Famous jeweller Michael Hill's massive 40metre catamaran named The Beast to be launched in New Zealand almost two years after construction began
- 'The Beast' was built for renowned jeweller and philanthropist Michael Hill
- The vessel, almost 40m long and 12m wide, took almost two years to build
- Will be based in Foxton, on the north Island of New Zealand, for next fortnight
A massive 40metre catamaran dubbed 'The Beast' will be launched in New Zealand on Thursday.
Spanning 39.5m long and 12m wide, the monster boat was built for local philanthropist and renowned jeweller Michael Hill.
Designed by Profab Engineering in Palmerston North, the imposing vessel can house up to 22 people.
'The Beast' (pictured) took engineers almost two years to build in New Zealand
The Beast, owned by jeweller Michael Hill, will be docked at Foxton, in New Zealand's north, for the next fortnight
Carl Ferguson, Profab's owner, told the New Zealand Herald it took 22 months to build the large boat.
'We then shipped it in three bits ... and over the last three weeks we have put it back together; the interior has been done inside – the wiring, hydraulics, water and services,' he said.
'It can go pretty much anywhere in the world but Antarctica.'
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When the gigantic vessel is at capacity, it holds 76,000 litres of fuel and 14,000 litres of water.
Foxton, a small town in New Zealand's Manawatu-Wanganui region, has already proven to be a popular docking venue.
'It is a big thing for Foxton - with the number of people it has drawn in just to have a look,' Ferguson said.
'As you can imagine it is not the normal thing to come to a small country town and see a big boat sitting on the grass by the water. It creates a lot of interest,' Mr Ferguson said.
Ferguson said the vessel will be based in Foxton for the next fortnight before moving onto Wellington.
The imposing vessel can house up to 22 people and can travel 'pretty much anywhere' besides Antarctica
Ferguson said the vessel will be based in Foxton for the next fortnight before moving onto Wellington
