Cape 50
Imagine if you'd spent 30 years building high-performance boats and then decided to build yourself a cruiser — it'd be perfect, right?
Steve Campbell's been in the boating game for more than 30 years. He raced in the America's Cup, helped build some of Australia's successful racing yachts and since starting his own company, Composites Constructions, he's been responsible for some of the best performing and most robust ski boats and racing yachts of the past decade.
With that kind of resume, when Steve Campbell turns his attention to building an all composite recreational cruiser for he and his family to enjoy, it's only natural it'd turn out to be something special — the Cape 50 is just that.
The Cape 50 has been entirely designed and built in Australia, making use of Steve's own knowledge, as well as some of his industry pals, including ‘a leading Australian naval architect’ (enigmatically referred to in all press communiqué) and designer Angelo Finocchiaro.
Composites Constructions have used every technological marvel at their disposal to construct the resin-infused vinylester hull. Below the waterline, a multi-axial fabric sandwiches 30mm foam, while the same stuff sandwiches 20mm foam higher up. Carbon fibre construction shaves a few ounces from the cabin top and window mouldings, ensuring a lightweight topside and a low centre of gravity. The plumb bow provides a fine entry and the flat, square chine planing area in the stern make it a fast and efficient hull.
A pair of Volvo Penta D6 IPS600 engines offer a cruising speed of 28 knots, followed by a max speed of 34. All of the important systems sport top names such as Garmin, Czone and Zipwake, while comforts are comprised of the best bits in the business. One of our favourite features is a ‘hidden barbecue’ that folds in and out of the transom coaming.
The very first Cape 50 is scheduled to get wet in November, so as we write this we've not seen the finished product. It's fair to assume, however, that the 9mm teak decking, American oak cabinetry, and upholstery will be of the highest standards. There's accommodation for five people
This is the kind of boat that can only be dreamed up after a lifetime on the water, and when the company that's building the boat is owned by the same person who owns the boat, you can bet it'll be as good as they come. Aussies on the east coast will be able to check out the first — of what we assume will be several — Cape 50s soon.
QUICK SPECS
PRICE POA
LENGTH (overall) 15.25m (50ft)
BEAM 4.34m (14ft 3in)
DISPLACEMENT (light) 12.5t
FUEL 2 x 800L
WATER 600L
ENGINE 2 x 440hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS600
WEB cape50.com.au