Boat Reviews Insetta 35 IFC Boat Review

Insetta 35 IFC Boat Review

New multihull features an internal hydrofoil for increased lift and efficiency.

By Chris Woodward

November 20, 2020

Insetta’s new 35 IFC drew appreciative looks for its sleek lines at the St. Marys boat ramp in south Georgia. Chris Woodward

As Jeffrey Spangler trailered the Insetta 35 IFC (internal foil catamaran) to the boat ramp in St. Marys, Georgia, this new multihull immediately impressed me with its luxurious lines. In fact, all nearby heads turned.

That’s not the traditional reaction most people have toward catamaran fish boats. But this one represents a new standard.

The second feature I noticed: The outboards mount so that the powerheads tilt inward, toward each other. That canted position ensures that the propellers find enough water to maximize thrust and flow efficiency.

The outboards mount at an angle to provide optimal water conditions for the props. Chris Woodward

But the real show stopper on this model can’t readily be seen at a glance. A hydrofoil lies between this cat’s asymmetrical sponsons.

While hydrofoils aren’t new, they’ve been rare, particularly among fishing boats. Crafted correctly, foils can improve fuel economy 30 to 40 percent. Rob Coffey, Insetta’s director of sales and marketing, says the company wanted the 35 IFC to deliver optimal cruise speed and range, which results in less wear and tear on the engines and less fuel burned.

From this aft view beneath the hull, you can see the foil up near the midship area; it looks like a pair of wings and a vertical strut. The two fins aft work with the foil. Chris Woodward

The foil, made from stainless steel, looks like a pair of airplane wings connected by a central strut. The foil’s backing plates are integral to the hull itself. Two smaller stainless-steel fins are placed aft of the foil inside each sponson.

On the Water

The late October winds cranked to 15 knots as we cruised out of St. Marys toward the ocean. Spangler and I were joined by production manager Joel Shine. I quickly walked around the deck, noting top standard fishing features.

156-gallon insulated coffin box
Eight bow rod holders (with more aft)
Twin 30-gallon transom livewells (with an option for a third 70-gallon well beneath the mezzanine seat)
Three-pump-capacity sea chest
Fold-down bait-prep station and tackle storage
Transom bulkhead rocket launchers
Optional Gemlux outriggers

We had no time to fish on this trip, but clearly the 35 IFC carries all the offshore necessities and niceties an angler could want.

Catamarans carry their beam from transom to bow, creating loads of deck space for storage and for anglers fighting fish. Courtesy Insetta Boatworks

Shine took the helm while I prepared to gather performance numbers. “As we lift (with the foil), we reduce drag and increase speed,” he said. To prove that point, he accelerated to 35 mph and took his hand off the throttle. The cat kept lifting and gaining speed and rpm until we reached 45. As the foil lifted the boat, I could see the line of spray from the hull move farther aft.

With stiff wind and current, we made each run in opposing directions, and I averaged the speeds and times. With the twin Mercury 400 Verados, we planed in about 6 seconds, reached 30 mph in 12.75 seconds, and topped out at 58.8 mph. I found an efficient cruise at 47.3 mph, achieving 1.73 mpg.

Most hydrofoil-assist boats peak near the 60 mph point because cavitation begins along the foil’s wings. But most anglers rarely, if ever, run their boats at top speed, particularly in any kind of sea. The efficiency and economy of the foil design generally trumps top end.

While the aft freeboard on all cats can be rather high, making it tougher to reach the water and release a fish, the 35 IFC features a wide-open transom area and swim platform. Courtesy Insetta Boatworks

Hull Difference

As we crossed the broad sound, the chop began to build. Offshore, the messy 3- to 4-footers had me bracing for solid impacts. But that never happened. The foil acted as a dampener, and the twin-hull design gave this 35 a comfortable ride. I could easily stand next to the three-across helm seat as we cruised toward the channel buoys.

On a drift, the 10-foot-8-inch beam of the 35, which carries throughout the length of the hull, makes this one stable vessel. However, as with all cats, the aft freeboard is high, meaning it’s quite a stretch to reach to the water.

Heading home, I took the helm and realized I needed to stand on the footrest to see over the console. Granted, I’m about the smallest captain to pilot this boat, and Shine says the helm elevation of these bespoke cats can be adjusted for the customer’s height.

The center console stands rather tall on this model, but Insetta will customize the helm to adapt to any captain’s height. Courtesy Insetta Boatworks

As we ran downsea, the boat handled easily. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of bow sneeze; the lift from the foil kept us skimming the wave tops. And due to the canted engines and asymmetrical hull, among other design features, this cat turned like a monohull—leaning inward rather than outward.

I asked Shine about any issues the foil might encounter if the boat should hit a submerged object or run aground. He reminded me that the foils are made from steel, and that they’re internal to the tunnel. At their lowest point, they’re a tiny bit lower than the hulls and higher than the props.

Quite obviously, the Insetta 35 IFC demonstrates a new approach to multihull construction and another step in the evolution of catamaran fish boats. That kind of innovation makes this vessel certainly worth a look.