Veecraft Marine

14m Marine Environmental Tourist Catamaran

14m Environmental Tourism Catamaran
Actually, It's a shark cage dive catamaran!!
The popularity of this vessel at Gansbaai in the Southern Cape is amazing.
You don't have to dive if you don't want to.


This is one of the frames being built.	Here we have the transom & four completed.

How is your side? My side is on the line. Are you sure?	Down a little on the starboard. That's great, keep it there.

That's frames 2 & 3. Let's have tea. The chaps have done a great job. I do believe that they have earned their tea.	I must say that Veecraft Marine go the great lengths to get things right. The cut plates even come with instructions printed on them.

Looking towards the bow on the tunnel.	And this is sort of where the deck will be.


She sure has a lot of ribs. But then she is a cat after all.	She hardly look like the same boat from this angle. They will start with the stringers soon.

This is sort of artistic. These are the bow frames.	The stringers are being fitted. The skins? Well that will come in a week or two.

One of the frames in the bow deck area.	She is still upside down. So the deck is below.

Welding all these frames up take a lot of time	More of the frames still being fabricated.

Clive and the team working on the bow.	She sure has a large entrance to the tunnel.


Wow! Look at her now. We can't wait to get the plates on so that we can get her rolled over.	She has loads of plates but most of them have ring frames, which make them lighter and much stronger.

She looks bit like a spaceship from star wars.	The stringers on this slide are almost complete and there is lots more going on in other areas.

The first plate is being tacked into place. It's always the next big step a build.	They have also got the rubbing strakes on both sides and plates on both sides now.

This is only a half a day later and they have four more sheets and the bow tube in place.	As you can see that it's not an easy job but the Veecraft Marine team just seem to enjoy it.


Each one of the plates is checked for fit prior to being welded into place. It takes time but the result will be that the owner and Veecraft Marine will be very proud of her when she is complete.	One of the artisans is making a template. She is going to have great lines to impress all the passengers. All the tourists at Gansbaai will just have to take a ride on her to see the whales, birds and the sharks.

Hello? What's going on here?	Are you sure that this side is done?

She looks great this side up. Neat slender keels. This is what the sharks will see.	Steady now chaps! She has loads of frames and bulkheads that make her really strong.

Slowly. More this way. Hold the bow.	Easy does it.


Out of the way. Here she comes.	The two cranes working together.

This is what the she looks like the right way up.	Well done chaps!!. Let's get building now.

This is a really sturdy transome.	She is starting to look sleek.

Uncle Clive is checking the bow to see where the next plates will fit on the upper bow area.	They will be cladding the foredeck soon. It is going to look great when completed.

This is looking over the starboard hull towards a central bulkhead, which runs from the bow to the wheelhouse bulkhead.	And this is under the foredeck. See the mouse holes? Not for real mice! It's to avoid stress.


Two Suzuki 300hp V6 outboards go here. And two more will grace the port hull. Well, it's 14m in length & 5.8m wide.	This is the aft port hull below decks. Some really neat workmanship. The square verticals will be removed later.

This is where brave people will change into wetsuits before getting into the sea with.........	Sharks and other beasties!!?? This is the other WC and change room.

The wheelhouse and fly-bridge are taking shape.	The sharp edges have been rounded off by welding tubing on the edges.

She has an aggressive attitude from this angle.	It's all coming together.

Veecraft's Ricardo Stout and Cameron Meiklejohn student from Westlake Boat Building Academe doing his practical training with us.	If I was a shark and saw this coming my way I would do some deep diving exercises.


Tourists and divers will sit along this raised section.	This area will be used by divers to suit up and have a shower after their dive.

The crew are fitting all the stainless steel rails.	Masking off before adding some some colour.

She sure is looking rather grand now.	She will be shipping out in a week or two.


We have a little colour. Why these colours? It could be the local rugby team colours.	She will be taking to the sea in a week or two. We will cover that great event. Watch this space!!

She has a name! Slashfin.	Slashfin takes a bow.

Entrance to the change rooms & helm.	Neatly curved bow-rail and seating.

The helm position up above.	If I say so myself. What a neat boat.

Take the side out of the building and off she goes.	Then we zip down to the harbour.

Swing it over the water.	Pop it into the water. Well done chaps!!
Sea Trials will start on Monday.	A Great Success....
Oh, my word!!! The Shark Boat is amazing!!	It is Fast and the handling. Amazing!!

Gansbaai where a crowd eagerly awaits her.	Since her launch she has been wowing the crowds.

Locals visit her and are amazed at the quality finish and performance.	Hello!! Here's looking at you buddy!

Theme by SLDesigns | Hosted by SLDesigns

All images and literary content contained on this website are copyright protected. No part of the images or literary content of this website may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the owner's permission. Any unauthorized reproduction of the images or literary content will constitute a copyright infringement and render the doer liable under both civil and criminal law.

Mambo is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.