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Scuttlebutt: Strange Craft(October 19, 2006) Do you have info on this craft? So far we have learned that it was designed by prolific Bay Area yacht designer Jim Antrim from Ugo Conti's original concept; it's 100 feet long and 50 feet wide; it's powered by twin diesel engines; the inflatable hulls were built by Arcata's Wing Inflatables; the craft was assembled in Anacortes, WA (where it was spotted several times during apparent sea trials); and it's capable of crossing oceans with "as much, if not more, stability than a normal catamaran," according to Jim Antrim. (info from Latitude 38; provided by John Verdoia).Scuttlebutt spoke with Jim Antrim, but he remains tied to a confidentiality agreement he signed with Ugo Conti’s company, Marine Advanced Research. Upon contacting Marine Advanced Research, Isabella Conti replied that “the boat is not quite finished yet and I am not at liberty to disclose information at this time. There will be a press conference at some point and, if you are interested, we will send you an invitation and/or a press kit at that time.” Scuttlebutt is now on the press list, and we will provide any further information whenever Conti is ready to provide it. In the meantime, we have provided some links to patents that have been filed. Click here if you have additional information. * http://www.patentstorm.us * http://appft1.uspto.gov          Slightly different center pod (photo by Val Viers/Orcanetwork.org)  (photo by Val Viers/Orcanetwork.org) |
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