METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

World first: fully carbon fibre pleasure boat

Technology

Emma Olsen
View from the stern
View from the stern of the boat building process  Scott Lane Boat Builders

The build for the first-ever carbon-infused foiling pleasure Power Cat is underway

There have been many carbon boats built in NZ, however most are used for racing.

Now Scott Lane Builders are working on what they believe is a world-first: a carbon-infused foiling pleasure Power Cat.

Scott Lane said what sets the boat apart is that it is a pleasure craft built using a resin infusion process.

The project has about 50,000 man-hours tied into it - the equivalent of 25 years for one person. 

At 20m long, the foiling catamaran will be incredibly strong and light, being fully carbon-built. The foiling capability will also allow it to get through any sea at high speed. 

The custom-built boat was designed by Roger Hill. 

It includes a helipad, and a transom area with a massive rise and fall hydraulic platform incorporating the dinghy garage. 

Catamaran final sketch
Catamaran final sketch Scott Lane Boat Builders

The project started with the moulds, from which Nic de May Yachts in Tauranga produced epoxy-infused carbon components.

Once the major carbon components were ready, assembly began. 

"The major bulkheads are in. The diesel and water tanks are completed. The engine room is almost complete and ready for paint and the interior fit-out will be started very soon," said Scott. 

Despite 20 years of boat-building, carbon is a very new experience for the company.

"Carbon can be a challenge to work with. It's been a different way of working for us. We have all learned a lot and have had to gear up in our workshop in different ways."

The boat holds 9400 litres of fuel, 2100 litres of water and has a cruising range of 900 nautical miles at wide-open throttle. 

There are two V8 MANS engines, each 1300 horsepower, and the boat can achieve a top speed of 45 knots.

With a 7m beamwidth, the catamaran has three double cabins, two with ensuites, and a twin single cabin, as well as six air conditioning units.

It weighs 39,500 kilograms.

Scott said it was hard to predict how long the build would take because of time lost during lockdown, however once it is complete he hopes to create another. 

An impressive sight from the bow
An impressive sight from the bow  Scott Lane Boat Builders
One of the main bulkheads getting installed
One of the main bulkheads getting installed  Scott Lane Boat Builders
Bulkhead installation
Bulkhead installation  Scott Lane Boat Builders
The full width master bedroom
The full width master bedroom  Scott Lane Boat Builders
The dinghy garage
The dinghy garage  Scott Lane Boat Builders
Diesel tanks complete and the floor laid port side
Diesel tanks complete and the floor laid port side  Scott Lane Boat Builders

You can visit the following link for more photos of the boat building process: 

https://www.facebook.com/scottlaneboatbuilders/media_set/?set=a.2358408447775892