If Jaguar Powerboats is going to make a boat to chase fish, of course, it must be a cat.

The North Carolina boatbuilder, famed for its groundbreaking catamaran, Thriller, which repeatedly shocked the racing circuit in the 1980s, will be debuting its catamaran-hulled Jaguar 36 Offshore Fish at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October. Judging from the builder’s description, it ought to be a formidable fishing machine.

The 36 Offshore Fish is based on Jaguar Powerboats’ world championship-winning offshore racer, and above the waterline Jaguar Powerboats created a purpose-built fishing platform.

The hull features an air tunnel with lifting strakes, running pads and an anti-stuff bow designed to safely handle poor conditions and provide a smooth ride at high speeds. Built with corecell and double-infused vinylester resin throughout, the unibody construction hull comes with a lifetime warranty.

At only 8,000 pounds and powered by twin Mercury Racing 300R outboards, the 37-foot LOA, 10-foot, 10-inch beam cat is expected to hit 65 knots. With Mercury Racing 450Rs, Jaguar Powerboats expects it will top 78 knots. According to the builder, at cruise with twin 300s, and loaded to fish, the standard 430-gallon fuel tank should enable a 650-mile range.

The Jaguar 36 Offshore Fish comes fully rigged for tournament angling. Hull number 1 has 36 rod holders. The helm has triple Llebroc seats with an integrated tackle station aft and a rear-facing cooler seat. Dual 175-gallon in-floor insulated fish boxes feature high-capacity diaphragm pump-outs, as does the fully insulated double coffin box that can be reconfigured as an additional 50-gallon livewell. Standard twin 50-gallon livewells are situated at the stern of the boat.

The 36 Offshore Fish is a semi-custom boat, and according to Jaguar Powerboats they will install virtually any power plant, layout or accessory.

The Jaguar 36 Offshore Fish will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from Oct. 27 through Oct. 31. The price is expected to range from $385,000 to $600,000, depending on options.

For more information, go to www.jaguarpowerboats.com.