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Whats in Name

Strannik is a Russian word, it doesn’t translate easily into English. It is sometimes translated as “Wanderer” on other occasions it is translated as “Pilgrim”. Strannik is a person travelling in search of knowledge and wisdom. There is no better word nor way to describe our vessel and our objectives for this special vessel. It has been born out of a natural curiosity and love of the natural world, history and travel.  It is designed, equipped and ready to explore the world.

Design and build team

The Designer - George Buehler

George is the author of the book "The Troller Yacht Book. How to cross oceans without getting wet or going broke". The first edition of this book came out in 1999, with the 2nd edition published in 2011. The book tells George’s story and how his designs were inspired by the northwest (USA) Salmon Trollers (sometimes confused with "Trawler Class", but they are significantly different). Buehler did not invent the term "Troller Yacht" nor did he invent the idea of using their type as a model for a cruising yacht - but he did adopt the name to describe the philosophy of the long range power cruiser he was developing.

In a nutshell, his theory was that a properly designed powerboat can be absolutely safe at sea, very economical to operate and at the same time be comfortable.

The designs earned the name of "Diesel Ducks". The first was a 38ft design commissioned by a couple that were fed up with sailboats in general and the handling, structural and mechanical problems of their 45ft-imported sailboat in particular. Other designs have followed Diesel Duck 41, 44, 48, 462, 382, 41-plus, 45-plus. To date the largest is Diesel Duck 71.

At 78 ft Strannik will be the largest Diesel Duck designed and built but it remains true to George’s original philosophy.

Many people have contributed to the evolution and the customizing of the Diesel Duck design, none more so than Bill Kimley of Sea Horse Marine.

For more information visit:

www.dieselducks.com

www.trolleryachts.com

The Builder - Sea Horse Marine

Seahorse Marine is an American owned and operated yacht building facility in China specialising in the manufacture of steel yachts. These include a number of designs with the "Diesel Duck" range by George Buehler being their most popular. It is a private company owned by blue water cruising expert Bill Kimley and his wife Stella. Their two children Natalie and Frodo are both active in the business and intimately involved with the day to day management at all levels of operation. The company is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, on the site of former Chinese government ship building yard and offers substantial facilities for steel construction.

Steel "Diesel Ducks" (refer to article on Designer) are designed and built for serious ocean passages. "Strannik" is the largest of the Diesel Duck range to be built and the first to be built in full commercial RINA CLASS survey.  Bill with his extensive cruising experience along with Don McIntyre (refer article on Project Manager) have worked together to incorporate the design features that Rodney wanted in this particular vessel.

The team at the Sea Horse Marine's factory include a full design team and skilled tradesman for all aspects of construction from welders, engineers and cabinetmakers. All the work is done on site. "MV Strannik" is one of a number of vessels currently under construction by Sea Horse Marine, the commissioning date is currently late 2017.

www.SeahorseYachts.com

The Project Manager - Don McIntyre

Don McIntyre is one of Australia’s best known Adventurers and Explorers. The Ocean is the one constant in his life which lead him to a career around boats, yacht building and the marine industry since 1974. His ocean cruising and expedition experience has seen him race solo around the world and sail by yacht many times to Antarctica and throughout the Pacific. His enthusiasm for life and wild places lead to him in 2012 being presented the prestigious Australian Geographic's "Life Time of Adventure" award and gold medal.

Having owned many yachts and a helicopter equipped 36 metre ship, he decided in 2005 to build his ultimate 15.2 meter expedition motor-sailor "ICE" in China. This began a long and happy association with Sea Horse Marine, which continues to this day with the building of "MV Strannik".

Rodney was impressed with the design and concept of "ICE", as a five star highly specialised and custom version of the standard SHM Diesel Duck. Don agreed to work with Rodney and Bill Kimley to develop and project manage a similar 24 meter build, right from initial concept through to full commissioning and hand over ready to start work.

With a lifetime of ocean experience in this field of expeditions and 40 years spent building boats of all types, "MV Strannik" will surely be a special little ship. Don has worked with many owners over the years to assist them achieve their dreams. It is a challenge he always accepts with total passion and commitment.

For more information visit:

www.McIntyre50MS.com

Deck plan

Technical Specs


Class RINA C* HULL : MACH Ych (MCA) Unrestricted Worldwide Navigation.
Length over all 78ft, 24 meter
Low water line 74.85ft, 22.8 meter
Beam max 20.15ft, 6.3 meter
Beam water line 19.67ft, 6.05 meter
Draft 8.04ft, 2.47 meter
Lightship Displacement Approx. 120 Tonnes
Construction Steel hull, deck, pilot house, Fiberglass Fly-bridge
Sail area Total: 174 sq. meter, Genoa: 74 sq. meter, staysail:  24 sq. meter, Main: 54 sq. meter, Mizzen: 23 sq. meter
Sailing systems Full Profurl reefing systems to all sails, Anderson ST winches and Ronstan deck gear.
Main Engine John Deer 6135AFM75 M2..425HP @1900rpm, Gear Box ZFW3.50 : 1
Power systems Twin Northern Lights 26 KVA generators with automatic battery charges. 2 x 400-watt wind generators and large solar panel array supplying 2000 amp @ 24v battery bank, 240/110 AC, 24 and 12 V DC available on-board.
Diesel Fuel capacity 4100 gallons, Lube oil tank 100 gallons
Fresh water capacity 2250 gallons. Two Reverse Osmosis Desalination plants producing 1400 gall a day.
Sewage treatment plant Hamann AG Supper Mini Plus US Coastguard and IMO approved treatment plant.
Manoeuvring Full Becker articulated rudder and Side Power bow thruster.
Cruise speed and range Economy Cruise approx. 8 knots for 5000 miles, standard cruise 8.5knts over 4000 miles, with sails unlimited, max speed around 10Kts.
Max Passengers 12 overnight in five cabins (double, twin or three berth) with desk and en-suite with electric toilets. 36 Day Passengers.
Crew Six in three two berth cabins.
Ocean going comfort Naiad computerised gyroscopic active fin stabilisers with 19sq ft. fins. At anchor, flopper stoppers to reduce roll.
Anchor system Duel Muir VC 4500 anchor windlasses with 150kg Plow anchors on 130mtrs x 14mm chain for each winch.
Domestic comfort All cabins are fully insulated. Cruseair reverse-cycle systems throughout. Forced suction ventilation and fresh air seagoing vents and opening ports to all cabins. Opening hatches to most cabins. Spacious saloon and dining areas with great views. Each cabin has own entertainment docking station and screen, large theatre in saloon and music to all areas, reference library. Multiple fridge freezers, wine fridge, ice maker, full commercial laundry, garbage compactor, all electric commercial galley with Meile appliances.
Navigation System A full double redundancy suite, featuring latest Simrad multinational navigational displays with dual range radars, high definition chart plotters, down scan and forward looking sonars, Satellite compass, Dual autopilots, and weather/climate monitoring instruments. The vessel is also fitted with CCTV and gyro stabilized Flir Night vision technology for added safety underway and on station.
Communications System The latest Satellite communications with on-board Wi-Fi to all areas. Email and online connections. Satellite phone and data services Off shore with 4G cellular available in-shore for rapid streaming (location dependent), Long range HF SSB and VHF marine radios. Live online web based tracking system.
Safety systems Full watertight compartments and double bottom throughout, automated Fire/smoke monitoring system to all compartments with bridge alarms. Comprehensive firefighting equipment and engine room Auto-fire flood system. All cabins with emergency exits and lighting. 2 x 20 man Solas life rafts, EPIRB’s, SART, Flares and personal emergency equipment including thermal protective aids, Solas approved life jackets and abandon ship supplies. Certified crew to assist and regular safety drills.
Estimated live-aboard autonomy 18 people approx. eight weeks between resupply.
 Tenders  Naiad  4.8meter with 40hp Yamaha outboard and a Zodiac 4.2-meter inflatable boat with 25hp Yamaha outboard.

goodbye to Russia

21 Oct 2019

We lowered our Russian Flag yesterday and said goodbye to Russia for this season. We arrived in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the 7thAugust, and from there we travelled along the coast and as far north as Wrangel Island. WE have seen a lot, experienced a lot and most importantly we have learnt a lot about Russia and about Strannik. We didn’t achieve everything we wanted to do but we set the bar high so we are not disappointed, not at all.   In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky we refuelled, reprovisioned and exchanged some crew. WE said farewell to Olga who has translated and communicated with Border Guards and other authorities for us since Anadyr northbound .. thankyou Olga.  WE welcomed on board two local Sailors Roman and Dasha who will accompany us to the Philippines.  Since leaving Port on Sunday we have experienced near perfect sailing conditions, but don’t expect that to last.  Next Stop Japan.   

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Finally on our way!

23 Jul 2019

We are finally on our way .. yes Strannik has finally begun its pilgrimage. WE sailed from Hong Kong on Saturday 20thJuly for Busan (South Korea).  Our final certification process went well.  Inspectors from RINA joined us for final sea trails in Hong Kong harbour and were genuinely pleased with is performance.  We had spent the previous 2 weeks on a slip in the Hong Hong ship yard, making some small adjustments to the propeller, applying a new coat of anti fouling and finishing installation of the last of the electronic gear.   Through the many delays and frustrations we have learned a lot  about the vessel, the certification process and ourselves so it hasn’t all be wasted, although I would rather have been sailing.  There are four of us on board for this leg of the journey that will eventually take us up into Russia and to Wrangel Island to rendezvous with a team from the BBC Natural History Unit. Standby for more and regular updates now that we are underway.

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Dreams do come true

22 Mar 2019

Dreams do come true .. we just have to continue to believe in them. MV  Strannik finally departed from China to Hong Kong  on Friday  March 22nd.  It has been a long story (longer than we ever thought).  It was towed (The Chinese Government insisted on this) by a Tug boat across the Pearl River to Aberdeen Harbour on Hong Kong where we joined it and sailed it to Hebe Haven Yacht Club  where we plan to spend the next 10 – 14 days completing a few jobs that we were unable to do in China.  The freedom we feel right now must be similar to what albatross feels when it leaves the land for the sea, it is an incredible feeling.    We will keep you posted on our plans, on our travels and our adventures … let the dream begin.    

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January 2019

29 Jan 2019

Decimal Point delays Strannik further.   Unbelievable but true, a typo in the regulations regarding the amount of sail allowed on a Motor Yacht has delayed the issuing of our final certificates resulting in the fact that we are still at ship yard. With Chinese New Year just around the corner we are likely to be here even longer.    There is a mathematical formula which is used by ship surveyors to determine how much sail a motor yacht can carry before it must comply with sailing yacht stability requirements. Strannik was designed as a sail assisted motor vessel and its stability calculations were all worked around those parameters. However, a typo which shifted the decimal point two places, in the copy of the regulations that surveyors were using meant that we did not comply.  Work stopped and we have hired an independent surveyor who has very politely pointed out the mistake.  We hope that this will be resolved quickly and we can leave here.

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MV Strannik

19 Dec 2018

Watch vidio of  Strannik's sea trials in China.        

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A selection of photos from the boat build.