ACI Boats, Port Townsend, Wash., has delivered a new 60'x20'x5.67' whale watching, eco-tour boat, Blackfish VI, to Outer Island Excursions, Orcas, Wash. Designed by the shipyard and Coastwise Corp., Anchorage, Alaska, the new boat will operate in Washington state’s San Juan Islands.
The USCG-classed, Subchapter T, 80-passenger vessel, with a draft of 1.9' light, is an all-aluminum symmetrical planning catamaran whose upper cabin will feature four dinettes, bench seating, and an enclosed helm station, and accommodate up to 16 passengers. The main floor is designed to accommodate 54 passenger seats, three dinettes, a galley, and two head compartments.
Main propulsion comes from six (two clusters of three engines) 450-hp Yamaha XTO outboards with stainless steel props. Yamaha also handled the control — Yamaha Helmaster EX with joystick maneuverability — and steering system — Yamaha helm and helm follower system — responsibilities. Blackfish IV’s cruising speed loaded is 28 knots.
The new tour boat’s electronics suite with be equipped with two Garmin 861XSV 16 MFDs, flush mounted in the dash, Garmin 18xHD 4 kW radar, Garmin cameras, Garmin Class B AIS transceiver, and public address systems with wireless microphones.
Tankage includes dual 500-gal. fuel tanks, and 150 gal. fresh water. The boat has a 24-ton deadweight.
