BlueWater News| Blue Sky Thinking |
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The State Department recently released a directive that every feature including the words ‘bulletproof Kevlar’ and ‘beach landing party in the Middle East’, must also include: liberation, oil, isolated, escaping, conquering the world, and of course, America. So here we go... This month we tested the Bluewater 5200, a charter vessel from America, with a hull constructed from Kevlar (the same material used in bullet-proof vests) which makes it perfect for beach landings, parties and the liberation that comes from escaping the city and finding an isolated spot. With an optional transportation configuration too, the Bluewater could conquer the luxury ferry service market required for the World development... and urmm... oil. Cutting right to the chase, what makes the Bluewater 62 ME Special so different? Well first up it is one of the few motor yachts in the GCC designed specifically for charter and modified for local waters. Purposely specified with Onan generators and a Raytheon navigation and communication systems because of the fantastic local support networks, she also sports enlarged engine manifolds on her two Cummins diesels (which enable her to run in air temperatures topping 140 degrees and water temperatures up to 95 degrees!) – the brand again chosen for local service. The most unique capability of the Bluewater however is her ability to safely run aground and disembark her passengers right onto the beach – via an electrically powered boarding ladder on the bow. The ‘bulletproof’ Kevlar hull draws a meagre 28 inches of draft, due to the screws being recessed in a tunnel drive, meaning the bow can be run aground on all but the shallowest of beaches. With overblown features, the Bluewater doesn’t exhibit supermodel looks, but the design committee have made a good fist of making what is essentially a commercial craft aesthetically pleasing. The flared bow and incorporated pulpit is all-American fisher, the portlights in the aft lower deck are reminiscent of superyacht design, the interior belies the company’s houseboat heritage and the flybridge has a luxury ferry look. Even if one feels the aesthetic elements could have been moulded together more sympathetically, the result is a craft that does her practical job incredibly well.
The responsibility of every charter or transportation vessel is to provide its passengers with a safe and comfortable passage. Those aboard, usually unfamiliar with boating, should be kept dry and feel confident moving around a stable platform. Here the Bluewater ticks all the boxes with aplomb. With full height doors and head clearances, there’s no need to duck at any time. High guardrails and wide moulded steps, with very effective non-slip, allow for secure movement whilst underway. Additionally, The positioning of the twin Cummins engines (straddling a central gangway to port and starboard, slightly aft of mid-ships and mounted low for improved centre of gravity), coupled with a wide beam, made the Bluewater rock steady even the swell we encountered. The Bluewater’s smooth, level ride comes courtesy of the modified V-planing hull and the distinctively flared bow design. Raking sharply forward to the moulded bow pulpit, the 45° entry in the forefoot allows the yacht to plough on inexorably in rougher water, slicing and dicing any waves it encounters, pushing the water out and down. This provides not only stability and buoyancy, but also the comfortable dry ride we experienced. In its current configuration, the Bluewater 6200 can safely cater for 23 passengers and three crew according to her RTA license, though we’d agree with the American Coastguard’s assessment that she can handle considerably more. In ‘Transporter’ configuration however, with 28 executive aircraft style seats replacing the comfortable lounge interior, VIP cabin forward and Master suite aft, full size galley and dining area, the craft will be licensed for 42 passengers. A great solution for developers looking for quick turn-around logistical support for their accommodation on The World in Dubai, or any one of the many island projects in Abu Dhabi. Not being a commercial magazine however, we started considering how an owner could offset the purchase and running costs of their Bluewater, through charter. Happy Minwalla, CEO of Bluewater UAE, told us that in addition to selling the craft, the company also offer a management service that guarantees owners an average of 50 charter hours per month. A quick calculation told us that at roughly ******** AED per hour and with the original cost being ************, the boat would pay for itself in **** years.
For the skipper, piloting the Bluewater is a dream. The widely spaced props, in their recessed conical pockets, not only provide great torque to haul the big boat onto the plane, but when coupled with the bow thruster, make close quarter handling a synch. At the helm station on the flybridge, the instrument panel rises smoothly from the dash at a flick of a switch. Protected from the elements and dust when not in use is a full Raymarine display, including a forward pointing sonar for safely navigating yourself in for those beach landings. A full smartcraft diagnostics and CCTV is also installed. The Bluewater’s first impression is vaguely ‘functional’, but on closer inspection we discovered hundreds of little features we really liked: the trolling seats on the aft deck; the aft winches for an optional anchor; the electric swim platform; the spacious galley, full washing machine and pop-up 42 inch plasma screen for ‘home from home’ comforts; the BBQ with electric spit, fridges and ice-maker on the flybridge, the great build quality throughout... the list could go on and on.
A lack of space precludes us from enthusing further over the Bluewater’s attributes, so we’ll sign of with a word about her seakeeping. As you’d expect from a boat builder that constantly tests its products in some of the roughest waters available in North America, it only needs one word. Spectacular! Source: Boat Owner ME, January 2009. Words by Craig Barnett |
