MV Strannik

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Introduction

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.

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.

19 Dec 2018

Watch vidio of Strannik's sea trials in China.

Masts

01 Oct 2018

We reached another milestone in the construction of MV Strannik yesterday and are closing in on the delivery date. Yesterday a crane lifted the main and mizzen masts into position. Some of the work of securing them was completed before the start of a week long holiday in China. There is not a lot left to do now, sea trails will begin on the 9th October and the final commissioning of he suite of electronic gear will also begin about the same time. Our plans for post-delivery are firming up and we expect to release an “Expedition Calendar” within the next couple weeks. I know many of you have been wondering where we are going what we are planning, hopefully this will answer your questions.

Typhoon Mangkhut

19 Sep 2018

Communications are almost back too normal here at the shipyard in Zhuhai (Southern China) after the destruction left in the wake of Typhoon Mangkhut. We can report the we are safe and that Strannik survived without a scratch due in a large part to the early warning that we received allowing us to make extensive preparations. What properly gave us most the protection and saved us from the worse of the wind and sea was a ship that was deliberately sunk/scuttled ahead of us before the typhoon arrived. This ship, which you can see in the photo acted as a breakwater and also allowed us to secure extra lines. Four extra anchors also helped. We stayed on board throughout the storm, adjusting lines to compensate for the two metre storm surge that accompanied the typhoon. Several buildings near the yard were completely demolished and a couple other yachts that were under construction broke their moorings and were washed ashore, fortunately there were was very little damage and they will be re-floated on the next high tide. Work on commissioning Strannik continues albeit a little behind schedule, probably even a little further behind now because of Typhoon Mangkhut.

August 12

12 Aug 2018

On the highest tide of the month (it was even higher than forecast because of a typhoon to the east pushing extra water into the river- every few extra centimetres of water helped, but the rain that accompanied the typhoon didn’t help) MV Strannik slowly slipped stern first from the cradle that has held and protected since construction started and into the Pearl River. The launching operation began the day before on the 11th August. The ship yard crew had worked over night to lower the cradle as far and as deep into the river as possible to assist the launching. The entire ship yard crew were on hand and in time honoured Chinese tradition fireworks were lit to celebrate the event. Rodney, Simon (engineer) and Connor (Chef/Deck hand) were also there to witness and join in the celebration. Strannik is now tied alongside at the ship yard and over the next few weeks, the mast’s will be stepped and the final fit will be completed before sea trials and testing. When this has all been completed Strannik Ocean Voyages will take delivery of MV Strannik in Hong Kong and a new era in genuine expedition travel will begin.

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A selection of photos from the boat build.