New Environment Friendly Marine Research Vessel Launches

By Mary Swift-swan

San Francisco Bay Area premier boat builder, Tom Wylie, and his partner Dave Wahle of the Wyliecat in Watsonville, are mighty happy. After two years, their $1.5 million vessel is afloat. They designed and built a new kind of marine research vessel. The handsome 65’ Cat Ketch ,the Derek M. Baylis, was launched on April 22nd in Moss Landing. It began sea trials in May and will be ready for charter in June. The unique design is an environmentally friendly way to keep up with whales and other marine life without using an engine as is currently needed by power research vessels, or requiring a large crew as is used by classic vessels.

The Wylie Cat Ketch is named after the father of Liz Baylis, 2002 yachtswoman of the year, Derek M. Baylis. Liz christened the vessel with Dave looking on just before it was slipped into Moss Landing harbor. "This was such a surprise and sincere honor for my father and all our family to have this unique vessel named after him," Liz said. Derek was a valued mentor to Tom and Dave for 30 years. He was the engineer that made the bird sanctuary work at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, along with many other popular and wonderful exhibits. Liz’s father is now in his 80’s and doing fine.

Randy Repass, owner of West Marine, and his wife, Sally Christine, were among the guests celebrating the launching. They have commissioned a 66’ sister ship due to launch in July from a yard in Los Angeles. The one-foot difference is applied to an aft cabin that also reduces the cockpit size. Randy said, "We had been looking for a boat of a comfortable size easy to manage by just one person. We wanted the advantages of a pilothouse that would sail well. We’ve both been sailing most of our lives so good performance is important to us. After 15 years of looking, this is the first one that really fits what we have been looking for." What are they going to do with their Wylie 66? "We plan to go cruising in short hops, starting with Mexico after sea trials in August," he saidas he toasted the moment with Steve Swan of Bay Crossings.

The vessel is rated to take 49 passengers or teachers and students for day sails and up to 12 passengers for overnight trips in any ocean. The partners hope to charter the vessel to interested research organizations and schools for marine studies. For more information, contact Tom Wylie ((925) 376-7338 or Dave through www.wyliecat.com.