Warm Water Explorer
A dream team of big names in Australian yachting have come together to build an explorer yacht
Explorer yachts are increasingly popular, but a super-group of leading names in the Australian yachting industry have taken a unique approach with this latest project.
The GCX40 is a collaboration with a special purpose. The new brand brings together shipbuilders Evolution Motor Yachts (of which it bears the name) with Marine Engineering Consultants, Periscope Naval Architects, the Gold Coast City Marina and Misha Merzliakov, of Misha Merzliakov Yacht Design, to produce a warm-water yacht perfect for the South Pacific, and especially for divers.
As Merzliakov said, “We took inspiration from Australia’s tropical reef coastline to design a yacht which would enhance the experience for the avid explorer or diver.”
The coming together of so many recognisable Australian yachting figures means we can expect only the best for the GCX40. Again, from Merzliakov, “GCCM [Gold Coast City Marina] is the ideal shipyard with the Pacific Ocean cruising grounds on its doorstep. GCCM can offer the depth and breadth of quality Australian marine trades to work on the yacht’s construction. We can pull from 80 individual businesses and 700 individual tradespeople to deliver this project under the watchful eyes of a master builder, Murray Owen, and experienced project manager, Kevin Altera.”
Evolution Yachts founder Kevin Altera was equally enthused, saying, “The partners in this joint venture have been selected as they represent key and market-leading marine services. It puts into motion the intent and capability to build world-class superyachts on the east coast of Australia.”
Evolution Yachts has already overseen the launch of multiple superyachts, including many aluminium hull designs. Periscope Naval Architects’ naval architecture, meanwhile, will be complemented by award-winning Marine Engineering Consultants for the hull construction, while Merzliakov will take care of internal and external design.
With so many formidable names attached, it’s no surprise the GCX40 generated a lot of excitement after it was announced late last year at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous.
The GCX40’s long, open decks and dining areas are perfect for enjoying warm anchorages. At 42m (137’10”), the GCX40 has a draft of only 2.5 metres (8’2.5”) and should achieve 5,000 nautical miles at its cruising speed of 12 knots, perfect for tooling around Australia’s many beautiful dive spots, reefs and shallow waters. Power is provided by a pair of Caterpillar C32s. There’s accommodation for 12 guests plus a crew of nine. And, as you might expect from as experienced a team as this, there will be plenty of room for customisation by owners to include more room for tenders and toys, or other features as you like.
QUICK SPECS
PRICE (Estimated) AU$26.3 million
LENGTH (overall) 42m (137’10”)
BEAM 9.3m (30ft 6in)
DRAFT 2.5m (8ft 2.5in)
GUESTS 12
CREW 9
CRUISING SPEED 12kt
Range 5000 nautical miles
ENGINE Caterpillar C32 @ 970kW
web evolutionyachts.com.au