2005 Crowther 85 MK4 Aluminium Performance Catamaran

Located in Gladstone, Queensland, "Emma James" is a professionally built Crowther 85 MK4 performance catamaran designed by the renowned Lock Crowther and constructed by MEC on the Gold Coast. Built in 2005, this aluminium daggerboard catamaran was purpose-built for offshore cruising, combining performance, strength and comfortable liveaboard accommodation.

Lovingly maintained by a cruising family, she has served as a full-time home afloat and is one of only a handful of aluminium catamarans of this design built specifically for extended family cruising.

Vessel Specifications

Designer: Lock Crowther
Builder: MEC, Gold Coast, Australia
Year: 2005
Length: 16.0m (52ft)
Beam: 7.4m
Draft: 1.1m (loaded)
Displacement: Approximately 17 tonnes loaded
Construction: 4mm aluminium hulls and decks
Keel Type: Daggerboards

Powered by twin 50hp Nanni shaft-drive diesel engines with approximately 2,100 hours, Emma James cruises efficiently while also delivering excellent sailing performance. New three-blade Flexofold folding propellers were fitted in November 2024.

Twin Nanni 50hp diesel engines
New Flexofold folding propellers (2024)
Cruising speed under sail: 8–9 knots
Maximum speed under power: approximately 12 knots
1,200L diesel capacity
600L freshwater capacity
Schenker 60L/hr watermaker with new membranes fitted in 2025

Spacious Liveaboard Accommodation

The practical four-cabin layout provides generous accommodation for family cruising or guests, featuring four queen cabins together with two additional single berths.

Features include:

Four queen cabins
Two additional single berths
Full bathroom with shower
Additional portable toilet
6kg front-loading washing machine
Dedicated drying area and storage

Well-Appointed Galley

The saloon offers panoramic views together with a spacious galley designed for extended cruising.

Equipment includes:

Stainless-steel U-shaped preparation area
Force 10 gas oven
Four-burner gas stove with rangehood
Induction cooktop
190L upright fridge
45L freezer
Additional 60L fridge/freezer beneath the skipper's chair
Engine-heated 240V hot water system

Rig & Sail Inventory

Emma James is cutter rigged with a 21m Allyacht mast and 7m Seldén boom.

Sail inventory includes:

Fully battened mainsail
Screecher
Genoa
Staysail
Spinnaker
New boom bag (2025)

The yacht is fitted with Harken winches and quality deck hardware throughout. Significant rigging upgrades were completed in July 2024, including new Dyneema cap shrouds, lowers and bowsprit stays together with replacement forestays.

Navigation & Electronics

Recent electronic upgrades completed during 2025 include:

Starlink internet
Complete B&G navigation suite
Zeus chartplotter
Radar
Triton wind instruments
VHF radio with AIS transceiver

Additional equipment includes a Northstar/Navman autopilot and ICOM VHF radio.

Electrical System

The yacht is well equipped for extended cruising and off-grid living with:

Approximately 2.6kW of solar generation
Two AirX wind generators
800Ah lithium house battery bank
Two 60A alternators
Dual DC-to-DC chargers
Mastervolt Combi 2200W inverter/charger

Ground Tackle

Ground tackle has been set up for serious cruising and includes:

Sarca No.7 anchor with 70m of 10mm chain and 50m nylon rode
Secondary Sarca No.6 anchor
Muir HR3500 electric anchor winch

Additional Equipment

Additional features include:

Saltwater deck wash
Extensive storage for cruising equipment, dive gear and tools
Twin forward sail lockers
Comprehensive safety equipment including EPIRB, life buoys, flares, fire extinguishers, jacklines and multiple bilge pumps

Recent Maintenance & Upgrades

Emma James has benefited from significant investment over the past two years.

Recent works include:

Slipped and serviced (April 2025)
Pettit Vivid antifoul
Propspeed applied
Daggerboards extended
Sugar scoops extended
Aft roof extension
Recessed anodes installed
New aft cockpit enclosure and clears
New boom bag
New Flexofold propellers
New cutlass bearings
Complete standing rigging replacement

The cockpit was extensively redesigned during 2024 to improve comfort and usability, with a custom skipper's chair, larger seating area, dedicated outdoor dining table and extended roof providing improved protection from the elements. New cockpit clears also allow the aft cabin hatches to remain open during tropical rain while maintaining excellent ventilation.

Ready for Offshore Adventure

Emma James is a capable aluminium performance catamaran built for serious offshore cruising. Combining proven Crowther performance with extensive recent upgrades and comfortable liveaboard accommodation, she presents an outstanding opportunity for buyers looking for a well-equipped blue water cruising catamaran that is ready to cast off and head for its next adventure.