NEW BREED OF CAT PROWLING WATERS OFF KEY WEST

New Flagship of Finz Dive Center Fleet Features Dometic DG3 Gyrostabilizer, A/C, Sanitation, Digital Switching, Lithium-Ion Battery System, and More

There’s a new breed cat prowling the azure waters around Dry Tortugas National Park, a 70-mile open ocean run from the sunny shores of Key West, Florida.  And for a variety of reasons, this boat is turning heads wherever she goes.  And where she goes most often is on full-day snorkeling and SCUBA adventures to the Dry Tortugas under the guidance of Finz Dive and Tackle owner and captain Robert Trosset.

For one thing, this boat doesn’t look at all like the other center console fishing boats, flats skiffs and sailboats cruising around these tropical waters.   This custom-built Razorhead 35 power catamaran looks like a battle tank, with her heavy-duty aluminum construction (23,000 pounds fully loaded), massive, air-conditioned cabin, giant aft cockpit and aggressive “flying tiger” graphics.  

Looks aside, this unique vessel (aptly named Park Shark) stands out for a variety of other reasons.   With four 300HP Suzuki outboards across her 12-foot beam, she’ll break 60 mph at WOT and cruise efficiently over the waves at 37 mph in all kinds of weather.  This allows Park Shark to make the long open water crossing, taking up to six customers and crew to this remote outpost for a full day of water and land activities, and make it back on the same day.

Speaking of weather, this unique boat has a secret weapon when it comes to keeping its dive crew and passengers comfortable — a new Dometic DG3 Gyrostabilizer.  And according to Trosset, he’s run more than 50 trips since the DG3’s launch at the 2025 Miami International Boat Show, and the results have been even better than expected.  While gyros are normally associated with monohull center console boats, Trosset has found the ride improvements even more noticeable on his power catamaran. 

Experienced boaters know that performance catamarans are great for running into swells and chop, where their sharp twin sponsons can cut through the waves rather than flying off them.  In a beam sea, or while sitting at rest, however, catamarans can accentuate the motion of the waves making for an uncomfortable experience.

“The DG3 has been most beneficial at rest in a beam sea because it gets rid of the “snap roll” action associated with having two hulls,” said Trosset.  This can be particularly bad when the space between the waves is the same as the distance between the sponsons.  “With the DG3 running, it’s a whole different ballgame out there when we’re drifting or anchored in a beam sea.  It makes a huge difference for our customers, many of whom come from around the globe to experience our world-class diving.  Having DG3 on the boat lets us explore these waters in all types of conditions,” added Trosset.

Trosset also appreciates the industry-leading spin-up time, and he turns it on right away when they arrive at the boat for the long open water voyage.    “While I’m running, the DG3 helps Park Shark land flat when coming off the waves.  This makes the ride softer, more comfortable, and more efficient,” added Trosset.  “I turn on the DG3 right when we arrive at the boat, and it’s ready to go by the time we get out of the channel.  I keep it running all the time because there is no downside.    The cooling pump rarely ever turns on (notable given the warm Key West climate).  The system is so energy efficient, that I never had an issue using it all day, even with all the stuff running.   And we’re on the anchor a lot of the time,” he added. 

Park Shark has no generator — all onboard power is provided by Dometic’s Lithium-Ion battery bank, inverter, and DC-to-DC charging system.  And these power needs are considerable — as this boat boasts a wealth of additional Dometic equipment including a Voyager 18,000BTU A/C system, two NRX-S 60 refrigerators, a Gravity Toilet and Dometic Blinds.   The boat is also equipped for serious offshore duty, with a full Raymarine electronics package including three 16” and two 12” MFDs, a Quantum 4’ Open Array Radar and a FLIR M300C Camera system, all integrated with Dometic Digital Switching and controlled through the Raymarine displays. 

“I run the gyro, A/C, and refrigerators all day long, and never have any issues.  My customers love it when it’s 100 degrees outside and we’re out on deck having ice cream in the middle of the day,” said Trosset. 

This custom vessel is also equipped with a stand-up head, rack storage for 28 SCUBA tanks, and a “landing craft” style exit and boarding ramp in the bow.

Trosset is also impressed with how the smart digital switching technology lets him monitor everything — state of battery power, how much time he has left on the battery banks, etc.   “We’re out there where it’s hot and humid, but energy consumption has never been an issue.   We just charge up with shorepower when we get home and we’re ready to do it again the next morning.”   Having all this Dometic technology onboard — especially the new DG3 —has really been a game changer for his operation.

“With this boat’s performance, ride, and comfortable layout, we’re able to run daily private and public trips out there, complete with an hour tour of the fort grounds and up to three dives — and still get our customers home that evening.  The fish are big, colorful and swim right up to you because they’re protected in the national park.  The Dry Tortugas are a bucket list experience and I highly recommend it for novice and experienced divers alike,” said Trosset.