Cutting-edge cats

That year, it won Australian Boat of the Year and attracted a larger number of orders. Unique in the marine industry, the Scimitar 1010 Flybridge was the brand’s single model, named for its 10.10 metre hull length.

Up until 2012 when manufacturing ceased, 65 units of the Scimitar 1010 were built for private and commercial Australian clients, as well as a number exported to the US and South Pacific.

Concurrently, Ericson located a second-hand Scimitar in Papua New Guinea and purchased it as a test platform to implement upgrades and improvements he had in mind.

“Doing the delivery voyage from Port Moresby to Brisbane in 2018 through some challenging conditions gave me the real-world experience and exposure to the performance and capability of the vessel,” Ericson commented.

As Ericson attests, catamarans are enjoying record sales, as Australians realise their Bucket List dream to get out on the water and make memories with their families in a safe, secure bubble, enjoying the blue therapy benefits of stress-free time surrounded by nature.

“Having worked in the industry for 25 years, and boated on all manner of boat types, I have always had an appreciation for catamarans,” said Ericson.

“They offer great stability, an extra-large platform, shallow draft and are very efficient.”

Queensland is the gateway to East Coast cruising and the glorious Whitsundays. Ericson sees great potential for Scimitar in its home market.

Their official debut will be held at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, Scimitar Catamarans will present two models and three layouts initially.

“One of the advantages of having a Marine Design Studio in house is that we have had the ability to workshop and develop and number of concepts efficiently and effectively without the need to engage external consultants and incur significant cost,” said Ericson.

“We presented concepts to the existing Scimitar owners’ network which resulted in the two models. The 1010 flybridge is similar in look and configuration as the original boats with a number of improvements in equipment, construction methodology and subtle styling upgrades.

“The second model is a modern twist on the Moreton Bay Cruiser which is essentially a 1010 sedan without the flybridge. The saloon layout has been flipped from the flybridge model offering an open-plan layout with lower helm station.

“A lower air draft, due to the removal of the flybridge, will appeal to those needing to pass under bridges or not wishing to scale the flybridge ladder.”

The flybridge hardtop or the upper utility deck in the case of the sedan accommodates a significant solar array of up to 1,500 W, which provides self-sufficient, silent and environmentally friendly operations without the need for a generator.

At a cruise speed of 16 knots, the 1010 sedan uses less than 30 litres per hour total fuel consumption making them not only cost effective to run but extremely environmentally conscious for a vessel of its size.

There are currently three vessels in various stages of construction: Hull 66 is the new model sedan being built as a demonstrator, Hull 67 is a flybridge model on order for an Australian client and Hull 68 is a flybridge model being built for an existing Scimitar owner.

According to Ericson, the vessels will be suited to the private and bare boat commercial markets. Several popular Scimitar 1010 power cats currently operate in the Whitsunday charter market.

“They’re ideally suited to families and those seeking a stable, safe and very efficient platform with superior seakeeping capabilities,” Ericson said.

“They will provide good cruising speeds of 15 to 20 knots, two double cabins and two single bunks, large modern galley and a spacious, unobstructed cockpit for entertaining. Fully-protected propellers and a draft of 1-metre mean that owners can access places normally only available to trailer boats.”

Key to the promotion and uptake of the new generation Scimitar is the existing network of owners and the tremendous goodwill the brand enjoys in boating circles.

“There is a great deal of interest in the new models,” said Ericson.

“We’ve had excellent response so far. The brand is well regarded, and former owners have wonderful memories of their Scimitar cruising adventures. It makes sense to ride that wave of positivity and continue the tradition.”

Priced from $1.2 million, the Scimitar 1010 sedan and flybridge models will be on show at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, from 19 to 22 May on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

scimitarboats.com