A long ways from the lines of that 1964 built vessel, the new twin-rigger has an overall length of 24.50 m, a beam of 7.60m and a depth of 4.30 m. Based on a new hull design, which evolved from the yard’s previous 24.00m model and was developed to reduce resistance and thus improve fuel efficiency and running speed, CFD technology was used at the first stage to measure the resistance of the new hull against the previous design and to identify areas where further improvements could be made.

Following this, the hull was then faired by Macduff Ship Design who then used the virtual model to produce a detailed set of kit construction plans and assess the stability. The kit was then cut in house by Macduff Profilers, a division of the yard, and the vessel was fabricated, engineered and fully fit-out in the yard’s main building hall at Macduff, before carrying out sea trials in the Moray Firth.

Apart from the wheelhouse and masts, the hull is built completely from steel and features a double chine hull form, transom stern and soft nose bulbous bow which is faired gently into the main hull body. In terms of layout, below deck features the cabins, engine room, fish hold and a large freshwater tank forward of the collision bulkhead, while situated above deck are aft shelter, galley/mess and side passage area, fish processing area and then a winch room forward where three split winches are sited.

Fabricated by the yard themselves, the vessel’s bespoke deck machinery package comprises three split winches, two split net drums, two split sweep winches, two small gear handling winches and a dedicated anchor windlass. The hydraulic system was also designed and installed by the yard. A pull master Gilson winch was supplied by MacGregor Ltd along with the fishing crane and landing crane. Main hydraulic power is provided by a dedicated Caterpillar C12 engine, with secondary hydraulic power provided by two electric motors each with an output of 45 kW.

Based on a setup which has become quite common in Macduff’s recent build, the vessels propulsion package features a Caterpillar C32 main engine rated at 660 hp @ 1800 rpm coupled to a Masson Marine gearbox with a reduction ratio of 9.077:1, driving a 2500 mm diameter propeller fitted within a nozzle – both of which were supplied by Wartsila. Remaining stern gear elements were designed and manufactured by Macduff Engineering, a division of the yard, on CNC operated machines.

This is the fifth propulsion system of this design to be fitted by the yard and has been noted to perform very well, operating smoothly and quietly, while taking advantage of the C32 engine’s flexibility to extract full power whilst both steaming and trawling.

Two Beta Marine generators fitted are based on a Cummins 6BT5.9D2(M) engine with Mecc Alte alternators, each with an output of 81.6 kW. The electrical system onboard was designed and installed by R D Downie of Fraserburgh who installed the system to their usual high standard and built the switchboards in house. Wheelhouse electronics onboard were supplied by Woodsons of Fraserburgh.

With room for 700 boxes in the fishroom,  the refrigeration system and ice machine onboard were supplied by Premier Refrigeration. Two sets of scraper nets were supplied by Faithlie Trawls, with sweeps and chandlery supplied by Marine Co.

No rest for the Stevens, since arriving home, the new Crystal Sea, which has been insured by Sunderland Marine, has already started fishing off the south coast of England, targeting a mixture of whitefish which will be sold via Plymouth Trawler Agents.

The Skipper team would like to wish David, his sons, family and crew every success and safe fishing with the new Crystal Sea.