Distributors and builders update us on what's new in the world of multihulls.
Fountaine Pajot
Fountain Pajot has plenty of reason to celebrate in 2009, with the release of three exciting new models as well as the 2,000th catamaran due to be completed during the year.
The French-based shipyard is the world's leading manufacturer of power and sail cruising catamarans and continues to build on its success. Last year, Fountaine Pajot recorded a turnover of 52.5m euro, which was a 23.9 percent increase on the 2006/07 figures.
This year Fountaine Pajot will launch the Galathea 65 sailing catamaran, the largest cruising vessel ever built by Fountaine Pajot. Priced from A$3.8m, the Galathea 65 is constructed with isopathic resins in an all-infusion composite process, ensuring the lightest yet strongest multihull construction method possible.
Power catamaran enthusiasts are also eagerly awaiting the first Summerland 40, priced from A$863,000, and the superb flagship model, the Queensland 55, priced from A$3.395m.
The managing director of Australian importer and distributor EC Marine, Mark Elkington, says the demand for Fountaine Pajot catamarans in the region increases every year, and 2009 remains on target after a successful Auckland International Boat Show in early March.
“People are recognising that Fountaine Pajot catamarans have an outstanding design, exceptional sea-going performance, practical and usable layouts and advanced technology in many areas of the build process,” Elkington said.
“We have sold more than 100 Fountaine Pajot sail and power catamarans in Australia and New Zealand in the past 10 years, and we are on track to improve on those figures during 2009 and 2010.”
Fountaine Pajot has an extensive range of sail catamarans from the entry-level Mahe 36, as well as the new Orana 44 and Salina 48, plus the Eleuthera 60 and the new Galathea 65. The company's Trawler range comprises the Highland 35 Pilot, the new Summerland 40, the Cumberland 46 and the new Queensland 55.
For more information contact Multihull Solutions on (07) 5452 5164, emailing info@multihullsolutions.com.au or visiting www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Pacific Multihulls
It's a huge decision choosing a cat these days. We are spoilt rotten.
The $126,500 Pacific 40 kit is an excellent option if you want a strong, epoxy offshore cruising cat with standing headroom throughout, a competitive performer as well as being spacious and well appointed, including a very sociable galley-up in the saloon. The flat decks, high bridgedeck clearance, strong wineglass hulls and generous storage (2.2-tonne payload) make it a safe and good-natured craft at sea.
Every effort has been made to create a kit that is the simplest to build. It's more like assembly really because all the components are routed to exacting tolerances with the most serious curves done for you, providing a frustration-free build for the home builder or a speedy build for the professional. Simply follow the easy step-by-step plans with detailed 3D drawings.
And the huge 5.8 x 2.25m space technology lightweight Polycore sandwich flat panels arrive virtually ready faired while the upright construction means no crane is needed to turn the boat over during construction.
Much of the interior furniture can be made on your workbench and fitted later through the side of the hulls. Plumbing and wiring can be added as you go, much from outside of the hulls. Alternatively you can buy a Stallion Marine standard sailaway finished P40 for A$545,000, so you are effectively getting a boat whose build quality and appearance is indistinguishable from that of a full production boat at a secondhand price.
For more information contact Pacific Multihulls, ph (02) 4935 2265, wwww.pacificmultihulls.com
Perry Catamarans
The acclaimed Gold Coast catamaran builder Perry Prestige recently launched the first of its motor-sailing yachts – a 59MS and is following up with a 45MS. Both these models have evolved from the popular sailing and motor yachts Perry has been producing for the past 12 years and still retain all of the excellent sailing performance characteristics with the added bonus of achieving up to 22 knots under power alone.
“The 59MS is the ultimate in luxury and is capable of bluewater exploring and passagemaking, coastal cruising, lazing about in a quiet bay or just entertaining dockside. With its wide beam and length the 59MS can accommodate several couples in a spacious relaxed atmosphere with all the entertainment and lifestyle toys one could imagine,” a spokesperson said.
“The other model in the motor-sailing range is the 45MS and it is no less impressive in its sailing and motoring ability or the attention to detail in its interior fitout. This model is geared to either charter or cruising with family or close friends and with the first 45MS slated to be launched towards the end of this year Perry is confident it will be a popular concept and development on the 43 sailing yacht.”
Perry has recently revised its pricing formula to cater to several profiles of discerning buyers. Now all Perry yachts start at an entry-level price and allow the owner to option their yacht according to their needs.
For more information contact Perry Prestige, ph (07) 5561 7988, www.perrycatamarans.com.au
Spirited Designs
A major part of deciding which boat will suit you and your needs is to get among it on ground level to fully understand the product, starting with the structural materials, the building process and finally the full sailing experience.
The latest promotional event from Spirited Designs facilitates all of the above for both the DIY builder and the client looking for a production-built version. The full weekend event includes a hands-on boatbuilding workshop and material overview, key supplier presentations and test-sails on a Spirited 380.
Fifty people attended the latest event, which was held at FCCM's boatbuilding facility in Hervey Bay in Queensland earlier this year. Ice, FCCM's recently launched Spirited 380, was generously offered for the test-sails.
The next event will be held in Hervey Bay again at FCCM's factory on May 30, which is promising to be a big weekend once again.
Please contact Spirited Designs for details on workshops@spiriteddesigns.com.au
Multihull Solutions
The official launch of Multihull Solutions has been met with overwhelming support, providing a very positive start for the new company.
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand's offshore and cruising multihull specialist, providing an extensive range of services to cater for all multihull enthusiasts.
Selling a range of new multihulls from international names including Catana, Dolphin and Fountaine Pajot, plus a brokerage service with an extensive array of quality pre-owned multihulls, Multihull Solutions is powered by an absolute commitment to providing the very best service and advice.
The company has its head office in Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, as well as a New Zealand office in Auckland to cater for the needs of every power and sail multihull enthusiast.
In addition to new and used boat sales, Multihull Solutions offers an extensive range of extra services, including assistance with equipping multihulls to any level, shipping and transport facilitation, assistance with insurance and ocean passage cover, refitting of deck hardware and interior redesign, relocation and deliveries, and much more.
Multihull Solutions' website at www.multihullsolutions.com.au has been developed as a comprehensive source of information.
For more information ph (07) 5452 5164 or visit www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Seawind
Despite all the doom and gloom around the world, Seawind has actually had a very busy first half of the year with exports reaching new markets, including the Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Europe.
“Our factory is currently building boats for the USA, Canada, British Virgin Islands, Thailand, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Italy,” marketing officer Brent Vaughan said.
“This is in addition to the orders in Australia, some of which are taking advantage of a new 30-percent investment allowance introduced by the Rudd Government. This one-off allowance is in addition to the depreciation and GST that can be claimed and is providing Australian buyers a great opportunity to get a new charterboat operating.
“Combine this with record low interest rates and a weak Australian dollar attracting more local and international charters, the financial incentives have never been so good for investing in a charterboat. However, there is a very small window of opportunity with orders having to be placed before June 30, 2009, and the new boat operating by June 30, 2010.”
Seawind's second Seawind Cruising Club Series is also under way with three events scheduled, including rallies in Mexico, Jervis Bay (NSW), and Mandurah (WA).
“We are even running our third Seawind Whitsunday Rally again this year and there are still opportunities to charter boats and participate if you don't already own a Seawind,” Vaughan said.
For more information contact Seawind Catamarans, ph (02) 4285 9985, www.seawindcats.com
Schionning Marine
Schionning's new G-Force CTS1850 is an exciting development stemming from the original Radical Bay twin-rig system.
“She is designed for exclusive skippered charter and fully explores the advantages the twin rig offers in accommodation choices. With the layout no longer restricted by mast-carrying bulkheads she has great possibilities for comfortable cruising options,” a spokesperson said.
“A unique new sheeting system developed for these rigs makes sail-handling a simple touchpad operation ideal for shorthanded cruising or charter crews. Her sailing performance is fresh and exciting with twin screechers, and she'll have one storm jig for the rough stuff. A conventional single rig will be an option for this design.
“Motoring is a little different. She uses two 125hp diesels driven through a whisper drive, giving 18 knots under power without the usual squatting problem common to sailing hulls.”
The G-Force CT1850 is available in a pre-cut DuFlex kit to speed up and simplify the building process. The first of this design will be built for an Australian client. She is also being built under licence in South Africa.
For more info email info@schionningmarine.com.au or visit www.schionningmarine.com.au
Stallion Marine
Stallion Marine is now coming into its fourth year of trading. With a high emphasis on building boats to the highest level yet keeping them simple and stylish, it is proving to be a good recipe. Stallion Marine has got all the bases covered by working closely with some of Australia's top multihull designers. Spirited Designs, Free-flow catamarans, Schionning Marine, Pacific Multihulls and Oram Design – there is not much that they cannot offer.
With a special interest in race yacht technology, each and every boat is carefully thought out so that customer is getting a boat that is light, strong, functional and easy to sail and cruise.
Stallion Marine believes it is able to achieve these products due to its employees. A pre-requisite to be an employee is that you are heavily involved in the boating environment, whether it is competing in sailing at the highest level or regularly cruising the coast. It has definitely turned the factory floor into an area of passion rather than work.
For more information ph 0422 099 072 or visit www.stallionmarine.com.au
Lightwave Yachts
Leading catamaran builder Lightwave Yachts is launching the new Lightwave 45 Grande. The Lightwave 45 Grande incorporates a “super-size” deck design, providing “big boat” comforts on sleek, ocean-going hulls. The charter layout has four cabins/four bathrooms and galley up. Other features include an optional spa on deck, 360? views from the saloon seating and fabulous forward vision through large forward opening hatches, protected cockpit seating for 12, and Lightwave's signature raised helm station with all controls coming back to the cockpit. Optional layouts include a three cabin/two-bathroom layout, where the entire port hull is dedicated as an owner's private retreat. The Lightwave Grande model is offered as a sail, power or motor-sailer catamaran.
“Our own sales are indicating its popularity, with two sold pre-release,” Lightwave's Roger Overell said.
These impressive results come as no surprise from this leading Australian catamaran builder.
The Lightwave 45 Innforapenny II came first in the multihull division of the ARC recently, after securing 34th over the line out of the 211-strong fleet. The crew of Innforapenny II and their Aussie-built and designed boat took 17 days to complete the 2850nm passage across the Atlantic.
Follow their remarkable adventure at the cruising log at www.lightwaveyachts.com.
For more information on the Lightwave range of ultimate cruising catamarans, contact Roger Overell at info@lightwaveyachts.com or phone (07) 5556 0030.
Emerald Eys
Ever wondered whether there is an economical alternative to solid timber flooring, but with the same luxurious look and feel? Maybe you have been thinking of replacing the flooring on your vessel, but worried about the cost and the work involved?
Odyssey Laminate Flooring is a specialised flooring product that looks and feels just like genuine laid timber. It is extremely hard-wearing, less expensive and much easier to lay than traditional methods but with none of the maintenance problems. It can be very lightly sanded back and varnished, should you want an even more lavish look.
The Odyssey wood-look flooring product is suitable for all internal cabin soles, walkways, and companionways and will provide many years of maintenance free flooring. Several major boat-building companies and charter companies now use Odyssey flooring as a cost-effective alternative, where tough products, standing up to years of constant wear and tear, are paramount.
There are two colours available.
To request a sample or for further info contact Richard Ey, Emerald Eys Qld Pty Ltd on 0417 077 355 or email eys@bigpond.net.au
