Naiad 12.6 Waimea II, Port of Nelson

Size:  12.6 metres, 42 feet Type of vessel:   Pilot transfer Home:   Port Nelson, New Zealand Launch Date:   October 2005

Port Nelson Limited purchased a Naiad 12.6 Pilot vessel in 2005 having satisfied themselves of the ability of the Naiad concept. For them it was an interesting step to move into this reasonably new concept.

They chose to use twin 4 stroke outboards following the success of Naiad’s 9.5 Pilot Boats. Naiad’s hull designs for outboards have proven to provide excellent control at all speeds. There is no pre-planing hump so full control is available even at those awkward speeds of around 10 – 15 knots where the hull resistance is high and so is the prop slip. For a Pilot Boat blade area is all important for grip at these boarding speeds. Prop diameters of 14 ½” on a twin rig is just not enough on a 12.6 metre boat so the choice was made to use twin Suzuki 250hp outboards that have a gear reduction that allows a 16” prop to be used. The new technology of the super efficient outboards along with Naiad’s newly developed stepped hull, custom designed wheel house and tapered stern is a nice option at a relatively low capital cost.

The result is excellent. On launching day the Naiad reached 40 knots in sea trials and was able to cruise at much higher speeds than imagined. Although lively and nimble there is no fatigue. The big Suzuki’s are proving to be powerful and deficient. Over the first 24 hours 1000 litres of fuel were used averaging 20.8 litres per hour for each engine. and they are very quiet, no rumble through the alloy hull. The efficiency indicates that quite a lot of time is spent at low speed or inversely not a lot of time at high speed as the new Pilot boat is fast. The boat responds quickly to the big 16” props.

The Nelson Pilots quickly became used to their new boat and are delighted with the results as they can now offer a competitive and highly efficient Pilotage service.

Specifications

• Nelson Pilots 12.6 - twin 250hp Suziki engines
• Type of vessel Pilot transfer
• Survey SGS and M&I New Zealand
• Home Port Nelson, New Zealand
• Owner Port of Nelson
• Contruction material Aluminium
• Length Overall 12.6 metres
• Beam 4.1 metres
  Draught 600mm
  Deadrise 23° variable and stepped
  Engines Twin Suziki DF250 counter rotating 250hp outboards with 16" props
  Maximum speed 40 knots
  Crusing speed 30 knots
  Range 550 nautical miles
  Fuel capacity 1500 litres
  Electronics Furuno Navnet V x 2 36nm
  Lowrance 10.4 LCD Plotter Sounder
  Uniden Oceanus DSC VHF
  Seating 5 KAB seats
  Other Heating/demisting