alpha catamaran

Alpha Catamaran

Uscg certified open ocean rated 100 passenger catamarans, 100 passengers + crew | coi rated.

Custom Built, High-Speed Passenger Catamarans

Alpha Catamarans are great for tours, water taxi, dinner cruises, etc!

This is a true ocean-going “Subchapter T” Passenger Catamaran rated for the open ocean.

The hull is powered with twin Mercury 150’s. Pricing will vary widely for each build due to component pricing and availability.

The hull is rated for up to Four (Quad) 600hp Mercury engines for a total of 2,400hp if you desire to get your passengers there in a hurry!

Endless options available from our design team including a second story with controls, passenger bench seating, etc.

Launched in Sarasota Bay, FL. Coast Guard tested & inspected. Completed Sea Trial & C.O.I.

Meet the Lazy Lady

An alpha catamaran in the wild.

Introducing the Lazy Lady, your ultimate floating paradise! This magnificent 53-foot custom-built Alpha Catamaran tiki boat, proudly owned by Sabago Watersports in Key West, Florida, has everything you need for an unforgettable day at sea.

With Lazy Lady, you can enjoy the convenience of a spacious full-size restroom, ensuring your comfort throughout the journey. Need to cool off? No problem! The misters will keep you refreshed even on the hottest days. And don’t forget about the state-of-the-art stereo system that will set the perfect mood as you sail away. Call Sabago Watersports and book your next water sports adventure today!

Questions? Drop us a line!

Contact alpha catamaran.

Traver Smith: Yacht & Ship Sales Phone:  813-404-9867 Email: [email protected]  

Keeven Taylor: Manufacturing & Sales Phone: 501-276-2222 Email: [email protected]

Address: 12781 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island, FL 33706 USA

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Alpha 42: the new catamaran made in the USA

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Published 11/06/2012

By Jean-Christophe Guillaumin

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Published: jan. / feb. 2013

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Published: January / February 2013

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The resolutely modern lines, with inverted bows, give a glimpse of a boat which will be pleasant to sail and also offer some nice living areas.   The Alpha 42, designed by Marc Anassis NA and Alpha-1 Composites and thought up by Gregor Tarjan from Aeroyacht will thus fill a gap, as builders  tend to offer either 40 or 45 footers in their ranges...

 Discover it on: www.aeroyacht.com

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Aeroyacht’s New Alpha 42

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: July 30, 2013

Alpha 42 Catamaran

Based in Long Island, New York, catamaran dealer, designer, sailor and author Gregor Tarjan is one of the country’s leading experts on multihulls of every size and description. So when we first learned that Tarjan was one of the principals in bringing the new Aeroyacht Alpha 42 into existence, we were interested to see the final result. Well, the semi-custom Alpha 42 was recently launched near the Long Island facility where the boat was built, and everyone involved with the project should be justifiably proud of what they’ve created. The Alpha 42 is an exciting new entry into the fleet of performance cruising cats, and with a base price of $395,000—and eight orders already on the ledger—it appears the new 42-footer may have hit a sweet spot in the marketplace.

The Alpha 42 incorporates a lot of interesting features not usually associated with production catamarans, including wave-piercing bows; multi-chine hulls; separate, private entryways for the two aft staterooms; and a choice of either high-performance daggerboards (which draw 6’ 8” when lowered, or just 28” when raised) or fixed, low-aspect mini keels (with a 3’ 6” draft).

Tarjan likes fast boats, and the Alpha 42 looks quick just sitting on a mooring. The boat is entered in this year’s Boat of the Year (BOTY) competition, and we’re really looking forward to taking it for a spin. Some of the speed enhancements include an integrated carbon-fiber bowsprit for off-wind sails, an optional carbon rotating mast and lightweight synthetic rigging. In a further nod to performance, all the heavy stuff like fuel and water tanks, and the batteries, have been centered in the boat to reduce any pitching or inertia. Paul Van Dyke of North Sails, another wizard in the world of state-of-the art cats, designed the sails, including the self-tacking working Solent jib. Did I mention I’m really eager to test the 42?

Built to ABYC specifications by Alpha 1 Composites, the Alpha 42’s composite structure incorporates Vinylester resins and a Divinycell foam core in the hulls and superstructure, with a Nidacore honeycomb core in the bulkheads. Saving weight was clearly a priority, and with a light displacement of just over 9 tons, it’s clear the builders succeeded in that goal. The mast is an ICW-friendly 62’ off the water.

There are two different accommodation plans offered, one a charter or family version with a quartet of cabins, all with their own heads, and the other an owner’s version with a full-length master suite in its own dedicated hull. Gregor, we’ll take one of those, please.

This year’s BOTY fleet of cats is one of the strongest in years, with new boats from Gunboat (including the 55, also built on the East Coast, in North Carolina); a pair of new Lagoons (the 39 and 52); a fresh Chris White design constructed in Chile by Alwoplast (the Atlantic 47, with White’s innovative “mast foil” rig); and a full-size Nautitech (the 562). So the Alpha 42 will certainly find stiff competition. Will the boat be a contender?

Stay tuned.

For more information, visit www.aeroyacht.com .

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Alpha 42 Catamaran

A cat enthusiast puts this new york-built cruiser through its paces.

By Will Becchina          

“Do you want to sail on the Alpha 42 tomorrow?” asked Gregor Tarjan, the boat’s designer. Of course, I was thrilled at the offer. Two and a half years ago, Tarjan and boatbuilder Marc Anassis consolidated their strengths to create

The Alpha 42’s wave piercing bows slice through the water and deliver a smooth motion. © aeroyacht.com

something that many in the multihull industry thought was impossible.

Without outside funding or assistance, they have launched a quality cruising catamaran only an hour from New York City. Alpha Yachts, located at South Shore Boatyard in Patchogue, NY, has built two Alpha 42s and has orders for 10.

“If Wally Yachts was to design a 42-foot cruising cat, this would be it,” said Tarjan. Indeed, when I set eyes on the Alpha 42 I was struck by its good looks. Most cruising cats, especially those under 42 feet, suffer from lumpy proportions, exaggerated hull heights and low bridgedeck clearances. The Alpha 42, however, is a purposeful looking yacht with enough aggression in her chiseled lines to satisfy the most demanding go-fast sailor yet there are enough soft breaks and a stunning interior to soothe the minds of our lady partners. All shapes are easy to understand and one’s eye has an easy task of following the flow of angles and lines. Tarjan aims to completely re-interpret the modern cruising catamaran, and I believe he has made great strides to that end. “Gregor’s hulls were the hardest ones I ever had to build and I have built more than 850 boats in 35 years,” said Anassis, who is a naval architect and engineer. Each hull has two chines that accentuate the boat’s silhouette and aggressive reverse bows.

Approaching the Alpha, which was tied to the dock like an eager racehorse, I admired its lines and impeccable gelcoat, although one unanswered question was troubling me: How can a 42-foot catamaran whose beam is just over 24 feet have enough bridgedeck clearance to deal with pounding seas? Anticipating the inquiry, Tarjan produced a tape measure. “Thirty-eight inches, just shy of one meter,” he called out, asserting that this is by far the highest bridgedeck of any catamaran this size. This tunnel height will go a long way to ensuring comfort in a seaway.

Stepping aboard, I was greeted by the warm color of the synthetic teak decking. “It has zero maintenance,” said Tarjan.  “It looks like real wood and has an added advantage that you do not have to wash the decks so often.” Entering the cockpit, I had to remind myself that this cat is only 42 feet long. The immense beam gives a sense of space of a much larger multihull. A generous U-shaped cockpit seating area has a folding teak table that can be exchanged for the saloon table and lowered to make a coffee table. To port, behind the massive stainless double helm seat, is a large lounge area. Tarjan is working on an optional “wet bar/barbecue” module for this area, which would be ideal for charter guests. Very large cockpit drains, hidden under a beautifully crafted teak grate, will assure swift evacuation in the rare case of waves entering the cockpit.

The entire aft side of the cockpit is spanned by a 22-foot by 30-inch veranda that connects the hulls, so that guests can cross between hulls without disturbing people in the cockpit. This area can also be used for water toy storage or sunbathing.

Stepping onto the main deck, I walked forward unencumbered by any obstructions. The hatches are flush, and the continuous handhold on the overhanging coachroof “eyebrow” gave me a sense of security. I noted an integrated water catchment system on the saloon roof, which is offered as an option. Forward is a clever trampoline seating area with enough room for two people to sleep under the stars. Steps lead up to the mast, where I observed the very thoughtfully laid out sail handling systems.

Lately it seems to be fashionable to ruin a catamaran esthetic with the addition of helm station biminis – horrible-looking contraptions that some sailors nevertheless cannot do without. For these folks, Tarjan designed a forward-folding dodger/bimini that can be deployed in seconds or folded forward. Most of the cockpit is covered by a fixed composite roof. For hotter climates, an optional “roof extension pack” shades the entire cockpit and can be enclosed with side curtains.

I have sailed on many catamarans and inspected the newest models at boat shows, and cannot recall having such good visibility from the saloon in every direction, whether sitting or standing. The main deck is one of the highlights of the Alpha 42. Two sliding doors open to the main deck, creating a sizeable inside/outside living space. Part of the galley, which is to starboard, is exposed to the cockpit, effectively becoming a bar. Guests in the cockpit will have unobstructed communications with those in the saloon.

With an optional joystick or autopilot, the expansive nav station becomes an all-weather helm. © aeroyacht.com

The starboard hull is the owner’s suite. A queen-size double berth (with side access) is flanked by beautifully finished oak veneered cabinetwork. A long, backlit storage compartment is perfectly placed along the length of the bed – a modern interpretation of a night table. Midships, a curved lounge and small desk sits opposite a wall of built-in lockers. Cleverly hidden behind the sliding companionway door is the escape hatch and a seat, under which the clothes hamper finds the perfect spot. This could also be the space for a washing machine, Tarjan explained.

The head in the owner’s bathroom has a composite cover that doubles as a seat. © aeroyacht.com

The port hull has a spacious head with separate shower midships. Aft is a large guest stateroom with a side access queen-size bed flanked by a seat, two drawers and several lockers. Forward is another guest cabin with two lockers, a large sliding drawer under the bed, and opening hatches. The view from the hulls is spectacular. There are two opening portlights in each hull that will assure good ventilation when not using the air conditioner. Forward of the hull interior are two giant sail lockers. On this particular boat, the port sail locker has a full-length workbench. In the charter version of this boat, these would make great skipper and crew quarters.

Sail control lines are led to the helm, shown with the optional windscreen and dodger bimini. © aeroyacht.com

windscreen. This feature will block out glare and UV damage to instruments, and will be immensely useful when beating into a cold Atlantic gale.

As we unfurled the genoa in light air the boat picked up to an easy 7-8 knots, and I immediately noticed a different motion compared to conventional-hulled catamarans I have sailed. The stylishly raked wave piercing bows cut through the water with the softest of motions. Tarjan asked the photo boat (a heavy displacement 42-foot poweryacht) to cross our bows several times at high speed. The Alpha handled the resulting three-foot waves with ease, punching through them with a solid, controlled motion. I concluded that the Alpha 42 feels a bit more like a trimaran than a cat. Her motion is slower and less jerky, which should be very welcome in heavy seas, especially to those with a weak stomach.

Then it was time for the turbo. Tarjan hoisted the 1,100 square foot gennaker with the electric winch, the sail snapped open and boatspeed hit a constant 9 knots in 15-17 knots of wind. This beautifully cut sail is made of 1.5 oz. nylon and rolls on an endless line Facnor furler from the carbon bowsprit. As the wind picked up to over 20 knots we bore off, unfurled the self-tacking Solent again and stowed the gennaker. Tacking is a breeze and the Alpha 42, at nearly 10 tons fully loaded, can be handled like a dinghy. With a determined turn of the wheel, it tacks easily with no need for backwinding, changing of sheets on winches, or starting the engines (as on some other cats).

Pros & Cons

+ Quality workmanship, innovative design, made in the USA.

– Ill-fitted trampolines, underpowered with standard self-tacking Solent, no grab handles in companionways, limited cabin storage in the 4-stateroom charter version.

Specifications

Length (LOA): 42’1”

Beam (max): 24’2”

Draft (foil keel): 3’6”   (optional daggerboard): 28” up/6’8” down

Air draft (mast above water): 62′ (US Intracoastal Waterway capable)

Displacement: 9.2 T

Mainsail: 569 sq. ft.

Self-tacking Solent jib: 369 sq. ft.

Genoa: 428 sq. ft.

Reacher on furler: 1,076 sq. ft.

Engines: (2) x 30 hp Yanmar 3YM diesel (40hp option)

Concept & Interior Design: Gregor Tarjan, Aeroyacht Ltd.

Naval Architect & Engineering: Marc Anassis NA, Alpha 1 Composites

Builder: Alpha 1 Composites, Patchogue, NY

Standard sailaway price: $434,000 delivered New York

For more information, visit Aeroyacht or call

Will Becchina grew up sailing out of Smithtown and Port Jefferson on Long Island’s north shore, piloting both monohulls and a 30-foot open bridgedeck catamaran. He currently enjoys cruising with his family, chartering in the BVI, and assisting with the Three Village High School sailing team.

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A homegrown cruising cat proves that American innovation is alive and well and ready to go cruising  (published November 2014 MQ)

It was there in October that I met Gregor and his friend Wes aboard hull number two of this new design. The boat had been launched the previous week and had been out daily for sea trials with potential customers. I would be the first journalist to see the boat and review it.

With Gregor at the helm using the twin engines expertly to get us away from the dock in a stiff cross breeze, we headed out into Great South Bay. The sky was clearing after a gray start to the day, the breeze was up and piping at 20 knots or so and the bay was choppy and flecked with white caps. Perfect.

We got the big square-top mainsail hoisted easily with its two-part halyard and then rolled out the 110 percent jib. The Alpha skipped ahead nicely and at about 160 degrees to the apparent wind she settled down to a happy 10 knots on a broad reach.

The Alpha’s wave piercing bows did not get much of a workout on the flat water of the bay, but we did have a lobster boat out with us with a photographer aboard. We asked the skipper to run across our bows a few times while throwing a big wake so we could see how the bows would react. True to the design’s intent, the bows pierced the waves and reduced the boat’s pitching motion significantly.

We jibed back and forth down the bay to maintain the fastest reaching angles and then hardened up to beat back toward Patchogue. You can handle all of the lines—halyards, sheets and reefing lines—from the raised helm. The lines run back from the mast in a conduit inside the cabin top and through line stoppers that are served by two self-tailing winches. A third winch is a useful option.

Upwind, we were able to sail at about 45 degrees to the true wind and saw a steady eight knots on the speedo. In the puffs, our boatspeed crept over nine a few times to everyone’s delight. The Alpha is very easy to handle for a lone watch keeper, which makes it a great couple’s boat. Visibility from the helm is excellent so attending to sail trim or maneuvering around the marina is always easy.

On the way back to the marina, we dropped sail and motored for about two miles to get a feel for how the Alpha handles under power. The twin Yanmar 30-horsepower diesels push the boat at eights knots at 2700 rpms and will keep her at six knots at a more economical 1800 rpms.

At cruising revs, the engines will each burn about a third of a gallon per hour or two thirds together. With 140 gallons of fuel in the tanks, the Alpha has about 200 hours of motoring capability or a maximum motoring range of about 1,200 miles. For those heading off around the world, where you often have to motor long distances in the doldrums, this range will be a great comfort.

Before heading out for a sail, we all took a quick tour of the Alpha factory where hulls number three and four were in the middle and late stages of completion respectively. The boats are built using high tech composites and components to ABYC and NMMA standards. The laminates are all vinyester with Nydacore coring above the waterlines and in the decks. Below the waterlines, the hulls are solid fiberglass for strength and durability. A collision bulkhead is fixed into each bow and stress points such as at the chain plates are reinforced with carbon fiber.

The keels are not integral with the hulls but are instead fitted into recesses in each hull. Should the boat run around or hit something at sea, the keel can be damaged without penetrating the hulls. The rudders have solid stainless steel stocks and full stainless steel reinforcing panels inside each foil. The bridge deck has a generous 34-inch clearance and is shaped with a nacelle down the middle that adds stiffness, strength and dampens the effects of waves slapping the underside.

Interior bulkheads, furniture panels and overheads are all cored with honeycomb cores that make the pieces very stiff but also very light. Even the Corian counters, which are made on site, have honeycomb cores.

The 42 comes with three interior options. The boat we were sailing was heading to the Caribbean to sail in the TMM charter fleet out of the British Virgin Islands. It had the four-cabin two head interior, with large double berths aft in both hulls and two smaller doubles forward. The heads and showers lay between the cabins.

The owner’s version has two cabins in the starboard hull and a large owner’s suite to port. You can also opt for the Super Owner’s version that has master suites in both hulls and no cabins forward.

The main table sits four comfortably and with two stools or small folding chairs added will seat six. The 360-degree view from the saloon table through the windows is nothing short of spectacular. The tinted windows run from the cabin top to the deck and have hidden joints and seams so you get the impression that the cabin top is almost floating over your head.

The nav station faces forward at the front of the cabin with excellent views. This will be the ship’s office and command center. And, in inclement weather, this is where you will stand most of your watches with the aid of an autopilot and a multifunction display for charts, radar and AIS.

The new Alpha 42 is a fun and innovative addition to the cruising catamaran fleet. Gregor has poured 25 years of multihull sailing, racing, selling and building into the design and his partner—a veteran boat builder with hundreds of boats out there sailing—has embraced the latest building techniques. The boats are finely finished and built on a semi-custom basis for each unique owner.

Author: George Day

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