Jaz37 catamaran

[vegas]

Anyone no much about the Jaz Marine Island Hopper 37 ? Jazmarine - Home I hear there is an updated version in the works. It looks like it might fall nicely between a Maine Cat 30 and 41.

[shadow]

Never heard of them but a really nice alternative to what I've been looking at! It is definitely a minimalist's dream!! Thanks for the heads up.. Will do more research with them!! Cheers!

[multihullsailor6]

I went aboard the Island Hopper 37 when she was fitting out here in Cape Town.
I came away quite impressed for what I would term is a fast daysailer / weekender, in my view not an offshore passage maker. Would also be very windy / exposed, maybe even wet?
All depends what you are after. But I think the build quality was good.
Am also aware that an updated version is in the making to come out in 2008.

[Splash Gordon]

Jaz Marine's a specialist Hi-Tech outfit here in Cape Town. Owner's a technical wizard who specialises in assorted boats- from Gunboat 62's to the radical Class 40 mono. He's also had a South Atlantic Race winner from his floor. For pure thinking-out-the-box and evil need-for-speed technology, the yard is special. Build quality is superb, and their in-house designs are brilliantly thought out. I saw centreboards on the 37 that are trunkless curved installations, so they generate force from the get-go. Brilliant use of space, too!
I think multihullsailor's got it summed up- possibly not a pure deep-ocean machine, but what a honey to do some tradewind mileage in!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

... what I would term is a fast daysailer / weekender, in my view not an offshore passage maker ...

Originally Posted by Splash Gordon

... I think multihullsailor's got it summed up- possibly not a pure deep-ocean machine, but what a honey to do some tradewind mileage in!

It’s an interesting experiment, but it seems to me, to be a failed hybrid compromise. Too much accommodation for a day sailer/racer, but not enough for a comfortable weekender. I certainly wouldn’t be doing any tradewind passagemaking in her.

[fastcat435]

The Owner of Jaz Marine is Uwe Jasperson , he builds the Jaz marine that is actually 39 ft long he is a proud and quality builder and mainly builds in Epoxy .
Any boat that he has build is a good sailing boat and a quality product.
Before he started Jaz marien he was the factory manager at Voyage yachts and did a great job there.
I understand the jazz cat is extended to 41 ft and it looks like a great day/weekendsailor to me

[vegas]

As soon as a boat is presented with an open bridgedeck it seems everyone is quick to call it a daysailor. The Jaz concept can be closed in for nasty weather much like the Maine cats. You spend a lot more time sitting in the cockpit in a nice breeze enjoying a rum drink then you do beating into the wind when spray will be an issue.I rarely enjoy the cockpit of a conventional layout because the breeze and your vision is blocked by the forward salon.

[cchesley]

Originally Posted by vegas

As soon as a boat is presented with an open bridgedeck it seems everyone is quick to call it a daysailor. The Jaz concept can be closed in for nasty weather much like the Maine cats. You spend a lot more time sitting in the cockpit in a nice breeze enjoying a rum drink then you do beating into the wind when spray will be an issue.I rarely enjoy the cockpit of a conventional layout because the breeze and your vision is blocked by the forward salon.

Preach It!

[Tropic Cat]

Sure it's fast ...but.... Isn't an open bridgedeck kind of like owning a large hobie cat? When you start hanging canvas to cover it up, it's more like a tent on the water than a cruising catamaran.

I would have to agree that creature comforts are synonymous with an enclosed bridgedeck with a salon. There's just more security and room to move around and it definately would be drier at anchor than a makeshift tent.

Originally Posted by vegas

As soon as a boat is presented with an open bridgedeck it seems everyone is quick to call it a daysailor. The Jaz concept can be closed in for nasty weather much like the Maine cats. You spend a lot more time sitting in the cockpit in a nice breeze enjoying a rum drink then you do beating into the wind when spray will be an issue.I rarely enjoy the cockpit of a conventional layout because the breeze and your vision is blocked by the forward salon.

[cchesley]

Originally Posted by rickm505

Sure it's fast ...but.... Isn't an open bridgedeck kind of like owning a large hobie cat? When you start hanging canvas to cover it up, it's more like a tent on the water than a cruising catamaran.

I would have to agree that creature comforts are synonymous with an enclosed bridgedeck with a salon. There's just more security and room to move around and it definately would be drier at anchor than a makeshift tent.

You might be a bit surprised. I'm living aboard in the PNW this winter. Probably burn a few more BTU's than some but we're quite comfy thanks.

[Tropic Cat]

My apologies. I meant no disrespect.

I've been in squalls where the wind rips everything to shreds whether it's 'nailed' down or not.

Originally Posted by cchesley

You might be a bit surprised. I'm living aboard in the PNW this winter. Probably burn a few more BTU's than some but we're quite comfy thanks.

[cchesley]

None taken. Yours is a common view. It's amazing what works in reality once we open ourselves beyond 'what's always been done'. That said, I probably wouldn't want to take this to the wilds of Tierra del Fuego :-)

[vegas]

Anyone know if they have launched their new version yet?

[Nordic cat]

I visited the yard last year, and had a good talk with Uwe and was shown around. They had a 40 ft racing monohull in build. I have no doubts as to the technical skills of the owner, but am very wary of yards that have large fluctuations in orders. These kind of outfits can not afford to keep the really good and skilled people when they have no orders, so the skills level can be low when they do get an order in. Quality in building a boat is a "culture" thing that needs to be perpetuated and nurtured, not killed off every few months.
This is quite a typical scenario in the custom building world, and alot of good boats are built by these yards, but also a few not so good. Its all in the management and culture of the company, how well organised they are etc.
I decided to use an outfit that better met my criteria for a custom build.

Alan

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by vegas

Anyone no much about the Jaz Marine Island Hopper 37 ? Jazmarine - Home I hear there is an updated version in the works. It looks like it might fall nicely between a Maine Cat 30 and 41.

I know the owner Uwe for over 6 years and he delivers excellent products over and over again, He is also very weight conscious and I would recommend him to anybody that is interested in a lightweight quality yacht.