Ocean Express Building 42-foot Center Console Cat With Seven Marine Power

While Ocean Express made its name building a successful line of offshore racing catamarans that made a reputation for themselves in the 1980s and the company still offers a range of pure go-fast cats, in more recent years the Algonac, Mich., builder has developed a line of a center consoles. Based on true, no-pod catamaran hulls, the outfit’s center console offerings range from 21 to 42 feet.

The builder’s most recent project, which company principal Ross Focht said should be on the water in approximately four weeks, is a 42-footer powered by twin Seven Marine 557 outboard engines. Focht said he expects the nearly 12-foot-beam cat to top out at 80 mph.

“Those engines make such great power, and they’re intercooled,” he said. “My client wanted them, so we went and looked at a few installations.”

Focht, who is 69 years old, said he hopes to build 10 to 12 boats a year. Most will be center consoles.

“What better way is there for me to wind down my life than continuing to do what I love?” he said. “I still love building boats. I kind of think of this place as my hobby shop.”