Foredeck

The foredeck area on VOYAGE catamarans has two, webbing trampoline nets divided by a central walkway, the forward hulls and a solid GRP deck with lazerettes housing fuel tanks, water tanks, propane cylinders and the anchor windlass.

All the sailing controls can be managed from the cockpit. In most conditions the trampolines are a popular and comfortable area to enjoy sailing from.

It should be stressed that whilst underway, anyone on the foredeck must be wary of the genoa, sheets and lines. Crew should be brought back to the cockpit before tacking, gybing or if the sea state becomes rough.

The trampolines are strong enough to be walked on, laid on and used as an extension of the deck but children should be discouraged from jumping up and down on them as they are not designed for this purpose.

The ventilation hatches positioned over the forward cabins can withstand the wait weight of an average sized adult but they can be slippery when wet so it is better to avoid walking on them. The ventilation hatches can also be used as emergency access on deck.
 

The anchor windlass is housed below deck level and the chain runs through the port side walkway tube exiting at the forward cross beam, thus keeping this area clear of obstructions. The anchoring bridle should be left attached to the cross beam with the middle pulled through the center of the “A”frame. Tie the chain hook back to the trampoline lacing  with a light line.
 

Lazarettes

The fresh water tank is housed in the starboard lazarette with the filler directly above and the diesel fuel tank is similarly positioned on the port side. Some of our vessels have additional fresh water tanks in the lower bow compartments with fillers above, on deck. The skipper should make everyone aware of the relevant deck fillers which are clearly marked. It is disastrous to mix the diesel and water tanks when taking on fluids.

Be careful when opening or closing the lazarettes that the wind does not take the hatch from your hand

The windlass control switches are positioned in the port lazarette next to the windlass, each switch is marked UP and DOWN. Leave the breaker at the main panel off when not required to prevent accidental operation of the windlass

The lazarettes also store the fenders, dock lines, boat hook and kedge anchor.
 

Propane Cylinders

There are two propane cylinders on board containing the cooking gas. They are housed in a ventilated locker in the starboard side lazarette. It may be necessary to switch from one to the other during the coarse of your charter. Before doing so, turn off the solenoid switch in the galley. Now locate the selector valve positioned by the two cylinders, turn it toward the second tank. Shut off the main valve on the top of the empty tank and open the one on the second tank. The solenoid switch in the galley can then be turned back on but, for safety, leave it off when not cooking.

Never have any naked flames in the vicinity of the propane locker.
 

Control Lines

The genoa furling line runs through two turning blocks and bulls eyes down the stb deck and back to the cockpit. The remaining control lines for the sheets and mainsail run over the salon cabin top. The genoa wire halyard is permanently set on its own mast mounted rack and will not require adjusting under normal conditions. The topping lift is adjusted at the mast base, it should be noted that the topping lifts main function is to support the boom during the launching and recovery of the dinghy. A dedicated boom compression strut supports the boom weight when raising or lowering the mainsail.
 

The mainsheet traveler runs above cockpit level on its own arch moulding, the control lines exiting at the base of the arch on the stb side through two rope clutches.
 

The helm station is positioned under the shade of the bimini on the stb side and houses wheel steering, engine control panels and instrumentation. The Autohelm Tridata reads water depth, boat speed and distance covered. Autohelm control also gives compass heading and rudder angle. The wind instrument reads wind speed in relative and true, it also gives wind angle
 

The 2 Yanmar engine control panels have analogue rev. counter displays and warning lights for oil pressure and water temperature. The engine start is by key and stop is achieved by raising the manual shut down controls. Twin Morse controls for   engine speed, forward and reverse are positioned to stb of the conventional compass.
 

Dinghy Hoisting and Launching

The rigid inflatable tender is stowed on the aft dive platform during sailing. This is achieved without the use of davits but buy utilising a telescopic boom derrick and the mainsail halyard

It is strongly recommended that the tender is stowed whilst underway, better boat speed and economy plus the reduced risk of fouled painters are well worth the minimal time and effort that is required in raising the tender
 

Extend the derrick partially, have the second crewman bring the main halyard to the aft end of the boat and lead the line over the double sheave in the end of the derrick. Continue to extend the derrick while the crewman holds onto the halyard block from the center of the dive platform. Extend the derrick until it is out to its maximum extension mark but not beyond this point. Make sure the derrick control line jammer is closed
 

Positioned the dinghy horizontally at the back of the dive platform and attach the main halyard block to the center of the lifting bridle. Check that the halyard is still located in the derrick sheaves then take up some tension on the main halyard. Load the halyard tail on to the port winch and while the crewman steady’s the dinghy raise it well above the level of the dive platform.

Secure the main halyard by closing the jammer and remove the turns from the winch.

Load the derrick control line on to the winch, take the tension then release the jammer.
 

Make sure the dive platform is clear then ease the control line slowly allowing the dinghy to come inboard and over the platform. As the derrick is retracted the dinghy will lower in height, when the center of the keel is directly over the chocks jam off the control line and release from the winch.

Load the main halyard onto the winch, ease the tension then release the jammer. Now let out the halyard until the dinghy is resting on the chocks and the inner pontoon is tilted slightly inboard. Do not release the main halyard until the dinghy has been secured bow and stern, tie off the inboard lines to the pad eyes on the transom.
 

This system allows the dinghy to be lifted, launched and transported in a very safe manner but please take the following precautions

The skipper should take charge of the winching procedures and be clear as to the function of each control line.

A second crew should be available to tend the dinghy, attach lines and steady the dinghy when it is lifted clear of the water.

Make sure no one is standing on the dive platform between the dinghy and the yachts’ transom when the dinghy is raised above the level of the aft cross beam.

Make sure no one swims under the dinghy when it is raised above water level.

Do not climb into the dinghy when it is stowed on the platform.

Always keep a firm hold on to the main halyard block when it is not secured.
 

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