Just over five years ago, the Miami boating scene witnessed the birth of a new era with Rey Marino's ambitious venture, Hellkats Powerboats. Transitioning from a successful automobile dealer to a visionary boat builder, Marino acquired the tooling for the Jay Pilini-designed 30-foot Spectre sport catamaran, laying the foundation for what would soon become a beacon of innovation and craftsmanship in the sport catamaran industry.
Since its inception, Hellkats Powerboats has delivered a dozen outboard engine-powered 30-footers, each embodying the spirit of speed, luxury, and cutting-edge design. But Marino didn't stop there. With an eye towards the evolving trends in the go-fast catamaran world, particularly the shift towards wider tunnels, Marino embarked on a journey to create something even more spectacular.
Hellkats Powerboats is set to debut its first 32-foot catamaran at the prestigious Keys Island Runners Key West Poker Run next month, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. This new widebody catamaran, emerging from the mold nearly complete with three more builds on the way, represents the culmination of a vision to extend and widen the Spectre hull while introducing a new flat deck.
The journey to the 32-footer was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Marino teamed up with Todd DeFilipps of Wicked Power Boats, a veteran offshore powerboat racer and boat builder. Together, they expanded the tunnel from 45 to 63 inches and transformed the deck, setting the stage for the creation of Hellkats' new masterpiece.
With the 32-footer, Hellkats Powerboats now offers an exciting range of catamarans, with a 40-footer also on the horizon. The first all-carbon-fiber 32-foot Hellkats catamaran, built for DeFilipps, promises unparalleled performance with the potential to reach speeds between 115 and 118 mph.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the Hellkats Powerboats story is the exceptional value it offers. A base 32 catamaran powered by twin Mercury Racing 450R outboard engines is listed at an incredibly competitive price of $300,000, making the dream of owning a high-performance sport catamaran more accessible than ever.
As Hellkats Powerboats gears up for the public debut of its 32-foot widebody catamaran, the excitement within the boating community is palpable. The collaboration between Marino and DeFilipps, fueled by mutual respect and a shared vision for excellence, has not only pushed the boundaries of what's possible in boat building but has also forged a friendship that drives the heart of this remarkable venture.
"Hellkats Powerboats is one heck of a story," says Daniel Garcia, III, founder of Keys Island Runners, and he couldn't be more right. As we await the sea trials and the official unveiling at the Key West Poker Run, one thing is clear: Hellkats Powerboats is not just building boats; it's crafting legacies on the water.
Dive deeper into the Hellkats Powerboats saga by clicking [here] to read the full article. Witness how passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence are setting new standards in the sport catamaran world. See the full article from 2021 here.
