Donegal looks to tourism market
Following their delivery last January of the highly impressive Vigilante 33 eco tourism vessel Smooth Hound to Richard Timoney in Mullaghmore, Lyme Boats have this month have delivered yet another craft of an equally high standard.
Kinncasslagh, Co. Donegal based Paul McGonagle’s new Caithlin Maire will be a huge boost to marine tourism in the region as it is a multi purpose vessel specifically designed for charter angling, sight seeing, diving and dolphin/whale watching. Considering this Vigilante model is only 33ft, this design manages to combine a spacious deck space with a comfortable seating area in the large wheelhouse cockpit.
Powered by a Caterpillar 350hp main engine and 2:1 ratio gearbox providing a top speed of 22 knots, Caithlin Maire’s young owner Paul McGonagle qualified for grant aid under BIM’s Diversification Scheme and also received assistance from Udaras na Gaelthacht to undertake a feasibility study into this project. The vessel is fitted with an electronics package from Ray Marine which includes radar, sounder, plotter and autopilot. Other installations include an ICOM VHF and loudhailer for the aft deck area.
UK based Lyme Boats continue to enjoy much interest from Ireland and the firm are pleased to have Richard Timoney as their agent in Ireland, especially now he has his own vessel, Smooth Hound for demonstration purposes. The Irish Skipper Expo in Galway proved a perfect platform for the company and with two definite orders taken and a potentail further three more. “We found this Expo to be an excellent showcase and all the visitors we met at the Expo were genuine enquires. We are hopeful of several orders as a result,” said Richard Timoney. Lyme Boats say that the performance of all Vigilante craft is impressive but the only way to really judge first hand is to get on board in some of the rough weather that Donegal sees plenty of and let the boat do the talking. The firm are currently in the design stage of a 25ft version which it is hoped to be availble on the market by early 2008.
Lyme Boats Ltd pride themselves in not using any composites in the structure with the hull being hand laid, bulkheads with all marine grade plywood and deck beams of hardwood.
Giving the impression of a 38ft vessel, Caithlin Maire is no lightweight and her hull design and massive beam gives her excellent sea-keeping capabilities economic cruising speeds which do not seem to be affected very much by load on the vessel. On her final delivery leg from Rathmullen around to Kinncasslagh, skipper Paul McGonagle had ample opportunity to test the new vessel’s sea keeping as she rounded stormy waters off Tory Island. “She handled extremely well and travelling at a comfortable crusing speed of 15 knots, she had no problems meeting the rising swell and the sometimes gusty conditions,” he said.
The Irish Skipper joins the local Kincassagh community in wishing Paul every success with his new venture operating around the productive angling grounds and breathtaking scenery that is northwest Donegal.
For further information see www.saoiremara.com