Who can build me a powercat in Asia

[Frosty]

Ok in case any one is interested, here is whats happening.
I now have a choice of builders and materials,the prices are simmilar and both seem to be very capable builders but use entirely different materials.One uses alluminium and the other uses balsa core composite sheets 4/8ft and glues them together. This stuff is only about 10mm thick and I just can not immagine how you could plow through rough seas with the stresses put onto the two hulls. Not to mention the two Hino EH700 (my new choice of engine) trying to rip its 500 kg mass about---Any input here!!?--- Alluminium seems to be the way to go, no worries about strength there, but plenty of paint problems in a few years.
Any way any body got any web sites that could help me on this balsa stuff

[b_rodwell]

Jack,
You sound like you are prepared to actively participate in the build process. This can lead to significantly lower costs. You may want to consider some of the 'alternative' Australian designers and/or builders to complement this approach.

I would encourage you to talk to Bob Oram (61 7 41234838) of Bob Oram Designs in Maryborough, Queensland. He has produced at least one Power catamaran design that I know about. His designs (mostly sailing catamarans) are simple, economical and very fast to build. He often uses flat panel construction with Duflex. You indicated that you were considering this material (http://www.atlcomposites.com/company_profile.htm is a good source of information).

He also has contacts with a number boat builders who are skilled in building his designs but do not normally advertise. They would be worth talking to as well. I have heard of a number of people who have their boats finished at prices way below the normal cost.

Good luck and keep us posted about your decisions and progess.



_____________
Brian

[BrettM]

Jack,

I am involved with a new design which may suit your needs. A little smaller at 38ft and in aluminium. The builder is Brisbane based. If you are interested, please reply with your email address and I will forward it to them. They can then provide you with the information you require.

As far as the balsa is concerned, I have no problems with it provided that it is adequately supported and skin thickness is sufficient for damage. 10mm sounds a bit light though again depending on frame spacing etc.

Good Luck
Brett

[Frosty]

Thank you-BrettM and b-rodwell. Both these designs are Australian and the builders get the materials from Australia in a container . I could mention the company by name but I thought that might not be appropriate. I am in Thailand and would really like to have the boat built close to home, prepairing engines at home and having the boat being built in the next bay would be very convenient. Getting back to the balsa stuff, Is it that strong.? I mean it just does'nt look right to me. I think that I could easily pop a hole straight through it with one hit with a claw hammer. You would'nt be able to knock a hole through an alluminiun boat or 1/2 inch fibre glass boat? Am I wrong on this ? is this some thing I will have to change my thinking about?

[BrettM]

Jack,
Sandwich panels are fine structurally, but as far as being able to put a claw hammar through it you may be surprised. Get a sample if you need to. I recently tested a balsa panel under a high speed impact (akin to kids throwing bricks at a very very very fast moving vehicle ie +200 km/hr) and found that it could easily be made to survive. Again it comes back to the thickness of the fibreglass skins and laminate specification. Ask more questions if necessary of the builders.
Brett

[BrettM]

Jack,
I have since found out that this particular builder is willing to provide a hull to lock up stage only. I don't know exactly how far that will go but it should leave a lot of scope for the home builder. Brett

[b_rodwell]

Partly prompted by your original posting, I had an email discussion with the guys from Promaritim about finding a builder in SE Asia. I am looking for a place where the labour has some boat building skill, the labour is inexpensive, logistics are OK and import duties are low or zero.

They suggested that Langkawi in northern Malaysia should be considered. Just using Google search, I found that it is duty free, it has a indigenous boating building industry, at least one company (Wavemaster) has set up facilities to maintain super yachts there and it looks a really nice place to stay. For me so far that is tick, tick, tick in terms of meeting requirements.

When you mentioned you are currently in Thailand, a bell rang for me because Langkawi is only a few miles from the Thai border. It would be close to where you currently are. Perhaps Langkawi is the right place for you.

[Frosty]

Langkawi is great, your right it is duty free, beer is cheaper than coke. If you want to order some thing from any where in the world just do it and go to the airport to pick it up--after a little bit of form filling and visual inspection, Fed express, DHL, UPS, --will do it for you if you want.
Wavemaster is very new only about 6 months, Ausi run I think but the sheds are huge I have seen what looked like 60 footers in the shed (with mast). I have a feeling they would think a 40 ft cat a bit small. Beach resorts, Mc donalds great place.
However if you wanted some engineering doing you are in trouble. There is a Thai fishing village there and they can knock stuff up for you, but its trawler quality, stainless is available but its only 303/304. you can however access Pinang ,or Satun in Thailand for slightly better work. I think you can get most stuff from pinang which is a 3 hour 29 knot ferry trip. Satun is 45 minutes- similar speed.You can not fly to Thailand from Langkawi -not since Sept 11th only via pinang or singapore. Talking of Singapore, you could catch an overnight VIP to singapore from Pinang, arriving at 6am and there of course every thing is available.---if you know where to look. If I can help any more ,Email me personally if you wish.

[gamage]

Please let me know wether you are intersted to build your boat in Srilanka
Thanking you
D.Gamage
http://www.geocities.com/anandagamage/index.html

[Neven]

Dear Jack and Mr. Rodwell,

I just came back from a little journey with some news for you both. There is a new builder which will start building in January, so God will, and is very well located. I already informed him of both your projects. He can build Jacks cat either in aluminum or balsa and has the fascilities Brian is looking for. For more details please contact me:

neven@promaritim.com

[Frosty]

I was surprised to see this thread still here. I went to Australia bought the boat and spent two months fitting the boat out to set sail home to Thailand. I fitted two 250 hp Yanmar 6 LPA's ZF 2.5/1 ratio gearboxes with down angle 8 degrees. 58000 dollars--ouch- I made my own surface drives from trawler stern tubes that I took with me from Thailand. I got the props to sit on the theretical surface about 15 inches from the transom. The props are 4 blade cleavers from Sea fury in New Zealand ( not cheap but cheaper than Rolla).
Dec 18 she was loaded on a truck and Luanched in Wollongong Harbour at six am. I started the engines and tried to move her accross the harbour, she would go forward but not back. I have since got used to it but surface props dont go backwards.
I decided to ship it and not travel 4200 miles to Singapore. The rudders are tunnel ruders rather like the Levi drive but I did'nt make them big enough in rough water she will wander and in following sea's she did a 180 degree turn at 15 knots.
15/17 kts is all I have pushed her to at the moment because of the rudders. This is only a matter of taking them off and wellding on more length. The flat transoms also need modifications - some kind of water deflector to deflect water under the transom in reverse rather than hitting the flat surface and thrusing out to the sides.
I am so far pleased wirh the results. She came up from Singapore to Thailand at 15/17kts 5 to 6 hours per day without any problems . The fuel economy seems too good to be true at 1.8 litres per nautical mile.I have seen 21 on the GPS but I couldnt hold on to it . I am confident she will do 25plus when I get the rudders sorted
I have complained about the Yanmars engines having low oil pressure ot tick over but I am told this is normal. OK Yanmar so if its normal why dont you re-calibrate the guages to look as though it has good oil pressure. When the engines are cold they are ok but as it warms the oil pressure drops to just above the red. I have change the oil to Elf HD 40 no difference.
I have also complained of a rattling noise in the transmission when you turn the starboard engine off-- again I am told this is normal. Only 38 hours on the engines. How can it be normal when only one engine does it? Does any one know any one at Yanmar? Any Questions?

[Mike H]

Probably your preference for Aisa is based on price, posibly location? "never mind the quality feel the width" ever thought of England! we have experience in large cat hulls , various forms of construction check out www.mpmarine.co.uk

[Brazil Boats]

Hi Jack,
My name is Don Brunton. I am a boat builder here in Southeastern Brazil (see: www. ilhabela.com). We specialize in `one-offs´. The last cat project was a 62´power/sailor now running tours on the Rio coast (see: www. supercat1.com). We did this boat in epoxi/wood from the keels up. We have a factory in Sao Paulo which produces a range of high-test fiberglass sheet. I am quite sure, regarding the current high dollar here, that we can match or better any Asian quote. We can allso accomodate you and your guest here on the island (My wife and I have a B&B and a 36´ketch) at any time during the building process (no charge).

Regards,
Don

[Peter_T]

"Will", quoted Choy Lee boat. They used to build fibre glass boat in Hong Kong and I believed they have a show cases in London and Miami.

For boat building in aluminum, material quality must be verified to be weldable and are of suitable marine grade. There are grades that suffer serious marine corrosion.

Shipping the entire boat on top of a general cargo ship should be considered in the purchase budget. Builder should indicate cost and arrangement of delivery.

Engines for Asia may be of many choices: European and Japanese engine makers like : Volvo Penta, Yamar etc. dominate the market. To bring back to USA or UK, why not try Catapillar for engine set complete gear box.

Peter

[Frosty]

I last contibuted to this thread in may 2002. If any one is still interested in this the completed boat is now in the very popular thread 'Shafts through the transom'
I thank all who discused this with me and for you time and helpfull contribution
Jack