Roger Hill Voodoo sea trials from success at Sanctuary Cove Boat Show

by Jennifer Donohoe on 31 May 2012 Proving one of the most popular on water exhibits at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the Roger Hill designed 17m Voodoo power cat will now be based on the Gold Coast for the next couple of months due to unprecedented market interest.

Responding to sea trial requests, builder David Pachoud (Pachoud Yachts NZ) will base the boat at Hope Island.

Acclaimed designer Roger Hill was thrilled with the response to the unique, high performance sedan style power cat which took two years from concept to design finish internationally launching at the Show.

'I knew through the design process we were creating something special, however the truly enthusiastic response and serious leads generated at the Boat Show have only confirmed this.

'The concept was to produce a state of the art catamaran both in looks and function – I’ve been designing for 36 years and I love to continue to push myself and raise the bar' he said.

The Voodoo 17m power cat took only 2.5 days to travel from New Zealand to the Gold Coast – one of the fastest on record for a pleasure craft.

Superbly built by Pachoud Yachts in New Zealand, David Pachoud said they were even able to fit in a spot of fishing on the way over and still make it in record-time.

With the impressive combination of hydro foils used with the asymmetric hull shape, the Voodoo 17m, managed to plough the any rough conditions delivering one of the smoothest and powerful of rides across the Tasman.

Other features include:
• An outstanding interior design as it is one level, with no stairs to interrupt an amazing indoor/outdoor flow creating a spacious, light-filled atmosphere maximising the nautical views
• 5,800 standard litre capacity fuel tank with an added 1000 litre long range capacity
• Four spacious bedrooms, including a full size twin room and master
• Two bathrooms, with a full size expansive ensuite incorporating a high ceiling off the master bedroom
• Beautifully placed panoramic windows throughout each room bringing the elements 'in', to create an atmosphere in harmony with the sea
• American Black Walnut finishes throughout
• Dinghy locker in the stern – the front of the boarding platform cabinet rises up and the centre section of the platform lowers into water to launch the dinghy
• Powered by C15 Caterpillar 850 hp engines
• A 200 litre capacity live bait tank
• Open plan galley, seamlessly flowing out to the deck
• Water maker
• Diver compressor
• Electrical distribution system managed by BEP incorporating their ‘C’ zone technology

Held in the highest of esteem within the marine industry, Hill continues to be the one to watch with his ‘out of the box’ designs which are always exemplary of the highest of quality in creative design and performance.
Following on from the Voodoo 17m and in collaboration with Pachoud Yachts, Hill is in the process of adding a Voodoo 15.9m and a Voodoo 20 m power cat to appeal to a divergent market.

More at www.pachoud.co.nz and www.powercatsnz.com