True Blue measures 11.5m LOA and 5.1m BOA, with 1.1m draft and  a displacement of some 9,000 kg with full fuel and water.

The MkII 36/11m design is now proven in service, with five vessels afloat and a further three vessels to be launched during the summer of 2007. The new hull is moulded in the company’s new single piece tool.

A number of modifications have been built into the new design including increased length, beam and height, enabling the vessel to carry more weight at higher speeds into heavier weather. The vessel also displays improved handling and sea keeping both at slow speed and at service speed.

True Blue is an example of the South Catamaran 36/11m MkII Island class and is a standard construction vessel for South Boats. This model features a 3.5m wide by 3m long wheelhouse in island ‘walk around’ format. The wheelhouse is accessed from the main deck by an access door in the rear bulkhead. The wheelhouse is fitted with the helm position to starboard with all instrumentation and controls directed to the helmsman’s KAB301 seat position. The helm seat is fitted to a joinered unit, which accommodates a fridge as well as locker units.

The vessel has a 240V AC system courtesy of a generator set so the galley is fitted with a two ring electric hob, microwave and sink with pressurised cold water supplies. Aft of the galley across the rear bulkhead is a bench seat for two persons with upholstered cushion and backrest. A locker beneath provides for lifejacket stowage. To port is a large bench seat with seating for six passengers with upholstered cushion and back rest.

The head compartment is accessed from the aft working deck area and is fitted with a manual flush sea toilet. The compartment is self draining overboard for easy wash down.

The enormous working deck aft extends up the sides of the wheelhouse and around the forward end enabling easy and safe access to the anchoring position and providing 110ft of gunwale fishing area. Forward the vessel is fitted with a South Boats pattern self stowing bow roller, Spencer Carter hydraulic capstan and a hinged deck locker for stowage of anchor chain and warp. Aft the main cockpit deck is configured with a central stowage area for anglers’ tackle boxes, also incorporating the liferaft stowage. A transom door allows easy access to dinghies whilst in Alderney on the skipper’s legendary Channel Island trips.

The engine hatches lift to allow easy access all around the two Iveco N67MNTM28 NEF 280hp engines and ancillary systems. The port engine is fitted with a clutched mechanical deck wash pump and the starboard engine drives a hydraulic pump and system for the capstan. Fitted to the aft voids are the twin 700 litre Tek-Tanks providing fuel to the main engines.

On initial sea trials, the engines provided a sprint speed of 25 knots at 2,800 rpm and a very comfortable 18 knots at 2,100 rpm. A major benefit of the South Catamaran hull design is very frugal fuel consumption, which is less than 3.5 litres per hour at 18 knots.

True Blue is the company’s first commissioned South Catamaran to be based at Poole Harbour, but the second, a South Catamaran 36/11m Sports Island is to be commissioned by Trevor Small in the spring.

True Blue will be exhibited on the pontoon at the Seawork 2007 exhibition in Southampton Docks next month. South Boats has secured pole position on the floating display with True Blue to be seen at the bottom of the main gangway ramp. Owner Steve Porter will be onboard to give an unbiased view of the vessels performance and delivery. The boat was delivered on time as promised by South Boats thanks to improved production systems. Trials will be carried out each day of the show.

The other newbuild from South Boats is ‘Channel Diver’, custom built for Steve Johnson of Channel Diving. Based at Brighton Marina and replacing a Blyth 33 catamaran, this boat will be used for all forms of technical diving in the English Channel.

Channel Diver measures 11.5m LOA with a beam of 5.1m, 1.1m draught and a displacement of some 10,000kg with full fuel and water.

Channel Diver is based on a South Catamaran 36/11m MkII Workboat similar to two South Boats vessels already based at Brighton Marina. The 4m wide wheelhouse is offset to port with the structure separated to offer an enclosed passenger area aft and wheelhouse forward. The passenger shelter has double opening doors from the after deck. The shelter is fitted with GRP locker type bench seats for 12 passengers and a tea/coffee making area to port with a Whispaire Teamate water boiler to enable passengers to make their own hot drinks during their time onboard.

The wheelhouse is accessed from the passenger shelter by a further access door. The wheelhouse is fitted with the helm position to stbd with large consoles directed to the helmsman’s KAB301 seat position. A comprehensive navigation suite includes PC based Seapro with 19” flat screen monitor, twin Raymarine E120 displays for radar, chart and video sounder, Raymarine C80 display, twin Raymarine DGPS navigators, twin Furuno GP37 DGPS navigators, Raymarine ST60 wind, rudder and multi displays, Raymarine auto-pilot system and twin Raymarine Class D VHF systems.

The enormous working deck aft extends up the starboard side of the vessel and around the forward end enabling easy and safe access to the anchoring position, fitted with secondary engine controls. The hull is fitted with three bulwark access doors, two to the transom and one to the starboard side for pontoon access. Aft the main cockpit deck is configured with dive benches outboard and longitudinally on the centreline. An electric diver lift is fitted to the transom enabling easy diver recovery. From the dive benches a ladder gives easy access to the flying bridge deck, which is not fitted with control but only for stowage of diving equipment.

The engine hatches lift to allow easy access all around the Ford New Holland 250hp engines and ancillary systems. The starboard engine is fitted with a clutched mechanical deck wash pump and a hydraulic pump and system for the slave hauler. Fitted to the aft voids are the twin 700 litre Tek-Tanks providing fuel to the main engines and generator/ compressor. This unit allows for refilling of dive cylinders onboard.

On initial sea trials, the engine manufacturer had de-rated the engines to 200 hp at 2,200 rpm, which provided a sprint speed of 21.5 knots. Channel Diver joins ‘Seabreeze III’ (2003) and ‘Spartacat’ (2002) to be the third South Catamaran 11m Workboat model in Brighton Marina.

A further six South Catamarans are currently in build for 2007. The company has also been awarded a significant contract to build a 14.1m aluminium catamaran as a ship supply for MBL Supply AB of Gothenburg, Sweden.  The vessel, measuring 14.1m by 6.1m, is to be fitted with an island wheelhouse accommodating twelve passengers. South Boats has also won a contract with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which will place four 17m Severn Class lifeboat refits with the company for this year.