Lightwave 38 BRIGHT DESIGN for a FAMILY CRUISING CAT

?test Lightwave 38 BRIGHT DESIGN FOR A FAMILY CRUISING CAT

THE CHALLENGE IN DESIGNING A CRUISING CATAMARAN pros WITH A LENGTH IN THE MID 30 FOOT RANGE IS INCLUDING + Very solid. ENOUGH OF WHAT IS NEEDED WHILE ALLOWING WHAT IS Handles well. Interior layout is step above the basics but still ALSO WANTED IN A SMALL LIVING SPACE. COMPROMISE IS easily maintained. Built to allow several options for sail handling INEVITABLE. A GOOD DESIGN REFLECTS INTELLIGENT hardware on decks The mainsail track and the running rigging in general are nicely cleared to leave room. This is rare on a cat of Salon well ventilated CHOICES. IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHTWAVE 38 IS AN this size! Attractive price considering value with batcars, considerably decreasing cockpit or hardtop should an owner wish. EXAMPLE OF A CATAMARAN WITH A COMFORTABLE AND effort needed to raise the sail. A mast For the screacher, the furler controls and SECURE INTERIOR SURROUNDED BY QUALITY CONSTRUCTION mounted winch assists raising the sail the sheet lines extend to the rear corners of final few feet and then tensioning the luff. the cockpit, through blocks and then to AND SAILED WITH A CONVENIENT AND CAPABLE RIG. THIS Lazy jacks and a stack pack on the boom winches. Andersen winches and Spinlock AUSTRALIAN CATAMARAN IS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AVAILABLE make main sail furling simple. The hard Rope Clutches® are used throughout the Under the hardtop, in the cockpit top gives easy access to the stack Lightwave 38. IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE. FOR MANY,THE WAIT FOR cockpit, a pleasant space for living and maneuvers… pack for minor sail adjustment and zipping Other Features. it closed. THE CATAMARAN OF THEIR DREAMS MAY BE OVER. The helm of the Lightwave 38 has exten- The sail plan on the Lightwave 38 reviewed sive space for controls and indicators. here carries three sails: The fully battened The test boat is equipped with Raytheon TEXT & PHOTOS : ROY LAUGHLIN main (511 sq ft), and self tacking jib (210 sq ST 60 instruments including wind, ft) are Dacron. The catamaran tested also Hulls and Decks double bunk while entry to the port engine speed, depth, log and an ST 5000 has a roller furled Mylar‘screacher,’ an The helm station offers a pleasant position and all the ins- The overall appearance of the Lightwave is through a large cockpit lazarette due to Autohelm with linear drive. A Plastimo truments essential for sailing today asymmetrical spinnaker. Gary Martin Sails 38 is one of pleasing, broad aerodynamic placement of the very large shower and 130 compass was bulkhead mounted at is the sail maker for the Lightwave 38. This curves, especially at the bows and along head aft in the port hull. Lines, controls the helm. All were neat, easily viewed, Australian sailmaker has a reputation for transitions from the hulls’ sides to the and electrical system components are in a and protected from weather. effective cruising and racing sails. The roller decks. The bridgedeck is 2.5 ft off the neat and orderly layout. There is plenty of Two Volvo 29 hp Saildrive® diesel engines furling jib is self tacking. The jib sheet runs with fixed 3 blade props are standard for water, relatively high for a catamaran this space in the engine compartment for to a curved traveler track mounted on the the Lightwave 38 . The importer and U.S. cons size. The Lightwave 38 is distinctive for its generators, water makers or other salon’s forward-facing bulkhead rather machines desired for extensive cruising dealer, Southern Ocean Yacht Sales, Inc., Available finishing is primarily- a family cruising distinctively shaped large sugar scoop than on the deck. It is, consequently, a specified optional Yanmar 27 hp quality, higher than typical of charter models. entry platforms. The Lightwave 38's bow and the basic layout is done with their easy relatively small sail and is intended primarily Saildrives® for the test boat fitted with An optional 2 head layout is available for those has a relatively broad hard deck, with dual addition in mind. to assist in tacking and upwind sailing. The Volvo 3 blade folding props. who intend to charter. trampolines. The alloy supports that divide Sailing Rig furling screacher is mounted on a substantial The Lightwave 38 has many other conve- the bow trampolines include a guide for The rig on this cruising cat is typical in its bowsprit extending a meter beyond the niences to enhance the cruising experience. the anchor chain. Decks and walkways are basics, with notable enhancements for bows. One very large storage compartment and a extensively finished with a non skid gel convenience and reliability. The mast Sail controls, including, sheet and furling second smaller compartment housing the coat surface that works well. extends a 51 ft above the water. It has a lines, lead to the cockpit, most to the front double set of shrouds leading to the outside saltwater wash down are under the foredeck. where winches are placed to assist as The larger compartment holds the 55 gal- The engine compartments are largely sealed of the hull, leaving plenty of space to pass needed with sail control. Only lon diesel fuel tank and has plenty of room This 38-foot catamaran offers an excellent compromi- from the remainder of the hulls. Entry to them. The main sail is on a Harken track se between habitability and performance raising/lowering the main sail is done from to store docking gear.The chain locker and the starboard engine is under the aft the front deck. The main halyard and ree- Muir electric windlass are also accessed MultihullsWorld MultihullsWorld 50 fing winches could be relocated to the 51 ?test

heading down wind, attempting to sail seems a minuscule damage outcome. It is away from its gusty, shifting winds. In apparent from this experience that the white gel coat. Interior lighting in this these conditions, we were not trying to Lightwave 38 is effectively electrically from inside the larger locker. The electric LIGHTWAVE 38 catamaran is effectively placed, although sail fast, but rather safely. As the wind grounded, providing protection to passen- windlass and approximately 110 ft of General the best places for reading is in the berths. increased, we furled the screacher, then gers inside the catamaran. The storm anchor chain are standard features on the the jib and headed up into the wind, chan- continued for another 30 minutes or so, charateristics: Lightwave 38. The windlass has controls The Lightwave 38 is intended for family ging course for a more protected area of typical of Florida’s daily rain ritual. With the on the front deck (foot operated) and on cruising. Its interior finish is a step above the bay. We were soon in winds of at least boat anchored, we remained securely in the bulkhead at the helm which makes Designer: Tony Grainger that intended for charter boats. It is finely 31 knots steady and expecting gusts much the salon enjoying a late lunch. anchor retrieval very convenient and easy. Builder: Overell Stanton Yachts balanced between the comfort and taste higher. The Lightwave 38 shifted to the lee Lightning strikes on boats are common on (Australia Gold Coast) Interior Layout features that make a statement about hull, but remained stable and easily Florida and often damage is much greater In a storm, the comfort of the cockpit is appreciable… The design and layout of the Lightwave owners and the requirements for economy controlled. After spotting a funnel cloud than what the Lightwave 38 experienced. Construction:.Molded composite foam. 38 makes the most of space. The salon is and easy maintenance desired by both just south of us along the squall line, we This experience gave this reviewer a new Biaxial glass over Divinicel Foam core. (Vacuum completely living space. An upholstered owners and charter operations. Due to decided to lower the main sail and sit out appreciation of hard roofs over the cock- Some figures bagged and hand laid) couch wraps around the front and both numerous inquiries, a bareboat charter the storm. pit. I prefer an open cockpit in good wea- Berths in fore cabins: 1 fore cabin each hull, 1 Hull length: 37 ft 9 in sides of the salon. A table is on the star- version of the Lightwave 38 may be avai- Just as two of us started to lower the ther. A canvas top is the system that most queen size berth in each Waterline length: same Berths in aft cabins: 1 aft cabin, starboard hull. board side. There is plenty of space in this lable in the future. main, torrential rain and lightning started conveniently provides the choice bet- Overall beam: 21 ft 10 in double berth area; it is easy to go from either hull into all around the Lightwave 38. For some, ween shelter when needed and an open Draft: 3.5 ft Comparison of the Seating at the table: 4+ on sofa, 4+ on chairs the salon. sky in good weather. Canvas, however, Mast Height (above deck): 51 ft. Lightwave 38 and 35 it is these conditions rather than raising Cockpit area >400 square feet provides no significant protection against Light displacement: 11,000 lbs The galley occupies the central section of The Lightwave is available in two models the main that make a batcar system so Headroom. >6 ft 3 inches in salon and cockpit, 6ft, lightning. In the absence of the hard top, Max. load displacement: 13,860 lbs the starboard hull. It has a large refrigerator, that have much in common. Both have desirable: Even with the strong wind, it 6 inches in hull cabins. Berths: 3 queen sized a 2 burner stove, oven and ample counter identical interior layouts. The primary took less than a minute to drop the sail we could certainly have been injured stan- Galley: Center of starboard hull, Water tank: 2 x 58 gal for total of 116 gal. ding in the cockpit. space and storage space. An optional difference between the two is the extra into the stack pack. It seemed to take Chart table: in port hull Fuel capacity: 50 gal freezer can be installed below the sole of length that comprises primarily the plat- longer to zip the cover shut with the sail Toilets/Shower: 1 head, aft port cabin. Head is Motors: Volvo 29 hp Saildrive, Yanmar 27 hp die- the galley. The V-shaped hull provides securely inside it. As we returned to the spacious sel optional. forms at the stern, slightly smaller engines Concluding Remarks substantial space at counter height in the Height under the net: >2.5 ft Propellers: 3 fixed blade prop (19 hp Volvo diesel Saildrive® standard in cockpit, it became more obvious that the The Lightwave 38 reviewed here is the first hulls. The same space in the port hull is squall was not a passing cloud. We decided Batteries: 2 6V x 215 amp hours house battery, 1 the 35 versus 29 hp in the 38) and a longer to come to the US market, debuting at the The Lightwave 35 is a very similar catamaran. The the nav station and includes electrical 75 amp hours starting battery (options for larger mast on the 38. Mast length increase the to anchor, accomplished without leaving Miami Boat Show in February. It made a extra 3 ft on the Lightwave 38 comes from the battery banks) system circuit breakers and switches. Lightwave 38's sail area relative to the 35. the helm by using the helm mounted wind- favorable impression not because of an sugar scoops. The interior layout is identical. Berths in the Lightwave 38 include 2 Test Sail lass controls. The lightning, which had extreme statement in design and Significant specs for the Lightwave 35 that are Sails: queen berths in the forward staterooms in Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida was the started about a 3 km south of us had now construction but rather because all its parts different from the Lightwave 38 follow: Fullbatten mainsail: 511 sq ft each hull. There is a twin berth in the aft site of the test sail. Initially, winds were 12 moved overhead and was coming down all fit well together in scale and proportion. Hull Length: 34 ft 5 in Genoa jib on furler: 210 sq ft compartment of the starboard hull. The - 15 kn, sea breezes typical of summertime around us in rain so heavy that visibility Cruising on boats this size always require Displacement: 10,570 lb Screecher on furler: 485 sq ft Engines: 2 x 19 hp diesel head and shower in the aft section of the Florida, and optimal conditions for pleasant was less than a hundred meters around some compromise in lifestyles acquired on Options: Mast Height: 47 ft 3 in (above deck) port hull are spacious for a catamaran sailing. The Lightwave 38 handled well. the catamaran. Three lighting bolts lit the land. In the Lightwave 38, the compromise self tacking jib Main Sail Area: 484 sq ft. this length. All compartments have plen- Under power, the catamaran left the dock space around the Lightwave 38 within a 3 spinnaker will be minimal for a family, and it will pro- Price:$215,000 including US delivery to south ty of storage space in cubbies and built in easily. The motors were very quiet. The minute period. All sent lightning streamers vide sailing rewards in ample measure on Florida, all import costs and commissioning. Price:$229,000 including US delivery to south drawers. sails set easily; notably, the main because into the water within meters of the cata- a cruise lasting a weekend or a year. Value Package pricing includes US delivery to Florida (USA), all import costs and commissioning Headroom in the Lightwave 38 is approxi- the batcars work so well. The Lightwave maran, so close that an orange fireball South Florida and all import costs. mately 6 ft 3 inches in the salon and 6 ft 6 38 is responsive. There is just the right where the bolts entered the water was Commissioning is EXTRA. inches in the hulls. amount of weather helm. In 12 - 15 kn clearly visible. The first put out all the

The Lightwave 38's interior finish is winds, the catamaran will go upwind indicators and the autohelm. Rain, storm... the elements really let go during our appealing. Soles of the salon and hulls between 6 and 8 kn. With the screacher After the third and, as it turned out, final test at sea are finished with a light colored synthetic raised, and going off the wind, the catama- close lightning strike, Don McGettrick, the The saloon provides a true area for living wood grain flooring tile that is attractive, ran reached speeds of 12 - 15 plus knots in Lightwave’s captain restored virtually all non slip, and replaceable as single strips of winds that at times gusted over 20 knots. the electrical system’s function and indi- material. It matches wood trim highlights of As a routine, the Lightwave 38 is capable cators by resetting the breakers. Later African Ash (Koto) throughout the interior. of the wind speed plus 1 knot rule typical examination determined that the only Walls and other surfaces are extensively of a tuned cruising cat; going off the wind electrical damage was to a small inexpen- covered with a textured coating. To achieve with the screacher, it is capable of much sive display gauge and to the Autohelm an attractive, easy to clean interior, the better. which Raytheon promptly remedied at no The clever little staircase for reaching the berth… builders use approximately 65 molds for About half way through the test sail, a cost by replacing a few computer chips. the interior, including molds for the nav large squall drifted from the Atlantic Considering the possible outcomes of mul- station, head and shower, galley, galley over Biscayne Bay. At the time we were tiple lightning strokes so close by, this 53 MulticoquesMag sinks, entertainment center and other areas. The molded parts are finished in