Echo Yachts launches largest catamaran built in Australia

Custom superyacht builder Echo Yachts has launched the 56-metre support vessel Charley 2 at its shipyard near Fremantle, Western Australia. She is the largest catamaran to be built in Australia.

Construction on the 1,041GT, all-aluminium vessel began in 2020 and was commissioned by an experienced yachtsman. She is five metres longer than her predecessor Charley but the two share a raised helicopter platform aft. Naval architecture was performed by One2Three Naval Architects while fit-out design, engineering and electrical were handled in-house.

Charley 2's full-custom, hydrodynamic aluminium hull enables her to be propelled by much smaller engines than expected of her size. Another noteworthy design point is her 15kW of solar panels, which provides a third of the yacht’s energy demand during full daylight.

Accommodation is for 18 guests and 19 crew. While the full layout has not been disclosed, Charley 2 benefits from an additional double guest cabin and a large captain's cabin alongside an extended wheelhouse deck and two external storerooms.

The yacht also has impressive explorer capabilities, with features such as a helicopter touch-and-go pad (suitable for an Airbus EC130 helicopter), a dive store and a decompression chamber.

There is also ample storage, including a 12-metre, custom-built catamaran tender able to be launched and retrieved via an upgraded, walk-around platform positioned on the vessel’s stern. The tender is equipped with specialist sonar equipment for discovering wreckage and dive spots.

“This is a very special day for the teams at Echo Yachts and One2Three Naval Architects seeing the fruits of our combined efforts in the launch of Charley 2,” said director of Echo Marine Group Mark Stothard. “She sits perfectly on the design waterline and is one of the most complete vessels I have seen at launch.”

Charley 2 is expected to commence sea trials at the beginning of September, with delivery several weeks later.

Powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines, she can reach a top speed of 17 knots and a range of 3,380 nautical miles when pared to 12 knots.

This new build is the second-largest in Echo Yachts’ fleet. The largest is the 84-metre White Rabbit, the world's largest trimaran superyacht.