Power and poise
Designer Malcolm McKeon takes us through BlackCat Superyachts' latest luxury cruising catamaran, the BlackCat 30.
Written by Jack O'Rourke
20 May 2020
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Malcolm McKeon has been a leading designer in the superyacht industry for over 30 years. His portfolio includes more than 200 sailing and motor yachts, fifty of them over 30 metres in length.
A green approach to projects, reducing construction and operational costs, has been a cornerstone of McKeon’s designs.
In 2016, McKeon formed a partnership with champion Australian yachtsman Mitch Booth to set up BlackCat Superyachts, a high-performance luxury catamaran brand. Recently, they introduced plans for their next model in the BlackCat range.
The BlackCat 30 has been created following many requests from customers all over the world for a catamaran of this size. The new design offers fast and comfortable sailing on a multihull, with a low heel angle and a stable platform, making the BlackCat 30 an appealing prospect.
McKeon spoke with Ocean about the potential of the new brand, and the advantages of a multihull superyacht.
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What inspired you to create this superyacht design?
I was inspired by my experience of chartering a small cruising catamaran and realising the possible comfort, space and performance potential of a much larger cruising catamaran.
The BlackCat 30 makes the most of her generous beam to provide expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, the likes of which are usually only seen on a much larger monohull.
What is your favourite feature of this superyacht?
The saloon is encased beneath a stylish glass canopy that facilitates a direct connection with the outside environment at all times. This level of connection is hugely desirable and truly transforms the onboard experience.
What characteristics of the BlackCat 30 will attract potential owners in the Southern Hemisphere?
The BlackCat 30 is able to cover greater distances at speeds that far exceed an equivalent-sized monohull.
Being able to explore more remote areas by accessing shallower cruising grounds is a great advantage for owners in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. It is usually problematic for a yacht of this size, however the BlackCat 30 overcomes this with her retractable daggerboards.
Do you feel a responsibility to incorporate sustainability into your designs?
This is an ever-increasing concern for new owners. The BlackCat 30 can cross oceans at speed with greatly reduced emissions. Creating a boat that can achieve worldwide cruising, while keeping in mind the expanding eco-conscious mindset of customers, was definitely a consideration.
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