover an astonishing range of uses: passenger ferry or water taxi, research or government patrol vessel, dive boat, even a floating floating dock or work barge platform. You could outfit a Beachcat for eco-tours, a nightclub on the water, or electrical systems for onboard labs. Because the hulls are already built to USCG stability and flotation rules
, adding gangways or life-jacket lockers is straightforward. Many operators say Beachcat cats run day-in, day-out for decades, with only routine inspections and cleaning.

Comfort & Amenities
Every Beachcat boat is designed for comfort in use. We mold in high-backed seats with storage and add wide walkthrough areas. Safety features include marine-grade rails, multiple entry gates, LED navigation and anchor lights, and solid fiberglass decks with anti-skid. Many commercial models offer stand-up head compartments (marine toilets) with lighting and ventilation, freshwater sinks/showers, and even full-gauge instrumentation. For example, our commercial spec sheets show options like “marine restroom” and walk-in heads
. We also install hydraulic steering and premium hardware (stainless cleats, lifting eyes) for effortless handling and towing.

Any Beachcat can be customized with your choice of deck layout and extras. Some past clients have asked for bars and lounges (great for party boats or sunset cruises), custom sound and lighting systems, dive gear racks, or even heated interiors for cold-weather tours. Because our boats start with open, unobstructed decks, the sky’s the limit: fixed seats or leaning rails, loose chairs, VIP sections, you name it. We can also accommodate electric or hybrid drives – the lightweight fibreglass hulls mean batteries or motors add less weight penalty
.

Custom build process: We work closely with you from concept to delivery.

Consultation: We start with your idea – e.g. a 20-passenger shuttle ferry with a bar, or a 30-passenger wildlife tour boat with shade.
Concept/Layout: Designers sketch the deck plan, seating, and features (heads, lounges, dive racks, etc.) in CAD.
Engineering & Compliance: Our naval architects check buoyancy and stability against USCG rules (including COI requirements if >6 pax) and finalize details (stringer placement, route restrictions).
Build & Assembly: The hulls, deck and components are molded in our Florida plant, then built up into the full boat – all fibreglass, bonded and fastened for strength.
Sea Trial & Delivery: We join you at launch for a test run, ensuring everything (engine, steering, trim, accessories) meets your specs. Then we hand over the vessel ready to go.
Each step is transparent. We guide you on permits or certification as needed. For inspected vessels, we help coordinate the USCG stability letter and COI process, since Beachcat’s design philosophy (“no shortcuts on safety”) makes compliance straightforward
. By the end, you receive a fully finished boat – from the walk-in head to the final canopies – built exactly to your custom plan with no corners cut.

Coast Guard Compliance
In the US, any boat carrying more than six paying passengers must be USCG-inspected and have a Certificate of Inspection
. Beachcat’s commercial cats are designed for exactly that. Our wide beams and sealed fibreglass hulls meet (and often exceed) the intact stability and safety criteria of Subchapter T. As the USCG notes, a COI inspection “determines everything from how many passengers your vessel can safely carry to what routes it’s authorized”
. We ensure your boat has all required equipment (lifejackets, lights, alarms, etc.) and the paperwork (stability booklet) so it can legally carry 20, 30 or more people. In practice, operators report that once their Beachcat passes the initial USCG checks, it continues to pass annual inspections for decades thanks to its robust, corrosion‑free build.

Owner Benefits: Low Maintenance & Best ROI
Beachcat owners consistently highlight the low total cost of ownership. The all-fibreglass construction means no corrosion of hulls – unlike aluminum pontoons that pit or steel boats that rust
. There are no sacrificial anodes to replace (aside from standard outboard zincs) and no wooden stringers to rot out. Gelcoat and hardware are rated for commercial use, so few repaint or refinish cycles are needed. One manufacturer observes that fibreglass catamarans are “crafted to be low maintenance” and even come with 10-year hull warranties
– the implication being decades of service. By contrast, aluminum boats typically need more frequent anti-corrosion work.

Easy upkeep: In practical terms, most maintenance is a quick scrub and saltwash after each trip. The sealed deck and pop‑up cleats mean there are almost no exposed areas to leak. Annual servicing is limited to engine checks and basic systems; no bottom-blasting or structural repairs.
Longevity: Fibreglass boats often outlast their engines. With proper care, a Beachcat can easily reach 30–50+ years of life
. This longevity means high resale value and excellent return on investment. In fact, Beachcat advertises its boats as having “High return on investment (ROI)”
. Operators repeatedly say that their Beachcat is the best-performing asset in their fleet – it stays in service longer and needs far less money spent on it compared to the typical aluminum boat.
Cost Comparison: While a Beachcat may cost more upfront, the difference is made up over time. For example, where an aluminum pontoon might need new tubes, floors or regular coatings every few years, a Beachcat just keeps running. Even if a niche fibreglass repair is needed (e.g. a chipped gelcoat), it’s minor compared to welding or replacing aluminum hulls. One industry source even remarks that fiberglass pontoons “hold the value” and outlast most competitors
.
Model Comparison
Model Type Length (ft) Beam (ft) Engine (HP) Typical Uses Passengers
Recreational Pontoon 20, 23 8.5 200–250
Family cruising, beach parties, fishing 6–12 (uninspected)
Commercial Catamaran 26, 32 10 300–500
Ferries, tour boats, water taxis, charters 20–30+ (COI-inspected)
Commercial Tiki 23, 26 8.5–10 90–250
Party boats, sunset cruises, entertainment 10–20 (COI-inspected)
Custom Builds Any (20–40+) Any (8.5–12) Up to 500+ Research vessels, gov’t boats, live-aboard yachts, electric ferries Up to 40+ (per design)

Table: Beachcat model ranges and uses. (Specs from Beachcat brochures)

Built for Today, Ready for Decades
Beachcat combines 35+ years of boatbuilding know-how with modern composite engineering. Every model – from our smallest pontoons to the largest 32′ catamarans – is designed to deliver rock-solid performance, comfort and longevity. Whether you’re planning family excursions or a high-volume ferry, Beachcat boats will keep everyone safe and happy. With wide seats, smooth ride and thoughtful safety features, riders notice right away how comfortable it is. And owners quickly notice the uptime: these boats become trusted assets rather than liabilities.

In summary, Beachcat’s fibreglass pontoons and catamarans offer an unbeatable package: saltwater-ready durability, exceptional stability, generous space, and minimal upkeep. They are truly built to make your next venture easy and profitable – and to stay in service for decades to come
. Whatever your need (charter ferry, research mission, party cruise or patrol boat), Beachcat has a proven custom solution. Contact us to design your next vessel: it will be built to the highest standards, Coast Guard compliant, and ready to deliver smiles for years.

Sources: Beachcat Boats specifications and industry references on fibreglass construction, stability and USCG regulations