'A View From The Bridge.' Of the Starship Enterprise, is how this feels to Stargazer's skipper.
Ensconced at the helm of an ocean roaming Broadblue Rapier 550, costing almost three million pounds.
Fifty five feet of rakish ocean roaming catamaran. Capable of thirty knot speeds. Presently at rest on the mud in Thornham Marina, which dries below half tide.
Alongside her, is the more modestly proportioned and priced Broadblue 346. Despite her name, thirty three feet overall. Just two feet longer than Stargazer.
Yet sporting an agoraphobia inducingly spacious cockpit and deck saloon. All sail controls are led to two centrally placed winches within reach of a well sheltered helm. For ease of solo operation.
Quirky sleeping accomodation is the price for those compact dimensions. The hulls have been kept fine. For this is a design drawn by multihull performance guru Darren Newton.
Founder of the 'Made in Cornwall' Dazcat yard in Millbook. Purveyor of bespoke racer-cruisers. The Dazcat 1195 Spirit of Freedom is of similar age to Stargazer.
And now on brokerage, with Multihull World, here in Thornham. A business owned by Mark Jarvis. Who is in the process of winding up the Broadblue brand (which he also owns). In favour of becoming the UK Seawind Catamarans agent. (See Ad Lib 21)
Spirit of Freedom's lithe looks come at the expense of headroom. Which is of the stooped to sitting variety below. Whereas the less athletic aesthetic of the Broadblue 346 buys abundant head space throughout. As, Mark assures me, do the chiselled lines of the Seawind 1170 (pictured above). Of similar length and beam to the Dazcat 1195. His purpose in including her in our tour.
Picture Credits
2-6 courtesy of Multihll World & Broadblue Catamarans
7&8 courtesy of Dazcat and Multihull World brokerage
9 courtesy of Seawind Catamarans.
