Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS July 2010 WILBUR YACHTS LAUNCHES 46-FOOT CRUISER BETSEY By Lee Wilbur
1978, Wilbur Yachts had just launched a 46-foot pilot house yacht for Curtis Blake and his wife Pat using the newly moulded Newman 46 and named ANNALOKIN. She was a gorgeous craft, bright red topsides, teak superstructure, a real “eye-catcher”. Shortly after launching and sea trials, Jack Smith, a staff writer for “Yachting” magazine, came up to Southwest Harbor to do an article on her. Fun experience. Not only was this going to be an article in a major major boating magazine, it was also quite interesting to work with and learn from an “old pro” like Jack who’d been around the industry for many years. One of his tricks was a yellow windbreaker which, if there was little color adorning crew or passengers during the photo shoot, he would put on the windbreaker or have someone else wear it. In the ANNALOKIN article, Jack stood in the pilot house door wearing the windbreaker. 2008, thirty years later, Dr. Keith Klein and his wife Elizabeth, “Betsy”, came to Wilbur Yachts from California to talk with John and Ingrid Kachmar about the possibility of building a new 46-foot Pilot House yacht similar in lines to ANNALOKIN. As Dr. Klein is describing what he’s looking for, he pulls out his pocket book and very gently removes and unfolds the same “Yachting” article saying, “this is what I’d like to do.” He had kept the article for all those years, admiring the vessel and dreaming of someday owning one very much like her. His daughters, Rachael and Francine, tell of the family being held up in traffic and their father taking out the article and reading it once again. This was the year to move forward on the “Dream”.
An Atlantic Boat Co. Duffy 46 fiberglass hull was soon chosen and work was begun on the custom superstructure. Plans and ideas, updates, conversations, and pictures began making their way back and forth to California as BETSY started to take shape. Ever a detail oriented man, Dr. Klein spent many hours working with engineer in residence, David Larson, president John Kachmar and foreman, Stan Ward to achieve the results he wanted. May 22, 2010, BETSY, family, friends and builders in attendance with her dark blue hull and gleaming white superstructure was lowered into the water. Dream had become the reality.
BETSY is not an unusual vessel. However, she is custom built to the Klein’s specifications, right down to a place for Mrs. Klein’s sewing machine. According to John Kachmar, though, BETSY has been taken to a new level of “Thinking Green”. Powered is achieved by a Caterpillar C18 1015-hp electronic diesel engine for fuel efficiency and minimal exhaust emission. Her battery system is maintained not only by (4) Kyrocia 135 watt solar panels, but also with an Efoy 2200 fuel cell battery charger. The Efoy charger essentially heats methanol which is teased over a platinum plate. Thus, creating energy for the charger to then charge the (6) AGM Gel type batteries. Exhaust from this exotic charger is simply CO2 and water. LED lights for low voltage consumption were used throughout. Another, albeit low level, Green feature were the use of counterweights and block and tackle for lifting hatches. A particularly neat application for these is the galley pot locker where the entire locker as shelves comes up out of the galley counter for ease of usability.
BETSY just after her launching at Manset.
No more wondering where that small butter pot disappeared!
Navigation should also be simplified with the Furuno “Nav Net 3D” system. Known also as the “Furuno Black Box”, this electronic system takes information from the various antennas and sensors, correlates them in the “Black Box” and sends the appropriate signals to specific screens for use by the pilot.
With a Fuel capacity of 500gals., 27 knot top end and 22 knot cruise, the Kleins range for a day’s run can put them virtually anywhere on the Maine coast.
Well finished in traditional Herreshoff of cherry trim, teak and holly soles and white flat surfaces, BETSY is a live-aboard cruising
Christening BETSY.
couple’s dreamboat. From the well-planned galley, ample head and shower and her large queen “island” berth, BETSY will bring great comfort and enjoyment to the Kleins as they cruise our beautiful coast of Maine. By the way, the Kleins have come to enjoy Maine so much over the course of building they are now seriously considering moving here.
Rugged
120-T4A 120 Hp @ 2500 rpm 170-T6A 170 Hp @ 2200 rpm
✓ 120 or 170 Hp Ideal Ford Lehman replacements ✓ ✓
✓ ✓
Low RPM for smooth power, longer life Reliable Isuzu engine blocks High power-to-weight ratio Excellent warranty and support
MARINE ENGINEERING I
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32 Tioga Way · Marblehead, MA 01945 (781) 631-3282 (800) 343-0480
www.hansenmarine.com
E-mail:
hansen@hansenmarine.com
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