Since announcing designs for its latest high performance 30-metre catamaran earlier this year, the team at BlackCat Superyachts has received considerable interest from across the world from prospective owners looking to build a custom cat.
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The BlackCat range is the brainchild of Australian yachtsman Mitch Booth, who has teamed up with superyacht design studio, Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design.
The new BlackCat 30 catamaran will be the third model of the ground-breaking BlackCat range since the brand was launched in 2016.
The BlackCat 30 has an open-plan and luxurious interiors and there's accommodation for eight guests in six ensuite cabins.
Preliminary performance indications for the BlackCat 30 are for a 20-knot cruising speed and a maximum speed of 32 knots.
"Large multihull sailboats are high performance by nature, as long as weight is kept low. The BlackCat 30 is built from carbon fibre, which results in a very light hull with a particularly hydrodynamic form," Mitch Booth, founder of BlackCat Superyachts, says.
"Due to the BlackCat 30's low drag and light weight, it requires smaller engines for motoring and easily achieves a comfortable cruising speed. Fuel burn is inherently low, but the BlackCat 30 can also be specified with a hybrid system that derives power from solar and wind sources, which is fed into a large lithium iron battery bank to power onboard systems."
It seems every sailing superyacht shipyard now has a multihull concept on the table, but what sets the BlackCat 30 apart is the team that Booth has been able to assemble. BlackCat Superyachts has employed Australian owned McConaghy boats to build the BlackCat 30, with interior design by Italian firm m2atelier.
"BlackCat is not your average multihull. Our design and equipment partners bring an incredible wealth of knowledge in the mix; we are working with the best in the world," Booth says.
"The balance between building an ultra strong, lightweight yacht that sails like a thoroughbred, with the luxurious comfort of a modern superyacht, is not an easy task."
The cruising catamaran market is the largest growth sector in midsize yachts and BlackCat superyachts was set up to capitalise on this trend. There is already considerable investment into catamarans going into the superyacht sailing scene.
The large volume and stable platform of a BlackCat multihull offers comfortable cruising for those looking for a super-sized luxury catamaran.
Managing director of McConaghy Boats, Mark Evans says there will be a few challenges building a cat of this size and nature, but is confident that McConaghy's experience in constructing of lightweight composite yachts will benefit the build.
Evans says the cat would be built in carbon fibre, which provided many advantages over building in aluminium.
"This catamaran will be lighter, stronger, stiffer and, thanks to its two-skin construction, will be more robust and safer, should it suffer impact," he says.
Jack O'Rourke is a contributor to Ocean Media
CASH BACK FOR BIGGER TOWS
Following the introduction of the Large Towed Recreation Vehicle Toll Rebate, from November 8, boat owners who have paid high tolls due to towing a big boat will be able to claim back the difference.
Previously, owners who were towing a boat that sat higher than 2.8 metres on the trailer or measured more than 12.5 metres in length were hit with higher tolls, if classified under Class B. The new rebate can be claimed through the owners' toll road account, or via a form sent to Transport for NSW. Soon the rebate will apply to the NorthConnex and the WestConnex M5 East/M8.
WORTHY RECOGNITION
The Australian Sailing Hall of Fame has announced its latest additions to its roll of inductees.
Malcolm Page, double Olympic gold medallist in the 470 class, and the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Sonar Class crew of Noel Robins, Jamie Dunross and Graeme Martin, join designer and meteorologist Frank Bethwaite as the latest members of the Hall of Fame.
Australian Sailing President, Daniel Belcher said: "We are honoured to be celebrating the contributions Malcolm, Frank, Noel, Jamie and Graeme made to sailing. It is the right time to be including our first Paralympic gold medal winning team, 20 years to the day since that historic moment when they crossed the finishing line on Sydney Harbour."
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