Grant Rafter's Blog

Design Portfolio: Cheoy Lee Serenity 59

2010-01-14T14:50:00Z

The Taiwanese yard Cheoy Lee has dubbed its newest design “The Perfect Cruiser,” and after looking her over, it’s easy to see why. For comfort, she comes with three large staterooms, including a full-beam master, adorn the lower deck, and each has its own en suite head.

To propel her, the 59 has a single 330-hp John Deer 6081AFM diesel engine standard, but there’s also an option for a pair of 236-hp John Deere 6068SFM50s available, as well as a slew of other engine options. With the standard single-engine setup, the company states that the 59 should have a range of 2,000 at 9 knots on her 2,000 gallon tanks. It’s not the fastest way to get there, but it sure is efficient.

With a heritage like Choey Lee, who has been building boats for over 140 years, there’s a good chance that she’ll have all the sea-keeping capabilities we’ve come to expect from its full-displacement vessels. It may indeed be some folks perfect cruiser.

Specifications

Length Overall 61’4” 18.70 m

Length Waterline 56’10” 17.32 m

Beam 17'2" 5.23 m

Draft 5'4" 1.63 m

Displacement⁽ 85,000 lbs 36,288 kg

Fuel2,000 USG 7,600 ltr

Water500 USG 2,000 ltr

Black Water Tank 200 USG 760 ltr

Grey Water Tank 200 USG 760 ltr

Engine - Standard Single John Deere 6081AFM, M3 rating 330hp

Engines – Optional Twin John Deere 6068SFM50, M3 rating 236hp

Generator Kohler 20kW, 60Hz

Charter in Washington State

2009-12-23T19:34:00Z

Hi All and Happy Holidays!

I realized today that I had not yet put up pictures about my trip to San Juan Islands in Washington State, so below I've pasted a bunch with captions. It's not the finest photography, but it supplements the story Whales and Fishes, from our December issue nicely. Enjoy!

View from the eastern shore of Sucia island with Mt. Baker in the background.

The woods are thick on the island and there's a few nice hiking trails.

Looks like some artists were here.

A shot of the shore line and a great blue heron.

My father driving us back to the boat in the strange little tender. (Does it look like a bumper car setup to anyone else?)

The Mainley Ours sitting comfortably on her mooring.

My father's back off again to try and catch some fish before the sun drops.

Unfortunately, this was probably the best shot I got of the whales. Next time, I'm packing a telephoto lense.

Crabbing in a big hobby up here, and a fellow on the public docks in Bellingham, Washington is pulling in his last catch of the season.

Looks like he got a few keepers.

What to Do: Buying a Catamaran

2009-12-18T15:55:00Z

A colleague of mine recently called me to ask for some help purchasing a boat. He and his wife have found a catamaran motoryacht that they are interested in getting and wanted my take on the vessel. I gave them some general information about what we look for in boats while doing our boat tests (a laundry list of items, most of which can be boiled down to success of function, safety, and quality of construction.)

But since they were looking at a cat, and I’ve also had a soft-spot for multihulls that can be traced to my sailing roots, I sent them along a few specifics things to pay attention to when inspecting boats with sponsons (the name for the pontoons).

First, there are a lot of benefits to a catamaran, and as far as I’m concerned, even though it’s common knowledge that ”they’re most stable upside-down,” from an efficiency and practical get-there-from-here standpoint, multihulls just make more sense: you’ve got more speed and space per LOA than a monohull and a well-designed craft will require less power to propel it at that speed. However, with the cat resurgence of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s came a slew of problems (many of which have been fixed and that were mostly due to bad construction methods) that ended up damning the design in the minds of many boat enthusiasts.

But to avoid digressing in to a rant, here’s a list of a few basic things to pay attention to with multihulls:

Sneezing— Sneezing occurs when a large wave is compressed under the saloon area between the two sponsons. The pocket of air created has nowhere to go and thus sends a wave up and over the windshield. This problem has been largely solved on most modern cats by improved hull design, but be sure to take her out in a good set of troughs and crests to test it.

Racking— Another thing to pay attention to during a wave-heavy test is racking. Unlike a sailing catamaran, which gains extra structural stability from the mast pressing down in the center while its rigging pulls up on the sponsons (one builder I talked with likened this to a loaded-crossbow) there is no such added integrity on a motoryacht. So it’s critical that the transversal stringers are strong enough to avoid twisting as each sponson impacts a wave at a different time. X-shape girders under the saloon area are helpful to offset the stresses of torsion.

Weight Slows Cats Down— When you test any boat, most manufacturers will try to make it as light as possible so you get the highest speeds. In a cat, however, testing her fully laden (water, fuel, hundreds of pounds of gear, furniture, etc.) makes a world of difference in performance. And on a cat, it goes doubly so, if you catch my drift.

Windage— They may not be tall, but you’ve got a lot of waterline, so that means more for wind to press against. Of course, one of the great cat benefits is the spread of the engines, so you’ve got increased turning ability to counter this effect.

Livability— For sailors stepping up into motoryachts, the thin sponsons of a cat are barely a second thought—you can practically hear the whimsy, “there’s a shower onboard?!” But for the motoryacht crowd, the value of a large saloon doesn’t seem to offset the compromise of having an odd layout below. The question to ask is it livable? And is it livable for my family?

That was my shortlist. If you have any others thoughts on cats or multihulls in general, go ahead and type’em below!

Just Launched: Artemis 46

2009-12-11T19:44:00Z

There's some interesting designs coming out of China recently, including this one from Artemis Yachts. The company is owned by Jet Tern Marine, the same company that runs Selene Ocean Trawlers, so the company has already built a reputation for sea-going vessels.

There's not too much info out on the boat yet, but the company has reported a few details. For starters, her twin Yanmar 380-hp 6LY3 powerplants give her a top hop of 23 knot and she holds 400 gallons of fuel and 100 gallons of water.

The circular windows by the helm remind me of a Jeanneau sport cruiser or an last-generation Azimut, so it looks as if the company's done some competitive research. The price is also rather decent (listed currently at $690,000 including delivery charges), although I'd like some interior shots and a full spec sheet first to justify the pricing. For more info, check out the Web site here.

Just Launched: Morgan 33 Dinghy

2009-12-02T19:43:00Z

For this year's June issue, I wrote a Design Portfolio column in the magazine for the Morgan 33 Dinghy ("A Riveria Runabout", June 2009). And Two days ago, I recieved an e-mail full of hi-res images of the freshly launched 33-footer. She's just as pretty as I predicted a few months ago (minus the manila-style bumper rail, which in her original drawings was a slender bit of teak trimwork.)

The 33 is the smallest boat that Morgan has ever made, but it looks like they've stayed true to its original concept. She's got a purported top speed of 43.7 mph (38 knots) and a cruise speed of around 36.8 mph (32 knots). If you wat more specs, let me know in the comments section below and I'll post the spec sheet. If not, enjoy the eye-candy!

Design Portfolio: Back Cove 30

2009-11-18T19:33:00Z

I had the pleasure of taking a Back Cove 33 on a trip of the San Juan Islands recently (you'll read more about that on this blog shortly, and you can check out the article "Whales and Fishes" in the December issue of PMY). When I went and spoke with Bentley Collins, who handles all the PR for Back Cove and its parent company Sabre, he handed me the plans for the builder's latest model: the Back Cove 30.

The vessel's strikingly similar to the 33, and you wouldn't notice it from the exterior, but a review of the deck plans gives it away. For instance, the raised dining settee in the saloon has been shifted to a sole-level settee to starboard. Also, the head below has been moved to port and there is no shower. Also, the sitting area there has been moved topsides. There is, however, still ample room for a couple to sleep on the V-berth, and the galley-down makes frees up more sitting room topsides.

I had a great experience on my 33 out in Washington state, which was aided by her good running attitudes. I can only assume the 30 will have similar capabilities, and with a standard 12,000 lbs. displacement and single 315-hp Yanmar 6L, I would assume it will be pretty close.

For more on the 30, check out Back Cove's Web site, and check in here for my blog about my trip.

Engine News: ZF Introduces Large Pod

2009-11-11T19:26:00Z

Generally, the engines tent is always my first stop at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. There's always something new or interesting, and for the past several years, something a bit revolutionary.

Take this year's clear winner from ZF: the ZF Pod 4000. It's not just that it can handle 1,200 hp engines that makes this pod exceptional, it's the more subtle features. For instance, there's no exhaust ports in the pod, so it won't create extra turbulence, an critical feature for sportfishermen. Another feature is a lack of built in transmission. "Now why would they do that?" you may ask. Well, there's a lot of reasons, but my suspicions lie in the fact that the top of the pod purportedly fits electric motor drive perfectly. (Electric motors require no transmissions).

The first boat to have the new pods will be Lazzara Yacht's LSX 120, which should debut sometime next year.

If you'd like to see the enture press release from ZF, comment below and I'll post it.

Just Launched: Icon 62 meter

2009-10-23T19:34:00Z

Icon Yachts is a Dutch company that builds yachts that builds, "custom yachts on a optimized platform." Sound a little vague? Well, even with the recent launch of its first vessel, a 62-meter, not much is clearer due to a high level of secrecy surrounding the vessel.

But Icons mission, as determined by it's co-founders Wim Koersvelt and Jen Wartena, is clear: to rival it's fellow Dutch shipyards by offering similiar size vessels with a lower wait time. Give the quality of the work depicted in the shots below, it looks like they've gotten off to a good start. And a new 62 is even currently under construction. For more on Icon (or what little there is) check out its Web site.

Just Launched: Riva 86 Domino

2009-10-16T14:48:00Z

Debuting at this year’s Monaco Boat Show, the 86-foot Domino is another bold addition to the Riva brand. Resembling a fighter jet as much as a motoryacht, this Italian export may not be supersonic, but with a reported top hop of 38 knots and a cruising speed of 34 knots, she’s no slouch. And with a 1,981 gallon fuel load, the company states she’s got a range of 310 nautical miles at WOT and 335 at cruise.

Her interior is just as stylized as her exterior, with a wide-open saloon (there are almost no support columns to obstruct the view). Port and starboard windows allow light to flood over the twin couches and eight-person dining table. Steps forward of the centerline helm (there’s another on the flying bridge) lead down to a full-beam master with a massive window as well as three guests staterooms.

For more on the vessel, visit Riva.com.

Design Portfolio: Setzer 19m & 34m

2009-10-08T16:56:00Z

North Carolina-based Setzer Design Group has partnered with Tawain's Kha-Shing Shipyards (who also builds vessels for Hargrave) to introduce a new series of boats it's dubbed the Monte-Fino Line.

The line includes a 19m and a 34m. Both have the sleek sport-yacht styling, although the purported 35 knot top hop of the 19m (62 feet) makes her the more sporty option (top speed for the 34m varies from 19-26 knots depending on engine options). The pod-driven 19m also includes a 1000-gallon fuel capacity, two guest staterooms and one full-beam master, and a tender garage.

The 34m (112 feet) vessel has one more geusts stateroom, as well as room for crew—including a crew lounge. For owner's to relax, there's even a multi-tiered flying bridge complete wth a grill and hot tub.

For more information on the boats and Setzer, check out the Web site: setzerdesign.com

What To Do: Your Boat and a Tsunami

2009-09-30T11:48:00Z

The earthquake in Somoa and America Somoa this morning got me thinking about what I would do if caught in that worst case scenario, and what I would do if I was on my boat.

Not to dwell on the tragic, but when discussing natural disasters, it can’t be avoided. The December 26^th, 2004 Indian Ocean quake caused a tsunami that washed away nearly 230,000 lives, according to UN statistics, and impressed our collective memory—we all know where we were when we first heard of the catastrophe. 9.0 Richter scale earthquakes and subsequent tsunami strikes are rare, (the strongest one prior to 2004 was the devastating 1964 quake that’s epicenter was in Prince Williams Sound, Alaska), but it doesn’t have to be earth shattering to damage your vessel or take your life. And it doesn’t have to be rooted in deep-sea shifts in the tectonic plates; meteors (think the dinosaurs) and landslides (like the controversial theory about a large chunk of La Palma in the Canary Islands dropping into the sea, creating an iminami, Japanese for “wave of purification”), are also tsunami catalysts.

A few years ago, I was in Bermuda when a tsunami scare spread across the 12-mile island, and although no waves actually hit (the news agencies still don’t know if it was a hoax or if, rather, the reef break coupled with low-lying clouds caused a few people to panic) it showed how unprepared many people on the island, including natives, were for this type of natural disaster. Some went toward the 249-foot Town Hill, others tried to verify the facts with a smatter of phone calls to other confused islanders, many kept on working along the waterfront, and most just paused, waiting for a definitive signal as to whether the waves were approaching or not.

Now, it’s common knowledge that when you’re on land, you generally follow evacuation routes to the highest point, but if you’re on a vessel, you’ve got a myriad of other options to weigh. Can you make it to shore in time to reach high ground? Do you have time to get outside of a bay or inlet? What are the sea conditions outside? What do you do if the droves of flotsam left by the receding wave disable your propulsion? Is the proper survival equipment onboard?

Remember in the open ocean a tsunami wave is imperceptible and may only measure a few inches, so while there is a disaster on land, just a bit offshore you may not even notice the imbroglio. In the blog Tsunami at Sea, laden with story’s from survivors who were on the water for the 2004 Tsunami, most found that being at sea was the right choice: “We didn’t realize that a tsunami just had passed us with us hardly noticing anything….On the way back, the captain informed us that there was something going on, something about big waves (8-10m) coming our way from Phuket….and we should stay away from land.”

In shallower water, especially bays and inlets, the effects of the waves are more prominent, as this blogger noted:

“The ocean was acting like water in large bowl being tipped from side to side, like the ocean was moving back and forth between continents. Passing a bay called ‘Au Nang’ we watched as large tracts of water washed from one side to the other and back again - smashing the coast with every arrival. Some of the sets in the aftermath were about 8-10 feet high. They were the small ones.”

Juxtaposed against the first quote, it makes you aware of the need for deep water.

Once a Tsunami warning has been issued, the most critical element is time. According to NOAA, “If there is time to move your boat or ship from port to deep water you should weigh the following considerations:

“·Most large harbors and ports are under the control of a harbor authority and/or a vessel traffic system. These authorities direct operations during periods of increased readiness (should a tsunami be expected), including the forced movement of vessels if deemed necessary. Keep in contact with the authorities should a forced movement of vessel be directed.

·Smaller ports may not be under the control of a harbor authority. If you are aware there is a tsunami warning and you have time to move your vessel to deep water, then you may want to do so in an orderly manner, in consideration of other vessels. Owners of small boats may find it safest to leave their boat at the pier and physically move to higher ground, particularly in the event of a locally-generated tsunami. Concurrent severe weather conditions (rough seas outside of safe harbor) could present a greater hazardous situation to small boats, so physically moving yourself to higher ground may be the only option.

·Damaging wave activity and unpredictable currents can effect harbors for a period of time following the initial tsunami impact on the coast. Contact the harbor authority before returning to port making sure to verify that conditions in the harbor are safe for navigation and berthing.”

To expound, you must be aware of your vessel’s speed and her ability to make way through currents that may be both strong and unpredictable. Once you’re clear, remember to wait until the warning has been retracted and an “all clear” is declared; a second wave or set of waves is common.

Since these events are so rare, there is no need to fret; but by now you should have a contingency plan forming in your head. If you have any suggestion, questions, or comments, including Tsunami stories of your own, feel free to post them below.

*For the Survivor’s Blog see: http://tsunamiatsea.blogspot.com/2005/02/boat-stories.html

Design Portfolio: Wally Hermès Yachts

2009-09-24T01:27:00Z

Is it little surprise that the acronym for Wally Hermès Yachts is WHY? It's hard to know where to start with this strange vessel. But I suppose that's fitting given the odd circumstances surrounding the design, including a partnership between Wally (the yacht designer) and Hermès (known for couture goods). The self-desribed radicalism of both brands lends themselves to an interesting partnership, and an interesting yacht.

Beside's her strange-shape, the new boat also boasts a more ecological form of propulsion. The WHY 58x38 [Yes, that's the boat's actual name] should cut propulsion costs by 20-30% says the company. This is a result of diesel-electric powerplant coupled with 900-square meters of photovoltaic solar panels.

With a max speed of 14 knots, and a cruise of 12, the company believes she'll have a range equal to four Atlantic crossings. All this and a 130-meter by three-meter promenade deck?

Perhaps the real question though isn't why it's been designed, but if and when it will be built. And where to find a buyer?

St. Lucia Boat Trip (Videos!)

2009-09-14T15:39:00Z

Hi All,

I've posted links to a video a shot on a recent trip to St. Lucia. I've divided it up into too segments so that I could fit it up on YouTube. I've tried to embed them here, but this blogging software is a bit quirky right now, so if they don't appear, just follow the links below.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwb1LCB6k6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDYrKscb8Uo

Maine Trip Part 2: French & Webb

2009-08-31T10:23:00Z

After a lunch in at a tavern in Rockland, we continued the 30 or so miles up to Belfast to go and see what was going on at the yard of French & Webb. In business since 1996, the company has built a reputation for beautiful, iconoclastic vessels. Their current project is no exception.

In the shop was the primer-gray 29’ hull. Her tumble home stern and sweeping shear lines give this day boat a classic look. But the cold-molded hull’s vintage appearance is to be combined with a futuristic propulsion: a Steyr Diesel-electric engine. It’s a intriguing mix of traditional Maine boatbuilding methods coupled with modern technology, and I’d predict we will be seeing a lot more of this cross-over in years to come. For more on the build, visit Frenchwebb.com.

Maine Trip Part 1: MAINE CAT

2009-08-20T12:05:00Z

Last week, I went up the Coast of Maine to visit a few builders and check out a few new boats. I’ll be bringing you a series of blog posts over the next few weeks on the more interesting stops I made.

One of my first stops was in Bremen, Maine, just south of Waldoboro. (You know you’ve reached Bremen once your cellphone signal cuts out completely.) Here I visited with *** Vermeulen, the owner and founder of Maine Cat. The yard was busy, with six boats on order, but *** took the time to show me a P-47 power cat in mid-process and talk to about her efficiencies.

At her 15 knot cruise speed, he says she’ll have a 1,200 nautical mile range while burning just 5 gallons an hour in her twin Volvo Penta D3 160-hp diesels. The top hop for this 29,900-pound full-load displacement vessel should be around 25 knots. At a comfy eight knots, she’s got a 3000 range of 3000 nautical miles.

I’ve always been a fan of cats, but these numbers are simply amazing. And the interior detailing is nothing to sneeze at either. For more on the boat, check out mecat.com. It’s definitely worth a look.