wright power catamaran

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BOAT REVIEW Wright 46S Powercat

• Very efficient, easy-to-use electrical system
• Stylish interior
• Acres of space. Good for party-central flings or genteel cruising in the lap of luxury

Alan Wright is one of New Zealand’s most prolific designers. A father-and-son team has brought one of his most successful powercat designs back to the market.

Kelvin Kay couldn’t have known – when he first bought the moulds for this powercat – that it would be more than a decade before the vessel would finally hit the water. But patience is one of the most useful tools in the boatbuilder’s arsenal, and it has paid off in spades on this build.

Best known for introducing the Thundercats to New Zealand in the 1990s, Kay had been involved in manufacturing and charter boat skippering before turning his hand to the boatbuilding business. He bought the moulds for the 15m cat off the original builder in 2007, but they languished in storage for years as his life went in other directions. “I originally wanted to build myself one, but I then ended up living and working in Samoa as a charter boat skipper, and I met some guys on a fishing charter who wanted to buy a boat. I said I had these moulds and it went from there. There were several people who wanted an Alan Wright powercat, but they’d been out of production for a while.”

Aboard The first thing you notice on stepping aboard is the huge cockpit. Having a powercat might cause a few marina berthing issues, but boy does it give you lots of room to relax. A boarding platform runs right across the transom, with walk-throughs each side, and a customised central console containing all the necessaries for fishing: drink holders, rod holders (another four, on top of the six across the stern rails on the boarding platform), a live-bait tank, sink, a kill bin, the gas locker and, of course a beer fridge. Fishing was the original raison d’être for this boat, and while the interior has benefited from some wifely input, out here it’s all (mostly) business.

Electrics The boat also sports the latest in electrics, with the system (designed and installed by Westhaven’s Beacon Marine) including a CZone electronic switch-panel system, energy-efficient LED lighting and a Mastervolt battery system to run it all. Two large solar panels on the cabin roof provide enough power for the boat’s systems to run independently of a generator.

Playtime Our original plan is to head out from Westpark into the upper harbour for the photo shoot, but it’s such a beautiful day we decide to keep going and head for Motuihe. This is basically the boat’s first run, so it’s a good opportunity to stretch her legs. She has a top speed of just over 27 knots, and a comfortable cruising speed of 24 knots, at 71 litres/hour per engine (142 litres/hour all up). Drop that speed back a bit, to around 20 knots, and the fuel usage falls to around 80 litres/hour overall.

Beacon Marine The company specialises in electronics installation and diagnostics, system control, batteries, charging and power management systems. Established in 2009, the company is owned by Adam Wrightson and Cam Harris and is based in Westhaven Marina. Collectively, Beacon’s team has 100 years’ worth of experience in the marine industry. It offers a wide range of skills to service the electrical and electronics needs of its customers, from a new bilge pump to complete electronics system replacements, as well as audio visual and marine WiFi solutions.

Seawind 1370

Solar panels on the vast roof help keep the batteries charged.

Sessa Yacht Line C47

Sessa vessels have a CE CLASS B rating – certified offshore to 200 miles, for winds up to force 8, and waves up to up to four metres high. Very capable, therefore.

Legacy Marine L45

The L45 is intended to fulfil the role of a luxury motoryacht capable of operating in typical New Zealand coastal conditions.

Lazercat 950

The helm station is well-equipped and simple to operate, thanks to the simplified switching that’s been implemented.

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32 Doug Wright

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With over 25 years of building offshore powerboats, we have brought home over 20 Championships in the Stock Outboard Class with plenty more in the future. Click on the link below to learn more and order your race boat today!

DOUG WRIGHT POWERBOATS

Boats for Sale

52' wright 52 power catamaran power catamarans.

This Wright 52′ Power Catamaran has strikingly clean lines and her twin hulls give an extraordinarily smooth ride.  One of the most outstanding feature about this cat is all the outdoor space, which provides lots of opportunities for ‘fun in the sun!’

On boarding the Cat, you will immediately be impressed by the generously sized Aft Cockpit and the huge walk-about Swim platform. The open Salon has wrap around panoramic views, which adds to the feeling of space and light and allows you to enjoy great ocean views from any angle.

The outdoor helm has two cushioned captain chairs and then a huge horse shoe cushioned seating area for the rest of the crew, all under a large shaded bimini area. There is also a sun pad on the aft of the flybridge so plenty of room for everyone aboard whilst underway.

In the aft cockpit area you will find ample seating, wet bar, freshwater shower, barbecue.  The swim platform is huge, and equipped with a hydraulic tender lift.

Some of the key features for her include:

• Low hours on the generator
• Full Garmin Electronics
• A/C throughout the yacht
• Tender lift and crane
• New flybridge enclosure
• Solar Panels
• Specifications
• Description

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. Hours listed may vary from actual hours due to recent use. Purchaser is encouraged to verify hours prior to purchase. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

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