The Lightwave 38 is a coastal blue water classic, renowned for combining impressive sailing performance and luxurious comfort in a sleek, stylish catamaran that will take you safely to the place of your dreams.
The Lightwave 38 is spacious and airy, functional and safe, and easily handled by two. Featuring full headroom throughout there is a variety of two, three or four cabin layouts to choose from including options of Galley Up; an optional Full Forward Ensuite with separate shower and toilet areas; the Master Aft Cabin option features a viewing window in the hull and offers a low height island style queen bed; and an end mounting bed configuration is also available in the port forward cabin.
Launched originally in 2002, the Lightwave 38 is the most refined Lightwave design. It was re-released as updated models in 2006 and 2010.
Length Overall | 11.3m | 38’0” |
Beam – Maximum | 6.67m | 21’10” |
Head Room (Saloon) | 1.95m | 6’4” |
Head Room (Hulls) | 2.00m | 6’6” |
Bridge Clearance | 0.75m | 2’6” |
Keel Draft | 1.1m | 3’7” |
Displacement – Light Ship | 5000kg | 11 023lb |
Max. Disp. D.W.L | 6500kg | 14 300lb |
Fuel Capacity – normal capacity | 250lt | 55 GB gal. – 66 US gal. |
Fresh Water Capacity | 500lt | 110 GB gal. – 132 US gal. |
Diesel Engines | 2 x 29hp Yanmar or Volvo Penta | |
Propulsion | Twin 3 blade folding propellers on sail drive legs | |
Maximum Speed – Motoring | 3000 r.p.m | 9.5 knots |
Cruising Speed – Motoring | 2500 r.p.m | 7.5 knots |
Sail Areas – Main Sail | 47m2 | 514 sq ft |
Self Tacking Jib | 20m2 | 224 sq ft |
Overlapping: Genoa (Optional) | 29m2 | 319 sq ft |
Spinnaker (Optional) | 106m2 | 1 141 sq ft |
Screecher (Optional) | 47m2 | 514 sq ft |
Maximum Speed | 16 knots plus |
Standard 3 cabin layout | Standard 3 cabin layout |
Length to Beam Ratio (for each hull) | 10.8:1 |
The Lightwave 35’, originally released as the Lightwave 10.5 in 1997, was the state of the art performance cruising catamaran having the greatest combination of accommodation, looks, and performance of any boat in its size range, at that time.
It was a pioneering multihull design that set the benchmark for future competing designs, and was awarded the Australian Sailing Multihull of the Year in 2000.
L.O.A. | 10.5m | 34’5” |
B.O.A. | 6.67m | 21’10” |
Head Room (Saloon) | 1.9m | 6’3” |
HEADROOM (HULLS): | 2.0m | 6’6” |
BRIDGEDECK CLEARANCE: | 0.75m | 2’6 |
KEEL DRAFT: | 1.05m | 3’5” |
MAST HEIGHT: | 14.4m | 47’3” |
SAIL AREA: | ||
Main: | 41m2 | |
Jib: | 17m2 | |
Spinnaker: | 85m2 | |
DISP LIGHT SHIP: | 4800Kg | |
DISP D.W.L.: | 6000Kg | |
ENGINE POWER: | 2 x 19 HP | |
FUEL CAPACITY: | 210 L | 46 GAL |
FRESH WATER CAPACITY: | 450 L | 100GAL |
ACCOMMODATION: | 6 |
For long range cruising in absolute comfort, the Lightwave 46’ Powercat is the ultimate. This magnificent vessel combines space, comfort and ocean going capabilities in a spectacular energy efficient package.
The Lightwave 46’ Powercat evolved from the demand in the market for a long range global motor cruiser. Incorporating the benefits that the wide beam of the catamaran provides including vast stability, shallow draft, and plenty of interior space, the emphasis of the Lightwave 46’ Powercat was to provide a luxury cruising catamaran with stylish design appeal, excellent fuel efficiencies at comfortable cruising speeds, long range capacity and payload for extended cruising, and ocean going capabilities.
Length Overall | 14.0m | 46’0” |
Beam – Maximum | 7.3m | 24’0” |
Draft | 1.2m | 4’0” |
Head room (Saloon) | 1.95m | 6‘4” |
Head room (Hulls) | 2.00m | 6‘6“ |
Bridge Deck Clearance (D.W.L) | 0.95m | 3’2” |
Height Above Waterline | 4.2m | 13’10” |
Displacement Max | 10,000kg | 22,046lbs |
Max. Disp. D.W.L | 10,500 kg | 23,000 lb |
Fuel Capacity | 1600lt | 352GB gal. 423 US gal. |
Fresh Water Capacity | 500lt | 110GB gal. 132 US gal. |
ENGINES Volvo Penta | 2 x D3 160hp Volvo Penta |
Diesel Engines | 2 x D-3 160 Hp Volvo Penta engines |
Propulsion | Twin 4 blade fixed propellers |
Standard Power – Maximum Speed | 4000 r.p.m 21.0 knots |
Standard Power – Fast Cruising | 3000 r.p.m 15.5 knots |
Standard Power – Fast Cruising | 3000 r.p.m 15.5 knots |
Standard Power – Long Range Cruising | 1800 r.p.m 9 knots |
Maximum Range (under power economical) |
1800 r.p.m @ 10lt per hour = 1530 nautical miles |
3000 r.p.m @ 28lt per hour = 940 nautical miles |
Standard 3 cabin layout | 6 persons (Subject to layout) |
(A) All figures are provisional and subject to change. | |
(B) Right is reserved to make changes, modifications or improve production without prior notice. | |
(C) Weight shown is estimate of model’s weight displacement with standard inventory equipment aboard. | |
(D) Capacities of tanks are estimated to be total capacity of tanks. Usable capacities will vary depending upon conditions. |
The Lightwave 45 comes standard with 800L of fresh water tanks made from suitable grade fibreglass, which are built in the hull. Twin pump systems are provided on the 45 creating two completely separate systems for both the tanks in the case of a single failure. A water transfer line is also built into the system to allow water to travel between either tank. A water catchment system is offered with the 45 to collect fresh water off the large cockpit hardtop.
Fresh water vacuum toilets are provided on the 45 to eliminate the stale salt water smell whilst using minimal water usage. A saltwater system is also fitted to the model to allow an anchor wash, salt water tap in the galley and hose in the cockpit.
The Lightwave 45 is designed for self-sufficient blue water cruising. From standard, the 45 comes with 250 watts of flexible walk on solar panels, with the option to upgrade this up to a 1000-watt system which is very common on this model. The vessel is supplied with a 12-volt DC and a 240-volt AC electrical system. A 600Ah AGM battery system is offered on the vessel with an optional 540Ah lithium-ion battery bank. All installed electrical components on the Lightwave 45 are carefully selected to ensure a minimum power consumption is achieved. Lightwave also provides the option to have a 4Kw AC diesel generator which is coupled with the inverter to allow for a high output.
All areas of the vessels electrics are designed to be accessible and traceable with minimal disruption to the boats systems. All systems that has been installed on the 45 have been refined through every Lightwave built with continual improvement.
The Lightwave 45 offers external engine rooms allowing for a very safe and easy access. The engine rooms are very spacious and allow plenty of room around the accommodated engine for servicing and maintenance. All steering components as well as the generator are also located in the engine room, positioned in areas easily accessed for maintenance. The engine rooms are separated from the accommodation area from a bulkhead which is lined in sound dampening material to defer noise, heat and odour from entering the cabins. The engine rooms are also accessible from the inside of the boat if required.
The line system on the Lightwave 45 has been designed so all lines are organised and accessible from an area where the sails can be easily observed. Lines are all lead to the cockpit on the 45 and travel under serviceable fibreglass boards which not only keep the lines organised, but also remove the possible tripping hazard. Hanging points are provided creating a neat and organised place for line tails to be stored. Anderson winches and Ronstan deck gear are featured throughout the deck on the Lightwave 45, optional electric winches are also available. A bridal main sheet system is used to eliminate the dangers of a traveller car system traditionally used on catamarans.
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