Perry Catamarans back in production

by Rob Mundle on 23 Oct 2006 Australia’s most highly awarded large luxury sailing catamaran, the Perry 57 Passagemaker, is making a grand return to the Australian and world markets.

The Perry 57 luxury cruising catamaran is to be produced by a new company headed by Tasmanian boat builder, Allan Barnett. He has employed the yacht’s designer, Bryan Perry, to head the production facility based at Coomera, on the Gold Coast.

The ‘57’, is recognised as a benchmark among the world’s best cruising multihulls. It offers supreme comfort, luxurious appointments, classic timberwork, expansive entertainment areas, and a performance under sail that satisfies discerning cruising yachtsmen. Probably no other yacht of similar size delivers the same level of space, comfort and opulence.

The Perry 57 is to be produced by a new company headed by highly respected Tasmanian boat builder, Allan Barnett. As the owner of a Perry cruising catamaran for five years he well recognises the potential of the ‘57’ in the marketplace. In establishing the new company he has employed the yacht’s designer, Bryan Perry, to head the production facility based at Coomera, on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Much to Barnett’s delight, his commitment to the Perry 57 has already brought dividends. Two orders have been confirmed within two weeks of the commencement of operations.

'These early sales verify that the Perry 57 is an exceptional yacht, one that is really beyond compare when it comes to large, luxuriously appointed catamarans capable of cruising the world,' Allan Barnett said. 'Having owned a Perry 43 cruising catamaran I’m well aware of Bryan’s talent as a designer and builder. I am proud to be the person driving this venture.'

The new boat building business has come as a consequence of the demise of the company previously building the Perry range of sailing and power catamarans.

Barnett was adamant that the ‘57’ was too good to be lost so approached Bryan Perry with a plan to get it back into production.

'After working so hard with my family for so many years to put Perry catamarans onto the Australian and international scene, then see the company fail through no fault of our own, was extremely disappointing,' Bryan Perry said. 'Now, with Allan coming on board, we have a business structure that we know will work.

We’ve gone back to the way it was in the early days with me being very much hands-on in the factory, overseeing every aspect of production, dealing directly with clients, and making sure everything runs smoothly. We’re back to being essentially a ‘family’ business and not a corporation.'

The new company represents the fusion of two highly experienced groups in the world of boating and boat building. Bryan Perry, a third generation boat builder, has seen more than 50 Perry catamarans built and launched.

The Allan Barnett Fishing Company, based near Launceston, holds an excellent reputation in the commercial fishing industry and is well known as the builders of exceptionally seaworthy fishing vessels. The company is now venturing into the production of comfortable ‘Explorer’ type motor yachts at its Tasmanian facility.

For more information please contact Perry Catamarans – Phone + 61 (0) 7 5561 7988

Website: www.perrycatamarans.com.au