Whale Watching vessel chooses Volvo Penta
by VolPower on 16 Nov 2009
The powerful whale watching vessel is also committed to the environment. MIAA
Whale Watch Kaikoura has just taken delivery of there latest addition to their fleet “Wawahia” - the 18m Nic de Waal designed, Q-West built foil catamaran, running the latest Volvo Penta D16-750 hp engines through Hamilton Jets and controlled with Hamilton’s “Blue Arrow” system.
Whale Watch are an Enviro-Gold member of the Qualmark NZ environmental programme and this fitted perfectly with Volvo Penta’s ‘Green Commitment” policy.
The D16 engines and Hamilton Jet combination is the first to hit the water in NZ in a passenger carrying vessel and appears to be an extremely successful combination with a top speed of over 35 knots which allows for much reduced throttle openings for sustainable, economic cruising speeds.
For on board comfort, the vessel has the latest in interior layout and seating including a 46” LCD screen and sound system for displaying an amazing graphic presentation of the Kaikoura trench and sea life within. The vessel could go into survey for 80 pax but instead Whale Watch choose to put only 48 pax and 4 crew on so all can enjoy the experience to the maximum viewing potential.
Details:
Owners: Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd, www.whalewatch.co.nz
Designer: Nic de Waal, www.technicraft.com
Builder : Q-West Boat Builders, www.q-west.com
Engines : 2 x Volvo Penta D16-750 hp rating 2 engines, www.volvopenta .com
Propulsion: Hamilton Jet HJ403 x 2, wwwhamjet.com
LOA: 17.9 mtrs
WLL : 15.4 mtrs
Beam: 6.4 mtrs
Draft: 0.75mtr
Displacment: 25.8 ton (fully fuelled)
Material: Marine grade Aluminium
Fuel Capicity: Ltrs 2000ltrs
48 pax, 4 crew
More at www.whalewatch.co.nz
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