Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.A. – SYCARA IV, a classically-styled custom 151’ (46m) Fantail Motor Yacht, underwent an extensive sea trial on Lake Michigan where all systems were thoroughly tested. Her owners, being particularly concerned about the environment, wanted this yacht to have low fuel consumption and a small wake that would not cause damage to the shoreline. The sea trials confirmed that while cruising effortlessly at 12 ½ knots with a very small wake SYCARA IV burned only 27 gallons per hour, generator included.
SYCARA IV represents the cooperative effort between Nautical Structures and Burger Boat’s continued commitment to designing and building custom equipment and custom yachts that meet their owner’s specific requirements and desires. Styled after the classic yachts of the 1920’s, SYCARA IV brings together the design talents of Naval Architect Bruce King who developed her hull lines and acclaimed Yacht Designer Ken Freivokh who worked with the owner and led the Burger Design Team to develop the interior and exterior designs. Nautical Structures' designers and engineers were tasked with the challenge to develop modern equipment for this project without compromising on the period classic style.
The deck crane is a 2-1/2-ton capacity EZ5500EX Deck Crane System customized for this application. A extra low-profile design was developed to help integrate the crane into the aft seating. The crane was mounted onto a periscoping standpipe that vertically raises the crane almost a meter for deployment; positioning the crane in a more 'typical' configuration for use. Specialized upgrades were made to the crane design including stainless steel Wandfluh K9 valves and LED floodlights integrated into the boom section. The design of the crane coupled with the specialized mounting system allows the crane the ability to "dissapear" when stowed, leaving only the classic tender to be admired on deck.
Nautical Structures also built a very custom passerelle for the yacht. The classic fantail naval architecture of the yacht made a conventional passerelle impossible to use. Nautical Structures working with the Burger Design team developed a special watertight enclosure with a dog-leg in the deployment tracks. This allowed the passerelle the ability to follow the sheer-lines of the deck when stowed, and then turn-down 4-degrees to level when deployed a full 8.2-m /27-ft. The long aspect ratio of the fantail stern also required that the passerelle's transport car be extended 2.75-m / 9-ft beyond the aft-end of the enclosure prior to slewing. The passerelle slews 80-degrees to port for port-side-to boarding. Traditional teak decking with LED lighting and specialized folding handrails embellish the passerelle to the highest yacht standards. The passerelle is built with the integrity to allow boarding without the dock wheels used, in a self-suporting mode.
Often I am asked what makes Nautical Structures different from the other companies that supply equipment in the yachting industry. I would tell you that it is these types of projects that allow us to stand out from the croud. We do not mass-produce this type of equipment. We do not try to talk our clients into taking something we already have and compromise the uniquiness of their project. Rather we start with a very large portfolio of existing designs and work from this depth of experience to develop a project special for our client. It typically takes a little more time, and costs a little more than the "production builders", but in the end the client enjoys a product built specific for their build and without compromise. To speak with our clients at boat shows and industry events always confirms that we are on the right road for our success in the yachting industry.
As a result of our collaborative efforts working with Burger Boat, SYCARA IV is sure to recapture the splendor, grace and romance of the golden years of yachting. We are pleased to have been a part of this dream.
After her final fit-out SYCARA IV will travel to her owner’s home port and then on to the 2009 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show for her world debut. Stop by our stand at the Ft. lauderdale Boat Show and let us show you more about this fun and interesting project.