PACIFIC EXPEDITION POWER CATAMARAN

You're looking for a fast, long range, strong, safe, well built, stable power catamaran designed for adventure then check Pacific Expedition Yachts website. The yard, with 20 years experience in strong boat building, has created a range of trawler style catamaran : the PE 45, PE 55 and the PE 65.

When I went through their website and saw that the Yard was based in Oregon (look at the beautiful pictures it is is amazing) I thought to myself : they must build trawlers designed for tough conditions, for expeditions and adventurous lifestyle. When I kept on reading the literrature and their blog, looked at the pictures I thought endeed the guys know what they are talking about and don't mind to share their experience. I like that.

Of course the PE are spacious, that what cats are for, but the PE are really really spacious just take a look at the 3ds of the PE 55 : three staterooms, four heads, full laundry and a stand up engines room. With a range of 3000 miles at cruising speed, the semi-displacement hulls are very economical to operate. Maximum speed will reach 20 knots. All the 3d of the 45 and 55 are available in Picassa.

I think that for their PE 65 project they shoud have two design options, classical and modern.

I was recently having a phone conversation with a yacht broker from Fraser Yachts in Monaco. He told me marketing and buying a boat is only a question of trust and confidence between people.

Toledo, Oregon is far from Monaco (not only in terms of distance) but it is the same. As the guys at Pacific Expedition write in their philosophy section :

"We really like boats but we love people. People come first, family, employees, clients are always put first and we design boats only to support and protect those we care for and enjoy spending time with".

Boating should always be a question of trust and confidence between people. Any over kind of relationship in this business is doomed to fail. I think this has to do with the fact that boats goes out on the sea, and when you are out there you can't cheat.

There are so many things to discover and read on the Pacific Expedition website, I let you have a look at it.

BERRET RACOUPEAU YACHT DESIGN

I didn't spend as much time as I wanted with the luxury catamaran blog lately but I have been very busy with work. I am now also doing some PR consulting for Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design.

2008 is a big year for Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, the design office was created 30 years ago by Jean Berret. He hired Olivier Racoupeau in 1983 and they co-founded Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design in 1994. Jean Berret is now retiring with more than 15 000 sailboats afloat. Jean and Olivier made up a great, very complementary team : the artist Jean Berret with a design degree from the famous Ecole Boulle in Paris and Olivier Racoupeau with an aerospace engineering degree. Olivier Racoupeau now holds the helm with a very talented crew of 9 designers, architects, engineers.

NAHEMA IV - Berret Racoupeau Design

When I visited the office in La Rochelle a few week ago and met with Olivier Racoupeau I was very impressed by the organisation, the management of the office. They are succeeding in remaining creative while providing their clients with a very strict design process from defining the Concept to the delivery of the boat : This is state of the art yacht design. They've designed only sailboats, in fact I could say they are in this way some kind of unique in France. They have created many monohulls for production yards such as BENETEAU, WAUQUIEZ, JEANNEAU, ALLIAGE. They have also designed many winning race boats : 4 world champions, the admirals cup winner in 1985, the BOC challenge in 1989-1990, and 3 mini transat. I will not list all their monohulls designs it would take one hour, back to real boats : catamarans !!!

Eleuthera 60 - Fountaine Pajot - Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

BRYD is now recognized world-wide as one of the top office in catamaran design. They are working with Fountaine Pajot, the world leader in production catamarans with more than 1 800 units launched. For Fountaine Pajot, BRYD has created the Marquise 56' in 1991 (38 units), the Eleuthera 60' in 2004 (27 units), the Salina 48 ' in 2007 (27 units) and the Galathea 65' (to be launched in 2009). BRYD has more and more requests for larger units. They have also designed luxury catamarans with the YAPLUKA 60 and 70 (WONDERFUL, BELLA DONA, NAHEMA IV), the ALDABRA 60, the CIM 116, and have now in production and on the drawing boards a 75, a 90 and a 98 footer. I will soon write a post about the Z90 an amazing mega cat being built in Italy.

Wonderful - Yapluka 70 - Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

I am very happy to work with them. I did some re-writing for their website which will be launched by summer time. I will let you know. I wrote their newsletter and will post a copy of it on the blog so stay tuned.

For more information about Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, you can email Isabelle Ramirez.

Sunreef releases first-ever annual results

From IBINEWS.COM

Polish catamaran-builder Sunreef Yachts has released its first set of financial results since the company was founded back in 1998. According to a statement released today, Sunreef's net income from production and services grew by 52 per cent in 2007 to €19.6 million. This figure is expected to rise again to €29.8 million in 2008, with more than 10 annual deliveries scheduled for the current year and another 16 scheduled for 2009. "Despite a challenging labour market in Poland, this accelerating production rate was achieved by optimising production techniques which, for example, reduced production time for Sunreef's most popular model, the Sunreef 62, from nine to four months," says the company. Sunreef has also revealed that it recently acquired 16 hectares of land in Wiślinka, not far from Gdańsk in Poland, for the construction of two 12,000sq m manufacturing plants. The new purpose-built facilities, which are due for completion and occupancy in 2010, will increase the company's overall production capacity and enable Sunreef to build yachts of up to 50m (164ft).Sunreef is also planning and designing new models to complement its current range, including two new custom superyachts that are currently under construction.Net sales at Sunreef's in-house charter agency, Sunreef Yachts Charter, reached around €1.3 million in 2007. Now with more than 250 yachts in its fleet, the company is expecting to see a 50 per cent increase in sales in 2008. ''Our success to date comes from our focus on innovation and by extending the range of yachts we produce," says Sunreef vice president Nicolas Lapp. ''For the future we will be promoting and constructing our two new models while progressing orders for large custom yachts over 100 feet." Sunreef says that it expects sales in 2009 to rise by 34 per cent to €40.1 million.
(21 April 2008)

SILVER CLOUD - 133' SWATH

First Swath yacht I am introducing in the blog.

The best explanation for SWATH taken from SILVER CLOUD's Website :

"SWATH stands for ‘Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull’, an innovative concept for smooth service in rough seas. The buoyancy of a SWATH ship is provided by two submarine hulls connected to the upper platform by twin narrow struts from each of the submarine hulls. The cross-sectional area at the sea surface is approximately 1/6th that of a comparable size yacht and thus only a minimum part of the ship is exposed to the lifting forces of the waves while 5/6 of the buoyancy is on the submarine hulls. Additional stability is provided by the SWATH’s broad beam which is twice that of a comparable yacht. The idea of SWATH was taken from the principle of semi-submersible offshore rigs, which are designed to provide a working platform with minimized motions in open seas"

SWATHs have been used by North Sea pilots since 1999.

Look to SILVER CLOUD's website and you will be amazed by the video of a SWATH and a standard Monohull German Cost Guard ship cruising in quite ruff waters. The SWATH looks very stable even more stable I can guess than a standard catamaran.

As for catamaran SWATH delivers a lot of room inside compared so similar size monohulls. SIVLER CLOUD offer 5 states rooms including a complete owner's deck, with panoramic view, below the pilothouse. A large aft deck can be used as a helicopter platform for a Eurocopter EC120B Colibri. She will be operated by a crew of 5.

SILVER CLOUD is actually being built by the 100 years old Abeking and Rasmussen shipyard, well-known for the quality of their yachts and will be launched in September this year. Interior Designers are Kirschstein Designs Ltd and Susan Schuyler Smith for Spectrum Designs who has received many award for furniture design.

She is for sale through Camper and Nicholsons International.

HISTORY OF CATAMARAN - IMPORTANT DATES

The word Catamaran comes from the Tamil kattu “to tie” and maran “wood, tree”.

- Thousands years ago catamarans were used on the coast of Coromandel in south-eastern India.

- Around 3500 BC started the great voyages across the Pacific Ocean towards Polynesia aboard double canoes.

Polynesian Catamaran - Artist: John Webber, artist aboard Cook's ship.

- 1662, Sir William Petty designs “THE EXPERIMENT”, described as "a fantastical bottomless double-bottomed machine", and races them successfully against mono-hulls.

- 1820, “DOUBLE TROUBLE”, first catamaran built in the US by John C Stevens, famous for his bet at the origin of the America’s Cup.

- 1876, “AMARYLLIS”, is designed by the famous architect Nathaniel Herreschoff and beats the entire fleet of the New York Yacht Club.

Herreschoff patented – 1876

- 1937, “KAIMILOA”, built by Eric de Bisschop, a French explorer, was launched in Hawaii and sailed back to Cannes in France in 264 days.

Kaimiloa – Eric de Bishop

- 1947, “MANU KAI”, launched in Hawai by Brown, Kumalae and Choy is probably the first ocean going cruising catamaran to be launched.

“Manu Kai” at

Waikiki

- 1960, The Prout brothers design the “SNOW GOOSE”, an 11 meters cruising catamarans.

- 1964, “REHU MOANA”, takes part to the OSTAR race. Built by Dr. David Henry Lewis. After the race he picks up his family in the US and sails around the world. This is the first circumnavigation by a catamaran.

- 1983 The Fountaine Pajot shipyard launches the Lousiane 37, the first light cruising catamaran, industrial production of cruising catamarans has started in France.

A 1984 Louisiane 37

- 1998, “DOUCE FRANCE” 138’ designed by Lauriot-Prevost and Van Peteghem is the largest cruising catamaran launched so far.

Douce France – a VPLP design built by Alumarine

- 2005, the Maxi catamaran “ORANGE II” - 37 meters - built by Multiplast Shipyard and sailed by Bruno Peyron, sails around the world in only 55 days 16 hours with an amazing average speed of 22,20 knots.

More on :

http://www.proafile.com/view/weblog/comments/c_s_k/

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catamaran

http://www.catamaran.co.uk/shearwater/history.htm

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/15/1037080913844.html

http://www.multihull-maven.com/Designers/Nathaniel_Herreshoff

http://christian.navis.free.fr/multicoques.html

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1352382

http://www.runningtideyachts.com/multihull/Amaryllis.html

http://www.angelfire.com/or/petermarsh/multihulls.htm

http://www.herreshoff.org/frames/mmphotocats1frame.htm

GEMINI PROJECT BECOMES HEMISPHERE - BREAKING NEWS

Thanks to Tom Ashwell from Synergy Yachting for this "avant premiere".

HEMISPHERE (formerly Project GEMINI), designed by naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP) and built by Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, Connecticut is on course to be delivered towards the latter part of this year.

With a length overall of 44.2m (145ft) and a gross tonnage of just under 500, she is set to scoop the record as the world's largest sailing catamaran. However, this will by no means be her only impressive credential, and the team behind the project has pooled their respective talents and expertise to accomplish the execution of this vessel.

Derecktor Shipyards was chosen to undertake the project from their Bridgeport facility, which is one of Derecktor’s three locations serving the eastern seaboard of the US for new-build, repair/refit and service work. Likewise, architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost were the obvious candidates to lend their expertise to such a specialized project.

The result is an innovative design packed with creatively practical features that blend speed and stability with both space and style. A draft of only 3m (9.8ft) ensures ease of maneuverability and access to ports and lagoons inaccessible to monohulls of comparable size. Decks and rig are remarkably uncluttered as visible deck hardware has been minimized and the 53m (174ft) high mast soars free of spreaders with all lines run internally. Tenders are also ingeniously stowed out of sight and the port transom houses a full water sports and dive locker served by a large hydraulic swim platform.
Destined for the luxury charter market in tropical climates, HEMISPHERE boasts a spacious flybridge with Jacuzzi, sun pads and shaded dining along with a vast indoor/outdoor living area on the main deck. Exceptional interior volume offers a high degree of luxury without a trace of glitz and designer Michael Leach has created a relaxed elegance which is the epitome of contemporary chic. Accommodation for 12 guests is arranged in 5 comfortable suite cabins and the yacht will operate with a professional crew of 8.

Burgess has been appointed to manage HEMISPHERE charter program which will commence with winter 2008/2009 in the Caribbean and charter rates start at US$150,000 per week excluding operating expenses.

CHARTER HEMISPHERE WITH WINDWARD ISLANDS

SUNREEF 106 - THE SECOND CUSTOM MADE SUPERSAILING CATAMARAN ORDERED

The SUNREEF 106 a sleek design.

Great news from Ewa Stachurska, SUNREEF PR manager, a second above 100 foot SUNREEF has just been ordered : the SUNREEF 106.

I really like the exterior, a proof that length really matters in a catamaran design.

With this order, Sunreef Yachts is the first and only shipyard in the world to have under construction two multihulls over 100 feet.

Extract from SUNREEF's press release :

"This 106 footer is a fast, high performance and luxurious catamaran. Built in Aluminium, it is based on the SUNREEF 100 but extended for a
European client. The interior design is the result of a close cooperation
between the Sunreef in-house design team and the owner.

The Modern Style by Sunreef chosen for this particular boat consists of brightly-coloured upholstery, bamboo veener applied to solid wood furniture, teak deck - both below decks and topside, glass table tops and furniture elements, a segregated saloon and galley with large panoramic windows in the saloon and cabins enhancing an impression of spaciousness and light.

Another interesting feature is the 'island' separating the galley and saloon. This cabinet is accessible from both sides and houses equipment including microwave, electric oven and a dishwasher for the galley as well as an impressive entertainment system with 40 inches LCD television, DVD player, Hi-Fi system on the saloon side.

The owner’s suit will be especially luxurious using the finest
materials combined with a spacious atmosphere."

‘‘We’ve been receiving many inquiries for large custom yachts which is gratifying and supports our strategy to build this kind of boats ,” says Nicolas Lapp, Sunreef's vice-president, ‘‘With our first two superyachts due to be launched in the coming years, we have now achieved our goal to be recognised as a builder of large custom yachts that only happen to be multihulls.”

For more information, please contact:

Ewa
Stachurska
PR
Sunreef Yachts
ewa@sunreef-yachts.com
+ 48 601 315
206
www.sunreef-yachts.com
www.sunreef-charter.com