"We're testing some props on our brand new Perry 59 - want to come along?" The phone call came from Perry's global marketing and operations manager, Stuart Picken and it didn't take long for me to accept his invitation. Next afternoon saw me at Perry's well disguised factory in the Gold Coast's Marine Precinct, eager for a run in the new craft.

When we pushed off from the dock under the careful hands of Perry's skipper Peter O'Brien, the situation on board was similar to how it must have been on board the WWII British battleship, Prince of Wales, when it was sent to defend Singapore while fitters were still putting the finishing touches to the vessel.

One Perry shipwright was busy with two-pack; another was running wiring and a third was hanging beautifully polished bi-fold doors to the saloon entrance. I hoped our day out on the water would be more successful than the Prince of Wales' first and last test of fire!

The fact that the boys could perform precision work while the new Perry motored down the Coomera River was testimony to the boat's stability under way. However, the blokes downed tools once Peter opened the throttles to check top speed and revs. Noise levels increased, the big boat settled on its haunches and the cabin windows went into white-out mode.

I've never been on a sailing yacht that could do 20-plus knots under power, so I was mightily impressed as the big craft surged into the Broadwater and left two rooster tails ripping across the bay. Peter closed the throttles after a minute or so and stepped down to the cockpit, completely drenched by bow spray. Optional clears to protect the helm are available!

Volvo engineer, Clive Andersen, was less impressed than I was: "Not enough engine revs," he announced, disconsolately. "We'll need finer pitch to let the engines spin more freely, or else they'll be overloaded at part throttle openings." Overnight work in the prop shed was on the schedule.

Two days later, I heard that reset props had allowed 22kts at governed revs to be achieved, so Clive was happy.

Although didn't get a chance to sail the boat, because the prop work took priority, the 57 has always been an impressive boat so, by rights, the 59 should be even better. In any case, the new Perry 59 is really a 57 on steroids: longer and fatter at the sterns than the 57 and with much more horsepower.

POWERING UP
When Perry first entered the powered cat business, the naval architects and engineers knew they would need more buoyancy aft to handle the stern-settling effect of 300hp per hull, compared with the average 130hp per hull of sailing cat auxiliary engines. The extra floatation came from redesigned aft sections that incorporated bustles, lengthening, deepening and widening the stern sections. So, the 43 and 57 sailing cat hulls became 44.5 and 62 motor cat hulls.

More recently, redesigned bustles have been fitted to the 43 and 57 hulls, producing the 45 and 59 Motor Sailers. At the same time, the stock sailing cat auxiliary engines have been replaced by powerplants plucked straight out of the Prestige 62 power cat spec' list: on this first Perry 59 they're Volvo 300s, but Yanmar 315s are an option.

So, the Perry 59 can almost match the 62 power cat in top speed, while remaining a no-compromise sailing cat.

INSIDE PERRY
You'd drive past the Perry factory without noticing it. In a Precinct that's characterised by flash store fronts, Perry's is nondescript. But inside the drab shed exteriors is quality construction.

Like all Perrys, the 59 starts life as a resin-infusion kit inside a mould. The kits incorporate glass matting and foam cores, with carbon and Kevlar at high-stress points. The construction process is specified by the NZ-based boat construction innovators, High Modulus. Resin infusion is a state-of-the-art FRP production process that guarantees uniform mat and core ‘wetting' and eliminates the weight of superfluous resin, without compromising strength.

The bonded hulls and bridge decks then progress through three stations in the assembly shed. Movement from one station to another is done by the simple expedience of pushing the boats sideways across the floor, on Samson trolleys.

Traditional Perry quality shines in the 59's interior, but the latest techniques ensure ease of fitment and maintenance. For example, the headlinings are attached to the cabin roof by industrial-strength Velcro, making a tight, uniform fit that's easy to undo to access wiring and tubing.

The first 59 was built as an owner's boat, so in standard trim it featured twin island queen-bed staterooms for'ard and twin single-berth cabins back aft and under the cockpit floor. The staterooms had en suites and there was a day head and shower adjacent to the portside twin cabin. The port aft cabin was redesigned as a full-sized bathroom on this first 59.

Standard 59s have a spacious lounge and dining area on the bridgedeck, with inbuilt furniture, but this boat was being kitted out with the owner's free-standing lounge and dining furniture. Also, the owner specified vinyl flooring in the galley and carpet in the lounge and day-use areas, instead of the usual teak/ash deck planking. The day-use area comes with a washer and a dryer.

SAIL SPREAD
The Perry 59 has the 57's sailing rig, featuring a two-pack painted mast that's 7/8 fractionally rigged with twin spreaders. The upper spreaders are simple sweptback types, but the lowers are triangulated and fitted with diamond stays. The leading spreader strut serves as a radome mounting and the test boat was fitted with folding mast steps to that point.

The mast is stayed by a forestay and paired upper and lower backstays that lead to common chainplates.

The standard sails are a fully battened mainsail and a tri-radial genoa with UV panels. The genoa is set on a furler mounted on the for'ard crossbeam and the main hoists from a boom bag that's fitted with lazy jacks. Single-line reefing with three points is standard. Optional sails include a screacher with furler, tacked mid-bowsprit and a choice of two MPS sails with snuffers that are set flying from the bowsprit tip.

SPA TIME
Deck space is vast, as you'd expect from a vessel that covers so much water area, so there's ample space for a pair of mesh sunbathing trampolines, storage bins and… a spa. This blue-finished tub has an insulated folding lid and, wonder of wonders, tilts up electrically to allow access to the plumbing under the tub. I just had to ask and, no, Perry doesn't recommend using the spa while at sea!

The cockpit is also spacious, with a curved dinette lounge, teak table and flanking lounges. The cockpit can be made larger for buyers who don't want tender davits and storage between the aft hulls.

The 57 already had easy access to the water via the aft stairs, but the bustles on the 59 make the boarding platforms even larger. Perry's policy of evolution rather than revolution has seen the marque build a reputation for quality and durability both here and overseas. The fact that the first 59 was sold off the drawing board is testimony to Perry's standing.