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April 15, 1999--when so many were struggling with their tax returns--I had the privilege of taking what I consider a well-designed catamaran on sea trials. It was the Prout Quasar 50.
At this point, I must explain that I have always been a critic of excessive beam, extremely fine bows, and big fat transoms that put the center of buoyancy aft in cruising catamarans. My experience leads me to believe that those are the characteristics which lead to mediocre performance seen in so many modern cruising catamarans. I also believe most manufacturers try to squeeze in too much accommodation for the size of the boat, which is what leads to the overloading syndrome. This boat, in my opinion, is properly sized for the accommodations. |
Part of this performance is due to the fact that the boat is 50 feet long. Length helps any boat, even poorly designed ones. With full main and full staysail we sailed at ten knots with no effort. As far as proper trim, trying to maximize speed, or anything else we might normally do, forget it. With a crew of complete greenhorns to the boat and a basic survival instinct, we simply did what we could out there in the wind and waves. Since my job was to search for structural imperfections, I spent most of my time crawling around the bilges and normally inaccessible areas looking for defects not normally seen except under load (a good way to get seasick). As with most cruising catamarans, the feather-light helm on all points of sail, great tracking, faithful responsiveness, and great seakindliness came through in spades. This boat just has a little more of each. Back inside the bay, with wind but no waves, I could determine that the very long straight keels and the oversize skegs on the rudders were responsible for the sluggish tacking. The cutter rig also exacerbates this problem, a problem mostly solved by the spade rudder/mainsail driven modern rigs, which tack like monohulls. On the other hand, the long keels feature gives a true cruising boat safety and sailing features worth every bit of the tacking disadvantage.
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Copyright © 1998, 1999 Southwinds Media. All rights reserved.
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The yacht is exclusively available in Turkey. | |||||||||||||||||
Technical Details | ||||||||||||||||||
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Yacht available in Turkey - prices start at 3000 euro |
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List of equipment on a yacht available in TURKEY |
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The Prout 50 Espace is considered the most proven cruising catamaran of her size in the world, making her ideal for the most demanding of charterers. Prout 50 Espace "Eastern Promise" is a little older than other craft but she is in superb condition. She has been constantly maintained, serviced and up-graded throughout her life and kept in 1st class order. Eastern Promise combines the ultimate in liveaboard luxury and accommodation with incredible sailing performances; speeds in excess of 15 knots are not uncommon. Sail handling could not be easier. With inmast furling mainsail, roller-furling Genoa & staysail and a powerful autopilot she can be sailed effortlessly by 2 people. The twin 77hp Turbo Diesel engines make motoring and manoeuvring a pleasure and being so responsive under power means that all the stress is removed from anchoring. Her deck space is vast, the helm position has every conceivable instrument and with only 1m draft Eastern Promise can take you places previously unexplored by craft of her size. The accommodation and layout of this particular Quasar has been described as on the finest ever constructed. Designed especially for large groups to live aboard in comfort and style, Eastern Promise offers 4 big double cabins, and an extra "slide out" double berth in the saloon, 4 toilets and showers and a massive saloon with plenty of seating for 10 people. The galley includes ample work surfaces, twin sinks, hob, oven and grill and a household size refrigerator with freezer. There is a large icebox with fridge/freezer plate located in the cockpit as well. |
Prout 50 Quasar Catamaran for Sale
"Starlight of Dover".
Part one registered 711591
Built and commissioned by Prout employees at Canvey Island in 1986 for their Director and as the executive boat of the fleet. Rare opportunity to own this boat for only £175,000.
Excellent condition. Very comfortable with four double cabins each with en-suite shower / toilet. Separate navigation area.
To see pictures of this boat or for more help telephone me at 0044 (0)7802 271131
Specifications of Starlight
British part one registration 711591
Length 49feet (14.9metres) Width 23feet (7.16metres) Draft 3.08 feet (1metre)
Displacement 12.5tonnes
Hydraulic steering
Construction is GRP with Bi-axial Balsa Sandwich core monocoque shell system
Ample headroom throughout. New internal head linings throughout
Ample storage
SAILS:- Rotostay Furling Genoa and Furling Staysail (Electric Francis furling with manual over-ride) and Hood In-Mast Electric Furling Main Sail with manual over-ride Substantial rigging and spinnaker pole.
Main:- 47.7 square metres
Staysail:- 20.6 square metres
Genoa 45.2 square metres
Spinnaker 204.6 square metres
Two Lewmar 55 self tailing Electric Winches, for the Genoa sheets and one Lewmar 48 self tailing Electric winch for the mainsail and staysail ropes with fine set of rope jammers on the cabin roof.
Mast height 55feet above the deck
Central mounted twin Yanmar fresh water cooled diesel engines (30hp-3HM and 40hp-3JE) with gearboxes driving Max self-adjusting propellers.
Twin 40gallon stainless steel diesel tanks.
Electrical
Yanmar 18hp (2GMFL) diesel 7kilo-watt Generator giving 240 volt electricity when afloat with 240volt sockets throughout the boat
240volt shore power outlet
40 amp Battery charger (240volts)
Ampair wind generator.
Large fused switch panel for12volts and 240volts systems
Master systems switch panel next to internal cockpit
Two engine start batteries in stern locker
5 system and anchor batteries in forward locker
3 inch Plastimo Compass
Navigation
New Simrad AP20 autopilot with fluxgate compass, water temperature indicator, wind speed and direction indicator and speed log.
Echopilot Forward looking echo sounder
Raytheon Navstar 390 GPS
Raytheon R40 Radar
Demek RS 8000 vhf radio.
Furuno FS 1550 SSB transceiver with earth plates on hull and Automatic aerial tuner.
Jotron EPIRB
Pioneer vhf radio with multi disc CD player
Fire extinguishers
Two lifebuoys with stainless steel holders
Cockpit Bimini on stainless steel frame
Security alarm
Francis Electric Anchor windlass and 10mm anchor chain with 60lbs and 45lbs CQR?s and a 30lbs spade anchor.
Hull colour is Cream with red lines (prevents eye damage in bright sunlight).
New Trampolines
Mosquito covers for port openings
Stainless Steel heavy duty davits
Two boarding ladders
Two 80 gallon water tanks in hull
PUR Power Survivor 80II water maker
Hot water tanks heated by the engines or 240volt electric immersion heaters.
Combicol accumulator refrigerator (12volt, 240 volt and gas)
Deep Freeze (240 volt)
Compass Inflatable Dingy with oars and inflator
Galley with gas oven and 3 burner gas hob and grill
Microwave
Accumulator Refrigerator using 240volt/12volt/gas
12 volt extractor fan over cooker
Large deep freeze
Double sink with drainer
Work top and ample storage.
240volt 13amp double sockets.
Dining table with special adjustment to seat 9 people
To see pictures of this boat or for more help telephone me at 0044 (0)7802 271131