Every vision of a new boat has a definitive starting point. This is no exception.
In 2008/2009, we were importing and marketing a 30-foot family power catamaran for an individual who was having the boat built in China. Although we contacted many boat dealers as a result of the numerous boat shows we attend across the Country, we were not having much luck with sales. At the time, the 30-foot $200,000 market was very weak. We started to consider building a larger model since that market did not seem as soft. After much research and listening to current and past customers as to what they would like, we decided to proceed. A preliminary plan was written and presented to our builder, as well as a designer in New Zealand. We already had a very interested buyer! Unfortunately, everything unraveled at that point. The builder informed us that we could not contact the designer. If we wanted a bigger boat built, he told us we would have to get the money from the buyer, give it to him, and he would work on the project. At this point, we severed our relationship and decided that we could this ourselves.
Neil Riley, our in-house catamaran specialist, started searching the web for boats, designers and builders. Slowly our boat started to take shape. Our experience told us there was no long-range production cruising catamarans on the market, and the custom built ones were extremely expensive. This is when we came across “Water Wizards” – a custom designed and built 50-foot catamaran with wave-piercing bows built to cruise in the ocean at 30 knots and film sailboat races. This design was not only sea-worthy and stable but extremely fuel efficient – an eco-friendly platform. It was time to contact the designer.
We then met with Tim Kernan, NA, (company information is in the appendices). We had two major design criteria’s: (1) we wanted a long range, very fuel-efficient cruising catamaran and (2) we did not want it to look like most other catamarans, boxy and square. In addition, as you can see we got just what we wanted. We then contracted Kernan Design to complete the boat drawings, so we would be able to present them to builders for the purpose of obtaining a quote for construction costs.
Since plans were being drawn, it was time to find a builder and conduct more research. We found numerous qualified and receptive builders in the US, as the boating market was in a depression. However, the cost for them to produce the boat would place her well above our targeted market price. Hence, we turned overseas. Again, with a depressed, US boat market we figured we could find some eager builders and we did. We were preparing packages to send to builders in order to obtain quotes for the tooling and building costs when we had a stroke of good fortune. While contacting a model builder in Hong Kong to get a quote, we discovered his consulting service for Westerners in China. He is William Baycroft of Yacht Consultants, Asia (particulars in appendix). As we discussed needs for a model to display at boat shows, we informed him of our project. He then offered his services, which we gladly accepted. Having a lifetime of experience building boats and many years doing so in China, he was the perfect person to help find a builder.
Neil made numerous trips to China to visit different builders with Mr. Baycroft. We finally settled on one: Jet Tern Marine, the builder of Selene Ocean Trawlers. Not only was the owner, Howard Chen, very enthusiastic about the project, he was sure he could sell a fair number of the 46 foot Journeys in China plus develop a larger version or two. This brings us up to date. We have a build contract at Jet Tern Marine waiting for approval so we can start building.
Backing up a bit, while all of the above was working, we started marketing the boat in January of 2010. We had done a lot of research as to where we should spend our marketing dollars and where to introduce the boat. We decided to go with PassageMaker magazine, as their reputation in the long-range trawler market was superb. They also sponsor numerous Trawler Fests and boat shows for only trawlers across the country. One other reason was that the builder of the 47 foot Maine Cat had invested his marketing dollars in the magazine and sold 6+ boats over a 6-month period.
By attending three Trawler Fests: Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego and Anacortes, with our model, we received high praise for the project and learned a lot about what a buyer for this boat wanted. This helped us refine the boat and equipment she would include. We are now ready to put her into production.
As of August first we have taken a deposit on Hull #1 and the factory has sold Hull #2. Interest is high and tooling should start no later than the middle of August 2010.
Boat looks good at present. Only thing we would like is two chairs with ottoman in the salon as well as the settee. We generally have quest aboard our present boat and can sit up to eight in the salon. Would a hard top with enclosure (removable) on the fly bridge be available? We are tired of the canvas binimi and the maintance that goes with it. Walk around queen in the master as a minimum and a second bed room for the quest.
Thank you for your comment. Regarding the salon table, the best we could offer would be portable chairs of some sort, not enough room for doing what you would like. Now, if you want to wait for our 60′ version, we could do most anything you would like! Doing a custom hard top would not be a problem. We would have to sit down with you and design what you would like. You can enter the forward master queen from both sides, steps up to the bed. Then there is a large pullman berth in the second stateroom. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Nice design. I am very interested in where one could place a tender and how big a tender it could accomadate?
We’ve been asked this a few times so I did a page that shows the system. We will be using a Steelhead Crane with an 8′ reach and optional power luffing on the boom. For Hull #1 we will be putting a 3.3 meter dinghy on her. One thing not shown is the custom built rack that will hold the dinghy when underway. That will be designed and built once the dinghy arrives at the factory. Go to: http://www.journeycatamarans.com/dinghy-crane/ Or look under the News & Pictures tab on the website.
I think you have a very nice design……only a couple of comments. I would like to see as much room (inside) as possible for electronics, computer, desk etc as possible….a good working area. Secondly, is security…for those traveling long distances and questionable ports…. having a way to secure the boat is very important.
Regards,
Ron Simmons
Regarding electronics and work area, if you don’t want to utilize the salon table, we could do a custom desk/work area in one of the workrooms aft. You would be down in the hull but there is ventilation and it would make a great office. As the interior is custom built we could accommodate you easily. Regarding security, the back sliding door has an aluminum frame and can be secured well as can the sliding side windows. Truthfully, in regards to most any boat, should someone want to get in they will. A good security system is you best deterrent. If you would like to discuss any of this in further detail, please give us a call at your convenience.
I hhave managed /worked on and operated a 56 ft Pachoud Catamaran here in Hawaii for about 6 years.
Took it on several cruise from Kauai to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Mokumanamana.
Just looked at your arrangemnt drawings and first reaction was cummins are great except the raw water pump is so low that on the Pachoud i had to remove the fuel injector pump to get NEAR the pump for basic typical maintenence, i.e. remove from engine to rebuild. And the Motor mount there was in the way… and had to be ground down to provide relief for a tool to get to the inboard mounting bolt.. Providing a custom (removable) work platform on top of engine so that getting to front end is not a balancing act for belt and alternator and idler arm work.
And make sure to put your bilge pumps on removable reaching brackets…they are impossible to get to hard mounted down at the turn of the bilge
Try to think of the mechanic who will be working on the engine regularly… what regular work need to be done after 1000 or 2000 hrs and make provision for that manitenence during the design and execution.
Thank you for you comment and I assure you that we have taken the utmost care to layout the engine room so we do have access to vital accessories on the engine. And yes, the water pump was one of our first items we addressed.
I like the concept. Many commercial vessels are cats (for economy and stability reasons). Twin motors have advantages and disadvantages in a mono hull. Economy and speed look very good. How steerable are cats of this size on one motor? (my previous mono hull vessel was twin shaft and motors and was ‘decidedly awkward’ to handle on one motor)
Thanks, and I’d enjoy being kept up to date.
The cat will drive virtually the same with one engine as with two. The autopilot will have no trouble steering the boat and I doubt you could tell from wheel feedback if you had one or two engines in gear. Of course, as with a monohull with one engine down, docking and maneuvering the boat in tight corners will prove to be a bit of a challenge. So if you were considering running on one engine at slow trawler speeds to increase your range, you would not encounter any steerage problems. Thank you for your comment and check back after Chinese New Year is over as work will resume in earnest on the tooling.
Nice design. Great that you are going with Jet Tern. I’d like to see a version in the 34′-36′ range that could serve customers who want something large enough to cruise, but who want an affordable entry level boat. Seems to me like there is a gap between the 32′-34′ range (like the Nordic Tug 32) and the 37′-39′ range (like the Nordic Tug 39). That’s a tough slot for monohulls due to beam constraints, but I think a cat could be designed in that length range that would attract a lot of first time cruiser buyers (like me) for whom $800K is just too much.
Thank you for your comment but we are not planning on building a smaller version. We are however considering a 55′ to 58′ version after the 46′ production is rolling. We will keep an open mind to a smaller version but it would be after the larger one is being built.
No more production photos?
New photos will be posted the end of this week or the first of next. Thank you.
very nice, i like the design of the front windows as they are flat while the roof gives the impression of being very fluid. the layout is pretty standard with your own ideas being suttle touches of originality. nice yacht.
Thank you for your comments. Regarding the interior, there isn’t much you can do with it on a cat of this size but we are open to changes. As the interior is hand built in we can do a lot with it to fit individuals needs and desires, just give us a drawing!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time!
Thank you. We’ve been so busy with boat shows here and in China that I haven’t had time to get new comments up. I’ll be updating everyone on upcoming shows and the start of the tooling in the next few days.
I’ve always liked the Cat concept and have actually spent a little time with Larry Graff on his old 34′ GB. For what it’s worth, here are my concerns about your design:
1. In order to get to the foredeck, one has to walk to the back of the boat first. Not good. There needs to be passageways from the lower helm directly to the walk-arounds on both sides, ideally forward of the stateroom stairways.
2. My wife would want a longer counter for the sink in the Master Head and a door for privacy between the lower helm and the stateroom area.
3. I’m concerned about noise transmission between the staterooms. We don’t want to hear snoring or sex between staterooms. No matter how much insulation you build-in between staterooms, I don’t know how you are going to get around this with your layout. Endeavor’s layout (I believe on their 41) solves this problem (just wish it wasn’t so ugly).
4. Make sure that ER ventilation is not on the hull sides but either on the walk-arounds (ideally on the inside bulwarks) or in the cockpit (which is not ideal either because of noise).
5. The flybridge is too far aft to see flotsam, bottom, etc.
6. Using the Cummins IPS system (which gives more propeller protection over the Volvo) would move the engine back, perhaps giving better engine accessibility and more room forward for heads. That said, my limited experience with them (on a 41 GB) was not that favorable. If they don’t work for you, consider the new Twin Disc joystick system.
Good luck !
Very familiar with Larry Graf as we were the Glacier Bay dealer in Northern California for over 10 years. I still think the best one they made was the 26′ model, rode better than any of the others. Regarding your comments, I have sent them to the designer and I’ll forward his responses when I receive them. Here’s a couple comments.
1) I’ll defer to the designer on this and let you know what he thinks.
2) As the interior is going to be built into each boat, no molds being used, we can accommodate most custom changes that a customer would like to make. Just sketch it out and we’ll forward to the designer and he’ll make sure it will work.
3) Again, we could do something different but after looking at various layouts this is the one we decided to go with for the initial boat. We could tuck the berths up forward but then access is not as good and you loose some storage in the bow area.
4) As the engines are located under the cockpit the only ventilation will be from the side of the hulls.
5) The FB has been extended forward about 2′ which will help w/ the visibility and add room for better seating, a nicer table and a refer & BBQ.
6) I’ve commented on the IPS before, see earlier post, but it is too heavy, too much horsepower and we can’t achieve the 4 degree shaft angle we need to propel the boat properly.
Again, thank you for your comments and we’ll keep you posted on the progress of the cat.
Am interested in your design – good looking cruising cat – Can you provide some pricing details? Would IPS or pod drives provide any benifits?
Introductory pricing for the first boat on the West Coast and one for the East Coast is going to be $759,000 and that is fully equipped ready to go cruising. After that we expect the price to be closer to the $800,000 range. I’ve asked the designer about the IPS or Pod systems and will post his comment when he replies.
Can you please confirm range at various speeds with standard tankage. Especially interested in range at 8 & 15 knots or thereabouts.
Thank you for you interest. As we are about to start tooling for the boat we won’t be launching Hull #1 for about 10 to 12 months. Our fuel data was derived by using the engine manufacturers specs and calculations on hull resistance and other factors. Also, the predecessor to this boat, Water Wizards (see link) has 30,000 miles of ocean cruising and we used information from her to help with our fuel predictions. As this is unique hull design, fuel efficiency at 8 knots is almost the same as at 15 knots. Please look at the fuel consumption chart under “Specifications”. You’ll notice a dip after 10 knots then back up to peak at 15 knots, this is due to how the bow wave moves through the tunnel. We have charts for light load and fully loaded so as the boat burns fuel, the miles per gallon will increase. For those who want a longer range, we can add some tankage (used only for long crossings) that will increase your range to over 2,000 km. Please give us a call if you’d like to discuss anything in further detail.
Nice looking cruiser and great fuel efficiency – looking fowatd to seeing a review once she is launched