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Island Pilot Launches New IP535

Editor — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:01:00 +0000

New Island Pilot IP535 is Shown in this Computer Generated Image

Island Pilot is super-sizing its IPS-powered 435 into a new 531/2-foot model. New molds for the 535 have been built at the company’s yard in Zhuhai City, China, and Island Pilot reports that it has two firm orders already for the new yacht. If you really liked the 435 but wished it had a little more room, I think this new-but-familiar hull is going to be your ticket.

A CGI of the Flybridge Helm on the New Island Pilot IP535

While the new hull will provide the extra luxury and roomier accommodations requested by Island Pilot customers, the IP535′s performance capabilities will derive from the latest IPS variant from Volvo Penta — the IPS II 900. The announcement from Island Pilot noted that in addition to three “joystick” docking stations, the IP535 will be fitted with Volvo Penta’s new “Dynamic Positioning System,” which holds heading and position automatically using a GPS array mounted on the radar arch.

On the performance side, here’s what Island Pilot says,

Extensive tank testing plus computer simulations predict a top speed of 33 knots with economical fast-cruising speeds between 18 and 28 knots. At slower speeds, the IP535 will have similar economy to single-screw displacement trawlers and mid-speed, semi-displacement cruisers. The pair of 700hp, D-11 diesels is aft in a walk-in, stand-up, uncluttered engine room accessed through a weather-tight door in the cockpit. The spacious engine room allows easy access to all sides of the engines and generator with room left over for a work bench and tool storage. Other systems normally crowded around the motors are located in an easily-accessed “basement” under the galley sole.

More from the Island Pilot press release:

The IP535’s high-end performance is complimented by her inviting and accommodating cockpit layout, spacious flybridge arrangement, and interior appointments. A 9-foot U-shaped settee is the focal point of the cockpit and with its own canopy the space is perfectly laid out for outdoor entertaining. Owners can select to have a full summer kitchen including grill and wet bar either in the cockpit, on the flybridge, or in both locations. The flybridge has space for three helm chairs or a pair of twins and is outfitted with a pair 15-inch Garmin touchscreens, the same found at the lower helm.

A signature feature of all Island Pilot yachts is the bright, open feeling of the deck house, with plenty of glass and 360-degree vistas. The IP535 continues this tradition with even more space—the U-shaped settee is 11×6 feet—the LED HDTV is 46 inches—and room remains for a pair of barrel easy chairs and the raised helm chairs. At 12×14 feet 6 inches, the deck house is highly customizable. Forward of the deck house, under the great expanse of windscreen, is the “great room” with the fully-equipped galley overlooking the dinette. Forward is an island-queen VIP stateroom and aft, under the deck house, is the full-width, mid-ship, master stateroom. Measuring 11×16 feet, this space can be configured to an owner’s preference and be fitted with an island queen, either angled or squared off, or a pair of twin berths. With her unique layout, the IP535 affords the privacy found in an aft-cabin yacht with the advantages of the sedan-styling. Reuben Trane comments, “The only time at night that owners are likely to even remember that guests are on board is if they all choose the same time to raid the fridge!”

Layout of the new Island Pilot IP535

The company says the new boat will debut at the 2011 Miami Boat Show.

Specifications for the Island Pilot IP535

Length on Deck:                         53’ 6”
LOA:                                                57’ 0”
LWL:                                               47’ 0”
Beam:                                            16’ 9”
Draft:                                               4’ 0”
Hardtop height:                            19’6” (radar arch folded)
Displacement (full load):            54,500 lbs.
Power:                                            Volvo IPS900
Fuel:                                                600 U.S. gal. in three tanks
Water:                                             200 U.S. gal.
Holding Tank:                                100 U.S. gal.
Generator:                                     Mastervolt 11kW
Base Price:                                  $1.35 million, fully equipped (pre-construction price)

First Nordhavn 120 Sold

Editor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:30:02 +0000

New Artist Rendering of First Nordhavn 120 Aurora

Pacific Asian Enterprises has confirmed to OceanLines that it has sold its first N120, a true megayacht with a pricetag nearly three times the next biggest Nordhavn, the N86. PAE President Dan Streech confirmed the purchase to OceanLines and said the buyer is a long-time Nordhavn owner, now purchasing his fourth vessel from the brand. For a look at some of the design details of the N120, see our original article about the program launch here.

Construction of N120-01 will begin in January 2010 and delivery is scheduled for August of 2012. The relatively modest construction time for the first of a new model is the result of the fact that all the molds and plugs are already finished at PAE’s Xiamen II factory in southern China. Designer Dee Robinson is working with the owner to finalize the interior design details. Since the hull is to be painted, final decision on hull color will wait until construction is well along. The megayacht will be ABS-certified.

The N120 has to be considered the ultimate achievement so far for company Chief Designer Jeff Leishman. Although 50 percent larger than the next-largest Nordhavn, the N120 will be recognizable to fans of the Nordhavn brand. Leishman and his deep and talented engineering staff have translated many of the traditional Nordhavn lines and design details into a megayacht that will weigh nearly as much as a Boeing 747-400; some 800,000 pounds. Even the factory itself, the Xiamen II facility, was designed with this vessel in mind, with everything from the footprint, to ceilings to overhead crane capacity intended to be capable of handling something this size.

The owner of N120-01 has previously owned an N62, N76, and N86, and, according to Streech, is “a joy to work with; knowledgeable and experienced with the new-build process.” Streech said, “We are very appreciative and excited to receive the order on Nordhavn 120 #1, which will be this owner’s fourth Nordhavn, so there is comfort and experience on both sides which will help elevate the N120 project to a spectacular megayacht level. Our new factory in Xiamen China was expressly designed to accommodate the N120 production line and our 35 years of experience in designing and building over 800 ocean going yachts has prepared us for this exciting moment.”

The price of the Nordhavn 120 is approximately $19 million. For reference, the typical price of a Norhavn 86 is less than $7 million.

First Photos: Nordhavn 63-01 Hull Complete, Deck Plugs Under Construction

Editor — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:51:50 +0000

Nordhavn N63-01 Deck Plug Under Construction -- Photo: PAE

Pacific Asian Enterprises’ President Dan Streech reports that the hull mold for the new N63-01 is complete and workers at the Nordhavn China plant are finishing the deck plugs, after which molding will commence. In these first photos of the boat under construction, you can see the way the vessel will look when superstructure is completed and mated to the hull.

Nordhavn N63-01 Deck Plug Under Construction -- Photo: PAE

The N63 is the latest iteration of the N55 hull design, but incorporates the larger cockpit and boat deck of the N60. PAE has already sold two of the N63s, and this first hull is scheduled to be completed in May 2010. You can read more of the details of this fourth-generation Nordhavn in our original story about the program launch here.

Nordhavn N63-01 Deck Plug Under Construction -- Photo: PAE

In the photos with this story, workmen are putting the finishing touches on the wooden plugs for the main and upper deckhouses, including the pilothouse. Streech reports that interior construction is also well underway.

Nordhavn N63-01 Deck Plug Under Construction -- Photo: PAE

If all continues to go to plan, the first N63 could be completed less than a year from the time the first order was placed.

North Pacific Yachts 38′ Sedan Launched

Editor — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:37:13 +0000

Computer Rendering of the new North Pacific Yachts 38' Sedan

North Pacific Yachts confirmed to OceanLines today that, with the signing of a formal purchase order by the first customer, it has officially launched its NP 38′ Sedan yacht. Trevor Brice, who heads up NPY, said he hopes to be able to deliver the first hull by the end of this year. The 38′ Sedan marks the fourth model in the NP line; the others include the 28′, 39′, and 43′, all pilothouse models.

North Pacific Yachts 38' Sedan Single Stateroom Layout

The first 38′ Sedan will be delivered with the standard single stateroom, although a second stateroom is an option. The single-level deckhouse allows for good, 360 degree visibility. The salon measures 16′ long and features teak joinery. The sidewalks alongside the house are protected by overhangs and bulwarks. The boat features a standard flybridge and like all North Pacific Yachts includes a long list of standard equipment that would typically be optional on other brands.

North Pacific Yachts 38' Sedan Two Stateroom Optional Layout

The LOA of the hull is 40′, with a 12′ – 7″ beam and 4′ – 5″ draft. The 38′ Sedan will carry 350 gallons of fuel and 200 gallons of water. The standard engine is a Cummins QSB-230 and the boat has a standard bow thruster, 3000 Watt inverter/charger, a hydronic heating system, oil changer, dual Racor fuel filters, raw and freshwater washdowns and windlass and anchor.

North Pacific Yachts Logo

The NP 38′ Sedan, with all the equipment described above, is priced at $269,000 (U.S.). OceanLines will have more coverage of the new 38′ Sedan from North Pacific in upcoming articles. If you’d like more information on the new yacht, you can download the brochure here or visit the North Pacific Yachts website.

North Pacific 28′ is an Affordable Pocket Trawler

Editor — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:21:02 +0000

North Pacific Yachts 28 Pilothouse Rendering

Here at OceanLines we get an enormous number of visitors looking for information about some of the smaller trawlers out there; boats like the Ranger Tugs 25 and 29, the Nordic Tugs 26 and some of the other “pocket tugs.” The North Pacific Yachts 28′ Pilothouse is another example of these cozy cruisers, but one that won’t melt your wallet and might be just the thing if you need a truly trailerable vacation boat. The hull of NP28-01 is in the mold now and is scheduled for delivery to Seattle in August. It should make its first public appearance at the Seattle Boat Show.

The NP28 is the third boat in the North Pacific lineup and it carries on the company’s philosophy of providing maximum value for the dollar. Built from a new hull design by Karl Stambaugh at an experienced yard in China and well equipped right off the delivery ship, a new 28′ will run you about $165,000. The only thing you need to add to that base configuration is electronics. The boat comes standard with a single 130 HP Cummins QSD diesel, bow thruster, windlass with anchor, chain and rope rode, raw water washdown, teak and holly floor and hand-rubbed teak paneling and cabinetry. All the sliding windows have screens and curtains are even provided.

Interior Configuration of the North Pacific Yachts 28 Pilothouse

The boat has two bunks forward, a convertible in the pilothouse, and one in the salon. According to North Pacific CEO Trevor Brice, “The NP28 seems to appeal to a much more broad customer range (than the larger trawlers). We’ve had people who are looking at the NP28 as their only boat and others who own larger yachts but want the flexibility to enjoy cruising elsewhere when it is off-season where their larger boat is located.”

You can optionally upgrade the toilet to a Tecma unit from the standard manual flush and you can add a 3 kW genny. The propane stove, however, and a 20 lb. tank and locker are standard so you don’t need electricity to cook with. You can save $3K by deleting the Espar diesel furnace, but odds are you would do that to add $4K worth of reverse-cycle air conditioning and then you’ll want that genny.

Initial performance estimates indicate the boat should be capable of speeds up to 14 knots. Fuel burn at 6 knots will be about 1 GPH, while at 12 knots it should be somewhere around 6 GPH. With its 100 gallon fuel tanks, the NP28 has a theoretical range of 600 NM. Even at top speed, it will have a range well above 200 NM. Either way, that’s anywhere from a couple, to several days of comfortable cruising without worrying about refueling. There is also 40 gallons of fresh water aboard and the 160 amp alternator on the engine will charge even a huge house battery bank in short order.

With its 8-foot, six-inch beam, the NP28 is truly trailerable. While it’s not a show-stopper for some folks, boats like the Nordic Tugs 26, at 9-feet, six inches, do require a special trailering permit in nearly all U.S. states. According to Brice North Pacific has identified a number of trailer manufacturers who can supply a suitable trailer, but has not specified a vendor because of the wide variation in personal preferences for trailer features.

In short, the NP28 looks like it’s going to provide some real competition to similar-sized boats in the Nordic Tugs, Ranger Tugs and other “pocket trawler” makers’ lines.

North Pacific Yachts 43′ Pilothouse Offers Value, Practicality

Editor — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:31:07 +0000

North Pacific Yachts 43

The debut model of Vancouver, British Columbia-based North Pacific Yachts, the 43′ Pilothouse, represents both a tremendous value proposition with its price far below comparable competitive boats, and a model of practicality, as a design that began with a family project to “fix” what was wrong with then-available boats. The company is run, practically single-handedly by Trevor Brice, a pilot, boater and entrepreneur, who together with his family, set out to design a pilothouse cruiser that would really work for them. What they ended up with is a boat that sets a new standard for return on investment. Here’s how it got that way.

The Company

Trevor Brice is the 27-year-old son of John Brice, China trade expert and entrepreneur from Vancouver, British Columbia. After finishing his commercial pilot training, Trevor decided that, as much as he loved flying, it wasn’t the right career choice. Coincidentally, he and his father had been doodling a design for a new cruising boat for their family. One of the Brices’ pet peeves was how so many of the available boats seemed to be designed by people who didn’t have to use them or maintain them. A specific bee in the Brice bonnet came from the fact that many of the typical boat’s systems were simply inaccessible and hard to work on. They knew they wanted a pilothouse design for the extra visibility, and a full-beam salon and covered aft deck so the inside spaces would be as comfortable and inviting as the exterior when the weather turned sour.

While imagining their “ideal” boat, the Brices planned-in complete access to all systems, including wiring and plumbing. At some point, the family “fun project” turned more serious and they began looking for a builder. Trevor was looking for a new career path at the time and he discussed building not only the family’s new boat but starting a company to do so, and to continue selling a new line of cruisers designed around that theory of practicality. John Brice eventually agreed to put up the seed money for the company and to use his experience in Asia to find the right builder. His only conditions to Trevor: “Don’t lose too much money and don’t sell the demo boat!” The first turned out to be easy to do; the second he failed.

The 43′ Pillothouse

The North Pacific 43′ Pilothouse is a stout fiberglass trawler built on the original CHB 38 hull, which John had located in China. The Brices enlisted a naval architect to turn their notional general arrangement into construction drawings and CAD files and to ensure the seaworthiness and stability characteristics. The overriding philosophy of the design is that if a system can break or has to be maintained or repaired, it should be easily accessible. Access panels are everywhere on the 43′, with things like wiring both numbered and color-coded for simplicity in troubleshooting, and hinged electrical panels.

The hull features three layers of Micron Extra outside of two coats of Micron Epoxy. The two outer layers of composite are laid up with vinylester resin for blister-proofing and the rest of the schedule includes hand-laid layers of cloth, matting and roving. At and below the waterline, the hull is at least one inch thick and approximately one-half inch above the waterline. The deck is also hand-laid and features Nida-Core for stiffness and lightweight construction.

Have a look at the 43′ Pilothouse photo galleries at the bottom of this article.

The value proposition of North Pacific Yachts comes from the remarkably low prices of its boats — a direct result of experienced, lower cost Chinese shipbuilding and, probably more importantly, a nearly zero-overhead sales and marketing operation. There are no commissions-based sales people; no expensive boat show displays and exhibits, and only extremely well-focused advertising. The company maintains a commissioning and service company in Oak Harbor, Washington, from where it delivers its West Coast boats. A delivery to the East Coast of the U. S. is approximately $12,000 extra, but North Pacific will fly its commissioning crew to the boat at no extra cost, according to Trevor Brice. He said an East Coast boat, with its typical air conditioning and reverse-cycle heating, takes significantly less time to commission than a West Coast boat, which normally will require installation of a full-blown diesel heating system.

Another part of the value proposition is that the boats come very well equipped with a generator, bow thruster, diesel forced air heat, 3000W inverter/charger, Vacuflush toilet, windlass and anchor package, fresh/sea water wash down, and much more (see Specifications). Customers usually need to add only electronics. All the equipment is purchased in Los Angeles — brand-name North American and European equipment for easy service and repair. The NP43 cruises comfortably at 8- 10 knots, produced by the yacht’s single 230 hp Cummins diesel engine (twins available).

So what does it cost? Try $369,000, delivered to Seattle. Any way you slice it, that’s an amazing price point for a boat built like this and with that level of equipment. Of course, you need to try one on for size. But at that price, you can afford to fly to Seattle to get aboard one. With more than 50 delivered now, you can also find them on the East Coast. Check in with NPY to connect with a current owner through the North Pacific Yachts Owners group.

The company has other models available, including a 28-foot boat that is a true (8.5′ beam) trailerable, and a 39′ pilothouse that sells for $299,000. OceanLines will have a feature on the 28′ shortly, which some might find an attractive alternative to the Nordic Tugs 26 and other small pilothouse trawlers.

Nordhavn 75 EYF Launching This Week

oceanlines — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:01:12 +0000

First Nordhavn 75 EYF is Rolled Out of Factory Prior to Launch

Pacific Asian Enterprises said it is launching its new Nordhavn 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher (EYF) this week at the company’s new factory in Xiamen, China. Nordhavn 7501 is shown in these photographs moving out of the South Coast Marine facility in preparation for launching.

First Nordhavn 75 EYF is Prepared for Launch

Initial launch will be followed by tank testing and sea trials and the company expects both 7501 and 7502 to be on a ship leaving China Dec. 20 for the States. PAE is determined to get the first 75 EYF ready in time to debut at the Miami Boat Show next February.

You can read more about the 75 EYF here and here.