new alloy catamaran project begins

[Bob Mott]

NEW SILKLINE 510 CATAMARAN
"Built of Sealium"


Announcing the production of the Silkline 510 Catamaran in Langkawi Malaysia.

A newly designed catamaran has begun production on the 14th February 2006. The Silkline 510 - 15.4M / 50 foot 6 inches is a joint effort by Australian and British designers. Her origins are based on a Australian aluminium design that has captured the interest of cruisers and racers alike with it's performance, sleek lines and ample accommodation.Three have already been sold for charter use to individual clients Australian and Canadian, an additional cat is being built for the designers (of which I am one) as a charter / promotional / racing cat to operate in Phuket Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and The ******* Islands / India.

Stage one is built to hull and deck, sail and motor away. Sail and motor away stage includes rig, headsail, mainsail, spinnaker, sheet and halyard winches, anchor winch with chain and anchor, all required deck hardware and controls, all sheets and halyards, bow nets, stanchions and lifelines, depth sounder, 39 HP Yanmar 3 cylinder diesels with SD50 sail drives, engine controls, basic electrics, water tanks, holding tanks for black and grey water, diesel tanks, filters and fuel lines, steering, navigation lights, factory brand name hatches and ports, dagger boards, rudders, davits, bottom paint and antifoul, deck paint and non slip, launching and sea trail - commissioning. All equipment fitted carries the manufacturers full warranties from time of launch and the vessel is warranted against construction faults for 12 months


Scantlings have been kept to Lloyds standards SSV3 - 200 miles offshore and 20 knots boat speed. Alcan Sealium alloys have been imported from Alcan's Pechiney Aerospace mill in Assoire France specially for the project. Alcan have lent their support for R & D and are also sponsoring the new catamarans to participate in the regions racing circuit in Multihull Performance Cruising Divisions.

The finished catamaran is expected to be very competitive in the world market place.

The design is specifically for those who want a tough, strong cat that goes to windward, can perform in light wind conditions and can cover ocean passages at average speeds of 10 knots plus with ease, comfort and safety. An excellent beam to length ratio give added safety and stability.

The project has been three years in the planning and has been brought about by the want to introduce a competitively priced alloy performance ocean cruising catamaran into the market place bringing big cat cruising within the reach of more cruising sailors.

The catamarans will be built on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia at Wavemaster Sdn Bhd. The project will be supervised by Peter Sandy a specialist alloy fabricator from Australia and overseen by Wavemaster's General Manager Brendan Wright also Australian and also head of technical services. Design and Naval Architect requirements have been carried out by YHS Services Simon Jupe BSc Naval Architect British and trained in England at Southampton University. Simon's background includes the British Navy as well as many design shops, one of which was Bill Dixon Designs. Overall quality control and project management will be carried out by Frank Cusack an Australian boat builder now residing in the region. My function is logistics, purchasing, marketing and design concepts (I am Australian also). The welding team will be DNV and Lloyds certified Malaysian welders and fabricators.

Silkline Catamarans