What do you get when you combine the social aspects of sailing with the thrill of kitesurfing? The SmartKat. Born in Austria over a decade ago, these mobile, inflatable performance catamarans offer the best of both worlds. There are two bodies: 16-foot and 19-foot long in size. Assorted configurations of sails and accessories create four different models: the Free Spirit, Adventure, Performance and High Performance. The last three of these can be altered into racing cats by changing the sails.
“I have had several groups of customers come into the office talking about the SmartKat and how exciting they are,” says Janis French, president and chief executive officer of Caribbean Inflatable Boats & Liferafts, Inc., the St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands’-based authorized dealer. “Initially, I’m bringing in the Adventure and Performance, then following up with the Free Spirit and High Performance. I’m also bringing in the SmartSUP, an inflatable paddleboard.”
The SmartSUP is 50 percent lighter in weight than the average paddleboard and 50 percent less in packing size. It includes an innovative bag/paddle pump; no additional pump is needed. The SmartSUP also comes with a multifunctional dry bag. www.caribbeaninflatable.com
