Solid wooden catamaran "Island Girl"

"ISLAND GIRL"

This solid timber sailing catamaran is almost ready for her maiden voyage. "Island Girl" is now at a stage where the new owner can choose their own cabin and central bridge layout. Also, rigging, sails etc, can be customized.
Each hull consists of four separate cabin roofs, the stern being the totally separate engine room. The rear hatch provides access to the engine room, (also accessible through the stern cabin).
The front hatch gives storage for solar batteries, fenders etc. (also accessible from the forward cabin). The two hulls together can provide 8 cabins suitable for tourist accommodation or a huge liveaboard with crew.
Plans for the bridge area incorporate a large double captain's cabin with en-suite, kitchen area, and living room.
Forward from the central bridge cabin is a large recreation deck area. Rear of the bridge cabin is the wheelhouse which also provides access to the dinghy.

The structure of the boat is set up in such a way that the mast configuration can be changed at any time to any configuration the purchaser may want. At this stage, it is intended to be set up as a twin or quad mast Marconi (dragon wings) junk rig with red Bengali thick heavy canvas.
The twin rudders and prop shafts are of stainless steel.
All fittings and fixtures throughout the boat are also of stainless steel.
The cross beams are solid Gurjan hardwood timber logs.
The timber above the waterline is Telsur / Teak that is highly valued by local boat builders for its strength and resistance to splitting. It is also known for its ability to resist termites and other pests.
Below the waterline is local Gurjan hardwood timber which is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to rot and pests makes it a preferred choice for marine construction in Bangladesh.
The corking is done using the traditional method with 3 layers of mill cotton fibres plaited and soaked in coconut oil.

Overall length when finished is 58 feet (17.7 meters). The beam is 34 feet. Distance between the two hull centres is 23 feet. Draft approximately 3'6" depending on loaded or unloaded.

"Island Girl" is an extremely strongly built vessel. Built the old-fashioned way, using massive timbers with massive timber frames, beams, joists, and thick planking. She is very solid and is built for safety, ocean-going, durability, and longevity.
Twin 120hp turbo marine diesel engines provide enough power to push "Island Girl" along with a top speed of approximately 11 knots with a cruising speed of approximately 8 knots.
Twin 24V electrical inverted solar integrated systems will provide ample power for all cabin utensils including cooking, refrigeration, microwave, pumps, navigation etc.

Timber used is of plantation eco-timber approved by Bangladesh Forestry Commission with corresponding and matching documents.
The construction of "Island Girl" is done in Bangladesh using local traditional methods, which has been building solid timber boats for generations. This has basically unchanged over time, and they are well known throughout the region for being solid, reliable, and long-lasting.
The port keel was first laid in February 2024.
Above the waterline the hulls and cross-beam saddles are coated with four coats of double-boiled linseed oil and or marine varnish.
Inside each hull is lined with plywood slats on the frames then covered with bamboo matting (looks beautiful and can breathe).
Cabin floors being 25mm marine plywood.

"Island Girl" is built and presented for sale as an "ongoing project".
Starting price (buy now uncompleted) $236,000 USD
or "Island Girl" can be purchased when fully completed $469,000 USD.
The completed selling price may be negotiable depending on the purchaser's personal customized requirements for the cabin layout, masts, rigging, and sails, etc.

The vessel will be equipped with modern safety equipment, modern navigation equipment and or including traditional celestial navigation instruments (sextant, etc. )
Builder's Notes:
My craftsmen have been building solid timber boats down through their family's history for generations. The skills and knowledge are outstanding. "Island Girl" is at the boat building yard of the Bakkhali river in Bangladesh, and all the craftsmen live in the village nearby. Because of pride in their workmanship and their personal connection with each boat they build, their workmanship is therefore of the highest quality. Knowledge and skills passed from father to son down the ages.
John Edward
More photos in my video