TOPCAT NZ Cook Straight Fast Ferry

[@m14mclaren]

Thanks, cool being able to see old footage

[@ArodSnw]

Thank you so much for this. I loved all those catamarans that operated here but Topcat was my favorite. I actually have a photo of her old Wellington berth as my cover photo on Facebook 😄

[@MrAJO77]

I've sailed on her a couple of times. She's now the Manannan sailing between Douglas (Isle of Man), Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.

[@kp4806]

Awesome footage. Thanks for posting

[@Videostufftas]

Thank you

[@offrails]

Judging by the other ferries present at the time of the video, I am going to guess this was taken around 2000 - notably Arahanga at 1:53 (retired in 2001) and Aratere at 4:10 (entered service in 1999, still in service today) 0:28 shows this hull as being "Incat 050" and some Googling indicates that she is in service today as Manannan, sailing between the UK and Ireland after a few years with the US Navy. From what I understand, the real reason they got rid of these was because of the speed restrictions imposed in Marlborough Sounds and Wellington Harbour, which reduced much of the benefit of the faster boats - the Arahura would only take 45 minutes longer, could sail in rougher seas, and generally offered a more comfortable ride

[@jasongemmill235]

Awesome to see. What year was this? Love the XF Falcon wagon starting to depart at end of video!

[@user-ed9uh3uf8u]

Killed off by speed restrictions through Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel, took away most of her speed advantage over the conventional ferries.

[@N4CR]

These things hauled ass, was sad to see them go from NZ.

[@17garm]

Cook Strait, not straight. It’s not straight, it’s crooked. To a Strait.

[@whynot64928]

Killed of by the unfair business ventures of the dominant service