Mathers
57
Performance
Cruising Catamaran
Built By Gold Coast Yachts
Description:
This
design combines very slender, easily driven hulls, with wide overall beam and a
generous sail plan, to deliver exceptional performance in the full spectrum of
sailing conditions. The subtle curves of the hulls with their large radius sheer
and the smoothed contours of the deckhouse cannot be appreciated by examination
of the plans alone; the finished yacht elicits positive comments from everyone
that sees it. The versatility of the space available on deck and within the
interior will accommodate numerous deck and interior layout variations.
The
first Mathers 57, SHEARWATER , was launched December 1997. Following is a
description of that vessel, whose design evolved around very specific interior,
deck layout and equipment requirements for a private owner requiring a
completely outfitted catamaran, with the ability to carry all the gear, fuel,
water and stores required for long-range cruising.
Shearwater's
sailing cockpit is forward of the deckhouse, with the mast at it’s forward end
and every sail control lead to the cockpit allows almost all sail handling from
the security of the cockpit. Just outboard of the cockpit are two enormous 95
cu. ft. stowage spaces, accessed through the largest deck hatches made. All
interior compartments have deck hatches for ventilation and natural light. Aft
of the deckhouse is a 18ft x 7ft deck that functions for socializing, fishing,
or protected dinghy stowage.
The
deckhouse contains the galley, a large dining area, inside steering station, and
a chart table large enough to spread out a full sized chart. Wrap-around windows
and opening deck hatches provide a wonderful sense of connection with the
surrounding vessel and waters. Each hull contains private double staterooms fore
and aft, with a head/shower compartment amidships. The starboard hull features a
comfortable office with desk and generous stowage lockers, while the port hull
has a spacious workbench.
The
72 foot wing mast; it is simple, efficient, light-weight, and very visible in
the harbor. A self-tacking roller furling jib, mainsail, roller furling genniker,
and cruising spinnaker completes
the sail inventory.
Considerable
attention was given get this 57 footer into very shallow waters and “beach”
the yacht. Daggerboards and rudders contained in cases lift up get those out of
the way. The propeller installation is carefully positioned off centerline and
as close against the hull as practical to it keep above the hull bottom profile.
Construction
materials were carefully chosen to provide durability at a reasonable weight.
This yacht is truly a “composite” construction, utilizing various core
materials; strip planked Douglas fir in the hull bottoms, and balsa dura-core in
the topsides. The longitudinal strength and durability of the fir planking has
been well proven in the day-charter
vessels, withstanding years of daily beach landings without a problem. Balsa’s
high compressive strength and excellent bonding characteristics keep the hull
sides light, but tough enough to handle docks, pilings, and stray yachts
drifting through crowded anchorages. To fully encapsulate the balsa core,
high-density foam core inserts replaced the balsa core in the way of all
fittings and portlight/hatch openings. The decks are cored with Core-cell linear
polymer foam, combining the stiffness and heat resistance of PVC cores with the
resilience of Airex core. The exterior fiberglass hull laminates are added
continuously around the hull “tubes”, avoiding the weight and possible
problems of a secondary joining laminate along the hull centerline. The large
bridge-deck panels are cored with 2” thick Nida-core plastic honeycomb
sheathed with fiberglass skins, the result is extremely strong and stiff.
Interior joinerwork is a combination of plywood veneered Nida-core panels,
marine plywood, and foam and glass panels.
A
12 volt electrical system is charged by high output alternators on each of the
27 hp Yanmar diesels, and solar-voltaic
cells installed on the deckhouse. Refrigeration, water-heaters and water-maker
are also 12-volt systems. A large inverter is available to provide for the
occasional 110 AC demand. 200 gals of diesel fuel, nearly 400 gals of water, and
more usable storage than the average 2 bedroom house, enables an extended
cruising range.
Specifications:
L.O.A.
57.0’
Beam
30.0’
Draft
1.7’ - 9.0’
Lt.
Ship Displ. 24,000
lb.
Sail
Area
1700 Sq. Ft.
General
Information:
Builder:
Gold
Coast Yachts, PO Box 1980, Kingshill, St. Croix, 00851, Tel: 340-778-1004,
Fax;
340-778-2859, e-mail: goldcoastyachts@att.net
Designer;
J.P.
Donovan DESIGN, P.O. Box 4992,
Annapolis, MD 21403,
Tel:(410) 626-1163
e-mail: JPDdesign@juno.com
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St. Croix, USVI
