479 Mainship Model 2011

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

Mainship’s 45 Trawler is so popular that you probably can’t buy one, at least not in the U.S.: A company rep told us there was only one new 45T on the market, a 2009 model at a dealership in Grasonville, MD. And that one might be gone by now. While most boat builders today are struggling to sell their products, Mainship’s 2010 inventory of its $600,000 flagship is cleaned out. Why? What does this company have that others don’t? And why won’t you be able to buy a 45 Trawler next year, either?

Key Features

• Bimini top
• Bottom paint
• Central vacuum system
• Enclosure – 4 sided
• Swim platform with ladder
• Bose 3-2-1 stereo system with CD & DVD Player
• TV – 26″ flat panel
• Lower helm station with full instrumentation
• Center island queen-size berth with Innerspring mattress
• Quiet flush toilet with holding tank
• Corian counters
• Air conditioning with reverse cycle heat

There’s a lot of flying bridge area for a boat this size, nearly half the boat’s length. The white box aft, near the radar mast (standard) is an optional “Summer Galley,” an al fresco cooking station. Bimini and enclosure are standard.

Measure for Measure

This year’s Mainship 45 Trawler is next year’s Model 479 – same boat, different name. Why? The new moniker better describes the boat’s true overall length as measured not by naval architects or buyers, but by marina managers and boatyards who charge by the foot: The 45 Trawler is 47’9″ including swim platform and pulpit, and that’s the length you’ll pay for when you lease a slip for the summer. Mainship is renaming all its boats for 2011 to incorporate their overall length into their model designation.

Dad will feel right at home grilling steaks on the Magma grill included with the Summer Galley option. A refrigerator and sink are also included. Note there are three seats at the helm, the skipper’s on the centerline and a companion to port and starboard.

But what’s in a name? The 2011 479 Trawler will be the same boat as the 2010 45 Trawler, with the same long list of features and equipment that Mainship, a member of the Luhrs Marine Group, includes with all its boats. Equipping all its boats with similar gear lets Mainship take advantage of economies of scale in both purchase and installation – it’s more efficient to install systems like a central vacuum and A/C as standard items on every boat rather than as options on just some boats. The Mainship 45/479 comes complete with literally everything you need, right down to dock lines, fenders and a copy of Chapman Piloting and Seamanship. Bring clothes, food and fuel and you’re ready to go.

Base price for 2011 is $597,450 with twin 480-hp Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesels., according to a Mainship spokesperson. That’s less than last year – how does Mainship cut costs?

Construction
Twin Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesels, 480-hp each, are the 45/479’s standard power. In 2010, Cummins 580s were a $9,000 upgrade; we don’t know about 2011. And since we haven’t tested the boat, we can’t comment on speed. An earlier model-year 45T, with twin 440-hp Yanmars, ran in the low-20-knot range, according to published data. The boat is reportedly very efficient at displacement speeds; again, we can’t say for sure.

CNC-guided lasers cut the fiberglass fabric used to build the boats, ensuring minimal waste and easier fitting by the laminating crew. The lasers make this chore a job of minutes, rather than hours if done by hand. Letting machines, not hands, do as much work as possible saves a bundle in manufacturing costs, and makes the process a lot more efficient, too. Even the spray guns are computer-controlled; Mainship uses environmentally friendly low-styrene resins and blister-resistant gelcoats. Sub-assemblies that need finishing on both sides, e.g., hatch covers, are built in one piece by resin-transfer molding (RTM) in closed two-part molds. In days past, the inside and the outside of the hatch would be laid-up in open molds, then stuck together to create the finished piece – lots more time, effort and cost than RTM, and not as good a product.

Two cabins, two heads, galley down: No surprises in the 45/479 Trawler’s accommodations. The master head has a tub and shower. How about a twin-berth option in the guest cabin, better for the kids? We like the counter to port, opposite the lower helm.

Accommodations
Mainship takes the same care building its accommodations as it does its hulls and decks. Wood pieces are cut from large panels by yet another CNC router to ensure a perfect fit when installed by the joiner. Even the screw holes are pre-drilled on the router table. As much of the interior as possible is assembled outside the hull, then dropped into place with wiring and plumbing already installed.

Cherry joinery and light-colored overheads keep the saloon bright. We’re glad Mainship used a bench-style sofa rather than an L-shaped lounge; the latter would have taken too much room. Note the two-stool counter to port, ideal for snacks or breakfast, and its occupants can look down at the cook slaving in the galley.

A teak and holly sole is standard in the saloon and galley, optional elsewhere. Carpet is standard in the staterooms. For added sleeping capacity, the sofa in the saloon can be upgraded to a convertible.

We could cook here – well, if we could cook anywhere. But skilled chefs should be able to create culinary magic in the 45/479 Trawler’s well-equipped galley. Everything here is standard, but the electric oven can be replaced with a propane version. There are two freezer and two refrigerator drawers, and stowage under the sole.

The master stateroom is cherry all around, cabinetry and hullside ceilings. The berth has an innerspring mattress, not just a foam pad; there’s stowage under. A 20″ TV is optional here, and in the guest cabin; the package includes a DVD player and CD/stereo.

Extras
As mentioned earlier, everything you really need is included in the Mainship 45/479 Trawler’s base price; for 2011, that’s $597,450. There are a few options worth considering, as always. (We weren’t able to discover 2011 options prices; the numbers here are from 2010.) The Summer Galley on the flying bridge costs $3,607; that’s a no-brainer, since we’d spend most evenings up there. A washer/dryer adds $6,187; for that price, we’ll do our laundry at the marina. Add $7,500 for a bow thruster, $800 for the oil-change system – everybody should have one, so why not add it to the standard-equipment list, Mainship? Electronics at both helm stations, including radar and autopilot, will run around $21,000 if installed by Mainship, but maybe your local guy can make you a better deal.

The guest cabin comes with a double berth, which means someone has to sleep on the outside. Let’s hope he/she doesn’t have to get up too often in the night. We’d prefer twins here, but don’t ask us how we’d fit them in. The TV is optional, but we’d want it.

So the bottom line is, with options, shipping and commissioning, you’re looking at somewhere near $650,000 in the U.S. Buyers elsewhere, contact a dealer for hard numbers.

Recommendation
In this anemic economy, folks are still buying Mainships; as we said at the beginning, the whole 2010 production of 45 Trawlers for the U.S. has been sold. The 45/479 represents good value when it’s never been more important. No, it’s not a cheap boat, but every dollar you spend gets you something back. The folks who run Mainship, and all the companies in the Luhrs Marine Group, are as good as anyone at balancing cost and quality, and we think they ran the numbers on this boat with an extra sharp pencil. As you can see in the pictures and drawing there is a lot of room and utility in this boat. With a 15′ 6” (4.72 m) beam and 40,000 lbs. (18,160 kg) displacement the boat has enough heft to handle most costwise routes in reasonable conditions. Don’t cross it off your short list before getting aboard and seeing how you like her.

Boat Specifications: 479 Mainship Model 2011