Photo credit Ivor Wilkins.
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Catalyst features the low profile pilot house concept successfully incorporated into several of Ron Holland’s earlier designs, including ‘Whirlwind XII’ and refined for the award winning ‘Dance Smartly’, ex ‘Shanakee’. Two specific requests were considered in developing the initial design work for this yacht. The client, after visiting ‘Whirlwind XII’, felt he did not need such a large yacht, although her interior general arrangement was ideal. This initiated studies to analyse how much smaller a design could accommodate this layout without compromising the comfort or practicality of the arrangement. Secondly, the client preferred overall character of the new yacht to be of a more classical styling. To achieve this more sheer and longer overhangs were employed. While the hull sections underwater are decidedly performance oriented, above water the lines of this 28 metre ketch reflect an earlier generation of elegant yachts. This design approach was also influenced by the client’s preference for a ketch rig which aesthetically does suit classical hull lines. Ketch rigs have tended to suggest a performance compromise, but recent developments with the Whitbread ‘Round The World Race yachts have shown the potential of a well proportioned ketch rig. Design #329 takes full advantage of this experience and the sail plan has been integrated with the hull lines, bulb keel and efficient skeg hung rudder to ensure exhilarating sailing performance in all conditions. Dutch interior designer Peter Sijm, best known for his work with Jongert - which our client had admired - was commissioned to design the interior details. The arrangement features a full width owner’s cabin and symmetrical guest cabins located aft of the raised pilot house. The pilot house is open to the lower full width saloon in ‘split level’ format. Galley, crew dinette and accommodation for four crew is arranged forward of the saloon. The interior is in teak with careful attention to colour and grain orientation and the details of joinery styling ensure that this yacht has a unique appearance to the highest quality standards. The watertight engine room extends full hull width under the raised pilot house floor with access from a cleverly concealed door on the port side of the saloon and directly from the port side deck. Alloy Yachts were awarded the construction contract even though the client’s initial preference was to build in Europe. New Zealand custom yacht builders have achieved a reputation for cost effective yacht construction to a high standard and this favourably influenced the builder decision, accepting the inconvenience of the client not being able to visit his new project on a frequent basis. The detail design work and construction process have been certified to Lloyds Hull Certificate classification. |
