Multihull World Launchings

Seawind 1250

What a fitting scene to launch the world’s newest blue water cruiser, with a strong southerly blowing and the wild Tasman Sea in the background, as the 41ft Seawind 1250 splashed down into Wollongong Harbour. This brand new design encompasses 27 years of multihull design and manufacturing from Seawind’s experienced design team of sailors, who have created an ocean going catamaran that offers the highest level of engineering, quality of finish and performance. With over a million dollars worth of new tooling and design investment, Seawind are looking forward to rolling out this new production line in the brand new purpose built facility in Russell Vale (Wollongong, Australia) using a climate controlled resin infusion lamination bay for superior fibreglassing quality and strength, which is necessary if you are going to cruise around the world. Though the new Seawind 1250 shares many of the multi-award winning design characteristics of the internationally acclaimed 38ft Seawind 1160, such as the trifolding doors, great open space layout, 360° view, and multipurpose saloon table / coffee table / bed, this new design is larger in length, beam, height, rig, sails, fuel tanks, storage lockers, head height, and also offers a new twin helm design with excellent protection from the elements, a sky window to view the sails and optional raised seats for cruising comfort. Plus, a wider targa catwalk for additional solar panels for cruisers and a larger targa walking platform, bow seats, larger trampolines, an open bottom transom step for easy boarding from dinghies and larger optional motors, and there is an innovative day bed and navigation desk built into the saloon, or an optional galley up layout, just to mention a few features. Combined with some clever and innovative design layouts, this bold blue water performer is equally at home as a harbour entertainer or charter boat. The Seawind 1250 got its shake down cruise on the Tasman Sea, infamous for its wild conditions and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, allowing the design team to put it through its paces before the official launch which was Friday, October 30 at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Newport where Seawind hosted a launch party in conjunction with the start of the 11th annual Seawind Pittwater Regatta, where 30 plus Seawinds were expected for Australia’s largest ‘Big Cat’ regatta held over that weekend.

DayDreamer

It’s amazing how fast a boat comes together at the end. Given the delays and time taken to do some of the tasks associated with building. In the end Day Dreamer is launched without a mast as things came together quickly and I was effectively caught out. Day Dreamer was begun on the day before Christmas 2007 with the turn-over done on August 2, 2008. Work in 2008 was virtually full time to the point that by the start of the sailing season in October, the only thing I could talk about was the boat. So after a month’s break over Christmas, a trip was taken to Tasmania in February. Here another diversion came my way whereby I became a tour guide for a Canadian lass and we travelled half way around Australia together for the next three months. Work restarted in the middle of winter 2009. Taking my time and working with the BoatCraft Pacific products (Bote-Cote, Aqua-Cote, Cop-R-Bote), things came together in their own good time to the point where the warmer spring weather tended to speed things up. The final product being something with which I am extremely pleased (bit of a plug for these products as I used them exclusively throughout the building process). The getting-the-hulls-wet trial launch was at Edithburgh, SA on October 3 at 7.25pm. The late launch was due to the long weekend and the excessive number of boats at the boat ramp. The official launch and naming were performed at Pt Vincent, SA on October 11. This was on the day I’d hoped for, albeit one year late – the start of the sailing season. The lack of a mast will add some limitations on how far I can actually go under my own power, however, this is a minor hitch in the scheme of things. If you’re in Pt Vincent on a Sunday afternoon, come and say g’day.

LyraCoup

Ian Campbell recently launched his 11.95m self designed cat in Maryborough. Built out of Polycore™ in just 13 months by Ian himself with the help of Eddie Hinsley and Brendan Holden, the boat is performing extremely well and Ian is looking forward to some very comfortable – and easy cruising!

Montebello Coup

Montebello Yachts, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, manufactures semi custom luxury power and sailing catamarans 11.5m and 12.5m to survey standard. Last year Montebello launched their flybridge range of power catamarans. The range includes enclosed hard top or soft top and two different saloon layouts. In January 2010 Montebello launched its first Coupe. The client chose the one cabin layout with its huge front cabin taking full width of the boat with his and her separate entry. Barry and Alicia were frequent visitors to the factory and enjoyed watching the build process and choosing their interior finishes to personalise their catamaran. This Coupe was fitted with satellite TV, a stainless steal anchor, Saloon table inlayed with Paua shell. Electronics encompass full Simrad package which includes the latest GPS plotter, autopilot, radar, VHF and communications equipment allowing for world wide TV and email access. The vessel is fully air-conditioned and a modern galley with fridge/freezer and microwave. Home for the Coupe is the Gold Coast, a city with more miles of canals than Venice and a lot of bridges. The Coupe offers the client a low profile boat that can explore his city as well as a safe fast vessel for coastal journeys. Powered by 500BHP IPS Volvos with a top speed of 35kts. Cruising speed of 25kts, fuel economy 1.2L/nm for cruising speeds between 22 and 30kts. Fuel range 322nm plus 10% reserve. Utilising the latest proven materials and technology, Montebello’s unique modern designs ensure every Montebello catamaran is not only striking in appearance, but is class leading in terms of structural integrity and strength whilst ensuring maximum safety and comfort in a true blue water boat.

Rayfiki

Rayfiki, A Schionning Wilderness 1480 design, was recently launched in Auckland by owners Ray and Shelley Ulyates. Ray and Shelley give full credit to their boatbuilder Bryan McCurrach for his dedication, enthusiasm, attention to detail, good humour and artistic flare. “Besides the way she effortlessly consumes the miles, is how well the cockpit, galley, lounge and helmstation work together – she’s a real pleasure,” said Ray. The name Rayfiki is a play on the Swahili word ‘Rafiki’ which means ‘friend’. (Ray was born in Kenya). “Life is really all about the friends you have ... and the new ones we are sure to make on Rayfiki. Rafiki is also one of the characters in the Lion King, hence the logo incorporates the little fellow.” “Our first major trip is scheduled for January when we’ll head down to the south island for a short shakedown cruise beore joining the other lemmings as they head north to the Pacific islands. After that, well, it’s where the wind and Rayfiki take us!”

Paros

Anyone who has built themselves a boat will know how challenging it can be, especially a 16.20m cat. Tineke and Benno Besson purchased plans for this custom Waterline 1620 Schionning design and began building her in 2004 on their property at Pataua North, near Whangarei, New Zealand. Very sadly Ben died unexpectedly when the boat was at an open shell stage of construction, leaving Tineke not only grieving but with a very tough decision to make. Could she finish the boat without Benno or should she quit? What an awful decision to have to make. But Paros is testament to Tineke’s courage and perseverance. Jonas, Tineke’s son committed his help to finish the project. Joachim, best friend of Benno and having built his own yacht earlier, helped with advice, detailed engineering design and the electrical installation. Local marine engineers installed the engines and steering system and Paros was professionally faired and painted – she looks great. The interior has been kept quite plain without all the fancy options but the result is aesthetically pleasing and functional. She has twin Lombardini 40hp engines giving her good motoring speed of up to 11kts and cruising at seven to eight knots. An aluminium rig was chosen for simplicity, supplied by John Tetzlaff, Auckland and sails were manufactured by Calibre Sails, Whangarei. The instrumentation is from Navman. At time of print, sea trials have not been completed however, the Schionning Waterline range of cats are exceptionally good performers and the 1620, built light as Paros is, will be an exciting boat to sail. She is ready for adventure, (with new owners). Tineke is calling for expressions of interest from anyone interested in purchasing Paros. This is a once off opportunity to acquire a brand new, custom, sporty Schionning Waterline cat, ready to go. Contact: Tineke Besson by phone +64 21 840 110