Caspian 100' Luxury Launch
Client: UndisclosedRecently there has been a trend to convert existing commercial vessels into long-range luxury cruisers and private expedition ships.
Converted fishing trawlers and cargo vessels, provided their original lines are aesthetically correct, are the most successfully converted and often provide a very cost-effective alternative to a new build.
Most of these vessels were also designed to cope with rough sea conditions and carry large payloads, both highly desirable traits for owners wanting to explore areas far outside their normal cruising grounds.
We were commissioned by a Russian shipyard, on the northern shores of the Caspian Sea, to convert a 100-foot steel fish transporter, into a fairly luxurious launch to cruise around the Caspian Sea and western Russia’s Volga River. At 3690 kilometres, the Volga is Europe's longest river.
The Caspian Sea is a landlocked sea between Asia and Europe. It is the world's largest inland body of water, with a surface area of 371,000 km². It therefore has characteristics common to both seas and lakes. In fact, it is often listed as both the world's largest lake and the world’s largest sea.
On the northern or Russian side it is mainly freshwater and shallow, while to the south it is saltier and deeper. Draft is therefore a big issue. Average water depth on the Russian side is only 4.5 meters [15 feet]. This obviously limits the draft of the boat and that has consequences for the superstructure height.
We had to be aware of raising the centre of gravity and decreasing the stability. It was a fine balancing act.
The Project took us through to the Intact Stability stamp approval from the Russian River Registry which has very strict stability, criteria that needed to be followed through.
The Interior layout comprises 4 Guest Cabins and Ensuite's; an Owners Cabin; Crew Quarters and a separate Captain’s Cabin behind the Helm Station. A large Dining and Lounge area; and a Galley with all the requirements needed to cater for a party of 10+ guests.
SPECIFICATIONS AND PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
LOA 32.00 meters
LWL 30.00 meters
BEAM 6.00 meters
Draft 1.0 meters
Displacement [1/2 load] 115 tonnes
Fuel 18,000 liters
Cruising Speed 12 knots
PO Box 2836
Wakatipu
Queenstown, 9349
New Zealand
Tel +64 (0)275 933 692