The personalities behind WantaCat are from different nationalities but their common denominator is their love and passion for boat building. All avid boaters, they insistently believe that boats must be built by boaters as this becomes an art form of excellence rather than a profession. Where financial rewards are just a by product of "the satisfaction of a job well done".

• JOHN GOURLAY (Singapore)      with over 50 years in the marine industry, JOHN truly is a pillar of the industry making headway in shipping, boat building, boat design, management, administration, finance a dictionary of knowledge as well as a Marine Consultant with a vast knowledge of Asia, where there is increasing expansion in the marine industry, and has many friends and contacts. John, born in Singapore is English speaking and speaks Malay and Indonesian fluently with a knowledge of other Asian cultures and Languages. All of which is essential when doing business in Asia. John has travelled worldwide and has an extensive network worldwide of business contacts and friends...

• ZAC HOWELLS (Australia)      being a third generation shipwright/boatbuilder from a family involved in traditional timber boatbuilding and commercial fishermen ZAC has been involved with boating all his life. With 25 years experience at sea, building a wide range of vessels, an accredited marine surveyor and proprietor of Howells Maritime Services www.howellsmaritime.com.au, he has experienced all aspects of boat construction and the industry. His drive, passion, enthusiasm and hard work is seen in all projects with his involvement.

OCEAN HUNTER III
Palau

(One of the joint Re-Fit Projects completed in
Cebu, Philippines in March 2008
between ZAC and JACO)

• JACO SOLER (Philippines)     with a zest for
  life and a passion for the lifestyle, JACO exudes these characteristics in all his creations so as to pass these philosophies on to his customers who eventually and without fail become close and dear friends of his. He is the proprietor of JSOPHIL Enterprises www.jsophil.com a Philippine registered boat builder and has been in the same business for over 15 years. He produces a major percentage of all small fiberglass boats in use in the Philippines and has exported units to the Republic of Palau. Recently, he was principal in the design, development, tooling and initial construction  of the Pasig Ferry Boats Project (several 150 seater fully airconditioned 25m catamaran) plying the historical Pasig River and traversing six (6) major Cities in Metro Manila. This project was done in association with Sydney based Scott Cole of Sydney Side Cruises.

 Pasig River Ferry Boat (25 meters)

 

SeaCruiser 31' 

SeaSportster 21' 

Our past defining our future ...

            In the 80's, John Gourlay embarked on realizing his dream to build a highly efficient, extremely fast and durable watercraft. Conveniently, DuPonts Kevlar* had also been adapted into the marine industry (featured in the planing catamarans and surface drive systems were used in all new innovative technologies for that period of time). So the union of technology to realize a dream was inevitable. The dream... Mantacat! Several units in two models, a 10 and 15 meter, were produced and sold. Many of these boats are still in operation today. Revolutionary at the time as these vessels propelled through the water in excess of 40 knots.

 10 meter Mantacat 

15 meter Mantacat 

* Kevlar is a registered trademark of DuPont. 

Our future in excellence ...

        Since the Mantacat's production was disrupted because of the restricting increase in labor costs as well as labor shortages, attempts to build these wonderful vessels proved futile until today.

        Over the past five years, ZAC and JACO have been doing various projects together juggling between differences in cultures, practices and temperaments of  Australians and the Filipinos alike. The passion for the "objective" was always the backbone to overcome  all existing dilemmas and has resulted in a harmonious and successful continuing working relationship.

        As ZAC was involved with JOHN in the production of the Mantacat, it was obvious to ZAC that a symbiotic relationship between the 3 would be the magic necessary to pursue the dream.

        JOHN with the skills in administration and management and a complete understanding of the Australian and Asian cultures, ZAC with the technical knowledge and experience of how Australians want their boats and how their boats should, JACO with the skills to match in an Asian flavor motivating the Filipino manpower to provide world class workmanship within reasonable time.

        Truly, a technical concoction of men will lead this endeavor through the future with emphasis on perseverance and sheer determination backed by common sense, hard work and a hunger for Excellence.

         Today, Mantacat evolves from the same dream and vision to a reality that is now a legacy...

the WantaCat!