Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders launch all carbon sportfisher 'Matuku'
by Robert Daly/Lloyd Stevenson. Boatbuilders 17 Dec 2022 14:19 PST
16 December 2022
Matuku - Artnautica 60 Sportfisher by Lloyd Stevenson Boats - December 2022 © LSB
Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders have launched Matuku, a custom built Artnautica 60 (18m) Sportfisher motor yacht.
This striking 18m boat, from the pen of Auckland based designer Dennis Harjamaa of Artnautica Yacht Design, was built for a New Zealand client.
The client's design brief was quite challenging as this boat had to fulfill three competing design objectives.
First, be a spacious and comfortable for family vacationing.
Second, a stable and efficient, high-speed planning monohull; set up for offshore game fishing.
Third, an efficient, long-distance passage-making, with a safe travel distance of more than 1200 nautical miles (2,200 km) - the distance from New Zealand to Fiji, without the need to carry reserve tanks.
To achieve this brief, it was decided to build the entire boat using carbon-fiber.
Building in carbon has meant weight was kept to a minimum, which in turn allowed for the use of efficient, Volvo Penta Engines with IPS drives.
The power output from these engines is substantially below that of what would be found on similar sized 18m sports fisher boats - yet still produces a top speed over 30 knots (55 kmh) and a cruise of around 26 knots (48 kmh) whilst maintaining very good fuel efficiency. 'Lightweight Hull plus smaller engines', says Dennis Harjamaa, 'leads to a virtuous circle of less mass and less fuel consumption.'
The Artnautica 60 is a truly one-of-a-kind build, built more like a racing sail yacht than a traditionally built sport fisher, with every component weighed before fitting, or after fabrication.
However, keeping things light has not required sacrificing comfort with a super king bed in the owners cabin, heated floors in the owner and guest heads, a push button, retractable Furuno, 19 inch Multi-Function-Display in the cockpit, an actuator driven, pop-up docking joystick built into the cockpit side decks, dynamic positioning system and diesel fueled water heater are but some of the bespoke and innovative features to be found aboard Matuku.
Matuku's owner was intimately involved in her design and construction, enjoying the flexibility a full custom build allows.
When asked what the build experience has been like, project team leader Gareth Curd said 'It has been awesome to have our client involved every step of the way. This has totally played into our strengths as custom boat builders; it means we have been able to include many of the small design changes and personal touches our client wanted as we have gone along.' 'It has been a very interesting boat to build.'
Project manager Kerry Johnson added 'It's been great working with an owner who appreciates engineering effort and workmanship behind the scenes.'
Finished to Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilder's usual exacting standards, the East Auckland based builder is immensely proud of Matuku and welcome her to their large family of custom built craft of all types and construction, built over the past 35 years.
Specs:
- LOA: 18m
- Beam: 5.6m
- Draft: 1.27m
- Dry Weight: 20,000kg
- Power: 2 x Volvo Penta D11 IPS 800 at 625 hp each
- Max Speed: 30 knots (55 kmh)
- Cruise Speed: 26 knots (48 kmh)
- Estimated Range: 1,400 + nautical miles at 10 knots (2,200 km)
For more information of further queries, please contact Robert Daly,
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