catamaran VERHEUS 50′ (vendu)

Description

Ce magnifique catamaran sort délibérément des sentiers battus; sa silhouette peut paraitre surannée, elle est juste hors du temps et des modes! Pleine de charme aussi, avec ses arrière canoés et les bordés à faux clins qui constituent en fait des raidisseurs modernes dissimulés sous des artifices classiques. La conception (par Alexander Verheus, architecte hollandais talentueux) de ce bateau de voyage et d’expédition est très rigoureuse, la qualité de fabrication est remarquable (sandwich mousse verre époxy sous vide. Construit dans le chantier Rheberen d’Amsterdam par son premier propriétaire Hein Van Greevenbroek avec l’assistance de l’équipe technique du chantier. Intérieur spartiate, mais confortable, excellentes qualités nautiques, bonne performances et fiabilité. Le bateau peut pratiquer des plans d’eau interdits à de nombreuses embarcations grâce à ses dérives extérieures pivotantes type Botter et l’arbre d’hélice relevable de son unique moteur diesel (un Hors bord puissant sur chaise vient en appoint pour le pivotement en espace resserré. L’atmosphère de ce catamaran coup de cœur est très puissante. Visible Antilles, disponible de suite, aucun travaux à prévoir (mât, voiles et gréement changés en 2016). Le refit de 2010 et celui de 2016 (avec changement de mât, gréement et voiles au profit d’un tube aluminium plus léger) ont hissé le bateau à un excellent niveau de préparation.

Sailing impression by first owner
Walking on the quay, you will see a large, high on the water lying catamaran, the Stormvogel. The hulls are sharp, stylish and provide an association with a Wharram-cat, but where a Wharram can be a bit blunt the Stormvogel has an very elegant appearance. First as you board the vessel, you feel the size of the boat. The deck is 9.35m wide and together with the low wheel-house it will give you this open, large feeling as well as a fantastic good overview on deck. The Stormvogel is easy to manoeuvre with a strong central main engine (50 hp, diesel) and a powerful 4 stroke 9 hp outdoor motor placed starboard of the centre. With the help of these two engines you can turn the boat on its place. The steering blades are strikingly effective. A experienced skipper will soon feel safe enough with only the use of the main engine. Only in very narrow ports with a lot of wind, the use of the extra 4 stroke is desirable.
When it’s time to hoist the sails you do this preferably with the bows towards the wind. The main sail is easy to hoist, the last piece with the help of a winch mounted to the mast. Is nice to have a mate during the lifting, but not required. In the cockpit you have a splendid overview of the entire deck while steering the Stormvogel with the helmet. Under bad weather conditions the steering is also possible within the deckhouse. A simple mechanism connects the helmet to the steering wheel in the deckhouse. This mechanism can also be used for automatic steering mechanism  for the sailor who would like to install such a mechanism.
Now that the mainsail is hoisted, the Stormvogel accelerate fast. The helmsman hoist the propeller of the engine from the cockpit, a small act, but of course with positive effects on speed. With the front sail hoisted and the lea-board in the water, the Stormvogel feels stable at the helm. You get easily used to the lea-boards which you operate from the cockpit with the use a winch. The lea-boards are easy to lift in shallow waters and will give no risk for hull damage.
Sailing is just a pleasure on the Stormvogel. Stable at the helm, stable on the water, light to manoeuvre and easy accelerating. Within light air the Stormvogel performs moderate and you might wish a bit higher mast especially with to the wind courses. But with wind from the side or backwards you can use the genaker of 110 m2 and the catamaran accelerates quickly to 5-8 knots. With a light breeze the Stormvogel sails easy 5 knots to the wind and in other courses up to 9-10 knots. From a wind strength 5-6 bf. the speed goes up to 8-16 knots. Do you have in addition the right course and waves, you can start surfing with a speed up to 20 knots, spectacular! Under these surfing conditions you still have full steering control.
With strong or storm winds you are glad the Stormvogel is constructed within the American ABS security measures, and as strong you will expect from a ocean sailing vessel. You will reconsider the length of the mast; this is a save cruising catamaran, still light and easy to sail and accelerate.
Appealing for sailors who sail also in shallow waters is that the Stormvogel can reduce its depth to only 0.67 m.
The Stormvogel sailed many times on the North Sea crossings from Scotland to Norway. The North Sea is known for its whimsical short waves. The Stormvogel does not starting to hobby-horse but moves nicely on the waves. The deckhouse ensures dry cards and electrical equipment and is very easy operable from the cockpit.
The Stormvogel has sailed with guest on day trips (under security laws of Register Holland) up to 20 persons, although 16 was perfect for a day trip. On longer trips, the Stormvogel can accommodate easily 6-8 guest.