A New Dimension in Coastal Cruising

Imagine a trip from Sydney to the Whitsunday in three to four days with just one fuel stop (1,000 litres total). Or around Australia in comfort - about 6,500 nautical miles - for a total fuel bill of less than $10,000. With good accommodation for four people this is the power boat that most sailing yachties have been waiting for. It's the coastal cruising boat that makes sense for our times.

• New Roger Hill offshore displacement design
• Comfortable accommodation for four
• Compact 10.65 metre (35 ft) nominal length
• Less than 12 metre overall length
• Spacious 4.7 metre beam
• Only 0.6 metre draft, 2.9 metre bridge clearance
• Cruise speed 8 to 16 knots, sprint speed 20 knots
• 1 litre per nautical mile - 600 mile range @ 12 knots
• 40 to 90HP outboards or inboard diesel engines
• Queensland survey for charter opportunities
• Built in Australia using resin infused molded construction

Freedom to Explore

The Argus E35 was conceived to explore coastal regions of Australia. With a vast array of reef, island, estuary and river destinations, she's at home in any environment. Providing comfortable live aboard accommodation for up to four people, the E35 is extremely spacious for two. Roger Hills' evolutionary displacement catamaran design fine tunes a boat with acknowledged outstanding performance for the Australian environment.

At 10.2 metre waterline length, the displacement hull technology provides an extraordinary smooth ride. Even in the type of rough conditions like the infamous Moreton Bay chop a tunnel clearance of 0.7 metres means that most waves will simply pass under. The bow with narrow hulls and a deep forefoot rises slowly to the chop so the boat slices through the waves rather than bouncing over them. A large reserve buoyancy in the asymmetrical bow cuts in to carry the boat over the bigger stuff. The occasional high standing wave is softened by the new wave breaker nacelle. This means that the boat can maintain a substantial cruising speed when caught out in nasty conditions. By increasing crew comfort and maintaining a higher cruise speed, the ability to weather the unexpected is an important dynamic safety feature.

With a draft of only 600 millimeters shallow water access couldn't be easier. The catamaran hull ensures a level platform for drying out on sandy tidal flats. The sedan version has an above waterline clearance of 2.9 metres which means that the majority of canal and river bridges can be undertaken without waiting for low tide. The capability of exploring river systems dramatically expands waterway access and anchorage opportunities.

Environment Friendly

A cruise speed range of 8 to 16 knots gives incredible flexibility in range and time to destination. At 12 knots the fuel consumption of 1 litre per nautical mile gives a range approaching 600 miles in favorable sea conditions. A direct run from the Gold Coast to Sydney (400 nautical miles) or even Brisbane to Mackay (500 nautical mile) is now possible. And at current fuel prices of $1.30 per litre, the cost of a Brisbane to Mackay trip is less than $700.
Note: Speed and fuel consumption figures are projections based on two earlier designs - one with 60HP Yamaha engines and the other with Honda BF90 engines.

The original Outpost shows it's legs with only a pair of Yamaha 60HP outboards

The outstanding economy achieved by the design is evidenced by the minimum water disturbance. With less drag, a higher proportion of engine power goes into driving the boat forward rather than generating a huge wake. This means that lower horsepower engines can easily achieve the designed hull speed. It's good for the fellow boaters, it's great for the foreshore and the environment benefits by burning just enough fuel to get the job done.

Destination Comfort

The Argus E35 presents the unique combination of cruising ability for the voyage and outstanding comfort at anchor. The emphasis has been placed on live aboard comfort for fewer people rather than cramming additional sleeping cabins and heads.. But as an entertainment platform, the E35 is at ease to host your friends and fellow cruisers.

Two generous queen size sleeping cabins feature airy European slat bedding. A single head to starboard is spacious. The large galley has over two metres of bench space and is complete with gas cook top, convection microwave oven and refrigerator. The saloon will comfortably seat 8 people for a social get together and is extremely spacious for four. The aft deck is large with room for a table and chairs to seat 8 people.

Experience has proven that the right boat brings together all of the elements in a way that only feels better as time goes on. The Argus E35 is definitely a boat to experience.

Project Status

Construction of the mold tooling is well underway with the hull plug approaching completion (see Photo Gallery). Our first boat is staged for release at the 2010 Sanctuary Cove boat show. The best news is that we are now in a position to accept orders for the first boats to be delivered early 2010.

Argus E35 Brochure

Roger Hill Yacht Designs