The Tauranga yard of Nic de Mey Yachts has reached another landmark with the launch of Viola, the second hull produced under the DEMEY 60 programme. She is currently working through four weeks of sea trials and commissioning before making her way to a permanent berth at Orakei, Auckland. The moment marks a new chapter for a build programme that began as an ambitious concept and has steadily earned its reputation across open water.
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Work on the DEMEY 60 design began in 2002, and what has emerged represents a compelling advance in bluewater cruising for New Zealand sailors. The philosophy underpinning the series sets equal store by aesthetics and practicality, a balance Nic de Mey has been deliberate about pursuing from the outset.
"The goal was to achieve a design as intuitive as it was beautiful, ensuring that every detail was perfected, no matter how small," he says.
The package extends well beyond the vessel itself. A purpose-built DEMEY tender was conceived alongside the mothership as part of a unified system, closing any gaps in capability or comfort that a standalone design might leave open.
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"Whether for island-hopping adventures or ambitious transoceanic passages, the DEMEY 60 ensures you can travel farther and faster, redefining the experience of speed, stability, and remarkable fuel efficiency," says Nic de Mey.
Those wishing to see Viola for themselves will have the opportunity during her time in Tauranga and subsequently in Auckland, with Nic de Mey Yachts offering private walk-throughs at both locations. A dedicated open walk-through day is also in the planning stages, and anyone keen to arrange a private viewing is welcome to contact the yard directly.
Every DEMEY 60 is built to order, with each hull customised to meet the specific requirements of its owner. The standard build specification is set out below.
| Builder | Nic de Mey Yachts, Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Naval architecture | Roger Hill Yacht Design |
| Build standard | American Bureau of Shipping |
| Type | Semi-displacement power catamaran |
| Construction | Carbon fibre, closed-cell foam core, epoxy resin (infused) |
| LOA | 18 m (60 ft) |
| Top speed | 30 knots |
| Cruising speed | 18 knots |
| Fuel capacity | 10,000 L (4,000 L lightship) |
| Consumption @ 10.25 kts | 3.1 L/nm — range 3,225 nm |
| Consumption @ 18 kts | 5.77 L/nm — range 1,733 nm |
| Consumption @ 22 kts | 6.01 L/nm — range 1,660 nm |
| House batteries | 6 x 24V LiFePO4 with fire suppression system |
| Tender garage | Purpose-built, 3.7 m tender with custom launch/retrieval system |