Pama 6400 PH

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Pama 64

Author : David Toyer

Value for money, good looks, an exceptionally high standard of finish and an intelligent layout puts the Pama 64 PH right up their amongst the best of the Asian built motoryachts 

Pama Motor Yachts was established in Taiwan in 1979 after being awarded the contract to build and supply Italian designed 56 foot high speed pursuit boats to the US Coast Guard.

After only a handful of these boats had been delivered, Pama looked to other avenues of income for the company, and started building boats for the private sector, using for the basis of these recreational cruisers, the hull developed for the pursuit boats.

In 1997 Pama were enticed by the Chinese Government to relocate their facilities to a new beachfront factory at DaPang on Difu Bay.

Today, almost 200 employees work on that 120 acre site, completing on average 3 boats per month, all or which are in the 45 to 90 ft range. At any one time there are around 12 to 14 boats in the factory in varying stages of construction, all destined largely for the US, European and Asian markets.

Early in 2007 Pama will be increasing that range of boats with the release of a new Italian designed EURO 56 to 90 foot series.

Although there are various models in the range, each boat is custom built and fitted to order, allowing clients to get precisely what they want in a layout and have the opportunity to introduce their own tastes in the décor and finishes. Pama state that every craft they build is the result of a “rigorous and uncompromising approach to every detail of its design including the interior comfort whilst not sacrificing space.”

The Pama Pilot House 64 that was displayed at the Sydney International Boat Show received a lot of interest and attention primarily for these reasons, in addition to the amount of boat and all the inclusions that are available for the price.

At the owner’s request, his particular boat, as will be any Pama ordered into Australia, is built to, and in, NSW 2C-1E survey. The boat will be used largely for corporate charter work – for corporate entertainment, presentations, meetings or small conferences – and it was a requirement that the boat; the fitout, finish and décor, reflect the high level of corporate clientele it is intended to accommodate.

Elegant Interior

Whether it is for corporate charter work or private use, the Pama 6400 oozes elegance throughout the interior.

With full glazing and big wide sliding doors that open up a vast portion of the saloon bulkhead, there is an extremely good integration of aft cockpit and main saloon space and the extension of the flybridge deck well aft over the cockpit results in an abundance of entertaining space.

Stepping aboard the boat via either of the twin transom doors each side of the cockpit lounge, and walking towards the saloon, you just can’t help but be impressed by the layout and finish of the saloon – even more so if at night when much of the concealed or special down lighting is in play.

The saloon is dominated by the large U-shaped lounge and table along the starboard side, while to port are a couple of loose lounge chairs, that fit snugly into the curved design of the entertainment unit (the highlight of which is the pop up plasma screen supported by one of the best surround sound systems I have yet heard on a recreational boat), bar and electronic control system.  

The pilot house is not segregated from the saloon area in the traditional sense. Though the pilot house, along with the galley are raised three steps up from the saloon, they are very open to the main saloon area, and though there is an element of separation created by elements of the galley, there is still that openness and an air of grandeur with all that right red brown tone of the highly polished timber veneers used extensively through the boat.

Though the pilot house is a very serious and a fully equipped navigational and control hub of the boat fitted fully for long range cruising when not in charter, it does not isolate the helm station from the rest of the people who may be on board, or from the rest of the boat.

The skipper (and navigator) have high grade leather upholstered adjustable seats, but immediately aft of this and extending almost the width of the pilot house station is an elongated lounge wrapping around a height adjustable table. This is an ideal set-up where a number of the boats compliment can sit around and be part of the experience while the boat is underway.

With the well equipped galley immediately aft, service of meals and snacks is not an issue.

In addition to the pilot house, there is a second command station on the flybridge, repeating a lot of the instrumentation and electronics as well as the dual helm chairs. The flybridge is accessible directly via the internal stair from the pilot house or from the aft cockpit.

Again space is not at a premium with and enormous amount of lounge space wrapping around the table; a full wet bar and galley facilities, while aft of this , a davit and deck mounted rigid bottom centre console inflatable.

Space Below Decks

Apart from the sensational surround sound system and the C-Bus control of just about everything electronic, I thought one of the stand out features of this boat is the generous space below decks that is afforded to each of the cabins, the bathroom facilities, and the outstanding entrance that is provided to these lower cabins as you descend the curved staircase lead from the pilot house level.

Not content with just leading you down to a lower level into a companionway off which open each of the staterooms/cabins, the stair lands you into a neat little “foyer” space off which opens each of the three cabins and the main bathroom. The spaciousness of this foyer, and the absence of any long passage or companionway, hints of the promised space that each of the cabins has to offer.

The elegance of what I call the lower foyer, is enhanced by the elaborate timber in lay pattern of the floor sand the high grade, high gloss finish of the timber veneered walls and doors and the matching detailed moulding and trims.

Occupying the full width of the boat, the midship owner’s stateroom is opulent. The king size bed is the centrepiece of the cabin, but it doesn’t overcrowd the space. Each side of the cabin provides lounging space, dressing table/make up facilities and an abundance of storage drawers.

To the aft of the stateroom you will find a walk-in wardrobe (on the port side) and a generous, spacious ensuite bathroom (on the starboard). The cedar lined walk in robe is probably larger than that which you will find in an average home, so consequently, you should not be short on hanging space for all of your clothes no matter how long the cruise may be.

The ensuite, like the main (shared) bathroom is overly spacious. The shower recesses are huge for a boat – plenty of room to enjoy a shower rather than be cramped and have to watch how you fling the water around or want to stretch out) and the vanity bench (dual basins in the ensuite) and toilet are not overcrowded, with what I consider to be very sensible storage facilities for all the usual toiletries, towels etc.

The forward cabin, though considerably smaller than the midship stateroom, still provides a king size berth in a cabin that is around the size of the main cabin in a lot of sports cruisers up to 50 to 60 feet. The third cabin offers twin berths, and these are both full size and don’t compromise on space. There are storage drawers and lockers, full height hanging locker and of course a generous amount of space between each berth and at the end (the entry into the cabin).

This now leaves the engine room. The centre of all the propulsion behind the Pama, along with the lazarette and all the auxiliary services and systems that are contained therein, are accessed directly off the swim platform. A sea door, set flush into the transom, provides wide and direct access from the boarding platform into the bowels of the Pama where the generators, air conditioning, inverters, controls, gauges, engines – and everything else, are neatly arranged and installed so that serviced areas are fairly simple to access and all electronics and plumbing set out so as to be easy to follow and maintain.

Pama Motor Yachts policy is to put their customer first. Each boat is fully customised and the customer is provided the opportunity to oversee the boat right through the construction and fitout stage.

The 6400 is loaded with standard features within the initial purchase price, and in this regard the Pama has set the cat amongst the pigeons as far as other motor yachts in this market are concerned.

With the likes of air conditioning, stabilisers, generators, bow and stern thrusters, inverter, life rafts, and a full range of electronics and a sound and entertainment system that is second to none, there is little extra that you may need. The C-Bus lighting and integrated AMX automation add that final touch of class that make this boat a most impressive platform from which to entertain corporate clients, offer full private charter cruisers, or simply take a long leisurely cruise to the northern barrier reef – or beyond.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Design Name: PH 6400
  • Year Launched: 2006
  • Designer: Apollonio
  • Builder: Pama Incorporated
  • LOA: 19.2 m
  • Beam: 5.26 m                       
  • Displacement: 33 tonne
  • Max. Speed: 24 kts
  • Cruise Speed: 19 kts
  • Construction: GRP
  • Fuel Capacity: 4000 litres
  • Water Capacity: 1000 litres
  • Engine: 2 x 720hp Yanmar
  • Base Price from: AUS $1.98 million

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