BREAKING NEWS
The Cat's Out of the Bag
by Ben Martin
(reprinted with permission; originally published in Coastal Angler Magazine, February 2010 Edition)

It's Official!  Two of the biggest names in the catamaran boat industry have joined forces and come together under one new entity to create what is destined to be a new powerhouse in dual hull boat manufacturing.  I'm talking about Roger Dunshee, the founder of Twin Vee and Don Fiddler of Sea Cat.  For those of you who don't know, Roger Dunshee invented the Twin Vee, a stable, fuel-efficient dual hull vessel that was not only priced right, but also backed by such an extreme customer service commitment that Roger and Twin Vee became legendary in the industry as having one of the highest customer retentions ratios in boat building.

After building the Twin Vee line as a major player in boat sales, Dunshee sold Twin Vee to an equity group that proceeded to change many of the policies that had made Twin Vee famous.  Needless to say, Twin Vee's future was in the hands of a management team that viewed it as commodity not a passion.  As we all know, the marine industry is about people and relationships not about numbres.  Twin Vee faltered.  As Twin Vee moved into bankruptcy, Roger Dunshee set about finding his original Twin Vee team and eventually was able to acquire Twin Vee from bankruptcy.  However, his plan did not end there.

Known throughout the boat building industry as one of the originators of the dual hull concept, Don Fiddler was instrumental in developing the original Sea Cat line of boats.  Sea Cat developed a very strong following and reputation as a top-notch vessel.  Fiddler's passion for excellence had created a successful line of dual hull vessles.  The Sea Cat line was eventually purchased by World Cat; and Mr. Fiddler worked closely with the new owners until leaving to come to Florida.  Mr. Fiddler later acquired Sea Cat and has been building the classic dual hull vessel in Titusville, Florida...until now.

Sea Cat and Twin Vee recently completed negotiations for a merger that will have both lines being produced and supported by the Twin Vee manufacturing facility in Ft. Pierce.  The collaboration of these two Cat legends is destined to have a substantial impact on the dual hull segment of the boating industry, and from the looks of all the excitement and activity on my recent visit to their facility, it already has.  Remember you heard it first at Coastal Angler Magazine.

Roger Dunshee and Don Fiddler