Chesapeake 58

Under the Southern Cross

With a name that conjours up images of the Atlantic coastline and estuarine waterways of Virginia and Maryland, the Chesapeake 58 seems a contradiction in terms. That being, it is Australian-made. However, the trawler-style motoryacht, designed for long-range cruising on the high seas, has the lines, engineering and accommodation that you would expect from the craft that grace the waters of that part of the United States.

The well-appointed motoryacht holds considerable weight as the company's CEO, Allan Barnett, boasts a lifetime of experience as a commercial fisherman and is recognised as a builder of high-quality, cost-effective and efficient commercial vessels. Barnett is also the co-owner of Perry Catamarans.

The steel hull and aluminium superstructure of the Chesapeake 58, launched at last year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, are constructed at Barnett's commercial Bridport facility in Tasmania and then transported to the Perry Catamarans' Gold Coast factory for the vessel's trademark luxurious interior fitout.

Built to USL 2B Survey standard, an impressive feature of the Chesapeake 58 are the twin skegs that allow the motoryacht to sit upright on a beach while protecting the propellers (most handy for a secluded sojourn in some little hideaway or for hull cleaning). This motoryacht, said the manufacturer, is characterised by the exceptional use of space, practical maintenance and the ability to travel as far as the imagination allows and beyond.

LUXURY LIVING
Below deck is five-star accommodation for six in three cabins with air conditioning in all areas.

The owner's stateroom spreads across the full 18ft beam of the Chesapeake 58 and has its own en suite, entertainment unit, queen-size bed and ample storage space, including robes and dresser to starboard.

The twin-bunk cabin is forward of the stateroom, and said by the builder to be perfect for youngsters, with two DVD players to keep them entertained. Moving forward from this cabin is the portside toilet and the bathroom opposite with shower and basin.

The guest cabin is equally appointed with a queen-size bed and its own entertainment system. The bed is on the centreline with robes and cupboards on either side.

Galley equipment features a microwave, extractor fan, electric stove and oven, fridge/freezer, and a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. Both saloon and galley are on the upperdeck and come complete with media and entertainment systems.

The saloon has a full dining table, catering for up to eight people on the leather suite and occasional chairs.

A staircase between the owner's cabin and starboard bathroom leads to the deckhouse/wheelhouse, the windows of which (and the deckhouse) are of 12mm toughened safety glass.

The wheelhouse, which sits in a high position surrounded by a Portuguese bridge, features twin leather helmseats, leather lounge seats, a dining table and room for onlookers. The helm's instrumentation - including twin 12.1in-screen Raymarine E120 chartplotter/radar/fishfinders - bowthruster, anchor winch and engines' controls, are mounted in-console. They are no farther than an arm's reach away and the 180° views allow for masterful maneuvering aided by electric over hydraulic power-assisted steering and a 285kg-thrust bowthruster.

Pantograph windshield wipers are on the middle three wheelhouse windows and the flybridge has a single steering station with engine controls amidships.

The engineroom has full-headroom with stainless steel piping, commercial grade fittings plus a Mistex fire suppression system.

CUMMINS DIESELS
The twin 250hp Cummins diesel engines, with wet exhausts, are located just aft of amidships and are claimed to produce a cruising speed of 9kts at 40lt/hour total consumption. The Cummins are coupled to twin disc MG 5065a reverse reduction gearboxes with a 2.04:1 ratio. Twin 70mm 316 stainless steel shafts spin four-blade 34in diameter props.

AC/DC panels are found in the engineroom (and pilothouse) and electrical power is supplied by an Onan 22.5kW genset at 240V complete with 24V-DC 20kW clutched PTO driving hydraulics, and an Onan 7kW genset.

A watermaker produces 80lt/h, and batteries include two main engine-start banks (24V-DC), two genset start banks (12V-DC) and one house bank (24V-DC). The two freshwater tanks are 304 stainless steel linked to 316 stainless steel piping via a Southern Cross stainless steel pump. There are two 50lt Isotemp hot water cylinders (heat exchanger and 240V), and three 120lt polypropylene waste tanks.

ON DECK
The teak-topped steel deck is fitted with a deckwash system, Muir Thor 4200 hydraulic horizontal chain gypsy and capstan head, four stainless steel bollards and matching hawse holes, an 82kg Higwood galvanised plough anchor, polished stainless steel handrails (to USL code), 316 grade stainless steel sponsons and capping rails, a 500kg Opacmare electronic hydraulic crane on the saloon roof, and a 3.75m RIB with 15hp outboard.

Safety features include a six-man coastal liferaft, USL 2B flares and Solas lifejackets.

The builders say the Chesapeake 58 goes beyond the ordinary cruising vessel to be something quite unique in the recreational vessel market and is designed for those who demand more of their motoryacht whether at sea or anchor.

For more information, phone Allan Barnett on 0428 561 733 or visit http://www.allanbarnettmotoryachts.com.au/