voyager catamarans reviews

Voyager V1250 Conquest

Author : Barry Tyler

CRUISING CAT

They were an impressive range before, with a reputation for quality and innovation; the release of their evolutionary new Voyager  V1250 Conquest model however, adds a new dimension to an already high-quality Voyager catamaran range.

Stylish in profile and now sporting an optional fully enclosed flybridge, this new Conquest model is if you like a larger more luxury version of their current V1100 Discovery model. It hails a new era in Voyager technology, specification and presentation for rather than simply ‘tarting’ up the V1100 model Voyager designer and CEO, Derek Appleton, has a completely new hull as well as deck and interior design. “The profile lines are still indisputably Voyager,” Appleton explained, “but the enclosed flybridge configuration required a whole new approach to layout and styling. “As well, we have opted for a significantly larger one-level cockpit that, aft of the transom upright, will appeal to the fishermen, swimmers and divers, while forward of this feature it is an entertainer’s delight with room for an outdoor table setting if so desired,” he enthused. 

Step aboard and you soon appreciate the fact the V1250 was indeed certainly very different for it offered a new meaning to the word spacious. All at one level, the gelcoated cockpit floor (teak  on each hull, providing sublime floor area but more importantly affording the designer the luxury of moving the transom upright further aft than is traditional.

With substantial stainless steel railings around the perimeter it was a perfect platform for the swimmers and fishermen – and the star-gazers seated on the aft-facing lounge on the outside of the transom upright. The standard and certainly appropriate-height boarding ladder provided good access to the water from what was a higher than traditional transom feature!

As I have stated so many times before, everything in a boat is a trade-off and benefits such as ease of boarding at a marina or pontoon, the enormous storage and kill-tank provision and of course the added floor area that accrues from this style of approach to cockpit and transom design – were infinitely more advantageous and credible trade-offs over what we have come to accept over the years as a traditional catamaran stern with multi-levels that invariably are an inefficient use of space.

Forward of the transom upright, features included the secreted (large!) BBQ within this transom upright, the sinks at each end of the transom upright module, the full-width forward facing aft lounge, an integral 150-litre freezer to starboard of the saloon doors, corner steps each side for access to the foredeck, generous overhead protection courtesy of the flybridge overhang and a solidly mounted shade mesh and stainless steel canopy extension, and the moulded stairs which provide external access to the flybridge. Stairs incidentally which cleverly hinged up to reveal the perfect storage facility for dive bottles, wet gear or table and chairs. With this and the huge lockers in the aft of each hull it was clearly evident that no space was wasted.

Enclosed Flybridge

The flybridge level was a most expansive area of the boat, and certainly with the enclosed aspect of this particular version, one where you would likely spend most of your daylight hours – whether underway or when moored. A skipper and friend could be seated on the two Navigator helm chairs behind what was a most comprehensive and as well visually ‘impressive’ helm station.

Presented on a rounded vinyl-trimmed carbon fibre display that was both functional as well as ergonomic, features on this helm included Seastar steering, the Raymarine E120 electronics screen with radar, autopilot and VHF, and each side of the E120, the Steyr engine instrumentation.

Seating forward of this helm feature would cater for a veritable army of guests seated around the full-width U-shaped lounge and five-person table. ‘Clears’ on the rear corners and across the back of the flybridge ensured it could be transformed into a warm and dry room and if you felt like a wee tipple along the way, the bar module to port and adjacent to the top of the stairs included a Corian-topped servery, bottle rack and refrigerator. Indeed a very ambient part of the V1250 Conquest.

A New World

Step inside the Voyager saloon and there was a definite air of refinement about the presentation, in particular the wood finish. Bold was perhaps the best way to describe this room for every feature seemed to make a statement. To starboard was an elevated six-person dining setting. Arguably you wouldn’t normally get away with an elevation such as this but in a saloon with the generously high ceiling this example boasted, it was actually quite clever. Serving a two-fold purpose, it not only enhanced all-round vision but also provided greater headroom for the accommodation below.

Opposite this dining setting was the aft galley. Arguments abound as to the merits of where a galley should be situated, but I prefer an aft galley exactly like this option – one of the best I have seen in a vessel of this size. Finished as in the instance of the dining setting, in rich semi-gloss Californian beech, it was patently obvious the designers had listened to their clients for the galley was user-friendliness personified. Features here included 230 litres of separate refrigerator and freezer, a two-burner gas hob and oven as well as a microwave oven, generous bench space and importantly, equally generous cupboard, drawer and general storage provision. 

Completing the picture of elegance in the saloon was the chart table with (BEP) circuit-breaker switch-panel cabinet forward of the dining setting, and of course the impressive liquor cabinet which was ‘incorporated’ into the centre of the front bulkhead. 

Luxury Accommodation – Catamaran-style

As in most catamaran designs there are a number of different options available. In this instance, the emphasis was very much on an appropriate level of comfort within the master stateroom. As such, this was a three-cabin configuration, with one bathroom.

The guest accommodation was in the starboard hull, with the ‘double’ room aft of the stairway. While not a huge room, the bed was a generous double – and there was still room to close the door when changing. Features in here included a feature wall mirror, good lighting, a wardrobe and side-storage facility, an opening side port-hole and a ventilation fan. The décor in here very much continued the up-market high level of presentation of the aforementioned areas of the V1250.

The forward accommodation on that (starboard) side consisted of a twin single athwartships and fore and aft bunk configuration. With ample light and ventilation courtesy of an overhead hatch as well as a side port-hole, this cabin in fact was brilliant in design, very roomy, generously sized berths, good wardrobe and storage facilities, neat step access up onto each berth – and extremely well presented.

Across on the port side was the master accommodation. While essentially a ‘luxury’ characterisation would surely embody a private ensuite (an optional ensuite layout is available), I was more than happy with the option of a more expansive albeit communal bathroom, just across the walkway from the master bedroom, aft of the stairway. Especially appreciated was the space around the head – not cramped – and the separate shower cubicle – which you could swing a cat in!

Again the ‘luxury’ descriptive for the master stateroom must be viewed within the context of a catamaran configuration, and yet again I have to say the designer did a damned good job. The queen-size island berth lay semi-diagonal across the room in what was a most majestic setting. With good headroom even when sitting up in bed, there was also plenty of lighting and ventilation and again, plenty of storage – even down to a huge (lined) walk-in wardrobe. The high-quality linings and carpet and the generous ‘splashings’ of wood all enhanced the visual pleasure. There was even a painting above the head of the bed – to complete the picture of contemporary opulence!

Mechanicals

As is the case with most Voyager catamarans, the recommended mode of power was Steyr diesels. “They are technically advanced engines which provide exceptional performance and miserly fuel consumption. I place special emphasis on the key elements of weight, performance and economy,” Appleton explained.

One would tend to suggest the hulls were seemingly quite efficient in their shape also, but certainly to glean a top speed of 22 knots from twin 3.2-litre 6-cylinder 190hp Steyr diesel engines, somewhat graphically supported his claims. More to the point, cruising at a relatively brisk 17 knots it used just 45 litres of diesel per hour.

Interestingly, with a fuel capacity of 1400 litres, that equates to a range of roughly 500 nautical miles.

In keeping with the ‘economical cruising’ philosophy, onboard power is 12V with the usual high-consumption items, such microwaves, powered through a Zantax inverter. The three 200Ah Absorbed Power AGM ‘house’ batteries and two engine ‘start’ batteries were all charged courtesy of the heavy-duty 90A alternators on the Steyr engines or when in port, courtesy of the shore power through the onboard charger.

That system is quite sufficient within the context of the specification of this particular Voyager, but certainly if you were to take up the air-conditioning option or include such features as electric cooking, then sensibly you would be adding a genset to the portfolio.

Other onboard systems included heavy duty Seastar hydraulic steering, ZF Micro Commander electronic controls, TMC electric macerator heads and Clarion entertainment systems. The drive was conventional shafts, through ZF 45A 2.43:1 gearboxes to 4-blade 19” diameter x 21” pitch ZF Faster propellers.

As stated, the Conquest was what I would describe as a solid performer, a good honest hull that had few vices. Weighing in at just 9,000kg (not including the 1400 litres of diesel and 750 litres of water) the solid fibreglass hulls with composite core and foam topsides, deck and flybridge was a strong and tight ship and really revelled in the less than ideal conditions of our test day, which included rather gargantuan swells and waves off the Gold Coast Seaway entrance.

This hull had the obligatory handling skills required of a bona fide bluewater cruising hull. It accelerated surprisingly well considering the relatively meagre horsepower, it rode with a nice level attitude and it cruised efficiently.

As far as perception went, I felt most comfortable with a ‘luxury’ tag being applied to this vessel for it was spec’d and presented to a level beyond that of most catamarans available on the market today. Yet, it didn’t carry the price tag I expected.

If you subscribe to the theory that a 40-foot catamaran is the equivalent size of at least a 50-foot monohull, then the price tag of under $A1-million inclusive of the optional extra ‘luxury package’ which included amongst other things the enclosed flybridge, radar, aft awning, underwater lights, drinks cabinet – is most competitive.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Design Name: Voyager V1250 Conquest
• Builder: Voyager Catamarans
• Designer: Derek Appleton
• Year Launched: 2008
• LOA:   13.0m
• Beam: 5.30m
• Draft: 0.96m
• Displacement: 9,000kg
• Max Speed:  22 knots
• Cruise Speed: 16 – 19 knots
• Fuel Cap: 1,400 litres
• Water Cap:   750 litres
• Construction: Solid F glass, composite sandwich, and cored panel
• Engines Make: 2x190hp Steyr
• Gearboxes:   ZF 45A, 2.43:1
• Propellers:  ZF Faster 4 blade Ni-Br 19”d x 21”p
• Base Price:    $A790,000
• Price As Tested: $A960,000

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Voyager V625 Getaway: Review

Stunning new aussie trailerable cat with double bed, standing shower and fishing/family layout.

Powered catamaran manufacturer Voyager Catamarans has unveiled a wonderfully finished new 6.1 m trailerable cat called the V625 Getaway. This full-featured hardtop cruiser/fisher has a great hull and an interior layout cleverly designed to maximise the available space.

OVERVIEW - Voyager Cats adds a hardtop cruiser to its V625 line-up Powered catamaran manufacturers have been doing it tough in recent years, as evidenced by the closure of some leading brands. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some local manufacturers are prospering, including Queensland company Voyager Catamarans.

Voyager is best known for its high-end powered cruising catamarans which start at 10.0m in length and extend through to a sophisticated 13m flybridge cruiser. However, a few years ago Voyager ventured into the trailerable powered cat market with a cabin model called the V625. A single, fairly basic model called the Classic was launched initially, but this was followed by an offshore fishing model called the V625 Sport Fish, and a cruiser/weekender version called the Family Hardtop.

Now, Voyager’s Derek Appleton has combined everything he has learned to date from the design and development of the V625 series to create a family/fishing model called the Getaway – and it’s a beauty!

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT - Flagship Voyager trailerable model has all the good gear Launched at the 2015 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the Voyager V625 Getaway is an exciting new addition to the trailerable powered cat market. It bears no comparison to the plain, basic fishing cats of years past, but is a powered cat for the modern era with an excellent standard of finish and fit-out.

The Getaway is the flagship of the V625 range, and is outfitted and priced accordingly. There are relatively few options as all the good gear is included – and there’s lots of it.

Key features include the large double berth, port side cabin toilet and shower (with full standing headroom), lock-up cabin, hardtop with toughened glass windscreen and sliding side windows, wide instrument panel, overhead radio locker, deluxe swiveling helm seats on storage boxes, four additional cockpit squab seats, wide side coamings with upholstered side panels, large, self-draining rear cockpit with removable table, twin 180-litre fuel tanks, 60-litre freshwater tank, hydraulic steering, and a boarding platform with ladder.

Fishing features include a plumbed live-bait tank, clever rotating cutting board set-up, ice box/sink, salt and freshwater deck wash, above floor side storage pockets (with good toe-under grip), four flush-fitted stainless rod holders, recessed cockpit coaming rails, and stainless-steel deck hardware throughout.

Packaged with a pair of 90hp four-stroke Suzuki outboards, and riding on an Oceanic tandem axle trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes, the standard Voyager Getaway package is priced from $119,950. That’s a fair sum, but you do get a lot of boat for your money.

Options fitted to the test rig included a power upgrade to twin 115hp extra-longshaft Suzuki four-stroke outboards, an anchor winch, stainless steel framed cockpit awning, full camper covers and electronics – which comprised a Lowrance HDS 12 touch-screen GPS/Fish Finder, Lowrance Link5 VHF radio and a Fusion stereo.

With the extra gear, the Getaway is priced at around $136,700. But for a pair of outriggers, and a barbeque for cooking (both optional) the test boat was ready to fish or cruise.

The Voyager Getaway is the top of the range and most expensive of the V625s. The other models don’t have quite the gear and equipment – but they are significantly cheaper. Consider that the Classic model starts at around $75k for a BMT package, while the Sport Fish fishing version is priced from just under $100k with dual 90hp four-stroke outboards.

All variations of the Voyager V625 will require a trailer with break-away brakes, as the BMT packages will exceed 2000kg – and most models will be in the 2.2 – 2.7 tonne range on a tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer.

INTERIOR LAYOUT - Versatile layout suits fishing and family boating The layout in the Getaway has been cleverly designed for both fishing and family boating. The cabin is particularly well thought-out. Using the depth of the hull sponsons, combined with a higher deck and dash moulding, Voyager’s Derek Appleton has created a remarkably spacious cabin area.

On the starboard side of the cabin there is an enormous underberth storage locker which houses the 60-litre freshwater tank and pump system.

Opposite, just inside the cabin entry there is a toilet and shower area which has full standing (183cm) headroom. So you can take a shower or get changed after a swim in relative comfort. It is a lot roomier in the forward cabin area than comparable sized powered catamarans.

Other features include a double size berth with three cloth-covered berth cushions (so they can be stacked over on the starboard side when not in use) and drawers for clothes, life jackets, etc.

The wiring is hidden in a compartment behind a So-Pac hatch while a clear acrylic hatch in the forepeak provides internal access to the foredeck and dual anchor wells.

In inshore and calm seas it is easier to reach the foredeck by climbing around the cabin sides as the side decks are wide and there are plenty of hand-holds.

The dual anchor wells are large and the test boat was fitted with an optional anchor winch.

A feature of note is a telescopic stainless steel ladder which extends off the bow on the port side so you can easily board the boat from the beach or boat ramp. Great feature!

The forward cabin is separated from the helm and saloon area by a full cabin bulkhead and lockable bi-fold style cabin door. The high dash is part of a separate mould specially created for the Getaway model to increase the headroom in the forward cabin, and to provide lots of real estate on the fascia for flush fitted engine gauges and electronics – such as the big 12” Lowrance HDS12 on the test rig.

The steering wheel is well positioned for the helmsman, the engine gauges almost at eye level, and the binnacle-mounted twin throttles fall comfortably to hand when running the boat in a seaway.

We found the boat most comfortable to drive while standing up and with the bolster on the front of the helm seat flipped-up and out of the way.

Seated, with the bolster lowered, we could reach the helm and throttle well enough, but the addition of a fore and aft slider would have allowed for more back support and improved the seated driving position.

Vision through the toughened glass windscreen and side windows was excellent – though we did experience some sun glare off the dash at certain angles. We have found this to be an issue with several hardtop craft we have tested in recent times. A black rubber matt, or painting the top of the dash in a dark colour may provide the solution.

Storage areas are plentiful in the Getaway. Wide cockpit side storage pockets compliment the large helm seat boxes, co-pilot side shelf and huge underberth locker in the cabin. There is also an underfloor kill tank option for anglers.

Moving aft, the self-draining rear cockpit is large. It stretches 2.75m from the cabin bulkhead to the transom, and is 2.18m across. It is perfectly designed for fishing or family boating – with 720mm of freeboard, great “toe-under” support beneath the side pockets, and the coamings are nice and wide for fitting rod holders, outriggers, and more.

For family outings a table slots into a socket in the cockpit floor and is easily reached by any of the four surrounding cockpit seats. For fishing, the rear seat squabs can be folded down – or removed completely.

At the transom there is a sink/ice box with freshwater shower built into the rear deck on the starboard side, while a good sized live-bait tank (plumbed) and salt-water deck-wash lies opposite.

A bait/cutting board slots into a rod holder in the deck near the bait tank and is cleverly designed so that it can be swiveled into a variety of positions, including directly over the boarding platform.

The batteries are accessible on platforms under the transom, along with engine and pump plumbing etc.

ON THE WATER - Soft ride and good performance from slim but buoyant hulls A good powered catamaran is enjoyable to drive at sea and we expected great things from the Voyager V625 Getaway. We were not disappointed. In smoother conditions than we would have liked the Voyager easily met out expectations for ride comfort, stability and overall performance.

The Voyager’s foam-filled hull is a beauty. The hull sponsons are quite fine and narrow in shape at the entry, but they widen to provide the buoyancy needed for the hull to lift out of wave troughs in a following sea. The pronounced “wave breaker” fairing in the tunnel also contributes to forward lift – as well as reducing tunnel slap at displacement trolling speeds.

The Voyager is exceptionally stable at rest, and solid and surefooted underway. With the hardtop and high superstructure you will get some wind-list in a beam sea, but this is easily correct with trim adjustments to the engines.

The V625 accepts outboards from 70hp, though twin 90hp four-strokes is recommended as a minimum to take advantage of the hull characteristics – and to have reserve power for bar crossings, etc.

The test rig was fitted with a pair of Suzuki 115hp extra-longshaft (25”) outboards which provided ample acceleration and a top speed just shy of 40knots. Twin 115s is the maximum recommended for the Voyagers and more than enough for recreational applications.

VERDICT - A stand-out performer with an innovative design and layout Modern, trailerable powered catamarans are much better finished, and better equipped than their predecessors from the 1970s and 1980s, but few can compare with the new Voyager V625 Getaway. With regard to finish and fit-out, design and innovation, handling and performance, the V625 stands out from the crowd. This versatile, family/fisher cross-over cat is a ripper – and is certain to attract buyers looking for a craft capable of performing more than one role.

In trailerable terms, the V625 is a big rig, but at around 2.4 – 2.6 tonnes complete, it is readily trailerable behind modern 3.0 tonne rated 4WD vehicles.

LIKES >> Clever cabin layout >> Full standing headroom in toilet >> Soft ride with great stability >> Family/fishing cross-over layout >> Excellent finish and fit-out >> Plenty of storage and seating

NOT SO MUCH >>Glare/reflection off the dash from hardtop >> No helm seat slider >> Needs an option for a transom door/gate

RATINGS Overall rating: 4.74/5.0 Mechanical/equipment: 4.9/5.0 Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0 On the water Performance: 4.7/5.0 Value for money: 4.6/5.0 X-factor: 4.7/5.0

PERFORMANCE 6.4kts (12km/h) @ 1500rpm 7.7kts (14km/h) @ 2000rpm 9.4kts (17km/h) @ 2500rpm 12.1kts (22km/h) @ 3000rpm 17.5kts (32km/h) @ 3500rpm 23.1kts (43km/h) @ 4000rpm 27.0kts (50km/h) @ 4500rpm 30.1kts (56km/h) @ 5000rpm 34.0kts (63km/h) @ 5500rpm 38.4kts (71km/h) @ 6100rpm (WOT)

Specifications: Price: $136,700 including 2 x Suzuki 115hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboards, tandem axle Oceanic trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes, Lowrance HDS12 touch-screen fish finder/GPS, Lowrance Link5 VHF radio, Fusion stereo system with speakers, electric anchor winch, stainless steel cockpit awning and full cockpit camper covers.

Price from: $75,000 for the Classic model with twin 75hp four-stroke outboards. Standard Getaway model priced from $119,950 including 2 x Suzuki 90hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboards and tandem axle Oceanic trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes. Length overall: 7.0m Hull length: 6.1m Beam: 2.37m Dry weight: Approx. 1550kg (test boat) Towing weight: 2700kg (test boat) Deadrise: N/A Draft: Approx. 400mm (motors up) Maximum power: 2 x 115hp Engine as tested: 2 x Suzuki 115hp four-stroke outboards Fuel: 2 x 180 litres Freshwater: 60 litres Maximum Persons: Seven

Supplied by: Voyager Catamarans Phone: 0417 780 600 Email: [email protected] Website www.voyagercats.com.au

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Voyager V930 Express Cruiser – Boat Review

By David Lockwood The Voyager V930 Express Cruiser is a genre-bender, providing a modern take on the powercat concept. David Lockwood goes cruising. It is hard to categorise the futuristic Voyager V930 Express Cruiser. You could pigeon-hole the boat under anything from cruiser to charter, sports to family, multihull to marine revolution. A low-drag, low-wash powercat, this latest version of the Voyager V930 – boat number four – has a hardtop and a lock-up cabin and is therefore suitable for hot and cold climate cruising. Made in Queensland, the cat would be at home dashing along the d’Entrecasteaux channel off Dover and, I assume, it would be a practical boat for Port Phillip Bay. To read complete story – click here for Voyager V930 Express Cruiser – Boat Review on BoatPoint website

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VOYAGER V625 SPORTFISH BOAT REVIEW

Are two hulls better than one - or rather, is a cat hull better than a mono? The Raby Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue crew will tell you they are. Late last year they were on a rescue mission when their powered catamaran collided at speed with a whale - and despite a huge chunk coming off the starboard bow sponson, the boat did not sink. I imagine a monohull in the same situation would have gone down like a homesick mole (nobody seems to be addressing the elephant, or rather whale, in the room - how'd he come off? -Ed). Even so, Australia doesn't seem to have many trailerable cats from 4-7m, which I suspect is due to the fact they cost more - both to buy and to run. While I'm what you'd call a cat enthusiast, I must confess that there was once a time when I wasn't that keen on them. This was back in my homeland of South Africa, where I was always a bit fearful of having to launch these boats through serious East Coast surf. I'd load a 21ft cat with 12 SCUBA divers and all their gear, negotiate a narrow bar, then head into a huge surf zone that on some days took 20 minutes to get through. It was enough to leave you with quivering knees. I then got into the boat testing game and ended up regularly driving and testing cats around South Africa. It was only then that I realised how amazing these hulls are on the water. Yes, you do get the odd dog riding ones - it's the same with monohulls - but in general they are good. Really good, in fact. There's only one problem: you can't just climb onto a cat and expect it to perform. Rather, there's a particular style to driving them which, if you can master it, will forever make a convert of you.

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

So what's so good about cat hulls? Other than the previously mentioned safety aspect, two hulls also offer increased stability due to the fact that cats are wider and have two keels to rest on. Not only does this make the ride softer, but having two motors means you can still get home if one conks out. On the down side, cost would have to top the list. You're running double the motors and batteries, and since cats are naturally wider and heavier, towing is also affected. As with monohulls there are many pros and cons to cats, so I suppose at the end of the day it comes down to individual preference. I recently came across a decent looking trailerable cat, the Voyager V625 SportFish. Voyager Cats has been around for some time, concentrating mostly on larger boats from 30 to 40ft. The V625 SportFish, as I found out, is actually the company's first small model. The test site for the day was off Jumpinpin Bar on the Gold Coast, and the conditions were super flat and perfect for fishing. The only problem was that days like this are not ideal for testing boats of this calibre. Nonetheless - and I'd like to think I've got a fair understanding of how cats ride - we'd come up with a plan to test how it performed in ore "realistic" conditions.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

At first glance the Voyager looks the business, with good flowing lines, big shoulders and an interesting hull design. The rear deck space stands out as a massive fishing platform, and the sizeable cab upfront is immediately impressive. The shape and general layout look just right for its intended purpose - serious offshore fishing - just with a bit more comfort. Before I get into the layout I should mention that this boat was highly customised, planned and designed to suit the client's specific needs. It was a dedicated offshore fishing boat. As I mentioned previously, space is abundant on this boat. In the stern there's a wide boarding platform between the motors that leads to an open, step-through section between the livewells. I did query why the open step-section was without a gate to close it off for safety, and the reason was a baitboard that clips in to close it off. It works, but my preference would be for a gate or door to make it safer for the kids, if you've got them. There are also twin, fold-down seats in the stern with reasonable access to the plumbing below. The huge, non-slip, selfdraining deck has two large fish hatches while the gunwales have recessed handrails, long sidepockets with toe-locks, as well as bolstered padding to lean up against. The way the baitboard fitted into the port gunwale was also a nice touch. Fishing space is not a problem, as you can imagine on such a highly customised rig. In fact, if you're into billfishing you could easily mount a marlin chair in this area without cluttering the stern. Up front, the console area is protected by a full screen and stainless bimini-top with clears and rocket launchers. The seating is comfortable and there's space to mount Esky-type coolers below. I like this system as you can load fish into the coolers instead of the hatches, which means less cleaning on the boat when you get back. Something else I liked was the helm design. It had a really nice, recessed control box-mounting on the side for binnacle mounts, as well as a recessed steering helm section. This design reduces the space normally taken up by protruding steering wheels and control boxes. At the dash, you'll find a decent flat panel to flush-mount electronics, as well as a separate gauge panel at the top. Only one large GPS / fishfinder unit can be accommodated but that's not a problem as there is plenty of space on the side to put another on a bracket if necessary. What's also nice is that there is nothing on top of the dash that restricts your view while driving. The passenger side has an open view through the screen with a full handrail in front to use if standing, but it could definitely do with another on the side of the seat. The cabin section has an open-plan entrance which could be closed with a canvas and mozzie guard. Alternatively, you could go for an optional lock-up system. The cab has plush lining with plenty of light as well as access to the bow through the top hatch. Once again, there's loads of space here, and with the bunk in-fills in place you could comfortably sleep two adults. Beneath the bunk area is a huge storage section for gear, as well as something for the ladies and kids - a toilet.

COMFY LAYOUT

Aside from being the ideal fishing boat, the SportFish also serves as a comfortable over-nighter. If that was its main urpose you could easily add a few more accessories to up the comfort factor even more. The cabin section does not convert to a seating area, which might be a problem for some (but not me). This is because the tunnel in the bow takes that space away, while the top of the cab is also designed low and in proportion to the rest of the boat. Having said that, this type of design is less expensive. As previously mentioned, there is access to the bow through the cabin hatch lid. However, the only time I could imagine anyone using the bow area would be for work on the windlass anchor system. It's actually a very comfortable layout. Space is evident on the fishing side while a touch of style and comfort will suit the family. As mentioned, this boat is a customised fishing boat - if leisure is more you forte then I'm quite sure it wouldn't take too many changes to suit.

SMALL ENGINES, BIG POWER

When I spotted the twin 90hp Honda four-strokes on the big V625 SportFish I naturally doubted if they'd be enough. Considering the size of the boat, I would have expected at least 115s on the back. Indeed, when I climbed onto the controls I was honestly expecting a lethargic performance out of the hole, but I was soon corrected. When Honda's marketing people say BLAST technology is incorporated into these motors, they're not talking bull… The V625 literally blasts out of the water with great holeshot and an impressive top-end considering the boat's size. The decent hull design also contributes to this performance. Up and running, the ride up front was gentle on the body, and in the flat conditions I could comfortably sit back on the chair while driving. A comfy and economical cruise was attained at 25kts (46.3kmh) with the revs sitting at 4500rpm. In the flat conditions offshore you could crank it right up to the maximum 6100rpm, with the speed hovering around 35kts (64.8kmh) - not bad considering the boat only had twin 90s. The hull reacts well to trim on the motors and with little effort it was easy to fine tune things to suit the conditions. One very important thing to check on cats is their ability to turn out of the hole and at speed. In this case, the Voyager sat level in the turns rather than banking onto the outside sponson. With such flat conditions on the day it was trickier to get a true sense of how the hull would ride in rough conditions. To simulate a rougher ride I purposely kept the boat within the swell of the Jumpinpin Bar below North Stradbroke Island. Without being abusive I wound it up over quite a few fair sized waves to check how it would react, which turned out to be as sweet as ever when landing. This is not what you would normally do, but it's nice to know that the hull didn't seem to want to smash or plough back into the water. That's a good indicator as it suggest there won't be any problems in rough conditions, which would make it a very suitable craft for long days offshore.

I was more than happy with the performance and ride on the V625 SportFish. While there could be a few improvements when it comes to the finer finishing details, I'm going to give the manufacturer the benefit of the doubt, as this boat was the first V625 produced. That, and it was also customised to suit a client. Pricing isn't bad for a cat, with an entry-level package starting from $78,690. It's a superb fishing platform that the family can enjoy too, and at just 2100kg, it's a reasonable boat to tow.

On the plane...

Massive sleeping area in the cab Good, compact and user friendly helm station Impressive performance with relatively small motors Great for offshore fishing

Dragging the chain...

Could do with a bit more care on small finishing touches Full centre boarding platform with rails would be nice as standard No transom door or gate as standard   Stainless welds on bimini could be better

SPECIFICATIONS - VOYAGER V625 SPORTFISH

Price as tested: $112,856 Options fitted: Leisure pack, fishing pack, engine upgrade (twin Honda BF90s), electric winch, electric toilet, fresh water storage tank, folding canopy, Lowrance electronics and more Priced from: $78,690 (with twin 70hp two-stroke Tohatsu)

Type: Powered catamaran Material: Fibreglass Length: 6.1m hull; 7.0m LOA Beam: 2.35m Weight (hull): 1140kg Total package weight (dry): 2100kg

People: 6 to 7 Rec. HP: Twin 90 Max. HP: Twin 115hp Fuel: 2 x 180lt Water: 60lt

Make/model: Honda BF90 Type: Four-cylinder SOHC four-stroke Weight: 163kg Displacement: 1496cc Gear ratio: 2.33:1 Propeller: 13 1/4in x 17in three-blade Solas stainless steel

SUPPLIED & MANUFACTURED BY

Voyager Catamarans PO Box 1109 Capalaba, Qld, 4157 Tel: (07) 3206 1732 Web: www.voyagercats.com.au

Originally published in TrailerBoat #279.

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Voyager 11m catamaran

Yes, it’s a catamaran cruiser. No, we don’t see many of them in New Zealand waters – and certainly never one of these, a Voyager 1100. However, that could all be about to change. Greg Adams reports.

“Kiwis never think outside the square and don’t try anything other than monohulls,” laments Richard Wardenburg. “They need to realise that ‘cats’ are the future.”

Strong words indeed. But he would say that, wouldn’t he? Not just because he and his wife have just spent the best part of half a million dollars on the first one ever to be brought across from Voyager Catamarans in Australia but – liking the vessel so much – they’ve also become the New Zealand agents for the company. Cats are the future? Could they have a point? Well, in the words of the Toyota advert, I can say anything I like. So, here goes.

It’s true that catamarans are a relatively rare breed when compared to the number of their monohulled cousins. There’s simply no history, no tradition for cat launches unlike, say, across the Tasman or Stateside. Why? Some swear it’s because there’s no real large scale production here – many are one-offs. Others claim they’re not as aesthetically-pleasing … they’re just not as sexy as a sleek mono slicing through the swell.

Wardenberg admits he himself used to be a monohull fan. What changed his mind? “We were looking for a boat that would fit specific criteria. It needed to have three large cabins, fit into a 12-metre berth, meet our budget and be economical to run.”

At a time when oil’s gearing up to hit US$100 a barrel, that last point alone should be enough to pique the interest of most boat owners. “I’ve previously had fast boats but was prepared to accept a discount in speed for improved economy.”

And that he has. Cruising at a steady 16 knots – top speed is around 22 knots – the Voyager 1100’s two 156HP Yanmar shaft drive turbo diesels (which are, incidentally, de-rated from 256HP) use 22 litres of fuel an hour propelling the low-drag, semi-displacement hulls.

The V1100 offers multiple engine options within a 100 to 250HP range – Yanmar 100 to 190), Volvo (130 to 190), Steyr (110 to 212), John Deere (150), and Yamaha (150 to 200) are listed, with others available on request.

There was another reason Wardenberg chose the cat. “We have a bach at Pauanui,” he says, “and, as anyone who’s been boating there will know, there’s a sand bar that restricts movement. We’ve hit it often and always have to wait for tides. The low displacement means we can now easily ride over the bar – or even park up on it if we choose.”

In fact, the cat’s draught is just 2’ 6’’ (75 cm) with both the four-blade propellers and rudders positioned above the bottom of the hulls, fully protected within the moulded keels. “The boat’s designed to be ‘beached’. Every month or so I take it to Waiheke and sit it down in water just above my knees. I can then walk round and give it a good clean!”

Stepping aboard the Voyager 1100, two things are obvious straight away – it’s stable and remarkably roomy. She might look like a 42-footer, maybe even 45, but you could be forgiven for thinking there’s a little bit of Dr Who’s Tardis about the thing when you learn it’s only 36’ 4’’ (11 metres) in length – there’s definitely room to swing in this cat. The beam is 14’ (4.25 metres) and the bridge clearance is 11’ (3.4 metres) – 15’ (4.5 metres with bimini).

The cockpit’s a good size, enough for a table and four chairs, for fishing or simply resting on the combing and watching the world go by. The easy riding and entertaining potential make it a craft for family and friends to enjoy a variety of activities – probably all at the same time. There are rod holders aplenty, freezer, sink and ample storage for gear. There’s a walk-through transom with moulded swim/boarding platform, and also a barbecue on the stern for dealing with the day’s catch.

Access around the sides is relatively easy thanks to what seems like hand-holds for Africa – at first glance, it looks a bit like overkill but we all come in different shapes and sizes, so why not?

The foredeck struck me as something special – the V1100’s is a genuine living/recreational area. It could accommodate a dozen or more people comfortably. This particular boat’s kitted out with high railings (to meet survey standards) and teak seats fitted around the edge is an optional extra.

A moulded bow sprit protrudes ahead from large anchor lockers and two forward storage hatches nestled just behind. The owners have an inflatable dinghy in one. There are also two 500 x 500 tinted opening hatches in the foredeck.

The moulded stairway to the flybridge blends well into the cockpit structure, and doesn’t take up valuable space. The steps themselves, however, are fairly small – barely enough to cope with my size 10s.

Once upstairs, it’s a large and spacious area, well-appointed with features you’d expect only on larger boats – twin helm seats, a substantial wrap-around lounge seat over-looking the foredeck (with room for six adults), a chiller “for the bubbly”, and a sink with hot and cold water.

The sink’s part of a utility cabinet with a storage locker that’s moulded into the port structure. The helm station has full engine instrumentation, VHF radio, anchor control, compass and stainless steel wheel, as well as a Raymarine C80 chartplotter with GPS, depth sounder and auto-pilot.

Back in the cockpit, you step through two glass doors into the saloon. Inside, the V110 is pragmatic but stylish, with warm and welcoming golden brown joinery. The saloon is bright and comfortable, with a raised, wrap-around lounge and dinette to port. Opposite are a second, fully-equipped helm station and a tidy galley to aft, with fridge/freezer, double-sink, two-burner hob, oven, and plenty of drawer and locker space.

The five-piece, tinted windscreen affords a good view – sliding side windows offer ample, natural ventilation. There’s a DVD, AM/FM/CD stereo sound system (with speakers upstairs and down), and a flat screen TV mounted above the helm station.

Accommodation

It’s three steps down to the cabins – two to port and one to starboard (along with the bathroom). I liked the physical separation and feeling of privacy this provides, when people can go their own ways at night, so to speak.

There’s no ‘master bedroom’, as such. The two forward cabins are both walk-in doubles with 1.9 metre headroom; the aft ‘crawl-in’ double is beneath the dinette. All have portholes and lights. They also have shelves (rather than lockers) for storage.

Officially the V1100 accommodates up to eight – the three cabins, and a pull-out double in the saloon. However, that could easily go into double figures with a few tweens on the flybridge.

The bathroom’s a reasonable size. It boast all the usual things – toilet, hand basin and shower (both with hot and cold), an opening side ventilation portlight and ventilation fan – as well as one of the largest vanity mirrors I’ve seen on a boat this size. The boat has a 35-litrestainless steel exchange hot water system, and an 80-litre holding tank. It carry 700 litres of fuel, and 600 litres of water.

House battery power’s provided by two 2000 amp hour 12V AGM units. Two heavy-duty 65Ahr 12V AGM take care of starting duties.

This Voyager has been built for the Moorings charter fleet for use in Auckland, Bay of Islands and Tonga. Yes, this is an offshore-capable vessel. “There’s a guy currently going around Australia in one of these,” says Wardenburg, who’s buying a second 1100 for himself and considering taking it to Tonga.

He says the Voyager 1100 is basically a longer version of the Voyager 1040 – by two feet. “We had the cockpit extended,” he says. “Richard and Shane Walker, from Moorings, came up with the idea. Voyager is now building this extended version in Australia and exporting it to the US and the Pacific Islands. Ten of them will be used at Fiji’s Chedi resort at Nananu Island.”

Built by Seacat Australia on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Voyager Catamarans were designed by Derek Appleton and Navel architects Stanyon Marine Design. The hull’s construction is hand-laid fibreglass – made to survey standard using Vinylester resin. The moulded deck and flybridge are foam sandwich and cored construction.

The V1100 offers comfortable cruising, with a price tag between $500,000 and $650,000, depending on fittings. It’s economical, well fitted out, good riding, and with a stylish but practical design.

Is it going to change the hearts and minds of Kiwi boaties? Time will tell, but for people who aren’t into the rock’n’roll of boating, it’s going to prove very attractive.

Specifications Voyager 1100 (Price: $500,000 – 650,000)

LOA: 11 metres (36’ 4’’) Beam: 4.25 metres (14’) Draft: 0.75 metres (2’62) Approx weight: 6,200kg Fuel capacity: 700 litres Water capacity: 600 litres Engines: 2 x 156HP Yanmar

VOYAGE 590e

Your yacht. electric sailing experience., voyage 590 best charter boat, powered by wind and sun.

Experience silent electric motors onboard this magnificent, ultra luxurious, eco friendly yacht! All systems are quietly powered by large capacity batteries and recharged by solar, hydro generation and high efficiency auxiliary generators. A modern design that offers exceptional accommodations integrated in beautiful hulls beneath a perfect sail plan.

Innovative, stylish,  modern yacht

State of the art galley.

Fresh sea breezes, natural light and state of the art amenities with high standards of appointments, all to enhance your charter experience.

Stylish open plan design

Dine in total luxury with ambient mood lighting in the spacious and comfortable outdoor cockpit. This yacht offers several state of the art fridges, freezers and icemakers, two dishwashers and a premium quality BBQ for sunset grilling on the aft deck.

Deluxe en-suite  accommodations

The VOYAGE 590e offers beautiful, modern deluxe accommodations, all with en-suite showers, walk-around queen beds, and heads for up to 14 guests.

Bareboat Charter

• 14 Passengers
• 0 King Beds
• 6 Queen Beds
• 0 Double Beds
• 2 Single Beds

Yacht & Captain

• 13 Passengers
• 1 Single Bed

All Inclusive Crewed

• 12 Passengers
• 0 Single Beds

The essence of luxury

Elegance from  stem to stern.

Enjoy a large, sociable upper deck lounge with built in ice cooler, designed for ultra comfort and optimal vistas. Sun lovers can choose the upper deck or foredeck to relax on the sun tanning beds. For those who prefer shade, there are also two covered cockpit lounges onboard.

Disconnect. Unwind. Recharge.

Blissful deluxe cabin comfort.

Beautiful, air-conditioned private en-suite cabins designed for extra comfort. Walk-around, ultra comfy queen beds with plush headboards, reading lights & USB plugs, pull out drawers and under-bed storage space. Double in-lit hanging lockers, ambient celling lights and large hatches are just a few of the fabulous cabin features. Each of these gorgeous rooms offer extra large port-holes with black out shades for more privacy, towel hanging rails, in-room vanity at the basin and a separate shower with dry head.

Unwind. Recharge.

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Sailboat Review: Voyage 590

• By Herb McCormick
• May 1, 2023

Over the years, I’ve heard marketing folks offer some pretty ambitious descriptions of a given vessel’s aims and capabilities. A couple of years ago, a sales rep said that I could take his company’s new 40-something-footer and “do a Bermuda Race on it, or live aboard, or sail around the world.” Except the deck layout was horrible for racing, the galley and storage were too tight for long-term ­habitation, and there wasn’t nearly enough tankage for crossing oceans. In reality, it was a pretty fair coastal cruiser. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t win any prizes.

In sharp contrast to that experience, it was refreshing to step aboard the Voyage 590. The marketing was actually the straightforward skinny: This 59-foot cat , built in South Africa, is a high-end charter boat with a half-dozen equally sumptuous staterooms. Not a long-range cruiser. Not for living aboard. 

What’s more, it has one and only one chartering venue: the British Virgin Islands, from a base at Tortola’s Soper’s Hole. Not the Mediterranean or South Pacific—just the BVI. Simple, no? What wasn’t said is that the 590 is an engineering marvel that addresses its design writ superbly. But I was about to discover all that on my own. 

Voyage founders Robin and Jo-Ann Downing set out from South Africa to the Caribbean aboard their own boat—a custom monohull design that Robin was not only sailing, but also selling—nearly 40 years ago. They then returned home and switched allegiances to cruising catamarans. The first two Voyage cats launched in 1995. By 2017, Voyage ran some 30 charter boats in the BVI and offered dedicated cruising boats beyond those sold into their ­charter-management program. 

Then Hurricane Irma happened, decimating their fleet. With help from their three kids (and their spouses), the Downings regrouped and carried forth with their family-run BVI charter business. It is now replenishing its charter-boat numbers, at this time exclusively with the 590. Going forward, the company has completed preliminary designs for “owner’s layouts” with fewer staterooms, as well as different amenities for long-range cruising and living aboard. The first is expected to launch in early 2024.

Phil Southwell is the ­company’s current naval ­architect of record, but the 590’s concept, layout and objective are all Robin Downing’s. And he is clear about what he was after. 

“It’s a six-cabin layout with slightly different configurations but all of equal size,” he said. “It fills a niche in the market.” 

Of course, not everyone wants to vacation with a dozen companions, but if you do, here you go. Bareboats are available to super-qualified sailors—we’re basically talking longtime, repeat customers—but many charter parties go all-inclusive with a captain and chef, or at least a captain. Which makes sense. The 590 is a lot of boat, my friends. As such, it was named Best Charter Boat in CW ’s 2022 Boat of the Year competition . 

The comfort of vacationers was on Downing’s mind when it came to propulsion and charging systems. The 590 is available in a dedicated all-electric version, or a hybrid setup with a diesel engine for propulsion augmented by a set of Bellmarine electric generators (and accompanying solar panels). In all instances, there’s a bank of lithium-ion batteries. Voyage wants its guests to enjoy full nights of air-conditioned comfort without the noise and bother of a diesel generator. Anyone who has picked up a mooring in a crowded BVI anchorage will also appreciate this silence.

“It’s a techy boat, and they’re doing a lot of cool things with lithium tech and 24-volt systems,” BOTY judge and systems expert Ed Sherman said. “In terms of the systems integration, they’re using very high-end inverters with variable-speed air-conditioning systems that step down as it gets cooler at night. That’s pretty cool stuff. They’ve selected the MG lithium battery banks, which were originally created and designed by Victron Energy in Europe. And there are a lot of refrigeration units on board. They want to make sure the beer is chilled, and they went to great lengths to ensure that it is.”

Nothing is simple about the 590’s construction, including the hand-laid, three-piece hull mold. There’s another vast mold for the deck. All of it, including the structural grid, is foam-cored and vacuum-­bagged in a laminate that incorporates a vinylester skin. It’s all extremely solid and well-executed. 

How to describe the rest of the boat? My notes had two related entries: “laid out for gracious living” and “party palace.” Both were meant to be high compliments.

Stashed in the hulls, those aforementioned six staterooms—four with athwartships bunks, and another pair with fore-and-aft berths—are indeed of equal size and appointments, though with different color schemes and accoutrements for a bit of variety. Topside and aft, swim platforms in each hull step up to a wide boarding platform that accesses the cockpit, with sliding doors that lead to the saloon. With those doors open, the layout makes for a sweeping, integrated space. There’s an outdoor grill, naturally, and a couple of members of the related fridge family. The dining table is long and wide enough for the entire New England Patriots offensive unit. 

The galley is forward with a window for ventilation and easy entree to a forward cockpit, in the event one wishes to throw separate parties at the same time. Five steps lead up to the flybridge, which hosts all the sailing controls and running rigging, ably tamed by a trio of electric stainless-­steel Andersen winches and a series of Spinlock clutches managing color-coded lines. A single wheel is to starboard, with engine controls for the twin Yanmars and a suite of B&G instrumentation. There’s a hard Bimini overhead with windows to the mainsail, in addition to the windshield. Sun pads for lounging are here, there and everywhere. 

The gargantuan mainsail is of course raised by an electric winch, and I was surprised to see what I thought was a black carbon laminate, but it turned out to be Dacron painted black (it still looked cool as could be). The next surprise under sail was the steering, which I thought would be hydraulic on such a beast of a boat. It turned out to be a standard wire Lewmar arrangement that wasn’t exactly sensitive, but it was more than adequate. In 8 to 10 knots of breeze upwind, we made better than 6 knots and sped up to better than 7 on a reach. The fact that these boats are delivered on their own bottom to the Caribbean is a testament to their seaworthiness. 

I asked Robin about top-end boatspeed, and with a look of mock horror, he said: “You don’t want to ever do more than 12 on this boat. It’s 26 tons.” He then listed the many things you’d need to compromise to go faster: slender hulls (which would erase the spaciousness of the accommodations), a higher bridge deck (ditto) and so on. Besides, on the 590, haste is definitely not the point of the exercise. 

BOTY judge Gerry Douglas said that the 590 reminded him of “a boutique hotel.” His words ring true to me, and I personally would be more than happy to check in anytime. 

Voyage 590 Specifications

• More: catamaran , Charter , Print April 2023 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , Voyage Yachts
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“heirloom quality” hinckley for sale, for sale: 2019 leopard 43 pc, meet the wauquiez 55, it’s time to rethink your ditch kit, 8 ways to prevent seasickness.

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Description

Voyage Yachts is a family run business based in Cape Town in South Africa, another multihull specialist from that part of the world. What an ecosystem for building catamarans they have on that coast!

This company has built its business up over the years hand in hand with Voyage Charters who are based in the Caribbean. Their boats are famously sturdy and a key part of the philosophy behind the design is low maintenance. The same group that builds the boat also run a charter fleet of Voyage Yachts, so if there is a problem, the feedback is quick and the design is improved- a very useful feedback loop. This is what a Prout 45 might have looked like if Prout was still around producing cruising cats.

Fast Cruiser They manufacture two sailing models: the 590 and their workhorse: the Voyage 480 which is an evolution of the earlier 450 and 500. This is a seaworthy, comfortable cruising catamaran with an eye on performance. If we were pushed, we’d put it alongside a Nautitech on the performance/comfort graph, with a higher end finish. Read our Lagoon 42 review to make a comparison of the finish level between this manufacturer and other higher volume production boats.

Photos: Voyageyachts.com

Like many of their compatriots, the Voyage team have spent many hours thinking up ways to keep the weight off their boats and maximise the performance for the length and volume. Foam coring is used in the hulls, deck and cockpit bimini, with vacuum-­bag construction techniques. This has allowed them to achieve an impressive  displacement/length ratios of 117, without losing any of the comforts that you would hope to see on a well kitted out cruising cat. And like many of the smaller South African builders, where you really win versus the production cats, is in the quality of the finish.

With all this attention to detail on the weight, the Voyage 480 is no slouch, and with her low slung profile she looks the business. The profile is sporty with her sleek lines and a low boom.

She packs some punch with a generous sail plan. The Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) on the 480 is around 23. To give you a comparison, the Lagoon 450 sits at around 20. Again, that puts her in a similar bracket as a Nautitech. She won´t compete against a Looping 50 on speed but sits more in the upper middle of the performance/comfort scale.

Well Organised 2 bridles control the mainsail which makes it easy to trim your sails and gybe safely. The helm is on the starboard bulkhead with plenty of room for two and a sliding hatch in the bimini lets you pop your head through it when the sun is out. Slide it shut for the fully protected position.

All of the main lines come back to twin winches on the coachroof by the helm and in general the running rigging is very tidy and organised with tail bags

In a fresh breeze (say 18 knots), you should easily see speeds in the early teens on this boat, especially if you keep the weight off, but that low bridgedeck clearance does mean that this boat is susceptible to slamming going into the weather, although they have improved this with the newer design compared to the 450.

Going upwind, she is a competent performer and will get you off a lee shore. You should see 8-9 knts even at a TWA of 45 degrees in a fresh breeze. Point 5 or 10 degrees lower to reduce your leeway and keep your VMG up.

Living Space

While many of the volume manufacturers are starting to look very similar on the layout front, the Voyage 480 is almost quirky – a breath of fresh air. They have evolved the earlier 450 and increased the length, and widened the hulls, with a higher bridge deck clearance. The finish can seem spartan down below (up top is cosy), but she wears well and cleans easily.

If you can find a Voyage 480 on the second hand market it is likely to have done its time in charter and will probably be the 4 cabin version. These are popular boats: they don´t come up often.

High Quality Finish It’s probably up top where the Voyage 480 stands out against the competition. In the saloon, there is a large horse-shoe sofa set around a dining table with a U/shaped galley to port facing forward with loads of working space.

It’s a cosy feel with a nav station aft and the finish is top end with a double sink, large burner & oven and some great wooden surround touches on the furniture. The Lewmar hatches let in plenty of natural light and help keep the interior well ventilated.

In the aft cockpit, you have a large swimming platform which looks fantastic at anchor, but I would worry about the safety at sea. When you have your tender tied down at the back, it feels more secure. But if you are diving with tanks off the back of the boat, or launching a kite surfer or a SUP,  it doesn´t get much better than this.

You raise and lower your tender with a crane (Boom Stinger) that extends out of the boom, and having the dinghy on the deck means that it is more secure than it would be on davits.

Going Green

Voyage are in the leading charge in the industry when it comes to eco options. They have been working with Finnish company Ocean Volt to provide ways for their customers to achieve low emission or even emission free sailing.

If you are looking for a higher quality finish in a catamaran that is quicker than the average, the Voyage 480 ticks a lot of boxes. She is a solid, seaworthy design that has evolved over the years based on feedback from Voyage Charters.

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