Lure with luxury

“For example, the master stateroom is forward of the saloon and takes up the whole front of the boat, wrapped in glass for fantastic views.

“Powerplay are brilliantly built, semi-custom power cats that deliver more volume, range and higher speeds for your dollar.

“Being composite construction to CE class one offshore certification as standard, they are lightweight and balanced, stable and travel through the water like a dart.”

Company founder and lead designer, James Dewing said his background in service and refit compelled him to dedicate his career to building premium multihulls.

“In my 40 years as a boat builder, from designing and building all types of vessels, I came to the conclusion that the happiest boaters had catamarans,” said James.

“At my shipyard, Townsville Slipways, I serviced and repaired more than 200 boats a year from normal annual maintenance to full refits and repairs. In north Queensland, Barrier Reef country is a boating paradise with many secluded and out of the way places reserved for the privileged few to enjoy nature’s extreme beauty. A power cat will get you further, faster, with power to play.”

Over four decades, James has honed his designs based on input from loyal owners and operators.

“Many years ago, I received an order for large power cat with the inclusion of an aft fishing deck. The design brief was “where are we going to put the game chair?” and “can I go faster? I want 28 knots”. That’s how the curved transom came about, to fit the Pompanette game fishing chair. That vessel, ‘Powerplay 3’ is still chartering in the Dominican Republic, catching big fish.”

James identified the main features cat owners specify as must-haves: “Number one, a good looking boat; interiors designed with the owner’s involvement; unbeatable performance from slender low drag hull design; high bridge deck clearance and V-sections forward for comfort; fine entry and full bows for recovery in head seas; weight centred for reduced pitching; good side decks and handrails; safe dinghy access from inside hulls and easy boarding from dockside or for swimmers; jacuzzi, a super cool item especially at sunset and when the sea is not that inviting; separate fishing deck to keep the blood and guts out of the cockpit; master cabin on main deck with walk around bed; good vision from helm with view of the extremities when docking; trampolines as standard build, solid foredeck as an option; beaching keels for protection of running gear and grounding; plenty of storage.

James has now developed the next ‘G4’ Powerplay 65 and 72 models.

Currently under construction at the Powerplay factory in Pattaya, a new 65 G4 model destined for Tahiti, and a 52 in full survey which will enter the charter fleet.

On the drawing board, a super high performance Powerplay. Developed with Icarus Marine and Volvo IPS Engineering, the foil-assisted PP65 G4 is expected to achieve a 43 to 45 knot performance.

Fresh from a visit to the Powerplay facility, Brett Flanigan is confident the Australian market will be quick to take up Powerplay’s Gen 4 range of luxury catamarans.

“There is a model for every type of use,” said Brett. “And they are super competitively priced. The 65 will have an introductory price of $2.5 million, which for a 20m multihull that is head and shoulders above anything in its class is exceptional value.”

Build time is estimated at around 14 months.

“Powerplay is able to design, any layout required, from budget accommodation to the lavish interiors associated with the luxury charter industry, from a white-walled Hamptons-style finish, right up to the high-polished bespoke timberwork. The choice is yours.”

powerplaycatamarans.com