The new N47 is the fourth Great Harbour built on the unique Codega hull.
Mirage introduces N47 deckhouse trawler
While a form-stable hull is common among workboats, the Codega hull is unique in the recreational market
Although the new Great Harbour N47 is ocean-capable, according to its builder, Mirage Manufacturing recommends shipping rather than cruising across the Atlantic.
Mirage began building its first Great Harbour N47 trawler in January 2006. The impetus to create an N47 was twofold: feedback from boat shows and market trends. Mirage has sold three N47s at the introductory price of $525,000.
"We’ve had many people at the boat shows saying they were wowed by the N37, but they needed more living space. At the same time, the high end of the market continues to be very healthy. As a business decision, the N47 makes good sense," said Ken Fickett, company president. "We also felt that the esthetic of the N47 was one that would appeal to sailors looking to make the switch."
The 47-foot trawler yacht is the fourth iteration of the Great Harbour series, all of which share a form-stable hull designed by naval architect Lou Codega. While it is common among workboats, the Codega hull is unique in the recreational market.
Mirage Manufacturing of Gainesville, Florida, launched its first trawler, a Great Harbour 37, in 1997, followed by the Great Harbour 47 in March 2001. Both featured a raised pilothouse. By way of contrast, the N47 is a deckhouse trawler, a longer version of the Great Harbour N37, first launched in October 2001.
With its 1,000-gallon fuel tank, the N47 will be the first Great Harbour trawler with trans-Atlantic capability. The biggest chunk of open water in an Atlantic crossing is the 1,900 miles separating Bermuda from the Azores. The N47 will be able to negotiate the passage with more than 100 gallons in reserve, the company says.
"While the N47 is ocean-capable, we would not recommend that anyone drive across the Atlantic," Fickett said. "It's just too inexpensive to ship an N47 to, say, Barcelona, Spain. The $14,000 shipping is hardly much more than the price of fuel, insurance and wear and tear for an Atlantic crossing, especially with today's fuel costs. The last thing you want to do is buy 1,000 gallons of fuel in Bermuda."
Fickett said that while Mirage’s earlier trawlers were not marketed for their ocean capabilities, they were indeed versatile enough to make significant bluewater passages. For example, the N37 holds the niche record of being the smallest twin-engine powerboat to make the crossing from California to Hawaii after having been fitted with additional fuel tankage.
"In fact, we've never bought into the notion that bluewater ability in and of itself makes for a 'safer' vessel," Fickett said. "Our philosophy is that a vessel is safest when it’s being used for its designed purpose. It just so happens that the N37 and N47 are highly versatile due to a hull design that is fine for both ocean passages but, with 3-foot draft, for gunkholing as well. But for those who persist in equating bluewater ability with overall safety, the N47 should offer a measure of comfort."
A Great Harbour N47 with cruising options, including genset, air conditioning, extended batteries, the glass helm navigational system, bow thruster, fuel polishing and oil transfer systems, would go out the door for under $600,000. The optional flybridge would cost an additional $30,000.
Site see: http://www.mirage-mfg.com/html/trawlers.html
Contact: 352-377-4146
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