Powerful SeaCat 74’ launches in Thailand

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SeaCat Ships has completed the SeaCat 74’ Reef Inspector, a new high-performance aluminium catamaran with a top speed of over 30 knots. The twin-hulled motor yacht custom-designed by SeaSpeed Design was launched at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien, south of Pattaya on Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

“The SeaCat Ships and SeaSpeed Design teams have been busy at work finishing and testing this state-of-the-art, high-performance catamaran, so we’re really proud to present Reef Inspector,” said Paul Birgan, Director of SeaSpeed Design and Design Manager at SeaCat Ships.

Having successfully completed sea trials, the yacht was scheduled to drive on her own hull from Pattaya to her new home in Cairns in Australia’s northeast state of Queensland. The four-deck yacht is fitted out for scuba and snorkelling trips including in the Great Barrier Reef, hence the name Reef Inspector, and includes a dive compressor and scuba gear.

The vessel is built in accordance with Australia’s National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) criteria, both Class 1C for up to 80 passengers and five crew during the day, and Class 2B for 12 passengers plus four crew overnight. The hull and deckhouse are built to Lloyd’s Register SSC standard for offshore operations.

Built in aluminium using deep-vee hulls, the SeaCat 74’ is based on a proven hull by SeaSpeed Design, which specialises in aluminium powercats. Features include a slightly raked bow designed to increase the waterline length.

Boasting an overall length of 22.3m (73ft) and a beam of 8m (26ft 3in), the powercat is both a long range yet very powerful cruising catamaran. Fitted with twin 800hp Volvo Penta D13 inboard diesel engines and Volvo Penta IPS 1050 drives, Reef Inspector delighted the shipyard in sea trials when she confirmed an expected top speed of 30 knots and a fast cruising speed of 25 knots.

Yet due to an efficient hull design, the SeaCat 74’ consumes just 46 litres per hour at its economical, long-range cruising speed of 10 knots, which combines with a large fuel capacity to give an extended range of over 3,000nm. Reef Inspector has 13,000 litres of fuel in two 5,000-litre tanks and two 1,500-litre tanks.

“She is very fuel efficient, cutting though the water with great sea keeping and a low wake motion. She’s based on a proven design, while the slightly raked bow also helps ensure a high-performance hull,” Birgan said.

“SeaCat 74’ is an expedition catamaran and ideal for luxury offshore cruising, yet she’s also suitable for VIP day and overnight charter operations. On Reef Inspector, the exterior finish is fully faired and painted professionally to give a sleek motor yacht look.”

Reef Inspector’s layout includes three decks with air-conditioned indoor areas as well as a sun deck. The main deck has an enclosed lounge that can convert to a four-berth cabin, as well as a dining area next to a large, custom-built aluminium galley.

The deck also has three VIP cabins, each with a king-size bed and en-suite bathroom. The aft deck has a large, covered outdoor dining area as well as dive bottle storage, a davit and a dive tender.

The upper deck has walk-around sides, an aft deck with seating for alfresco dining and a large forward area featuring a jacuzzi, which can be covered and converted to a large day bed. The interior includes the main helm and a lounge area featuring a large daybed/sofa on each side of the central staircase.

The sun deck has an outdoor helm and an area for both deck chairs and solar panels. Equipment includes a Kohler diesel generator, 600-litre watermaker and 600-litre sullage tank.

“The SeaCat 74’ model can be custom designed to suit a broad range of customer requirements,” Birgan said. “SeaCat has a range of aluminium catamarans built on proven hulls up to 42m (135ft), so we’re starting to look at diversifying into the private ‘motor yacht’ market with more customised, luxurious interiors.”