Puget Sound Express Saratoga

All American Marine, Inc. and the Hanke family of Puget Sound Express are pleased to introduce the Saratoga, the newest member of the PSE whale watching fleet. The 73-foot, aluminum catamaran vessel was designed by Nic De Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand and built by All American Marine in Bellingham, WA. The "USCG Subchapter T" certified, high-speed catamaran has 2 asymmetrical semi-planing hulls, and an adjustable aluminum midship hydrofoil plus two aluminum aft foils, which allow the boat to achieve top speeds of 40+ knots. This design, coupled with finely-tuned, wave-piercing sickle bows, enables the boat to travel through both calm and rough water at full cruising speed while keeping underwater noise to a minimum. The Saratoga was designed from top to bottom for low fuel consumption at high speeds, a critical factor to the success of the daily whale watch tours originating out of Edmonds. The vessel also utilizes Hamilton Jet Drive control systems with four HJ364 water jets and MECS control systems, which are second to none in terms of maneuverability as well as fuel efficiency at higher speeds. "During sea trials, we went out with a specifically fully laden vessel, and the difference in terms of fuel consumption between light laden and fully laden was almost negligible" said De Waal. "We've done many years of research to develop a vessel design that's particularly low-wake, due in large part to our unique hydrofoil system that doesn't displace as much water and create waves as is the case with traditional hull design."