It will be more cost-efficient to operate
the speedy sail-powered catamaran
than previous designs, because of
the lightweight materials used and the
energy-generating and power-efficient
components that are being employed.
Lightweight, pre-preg, vacuum bagged
carbon fiber is being used for the
structural components - the same
materials used to build aerospace parts.
The stylized reverse bows and clean
deck layout represent the most striking
changes to the naked eye. Morrelli
& Melvin’s unique wave-piercing
bow shape optimizes the hull lines
to reduce resistance and pitching in
waves. The hull shape has also been
refined to create greater volume inside
where headroom and living area are
most precious while cruising. Nomex
honeycomb has been used for the
interior structures.
a conventional gasoline-powered motorcycle. All the while, Melvin has been
Everything on the first Morrelli & Melvin
testing Massachusetts-based Genasun’s battery management system. Satisfied
65’ is being built to the high standards
that it is safe and reliable enough to work on his motorcycle, Melvin has specified
of its Swiss owner. The look and feel
a Genasun battery management system for the catamaran’s bank of lightweight,
of this luxury performance cruiser is
high-tech, Lithium ion batteries. The system charges the batteries directly. By
sophisticated, efficient and clean. The
eliminating the conversion of AC power to DC power for the main loads, such as
deck layout is Spartan. The halyards
the refrigerator and instruments, the Genasun battery management system is more
exit the mast under the deck and
efficient than traditional systems.
emerge near the appropriate winch.
Main and jib sheets are lead to the aft
“Our performance catamarans are fast and efficient. As engineers, we are always
helm station. Cleats and metal pad eyes
thinking ahead and looking to other fields to introduce weight-saving concepts,
are refreshingly absent from the deck to
structural improvements and greener and cleaner technology to our designs.
improve the level of safety on this swift
Overall, the improvements translate to building and operating cost savings and
and powerful cat.
customer satisfaction,” said Melvin.

Topping it off are IQ Solar’s custom-
Lightweight, strong, comfortable, fast, clean and efficient are trademarks of this
built, marine-grade solar cell panels
new cat that is catching the attention of many prospective owners.
combined with an advanced electronic
www.morrellimelvin.com, www.westerly-marine.com
control system. IQ’s solar panels are
smaller than those traditionally used
on boats. They have a lower profile
and can be shaped to the contours
and outline of the cabin top. Rather
than having an entire solar panel
rendered inoperable because a portion
of it falls in the shade of the boom or
another structure, Morrelli & Melvin is
incorporating the IQ system to ensure
that more solar cells are working in all
conditions.
Morrelli & Melvin co-founder, Pete
Melvin has been staying abreast of
the latest in green and energy-saving
technology. He built a battery-powered
motorcycle that is capable of going 60
miles and hour and has a range of 50
miles and has been riding it for the past
year and a half. It costs $.25 to charge
”
his silent battery-powered cycle; a far
The distinctive bows of the M&M 65
cry from what it would cost to operate
»
  JULY 2009 : MULTIHULL REVIEW  27
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