28' Fisher Catamaran (Catfisher) 

LOA:  28’(7.45m)
BEAM:  13’ 1” (3.99m)
 DRAFT:  3’ 5” (1.03m) 

BUILDER:  Fairways Marine,  UK
YEAR BUILT:    1978

 
The first set of specs and pictures below are from the archive, As it is still relevant we have used it but please read further down the page for an up to date appraisal.

CONSTRUCTION:  GRP.    Both bows and sterns incorporate foam filled GRP tanks for anti-collision buoyancy.

RIG: Ketch;  Aluminium spars with SS rigging.  Roller furling on genoa. The mast is brand new and the running and standing rigging is also brand new. The in mast reefing system is not yet fully rigged.
 

SAILS: No. 1 headsail, Main and Genoa are brand new (Govan Ocean Sails, Essex, who worked in conjunction with Sailspar the mast supplier ). The Genoa is white and the Mainsail is tan - for optimum visibility in the Med. I have not replaced the Mizzen sail - which owners use very little. Overall, all replacements and additions have used the best quality current equipment.
 

ENGINE:   Mercedes  OM 636 42h.p. diesel.   Transmission is to twin hull drives by an A.R.S. hydraulic unit coupled to the engine.
 

WATER: 70 gals  (318 ltrs)   in two tanks.
 

FUEL:  60 gals  (273 ltrs)   in two tanks (new June 2000)
 

GROUND TACKLE: 35lb CQR and Danforth kedge plus dinghy hook.
 

STEERING: Two positions - in the coach house and in the cockpit.
 

AUTOPILOT: Cetrek 500.
 

ACCOMMODATION: 6 berths in two double cabins and saloon

NAVIGATIONAL : 2 Silva steering compasses, Navico log, Seafarer depth sounder, Garmin GPS, Windspeed indicator, Navico. VHF, Charts and pilots for Eastern Med.
 

ELECTRICAL: 4 heavy duty batteries, Petrol generator, Solar panel, Heavy duty shore power charger.
 

REFRIGERATION: Custom built large fridge with freezer (12V).
 

GALLEY: Gas cooker with grill and oven. Crockery, cutlery etc. Gas water heater.

DINGHY: Compass inflatable with Johnson 3hp outboard.
 

SAFETY: 5 lifejackets. 2 spotlights (1 Raydot halogen). 2 bilge pumps. Fire extinguishers. Fire blanket. Flare pack. 2 horseshoe life rings.
 

The first set of pictures show how she was the last time she was not being worked on, this is to give an idea of how she should be. The second set is also not completely accurate as some work has been done since they were taken, but they are an indication of the work you to be done.

Click to enlarge

The Catfisher 28

This is a very good example of a remarkable and sought-after catamaran.   With full headroom throughout her accommodation,  both cabins and saloon are far bigger in terms of living than a plan view would suggest.   The outdoor areas provide lots of flat surfaces good for lounging, sunbathing etc.   The solar panel will keep the batteries well topped up .  The ketch rig is easy to handle and the twin props make mooring a doddle; she can spin round in her own length. The cockpit is deep, safe and comfortable and the twin steering positions give a choice not usually found on a yacht of this length.

The sea keeping qualities of Fishers are well known and no less so with the Catfisher. Although designed as a motor sailor she will make to windward under sail alone.  Under engine she will cruise at over six knots.   On this yacht the fuel capacity has been doubled to 60 gals imp.

The boat is being sold with everything on board.  

The hull has recently had a full ozmosis epoxy treatment, just in case! Also the fore hatches have been moved and made bigger and increased the sunbathing and deck area.

The hull has been re-epoxied below the waterline using 5 layers of the latest Blakes epoxy system and protected using Blakes anti-fouling primer.

Above the waterline the topsides have been resprayed white to reduce the heating from the previously blue finish.

The electrical system has been substantially revised to provide a proper switch panel for up-to-date equipment.

A Ray marine S2G auto pilot has been fitted with control consoles for both steering positions.

The instrumentation has been upgraded using TackTick wireless linked units for wind speed/direction, water speed and sea temperature, depth, GPS and heading from fluxgate compass. There are 5 TackTick display units which can be fitted, wire-free, at either steering location. The Ray marine unit provides an additional, independent heading from a separate fluxgate compass.

The instrumentation provides connections for GPS based chart-plotters and the wiring has been arranged to deliver a highly stabilised 12V supply for navigation devices.

The shore power system has been upgraded to simplify the wiring and an RCD distribution box fitted for improved safety. A 150W inverter has been fitted to provide 240V supply for phone chargers and the like while not connected to shore power.

The two cabins have been fitted with EU approved escape hatches.

The toilet has been replaced with a Blakes Lavac unit.

All sea cocks have been replaced using Blakes lubricated plug valves.

Both hydraulic drive motors have been overhauled by the original suppliers (ARS Anglian Diesels in Norwich). All hydraulic hoses to the motors have been replaced.

The shaft seals have been replaced using PSS seals and the drive shaft flexible couplings have been replaced.

 

The fuel system is being upgraded to use a Vetus polyethylene tank (to eliminate tank corrosion and provide immediately visible fuel levels) relocated in the starboard hull (in the place of a 200l auxiliary water tank) and a high quality Vetus fuel filter/separator.

The space in the port bilge will be used for an auxiliary water tank and toilet holding tank.

The owner has to leave the country and so the boat which he has been upgrading and refurbishing is for sale unfinished. At the moment she is in a cosmetic mess on the interior. The hull has been repainted in white/cream, but the interior is now ready to have the cushions recovered and the woodwork is ready for you to either choose the colour or the style.

The owner has provided the latest update:

Engine:  needs filters changing/cleaning and new water hoses (replacements are on the boat) fitting.  I ran the engine a few weeks ago and it ran beautifully - compression and injectors are OK.  The raw water pump will need servicing and re-fitting.

 

Fuel system:  fuel tank has now been relocated so as to provide space for a holding tank and reserve water tank in the port hull bilge.  The new fuel tank (Vetus) has been fitted and the fuel lines run to the engine.   Just needs a few hoses connecting.

 

Hydraulic drive:  the hydraulic oil cooler has now been replaced and piped into the engine raw cooling water line in series with the oil cooler.  The overhauled hydraulic drive motors are in place and the shafts fitted with new PSS mechanical seals.

 

Electrics:  a new 90Amp alternator, charge controller and splitter diode has been fitted.  There is only one battery installed at the moment - the starter battery.  My intention was to fit two additional service batteries with the need to rehash the battery compartment cabling to suit. 

 

Instruments:  are all new, Raymarine autopilot and controls and TackTick wireless linked wind/log/speed/depth.  All in and working but not tested/adjusted at sea.

 

The above:  probably 20/25 man days with competent fitters if they don't need supervision.  Probably need to add 50% for preparations (re-rigging anchors, re-instating sole boards and supports, etc).

 

Sails and rigging:  The main mast (Sailspar) and standing rigging have been renewed and are in place.  The running rigging needs laying out for for controls to run back to the cockpit.  Two winches and clamping cleats have been fitted to the cabin deckhead but the final layout of cleats and mainsheet controls has to be worked out and fitted.  The jib furling gear (Sailspar) is now of a different type (endless rope loop running on furling pulley) and the layout of controls needs to be confirmed for that - and fitted.

 

The above work obviously needs attention by the owner and experienced sail riggers used to laying out new systems.  When I get around to it I guess its going to take me about 15 days - with interruptions due to any problems of sourcing additional gear in Cyprus. 

 

The new genoa and mainsail (Gowans Ocean) - and the anchor warps - are in Nicosia in storage.

 

The interior lining has to be replaced in all cabin spaces.  The headliner boards need renewing to fit the modifications:  new hatches (Lewmar) in the cabins and deckhead reinforcement in the wheelhouse.

 

The pressurized water system works but I haven't looked at the gas pipework.

 

The heads and pipework are complete and usable for direct discharge to the sea.  The holding tank pump-out is also complete but the tank is not yet fitted.  All the seacocks have been replaced (including raw cooling water intake) with high quality Blakes seacocks which can be adjusted and lubricated in situ.

 

The bow compartments were emptied of their foam filling to help dry the hull out for repainting. 

 

The hull is ready for anti-fouling - the visible coat is anti-fouling primer.  The anti-fouling needs to go on just before going into the water.

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Sorry - she is gone again - April 2018

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