Really good test video, of what seems to be a serious boat. But... A single engine, with no backup except the engine of the tender, would be, in my humble opinion, a total "no go" to take my family, for cruising - be it coastal - reaching slightly isolated places. The sea is not something to take lightheartedly. Thank you Captain Steve for your many very informative reports! Cannot wait for your next tour. Greetings from the South China Sea!
16 meter Trawler-style production yacht, 11.3 knots, 120 litres of fuel per hour. [Half laden] Adastra 40 meter superyacht, 11 knots, 40 litres of fuel per hour. [Fully laden] And this is not to throw shade on the Pilothouse, this is to show what the future of efficient yachting might really look like.
Not trying to defend any one brand but it's worth noting that 11.3 knots was the top speed of the North Pacific and beyond the boat's hull speed, so obviously not anywhere near it's most efficient operating point. 11 knots in a much longer (130 ft) boat is below that boat's hull speed so that is going to be more efficient for that reason alone and nothing to do with the boat's design or manufacturing. When comparing efficiency fairly, you want to look at each boat's most efficient operating point and recognize that they likely will not be at the same speed. A longer boat will always have a higher hull speed and will be more efficient at the same speed as a shorter boat, all other things being equal. And of course, you're comparing a boat that is probably 10x more expensive and a completely different hull design (trimaran). You'd need your own island to dock a 53-ft-wide yacht!
I’d like to see more builders go towards a Hybrid design myself. Why have two 20+ KW generators? You just need one 15kw and a large battery bank if you are going to be sitting at anchor. Something like how Greenline is doing but in a Nordhavn, Marlow or Fleming. Even with running AC you could sit for 2+ days without running the generator. Then as you motor to your next destination the motor(s)/generator(s) would easily top off the battery bank and still have the hybrid system to quietly arrive to the next destination.
Agreed. Look at the new sunreef eco. That are making a 60ft solar. ALso check out the concept Aquon Solar hydrogen cat. Very promising. I would also prefer electric pods.
Another nice Loop boat! Not sure I'd take it to the Bahamas given only one engine, but as you mentioned at the end, there's a twin engine option. I'd go for that. Thanks Captain Steve!
He did mention adding a get home engine off the engine or generator PTO. A single saves a lot of money. But I get and share your concern. Especially when I was coming down the coast from Canada to San Francisco. I've got the NP45 with a single Cummins QSB 6.7 and have never had it even hick-up from 2017 to present. If I ever get a bluewater trawler such as Kadey Krogen or Nordhavn I'd go with two engines.
3:22. I agree, rowing 75 miles is nothing really, or would the charges for a tow, so really, you’d be crazy to have any kind of back-up propulsion system.
I have always thought that your reports are among the very best, but I have to say that the music on this one was irritating and distracted from your (as always) excellent review, please ditch the overly loud music, it adds nothing to the video other than dsitraction.
I’ll never own a yacht with a single engine. At the at the very least a “wing” engine or generator auxiliary propulsion system. Still wouldn’t consider open ocean without twins.
@Ed Kelly The picture in my avatar was my first mate. He loved the boat and was a total Romeo with all the women. He passed away two years ago. Best cat ever.
The fleming 55 at last has competition. This is a very nice design - i would like to see it with twin smaller Lugger engines. I like the aluminum framing. The engineering is fantastic. Why are there Three downvotes - must be " center console cowboys ! Rudder indicator ? Treavor did a great job with this !
I concur It plows along like an olde cow, the headroom or lack of in engine room is non-existent, there is that typical wood to maintain outside. This is not half the boat the 45 Pilothouse is, JMO. PS who says we can't get over 75 miles from shore? The get home drive from the generator would be a must for me. But I hate the helm and windshield design. IMO this does not even compare to the 44 Sedan. Just my $0.02.
Seems to me like boats have ridiculous inefficiencies. If they were hybrid for example the engine could charge a battery and that could power everything instead of having an engine that moves the boat then a generator or two to power whatever, in the end you’ve got several internal combustion engines all for specific tasks. A big ole battery would be a fantastic ballast, could be charged from shore or solar or diesel engine and would simplify everything down the line in addition to providing silent low speed short range propulsion.
I absolutely love this boat, but freeze it at 5:14 ... that's a deal breaker for me. That mullion is absolutely dead center of the helm. How could they possibly design a blindspot *STRAIGHT AHEAD* ??
