Symbol Yacht Passage Makers - Trawlers and Pilot House Motor Yachts

by Brendan Maxwell on 25 Aug 2009 Symbol Yachts is now in its 28th year of production. Founded in 1982 by CEO Jimmy Cheng, Symbol Yacht Co., Ltd. Symbol’s success lies in its base of good people, many of whom have been with Jimmy and Symbol since inception.

Recognizing the importance of skill and craftsmanship of a mature workforce above the temptation of utilizing cheap labour in the interests of cutting costs, has paid big dividends for Symbol.

Evidence of Symbol’s commitment to building better boats is its decision to stay in Taiwan and not re-locate to China like others have. Jimmy Cheng believes a move to China would be a mistake and based on false economy, and would not suit Symbol’s commitment to semi-custom manufacture where the skill of the workforce is paramount!

Symbol yachts are not mass-produced, and production is committed to the use of the latest materials and construction techniques. Only composite structures are used in the manufacturing process. Floors, bulkheads and structure members are now all composite.

As a builder of 'semi-custom' Trawlers and Pilot House motor yachts, Symbol has built a sound reputation for delivering quality products that represent excellent value for money.

Symbol builds to ISO 9001 and ABS requirements, and has built many boats to 'Class' for both pleasure customers and also for Government bodies including the governments of Queensland (Aust), and Hong Kong.

In 1998 world renown naval architect with four decades of experience, best known for his mega yacht designs, Jack W. Sarin signed on to become Symbol’s exclusive designer. Symbol now builds a range of 14 Models from 42’ to 90’ and all are designed by Jack Sarin.

After 28 years and still going strong, Jack W. Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. is a full service naval architect firm. The man at the helm is Sarin himself, an acknowledged leader in the field of yacht design. Before starting his own design business in 1980, Jack worked with Edwin Monk Sr, as principle in charge of commercial and merchant ship projects.

Jack’s work includes the 'first ever' GRP Mega Yacht, the 98’ 'Golden Delicious' launched in 1988, as well as some 400 others including the New Zealand built 'Mea Culpa', well know to Australian boaters.

The latest Symbol to arrive in Australia is the 55 Classic, which was conceived especially for the Australian market. Jamie MacPhail from Symbol Yachts (Aust), who has 20 years association with Jimmy Cheng and Symbol, worked with the yard and Sarin to create a layout and design that bests suits the Australian boating lifestyle.

This new model features a Euro transom with duel access from the over size swim platform to the enlarged cockpit, with 42-litre Fridge freezer. A five seater moulded rear lounge and dining table.

When entering the 316 SS rear saloon door the first impression of the 55 Classic is the volume! This must be the biggest boat in its class! Everything is large and plush, from the 10-seater 'L' shaped leather lounge to the copious cabinets and 'home' size wine fridge, and chest freezer.

The saloon also features a 37' LCD with Bose surround sound.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]

The timber is this boat is Teak wood, and is finished in a combination of Satin and High Gloss varnish, giving a rich, warm appearance. Moving up to the Pilot House you find a generous galley with Corian counter tops, a real boat size twin bowl SS sink and the best of appliances. Names like Leibher, and Kleenmaid are well represented. Opposite the galley is a large leather dinette capable of seating the largest family for meals. As expected the Pilot House also features the lower helm station, which can only be described as plush. The helm features a custom Leather helm chair and all expected ships management gauges and displays, together with an integrated Raymarine Navigation package. The LCD monitor at the lower helm also doubles as a TV or DVD player if required. For extra ventilation Jamie has fitted two Bowmar Ocean hatches in the Pilot House roof.

You enter the Classic’s accommodation via a passage down the STB side of the Pilot House along side the standard ships door. This passage takes you to the master, VIP and a twin berth guest cabin. Again the impression here is of significant volume. Headroom in the lower passage way is better than seven foot in the old measurements.

The full width master cabin and ensuite are huge and feature a queen-sized island bed and all the usual features,including a 23' LCD TV and DVD. The ensuite shower is sized for two plus... and has a large moulded seat and teak floor. The Vanity bench top is cream imitation marble and has a seamless moulded sink. The head is a silent flush unit similar in size to a household unit. The master has excellent storage and hanging space as well as a ladies make-up desk with lift up mirror and leather covered stool. This cabin has a custom lounge port side that converts to two single beds, used in this case for emergency accommodation, for the owner's children.

The VIP forward is a queen island, and has two single beds above on port and starboard side of the queen. Floors in the bathrooms are Teak and Holly, finished in a satin two-pack varnish.

The twin berth cabin features two single beds with ample storage under and separate hanging space.

A nice feature in all cabins are the custom bevelled mirrors which add a touch of class to the warm Teak wood finish. All cabins have custom 316 SS opening ports with fly screens and are finished with custom bedding and soft furnishings by GM interiors.

The lighting and bathroom fittings are of high standard marine 316 SS and were supplied by well-known Italian supplier Geineco, based in Surry Hills (NSW).

Back upstairs the access to the flying bridge is from the Pilot House via an open SS – teak ladder. Its only five easy steps and makes routine access as easy to a bridge, as we have seen. The bridge is like all other areas of this boat, 'generous' in size! It features an enclosed 'SS hard top – Soft Top', and full function helm station, lounge seating for 9-10 and a full size Kleenmaid BBQ. The BBQ cabinet also houses a fridge freezer and separate icemaker.

Aft of the BBQ is the dinghy storage area which can house a 13’ RIB and is fitted with a full function Hydraulic 350KG Crane. There is also an additional access ladder that leads down from the bridge to the cockpit.

On test the Symbol proved a smooth and comfortable ride, not unexpected from a boat with long water lines and weighing in at 35000 kg. It is soft, smooth and quiet and runs with a minimum of fuss. The 480 HP Yanmars are very economical and are capable of running this particular boat at speeds up to 13 knots. Cruise speed is anything from eight through to 12 knots, though higher speeds are achievable which different engine options. This Symbol is designed to be at home offshore when others would be heading for 'smooth water'. Sarin says this boat is at its best at speeds of 9 – 12 knots and this boats range of 1000 NM + at nine knots makes its well suited to the long passages we have on the Australian coast.

On returning from the test we inspected the Classic’s engine room and under deck spaces and found all to be first class. There is even an air-con duct into the engine room that would make those regular engine checks just that little more comfortable. The composite – sandwich bulkheads are covered with acoustic insulation material which all but stops the transfer of sound to the accommodation spaces. There is definitely some nice engineering down there, and we liked the generous use of 316 SS for the engine bearers and beds as well as the well-situated SS hand rails. Fuel filters and management systems are all easily accessible and well laid out as is access to the fresh water maker and charging systems.

This boat is fitted with Wesmar Stabilizers which add to the comfort and ride

On reflect