Local Product Is Turning Heads On The Harbour
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday June 12, 1992
There was a time, not so long ago, when charter boats on the Harbour were mainly old, often-tired ferries and work boats.
Don't get me wrong, there are still boats matching that description, and they're popular charters with groups and social clubs working to tight budgets.
At the upper end of the market, however, there have been monumental changes in what constitutes a top-ranked charter boat, and leading the way is an innovative, rather spectacular catamaran, the Sydney Crystal.
Anyone who rates as a regular on the Harbour must have seen this unusual 20-metre (65ft) motor sailer-style cat.
Built at Mona Vale by Mariglass, supervised by project manager Richard Ward and builder Paul Kelly, the Sydney Crystal has carved its own special niche on the Harbour charter scene in the scant 12 months it has been operating.
The design of the craft, essentially known as a Seawind 65, came from the drawing board of prominent naval architect Scott Jutson, while the vessel's stunning interior was handled by Bernie Cohen Design.
The Sydney Crystal's dimensions are quite spectacular: 20 metres overall; a massive 10-metre beam; main mast soaring 25 metres above the water.
She tips the scales at a neat 44 tonnes. That's one big lady ...
Her main engines are a pair of TAMD 130 hp Volvo Penta marine diesels running through shaft drives. She carries three Onan 20kVA marine gensets to provide full 240-volt power on board.
In the wheelhouse, from where skipper Robin Mister commands the Sydney Crystal, her extensive electronics comprise VHF marine radio, and Datamarine depth sounder/speed log and a stereo music system which can be piped through the ship.
MicroCommander controls allow precise handling of the engines, particularly when tight manoeuvring is needed as the vessel picks up charter parties from various marinas and wharves around the harbour.
Captain Cook Cruises operates the Sydney Crystal on behalf of its owners, TP Marine Pty Ltd.
One of the vessel's major advantages is the manner in which it can be"tailored" to suit specific charter applications.
Up to 80 guests can be accommodated for day cruising. For a more exclusive gathering 20 guests can be seated in luxury surroundings for dining from comprehensive a la carte menus.
So lavishly equipped is the vessel that participants in business conferences held on board can have full access to telephones, facsimiles, photocopier and typewriting service.
Construction of the Sydney Crystal took more than 15 months at the former Mariner Cruisers plant in Mona Vale, engaging teams of up to 40 craftsmen, among them shipwrights, fabricators, electricians and electronic technicians, plumbers and fibreglass experts.
The entire GRP (glass reinforced plastic) hull and deck assembly is balsa cored with hand-laid woven rovings and strand mat and a combination of hand lay-up and chopper gun operation.
All the installation work was done on site, and project manager Richard Ward needed only plumbing and electrical assistance from outside contractors.
Ward said the final cost of the craft was in the order of $2.5 million.
"Most fibreglass materials used in Australia are imported, and, of course, the Sydney Crystal's Volvo engines come from Sweden, but we're pretty proud of the fact that she really is very much an Aussie," he said.
"The design, the fitout, the fabrics, stainless steel, much of the engineering, all was done here. She's very much true blue."
Internally, as befits such a vessel, the Sydney Crystal is all class, ready and able to cater for the most discerning charterers, with icemakers, dishwashers, microwave ovens, an expansive bar, even a deck spa, a sushi bar and spacious sun decks.
A master bedroom is complete with en suite and its own kitchen, which has impressed several honeymooners.
I guess what impressed me most about the Sydney Crystal, however, was simply the fact that it is a local product.
Sometimes Australians automatically look for the words "fully imported"before they give something due recognition.
Those same words should win recognition for the Sydney Crystal but in other countries around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 20 metres (65ft).
Beam: 10 metres (33ft).
Displacement: 44 tonnes.
Power: Dual Volvo Penta TAMD Marine Diesels, 130hp each.
Fuel capacity: 2,000 litres.
Water capacity: 1,650 litres.
Top speed: 10 knots.
Price: $2.5 million.
For further information, contact Mariglass (02 799 9155) or for charter information, contact TP Marine (02 241 2689) or Captain Cook Cruises (02 251 5007).
© 1992 Sydney Morning Herald
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