Blue Waterford

Article by Shane Kelly.

There's a lot to be said for experience, so when an Auckland businessman went shopping for a designer and builder for his new boat he had little hesitation in going straight back to those responsible for his previous launch.

For Alan Warwick, Blue Waterford is the fourth commission for the owner, and for builder Alan Tongs it's the second boat this client has had built by his Auckland yard. In both cases the harmonious relationship has extended to producing a craftsmanlike vessel that is destined not only for local use and charter but also for offshore passage making. It is very much in the traditional trawler style, with wide bulwarks and the looks and character of small ship.

 
 

The performance criteria were quite different from the owner's previous Warwick designs, which were all fast boats around the 30 knots. Considering the passage-making capabilities and the fact that 90% of sea time in his previous boats was below 20 knots, speed was not a prerequisite. While still being a planing hull, the design called for a maximum speed around 20 knots and a comfortable and efficient cruise of 16 to 17 knots. Blue Waterford trolls at 9 knots, the same cruise speed anticipated for a planned trip to Tonga in 12 months time. With a 4500 litre diesel capacity, feeding the twin 435hp Caterpillar 3208TAs, Blue Waterford has an extensive range at low to mid rpm. Although it follows similar external design trends seen in previous Warwick small trawler style motoryachts, Blue Waterford is very much a custom built product which encompasses everything that the owner wanted. Right from the extra high-enclosed flybridge with nearly 2m headroom, to separate head and shower compartments and internal staircase, everything is designed and built to satisfy an individuals need.

Blue Waterford has been constructed for heavy weather cruising and at 21.5 tonnes half laden displacement is no lightweight. Alan Tongs used permanent frames and bulkheads, with four longitudinal girders and skinned it over with a combination of layers of Gabon ply on the hull (33mm) and topsides (27mm). "We built it exceptionally strong in the places that mattered, and although not wanting to increase the basic hull weight more than we needed to, it was not a major criteria", said Tongs. The boat, in fact, exceeds M & I specifications because the owner wanted to go offshore and required a heavy comfortable boat. On taking delivery of his new Warwick 50LR the initial shakedown cruise was a 330 nm round trip to the Poor Knights Rise, about 50 nm off Cape Brett, Bay of Islands. However about 2.00 am in the morning with a heavy weather wind warning out, the crew decided to leave their offshore position and at 9 knots steam back to Auckland. Arriving mid afternoon, after a dive at Kawau Island, and battling some reasonably unpleasant seas on the way, Blue

Waterford tied up at Westhaven untroubled. The owner was extremely pleased with the boats handling, performance and soft ride, despite seeing water flowing through the hawseholes during some particularly rough sections of the trip home.

When you first step aboard Blue Waterford you can't help but be impressed by the attention to detail and the fine finish throughout. Even in the areas that are not normally seen - behind lockers, under hatches and in the engine room-there is a quality feel and look about the entire vessel. From the engine room wiring and practical engineering layouts to the fiddle rails on the timber vanity tops, you can see this boat has been built by craftsmen for an owner who appreciates and demands quality. The owner didn't want opening windows below in consideration of the forthcoming ocean passages, and has even allowed for shutters to be fitted for the voyage. There was a special emphasis on sound deadening, with insulation everywhere necessary, including inside the engine air boxes. The result is a very acceptable 68 - 72 decibels at maximum rpm almost through the entire vessel. The accommodation layout caters for six in three cabins forward, with the owner's stateroom forward, and guests' cabins port and starboard, split by the independent shower and head areas. The owner's stateroom features a large island berth with copious storage and hanging lockers; plenty of open space so you don't feel cramped when changing. There is private access to the head and shower areas. Blue Waterford doesn't have private en-suites; rather all three cabins are serviced from the central head/shower areas, with individual access through a double door arrangement. The owner chose not to install holding tanks but went for the Lectrasan sanitation system, which has also been repeated in the second head area in the cockpit. Guests are well looked after with the large port- side cabin having another generous size double berth and space to move. The wide bulwark design doesn't impact on the space available inside, but rather offers a new dimension to the layout and allows somewhere to mount a couple of opening ports.

The third cabin has two single berths running athwartships with a storage locker and vanity unit separating the two. Finished in much the same way as the other cabins; darkened teak timber bulkheads and deep blue duvets with soft accents are contrasted by white fabric over the cabin top and sides. And, as in all cabins, there is no shortage of height. With Blue Waterford being the first enclosed flybridge boat for the owner, he wanted to capitalise on the design concept that while providing two distinct areas, could still be an intrinsic part of the internal plan. A semi-spiral stairwell, rather than an external ladder, offers ease and convenience and doubles the very useable entertaining and socialising areas.

 
 

Although the bulwarks do cut down on the internal beam of the main saloon area, it's not something you are aware of, with an intelligent layout that brings together all the necessary aspects of the galley, dining areas, entertainment and helm station. The galley is placed aft, opposite the stairwell and freezer and, along with a huge benchtop and storage lockers, has a convection microwave/oven, built-in fridge and drop down rear window servery through to the cockpit. Along the same side, the fixed dinette table is surrounded by a plush U shape settee ready to seat 6-8 for a formal evening meal. Opposite there's a full length lounger which also doubles as an extra berth. Quite often these days when there's an enclosed flybridge on a boat, it¹s the only helm station aboard, with maybe a repeat set of controls in the cockpit or upper aft deck. The reason, according to the owner for the second Orepeat station downstairs is when on offshore voyages, it's more comfortable to drive from below, where the motion of the ocean is felt less than when driving higher up. The lower helm is also equipped with a more powerful Furuno 4kW radar, weatherfax and the Simrad plotter/gps. Easy access is gained to the foredeck deck areas with a sliding side door beside the helm. Below the helm, behind wooden panelling the Enertec switch panel is easily accessed, and has the tv/video unit alongside. Upstairs, a swivelling captain's chair looks towards a very complete electronics and navigational fascia. There is no steering wheel, the helmsman having the option of a small single lever mounted on the dash or buttons on the arm of the helm chair. Accompanied by the autopilot and gps plotter, driving is a very relaxed affair. Continuing the theme of keeping everyone aboard involved, the enclosed flybridge has twin forward facing seats as well as a long side lounger. There is access to the upper aft deck, which is a popular place for sunbathing or just laying in the sun and relaxing.

Blue Waterford is certainly designed as a versatile boat, but there is no getting away from the fact that right now there is a heavy accent on game fishing. The cockpit features a separate rod locker for the brace of Penn Internationals, plus special quick access areas for the gaffs, a dedicated baiting area and live bait tanks. The custom made stainless and timber gamechair swings out of the way when not in use and can be mounted on either the upper or lower decks. Complementing all the traditional safety equipment, Blue Waterford has an RFD liferaft mounted on the aft deck and a large RIB on the foredeck. The style of this Warwick 50 is impressive and it¹s certainly a well-conceived option for long range cruising.Looking forward with the galley to port and large lounger and internal helm to starboard. Top: The forward cabin has a large island berth with storage beneath and generous cabin headroom.