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If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole. [links]
Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.
A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds. [links]
Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.
The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.
Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors. [links]
Al from Creature Comforts here. I just want to say that my "post" notes are from the Bluewater website. here
Until next spring it will be on blocks and in the spring we will buff the lower hull as this was not done last year as we needed to get in the water and to our home port. here
So, is it a Pontoon Boatel Houseboat, or a Boatel Bluewater Coastal Cruiser Yacht, in this case, it just happens to be both.
Looking for a used cover for a 1984 52' Boatel. HIGH winds on Lake Powell took it overboard. Any suggestions? more
I see that one style or model is a like a pontoon houseboat, while the other on is like a cruiser style fiberglass houseboat.
We have had our bespoke widebeam (Oasis) now for three years. One of the best decisions my wife and I made was using Dave & Sharon at Bluewater Boats. Everywhere we go, even now, everyone wants a tour of the boat. It was brilliant and still is. We would recommend Bluewater boats again and again, we have so many comment about our boat and love every minute in her. Only regret is we should have done it years ago. Carry on the great work. Chris & Deb West
Thank you for your comments, we are pleased that our standards of paint work are living up to our expectations and that you are still enjoying life on “Bolberry”
What can I say? We are so excited about Ruby, she is looking so good and fingers crossed that Captain David will eventually decide on the hifi set up so we will be ready for Crick. here
All this way trouble free, what a splendid job you made of the design, build and fit out.
You both have to be congratulated on the shear high quality of the boat`s you produce.
Ex Timaru Fi-Glass dealer Barry Ford remembers well the Viscount. “At one point we were delivering one new Viscount a day and we just couldn’t get enough product from the factory to satisfy the demand from our customers”. here
BARRY THOMPSON LOOKS AT THE EARLY YEARS OF THE 60S AND 70S WHEN FIBREGLASS BOAT BUILDING IN NEW ZEALAND WAS IN ITS INFANCY, AND REFLECTS ON SOME OF THE PIONEERS WHO HAVE MADE THE INDUSTRY WHAT IT IS TODAY.
When Frank Simpson built his first all-fibreglass production trailer boat in 1962 under the Fi- Glass banner, he changed the way we looked at our family boating. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen! Thousands of boats later, Fi-Glass, now under the direction of Frank Simpson’s son Griff, is still producing fibreglass boats and is still one of the leading brands in the country.
While the first boats were built in a farm shed on the family farm in Taupiri, a few kilometers north of Hamilton, in 1981 the company moved to larger premises in Hamilton. It wasn’t long before the factory needed to move again to an even bigger factory, also close by in Hamilton.
Well over 1500 of the Viscounts in various models were produced, with the last Viscount built in the late ’90s. The 4.3m Scamp (over 1000 produced) and 7.0m Baron (350 produced) appeared in 1975 along with the next successful production model, the Dominator. Today, over 1500 Dominators have been sold in New Zealand. here