$1M Charter Catamaran Conversion -PART 1- Top Secret (electric) Boat Tour

Part 2: • $1M Charter Catamaran ...
0:32 Intro
2:30 Solar Array
6:30 Deck and Sails
10:30 Cockpit/helm
13:00 Electric Winches
15:30 Fiberglass and Gelcoat and Paint
18:30 Electric Motor
23:20 Aft Deck Lounge
25:30 Navigation Station
28:30 Galley / Salon
This is not your average charter catamaran conversion. We take our time and deep-dive into the details of the Voyage 580, Top Secret. Four electric motors, the biggest solar array I've ever seen, a massive battery bank, and a million dollar investment, the boat is remarkable and so is the owner Rean Snyman, who along with friends and a couple laborers, completely rebuilt the boat in two years. It's an amazing boat. This is the kind of project I would take on if time and money were no object.
I learned a lot talking to Rean about Top Secret. We get into the nitty-gritty in this walk through, talking details about carpentry, paint, gelcoat, wiring, A/C, electric drives from OceanVolt, sail handling, etc., etc. Prepare to geek out a bit on boats and systems!
iTunes Podcast: podcasts.apple...
Consulting: www.sailclarit...
Squarespace - 14 day free trial: squarespace.sy...
Private Fb Group: / 475364229906600
Products we use: www.amazon.com...
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Nick's Books and Audiobooks:
Get Her on Board is about getting that significant other to buy into this cruising nonsense. People seem to like it. All proceeds go to our dog Sugar.
Audiobook: www.audible.co...
Book:
www.amazon.com...
Live on the Margin is about making money on the go trading stocks and options. I co-wrote it with Pat Schulte of Bumfuzzle. People seem to like that one too. All proceeds donated to our boat.
Audiobook: www.audible.co...
Book:
www.amazon.com...
Audiobooks:
Bumfuzzle - Just out Looking for Pirates.
You know these guys, and now you know me, so have a listen.
www.audible.co...
Bound for Distant Seas, by James Baldwin
James is the real deal and this his story of adventure aboard a small, simple boat.
www.audible.co...
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[@YourRoyalHighness]

This guy is amazing, I could listen to him for days talking about his boat. His experience and insight is incalculable.

[@DominicNSX]

Another incredible video! Electric drives are the future! No more diesel leaks, no more smells and fumes, no more filters and cooling problems and no more polluting!

[@terryroth9707]

Watch planet of humans. It will change your mind about that. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[@JerryDLTN]

I'd love to have a Herley 3400 Powercat or a Silent 60

[@pioneer_1148]

You are still going to need a backup generator for the forseable future but solar and electric drive is definitely the way forards

[@pioneer_1148]

​@@terryroth9707 That's been panned by every climate scientist out there. It overlooks a huge amount of stuff to make renewables look worse and uses a lot of outdated and downright false information

[@maximaleffort]

Thank you to both families for opening up for the tour. Love the tech and personal engineering. This adventure was pure magic.

[@jimfromri]

I can’t decide which is more amazing...the boat or the very creative and talented owner. Great job with the video Nick. Camera work was beautiful and you asked all the right questions. -Jim

[@Ks-zz9lh]

What a great guy. I wonder how long he’s spent building this thing. It amazing. Nice to see something else for a change, raised solar panels and electric ⚡️ engines. Awesome. For a boat called top secret he’s actually pretty open 😉👌what a boat.

[@dantakeoff]

Props for donating one engine to UMA! Love from SA....

[@nfwolfaardt]

When he mentioned the 4 were overkill, I thought it was him that gave UMA theirs... Lekker.

[@marionbraund464]

I love this guy's British x South African accent. What a genuine guy.

[@AlanCzajkowski]

more boat tour videos of boats you become friends with please! other owners sharing their knowledge is priceless :)

[@TheOKellys]

I need more friends. Lol. That was a lot of fun. I learned a lot myself!

[@grassibruno]

Nick! In terms of “content”, I think this is the best KZbin video I have ever watched! Congratulations and thank you for sharing this with us!! Seriously! Top Secret captain, I truly admire your work, humbleness in the communicating all the data and dedication! Awesome!

[@TheOKellys]

Woah man! That's quite a thing to say. I owe it all to Rean's work and generosity with sharing it with us. Thanks for the note Bruno! Appreciate the support!

[@d-rot]

I gotta chime in even after liking this comment to say I agree 100. This is the benchmark for electric boats and cats and refits.

[@HandyC]

I already want this guy refitting my boat.... and I don't have a boat :D

[@stevensaxon8888]

@@TheOKellys 1st off I love your videos. Would you ever buy another monohull sailboat?

[@cliffmainor4255]

Here-here!!!

[@allynonderdonk7577]

What a cool conversion....the man is a genius!!!

[@TheOKellys]

Yep, and a cool guy too.

[@stevel7465]

Fantastic chat with guy. His enthusiasm is amazing. He loves his boat. A great video like always. Thank you. Cheers from Canada

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks Steve. Enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable.

[@1BADGT500]

Best conversion ever. This is the yacht iv'e been dreaming about. No better live aboard cruiser on the water in my book. two thumbs up!

[@TheOKellys]

It's a pretty amazing ride. Just got an email from them. They are enroute to BVIs.

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

The expectation was galactic and this video delivered. Now to part 2!

[@TheOKellys]

Galactic!?!?!?! Wow! Thank you!

[@VERTICALWisdom]

We are in the process of selecting our cat -- As you can imagine we have researched read over-researched the purchase and this is by far the best video on KZbin on the what to know and look for! Awesome channel thank you

[@TheOKellys]

Wow! Thank you...that is a heck of a compliment. It's quite a process, isn't it? I know it was for us. I originally thought I wanted a performance cat! Lol.

[@bestvip5803]

Keep it under 55ft from what I've heard

[@VERTICALWisdom]

@@bestvip5803 We are actually only looking at Cats 60 -65ft. however, we will have crew onboard.

[@jzb99]

Ive watched this video like 3 times now... this has got to be one of the coolest techno boats ive ever seen... beautiful finish and the electric technology is just bad ass on this thing.

[@Gunnie1961]

Oh my what an amazing boat! Love the detail of the conversation on the modifications. On to part two.

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you Robert!

[@daveblack5109]

never owned or will own a boat in my life but i enjoyed every minute of this video. thank you.

[@charlesmerritt122]

That has to be the coolest boat ! Great video.

[@TheOKellys]

It really is. And Rean is extremely knowledgeable and just plain goes for it! Thanks you for the positive feedback Charles!

[@beerded1731]

I love the sailing community family and their passion , Wish i was part of it. Definitely a difference between sailors and powered boat owners.

[@donpeden6601]

Fantastic information ! What an eye opener ! Isn't it refreshing to see how this engaged, knowledgeable and passionate owner is right up to speed with every facet of his boat. There is a saying that there is no substitute for product knowledge ! Ain't that the truth !

[@jeffc6038]

Thanks for taking the time to put this videos together i enjoy it and walk away with a lot of ideas that i will put to good use nice quality and sounds.

[@TheOKellys]

That’s so great to hear!

[@bertfarin8755]

Wow,i stumbled on that video, but I watched the whole thing and loved it. Loved Rean and his boat and I’m envious of his mechanical skills. Wish I had one quarter of his knowledge, guts and talent. Thanks for making that video.

[@TheOKellys]

Me too. Rean is brilliant and just a good dude all around. He's got a new project going now. I may fly down and hang out a bit. Could be epic!

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Wow, impressive doesn't even explain this adequately. That is some next level refit / rebuilding.

[@rboyce5]

Intresting video. I learned how much I don't know about sailing but it was fun to watch.

[@stanleygodlewski5489]

What a beautiful boat. The owner is knowledgeable.

[@Ks-zz9lh]

I’ve heard somewhere that every boat needs a refit every 7 yrs 😂 can only imagine the amount of work this thing takes.

[@saillaw2]

I've chartered Top Secret before when it was with Voyage Yachts, had a blast! Good to see her again!

[@matthanson4920]

Wow! Maybe the coolest boat ever! Great tour.

[@CEOsario]

Nicely done "Professor Nick" thanks again for sharing...Lots of good tech...

[@TheOKellys]

Lol. No, really...lol. I just read manuals. :)

[@bud1971]

Wow...what a cerebral Craftsman. Awesome.

[@svdarkangelhasmovedtosaili1695]

Excellent video, Nick. Brilliant design and craftsmanship. We're looking forward to applying what we learned here to our boat!

[@TheOKellys]

Right on. I want to do something like this someday. Smaller, but similar. So cool.

[@mrdodge55]

Amazing conversion. It’s been cool watching your channel grow. You guys are real, love watching your videos. Keep it up!

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks John. We hare having fun with it. Really cool to get the feedback. Nick

[@alexpalmer3251]

This is the best video for what everyone one is thinking of or wishing they can do!!!

[@TheOKellys]

It's pretty inspiring to me. Like all things boat, you can do your own thing in your own way with what you've got. Someday I am going to do something like this though. Appreciate the kind words. Nick

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Fantastic video. Great subject matter of rigging, electric drive, etc. Great owner. THANKS!!!

[@caligunlawssuck4326]

GORGEOUS CAT!!!! Thank you very much for sharing! Onto Part 2!

[@TheOKellys]

It really is. My pleasure. Nick

[@It-b-Blair]

That was a fantastic crash course in ohm’s law! Bravo 👏👏👏

[@nealt8173]

Best boat tour Ever! Thank you.

[@akajbssmith7423]

Wow! Amazing Cat. Thanks for the tour.

[@TheOKellys]

My pleasure. Lot of fun doing this stuff.

[@SV-DEDICATED]

There's some interesting stuff going on out there. Thanks for bring it to us.

[@TheOKellys]

Hey Roger! There sure is. Amazing to be able to share it...in nearly real time too. The times we live in!

[@keithpalle2307]

LOVE IT! That's my dream boat, I cant believe more cats aren't electric.

[@TheOKellys]

Me too. But get ready to hear a lot more about them in the next few years. It may not take over in the motorsailor category, but amongst the performance boats, it's inevitable.

[@YTMegiddo]

What a wealth of information! Watching this one a couple of times.

[@TheOKellys]

Bet you I've seen it more times. Lol...

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Soooo glad i found this one... and the follow up.. BTW from electric aircraft models and real the more motors/props you have the more efficient the propulsion becomes.... Unless you go to a huge gear driven single prop.

[@petermathewvanaardt74]

Interesting! I am busy on a similar project with a difference. No batteries, no solor panels. Our tech is tested now working on upsizing to 1200hp capacity motors X 2 for a 40m motor Yacht that had 2 X 750hp. Will be doing quite a bit of conversion on the yacht to. Have to replace ballast of 36,000ltr of fuel which will be lost. Love to come chat to Rean when I get back to SA. Well done!

[@TheOKellys]

36k liters!!!! You could have a serious battery!

[@kimdoss1868]

Great discussion regarding things I don't really understand, but with help from U 2 guys, I am learning.Thanks and Regards. Kad

[@Sommers234]

Brilliant , fascinating conversation about rigging and sailing. Thank you! Cockpit Envy. LOL

[@mike86mike]

Once in a while you come across someone and think I wish I could have a day drinking some beers discussion things in life. Rean is such a guy.

[@TheOKellys]

he is. good guy

[@jamesmillspaugh7101]

This is the best Catamaran I have ever seen!!! I love this boat.

[@TheOKellys]

I know, by far the best we've seen too, just amazing!

[@drunkenfoolable]

totally going to steal that lexan trick!

[@superyachtchef]

You've just become my number one vloggers to follow and share #bangingvideo

[@ConstrianedVideo]

Great content as always Nick. I hope your eye is getting better. Top Secret and Rean are incredible of course but just wanted to give Rean a quick shout out for donating one of his motors to Sailing UMA. I am sure he knew that if anyone would understand and appreciate that wonderful electric motor it would be Dan and Kika. They just posted a great episode on the installation of it including removing the existing shaft. What a great community of sailors with amazing skills.

[@TheOKellys]

Agreed. Hoping to have some news to announce with Rean soon. Thanks for the note!

[@raeganwilliams5579]

Wow! So smart! Thanks for an insightful look!

[@tullochgorum6323]

Wow. I'm a long distance walker, and we obsess over our gear and its cost. But this is a whole new level - there's multiple lifetimes worth of geeking out in this game. And as for the budget...

[@rnunezc.4575]

Awesome high tech design and common sense cat. Looking f to next video. Best

[@TheOKellys]

Excellente! Thank you!

[@afharding]

Great video. It was funny to see Mari keep trying to sneak out of camera. What amazing work.

[@TheOKellys]

Lol. She was a good sport. Miss those guys. Hope we can catch up with them.

[@phillipborbon2059]

Man I'm glad I found your channel, very informative. I'm living on a monohull hoping to a catamaran.

[@TheOKellys]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for your note, good luck with search.

[@goleafsgo8496]

Wow thanks for sharing the boat owners commitment to electric power is clearly evident. I still think a petrol based backup would have been on my wishlist. Obvious he did his homework and feels comfortable but I just think the option may have been wise? Beautiful craftsmanship and end results though. Money seems to perhaps not have been an issue as he went "top of class" with all materials and systems choices. BEAUTIFUL ....... BEAUTIFUL retrofit!

[@TheOKellys]

Yeh he has two diesel generators on board, so you might want to go watch again.

[@goleafsgo8496]

Cheers missed that part, makes sense he seems way to "sharp" to roll the dice as I'm sure sailing remotely is all about the backup plan and then of course a backup plan to the backup plan!

[@vinmad6669]

I have NO IDEA what you guys are talking about........but I find it so interesting........ AWESOME VIDEO....stay safe...... peace and love

[@customflht]

Simply phenomenal ! Love this boat and everything he has done ... wish he would put out a schematic guide to do this to a boat ... lots of Hurricane boats that need complete overhauls ...

[@gonefishing1939]

God Bless you guys, That is an amazing Cat! I will say a prayer for all your passages to be as safe as they are fun. Im just so glad to see someone able to do this level of perfection, Helps me to keep my dreams alive also. I hope you make alot of vids, i cant wait to see more!!!!

[@deibertmichael]

I now see the problem! The guys who should be designing Yachts and Sailing systems are out Sailing having to much fun. So the cycle continues they make it, we break it, and they make it again.

[@TheOKellys]

Lol! You're so right! It's his business so I won't get into it here in a public forum, but Rean is absolutely contributing his experience, knowledge and support to a builder and to product suppliers. Got me really excited about the future of electric propulsion on boats.

[@bestvip5803]

@@TheOKellys is it the "Silent" brand of cats??

[@michynature]

michael d just like engineers who never see the construction site

[@jimb173]

Excellent tour of a very very nice refit. B&G is the best for sailing and we install it on al of our boats.

[@TheOKellys]

I can see why. I am a bit envious!

[@bssdragon]

Keep these coming (if you enjoy making them). Boat tech! Love it. I wish your pal was designing boats of the commoners, like me.

[@TheOKellys]

Will try! The tech will trickle down. It always does. Appreciate the kind words. Thank you.

[@bestvip5803]

My God this is good stuff, feel like I just rcvd a masters in cats, sailing, and EV boating in one video. Would love to spend a month or two learning and boating with this guy

[@TheOKellys]

I think Rean and I are going to do some more cool stuff in the future. He's a good dude.

[@1Electricmoon]

Wow .... what a boat!! Great video Nick 😃

[@TheOKellys]

I know. It really is. Thanks Nigel

[@skipduncan1]

Craftmanship in the highest order, this guy is on another level from the rest of us, great video !!!

[@ek9772]

I love the philosophy and concept, design, ingenuity, and workmanship provided for this boat by Rean and Ana Marie. Some of your viewers might miss the savings that those 4-motors and solar panels provide them with. This is an investment. Perhaps you could elaborate on these in the future based on your previous videos discussing costs. How many years will it take to pay for the difference in costs between traditional diesel propulsion and electric propulsion? In addition, Rean mentioned calculations at some point. I wonder if he could share with you the kilowatt numbers at 7-knots per hour to move his boat forward.

[@TheOKellys]

That's a really good question. We didn't get into the specifics. I think it was off-camera, but he told me that you save a ton of maintenance costs by going with this setup. So there are the operating costs which will be lower for sure, but it will be the entirety of expenses that need to be converted. I'm sure we could talk for an hour just about this subject.

[@ek9772]

Nick O'Kelly go for it....

[@TheOKellys]

Sadly will have to wait. They head south, we go north...

[@ek9772]

Nick O'Kelly I am not sure about some of the following numbers, but it is a thought experiment: Two Yanmar engines ~$20,000 each or ~$40,000 Two folding props ~$7,000 Total for two engines + folding props ~$47,000 Electric drive between $100,000 and $150,000 Difference $53,000 - $103,000 Annual costs for diesel fuel + maintenance $5,300 for motors Payback in years ~10-years - 20-years Any suggestions?

[@TheOKellys]

Sound reasoning I think. The Yanmar numbers might be a bit low. Maybe more in the 25k each there or even a little higher once you have install, tankage, pumps, etc. It's not an easy financial metric but something I would consider: impact on the environment.

[@1canstuntman]

Subscribed..... What a fantastic tour! Love the boat and what a fantastic fella. Easily the most enjoyable and informative sailing vlog I've watched in ages. Thanks and hello from Australia!

[@TheOKellys]

Hello Australia! Yeh Rean is a really cool guy.

[@peterbodifee]

Tell Rean if he decides to sell Top Secret I will buy it in a heartbeat. This comes so close to my dream live aboard catamaran and I bet this will make my wife change her mind about living on a boat. Because this piece is a yacht on the outside and apartment on the inside!!!

[@srqlisa7881]

Geez what all catamaran live aboards could learn from this guy, what a brillant mind. I am on to part 2 and wow I'm so excited to see the rest of the cat and would love to see her sail. :)peace

[@TheOKellys]

Wow thank you so much. Rean is a brilliant guy. And a just plain cool dude.

[@srqlisa7881]

@@TheOKellys I'm almsot through the 2nd part and what an amazing boat. I was cracking up watching the Mrs. avoid the camera. But yes brillance. ;) Peace

[@teeshark6584]

Just wanted to say Hi, Im a new sub from Uma's channel. God Bless you for helping the young couple out with the new system.

[@TheOKellys]

That’s Rean for ya! Just a really good guy.

[@seanruffolo6083]

one of your best videos - this boat looks awesome!

[@jettaca88]

Really thought out conversion. Brilliant!

[@Naapeajaea]

It's Kevin McCloud from grand designs 😂😂

[@mrgravyman]

What a boat! Amazing video!

[@musFuzZ]

This is the most impressive boat I have ever seen. People looking into electric @FindingSimon is making a solar electric cat rebuild of a wharram and @sailingUma If it only was aluminium it would be my perfect boat

[@TheOKellys]

Will check them out. Thank you!

[@markhogan77]

Wow.. great video .. absolutely gorgeous boat - real labour of love. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏😊

[@jcregal3456]

Wow, very nice conversion. Nice work overall. I would suggest adding a fiberglass cover over the lines on the deck leading to the winches, Dyneema deteriorates in UV of sunlight.

[@TheOKellys]

Really? I've been using dyneema for years and years (like 10+) and in my experience it's got very good UV resistance. I would go so far as to say the dyneema I've used is more UV resistant than any of the sta-set double braid I have used on any of my boats. But please, set me straight...I don't want to do something stupid! Nick

[@jcregal3456]

@@TheOKellys That's interesting Nick, both "Zingaro" and "Tula's Endless Summer" have converted their catamarans from wire to synthetic rigging. Tula remarked that synthetic lines used in this manner have a lifespan of 5 or 8 years but can be changed out by the owner any where in the world by using line from a spare spool of line. He said based on his research that weak link in synthetic line is wear points (rubbing) and UV. He even went to the extent of covering his rigging line with a UV protective cover to extend his rigging lifespan for several years into the unknown future. Here is his video on that subject. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHW2n3atfcSIi7c

[@TheOKellys]

Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to go synthetic for ten different reasons, but we'd never get away with dyneema for standing rigging on this boat, even with a cover. One look at the plastic covers on these shrouds and you'd see...that main rubs HARD on our shrouds. Synthetics, even with a cover would be toast in a matter of a thousand miles, maybe less. I'd worry too much. I'll check that video later. Maybe those boats are rigged differently than this one.

[@jcregal3456]

@@TheOKellys Are you talking about the Main sail rubbing on the shroud or something else? You may be interested, in one of his videos he does a direct one for one comparison of the weight of his wire vs dyneema shrouds.

[@CatamaranChannel]

I love owner custom made boats.

[@rodneygaul2227]

beautiful

[@TheOKellys]

Yeh no kidding. Big fan of those boats. They have a 59 coming out this year. It looks to be amazing.

[@WillN2Go1]

A Cata-telsa-maran? Very cool. What I use for a fid for small diameter dyneema (for hammocks and my kayak) is plastic drinking straws. I slit them and roll up on end to a point, roll up the other side to the diameter of the line. Works good, and I always have the right sized fid. For the larger lines on your cats, maybe some other cheap thin plastic cylindrical something or other. For a long puller for buries I have some stainless steel piano wire about 3/64ths, folded over tightly. If I can make soft shackles and eyes that work than yes it's easy and fun. (btw I never see any hammocks on any boats. I'm sitting in a Mayan hammock right now. Great in the heat, great in the living room if you're an old hippie. ) Do a google for "polyester resin is not actually waterproof." I've met more guys who had boats in the 1970s who were just driven nuts by pinholes, blisters that just grew and grew. They all say the same thing. "I spent all my time fixing the holes and blisters until I just gave up". So obviously the newer boats are doing something different? Maybe it's the gelcoat? (I've never used a gel coat on my kayaks, they don't look good, but they're epoxy and they float. Clearly don't know everything. Maybe gelcoat would've changed everything?). I hear polyester and I just get nervous. I better look this up. I used to make photo darkroom sinks, MDF, couple of coats of polyester resin- great sinks.But they always would get pinholes and blisters. I always assumed that somehow I must have damaged the surface. Nope. Poly by itself chemically reacts with water with the result being pinholes leading to blisters....

[@gonefishing1939]

GESH!!! Look at that trampolene, so sweet

[@claireolberding5369]

Great video and amazing boat!

[@TheOKellys]

I know. You meet the coolest people out here.

[@HandyMan657]

This is fantastic, thanks Nick for sharing with us.

[@Fritzi212]

I am loving this 2 vids. Its a pleasure and so interessting! THANK´s!

[@TheOKellys]

Glad you like them!

[@Fritzi212]

Wow glad to hear from you. Wish you health and each time a handwidth water under your keel! 👍

[@gonefishing1939]

ive never seen a boat like this, every system so thought out and top shelf equiptment. i cant wait to see her underway on a broad reach or your fav,lol, a run. got it all out, haha, so cool and beautiful.

[@TheOKellys]

Pretty sweet ride, that’s for sure

[@Jeppe.P.Bjerget]

What a amazing video. What a amazing boat. This video give so much new knowledge. Thank you

[@sidestreettraveltips1097]

Awesome video nick. Keep up the great work

[@TheOKellys]

Right on. I appreciate that. I'm gonna try! Nick

[@californiakayaker]

OK, part two ? showing the boat under sail , show it off ? Wow, B&G loves you now ! Not to mention KZbin ! so, please answer , total cruising at X knots for Y hours flat sea no wind ? ? At night. And, all I can say is Wow. absolutely beautiful.

[@TheOKellys]

He's got two DC gensets on there so he can motor a long way. Unfortunately I don't have any good sailing footage. We met them back before we were really youtube-ing.

[@californiakayaker]

@@TheOKellys Well, if you've been lucky enough to have been out with them , possibly a guess. The gensets definitely change the equation though. They could go till they run out of diesel. Cool boat.

[@brendamassyn4268]

great video and a incredible inspirational guy, he should be building yachts

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks for the note Brenda. While not building yachts himself, I can he has a hand in some of the newer boats are built. Brilliant.

[@It-b-Blair]

The cabling gauge and controllers are definitely a reason why you’d want four small engines over two large. Load distribution is vital to a healthy system. I’d be curious to know if there’s a maneuverability or efficiency gain depending on the engine/props placement (in line per hull, in line with each other, pod style with independent rotation 🤷‍♂️)

[@mkmizell]

Amazing tour. So very interesting!

[@dlavarco]

Very nice indeed. I hate to be picky but the only thing I would have done differently if I was building from scratch would be to round off all of the corners on the counter tops. Those corners look like they can hurt.

[@TheOKellys]

Looks pretty sweet though! And at 26 tons ( think I left that out of the video), this boat is going to feel like a '77 Cadillac Sedan Deville, so maybe not such a big issue... But yeh I might do the same.

[@phillipberman7999]

This is a very good and instructional video on many levels. I am the owner of Balance Catamarans and also the Multihull Company. He made the right call to get air under his solar panels. For sure it would have made more sense to have a controller on each on the hard top panels - shading is unavoidable here. He is correct that the problems with electric engines are not the engines themselves, but the controllers, software, electrical system design, etc. The number of used cats we have sold with electrics that had to be tossed has been quite high I am afraid. The electrical system has to be designed to perfection. Also, in our experience, the electric engines need a lot of ventilation as they get quite hot under load. The amount he had to spend to do this dream conversion is quite high, and of course it had to go back to South Africa to make this come to his 1 million budget! A project such as this in Europe or North America would have been an insane cost. I am curious how many hours it actually took him to deliver her back to SA, oversee this project? What an amazing and ambitious guy. As a boat builder myself, I know what is really involved in a refit such as this. While many of the design decisions are not those I would make, he got what he wanted, although as he admits he has a very old and dated hull and design, with low underwing clearance as was common when these boats were first tooled in the mid-90's - and which have been retooled many times. One thing many people do not realize is that the cost of a totally new design, and the tooling, are significant expenses, which is why so many builders attempt to revise and revisit the same tooling for as long as they possibly can. I am often asked about electric engines and have spent considerable time pricing these systems for our boats, and the pros and cons, and have myself concluded that they are not nearly as Green as many think and that, on balance, on true performance cats that sail in very light airs, diesel engines with Integrel alternators, a ton of solar, and a great lithium system is greener and I am most certain more reliable and more easily repaired in remote locations. I think the point the owner made about regeneration is excellent. Unless you are consistently doing more than 7 knots it doesn't work so well. This is why I so commonly see on our used catamaran sales how people who bought hydro generators on Lagoon's and other lower performance cats end up selling them at some marine discount resale company. My final comment is that when people are talking about a green catamaran, the greenest possible catamaran is sailing as much as possible. The great advantage of performance catamarans is not that they can go so much faster all the time (of course they can), as much as that they can sail at wind-speed in 7 knots of wind or less. They are sailing when the majority of cats are motoring. In the Caribbean, where it is always windy, this is less of any issue. But if you look at a cat sailing around the world, following the trades, they will see an average of 8 knots of wind generally. In Florida where we do many sea trials on used cats, I think it is light airs 80% of the time. Anyways, my hat is off to this very hard working and ambitious man. I believe if he calculated his labor hours and valued himself at $50 an hour this would have been a lot more than 1 million refit!!!! Hope to run into him some time and tip my hat. Phil

[@TheOKellys]

Hey Phillip, nice to see you on here! I remember watching a few of your videos when we were shopping. Rean actually put a couple 75hp diesels back in after their last trip down. You can go a long way, slowly, or a short way quickly, but not both with a setup like they had. We are hoping to catch up with them and maybe do a follow up on the new setup. Rean is an innovator for sure, not afraid to try things out. I just revamped our solar setup and will have a video out in a couple weeks. I used a mix of SunPower flexible and rigid. Lots to report there. Yes, I insulated. Many of your comments regarding electric or hybrid are echo by Gino Morelli. We live in interesting times, and someday we will get the electric boat figured out. For now, diesel makes too much sense. Yes, Rean is a very cool cat, pun intended. He’s got another project he’s working on now, and I hope to report on that as well. I don’t know what your plans are, but if we cross paths with you and a Balance, I would love to go for a ride. I ran into one of your brokers who was giving me some specs. Sounds like a really cool build. Take care, Nick

[@phillipberman7999]

@@TheOKellys So lovely to hear from you. Each and every day we get asked by someone if we will do an Electric Balance, and I always say, sure, if you allow the contractors in Cape Town to install them and give us a big waiver of liability you can have them. I just think on a true performance cat you are not motoring very often and the reliability of a diesel, and the power, and the cost, and merged with a high-output alternating system, is the way to go. We are currently working with Integrel to design systems using these on Balance cats without generators, tons of solar, and lithium. Honestly nobody is ordering our cats anymore without lithium. You will have to laugh and forgive, but I almost never but never get involved in social media. I find I am just too busy and much of it I find to be gamed or inaccurate.. Your piece was cool and sent to me by a Balance customer who wanted my thoughts. So I took the time to watch it and found this man quite fascinating. Now fiscally he probably made a big mistake! As we sell 100 used cats a year at TMC I have learned how hard it is to sell custom boats and one-offs. He sure sunk a lot of bread into what is a very old and dated design catamaran. Looking at all he did, I wonder what the under-bridge clearance is like now! These were already low-riders that slammed quite persistently. Boat no perfect boat, trade off's on every corner, and he seems so happy with his boat. Of course if a Balance cat is about and you want to go for a sail, love to get you out. I cannot say a single thing about her that anyone online would believe because I designed her and own the company that sells them! But I have sold now over 900 cats in my life and have a pretty good idea of works and doesn't. And what works for a couple who want to putter around the Caribbean, or charter, is very different from those who want to cross oceans or make big annual passages - as you well know. Take care, stay in balance, Phil

[@TheOKellys]

Of course, and up until last spring I was the same way as you on social media, but over and over people tell me how helpful our videos have been to them and it makes me remember back to when we got into this mess in 2000 or so when we had Nigel Calder and Hal Roth’s old books and Latitude 38 to learn from and that was it. I really feel like if we put good solid info out there based on our own experience or direct experience of others and we can help shape peoples expectations and experiences for the better, well, I think it’s worth the time. And video is the way. Doesn’t even have to be slick and fancy....just good info. Anyway, I think Rean would be the first to tell you that he’ll never get his money out of Top Secret, but that’s not a concern for him. He is in it for the fun of it. Re: being asked about electric Balances, Gino Morelli told me they get the same inquiries about Gunboat. It’s the future for sure, but not the near future sadly. Keep in touch and let me know if we can chase down one of your boats. Correction...be caught by.... lol. Nick

[@phillipberman7999]

The problem for me is that I grew up with a wife who was the Editor of a Major newspaper where disclosure was required, and where people were paid to write - and had talent at it too. The problem with social is that there a lot of people masquerading as experts who are anything but, and many who have a specific mission to sell or game something. It is why I personally do not care what Trip Advisor has to say, or majorities in general.. If I want a great hotel in London I will go to the Guardian and see what they have to say - not some person who may have written in to some website because someone paid them to do it. My favorite current book is called the Death of Expertise. That is because today many experts are being replaced by morons in the online world. This is clearly not you! Many good things come from the net and forums. No doubt. But laugh at this one: Back in 2013 we brought out our first Balance 451 and showed it at Annapolis. A few weeks later our agent in Grenada said that some woman said the boat was "a piece of shit" in some sailing forum. Chris said, you really ought to go online and retort that, and I said, nothing I can say will ever be taken seriously online as I am owner of the company that makes them. I'll be seen as a used car dealer no matter what. Well, a week later, Chris sent me the funniest email: that woman who called our boat a piece of shit just signed up for Chris' ASA 101 to learn how to sail! She did not even know how to sail. It is funny, it's sad, but her comment was read by thousands who may have been influenced by that. Anyways, you are clearly doing lovely work and contributing to sailing in a helpful way and I applaud you for that. I'm just a 64 year old curmudgeon who still likes to read a great book and a newspaper! By the way, Nigel is working with us on a special project for Balance now. He is an expert. May their tribe increase! @@TheOKellys

[@TheOKellys]

Yeh, I see that happening sometimes and it definitely pollutes the scene for everyone. For example we were at the Miami boat show and the builder reps/brokers who had seen our vids before were open arms. A couple who hadn’t (and I don’t begrudge them at all, we are small potatoes) were super nervous we were going to come aboard and tear the boat up like a couple other youtubers had. I think some of that concern is rational and some of it is way overblown. I like to think that the armchair sailors are going to fall for the “this boat sucks because the helms are in the wrong spot” sort of critique made by someone who hasn’t sailed a mile in a cat offshore, but the seasoned sailor and real potential customer is going to understand the design compromises a little better. What is needed, I think, and I am just postulating here, is a stronger voice from the experts out there, and a lot of them have either 1. some misconceptions about what kind of content works on these various platforms, or 2. Very little motivation to get out in front of the camera because business is good and they are busy with whatever it is they are doing either running the boats or selling or whatever. Anyway... I bet I watched your buying a cat video about half a dozen times when we were shopping.

[@andriesrautenbach539]

South Africa for the win!!!

[@stevepishner6052]

A simply amazing conversion job.

[@TheOKellys]

It really is.

[@barneyrubble1754]

Just unbelievable! That is all.

[@yepitsme3655]

Trying to work out my camper trailer battery usage thankyou, Land Boat lol

[@terrytime115]

This man is super knowledgeable 👍

[@TheOKellys]

And he's also a cool dude as well.

[@andreykolesnikov8251]

Thanks for the video. Good one!

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks Andrey.

[@LancerOMD]

Amazing work done. Respect.