Pacific MotorYachts Ltd

We are here in Brazil to look at the first Watson built in a foreign yard. Primarily we have come to conduct the inclining experiment ahead of preparation of the stability data book of which I will explain a lot more later.

Brazil is an exciting country to visit and the people are extremely courteous. It also has, for the past twenty years, had a booming economy that does not look like stopping anytime soon. 

The country also has a controlled border. There are duties that discourage importation of many items, including, predictably, yachts on which the tax is 100%. This effectively bars outsiders from the market. 

So when a Brazilian businessman asked if we would consider licensing one of our designs to be built here we were intrigued. An avid fisherman and scuba diver he had been searching for a suitable vessel for long range fishing expeditions.

The vessel had to be capable of ranging from Ushuaia (try Google Earth) in the south of South America, to Lisbon, Portugal in the north and operating on both coasts of the Atlantic.

The W79 had all the prerequisites; a range of up to ten thousand nautical miles, which meant she could easily make a double crossing of the Atlantic. Self contained crew quarters for four. Two guest staterooms and a huge owners aft stateroom with private lounge and office.

Also, like all our passage maker designs the W79 has inherent self righting ability.

“Blue Dream” is now a reality. The sea trials, machinery run-ups and final touches to the elegant interior are being completed in anticipation of her first serious cruise in October.

She will not have a permanent berth, instead, under the care of a professional crew, moving with the seasons and being in a state of readiness for the owner to join her.

It has been an interesting experience seeing her being built in one of the few South American yards with the capacity to deliver a motor yacht of this standard. Inace (Industria Naval do Ceara S.A.) based in Fortaleza, a well established commercial builder has been carving a niche in the motor yacht market over the past twenty years. The result is good.

Of course looking up the forward mast at the crows nest meant having to climb it for some decent shots.

With the canopies yet to be fitted we have a clear view of the flybridge, Portuguese bridge and boat deck layout. These areas have rich teak decking, with the boat deck set up for entertaining and relaxation.

The fore deck is uncluttered and the crew below gives an idea of scale.

The main deck has space port and starboard for tenders to be stowed with a Palfinger crane situated amidships for launching and retrieval. The large box ahead of the deckhouse is a “fish hold”, sized for Blue Fin Tuna, with its own ice maker.

It is interesting to see many of our standard details faithfully replicated such as this bulwark door arrangement.

And our hinged freeing ports, typical to our larger vessels.

These allow water to easily run off the deck but are hinged in such a way to prevent sea water washing aboard at sea.

The Palfinger is a marine grade piece of machinery. This is sized to lift the largest tender, a 20ft Grady White. 

The fly bridge has repeat controls and electronics for vessel operation.

I liked this treatment of the BBQ area; a sheltered spot with bench area and sink.

A main deck bunkering and fire station is neatly executed, easy to clean and monitor while filling. The Fire hydrant receives sea water via the vessels bilge pumping system.

The same applies to these air supply jalousies to the engine room and forward accommodation area intakes port and starboard. The covers latch up out of the way but are quick to deploy in case of fire in either compartment.

I will have more on this vessel soon.