Built for Battle
Safehaven Marine earned a sterling reputation in commercial sectors with rugged, seaworthy vessels designed to be operated in the most challenging environments. With the introduction of the T-2000 Voyager, the Ireland-based boatbuilding outfit brings its expertise to the recreational market. The 70-foot catamaran blends a striking design with serious speed and range for bluewater cruising.
Founded in 1998 by Frank Kowalski, Safehaven Marine was influenced by his years of experience as a commercial skipper navigating Cork Harbor’s challenging waters. His understanding of the demanding conditions vessels must endure informed every aspect of Safehaven Marine’s designs, emphasizing durability, safety and reliability.
Over the years, Safehaven Marine has expanded its range of vessels to include monohulls, catamarans and wave-piercing, high-speed military interceptors. In 2017, its XSV 17 wave-piercer Thunder Child set a record for the fastest circumnavigation of Ireland and Rockall by a diesel-powered boat over 50 feet. In 2020, the yard’s XSV 20 Thunder Child II set multiple records, including a near-1,000-nautical-mile voyage across the North Atlantic from Ireland to Iceland at an average speed of 30 knots, later crossing the Arctic Circle.
At its core, the T-2000 Voyager is an evolution of these record-holders. It’s a refined long-range explorer catamaran with a CE Class A-rating for extended ocean voyages.
The cat’s symmetrical, semi-wave-piercing hulls enhance hydrodynamic performance and minimize resistance. The hulls are designed to endure winds up to 55 knots, with seas cresting over 40 feet. They incorporate inverted bows with a high bridge deck clearance to minimize slamming. The structure has 30-mm cored vinylester E-glass topsides with a solid laminate hull bottom reinforced with carbon fiber to withstand impacts.
Her hulls are also equipped with hydrofoils that automatically engage above 20 knots, reducing drag up to 25 percent, according to Kowalski. This significantly improves fuel efficiency and contributes to a smoother and more stable ride, even in turbulent seas. As a design flourish, a glass floor section in the master stateroom provides passengers with a view of the hydrofoil in action.
Propulsion is twin 1,550-hp MANs mated to France Helices surface drives. During my time aboard Hull No. 1, wind speeds exceeded 24 knots, and moderate seas created whitecaps around the harbor entrance. We punched through effortlessly. The hull lifted out of the sea, minimizing drag and allowing us to skim over the waves with stability and control.
At the helm, the T-2000 was remarkably responsive, leaping to 20 knots within seconds and pushing beyond 40 knots with ease. The vented propellers provided seamless acceleration and maintained grip in the water, even as we approached speeds of 50 knots. At 50.3 knots, the ride remained astonishingly smooth, and the steering required only minor adjustments to keep a steady course.
The engines burned 34 gallons of fuel per hour at 30 knots, giving her a range of 1,164 nautical miles at that speed. The builder estimates a range of 2,800 nm at 8 knots. They’d be comfortable miles, too, with the helmsman and navigator in Grammer suspension seating.
Coming back into port, Kowalski used the twin bow and stern thrusters (in each pontoon) to make heading adjustments under building winds. He said customization options for this vessel include layouts, power packages such as Volvo IPS or waterjets, alternate dinghy and toy stowage, and davits. Another notable option is larger fuel tanks, increasing capacity from 1,320 gallons to 2,906 gallons.
Hull No. 1 has two en suite staterooms and crew quarters for two. The helm station is a study in modern maritime technology. There’s a centralized, sleek floating console equipped with a quartet of Garmin multifunction displays, and with FLIR thermal imaging in easy reach.
I also liked the salon layout with a U-shaped galley and a five-seat dinette that converts into sleeping space. For entertaining, there’s space on the foredeck, up on the flybridge and back in the cockpit, which leads to a hydraulic swim platform.
T-2000 Voyager Specifications:
LOA: 70ft. 2in.
Beam: 20ft. 6in.
Draft: 3ft. 10in.
Displacement: 71,650 lbs.
Fuel: 1,320 gal.
Water: 105 gal.
Engines: 2x 1,550-hp MAN V-12
Info: safehavenmarine.com
