2019 Voyager V930 Mk2 review

Voyager Catamarans has operated from the northern Gold Coast region for almost two decades. The company, headed by managing director Derek Appleton, is best known for its innovatively designed powered cruising catamarans.

The Voyager range encompasses half a dozen or so models from 6.0-13.0 metres. You'll find several of these craft reviewed here on Boatsales.com.au, the most recent being my 2015 review of Voyager's excellent entry model, the Voyager V625 Getaway.

At the top of the Voyager catamaran boat range there are three semi-displacement, shaft-drive cruisers. They include the V1040 Explorer, the V1100 Discovery Flybridge, and the superb V1220 Conquest.

In between the trailerable 6.0m V625 and the three large, shaft-drive cruising cats is the subject of this review, the V930 Mk2. This outboard-powered, high-speed catamaran launched originally in 2002, but has now received a complete deck and interior redesign.

The V930's high-tunnel, wave breaker-equipped catamaran hull, designed originally by naval architect Paul Stanyon, remains unchanged.

All the work in the new model has concentrated on the deck and interior. The new model is not only a whole lot better looking, but significantly more practical, and more functional and versatile.

The original boat was predominantly a bay cruiser, overnighter and weekender. The layout in the new Voyager V930 Mk2 is more multipurpose, ideally suited to family cruising, but also well capable of being set-up for coastal fishing and offshore game fishing.

The V930 is available with three levels of fit-out, although the features and gear fitted to each version is interchangeable between models. You might be happy with the level of fit-out in the standard Sportsman model, for example, but may want to add a feature or two from one of the higher grade boats such as the power inverter and battery system to gain 240-volt power.

Package pricing starts at less than $280K for the standard boat paired with dual Suzuki 175hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) counter-rotating outboards.

Key design features include four berths in three cabins, a walk-in, standing-room head and shower compartment, hardtop-sheltered helm station, dinette seating area, starboard side galley, and an open plan saloon/cockpit layout.

Open plan layouts don't suit everybody so there is the option to completely enclose the saloon, separating it from the rear cockpit with a full height rear bulkhead with lockable bifold entry doors.

All Voyager V930 models feature solid fibreglass construction (equivalent to 2C Survey standard) below the waterline, with light weight composite materials used to core the topsides, deck and hardtop. This technique saves weight, whilst retaining structural strength. With these weight-saving measures, the dry weight of the boat is only around 3500kg, allowing for excellent performance and economy from modest-size outboard engines.

The second tier model in the V930 line-up is the Sports Cruiser. Priced from $311K, the Voyager V930 Sports Cruiser gains a number of features over the standard boat, along with a power upgrade to dual Suzuki 200hp outboards.

Some of the extra features include an electric anchor winch, opening saloon and bathroom ceiling hatches, insect screens throughout, hot water system, transom shower, 300L water tank upgrade (from 150L), fuel tank upgrade to 700L (from 500L), hardtop grab rails, aft canopy and storm covers, and lift-out cockpit carpet.

Our test boat was the Voyager V930 Grand Sport, the premium model equipped with all the good gear, including an engine upgrade to dual 250hp Suzuki V6 four-strokes with fly-by-wire digital controls.

Our test package also gained the aforementioned power inverter, along with a shore-power hook-up facility, multiple batteries with battery charger and monitor, stone-look bench tops to vanity and galley, duel wipers, electric cooktop, vinyl padded ceiling linings, extended swim platform with security rails, two-piece transom stainless steel and acrylic transom gate, cockpit side door, additional lights to the cockpit and interior, and lots more.

Priced frolm $343K, the Grand Sport model comes complete and fully outfitted for overnight and weekend cruising.

For offshore fishing, factory options include a choice of electronics gear, plumbing to one or both of the transom live bait tanks, an overhead rocket launcher, a pair of outriggers, saltwater deck wash, cockpit coaming bolster padding, a fuel capacity upgrade to dual 450-litre tanks, and maybe a cutting board and set of tackle drawers.

The Voyager V930 has an open plan deck layout with the large, 1.72-metre-long cockpit on the same level as the saloon. There is a lip on the floor between the two areas to keep water out of the interior, but otherwise you can walk under the optional aft bimini and into the open saloon unimpeded.

Stepping into the saloon you'll find an L-shaped three/four-seater dinette to port with comfortable vinyl padded cushioned seating and a beautifully varnished timber table.

The galley opposite has a sink with mixer tap, a 12-volt 80L fridge/freezer and sufficient cupboard and drawer space for cutlery and crockery. Panty space is minimal, but there is a food locker alongside the fridge.

Our test boat was optioned with a stone-look galley bench top, a single burner electric cooktop, and hot and cold running water fed by an upgraded 300-litre freshwater tank.

A 240-volt power socket is nearby to run an electric jug or toaster.

Forward of the galley on the starboard side is the elevated helm station. The comfortable bucket chair slides fore and aft and can rotate sideways to face the crew and family members seated opposite on the L-shaped lounged. The layout works well as the skipper can join in the conversation while underway.

I found the helm seat to be ideally positioned before the large dash and fascia, and it is elevated up high for excellent visibility through the three-piece glass windshield and the surrounding sliding glass windows.

The helm is designed to drive while seated, but tall skippers can stand before the wheel with their head poking up through the starboard side ceiling ventilation hatch. In the test boat a similar hatch was situated in the hardtop on the port side. Both are optional on the entry package.

From the helm the optional wood-trimmed steering wheel is nicely positioned with the binnacle throttles for the dual Suzuki outboards close by.

The large, near vertical fascia has ample space for all the required engine gauges and instruments as well as a single, flush-fitted electronics multifunction display.

A separate panel underneath houses the VHF radio and stereo head unit.

The fascia is blacked out for aesthetics and to counter sun glare and reflection. We would also recommend fitting a dark matte carpet on the dash up under the windscreen as the standard white fibreglass finish reflects off the windscreen in the noon sunlight.

The dash reflection is the only thing to make note of in the saloon area as the space is otherwise practical and very functional for both cruising families and offshore anglers. The absence of a saloon/cockpit bulkhead may not suit everyone (and there is the option to enclose it) but I like it as there is no segregation between the two areas. Further, it is ideal for anglers as the skipper and crew can see what is happening in the aft cockpit whilst trolling lures or baits for game fish, etc.

Forward of the helm station bulkhead and the dinette seating area are three steps on each side of the boat that lead down into the port and starboard side hull sponsons. On this lower level there are three separate cabins and a walk-in head compartment/bathroom.

The master stateroom is in the forepeak of the boat on the starboard side. Inside there is a 1.97m long double bed that tapers in width from 1.75m down to about 1.35m. It will comfortably cater for a couple.

There is more than 1.8m of headroom from the sole to the ceiling in the master cabin, with 869mm above the double bed. Other features include cabin reading lights, shelf with mirror, an overhead lighting/ventilation hatch (which also provides access to the foredeck), opening port hole, hanging cupboard, and soft vinyl linings to the cabin sides and ceiling.

The walk-in, standing room bathroom is located opposite on the port side. The compartment is spacious, easy to access, and equipped with an electric toilet, vanity basin with chrome mixer tape, overhead shower, mirror, towel rail, storage lockers, 12-volt lighting and an open ventilation port hole.

Our test boat was also optioned with a clear, opening ventilation hatch in the bathroom ceiling.

Abaft the bathroom on the port side, and the master cabin on the starboard there are two cabins, each with a single berth. The cabins are situated beneath the saloon floor, and stretch fore and aft. These cabin compartments are modest in size, but the single berths contained therein are each more than 2.0m long and more than 935mm in width.

The large self-draining rear cockpit in the Voyager V930 is designed to serve cruising boaters and anglers equally well. Two huge sub-floor lockers are ideal for storing big fenders, snorkeling gear, and more.

I'd be hesitant to use these big underfloor lockers as fish boxes because they also contain the ship's house and engine cranking batteries. Instead, I'd consider dropping a removable Nalley box into one or both of the compartments and using these to stow the day's catch.

More storage compartments surround the cockpit, along with a set of terminal fishing tackle storage drawers behind a So-Pac hatch on the port side.

Other features include more than 800mm of freeboard to the cockpit sides, 110mm wide side coamings, and full-walkthrough access with a platform extending aft, out past the two big Suzuki outboards. This rear platform has stainless steel rail fencing and a well designed, folding stainless boarding ladder.

Anglers will appreciate the two big live bait tanks (plumbing optional) built into the transom corners, but may bemoan the exposed position of the stern cleats that sit proud of the coamings -- recessed or hidden cleats are better for fishing.

It was great to get back behind the wheel of a powered catamaran. A cat underway at sea is quite different to a monohull, though it takes only a few minutes to re-adjust to the differences in pitch and roll between the two vastly different hull types.

The Voyager V930 has a particularly fine high-speed catamaran hull. It planes easily at just 10 or 11 knots with barely any rise in the bows. It just slides seamlessly, imperceptibly from displacement to planing speeds, the big Suzuki four-stroke outboard engines purring away in the background.

A low planing speed, combined with a flat, level running angle is perfect for long-range offshore cruising as the boat can run softly, comfortably, and most importantly, economically through big seas and rough conditions. While the boat can plane at a low pace, there is no need to make constant, fuel-burning throttle adjustments. You can simply set the throttles, sit back and relax.

This excellent low-speed cruising capability is a fine characteristic of the Voyager V930, but it will certainly get up and go when prodded. With dual Suzuki 250hp four-stroke outboards on the transom the Voyager will throw you back in your seat when the throttles are gunned, and it will continue to accelerate strongly right through to its 40-knot top speed.

In choppy seas, the hull's finely drawn bow sponsons combine with the wave breaker-equipped high tunnel to provide a soft, comfortable ride at low and high speeds.

We did not encounter any of the "sneezing" or shuddering issues problematic with many low tunnel cats.

The Voyager V930 was also surprisingly dry underway and exceptionally stable at rest.

I was not enamoured with the hydraulic steering on the test boat (it felt a bit stiff), but in every other aspect the big Voyager performed exceptionally well at sea.

Performance*

*Both engines

Maximum range on 95% of 700L fuel supply: 279.5nm @ 3500rpm

The Voyager V930 Mk2 is a more practical, better looking boat than its predecessor, and a very fine multifunction cruiser/fishing boat in its own right. It has all the onboard amenities you need for overnighting and long range offshore fishing, combined with a soft riding, seaworthy, easily driven hull form.

There are few, if any craft like the Voyager on the market at present, which in itself is
something of an anomaly. There should be more of them. Powered catamarans make for excellent all-rounder cruising/fishing boats. I expect more boaters will come to this realisation once the good word on this new Voyager V930 Mk2 gets about.

Specifiations
Model: Voyager V930 Mk2
Length overall: 9.9m
Beam: 3.0m
Draft: 500mm
Dry weight: 3500kg
Dry weight with engines: 4100kg
Maximum power: Dual 250hp outboards
Engine as tested: Dual Suzuki 250hp V6 four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 2 x 250L (2 x 350L as tested)
Water capacity: 150L (300L as tested)
Holding tank: 50L (80L opt.)
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum passengers: 10

Priced from: $279,890 including dual Suzuki 175hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) counter-rotating outboards.

Price as tested: $342,980 Grand Sports model including dual Suzuki 250hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) counter-rotating outboards with digital controls. Some, but not all of the options fitted include an electric anchor winch, opening saloon and bathroom ceiling hatches, insect screens throughout, hot water system, transom shower, soft vinyl ceiling linings throughout, lift-out cockpit carpet, aft canopy and storm covers, stone-look bench tops to vanity and galley, duel wipers, shore power, battery charger, inverter, electric cooktop, multiple batteries, extended swim platform with security rails, two-piece transom stainless steel and acrylic transom gate, cockpit side door, extra lights to the cockpit and interior, battery monitor, and more.

Supplied by: Voyager Catamarans