Evening Star Catamaran Launch | DuFLEX Panels & ATL Composites Power Custom Schionning Build

Star Power: Owner-Builder Catamaran Showcases Strength of Composite Construction

Evening Star shines as testament to owner-builder collaboration and the reliability of composite construction.

Custom Schionning Solitaire 1520 Catamaran Launched on the Coomera River

Taking her first plunge into the Coomera River, the customised Schionning Solitaire 1520 cruising catamaran christened Evening Star, farewelled the team from Mahi Boats and set off on her maiden voyage to her home port of Batemans Bay.

Mahi Boats Delivers High-Performance Bluewater Cruising Catamaran

Mahi Boats Director, Dan Williams described the moment as “a bit surreal actually”, and one of celebration, relief and pride.

“It has been a major project over the past two-a-bit-years, a labour of love for the owners, and they are very excited about the adventures ahead.”

Schionning Design: Lightweight, High-Strength Performance for Global Cruising

The 50-foot (15.3-metre) sailing multihull was built on the Schionning Solitaire 1520 platform – a proven bluewater cruiser capable of sailing the world with high mileage daily runs in comfort and safety with minimal slamming.

The powerful cat was customised from the hull up, including the layout and electronics on board to suit their two-handed global cruising aspirations.

Advanced Marine Technology: Hybrid Propulsion and Solar Integration

Inside, the ceiling heights were raised and additional storage space added wherever possible.

Along with a 2000W solar panel array on the hardtop, the vessel is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system, with a Yanmar 110hp on the port side and a pair of E-Combi 25kW electric motors in each hull powering Brunton auto pitch propellers.

Why Composite Construction Outperforms Traditional Boat Building

The Schionning design offers similar internal space to a similarly sized production boat, but is far lighter, stiffer and stronger with better waterline beam values and higher power to weight ratio.

DuFLEX Panels by ATL Composites Enable Faster, Lighter Boat Builds

Key to keeping the weight down and aiding the tight construction schedule was the use of DuFLEX panels from ATL Composites, as specified by Schionning Designs.

“There are many benefits of using DuFLEX panels,” Dan states. “They are easily assembled, CNC-cut, pre-laminated panels that enable fast construction.

“They’re easy to join using ATL’s Z-Press which applies heat and pressure to cure the epoxy adhesive on the Z-Joints. Joins are fully cured in seven to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature.”

ATL Composites – Engineering Beyond Conventional Limits

ATL Composites develops high-performance composite materials engineered for demanding environments.

By combining advanced epoxy chemistry, materials formulation expertise, composite engineering knowledge, and specialised manufacturing capability, ATL works with engineers and innovators to develop materials capable of performing in some of the most challenging environments on Earth.

From marine and subsea engineering to aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing, ATL partners with organisations pushing the limits of engineering and exploration.

Because innovation does not begin with asking:

“What products already exist?”

It begins with asking:

“What material needs to be engineered to make this possible?”

ATL Composites Materials Used in the Evening Star Build

ATL also supplied Divinycell Structural Foam, KINETIX R246TX Thixotropic Laminating Epoxy, WEST SYSTEM 105 resin and associated hardeners and powder modifiers, TECHINGLUE R60 Structural Adhesive in easily dispensed cartridge form, and TECHINIFILL R1160 pre-blended Fairing Compound.

“The team at ATL is always on hand for any questions and their products are so reliable,” Dan state

Taking to the helm for the first time, Evening Star’s owners were beaming with elation and eager to explore. They were involved during the build and worked closely with Dan and his specialist team on modifications throughout the process.

Their praise for Mahi Boats and their beautiful cruising cat indicates their satisfaction.

“I can’t begin to thank you enough for how patient and accommodating you have been in turning our dream into reality. You’ve made having a boat built an exciting and enjoyable experience for us and made us feel a real part of the process too, from asking for our choices on large systems down to small details.

“We have loved coming to visit the boat regularly. Each time we have arrived the whole team have made us feel so welcome. The excitement they have in showing us the latest thing that’s been built is infectious and the pride in the standard of work is something that I think really makes Mahi boats stand out as a company.

“Dan, you have every right to be proud of what you’ve built here, the boats will come and go out of this shed, but the people and values which these dreams are built on, are a rock-solid foundation.”

Owner-Builder Collaboration Drives Custom Catamaran Success

Builder Insight: Craftsmanship, Innovation and Pride in Composite Boat Building

A justifiably proud Dan couldn’t be happier. “Owners loving their boat and enjoying the construction journey makes the late nights problem-solving and striving for perfection all worthwhile.”