News: Fifth Cape Fear Class Crew Boat

Construction is underway of the fifth in the series of "Cape Fear" class crew boats, with the latest version a custom vessel is being built Chesapeake Yachts at his 54 acre facility in Chesapeake, Va. Eminating from the design house of Industrial Object, David Carambat, president, said, "The Cape Fear crew boat is a speedy craft weighing in at an amazingly efficient 42,000 lbs. With twin Caterpillar 3176's, this lean, rugged machine boasts a speed of 31.7 knots at 80 percent MCR (Maximum Continuous Power) with fully enclosed prop shafts!" "This design brings economy and reliability to our client's bottom line. Every element of a Cape Fear boat is geared toward performance and durability," said Carambat. "Our goal is to be the fastest, most versatile, fuel efficient crew boat on the water today."

"The Cape Fear has a fuel capacity of 1,000 gallons … Add to that the versatility of the optional dive platform, large open cargo deck with a payload capacity of 28,800 lbs the possibilities are amazing," Carambat said.

Twin 600-hp Caterpillar 3176 marine engines generate power for the most recent build, driving 3-blade double cup propellers. Electrical power is via a single 12 kW Northern Lights generator. Exterior lines create a stealthy shape, accentuated by the yacht like angled swim deck aft, large engine room air intakes on each side. A flush removable cargo deck has two integrated water tight access hatches. A moderate wave break plate is found on the bow. To stern are two (2) large rudders for responsive handling with a rigid stern platform that doubles as additional rudder protection, and sound baffle.

The interior of the Cape Fear is clean and spacious. Two side-hugging pilot seats sit side by side with 154 sq. ft. behind, space that can accommodate bench seating for 24-passenger and berth space for one behind the bridge.

Safety features include platform-mounted life rafts, rugged box tube hand/cargo rails and 360-degree pilothouse visibility. The ruggedness of the design is evident in the six inch 'D" rubber bumper which wraps around the stern mounted dive platform extension, double rub rails on the bow, etched aluminum exterior, fully enclosed prop shafts and a 28,800 pound capacity cargo deck.

The flagship Cape Fear is presently operating in New York harbor, and two sister ships now operate daily in Charleston. Jack's Launch Service in Chesapeake Bay operates the number four boat. This design can be purchased as-is or the basic design can be customized for specific patrol, cargo or ferry service. Industrial Object Design, headquartered in Covington, La.