Liquid Glass blends performance and pleasure to create an elite offshore catamaran. By Jason Johnson

You may not be familiar with the name Liquid Glass quite yet, but you've probably heard of designer Randy Schultz, who co-founded the company with Dave Kratz and his son, Ryan.

Schultz, the former owner of Profile Custom Powerboats, has been designing and building boats for nearly 30 years. He's created V-bottoms and catamarans from 25 to 40 feet, but he's had one in particular in the back of his mind for about 10 years, and now it's come to fruition via the 41 Luxury Cat from Liquid Glass Powerboats.

People say timing is everything, and in this case it was. The Kratz family approached Schultz about purchasing Profile about two years ago, but it was too late—Schultz had actually worked out a deal with Profile's current owners just prior to meeting them.

"He told us his noncompete runs out at 40 feet, and that he's always wanted to build a 41-footer," Dave Kratz said. So the partnership began and the first project from Liquid Glass became the 41 Luxury Cat.

Schultz said he wanted to build a world-class boat that was perfect in every aspect, and he started with only the best tools and materials. The boat's plug and mold were created precisely with a CNC machine and the hull and deck were constructed using direct-infusion molding, a state-of-the art process that improves strength and reduces weight.

Next, Schultz concentrated on the rigging and creature comforts to come out with a boat that he is extremely proud of.

"I don't know of any changes I would make," Schultz said. "I'm happy with everything. I sit at the shop and look at this thing and there's nothing to pick apart. This thing's arrow-straight, it's technically advanced, and we gave a lot of thought to placement of things from the seating to the dash layout.

"I knew what I wanted to do and so essentially where Dave and Ryan come in is selling and marketing the boat, and that leaves me to build, and design and change and all that—that's what I like to do," he said.

We had a chance to walk through the 41-foot catamaran—the third from the Sumner, Iowa, boatbuilder—at the Miami International Boat Show. Schultz, as well as Dave and Ryan Kratz, ran through the highlights.

Powered by two Mercury Racing HP850SCi engines, the cat came with a full-featured cabin for that of a 41-footer and a six-person cockpit with individual bucket seats. All the instruments at the helm were digital with Mercury's new SmartCraft VesselView systems ahead of the driver and co-pilot seats.

Controls from Livorsi Marine were situated between the two seats. Mounted on the dash ahead of the throttles and shifters were rocker switches for the accessories and a Northstar navigation screen. Power footrests were installed for the driver and co-pilot. The driver's seat was to port, but Schultz said the boat could be set up with a dual helm so it could be driven from either side.

Steps between the inner two rear bucket seats provided access to the engine hatches, which lifted straight up on custom billet hydraulic hinges. The rigging was well executed and the bilge was painted green to match the catamaran's outstanding green, gray and yellow paint job from Visual Imaginations.

Ryan Kratz said the 41-footer runs around 130 mph with the two 850-horsepower engines.

"We're not trying to do the speed thing," Schultz said. "The boat works and the boat is fast, but that's not what it's all about."

Ryan Kratz added that it's about having a boat that runs well and is comfortable and luxurious.

"It's a mix of performance boating and pleasure boating in one," he said. "We have a tremendous affinity for attention to detail—we don't leave any rough edges anywhere. And we have very few options, everything is standard. What you see is what you get."

As it sat at the Sea Isle Marina, the 41 Luxury Cat cost $890,000. With its base engine package of twin HP700SCi engines from Mercury Racing, the boat is priced at $760,000 and runs a reported 110 mph.

Contact Information
Liquid Glass Powerboats, 1310 W. 1st St., Sumner, IA 50674, 563-578-5900, www.liquidglassboats.com

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