Luxury Expedition Catamaran

By Corrie Lamprecht (Bakri Cono Marine)
& Albert Nazarov (Albatross Marine Design)

A few months ago the client walked into the factory of Bakri Cono boat builders and stated “I want a yacht that I can enjoy, can go anywhere, visit very remote islands; AND I want to enjoy all my time on board” was the demands.   Thailand based designer Albatross Marine Designs did all the detail work, systems, analysis and architectural designs.  After none less than six months of consultations the 65ft catamaran “Heliotrope” took final shape.

 

Specially designed for the demanding kind of man.  Serious about his business, serious about his leisure time and serious about his life and fellow passengers.  This yacht is perfect for long times at sea – cruising, exploring, living and if really needed; even to manage your business from.  All aspects are living up to a classification on its own “Luxury Expedition Catamaran”.  

 

The excited owner wants to cruise around many of the 38,000 South East Asian islands before relocating the yacht closer to his home in the Caribbean.  Because the yacht will be more often around remote islands than near marina service stations, there was strong emphasis on independence.

 

Combining the full Wish List from the owner into a long range yacht of only 65 feet was a great challenge to both Albert Nazarov who took personal command of the architectural designs and Bernard Lamprecht who has to build this ultimate creation.  Not only is this boat to be comfortable and practical; it has to look different.  As the owner said “I want everybody to immediately know this boat is unique, even from far off”.  Thus we had to come up with maximum usage of space, sexy and sleek look, serious expedition able, comfortable and ‘GREEN’ on environment.  WOW!  

 

Deck architecture is epitome of Albatross’ philosophy – practical and stylish.  The Heliotrope is really designed for the ultimate experience at sea in both comfort and safety.  The spacious front deck is full walk-around with a large sundeck which doubles as surface for additional solar cells and huge stowage for the mattresses and other items underneath.  All anchor equipment is safely located in enclosed compartments – access trough deck. At each of the two bows you will find a ‘Dreamers seat” for those wonderful daydreams.

 

Side decks are convenient and wide covered by natural teak.  The all round bulwarks are essential for safety on those less than calm days with sturdy 316L stainless handrails.   

 

At the stern one might think you are on a large land based patio rather than a boat.  The 3.2meter RIB tender is covered by aft sundeck for additional space besides the functionality of protection against sun and weather.  No easy getting damaged by nature for this tender; yet still very reachable for service, preparing or inspection.  

 

A full featured bar corner, luxury seating, dining tables and large open area allows the ultimate for partying, serious business or just lazying around.  Underwater spread lights for the romantic aquatic views at night.  The full stern cockpit is on level with the main saloon and has a drain gully to prevent water from entering the main saloon area.  

 

Out of sight, but readily on hand are the big storage spaces under stern sofa seat and its ‘armrests’ – for dive tanks and more gear – including dive tank filling connections.  The lower level of the stairs on each hull is a very comfortable swim platform of nearly two square meters.  One can easily put that bulky BCB’s sets on – thoroughly thought out in full details by experienced dive masters. Stern platforms are extended by teak grate pieces, one of which is fitted with hydraulic lift for easy boarding; especially for the elderly and very suitable for handicapped people.

 

Where do people spend most of their time on a big yacht?  Often we wondered why the fly bridges on yachts are so small.  On this Heliotrope design we have created the ultimate fly bridge.  Starting with the full solid staircase which has huge storage space underneath and an unique ‘pit cover hatch’ that can slide completely away – or cover in bad weather.  When one enters onto the fly bridge the first impression is that of space, space and more space.  A full 46 square meters of Fly Bridge; bigger than many condominiums!  

 

Not only is the fly bridge so huge, it has a full dining table with seats for up to 10 people in comfort, fully equipped gully with gas BBQ, fridge and sink.  Aft there is a big set of four sun beds and overhang stern even space for two kayaks.  The upper helm is a place of comfort in itself with 360 degree view, sofa seating for skipper and partner with two more side couches for those who like to see the future.

 

Thinking of this huge fly bridge one will expect it to be bulky and towering.  Another feat of Albatross Marine is to design this bridge so very little is ‘sticking out’.  The bulk of the fly bridge is actually hidden inside the saloon; without reducing space in the saloon.  

 

The HELIOTROPE got its name from Greek “Helios” which means SUN and “tropos” which means turn.  In this case the yacht will be equipped with the latest in solar technology which includes flexible solar cells (70+ square meters of them) directly mounted on the surfaces – effectively “Turning the sun into electricity’.  The hard top of the fly bridge as well as surface under the forward sun beds will be covered with direct mounted solar cells and delivering an expected 3 KW/hr electric charge on a good sunny day.  For the rainy days, there are two uniquely designed wind charges ready for deployment in the communication arch.

 

Talking of the rainy day; the Heliotrope has another unique feature, idea from the owner because he is very familiar with the tropics; I want the rooftop to also serve as catchment for fresh water.  Thus, rainwater from the roof top of the fly bridge drains directly into the fresh water tanks, if they are full; well then overflow out to sea.

 

While manager Albert enjoyed the technical designing of the Heliotrope; the interior décor was one of the biggest dreams of the in-house interior designer Tung.  Here the owner was very demanding.  “I want an Asian theme in my yacht; no common American or ultra modern Italian for me.”  Something special, some Thai, some Chinese . . .  Boy, was that a new one.  

 

The small fingers of Kuhn Tung had a lot of working.  The final results are stunning.  She came up with a fine mix of Oriental Culture; warm welcoming friendly décor so typical of the Thai.  Wood, silk, satin, colour and décor all blended to make a dream become reality.  Plenty of space for the owner to display his collection of souvenirs from so many exotic excursions; and more to be added while on voyage after voyage with Heliotrope H65.

 

The 45 square meter main saloon includes a ‘L’-shaped office corner, 8-person dining table, well fitted gully for the Gourmet cooking owner and plenty of refrigerator space.  The gully is enough to make any cook green; interior and exterior section with interconnecting window, fridge, 4xplate stove, big working surface double sink – and full breakfast nook.  As if that was not enough big demands on the design team, the owner next requested the addition of oven, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer too . . .

 

The huge elevated helm has plenty of space for all maps, monitors, references, manuals, bookshelf and electronics.  View from the helm is almost 360 degree with only the two aft corners blocking.  This helm station is designed with the long voyage in mind; comfortable and everything conveniently placed, ready at hand whenever you need it quickly; down to the drinks holders.

 

Being a catamaran, the separation of lower decks is applied to the maximum.  In each hull there are two big forward cabins with en-suite bathrooms.  Here the demands from the owner were very pertinent.  I do not want a ‘head’; I want a bathroom where there is no need to exit just to be able to turn around.  How can one take a shower if your arms are pinned at your side or when you are in a coffin?”  For the ‘head’ he was also very particular with ‘silent, big and comfortable; after all it is the throne and place of thinking’.

 

Plenty of space and cupboards was always kept in mind and every possible corner is used for stowage; ready for long explorations.  Aft from the main cabins there is a crew cabin in starboard hull with its own shower/toilet and double bunk.  In the main hull (Port side) there is another guest cabin with double bed that can be converted either for two single beds or office space and its own private bathroom.  In all this yacht can convert to four full en-suite cabins, or master bedroom with one guest cabin and crew quarters.  In total there are four full space ‘bathrooms’.

 

Due to the expedition nature of the Heliotrope the designer had to consider long trips.  He decided on large engine rooms with two diesel machines and straight shaft drives.  Included in the engine rooms are reverse osmosis water maker, generators, central air conditioner, deep freeze chillers, water heaters and compressor for dive tanks.  All conveniently accessible from cockpit or rear cabins through water tight hatches.

 

There are in total four fuel tanks of 1,500 liter each, interconnected; two fresh water tanks of 1,100 liter each, gray and black water tanks in bow.  All tanks are located under the floor of the cabins to ensure additional stability.  Because of the huge demand on solar energy, special considerations were given to the house batteries and ventilation for them.

 

The hull is a canoe shaped displacement for efficiency and strong stern platform that will be added efficiency at both displacement and semi-planing speeds.  The location of the propellers and rudders are direct aft of the twin hulls with full protection.  Production of the Heliotrope H-60 will be of polyester/E-class quad-axial fiberglass.  Above water parts will be honeycomb cored multi-axial fabrics – all hand lay-up to ensure maximum quality.

 

The twin VOLVO D9 light commercial rated diesel marine engines will provide a top speed of 22 knots and a very economical cruising speed of 12 knots can be achieved with only one engine operating.

 

The boat is designed to comply with “Category A – Ocean” of the European Recreational Craft Directive.