The Range:

 The West Coaster 45 and 49.

Named for its practical forward raking windows which are so popular on Australia’s West Coast cray boats, this model is set up for long-range self-sufficient cruising, yet has all the facilities of a modern beach front apartment. From its large covered aft deck for entertaining in the shade and its open flybridge to view the cliff top scenery, this model is perfect for top end cruising and in particular the Kimberley. A large and comprehensive helm station with two individual helm seats in a spacious open plan wheelhouse ensures a comfortable environment with everyone in sight and communication whether relaxing or preparing food on long passages. The lounge even converts to a day berth when the back cushions are removed, so an off-watch crewmember can be snoozing close by on long passages. Peter has incorporated this feature on a number of his vessels and all owners have reported how much more comfortable the helmsperson feels knowing that someone is close by if there is a need to check on the weather or a possible problem arising like a radar contact disappearing into a rain storm. In this first vessel, one hull is dedicated to the owner’s accommodation with a generous master cabin with queen size bed and en-suite and the guest cabins in the other hull. The aft guest cabin has a double bed and the forward one, two large singles. A separate shower and toilet have been fitted either side aft of the saloon with access from both inside and the back deck, however if a combination bathroom is fitted on one side, either the galley or saloon can be extended. It is even possible to dispense with the upstairs bathroom altogether like the 41 Sedan to further open up the back end and increase the galley and lounging area.

Standard fresh water capacity is 800 litres, supplemented with a 210lph AC water-maker. Standard fuel capacity on the 49 is 2,800 litres, with another 600 litres possible in auxiliary bladders should the range need to be extended. Powered by 2 x 315hp Yanmar 6YLA-STP’s through 2.5:1 gearboxes driving 4 bladed 23” propellers, the first of the “M” range will have a top speed of 25 knots and an economical cruise speed of 17-18 knots using approx. 48 lph combined.

This vessel is being constructed for clients whose business is low voltage electrical systems, so it features some interesting electrical equipment. This includes two ultra-efficient 6kva variable speed DC gensets they have developed, lightweight 250ah alternators driving off the front of each main engine and a large solar panel array on the cabin top. All this power is stored in two large 24v battery banks and converted to 240v AC power by two heavy duty inverter-chargers.

The vessels tank capacities and engines fuel usage will be monitored by a system that physically measures both the fuel flowing to the engines and the return, producing precise fuel burn rates and in combination with GPS data, fuel per mile travelled. In comparison, electronic engines produce their fuel figures based on factory predictions from load and RPM’s rather than flow data and so are indicative rather than actual. This system will allow the owners to pick the most fuel efficient speed for the conditions and load and will alert them if one engine is not working to full capability or the hull or props need cleaning as they will be able to see the change in fuel consumption. The owners aim is to be as self-sufficient as possible because fuel stops are few and far between around the top end of Australia and fuel can be very expensive if purchased from the more remote locations. By producing as much power from the solar system and the engine driven alternators when steaming, they will minimise the need to run the gensets, but when they do, the gensets ultra-efficiency will produce power for the lowest amount of fuel used. The less fuel they use running the gensets the greater their range or the longer they can stay away from port. Even though the boat is fully air-conditioned the philosophy of self-sufficiency and efficiency is being implemented wherever possible with the decks and cabin top being insulated to cool the boat in summer and keep it warm in winter reducing the need to run the genset. The large back deck is laid out using a moulded aft beam to divide the area into the potentially messy fishing, diving, cooking area and the entertaining, dining, lounging area. The aft beam features multiple storage lockers that can double as kill tanks or ice boxes, barbecue, large sink, deck shower and a hand bilge pump system that doubles as a fire pump. On its fwd side the beam will have a seat and is at the ideal height to sit up on. On the aft side of the beam, down the transom step the height is now perfect for access to the storage, sink and barbecue without creating back problems. As the owners are also keen divers the vessels is being fitted with a lowering duckboard system being developed by Peter, the owners and ADC especially for catamarans with enough width on the permanent part of the duckboard behind the aft beam to be able to walk across the boat even when the duckboard is down. Peter can see a lot of advantages for having a lowering duckboard including the ability to match its height to a tender or pontoon when unloading gear or guests, lowering children or more mature guests into the water to swim or just a great place to side on a deck chair half in the water on a hot day.