The following is text of a news release from All American Marine:
(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) — All American Marine Inc. and the Hanke family of Puget Sound Express have announced the delivery of Saratoga, the newest member of the PSE whale-watching fleet. The 73-foot, high-speed aluminum catamaran was designed by Nic De Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, and built by All American Marine in Bellingham, Wash.
Saratoga was the second vessel to be completed and delivered from All American Marine’s new facility on Bellingham Bay. “This is a very special event for Puget Sound Express,” said co-owner Peter Hanke. “The Saratoga is the first boat that we have had the opportunity to build, and we designed it with customers, whales, and the environment in mind."
The U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T certified vessel has two asymmetrical semi-planing hulls, an adjustable aluminum midship hydrofoil plus two aluminum aft foils, which allow the boat to achieve top speeds of 40-plus knots with low wake. This design, coupled with wave-piercing sickle bows, enables the boat to travel through both calm and rough water at full cruising speed while keeping underwater noise to a minimum.
Saratoga was designed from top to bottom for low fuel consumption at high speeds, a critical factor to the success of the daily whale-watch tours originating out of Edmonds. The vessel also utilizes HamiltonJet systems with four HJ364 waterjets and MECS controls for maneuverability and fuel efficiency at higher speeds.
“During sea trials, we went out with a specifically fully laden vessel, and the difference in terms of fuel consumption between light-laden and fully laden was almost negligible,” said De Waal. “We’ve done many years of research to develop a vessel design that’s particularly low-wake, due in large part to our unique hydrofoil system that doesn’t displace as much water and create waves as is the case with traditional hull design.”
The vessel is powered by four Scania D16 engines fit with carbon-fiber drive shafts to save weight. The interior of the vessel is finished with innovative materials including recyclable Ayres aluminum honeycomb wall panels and recyclable Dampa aluminum ceiling tiles with acoustic insulation. Other amenities include ADA-friendly accommodation spaces, comfortable Beurteaux seating, two restrooms, and a galley complete with a full-service bar for passengers. Saratoga is also equipped with seven HDTVs and a premium sound system with speakers inside and out.
