The Offshore 49
The Offshore version is only available in the longer length and takes cruising comfort to a whole new level in a power cat of this size with its full width owner’s stateroom forward at bridgedeck level featuring a king size bed, en-suite and even room for a couple of reading chairs. Unlike the mid-hull master cabins of most mono-hulls of this size, the floor is a flat single level and does not suffer from overhead traffic noise. There is a good sized guest cabin in the mid-section of each hull with hull windows providing more natural lighting, that can be set up as either a double or twin singles. Should more sleeping accommodation be required, there is even the option of reducing the size of the master cabin and fitting a small bunk cabin to one side.
The saloon-drive station area layout is similar to the West Coaster except that it has trawler doors both sides for direct access onto the side decks, created by its raised topsides and mid-section floor level. This raised saloon floor allows the standard fuel tank capacity to be increased to 3,600 litres for even greater range.
The Offshore 49 would be ideal for a live-aboard mature couple as it would be easily handled by one or two with its direct access to the side decks for docking. The spacious full width owner’s stateroom provides a comfortable relaxing private environment even with family or guests on board. The open plan saloon layout provides a feeling of spaciousness far in access of the vessels actual size and the superb visibility from the helm allows everyone on board to be monitored for safety.
For the last 18 years Peter has been nipping at the heels of planing power boats, gradually pushing the sprint speed of his displaning hull form higher, whilst still maintaining the advantage of range, cruising economy and load carrying ability. On long coastal cruises his displaning power cats have consistently produced faster long passages than planing boats, steadily covering the distance at 17 knots without having to divert to ports to refuel on the way. The Express version of the Offshore 49 takes high speed power boat cruising to another level altogether, combining all the sprint speed attributes of the planing mono or multihull with the cruising economy, range, carrying capacity and smooth ride of the displaning power cat.
Taking advantage of the Pathfinder M’s expanding capability, Peter also has a commercial version on the drawing board in both hull lengths aimed at the inshore fishing industry, small ferries, patrol and rescue applications. A shorter cabin and accommodation for 4 in two cabins leaves a huge back deck that in combination with the power catamarans stability, makes the ideal work platform. There have been and still are plenty of planing power cats being put into commercial service, however they have not always been entirely successful in applications that required a reasonable load carrying capacity, because when loaded they cannot not always “get on the plane”, whereas the displaning hull form has no such problems. In fact Peter’s designs are extremely forgiving to high loads only affecting their top speed by a knot or two and making less than 10 lph difference in fuel consumption at cruising speeds. When overloaded or over weight, planing power cats are not able to “get on the plane” so the wingdeck clearance and tunnel volume is reduced, resulting in their wingdeck structure taking more of a pounding, which in turn creates both structural problems and an uncomfortable ride. The planing catamarans generally narrower, lower volume tunnel created by wider planing hulls then become even more of a problem when not “on the plane”, as wave interaction and increased wetted surface decrease performance further.
As the Pathfinder “M” range has narrower displaning hulls, a higher tunnel clearance and a wider tunnel width than most planing cats, it is just as efficient when running at lower speeds as it is at higher speeds, cutting through the water rather than trying to plane over it. This seamless transition between displacement and planing speeds allows the commercial operator to choose the safest speed for the conditions, without having to think about whether they are “on the plane” or off it.
With 23 years of displaning power catamaran design experience, Peter Brady is not only one of the pioneers of the type, but he has also managed to stay at the forefront of its development to this day. This new Pathfinder “M” range demonstrates both his ability and vision as to the future of power catamarans.