With the Cetma Shark the Italian company has launched a high performing speargun with multifunctional setups at an affordable price. Normally, in fact, when we think about Cetma Composites we have in mind the best quality and performance freediving fins, starting from the top, the Taras, and the high performance carbon monocoque masterpiece spearguns as the Canova, the Uragano, the Arrow, and the Sea Bull. All top quality at…top prices. Surely the cost is justified by quality, materials and performance, but with the Shark finally Cetma spearguns become affordable to a much wider public. It’s a little like if Ferrari made an accessible car for a wider audience, such as was the Ferrari California.
Apparently, the launch of the Cetma Shark has already been a success, and shops confirm waiting lists for customers. Evidently, the possibility to have a fully equipped Cetma speargun starting from 299 €, referred to the 72 cm single band setup, including reel and Dyneema, is definitely attractive! The quality, Cetma Composites, is not under discussion! Let’s see what the Cetma Shark really is.
3 spearguns on a single base
Today it does not really make sense to launch a speargun for a single power system and use. R&D, with design and prototyping, can be justified if it leads to an excellent base (handle, release mechanism, barrel and muzzle), which can then be made to work successfully with different power systems. This is the case of the Cetma Shark, available with single band, double bands and Vela systems. In particular, this new really revolutionary speargun not only keeps the handle, release mechanism and barrel the same with the 3 power systems, but also, and this is a great novelty, the muzzle works with the single, double and Vela systems.
In such sense, there is a great advantage for the customer. This solution is in fact great, as the customer can start from a base and simple solution such as the single or double band, and move up to the Vela to increase the performance. Else, he can simply use the Cetma Shark in different periods of the year and sea conditions.
In the Mediterranean, for example, you will probably want a single band in Winter, spearfishing in shallow water at seabasses, mullets and seabreams. In the warmer period of Spring a double rubber could give more power for longer shots, while in Summer or Autumn, when the Aspetto technique is mostly used, or if shots at big groupers are possible, you will want the maximum power and reach, with the Vela System. All this is possible, apart of course from using the more adequate length, with one single Shark and three different bands setups.
Multifunctional Muzzle
We start with the component of the Cetma Shark which revolutionises the most the sling spearguns sector, the muzzle. Normally, a speargun can indeed host different power systems, but it has to change the muzzle, from a single or double band solution (open or closed), to a Roller or Vela/Inverter System. The muzzle of the Cetma Shark is instead, very cleverly, capable of hosting both traditional single and double bands solutions, and the demultiplied Vela setting. Wow!
This is done thanks to two Nylon wheels on which the Dyneema line is mounted, be it for the Vela system or the single or double band solution. With the latter, one pair of bands is connected to the wheels, and one to the muzzle utilizing two vertical through holes on the muzzle.
The latter has a low and wide design that adapts to the oval section barrel and keeps the lateral section reduced for best lateral swing. The “horns” for the passage of the monofilament are two per side, completely symmetrical, to use a left or right setting, according to where the lateral line release lever on the release mechanism is positioned. Such “horns” are very well designed, so the monofilament is safely kept in position at any time and sea conditions. In the inferior part, the passage for the line is big and avoids difficulty in inserting the Dyneema. A good dimension steel pin is used to support the line.
Oval section barrel
The aeronautical aluminium barrel has an oval section which permits to have a greater amount of air with the same vertical height, so greater buoyancy, but at the same time a reduced side section for improved lateral swing. The exact measured width is 4.7 cm, while the total height is 2.8 cm (including the layer of anti-scratch paint). The barrel has an integrated shaft guide which improves the precision of the shot and helps the reloading phase. The guide increases the stiffness of the barrel and, additionally, it has abundant aluminium thickness at its base for even greater stiffness of the structure. With the same logic, an additional thickened 1 cm wide stiffening rib is present in the inferior part of the barrel, all along its length. The available nominal lengths are 72, 85, 95 and 105 cm.
The measures are, on the 85 cm version for example, a length of the barrel of 76 cm, a length from the pulleys to the shaft connection on the release mechanism of 92 cm and a total length of the speargun of 102 cm.
Vela System
Let’s analyze first the Vela solution, available for 370€ fully equipped, including reel and line, in the 72 version. We will x-ray the single and double bands versions later on.
The Vela System is made of 4 Cetma Magnum Plus Gold elastic bands. These are 14mm for the 72 and 85 cm Sharks and 16 mm for the 95 and 105 cm.
The rubber bands, perfectly positioned under the flat inferior surface of the barrel, are connected on one end to a steel element, called X2-Block, complete with pulleys. These are then attached with Dyneema lines to an axle on the muzzle, and the two vertical pulleys on the muzzle on the other. The opposite ends of the bands are connected to two hooks positioned between the reel and the barrel just in front of the hilt. The positioning of the bands is so neat that the side section is limited to the minimum, for best lateral swing. When loaded, you cannot actually see the hidden bands under the barrel from above. The total absence of elastic bands on the upper part of the barrel make the line of aim totally clean for best alignment of the shot.
Handle and release mechanism
The handle, a key element for the perfect shot, is totally new, with an anatomical grip, completed by a soft white rubber element with superficial anti-slip ribs. The hilt is thick and very rigid and resistant, permitting the mount of the reel on it in a very safe way.
The speargun butt is one piece with the handle and has a smoothly designed shape, not too wide, leaving comfortable space for the hand. The rear surface in contact with the chest has a rubber element with superficial anti-slip ribs. Two good dimensions lateral wings are present for a perfectly tidy positioning of the monofilament away from the line of aim at any times.
The release mechanism, made with 100% burnished steel, is completely designed by Cetma, which is a very interesting novelty by the Italian company. The system is easily dismountable from the handle simply releasing a screw and a pin. The lateral line release lever can be moved left or right also simply untightening a screw.
Reel
The reel is also a Cetma Composites and made of a steel structure as base connected to the hilt and a glass loaded nylon line spool. Overall a light and well refined component. What feels very good is the clutch, easily adjustable thanks to a knob with a 3 points star design and a very well feelable regulation.
The reel carries 50 meters of 1.5 mm Dyneema. Important to underline that the drag system allows millimetric precision thanks to a steel spike embedded beneath the adjustment knob, effectively preventing dangerous line unwinding during the fish’s escape.
Shaft
The shaft is a solution with 3 shark fins, one at 1/3 of the length and two at the base, all with a hole for the connection of the monofilament. The shafts are 6.5 mm single upper barb for the Sharks versions 72 and 85, 7 mm single upper barb for the 95 whatever the power system, single, double or Vela, 7 mm single barb for the 105 version double bands, and 7.5 mm single barb for the 105 Vela System version. All setup details on Cetma Composites website.
