VK1 cat - first to have MerCruiser Axius fitted

THE VK1 is the first catamaran in the Southern Hemisphere to feature MerCruiser’s Axius sterndrive system.

The VK1 is the very first Powercat built by Lester Smith of V.K. Marine in Auckland, NZ.

Based on a Roger Hill design, the 11.2 metre aluminium cat is an ideal weekend cruiser which will also excel as a fishing or diving platform.

Powered by twin Cummins MerCruiser QSD 4.2 litre, 320 hp diesel motors, the 7,500 kg craft cruises easily at up to 35 knots.

And the Axius sterndrive gives it good manoeuverability – forwards, backwards and even sideways.

“I liked the Axius as soon as I read what it could do. It’s new technology and it’s exciting to break new ground,” Lester said.

The VK1’s success came as no surprise to David Meehan, director of MerCruiser Australia, New Zealand & Pacific.

“We were always really confident Axius would work with catamarans and now we have the proof,” Meehan said.

“Lester’s broken new ground and he deserves a lot of praise for that. He’s shown what can be done and I think we’re going to see a lot of catamaran builders now follow in his footsteps and offer an Axius option.”