Spindrift 47: A New High-Performance Power Cat
A development of the highly successful Spindrift 45, the new Spindrift 47 was designed to incorporate living accommodations to suit a very experienced boating couple who cruise 6 months of the year.
The deckhouse was elongated four feet in order to allow major changes to the galley by increasing the working space, adding refrigerator/freezer capacity, plus an enlarged stove/oven and more storage lockers. Also benefitting was the lounging space opposite the galley.
Down below the general layout is similar to the Spindrift 45 with the master cabin forward starboard, and two double cabins port. The port aft cabin benefits most from the longer deckhouse which provides much more headroom over the double berth and more standing room in the cabin.
The forward port cabin was reconfigured with upper and lower single berths for guests and grand kids. The port head and shower were enlarged and now considerably more spacious than the earlier design.
Back in the starboard hull there is now a "work room" aft with a washer/dryer and a bench for projects and tool storage.
There were also major changes on deck where the house top was extended aft over the cockpit. This provides an enlarged flybridge area for socializing, hanging out or running the boat.
Providing shade for the flybridge, the composite canopy is fully covered with enough solar panels to run much of the day-to-day functions as well as mount antenna.
Power is provided by twin Cummins QSB 6.7 engines (480HP) coupled to HJX29 Hamilton Jets. The engines are 20% higher output than the engines used on the Spindrift 45 and the jets are a newer model that are claimed to be about 8% more efficient. In combination both of those should offset the additional weight and accommodation of the new 47. The result should be a similar top end of 38 knots or more and a comfortable cruise of 28 to 30 kts. For sailors fuel burn in fast power boats is always eye popping but the Spindrift is FAR superior to any comparable monohull- often 50% better in terms of miles per gallon.
As with the Spindrift 45, the new design also incorporates a Hysucat hydrofoil. This is an extraordinary foil system where a streamlined metal hydrofoil, with no moving parts, spans from one hull to the other. The maximum depth of the foil is no deeper than the hull. At speed, about half the weight of the boat is carried by the foil which yields an improvement in speed and fuel efficiency by about 25%. The foil considerably dampens the motion under way making the ride more comfortable, even at speeds where most boats have to slow down.
Hull #1 is presently under construction at Aquidneck Custom Composites in Rhode Island. Tooling was built for the hull and decks so repeat orders will build faster. Construction is by epoxy resin infusion of high-performance glass fabrics over foam core. ACC has mastered the infusion process such that the laminate quality is superb with absolutely no air entrapment in the laminate.
Interior construction: Jim Thompson Marine Carpentry is supplying interior cabinet work on lightweight composite panels built by ACC. Jim did most of the cabinetwork on the A72 "Penmanship" as well as prior CWD cats built by Aquidneck Custom. Careful weight control on the interior is a major concern for me as it is far too easy to end up with sub-par performance if careless construction is employed.
The considerable task of tying all the electrical components together falls largely to Ian Clark Marine Electrical of Bristol, RI. when Ian can be torn away from the superyachts in Newport. Even when trying to keep things "simple" cruising yachts these days tend to get pretty complex electrically. Problems there will drive any owner crazy so only the best practices should be used, Ian has a great track record in prior builds such as the A72's.
My fingers are crossed for a launch in late '24, there will be further updates as things progress. A boat shop tour can be arranged upon request.
While some of the boats in the Design Archive are effectively "retired", many of these fine designs can be built. Contact Chris White for more information.