Bieker 53 - Exciting high performance cruiser

[Seaguy]

At least I think it's exciting. We'll be launching the Bieker 53, Fujin, around the end of May. Fujin is the name of the Japanese wind god. The image is a rendering, not a photo as she is a few weeks away from actually sailing. Originally slated for launch this month, she has been delayed while waiting for the rig to be finished and shipped from France. She was designed by Paul Bieker and being built by Gold Coast Yachts in St Croix. She will be based in the Caribbean for the first couple years.

I have been racing and cruising for 25+ years (mostly racing) and we wanted a boat that would do both well with an emphasis on performance. We had looked at production catamarans but having sailed race boats for years, most of the production cats were bigger, bulkier and heavier than we wanted. I approached Paul with the idea of creating a very fast 50' cruising cat in Oct 2013. The unique look is the result of Paul's view that form should follow function. The cutaway bow reduces windage and weight and in most cats, the forward space in the bows is of little use. The raised bows at the front get the forward crossbeam above the typical waves. The galley pod has a low profile and does not span the full bridgedeck, in order to reduce panel weight and windage.

She has two double staterooms, two single berths, two heads, a full galley and inside seating area, two Yanmar 3YM30s, electric winches, a rotating mast, lots of solar and no generator. She is all carbon and lightship weight will be less than 15,000 lbs. She has deep, curved daggerboards and T-rudders but is not intended to foil. The foils are intended to generate some lift and reduce pitching at speed.

The timing kind of sucks as we're only going to be able to sail her enough to get the basics dialed in before she will be put on the hard for hurricane season. We considered moving her up the east coast for the summer but with living in Seattle and other sailing commitments this summer, it didn't make sense for us.

Exterior hulls are being painted this week. I'll post some real boat pics after she gets painted.



-Seaguy
www.facebook.com/sailhamachi

[beiland]

I really like the looks of it...quite unique. But then I think back to the original Fountain/Pajot Louisiane 37 cat I imported to the USA in 1986. It had a small deckhouse like this with open cockpit space to access the sleeping areas. I liked that design also, but it was tough to sell on the market.

I think you will have a great time sailing her, but that Caribbean sun may prove a little tough on the crew in all that open deck space.
Brian Eiland
RunningTideyachts.com

[beiland]

I'm glad you didn't try and pack the whole boat with accommodations....keep it light.

I didn't realize that Gold coast was doing so much carbon. Goood, i may have another customer for them with my gamefishing design

[2Hulls]

Very cool. Let me know if you need any delivery crew.

Dave

[ejlindahl]

Very nice.

Paul was a presenter at the Northwest Multihull meeting last night. Most of the dialog was about the 24' proa for his Race to Alaska clients, who were also there presenting. Thats a cool race.

What a nice guy Paul is. He must be great to work with. Besides the proa we heard quite a bit of insight into the latest AC35 goings on and other tidbits. Wanted to ask him about your catamaran but never got the chance before the evening ended. I think I raced on your 125 once as a pick up crew. Like everyone else here I'd be happy to do that on the 53, big grin.

Thanks for sharing. Please keep us updated.

Fair winds.

Eric

[tp12]

I better get in now before the list gets too long ... if you're even in Sydney and need crew...



Great boat, I've been following the thread on SA

[Hugh Howey]

Gorgeous boat. Look forward to seeing some more renders or pics. Love when function guides form. Best of luck with the launch, and keep us posted!

[RunawayC47]

The diagram picture from above looks exactly like a Conser 47. I have reservations as to the central pod extending so low.


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[nosssailor]

Great boat and love the central pod and access forward.
Bieker is a truly original thinker, but unlike Juan K his designs have a habit of working.
Great project and like my comrades... If your ever in HK and need crew .....


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[nosssailor]

Ps pictures pictures picture + a vid please 😉


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[Seaguy]

Finally went sailing last week and she exceeded our expectations. Very balanced helm and she flies.

Video Link: Fujin initial test sail video

[beiland]

Congratulations

[beiland]

Got some updates? ...whatever??

[Skip JayR]

Never heard of a Bieker Cats before (beside the activities of Paul Bieker himself as Design engineer for Oracle Team USA).... seems "bad marketing".

I like the wave piercing bows... looks very futuristic. And the small hatchy decks cabin gives one the feeling of "open space" on deck. So on first view I like her puristic comfort and futuristic look. :-)





I wonder little bit, why the Bieker 53 didnt become the "Gunboat G4" already in 2013 (or at least in 2014) ?? I mean, why waiting for a G4 when the Bieker 53 can do it, too ? I have no doubts, that on foils she can run 30 knots. She already has the T-rudders (read about how Paul Bieker fixed the cavitation problems of the T-rudders during AC)... so little bit modifications needed.

I suppose the size and concept of a leight weighted 53 foot Cat might fulfill the demands to be competitive (a G4 Gunboat is 100% carbon and has only a very low displacement of 2.6 tons). Why has it 6,162 kg displacement ? Heavy, isnt ??

Would be great that another "brand", e.g. Bieker picks up the challenge to build a foiling 60 foot version. :-) . More competition against the G4 Gunboat, more quicker bigger catamarans will start to fly (on boath hulls). :-)

[beiland]

Originally Posted by Seaguy

The timing kind of sucks as we're only going to be able to sail her enough to get the basics dialed in before she will be put on the hard for hurricane season. We considered moving her up the east coast for the summer but with living in Seattle and other sailing commitments this summer, it didn't make sense for us.

Hurricane season is over, so she should be sailing again,....reports, photos etc
Thanks, Brian

PS: Certainly that weather out Seattle way should bring you east.