GHI Yachts

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GHI Yachts - KSS 70

GENERAL PARAMETERS

Length: 21.2m
Beam: 10.6m
Draft: 1.5m
Sail Area: 205.5sqm
Accommodation: 10
Engines: Inboard 2x240hp

At 70 ft. LOA and 32 ft beam, is not the largest Kelsall and she is not the fastest. She is the most luxuriously appointed and she promises to be the easiest and least effort to handle for the small crew planned.

She is designed for comfort and for safety. A yacht to take family and friends anywhere in the world. As with all designs, performance is a consideration but in this case it was never a very high priority. Standard of finish is excellent through-out. The specification is comprehensive and best quality all the way.

The first impression is of luxurious space. The cockpit area is vast, in both area and headroom. The saloon likewise, with galley, navigation area, dining and lounging spaces. Window mullions provide an unrestricted view all round. A 42 inch TV screen sits over the galley counter, which can display all of the navigation data. The nav station is particularly impressive, with instruments, screens and radios on three sides. A lot of the time, the boats progress will be monitored from this chair.

LIGHT AIR SAILING.

So far, she has only been sailed in light winds - where she performs well and tacks without hesitation. Typically sailing at 3-4 kts in 6-8 kts of wind speed. With a little more wind but with reefed main, while sorting the in-boom furler, we saw 9-10 kts. in 16-18 kts of wind. The control under power is as expected with twin 240 hp., with their four bladed folding props. A single engine gives 9 kts., at a comfortable 2,400 revs. Both engines at 2,400 revs gives just short of 12 kts. The range under power is about 1,500 nautical miles. Latest reports: in true wind of 15 knots, with 20 knots gusts and 1st reef, it was recorded a speed close to 11 knots.

HANDLING SAILS

Ease of handling for a small crew has been achieved by the use of in boom mainsail furling, furling self tacking headsail and by bringing the appropriate controls back to the helm station, to a bank of three electric winches. There are three other items, hydraulically operated - the main sheet traveler, the boom vang and the in boom reefing. The hydraulic main sheet traveler control, a reverse 4:1 block system, is particularly effective. The tiny lever beside the helm, moves the traveler from one end of the track to the other with ease. With the exception of the asymmetric sheet, all sail controls are power controlled.

The 6 lines, each with stopper, that come back to the helm are the main (two part) halyard, the main sheet, topping lift, headsail sheet and furling lines, and spi halyard. Raising and lowering the main and controlling main are all done from the bank of winches. Similarly unfurling and controlling the self tacking headsail. Having the spi halyard in the same position allows one other to work on the foredeck and helmsman can step to the winches on the saloon side to operate sheets.

These lines go under the deck beside the foot of the mast and down to a set of turning blocks set in the bridge-deck. A housing for each line goes back to another set of turning blocks, from where the lines pass through jammers and to the winches on the bulkhead. This far, we see no potential problems with this neat arrangement, which keeps all the lines away from anyone on deck.

The fully battened mainsail stows into a Leisure furl boom at the push of a button, while the halyard is controlled out and the hydraulic vang controls the boom angle. After initial adjustments, this is working fine.

Just the three powered winches work well in this configuration, using one of the two anchor windlasses to snub the roller furler halyard.

RIG.

The standard fully battened main, small jib is supported by forestay and shrouds angled aft. The owners choice was for a rig without runners. I make no secret of my preference for runners for this type of cruising craft and my arguments can be read elsewhere. The forward nacelle provides cantilever support for the forestay chainplate and the asymmetric tack, eliminating the need for a bridle, seagull striker etc.

THE HULL ACCOMMODATION.

The hulls house two identical owners cabins aft. Walk round double berths have been achieved by the use of a step in the hull - to give the width for 2m bunk athwartship and room to walk round. A TV screen folds down from the deck head over each berth. The large window in the hull provides an ever moving picture right from the bed.

There is plenty of room in each of the guest cabins, with berths on the bridge-deck forward of the saloon. A skippers cabin is forward on the starboard side.

UNIQUE FEATURES

Line stowage. Coiling lines is a pain, particularly at this size. Compartments have been made in the helm base for each line. The more flexible lines fall from the winch directly into the appropriate compartment. The stiffer halyards do need a bit more guidance but it does leave a neat helm station when all are stowed away.
Steps pull out of the hull side at the transom. When the regular ladder steps are not set up or when mooring the boat, this makes a good step from boat to marina.

STEERING

The one item which takes a little getting used to is the steering. All the hydraulic suppliers consulted recommended systems with 6+ turns, lock to lock. This could be hard work in difficult down wind conditions, but I also expect that the autopilot will cope very well indeed. So far, we have found that she just stays on track. With helm central, it is possible to walk away from the wheel for several minutes without, engaging the autopilot.

ANCHOR SYSTEM

Twin anchors self stow just aft of the foreward beam. The chains self stow into own compartments in the nacelle. A convenient, straightforward system with electric windlasses. A nylon anchor bridle is attached to the chain when needed, to each side of the forward beam.

DESIRABLE FEATURES

The lack of the usual clutter and danger of lines around the deck.
The lack of the usual scatter of winches around the catamaran.
The hydraulic control for the mainsheet traveler.
The nicely protected helm and the view from the wheel.

GHI Yachts - KSS 70





GENERAL PARAMETERS Length: 21.2m Beam: 10.6m Draft: 1.5m Sail Area: 205.5sqm Accommodation: 10 Engines: Inboard 2x240hp	At 70 ft. LOA and 32 ft beam, is not the largest Kelsall and she is not the fastest. She is the most luxuriously appointed and she promises to be the easiest and least effort to handle for the small crew planned. She is designed for comfort and for safety. A yacht to take family and friends anywhere in the world. As with all designs, performance is a consideration but in this case it was never a very high priority. Standard of finish is excellent through-out. The specification is comprehensive and best quality all the way. The first impression is of luxurious space. The cockpit area is vast, in both area and headroom. The saloon likewise, with galley, navigation area, dining and lounging spaces. Window mullions provide an unrestricted view all round. A 42 inch TV screen sits over the galley counter, which can display all of the navigation data. The nav station is particularly impressive, with instruments, screens and radios on three sides. A lot of the time, the boats progress will be monitored from this chair. LIGHT AIR SAILING. So far, she has only been sailed in light winds - where she performs well and tacks without hesitation. Typically sailing at 3-4 kts in 6-8 kts of wind speed. With a little more wind but with reefed main, while sorting the in-boom furler, we saw 9-10 kts. in 16-18 kts of wind. The control under power is as expected with twin 240 hp., with their four bladed folding props. A single engine gives 9 kts., at a comfortable 2,400 revs. Both engines at 2,400 revs gives just short of 12 kts. The range under power is about 1,500 nautical miles. Latest reports: in true wind of 15 knots, with 20 knots gusts and 1st reef, it was recorded a speed close to 11 knots. HANDLING SAILS Ease of handling for a small crew has been achieved by the use of in boom mainsail furling, furling self tacking headsail and by bringing the appropriate controls back to the helm station, to a bank of three electric winches. There are three other items, hydraulically operated - the main sheet traveler, the boom vang and the in boom reefing. The hydraulic main sheet traveler control, a reverse 4:1 block system, is particularly effective. The tiny lever beside the helm, moves the traveler from one end of the track to the other with ease. With the exception of the asymmetric sheet, all sail controls are power controlled. The 6 lines, each with stopper, that come back to the helm are the main (two part) halyard, the main sheet, topping lift, headsail sheet and furling lines, and spi halyard. Raising and lowering the main and controlling main are all done from the bank of winches. Similarly unfurling and controlling the self tacking headsail. Having the spi halyard in the same position allows one other to work on the foredeck and helmsman can step to the winches on the saloon side to operate sheets. These lines go under the deck beside the foot of the mast and down to a set of turning blocks set in the bridge-deck. A housing for each line goes back to another set of turning blocks, from where the lines pass through jammers and to the winches on the bulkhead. This far, we see no potential problems with this neat arrangement, which keeps all the lines away from anyone on deck. The fully battened mainsail stows into a Leisure furl boom at the push of a button, while the halyard is controlled out and the hydraulic vang controls the boom angle. After initial adjustments, this is working fine. Just the three powered winches work well in this configuration, using one of the two anchor windlasses to snub the roller furler halyard. RIG. The standard fully battened main, small jib is supported by forestay and shrouds angled aft. The owners choice was for a rig without runners. I make no secret of my preference for runners for this type of cruising craft and my arguments can be read elsewhere. The forward nacelle provides cantilever support for the forestay chainplate and the asymmetric tack, eliminating the need for a bridle, seagull striker etc. THE HULL ACCOMMODATION. The hulls house two identical owners cabins aft. Walk round double berths have been achieved by the use of a step in the hull - to give the width for 2m bunk athwartship and room to walk round. A TV screen folds down from the deck head over each berth. The large window in the hull provides an ever moving picture right from the bed. There is plenty of room in each of the guest cabins, with berths on the bridge-deck forward of the saloon. A skippers cabin is forward on the starboard side. UNIQUE FEATURES Line stowage. Coiling lines is a pain, particularly at this size. Compartments have been made in the helm base for each line. The more flexible lines fall from the winch directly into the appropriate compartment. The stiffer halyards do need a bit more guidance but it does leave a neat helm station when all are stowed away. Steps pull out of the hull side at the transom. When the regular ladder steps are not set up or when mooring the boat, this makes a good step from boat to marina. STEERING The one item which takes a little getting used to is the steering. All the hydraulic suppliers consulted recommended systems with 6+ turns, lock to lock. This could be hard work in difficult down wind conditions, but I also expect that the autopilot will cope very well indeed. So far, we have found that she just stays on track. With helm central, it is possible to walk away from the wheel for several minutes without, engaging the autopilot. ANCHOR SYSTEM Twin anchors self stow just aft of the foreward beam. The chains self stow into own compartments in the nacelle. A convenient, straightforward system with electric windlasses. A nylon anchor bridle is attached to the chain when needed, to each side of the forward beam. DESIRABLE FEATURES The lack of the usual clutter and danger of lines around the deck. The lack of the usual scatter of winches around the catamaran. The hydraulic control for the mainsheet traveler. The nicely protected helm and the view from the wheel.