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Fast ferries converted to yachts

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Innomare, Sep 7, 2006.

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  1. Innomare, Sep 7, 2006
    #1
    Innomare

    Innomare Senior Member

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    Allthough it's very common to have workboats converted to yachts (tugs, research vessels, training ships, etc.), I've rarely seen fast ferries converted to yachts.

    Two weeks ago I saw one on my doorstep (The Hague), at least it looked like it was a ferry before it was a yacht. I don't remember its name (something with Mar... I think), but only that it was sailing under german flag (homeport Hamburg).

    Does anyone know this yacht or others that are converted from fast ferries?


    _____________________________________________
    Bruno
    www.innomare.com
    Naval Architect - Owner's Representative - Marine Surveyor
  2. YachtForum, Sep 7, 2006
    #2
    YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Bruno,

    There's a ferry being "touted" as a potential megayacht conversion...

    http://www.bullshooter.com/jmart/cloudx/

    He made posts on YF, as a 3rd party, trying to drum up press for the most expensive item to ever sell on eBay.

    I think his website URL speaks volumes! :rolleyes:
  3. Innomare, Sep 8, 2006
    #3
    Innomare

    Innomare Senior Member

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    Not a native speaker

    Carl, what does bullshooter actually mean (apart from somebody who would shoot bulls?)?

    _____________________
    Bruno
    www.innomare.com
  4. Innomare, Sep 8, 2006
    #4
    Innomare

    Innomare Senior Member

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    As that these ships fall under the High Speed Craft Code (HSC), instead of SOLAS, they don't have to carry orange lifeboats which is one of the reasons why yachts are most often only carrying 12 guests. Instead they have a marine evacuation system (inflatable slide , at the end of which are liferafts when deployed, comparable with what you have on aircraft).

    That said, the HSC is in many ways more strict than SOLAS.

    Bruno
  5. Loren Schweizer, Sep 8, 2006
    #5
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    As Carl is too much of a gentleman to explain this, allow me to try.
    Innomare, there is a commonly used Americanism term, having to do with bull, ah, excrement, in which the speaker speaks nonsense, i.e., bullsh*t.

    "Bullshooter" simply allows the aforementioned blogger to spout crapola without being taken to task by a moderator.

    Kapeesh?
    ;)
  6. Innomare, Sep 11, 2006
    #6
    Innomare

    Innomare Senior Member

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    Kapeesh!!
    Should have figured that out myself... :rolleyes:


    Bruno
  7. MacMcL, Sep 11, 2006
    #7
    MacMcL

    MacMcL Senior Member

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    We have done a couple estimates on several fast ferry conversions, it always gets down to fuel burn and fuel capacity Cost is always a factor, but these fast ferries were designed and built for speed at the expense of efficiency. A couple of years agao the government of British Columbia auctioned three fast ferries - one with less than 200 hours. These boats were capable of 40 knots and had four very large engines driving two water jets. The speed sounds great, until to look at your operating costs. It certainly isn't for everyone.
  8. OutMyWindow, Sep 11, 2006
    #8
    OutMyWindow

    OutMyWindow Senior Member

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    Interesting that you should mention the BC Ferry Fiasco, it still leaves a bitter taste in many a mouth and was a contributing factor in bringing down the Provincial Government.
    By all accounts the Fast Cats were a colossal mistake which should off never happened, and turned out to be a windfall for the Washington Marine Group, which taught the Government the basics of "Business 101".
    Mr. Washington's "Attessa" was no doubts just one of the many rewards.
    Read all about it.......
    http://www.bcshipyardworkers.com/news/feb29_04.html
  9. MacMcL, Sep 12, 2006
    #9
    MacMcL

    MacMcL Senior Member

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    The BC Ferries are a classic example of why government should not be in the privae sector. The orginal construction costs exceeded the original budget by 10's of millions of dollars; while the new cats were smaller it was felt that because they were faster, they would make more trips and carry more passengers - not the case since most of their run was inland waters between islands and their 6' wake proved disastorous to docks and other boats; slowing them down did nothing for fuel economy either - to sum it up, wrong boat, wrong waters, wrong time - but other than that it was a pretty good plan.