The Given legacy
When Ron Given passed away in 2023, the boating world lost one of its great innovators. Best known as the designer of the Paper Tiger catamaran — first sketched on the back of a Weet-Bix packet — Given spent more than 50 years refining catamarans of all shapes and sizes. From racing icons like Split Enz to bluewater cruisers and displacement powercats, his designs always emphasised efficiency, seaworthiness, and smart use of materials.
The Econocat was born from this ethos. Given believed that many ageing sailors still craved time on the water but no longer wanted the hassle of sail handling. His answer was a fuel-efficient, comfortable displacement powercat with modest engines, capable of covering miles at speed without punishing the fuel budget.
Partridge, who had delivered one of Given’s T11 powercats to New Caledonia in 2010, agreed. “I didn’t want a planing boat, and I didn’t want outboards,” he recalled. “I wanted something cheap to run, big and comfortable, and really good in a sea way — a good sea boat.”
The concept realised
Kismet embodies that vision. At 10.8m long with a generous 5m beam, she has the proportions to deliver excellent stability and interior volume without being too much boat to handle. The hulls are built in a composite mix of ply, foam, and fibreglass, with carbon elements in key areas for strength without weight.
Weight reduction was central to Given’s design philosophy. “You have to think aircraft,” he once said. “If it’s too heavy, you’ve lost the plot. Then they take too much horsepower, and use too much fuel.” Kismet follows that principle, producing impressive performance from modest powerplants.
Performance and economy
Twin 87hp Lombardini diesels with sail-drives push Kismet along comfortably at around 14.5 knots. Her design is about covering ground efficiently, not chasing speed records. The result is a boat that slips through the water cleanly, using as little as 0.55 litres per nautical mile per engine at cruising pace.
With just 286 hours on the engines, Kismet is still very young by displacement-cruiser standards. It takes 800 litres of fuel; for an owner looking to explore New Zealand’s coastline or cruise further afield, she offers both range and economy in a package that doesn’t demand huge ongoing running costs. It took just two days and 18 hours to take the 12m cat 936 miles to Noumea.
Comfort afloat
Inside, Kismet balances practicality with light, open living spaces. Each hull features a comfortable double cabin and its own ensuite, providing privacy for couples or guests. The bridgedeck saloon houses the galley, helm, and dining table, which can convert to another berth when needed.
Large wrap-around windows flood the saloon with light and provide 360-degree views — perfect for both passagemaking and anchoring up in a quiet bay. Simple European beech trim and durable flooring keep the finish smart but low maintenance.
Outdoors and on deck
Kismet has a cockpit designed with fishing and socialising in mind. Large hatches fold back to connect galley and cockpit, and bi-fold doors create an easy indoor-outdoor flow. Boarding platforms on each hull, a fold-down ladder, live-bait tank, and rod lockers reflect her Kiwi pedigree as a serious cruiser with fishing at heart.
Why Kismet stands out
Used displacement powercats of this calibre don’t come up often in New Zealand. Kismet combines Ron Given’s legendary design expertise with Craig Partridge’s craftsmanship, delivering a boat that is economical to run, comfortable to cruise, and robust enough for a lifetime of coastal adventures.
She is also part of a design story — the Econocat — that was ahead of its time. In an era of rising fuel costs and renewed interest in efficiency, boats like Kismet make more sense than ever.
A lasting tribute
Kismet is more than just a boat on the market. She is part of the living legacy of Ron Given, a designer whose ideas shaped multihulls for generations. With her fuel efficiency, comfort, and understated Kiwi practicality, she is a fitting tribute to his vision of smarter, better boating.
For the right buyer, Kismet is not just a purchase — it’s a chance to carry that legacy forward.
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