A compact coastal cruiser and a fast, efficient charter vessel, TANK is the custom-built boat of her owners’ dreams. After 11 months in construction at Noosa Marine, the Roger Hill-designed 13.9-metre (46-feet) monohull motor yacht known as TANK blitzed her sea trials and has been delivered to her ecstatic owners.
Looking imposing as she left the shed on the first day of summer, coincidentally, the coldest start to the season ever, TANK was trucked to Lawrie’s Boat Services marina at Mooloolaba to be lifted into the water.
“She looks even better on the water,” says proud builder and Director at Noosa Marine, Julian Griffiths. “On her first day of sea trials she achieved a top speed of 47 knots. She was cruising at 40 knots against a 20-knot breeze in a metre of chop, and on board it was so smooth and dry.”
TANK is powered by twin Mercury V12 Verado engines, with 600 hp each which are hailed as “game changing” for their extraordinary range and performance, as well as the outboard segment’s first steerable gearcase and industry-first two-speed transmission.
The compact cruiser was an exceptionally technical boat to build, involving four craftspeople and several contractors for windows, upholstery, engines, electrical and flooring, Julian reports.
“It was built to AMSA Survey so there were strict parameters to follow. It all flowed very smoothly from concept to completion with no changes. We built the owners’ previous boat – the 63-foot power cat, Bajaca so we had a great relationship with the client. When they wanted to downsize, they worked hand in hand with Roger to design a fast, spacious motor yacht that is more like a luxurious super tender than a day boat.”
TANK will now be used around the Sunshine Coast until March, when she will relocate to Hamilton Island.
The 1,900 Litre fuel capacity will provide approximately 700 nautical miles of range at a cruising speed of 25 knots, and 500 nautical miles at 40 knots.
TANK also boasts a shallow draft of just 600cm, so TANK can approach the beach wherever she roams.
“In March, TANK will head north to Hamilton Island where the owners have built a home and TANK will be part of the offering, with a skipper. TANK is rated for up to 12 guests plus two crew. She will be ideal for day trips to the Reef and Whitsunday Islands.”
TANK can also be used by the owners for weekends on the water, with her large double berth and loads of outdoor seating, including a day bed that converts to an alfresco night berth.
Engineering to meet NCSV Compliance under AMSA, was undertaken by the ATL Engineering team, and the boat was constructed using DuFLEX Composite Panels cored with of varying densities; DuFLEX Panels cored with Divinycell H130 in the Hull Bottoms to provide structural performance at high speed performance, and H80 for Topsides were supplied is DuFLEX Strip Panel format.
The cabin DuFLEX panels were also cored with H80 and were reinforced with carbon fibre to meet stiffness and weight considerations.
The transom was built with Coosa Bluewater 26 – a high density, closed-cell polyurethane foam reinforced with woven roving and continuous strand fiberglass, used to provide additional flexural strength for demanding applications where greater span lengths are required – was fabricated at ATL Composites, along with the 3D routed Nose Cone, made from Divinycell H130 core, optimising material useage and fabrication time.
“DuFLEX is a light-weight, economical product that makes construction efficient and waste-free,” says Julian. “The lightweight construction optimises the vessel’s performance and the installation of a Quick MC2 anti-roll gyro will provide added stability.
“TANK’S owners are thrilled with their new boat and plan to spend every second day out on the water enjoying island hopping – Moreton Island, Noosa, the Gold Coast, Double Island. They are over the moon!”