Yacht Models

Launched Yachts

1250 Powerplay

 

Boat Review on Powerplay 1250 Catamaran. (Dated 2001)

Story and pictures by Bruce Hodgens

As power catamarans have increased in popularity in Australia and overseas, new designs are rapidly appearing. Powerplay Catamarans in Townsville are the latest Australian company to enter the market with the Powerplay 1250 catamaran. The first boat was recently launched and production on the second one is underway. 

 

 

Powerplay Catamarans was a Townsville based boat building company owned by James Dewing.  James has been involved in building and designing boats for 20 years including working on America’s Cup boats, Pandora replicas for the North Queensland Museum and several monohulls and catamarans. He realized the potential for catamarans after building a 14 metre catamaran for a client in Townsville. The logical step was to go to a power catamaran to get good fuel economy and plenty of room.

The first thing that strikes you about the boat is the beautiful lines. The hulls are very fair and blend into a curve at the rear to culminate in a boarding platform. The platform has radial stairs allowing easy access from a dingy or from the dock to the cockpit level. At the top of the stairs there is an engine room hatch that gives very easy access to the 75 horsepower Yanmar sail-drives. The engine rooms also give access to the steering rams and rudderpost. A stainless steel gates can be closed at sea for improved safety.

The aft bridgedeck or cockpit area, is very large and practical. There are two rear berths with theie adjacent seating around the edge make it easy to get up onto the side decks. There is seating across the back and front of the cockpit, with storage space under. The table located in the cockpit, enhances the outdoor entertaining area, providing a stable and convenient area to gather around. The cockpit has a roof that provides shade and protection from the elements. Provision has been made for clears to be added if needed, but in the tropics where this boat will be working, plenty of shade is essential. The stairs are on the port side of the bridgedeck, leading up to the flybridge where the views are outstanding.