Welcome to The Build Journal – practical advice for every stage of building, customising, and owning a power catamaran, drawn from our own build floor, the owners already out on the water, and the suppliers we trust. Browse what’s live below. Everything else is on the way – click any topic to let us know you want it, and we’ll bump it to the top of the list. Ask for one, and you’ll get a mention when it goes live.
Planning Your Power Catamaran Build
- How to Choose the Right Power Catamaran for Your Lifestyle – read now
- Power Cat vs Monohull: Why Go Twin-Hull? – read now
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Custom Build – read now
- Questions to Ask Before Starting a Custom Power Cat Build – coming soon
- Defining Your Budget for a Custom Power Catamaran – coming soon
- When to Involve a Marine Surveyor in Your Build – coming soon
- What Makes a Catamaran “Custom”? – coming soon
- How Long Does It Really Take to Build a Power Catamaran? – coming soon
- Understanding Design Options and Limitations – coming soon
- How to Build a Catamaran for Resale Value – coming soon
Working with Designers and Builders
- How to Choose the Right Catamaran Builder – coming soon
- What to Expect in the First Design Consultation – coming soon
- Touring a Shipyard: What to Look For – coming soon
- How to Negotiate Your Custom Build Contract – coming soon
- Key Questions to Ask Your Marine Architect – coming soon
- Understanding the Builder’s Spec Sheet – coming soon
- How Builders Handle Change Requests During Construction – coming soon
- Transparency and Communication with Your Build Team – coming soon
- The Role of Project Managers in Custom Cat Builds – coming soon
- Red Flags to Watch for in a Custom Catamaran Builder – coming soon
Inside the Build – V930 Series 2 Grand Sport
This is a live build diary for the V930 Series 2 Grand Sport currently under construction in our shed at Pacific Point Marina, Steiglitz. We’re documenting each stage as it happens – what goes in, why it goes in, and what it means for the finished vessel.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand what actually happens between a bare fibreglass hull and a finished offshore catamaran, this is where you’ll find out.
And if you’re thinking about a V930 – the fitout on this build hasn’t started yet. There’s still real opportunity to shape this one around how you use the water.
Find out more about this build →
- What Are Bulkheads & Why Do They Matter – read now
- Joining the Hull and Deck – coming soon
- Fitout Begins – coming soon
- [More to follow as the build progresses]
Powering Your Catamaran
- Choosing the Right Engines for Your Cruising Style – read now
- Outboards vs Inboards on a Power Cat – coming soon
- How Much Power Does Your Cat Actually Need? – coming soon
- Mechanical vs Fly-by-Wire: Engine Controls Explained – coming soon
- Counter-Rotating Propellers: The Small Detail That Changes Everything – coming soon
- From Cable Steering to Joystick Docking: The Full Ladder – coming soon
- Helm Master vs a Trolling Motor: Why Serious Boats Carry Both – coming soon
- How to Configure a Fuel-Efficient Propulsion System – coming soon
- What’s Actually in an Engine Quote: Legs, Props, Rigging and Colours – coming soon
- Engine Warranties and the 20-Hour Service: The After-Sale Story – coming soon
Choosing Your Layout and Interior
- Galley In or Out? Choosing the Best Layout for You – coming soon
- Designing a Catamaran for Family and Extended Trips – coming soon
- Forward Cockpit or Traditional? Pros and Cons – coming soon
- Best Cabin Configurations for Family and Crew – coming soon
- Choosing Materials for Marine Durability – coming soon
- Storage Solutions That Make a Big Difference – coming soon
- Designing a Kid-Friendly Catamaran – coming soon
- Worthwhile Upgrades for the Interior – coming soon
- How to Maximise Natural Light and Ventilation – coming soon
- Soundproofing and Privacy Tips for a Peaceful Trip – coming soon
Customising the Deck and Cockpit
- Designing Your Perfect Helm Station – coming soon
- Choosing Between Hardtop, Bimini, or Soft Canopy – coming soon
- Best Deck Layouts for Easy Handling – coming soon
- How to Set Up Your Cockpit for Entertaining – coming soon
- Folding or Fixed Tables? What’s Best at Sea? – coming soon
- Where to Place the Grill or Outdoor Galley – coming soon
- Bow Lounging Spaces Worth Considering – coming soon
- Integrated Davits and Dinghy Storage Options – coming soon
- What to Consider for Safety Railings and Handholds – coming soon
- LED Lighting for Deck Ambience and Safety – coming soon
Selecting Systems and Equipment
- Battery Systems: Lithium vs AGM – coming soon
- Watermakers: Do You Really Need One? – coming soon
- Solar Panel Options for Modern Catamarans – coming soon
- Marine Air Conditioning: When and What to Install – coming soon
- Keeping the Catch Cold: Kill Tanks, Ice and Refrigeration – coming soon
- Staying Connected at Sea – coming soon
- Choosing the Right Generator for Your Needs – coming soon
- Must-Have Navigation Tech for Offshore Cruising – coming soon
- Setting Up Smart Monitoring Systems on Board – coming soon
- Night Vision Cameras: Running Home After Dark – coming soon
Power Catamaran Performance, Handling and Efficiency
- Why Voyager Is Your Power Cat: 25 Years of Hull Refinement – coming soon
- Understanding Hull Shape and Its Impact on Ride and Speed – coming soon
- Why Power Catamarans Handle Better at Rest – coming soon
- Twin-Engine Manoeuvrability: At the Dock and Offshore – coming soon
- Balancing Performance and Comfort in a Custom Build – coming soon
- How Hull Design Affects Fuel Efficiency – coming soon
- Planing vs Displacement: What It Means for Your Power Cat – coming soon
- AMSA Survey Standard and What It Means for Performance and Safety – coming soon
- Twin Engines vs Single: Redundancy and Handling Trade-offs – coming soon
- What “Dry Offshore” Actually Means and Why It Matters – coming soon
Legal, Insurance, Survey and Registration
A note on this category: these posts share general things to think about, not professional legal, tax, or insurance advice. Requirements vary by destination and change over time, so always check the specifics with a maritime lawyer, accountant, or insurer for your situation.
- How to Register a Custom-Built Catamaran – coming soon
- Understanding Marine Insurance for New Builds – coming soon
- What’s Covered Under a Builder’s Warranty? – coming soon
- How to Handle Delivery and Title Transfer – coming soon
- Survey Requirements for Financing a New Build – coming soon
- What to Know Before Importing an Australian-Built Catamaran – coming soon
- Registering Your Catamaran Overseas: Things to Consider – coming soon
- Duties, Taxes and Import Costs: What Overseas Buyers Should Budget For – coming soon
- Insuring Your Catamaran for International Cruising – coming soon
- Documentation for Importing and Cruising Your New Catamaran Internationally – coming soon
Launch, Handover and Sea Trials
- What to Expect During the Launch Process – coming soon
- How to Prepare for Your First Sea Trial – coming soon
- Final Handover Checklist for Your New Catamaran – coming soon
- Common Post-Launch Adjustments and Fixes – coming soon
- Who Should Be at Your Sea Trial? – coming soon
- Top Things Owners Wish They’d Tested Before Handover – coming soon
- Managing Punch Lists and Builder Follow-ups – coming soon
- Documentation to Collect at Handover – coming soon
- Commissioning Your Boat: What It Means and Why It Matters – coming soon
- Scheduling Time for Training and Familiarisation – coming soon
Cruising and Fishing on Your New Build
- Provisioning for a Multi-Day Fishing Trip – coming soon
- First-Year Lessons from Cruising and Fishing Your New Cat – coming soon
- Finding the Right Marina for Your Cat – coming soon
- Smart Upgrades After Your First Season – coming soon
- How to Set Up Your Galley for Real Cooking – coming soon
- Making the Most of a Long Weekend Aboard – coming soon
- Weather and Tide Planning for Cruising and Fishing – coming soon
- Maintaining Comfort in Hot and Cold Climates – coming soon
- Gear and Tackle Storage Hacks for Extended Trips – coming soon
- Preparing Your Catamaran for an Extended Trip – coming soon
Refits, Repairs and Maintenance
- Repowering Your Power Catamaran: What to Consider – coming soon
- Refit or Replace? Deciding the Right Move for an Ageing Boat – coming soon
- Signs Your Hull or Structure Needs Attention – coming soon
- Budgeting for a Refit: What It Really Costs – coming soon
- Upgrading Older Boats with Modern Electronics – coming soon
- Refitting for AMSA Survey Renewal – coming soon
- Seasonal Maintenance: A Simple Program That Works – coming soon
- Cosmetic Refit vs Structural Refit: Knowing the Difference – coming soon
- Common Repairs After Years of Hard Offshore Use – coming soon
- When to Call in the Professionals vs DIY Maintenance – coming soon
Owner Stories and Case Studies
This category is for all the power cat owners out there. Tell us what you think, share your experience, and we’ll publish it as your story. If writing isn’t your thing, just send us the gist and we’ll write it up for you. Got something useful for a different post instead, like how you’ve set up your cockpit or what you’ve added since taking delivery? That counts too, just let us know which topic it’s for.
- Why We Built Our Own Catamaran: A Real Owner’s Story – tell us your story
- From Concept to Launch: Documenting Our Build Journey – share yours with us
- Lessons Learned After One Year Owning Our Custom Cat – what were your lessons?
- 5 Things We’d Do Differently Next Time – what would you change?
- Why We Chose a Custom Build Over a Production Boat – we’d love to know why you did!
- Our Favourite Features on Our Custom Catamaran – what do you love?
- How We Managed Our Build From a Distance – share this with us
- Budget Breakdown: What It Really Cost to Build Our Cat – help new owners learn, let us know your experience
- Photos and Videos from Our First Season Afloat – send them in, we’d love to see and share them
- What Surprised Us Most About Building a Catamaran – can’t wait to hear this!
About Voyager
The last one is a bit about us – who are are, where we work and what we do.
Got a question we haven’t covered? Ask us directly – we read every one, and yours might just become our next post.