An Expedition Yacht Can Take You Almost Anywhere

We all know what a motoryacht is, and also a superyacht. But today there is a gradually growing new level of yachts for the high net worth individuals who can afford them, and that is the explorer yacht or expedition yacht. 

It is quite one thing owning a motoryacht or superyacht that can cruise up and down the Mediterranean and occasionally take a trip to the Caribbean if the weather looks fair, but most of these boats are not built for serious world exploration which is becoming more of a requirement among those who want to go, not where no man has been before, but where few have been before.

In the past, those who have sought such travel have made do by converting a former fishing vessel or perhaps marine research boat or former military ship, but there is only so much you can do when seeking luxury and long-distance abilities at the same time. This is not the same thing as designing your own boat from scratch when you can basically have whatever you want, rather than what the vessel will allow.

Today there is a new breed of explorers who want to travel the world and see far-flung places in luxury and comfort while at the same time enjoying the style of a floating palace that is safe under any conditions that the weather can throw at it. This is why there are now explorer yachts/expedition yachts being designed from the ground up that can literally go anywhere with the possible exceptions of the poles.

One such project is currently underway at a yard in Norway and is a 400 foot expedition yacht for a gentleman who already owns a smaller 350 foot motoryacht designed for exploration, but obviously desired something that would provide even more space and amenities than his present boat. One might look at such an owner with jealousy, but then again, if you can afford it, why not? We all only have one life on this planet and it is not really all that long, so we might as well get to see as much of it as we can.  

The Thrill Of Purchasing Your First Cruiser Comes With Responsibilities

There is nothing quite like the thrill of taking delivery of your first motor cruiser. Not everyone can afford to purchase a cruiser, so if it gives you a sense of one-upmanship that’s fair enough. You have worked hard to get to where you are, and you deserve the rewards. 

However, in much the same way that you had to learn to drive a car, you have to learn to “drive” a cruiser – or in nautical terms skipper it and be the helmsman. It comes to the same thing really. But you can’t just jump into the cockpit and take off out to sea. You need some motor boat training.

If you go on holiday to the Norfolk Broads, as many people love to do, you probably get around half an hour’s training of handling the boat and showing you where to fill up with fuel and arrange for a “pump-out”. You can also find lots of FAQ’s on Google. However, on the Norfolk Broads you are normally travelling at around 4 mph top speed, so even if you hit anything you won’t do a lot of damage.

It is a completely different kettle of fish when you have a seagoing cruiser that can do 25 knots! This is why you need to spend some time on motor boat training so that you can handle your new purchase safely. In this case, a half hour will teach you nothing at all. You need at least a two-day training course just to cover the basics. That will get you going, but you still need further motor boat training if you want to expand your skills.

For instance, you may want to be able to handle your boat at night, and that is a very different proposition from operating in daylight. It is one thing travelling on the Broads where you can’t really get lost, but when you are at sea you need to know navigation and seamanship as well as how to handle your new toy. Some of these more advanced courses take a week or more but are well worth it for your own safety and those around you.

The Seaward 42 is a top of the range ocean-going Motor Yacht

The Seaward 42 is based on the Seaward Nelson 42 pilot boat hull design and is an RCD Category A ocean-going motor yacht at the top of the Seaward range. Typically, they are custom built to the owner’s requirements with a wide choice of layouts. The hull is the same as the well-proven all-weather Nelson pilot boats in use professionally around the world but with the addition of an integral stern platform to maximise the running length of the hull and contribute to ease of trim, handling, and sea kindliness.

The standard twin propulsion engines and drives are a pair of Yanmar 8LVs diesel engines rated at 370hp, but there are other options. These include the Cummins QSB 6.7’s rated at 425hp and the Yanmar 6LY-CRs, rated at 440hp. The engines are controlled by an electronic shift and monitoring system. The port and starboard gearboxes are arranged for handed rotation, driving outward turning 2” shafts and Seaward’s optimised 24″ 5 blade propellers, reducing noise and vibration and increasing efficiency. The large rudders are heavy-duty and the same as used on the pilot boats. They are of aerofoil section in cast bronze controlled through an hydraulic steering system.

Read more at twin propulsion engines and drives

A History of Mani Frers Yacht Designs

Germán ‘Mani’ Frers is the third generation of a family of yacht designers all bearing the same name. His grandfather began designing yachts back in the 1920’s and by 1930 the Frers yard employed 60 boat builders, mostly constructing his own designs.

Germán Frers Snr began by designing and building Colin Archer styled double-enders in Buenos Aires back in 1926 and went on to draw more than 600 boats ranging from plywood day sailers like the Yachting World Light Crest to a range of motor yachts, and a series of very successful ocean racing yachts.

Read more at motor yachts