52ft Crowther Sailing Catamaran

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.