Metal Shark, an American shipyard specializing in commercial and military craft, has a new yachting division. Metal Shark Yachts is constructing long-range catamarans for cruising and remote exploring. The first of a few megayacht designs and sizes is already in the water, too, the 27-knot Magnet.
Focused on aluminum and steel, Metal Shark has shipyards in Louisiana and Alabama. It opened its doors in 2005. Since then, it has designed and delivered craft from 16 to more than 300 feet LOA (4.9 to 91.4 meters). The builder has collaborated with companies such as Damen as well as Incat Crowther. It further counts the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, foreign militaries, and towboat operators among its clients.
The Louisiana yard is responsible for Magnet, with an LOA of 157’5” (48 meters) and a catamaran configuration from Incat Crowther. The all-aluminum trideck has styling cues similar to the builder’s patrol vessels. Also like its other craft, Metal Shark gave her a lower-maintenance, industrial-like finish and rugged hardware. “This is not by any stretch a typical yacht,” declares George Wallner, Magnet’s owner. He was intimately involved in the design and execution of the project. “I wanted a serious, rugged, purpose-built vessel capable of reaching the remote, unspoiled destinations that you can’t get to with an airplane.” Furthermore, Wallner says, “Upon arrival, we can stay for extended periods, independently and comfortably, without reliance on a large crew.”
Avoiding the “fuss of yachting,” as CEO Chris Allard puts it, is what Metal Shark Yachts is all about. Additionally, the team wants to help owners “eliminate adherence to rigid itineraries, opening up new opportunities for exploration.” So, for instance, Magnet can cruise from New York to Miami in fewer than 48 hours, he says. “You can cross oceans at 17 knots, and you can comfortably enjoy long-range global travel without refueling concerns,” Allard continues. Specifically, Magnet has a reported 11,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots with 2,600-hp MTUs. They’re further Tier III compliant—a regulation that will apply to new builds of her size starting in 2021.
“It is very rewarding to finally experience Magnet underway,” Wallner says. She reportedly topped out at 27 knots during sea trials. “So far, I have been most impressed by this vessel’s stability, even at speed in heavy seas,” Wallner adds.
Wallner also worked closely with Metal Shark to create comfortable working and relaxation areas onboard. An entrepreneur, he plans to do product development and testing on the yacht. However, he also plans to travel with friends and family, with three guest staterooms and a VIP complementing the master suite. The large ports practically bring the global destinations inside. Since the twin hulls house refrigerated stowage, a wine cellar, a workshop, and the crew area, the upper decks are for Wallner and guests to use for lounges, dining, and alfresco enjoyment. Finally, toys stow, launch, and retrieve from a submersible stern platform and a deck crane.
Besides Magnet, Metal Shark is offering a similar-size M48 model, with 4,230 square feet (393 square meters) of customizable space. Furthermore, it has an M30 and M70. The former is a 100-footer (30-meter), while the latter is a 231-footer (70-meter). They share the same philosophy as Magnet. “While they are expedition yachts by definition, we focused on capability instead of trying to reach new levels of haute couture interior design,” explains Allard. Billy Smith, the builder’s key account manager (and former co-owner of Trinity Yachts), adds, “Metal Shark’s entry into the yacht market presents owners in the United States with a tremendous opportunity to have their yacht built at a U.S. shipyard by a builder with an extensively proven track record.”
Incat Crowther incatcrowther.com
Metal Shark Yachts metalsharkyachts.com
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