Andy McCutcheonTasman Oceans 35 - Review
September 7th 2007 00:31
Tasman Oceans 35'
Tasman Oceans 35'
It’s a “dog–eat–dog” world out there but Gold Coast Cat manufacturers are all scratching their way to the top of a growing global marketplace for a chance to be crowned “King of the Jungle”. Does the Tasman C35 have its claws out ready to run with the big Cats? Or is it all just warm milk and kippers?
On a recent trip to the Southport Yacht Club on Queenslands Gold Coast I was asked by Valda Martin and her team of professionals at Bosuns Locker to do an independent review of Tasman International’s C35 catamaran.
With reluctance, I replied, we generally do not do reviews on boats under 40 feet” and had queried Valda if the boat could be fitted with a set of dingy davits off the stern rail and then re-measured prior to the review. All joking aside, I was more than pleased to do the review and in the end, glad I had taken the time.
I had waited until midday to begin going over the boat giving Mother Nature a head start in generating her summer anabatic breezes that blow characteristically favourable sailing winds onshore.
Upon my arrival as I awaited the return of Neale Hollier, Neale Harding encouraged me to browse the comprehensive boat chandlery shop owned by Bosuns Locker adjacent to their brokerage offices.
We were shortly on our way and heading down to the jetty to cast off the lines and get underway.
My first glimpses of the boat reconfirmed what I had seen in pictures and its low profile sexy lines in the water gave the appearance of going fast even while stationary.
The vessel was berthed stern to at the jetty and boarding was a simple step onto the starboard pod and up a few moulded FRP steps to the aft deck. My fist impression of the C35 was it’s deceiving size and it certainly supports the mathematical axiom, “the sum of the parts is greater than the whole”.
The aft deck area that houses a raised helm seat, passenger bench seating, a BBQ and heaps of storage, also cleverly conceals the traveler along the aft coaming and well out of the way of crew movement, making this boat a dream to operate short handed.
Large tinted double width entry doors into the cabin area showcase the unique Beech and Tassie Oak flooring and allow easy access between the aft deck dining area and galley.
The dining area is a massive U-shaped settee and hardwood table and could easily accommodate 8-10 for a sit down meal. In my opinion, the breadth of the dining table could be slightly reduced to allow better access. The Bosuns boys agreed and had mentioned that they had taken the idea to the manufacturer for change and was well received.
The L shaped galley up design to starboard is a large functional space that combines a good size fridge, two-burner stove, freezer and heaps of pantry storage. One notable feature of the galley design is a large picture window that opens up into the aft deck acting as a natural pass through for al fresco dining in pleasant weather.
Another stunning feature of this galley is a moulded FRP countertop that looks exactly like Corian and admittedly had me fooled on first glance. A large stainless sink provisions for quick and easy clean-up and the clever use of every nook and cranny of useable space dedicated to storage makes this boat a cooks dream galley.
Opposite the galley to port is another window opening to the aft deck alongside a timber cabinet. On top of the cabinet sat an LCD TV and unlike it’s mono-hull counterparts that have to concern themselves with heel, the TV is able to sit there unfastened even in the strongest winds.
Since the picture window is positioned below the helm station, it is conceivable that the LCD screen could be fastened to a swing arm and pull double duty as both TV monitor and navigational display. Access to the control panel is also there making it a natural option for 21st century sailors.
Beyond the timber cabinet to port is a set of steps down into the portside pod of the catamaran. As you reach the floor and turn left the massive main head comes into view. It is constructed in a series of moulded panels that fit seamlessly together.
There is literally room for three adults to occupy the shower space comfortably and the remainder of the head comprises a large countertop, sink, toilet and again heaps of storage. In the aft section of the shower is an access door that gives you the ability to not only access the engine, but also remove it in its entirety if required.
Forward of the head towards the bow are a bank of cabinets and storage to port, with access panels to starboard, that open to reveal battery switches and a large freshwater storage tank that sits laterally between the pods below the main dining saloon.
Further forward in the pod opens to a massive master cabin. The boat as tested had a very comfortable queen bed with his and hers halogen reading lamps above. In the furthest forward space of the pod, this particular boat had a walk in robe with masses of shelving and places to hang clothes. I understand though after speaking personally to the manufacturer that there are a variety of options for this space that include a single berth, or office.
The boat follows a similar format on the starboard side with the exception of the aft section of the pod being utilized as a double berth cabin. Again according to the manufacturer, this space can be allocated to berth space, an office or even a work- room depending on the needs and requirements of the owners.
Forward of the aft cabin, the starboard pod has similar storage cabinetry on the outer wall and then opens up into another master suite set up in mirror reverse to the port side with a forward walk in robe.
As mentioned earlier, the internal volume of this boat is exceptionally deceiving from either pictures or via exterior viewing. It has at least 6’2” headroom throughout and is comfortably laid out for groups large or small.
After having gone over the interior, I returned to the aft deck to join Neale Hollier at the helm. By this time Neale Harding had raised the main sail and we were sailing.
As we rounded the last navigation marker leading out of the Southport Seaway a couple of wraps on the cockpit based Harken winch had the self tacking jib out as well.
A wind over tide exit from the Seaway resulted in a bit of pitching, but the buoyancy of the catamaran pods could be physically felt as we left the troughs and faced the crest of each new wave. Once past the bar, it was smooth sailing ahead as a steady 15kt breeze quickly accelerated the boats speed over ground.
I took the helm briefly to get a feel for its maneuverability and it was very well behaved on all points of sail. To demonstrate the simplicity of sailing this vessel, we tested the Navman 3380 autopilot installed and readjusted the traveler to our point of sail. The boat sat perfectly level, tracked flawlessly and accelerated quickly to obtain a speed of 8kts and that’s about as simple as it is.
When it was time to return to Southport, we simply came about, readjusted the traveler to the opposite setting, the self-tacking jib took care of itself and the autopilot was re-engaged.
The C35’s single-handed simplicity makes it incredibly easy to handle and would make even a novice sailor look like a seasoned salt. It’s ability while under power is augmented by the use of twin Volvo-Penta 19hp diesel engines that run on the smell of an oily rag and consume a mere 2.5lph on 2800rpm, producing 7kts of boat speed at a ridiculously affordable cost.
It is an ideal family coastal cruiser and has recently shown good returns in the charter market as far north as the Whitsundays.
A brief tour of the Nerang factory afterwards revealed how strongly these boats are built. Anyone wishing to place their C35 in charter is miles ahead of the competition in that they are already constructed to Queensland survey as standard and a price tag in the $460K - $470K mark will land you a charter ready vessel earning in the neighborhood of $800.00 per day.
If you are in the market for a catamaran, you certainly cannot go past the Tasman C35 for affordability, performance, ease of handling and the room and comfort it affords. It’s inexpensive to buy, cheap to run and is in demand in the growing charter market if you wanted it to offset your cost of ownership.
Valda Martin and her team at Bosuns Locker are the exclusive Australasian distributors of the Tasman and a quick phone call to them will answer any of the questions you may have that I haven’t covered.
I highly rate the boat and wish Justin at Tasman International and their agents Bosuns Locker the best of luck in marketing it. As far as cats go…this one’s purrrr-fect.
Text by Andy McCutcheon
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