Efficient by name and nature

by Bob Carter on 14 Apr 2011 Building a 44 timber launch in the current era dominated by fibreglass, composites and a wealth of exotic materials, takes enormous courage.

Tim Phillips and the Wooden Boat Shop have an international reputation for designing and constructing some of the finest boats to grace the waters. From their Sorrento workshops, the company harbours an absolute commitment to excellence, and the Yanmar brand.

Efficient is the very latest design to be launched by Tim Phillips. The design work for this boat is attributed to renowned yacht designer, Andy Dovell. Dovell Naval Architects are accomplished designers of classic hulls through to modern racing yachts and power cruisers.

Efficient could just as easily have been named exceptional; such is the scope and execution of this fine vessel. Every aspect of the project, from the design, construction and powerplant, is absolutely perfect as there is no room for compromise in this custom construction.

In the time honoured tradition of classic timber boats, this is a true launch. And a very big one at that with a loa of 44’ (13.4m) and generous beam of 13’6' (4.1m). It has all the onboard living accommodation of a modern boat (galley, fully fitted bathroom, hot water and sleeping for four), but it’s a classic timber construction from the keel all the way through the cabin.

While Efficient was built in Melbourne for a Melbourne customer, it has already travelled by sea as far as the Gold Coast and beyond, then back to Port Phillip Bay. This is no fair weather, glamour boat but one which redefines the concept of extended cruising. The Whitsundays and Bass Strait Islands are what Tim Phillips had in mind when he designed this remarkable boat.

Tim also had in mind a powerful yet highly efficient Yanmar marine diesel engine to be slotted into the bilge. This is a big boat that is designed as a semi planning hull. It’s displacement of 8.5 tonnes means that it also needs serious power.

The Yanmar 6CX-530 complete with the new Yanmar KMH70A transmission is one of the first of this combination installed in Australia.

Featuring Yanmar's latest lightweight engine construction technology in a compact package, this Yanmar 6CX-530 power plant exhibits superb fuel efficiency and a power-to-weight ratio that makes it possible to attain a higher top speed and a longer cruising range.

The new 6CX530 is an electronically governed, common rail, freshwater cooled, six-in-line marine diesel engine displacing 7.4 litres and providing 530mhp at 2,900rpm. It has a water-shrouded dry turbocharger and a state of the art common rail fuel injection system which is fitted with duplicated engine senders and electronic systems to provide full redundancy and continued safe operation in the event of a sensor failure.

At 0.63 hp per kilo this engine is easily the lightest diesel available in its hp range - well over 200 kilos less than some comparable size engines. Not only does this engine promise great performance it far exceeds current and pending EPA requirements, it is a very clean engine.

The 6CX530 is supplied with the NMEA 2000 fully electronic engine control system and LCD. This ensures that the dash is a very clean unit with a single multi function read out display providing a wealth of engine management data.

On water performance is as impressive as the raw data. The boat has a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/h) at 3,000 RPM. An ideal cruise speed is achieved at 2350 RPM with the indicated speed being 19 knots (35 km/h).

On the run from Portsea to the Gold Coast, the delivery crew logged around 60 engine hours, averaged 16 knots and consumed fuel at the rate of 37 litres per hour. Efficient is fitted with four individual fuel tanks to deliver a combined capacity of 1200 litres. There is also 200 litres of fresh water on board.

And to demonstrate that this launch is just as at home in the rough as the calm, the delivery crew experienced 25 to 30 knot winds with big seas off Newcastle but felt no ill effects of the buffeting.

The Wooden Boat Shop is an authorised agent for Yanmar marine diesel engines and is a strong advocate of the brand.

'We have fitted and serviced countless hundreds of Yanmar diesels and I have no hesitation in stating they are absolutely first rate,' Tim Phillips said.

Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorized Australian, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Pacific Distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial diesel engines importing product from Yanmar plants in Japan, Asia, USA and Europe. Power Equipment is also the exclusive authorized Distributor of JCB DieselMax engines for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Power Equipment also distribute the Yanmar powered MASE diesel marine generators range and Gori high quality folding sailboat propellers.