does anyone out there own or race a great barrier express or 8.5 meter cat

Sadly no, but I believe there are several within a half mile or so of where I am at the moment (Northcote Point).

I also seem to recall there is or was a US-built version of the GBE sold under a different name. Sorry I don't remember details.

BTW, I notice from Tennant's website that he has an updated GBE design called a Wildfire.

Mark.

Actually I was remembering this a little incorrectly. There is a US distributor who imports Tennant's slightly larger Turissimo 9 meter design from Pilkington Boats and sells it as the Dakota 33.

Dakota Catamarans