Helm of New Nordhavn 63-01 Before Electronics Installation. Photo courtesy of P.A.E.

Take a look at the photo above and imagine your favorite marine electronics installed in that non-glare acreage.  It occurred to me that you could put a 32″ HDTV in that slot and use the latest Picture-in-Picture (PIP) controls to split the screen with whatever secondary input you want.  On the other hand, one large screen like that means a single-point failure is going to be more of a pain in the rear.  So, typical design philosophy says we should split that area into two large displays.

Wide View of the Pilothouse Aboard the New Nordhavn 63

I know I would prefer a black-box solution, with the displays fully customizable and redundant.  If you really want to go the full belt and suspenders route, you could probably put a multifunction chartplotter/display on the far left side of the dash.  In fact, since most owners of yachts this size will have two radars aboard, you could run the secondary radar as part of the chartplotter setup and use the primary radar on the main displays via black-box processor.

Salon Looking Forward Aboard New Nordhavn 63-01

I’d love to hear your own thoughts and ideas in the comments.

Galley Aboard the New Nordhavn 63-01

In the other photos in this piece, all courtesy of PAE, you can see there is quite a bit of room to spread out and relax in this pilothouse, as well as a beautiful salon and galley below.  Delivery of N63-01 is set for a couple of months from now.  We did a piece a while back on an interesting design feature of the hull of this Nordhavn here on OceanLines.

Copyright © 2011 by OceanLines LLC.  All rights reserved.

Dashew Offshore FPB 112 starboard profile

The Dashew Offshore designs, pioneered by Steve and Linda Dashew’s Wind Horse and the tens of thousands of miles under her keel, have been moving smartly forward recently, with the FPB 64 in production and now, the FPB 112 moving into detailed design and production.  Wind Horse, the FPB 83 that served as the prototype for the FPB line, accumulated more than 25,000 miles of cruising in her first 11 months.

These boats are designed to handle the worst the oceans can deal; not that you would voluntarily seek those conditions, but for the peace-of-mind in knowing you would survive an accidental encounter.  The FPB boats are long and slender, with extremely fine entries that serve to pierce as much as climb head seas, and stern contours designed to make sure they don’t get squirrelly in following seas. And finally, they are self-righting, a unique capability in recreational class powerboats to my knowledge.

Another unique characteristic is the aluminum hulls. They are unpainted and for good reason. Here is Dashew’s take on bare aluminum:

“Let’s look at the advantages of bare aluminum:

• No maintenance.
• No worries about rafting against commercial boats.
• Lighter.
• Low key work boat look (or, at least it does not look like a conventional yacht).
• Significantly less capital cost.
• Minimal costs associated with maintenance.
• Tolerates “operator error” and can be touched up or cleaned with a four inch grinder.
• No periodic repainting the topsides.

But what happens if you fall in love with the new boat look and want to keep your FPB shiny? This is easily solved with some young muscle, a bit of scaffolding, and a lot Scotchbrite abrasive pads during haul out. And with the interest earned on the money saved by going bare you can more than pay the yard bill for polishing the topsides.”

Deckhouse Interior of the PFB 83 Wind Horse

The deckhouse design of the FPB series is centered on a concept known as the “360 degree view,” which means that all the main daytime spaces are on a single level surrounded by windows (offshore-rated, of course).  This photo from the Dashew website, illustrates the effect nicely.

If you’re in the market for an expedition yacht that can offer the ultimate in safety design while also giving you a unique take on luxurious accommodations, take some time to explore the FPB series from Dashew Offshore.  The design website and the sister site are chock-full of useful information for cruisers of all kinds, whether or not you’re a potential client.

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC. All rights reserved.

Nordhavn 76 Eliana at Delivery in 2010. Photo by Stephen Cridland

Editor’s Note — I’m running the full text here of a release this week from Pacific Asian Enterprises, the parent of the Nordhavn brand, in which they announce the recent delivery of “Eliana,” the 17th in the hull series.   I don’t normally run the full copy of press releases here on OceanLines, but this is a pretty good story, well-told; even if we have to forgive PAE for a little marketing hype. They’re good people and justifiably proud of this delivery.  Read on, dear reader…

—–

A few weeks ago, Nordhavn 76#17 Eliana was delivered to its owners Rick and Debbie Heiniger. The yacht is a portrait in contemporary styling and mechanical design savvy, and features a number of Nordhavn firsts on both fronts.

Prior to Eliana, the Heinigers had never owned a boat, but they approached the build and décor with the confidence and know-how of experienced yacht owners. The boat will become their full-time residence so they needed it to feel and function like a home. “We felt our design goal should emphasize a calm, serene and comfortable environment where one would love to spend time,” said Rick Heiniger. “Beauty would then be more of a feeling than an appearance.” The end result is what many have called the most exquisite Nordhavn 76 produced to date.

Designer Scott Cole certainly concurs with that description. “I am most proud of this interior of all the Nordhavns I’ve done,” said Cole. That’s high praise coming from the man who has helped create a number of gorgeous Nordhavn interiors. The Heinigers linked up with Cole and his firm, Seattle-based Ardeo Design, shortly after signing the contract for the N76 in 2008. From that point on, all parties were on the same page, and according to Cole, that chemistry was crucial toward the final outcome. “This boat is one of the best because everything just fell into place. The owners had good ideas of their own, were receptive to ideas, and made themselves accessible. They were appreciative of the entire process.”

Cole also attributes Debbie Heiniger’s great eye for style and her faith in her choices. The only time it wavered was in the beginning when the Heinigers, intent on creating a more traditional look for their yacht, saw another Nordhavn 76 whose interior had a modern feel. “After they saw the contemporary look of that 76, their minds changed.” The result? A combination of the two interiors; Elianaembodies the clean lines of the contemporary boat mixed with the warm African Cherry wood used in some traditional Nordhavns. The couple hail from Missouri and wanted to make sure the boat remained welcoming as well as sophisticated.

Salon Interior of Nordhavn 76-17 Eliana at Delivery in 2010. Photo by Stephen Cridland

The hardwood plays a key role in the spirit of the boat, and is a showcase of the Ta Shing yacht yard’s well-known excellent joinerwork, fit and finish. Incorporating the warm tones was critical in keeping the welcome feel, said Cole. The medium-toned quarter-sawn African Cherry is the primary wood and was used to construct the majority of the cabinets, as well as the walls’ wainscot, doors, and wood floors. The key to making the look contemporary was the couple’s decision to set the wood grain horizontally, which the craftsmen at Ta Shing executed masterfully. Adding a further contemporary nod, Cole suggested employing a mixture of woods and incorporated a darker wood, Charco, to use for the beds, nightstands, end tables and the dining table (the tops of the wood cabinets are Anigre.) The sprinkling of Charco wood was a way to introduce modern elements, simply within the woodwork itself. It easily transitions into the contemporary elements of the boat and disperses the oneness of all the African Cherry. Adds Cole: “It gives you the feel of loose furniture and breaks up the color palette. Combined with the other textural materials and finishes, they culminate to create a rich, casual elegance.” The touches of dark wood are present throughout the interior and provide a cohesive feel no matter where you go in the boat. This sustainable wood is FSC, SGS, and OLB- certified, and an example of Nordhavn’s efforts toward including green building practices.

Setting off the wood perfectly is the highly textural woven wall covering, which creates a lighter ambiance. Not many Nordhavns have wall covering, but the feature elevates Eliana’sstyle to a new level. As do the boat’s four heads. The master head is as luxurious as one would expect with stunning marble countertop, marble and glass accent tiles throughout, modern Toto satin nickel fixtures and a thoughtfully designed lighting plan. Venture to the two guest heads or the day head in the pilothouse and you’ll see the same fit and finish. “The guest heads and showers are finished to the same level as the master shower,” says Cole. “The owners’ keen eye for detail and willingness to upgrade these areas really made the interior cohesive.”

Behind the achievement of the interior aesthetic are a number of technical triumphs; of note, the design and implementation of a retractable awning extension over the cockpit. There are several eating and relaxing areas throughout the boat, but the simple addition of the accordion-like awning transforms the huge cockpit into a viable and pleasant space even in direct sun.

Another coup for the Heinigers is the design of a wheel-less helm. Only one other Nordhavn has been built without any sort of wheel present. “Esthetically, the helm layout is uncluttered and intuitive owing much of the efficiency to the absence of the destroyer wheel,” said Rick. The look is streamlined and seemingly practical, so why is the wheel-less helm so rare? Nearly all boats manufactured today are steered with joysticks while the boat is on autopilot, but when autopilot is turned off, for instance during docking, boat owners still want the familiarity of the ship’s wheel, says N76 Project Manager Garrett Severen. “On a Nordhavn, it is 14 revolutions from hard over port to hard over starboard, so docking with the lever control is much easier,” said Severen. “It’s like playing a video game.”

Nearly two years of construction and outfitting yielded Elianaa showstopper and shows just the level of sophistication that Nordhavns have reached. She’s a reliable, comfortable, state-of-the-art yacht that will provide enjoyable cruising and a safe haven for the Heinigers, no matter which place they happen to be calling home.”

—–

reprinted from press material supplied by Pacific Asian Enterprises.

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC.  All rights reserved.

Nordhavn 75 EYFs 1 and 2 Meet in Cabo -- Photo Courtesy of P.A.E.

There’s a great little item on the P.A.E. Nordhavn website about a chance meeting of the first two 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher (EYF) boats in Cabo San Lucas this summer. The two families who own hulls no. 1 and 2 apparently read the marketing materials that P.A.E. produced when it launched the new model.  One family is using their 75 EYF to explore, while the other boat is a serious offshore fishing boat.  Shall we vote on which color we like best?  I think they’re both nice, but for MY 75 EYF I’m going to choose a dark blue. You?

Here’s an excerpt from the P.A.E. post, which is worth a visit to read in its entirety:

“Of course, Cabo’s not so big that the two huge, uniquely beautiful Nordhavn Yacht Fishers could escape without crossing each other’s paths. They didn’t, and it was a remarkable sight, indeed, to see them – for the very first time since they were on stands at the factory in China – sitting side by side. Save for the paint color and a few variations, the boats were identical. You’d never guess the different personalities each possessed – one, host to family vacation getaways; the other, a gateway to fishing nirvana.”

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC.  All rights reserved.

Molokai Strait 75 at Newport

The Molokai Strait   75 luxury bluewater expedition yacht Hercules is an examples of top-of-the-line everything. For the ocean adventurer, the Molokai Strait yachts are built with steel hulls and aluminum topsides, lots of displacement and fuel.

I first saw the 75′ Hercules at the Newport, Rhode Island, boat show in the fall of 2008 and it is an awe-inspiring yacht. But it’s not a yacht for the Newport cocktail cruisers. This is a full-on expedition yacht, with a hull designed for untamed oceans and safety features equal to the adventure.

The company produced a nice video on the small ship here:

Hercules, can often be seen at the bigger boat shows on the East Coast. Everything about this vessel fairly screams “ship.” Her bulk and solid presence even at the dock is impressive. The wide-open decks, massive freeing ports at the deck edge, and commercial-grade ship port lights and watertight hatches all add to the sense of safety and security.

Molokai Strait 75 bulbous bow

Like many yachts of this size, most of the accessory systems are powered by hydraulics.  That includes one of the two anchor windlasses, the thrusters, steering, stabilizers and the Nick Jackson LPW 2700 davit on the foredeck. The design makes great use of the fo’c'sle where a clever arrangement has cozy quarters for captain and two additional crew members.

Molokai Strait 75
Specifications

LOA              75′- 6″
LWL              60′
Beam            22′
Draft             7′
Displ.           266,000 lbs (light)
Fuel             6,620 USgal
Water          1,070 USgal

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC. All rights reserved.

Sunreed 70 Power Cat ONDIN Launching at Gdansk

Sunreef Yachts said today it has launched the second in the expedition series of 70 Power Catamarans; this one named ONDIN and sold to a Chilean couple who plan to explore Patagonia. The long-range yacht will depart the shipyard in Gdansk soon and make a transatlantic passage, followed by a Panama Canal transit and final leg south to Chile.

The extreme range of the Expedition version of the 70 Sunreef Power Cat is a function both of the extreme efficiency of its wave-piercing hull design, and its propulsion system, which features twin Volvo Penta 265 HP diesels, fed from tanks holding approximately 4,227 gallons (16,000 L).  Range is 7,000 NM on full fuel tanks at 10 knots. Not only is that more than sufficient for any transoceanic crossing, it’s sufficient to enable the captain to wait for the best price or quality to refuel.

Sunreef 70 Power Cat ONDIN Enclosed Helm Station

ONDIN features some changes from the first 70, JAMBO, which is currently in the South Pacific. You can read more about JAMBO and the whole 70 Power series here. Most significant is the modification of the giant flybridge to incorporate the helm station in a covered enclosure with direct access to the interior. The aft section becomes an open area for entertaining or outdoor dining with the addition of tables and seating. The standard interior helm station on the mezzanine level has been removed and the area converted to an entertainment zone with seating and LCD TV.[[Show as slideshow]]

Sunreef 70 Power Catamaran (Expedition Series)

Specifications:

Year:                                                     2010
Hull:                                                      Composite
LOA:                                                     21.45 m / 70.4 ft
Waterline length:                                 20.54 m / 67.4 ft
BOA:                                                     9.31 m / 30.5 ft
Draft max:                                           1,55m/ 5 ft
Light Craft Displacement:                47 tones
Full Load Displacement:                 65 tones
Generator:                                            28 kVa
Engines:                                               2 x Volvo Penta 265 HP
Fuel tanks:                                            2 x 8000 L
Fresh water capacity:                        1560 L
Range at 10 knots:                            7000 nautical miles on full fuel tanks
Bow thrusters:                                       yes
Guests:                                                    8
Crew:                                                         2

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC.  All rights reserved.

Sunreef Yachts 70 Sunreef Power Catamaran SEA BASS -- Photo Courtesy of Sunreef Yachts

 Sunreef Yachts said this week it will have the 70 Sunreef Power catamaran SEA BASS at the upcoming Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show next month.  This will mark the yacht’s American premiere.  It was launched last May and made its public debut at the Cannes Boat Show. SEA BASS is currently operating a charter yacht in the Caribbean and will be available for charter in the Bahamas following the show, via Sunreef Yachts Charter.

Aft Cockpit of the Sunreef Yachts 70 Sunreef Power Catamaran SEA BASS -- Photo Courtesy of Sunreef Yachts

The first boat in the 70 Sunreef Power series is the yacht JAMBO, which was built in an Expedition version (note the wave-piercing bows in photo below) for Laurent Bourgnon, the famous Swiss-born sailor and adventurer.  Bourgnon is currently in French Polynesia with his family on a five-year, round-the-world tour aboard JAMBO. He has outfitted the yacht with a high-efficiency drivetrain as well as wind generators and solar panels and calculates his range under power, at 8 knots, as 20,000 miles.

Port Bow Profile of the Sunreef Yachts 70 Sunreef Power Catamaran JAMBO -- Photo Courtesy of Sunreef Yachts

Sunreef Yachts builds an extensive line of luxury sailing and power catamarans. We wrote extensively about the company and its various yachts here on OceanLines.  We also have a nice photo gallery of some of Sunreef’s yachts here.

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC

Updated Profile of the New Pacific Expedition Yachts PE60

Pacific Expedition Yachts said this week it has sold another in its line of expedition catamarans; a PE60.  The PE60 is a PE55 with a five-foot extension to the aft end, which adds a tremendous amount of outdoor space, as well as extra waterline length to the hulls.  The same modification has been made to the original PE45, making it now the PE50.

The first PE60 ordered will be delivered this summer. It is a 3-stateroom version with a captain’s berth.  The newly ordered PE60 is a 4-stateroom “charter version with the extra captain’s berth.  Construction on the new yacht will begin shortly and delivery is expected in 2011. The company also plans to deliver its first Coastal Expedition (CE) model (a CE44) later this year.

New Pacific Expecition Yachts Facility in Astoria, Oregon

Pacific Expedition Yachts recently completed its move into much larger facilities in Astoria, Oregon.  PEY continues to host customers and potential buyers on visits to the new factory. Recent visitors came from New Zealand, the U.K., and Russian. The company hopes to have a customer-owned PE60 at boat shows beginning late this year or early next.

Copyright © 2010 by OceanLines LLC

Artist Rendering of New Kadey-Krogen 64' Expedition Yacht

Kadey-Krogen yesterday confirmed that it is proceeding with a program to build a new flagship for the company’s model lineup; the 64′ Expedition.  As first reported here in Oceanlines last November, the new boat is designed to combine the seaworthiness and classic lines of the Expedition series with maximum interior spaces.  We’ve included the latest illustrations of the design from Kadey-Krogen. They haven’t changed too much since the original back in November. The company has settled on a continuous-duty rated engine from John Deere. The following description is from the Kadey-Krogen press release:

“Until now, the largest model offered by Kadey-Krogen has been their 58’ but the company believes there is room and interest in their buying audience for a bigger model so long as it can still be handled by a couple. The 64’ Expedition is designed to be handled comfortably by two people, yet guests and/or crew can be accommodated with privacy for all as the 64′ is available with multiple cabin and head layout options.

The saloon of the 64′ Expedition is located where every Kadey-Krogen saloon can be found: forward through the welded aluminum weather-tight doors off the fully covered aft deck. The portside galley remains amidships, directly adjacent to the saloon, so those who are prepping and cooking are still a part of the conversation. The galley is well appointed with top-of-the-line stainless appliances including a four-burner Viking range, full-size Jenn-Air refrigerator, a super-quiet Miele dishwasher, a microwave/convection oven, and trash compactor. As a first for Kadey-Krogen, there is a separate dining room to starboard, opposite the galley. The design crew at Kadey-Krogen can also accommodate the “must-haves” of an owner and will ensure the 64’ Expedition meets the needs and expectations of its owners.

A wide walkway along the starboard side provides exterior access from the aft deck to the massive foredeck that is capable of handling a 17-foot tender and related equipment. For those that favor the looks of an expedition yacht but prefer to operate a vessel outside the pilothouse in fair weather, the 64’ Expedition is available with a flybridge. Kadey-Krogen vice president, Larry Polster, believes this new boat gives the company an opportunity to showcase how it can cater to cruisers who favor designs with maximum interior space without compromising handling, safety, or range. He also points out the architectural integrity of the design and says, “We don’t stretch boats. The 64’ is built using a dedicated mold and like the 55’ it incorporates three keels. Engineering aboard the 55’ was so well received that it was natural for Kadey-Krogen to extend those features and functions to the 64’.” Both Expedition models offer complete access to all machinery spaces from a single point of entry. Owners can move from the rudder post to the bow thruster through watertight doors in a machinery space boasting 6’6” of headroom. This feature makes the 64’ unique in class and size, setting the 64’ apart from its competitors.

The innovative three-keel design by Kadey-Krogen allows the Expedition model to have greater fuel efficiency than other keel forms. Each of the skegs to port and starboard is counter-faired, with the trailing end specially shaped to rotate water flowing into the propeller in the opposite direction of the propeller rotation resulting in greater operating efficiency.

The balanced, easy to propel hull form combined with continuous duty 231hp John Deere engines gives the 64’ a range of 3,000nm at 9 knots. Supporting equipment in the engine room includes fuel polishing, oil exchange, and fire suppression systems; hydraulic stabilizers as well as bow and stern thrusters; chilled-water air conditioning; and a universal power converter—all are standard.

Like all Kadey-Krogens, the hull is built using vinylester and isophthalic resins, knytex mats, and US-made Cook® UV-protected gel coat to protect the vessel’s gel coat. Critical areas of the hull will be reinforced with a special impact-resistant fiberglass mat containing Twaron, the same fiber used to give body armor its “bullet-proof” capability. Twaron is an aramid fiber that is five times stronger than steel and up to 60% lighter than ballistic steel. This strong yet light fiber helps maintain a moderate displacement-to-length ratio that is a signature of Kadey-Krogen engineering and again results in better fuel economy.”

Some more of the latest renderings, including an alternate white hull.

Copyright © 2009 OceanLines LLC

Pacific Expedition Yachts PE-55 Catamaran

Pacific Expedition Yachts is a new builder, based on the coast in central Oregon, building long-range, self-sufficient power catamarans that are, compared to the traditional monohull trawler, a horse of a different color.  Actually, although the base color is white, you can have them in almost any color.  The new Expedition line of twin-hull motoryachts features sophisticated hull design and construction, utilizing Kevlar fabrics and resin-infused Nida-Core, as well as vinylester resin and expoxy.  The hull designs are built for ocean-going stability, huge volumes of living space, and the efficiencies necessary to move that volume easily and at lower cost.

The company was founded by industry veterans Patrick Meyer and John Shaw in late 2007 but already has several yachts in various stages of production.  The company’s business offices are in Oregon City, south of Portland, while the production facility is in Toledo, near Newport, on the cenral coast.  John and Pat keep a blog updated on the status of new models and production here.  The PE-45 was the first into production, but perhaps the most illustrative of the company’s vision is the PE-55, which offers tremendous size as well as good flexibility on interior selections to allow owners a moer personalized living arrangement.  The basic PE-55 specs are in the table below.

The 55 offers a saloon and galley that measure 20′ by 14′, which would be a good-sized living room in any house.  Unlike many cats, however, the PE yachts offer a unique forward section with a raised helm forward and to starboard and “sky lounge” across a central passageway to port.  This raised forward section also allows the owner’s stateroom to be on the main level and take advantage of the full beam.  There is access from the helm to the open aft deck and from there up to the flying bridge.

The main salon features a large entertainment area to port with the galley to starboard, along the bulkhead.  There is a large, raised countertop separating the galley from the rest of the salon, with room for bar stool-dining.

As an ocean-going vessel, the PE-55 has very high freeboard all around, with wide side decks and high bulwarks forward.  The cat hulls have a special, z-shape bow designed to slice through the chop for added stability and efficiency.  The hulls are semi-displacement and can reach up to 20+ knots, powered by twin Cummins 430hp QSB5.9 diesels.  With 2,000 gallons of fuel aboard, the range can vary several hundred miles to trans-oceanic, depending on the cruise speed.  The three main models currentlyi in the PE line, a 45, the 55 and a 65 use the same hulls.  In fact, two of the first PE-55 owners have decided to extend their boats to 60′ with an extra 5′ in the aft cockpit.

The lower deck staterooms — “lower” may be a bit unfair since they sit at virtually main-deck level in-part, under the raised pilothouse level – are amidships and continue the absolutely unique layout approach.  They each have room for a queen-size bed with side table, with the head of the bed near the centerline and the foot outboard.  Step down from the bed to a settee against the outboard hull bulkhead and turn to enter the en-suite head with shower stall.  There is plenty of storage space and the accommodations rival those of the master suite aboard any monohull of a similar length.

Of course, the master stateroom forward is even more sumptuous with room on either side of the full queen island for nightstands with drawers, as well as large, cedar-lined hanging lockers.  There is also a work desk and a love seat and the en-suite head features shore-size heads and fittings.

One of the best advantages of catamarans are their suitability for entertainment al fresco while anchored.  Although the PE-55 stands high out of the water, curved stairways aft lead down from the main deck to the water level for swimming and other watersports.  A davit can lower any kind of small boat down from the upper deck, where there is also plenty of room for sunning and entertaining.  The flybridge will undoubtedly be where most choose to drive the vessel; the huge, panoramic space with seating for plenty of the captain’s guests especially inviting.

The Pacific Expedition cats will be exciting to watch as they are delivered and enter service over the next several months.  To truly appreciate some of the unique features of these cat designs, have a look at the special image gallery we put together at this link:

Image Gallery Page

Copyright ©  2009 by OceanLines LLC