Origins & History of Bobkat

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, BOBKAT^TM have been designing Catamarans for more than 30 years.

Demanding sea conditions off the Cape Coast has led to a hull design patented because of its unique sea keeping qualities.

BOBKAT^TM provides specialist knowledge, basic hulls in various configurations, as well as fully fitted out boats delivered anywhere in the world.

The team is led by Prof. Eng. Bob van Niekerk SACPE (Naval Architect), known for his GSM (Glass Sport Motor) DART, DELTA & FLAMINGO car designs of the 50's and 60's.

Bob van Niekerk has been designing and racing these offshore catamarans since the late 1960's and has used this demanding sport to test and develop his unique catamaran designs. Offshore powerboat racing has enabled him to continually be innovative and try out risky design features in this real world high speed scenario.

Bob van Niekerk was an originator of the asymmetrical catamaran design with the use of steps in the early 70's offshore racing catamarans. He has also been an innovative and influential designer of trimarans and their development. He continues to design trimarans and currently has a 36m aluminium BOBTRI Patrol Boat design.

An important factor is that a model of all designs is made and tested in a test tank and wind tunnel before being put into production, to make sure the design characteristics are met.

BOBKAT^TM BOATS INTERNATIONAL Ltd in the United Kingdom is headed up by Grant Harrison, a close associate of Bob van Niekerk for the past 25 years. Grant with his wife Karen are well known in World offshore powerboat racing circles, and have both raced various BOBKAT^TM designs since the early 80's. Karen was the South African Ladies Team driver in a BOBKAT^TM. Grant is extremely passionate about the BOBKAT^TM and due to his more than 20 years racing experience in racing the designs in all sea conditions, has absolute belief in the design and its capabilities first hand.

Boat yards in South Africa and the United Kingdom, licensees of the BOBKAT^TM Patented hull design, construct the GRP designs under Boatloft's supervision.

Should you need to consult a professional or need a special design incorporating our unique features, please contact us.

All the boats are individually designed and finished to customer specification.