8.8mShark Cat

The 8.8m Shark Cat is Sea Raider’s flagship plate aluminium catamaran, built for serious offshore fishing, cruising and charter work. Twin water-tight, foam-filled hulls set on a 2.8m beam hold a level ride in a chop that would have a mono-hull rolling, and it carries 480 litres of fuel for long days wide of the bar.

It is plate-built from 5083 marine-grade aluminium — a 6mm bottom, 5mm topsides and a 6mm transom. Standard fit-out includes a self-draining deck with bilge pump, gunwale rod holders and rocket launchers on the hardtop, bow and stern handrails, side storage trays and a fold-down ladder — everything you need to fish or run charters hard, day after day.

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 running paying passengers who are not used to a boat.

You also get more usable deck for the length, 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. Twin engines mean redundancy too: if one lets go, the other gets you home.

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, you service two engines rather than one, and haul-out costs more. For operators who are offshore regularly, most 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 7.9m Shark Cat and the 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 3,500kg dry and on twin hulls, the 8.8m 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. Commercial and club use may be treated differently under the warranty, so confirm the terms with us in writing before you order. Contact us on 07 3477 9338 for full terms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What type of engine setup is the 8.8m Shark Cat designed for?
Twin outboards totalling 400hp to 500hp, giving strong offshore performance, redundancy and excellent handling in varied sea conditions.

2. Is the 8.8m Shark Cat suitable for serious offshore use?
Yes. With a 2.8m beam, 480 litres of fuel and an offshore-focused catamaran hull, it is built for extended offshore fishing, cruising and demanding conditions when correctly equipped.

3. What advantages does a catamaran hull offer over a mono hull?
Greater stability at rest and underway, reduced roll, a more level ride, better low-speed manoeuvring with two engines set wide apart, and the redundancy of a second engine.

4. What is included in the standard hull package?
Marine-grade aluminium plate construction, foam-filled water-tight hulls, a self-draining deck, gunwale rod holders, rocket launchers, handrails, storage trays, lighting and a bilge pump.

5. Are engines, trailer, and electronics included in the price?
No, the advertised price is for the boat hull only. Engines, trailers, electronics and accessories can be added as optional extras and configured to suit your requirements.

6. Can the 8.8m Shark Cat be customised for fishing or charter use?
Absolutely. Popular upgrades include hydraulic steering, electric anchor winch, marine toilet, deck wash system, EVA teak flooring, electronics packages, additional seating and storage solutions.

7. Can this boat be built to commercial survey for charter or club work?
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, so raise it at enquiry stage if the boat is going into charter, club or hire and drive work. See our boat survey guide, 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. Commercial and club use may be treated differently — confirm the terms with us in writing before you order.

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.