7.9mShark Cat

The 7.9m Shark Cat is a plate aluminium catamaran built for serious offshore work, pairing a wide twin-hull platform with heavy-duty construction that stands up to Australian saltwater. It is plate-built from 5083 marine-grade aluminium — a 6mm bottom, 5mm topsides and a 6mm transom — with foam-filled, water-tight hulls for positive buoyancy.

Twin outboards of 150hp to 200hp each drive it, and a 380-litre fuel tank gives it the range for long days wide of the bar. Rocket launchers, gunwale rod holders, a 45-litre live bait tank, a self-draining deck, anti-slip flooring, a bilge pump and LED navigation lights are all standard.

Why a catamaran hull

Set the hulls wide apart and the boat stops rolling. A cat holds a level platform at rest and underway where a mono-hull of the same length would be moving under you — which matters when you are rigging a rod, gaffing a fish or getting an inexperienced crew member around the deck in a chop.

You also get more usable deck for the length, because the beam carries forward rather than tapering into a fine bow. And with two engines set wide apart the boat pivots on the spot, so it handles far better than a single-screw boat when you are backing into a pen or holding station on a mark.

The honest trade-offs: a cat costs more to buy than a mono-hull of the same length because there is more plate in it, and you are servicing two engines rather than one. Hard-standing and haul-out cost more too. For anglers who fish offshore regularly, most owners find the ride and the deck space are worth it — but it is worth being clear about the running costs before you order.

Other Shark Cats

The Shark Cat range also includes the 8.8m Shark Cat and the flagship 10m Shark Cat.

Engine & Power Options

• Twin outboard configuration (standard for the catamaran hull) — Mercury, Yamaha or Suzuki packages supplied, fitted and water-tested
• Joystick docking, station-keeping and autopilot packages (e.g. Yamaha Helm Master EX)
• Electric steering upgrade

Electronics & Navigation Packages

• Garmin electronics package — Echomap Ultra 2 105SV, Echomap Ultra 2 125SV or 125SV with GT56 transducer combo, fitted and commissioned
• Simrad electronics package — specified to suit your boat, fitted and commissioned
• Radar and antenna package with hardtop radar mount
• Autopilot integration (NMEA 2000)
• Fusion marine audio package — Apollo MS-SRX400 zone stereo, 330W chrome speakers with LEDs, 6-channel 1500W amplifier or Signature Series 12″ subwoofer
• Sionyx marine night vision camera (Garmin-integrated)

Trim & Stability Options

• Lenco 9″×12″ trim tab kit with Pro Control assist
• Zipwake KB300-S dynamic trim control system
• Seakeeper Ride 450 underway stabilisation — eliminates up to 70% of boat roll

Comfort, Deck & Fit-Out Options

• Trolling motor package — bow mount plate, extended bow rails, trolling motor and lithium battery system
• Underwater LED transom lights (set of 4)
• 12V fridge slide-out with dedicated power
• Permanent freshwater tank with deck wash
• Side access door
• Driver and passenger roof hatches
• SeaDek/EVA flooring — your choice of colour and pattern, including bow, gunnel and hardtop coverage
• Two-tone paint — your choice of colour scheme at order time
• Savwinch stainless electric anchor winch package with anchor, chain and rope
• Built to commercial survey — must be requested at order time, and cannot be added to a boat already built as recreational

Trailer Packages

At 2,500kg dry and on twin hulls, the 7.9m needs a trailer specified for it rather than a stock rating, so we quote one to match your finished boat. Our largest stock unit is the 8.2m aluminium trailer with electric brakes. Contact us on 07 3477 9338 to talk it through.

Warranty

Every Sea Raider comes with a 5-year hull warranty and a 6-year warranty on the outboard motor. Third-party components (electronics, trailers, accessories) carry their own manufacturer warranties. Contact us on 07 3477 9338 for full terms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What engine configurations can I choose for the 7.9m Shark Cat?
Twin outboards of roughly 150–200hp each, from Suzuki, Mercury or Yamaha, giving 300–400hp total. You can tailor the setup for performance, fuel efficiency or offshore capability.

2. Does the boat come with a trailer and engines included?
No, the listed price is for the boat hull only. Engines and a trailer are available as optional extras that you can customise to your needs.

3. What makes the Shark Cat different from a mono-hull boat?
The twin-hull design holds a level platform at rest and underway, gives more usable deck for the length, and with two engines set wide apart it manoeuvres far better at low speed. The trade-offs are a higher purchase price and two engines to service.

4. What standard features are included with the 7.9m Shark Cat?
Foam-filled water-tight hulls, a 380L fuel tank, a 45L live bait tank, gunwale rod holders, rocket launchers, handrails, a boarding ladder, a self-draining deck, a bilge pump, cushions, lighting and storage trays.

5. Is the 7.9m Shark Cat suitable for offshore fishing or cruising?
Yes. The wide beam, stable catamaran hull and twin engines make it well suited to offshore fishing and recreational cruising when properly powered and equipped.

6. Can I customise this boat with extra features?
Absolutely. Optional add-ons include hydraulic steering, marine toilet, electric anchor winch, EVA teak flooring, wash-down pump kit, carpeted cabin, sound system, compass and lighting upgrades.

7. Can this boat be built to commercial survey?
Yes — a commercial survey build can be ordered, but it has to be requested before construction starts and is quoted separately. It cannot be added to a boat that has already been built as a recreational vessel. See our boat survey guide for what that involves, including hire and drive (Class 4) operations.

8. Where are Sea Raider boats built?
Our boats are proudly assembled and finished here in Australia. The hulls are manufactured overseas by a trusted partner, and everything else — trailer assembly, motor installation, electronics and full fit-out — is completed locally by our team to meet Australian standards, including full compliance, registration and quality control.

9. What warranty do Sea Raider boats come with?
Each boat comes with a 5-year hull warranty and a 6-year warranty on the outboard motor.

10. Where can I view or test drive a Sea Raider?
We are based at Cleveland Marina in Queensland and regularly have boats available to view and test drive — contact us on 07 3477 9338 to arrange a time.

11. Do you deliver interstate?
Yes — we deliver Australia-wide. Interstate freight is quoted per delivery (for example, transport to WA is approximately $6,500 including cradling, insurance and road freight). Queensland packages include boat and trailer registration; interstate registration is arranged in your home state and is not included.

12. Do you accept trade-ins?
Yes, we accept trade-ins. Send through some photos and details of your current boat and we’ll take a look.

13. What are the current lead times?
Custom orders are typically 2–3 months. We usually have stock boats available for immediate pickup, and as a transom partner we can install a motor in roughly 1–2 weeks.

14. Is finance available?
Yes — boat finance is available through our finance partner. Ask us and we can guide you through the options.

15. Can I insure the boat through you?
Not directly — Sea Raider is not an insurer — but our insurance partner, New Wave Insurance, quotes and issues boat cover online, and no survey is needed on a new boat quoted online. See our boat insurance page. Sea Raider may receive a referral fee if you take out a policy.