BOAT INTERVIEW
Exclusive Interview With Alan Whittley
WHITTLEY CR 2800 By Rowan Stewart
The sublime CR 2800 cruiser combines comfort and class, and is the culmination of decades of innovation by a proud Aussie family company. We had a chat with Whittley Marine Group Director of Sales & Marketing ALAN WHITTLEY who, as his name suggests, knows more than a thing or two about this very special boat. WHAT INSPIRED THE DESIGN OF THE CR 2800? The design concept was born out of the popular Whittley Cruisemaster 700, which was the last boat designed by our company founder, Jim Whittley, with the brief to design the largest legally trailerable maxi-trailer cruiser. This meant it had to be under the legal towing width of 2.5 meters. We wanted to build on the success of the Cruisemaster 700, but make the new model larger. The boat was designed using the latest CAD computer technology, allowing the design team to move through the boat and maximise every centimetre of usable space in the craft. Because the boat was specifically designed for Australia’s unique trailerboating lifestyle, many features such as air flow, live-aboard luxury, and weekend usability were given prominence from the outset. Unsurprisingly, the entire Whittley team is extremely proud of what we’ve created. WHAT ARE THE BEST FEATURES OF THE CR 2800? There are so many handy innovations, and so many luxurious attributes, that it’s hard to pick just a few. The sliding sunroof, when combined with the expansive rear canopy, allows for greater air flow and protection from the elements. When teamed with the full-length hard top, it makes for a really comfortable experience when behind the steering wheel. The stand-up toilet and shower area are ideal for an extended stay out on the water, and really add to the resort-style feel of the CR 2800. In fact, I love everything about the well-appointed and luxurious cabin, and it really is a wonderful place to spend time in. I’m also particularly impressed by the unique stern drive configuration, which allows for maximised usable area on the rear platform. There are so many fantastic facets that I could talk about them all day without doing justice to this very special boat. The boat's standard solar panel also attracted a lot of attention when we f irst launched the boat in Nor thern USA at the New York Boat 44
Show. The boat was featured on Good Morning America because of its green approach. WHAT TYPE OF BOATING DO YOUR CUSTOMERS DO WITH A CR 2800? The CR 2800 model attracts many different types of customers, from politicians and famous celebrities, to everyday Aussie families and day boaters. One aspect that’s very appealing about the CR 2800 lifestyle is the boat’s ability to be towed nearly anywhere. You can literally use it as a caravan and tour Australia, without being crammed in among a bunch of campers. Instead, you can access your own private waterway with a beautiful beachfront view. When you have a maxi trailer boat you can explore different waterways, so you aren’t stuck in one location like you would be with a moored boat. That’s always been the key advantage of this Aussie-made model. With the CR 2800, you can head anywhere from the Whitsundays in Queensland to the Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia. HOW DOES IT FEEL WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE OUT ON THE WATER, ENJOYING THE CR 2800? I always feel a sense of satisfaction when I catch a glimpse of someone enjoying their Whittley boat, and the feedback is invariably positive. It’s very rewarding to see the boat-building process come together, from a drum of resin to the on-water handover. We take a lot of pride in what we do, and that’s why we put our family name on the side of every boat. Whittley is quite unique, being the only marine group in the country that’s also the manufacturer and dealer for its own product. With offices in 5 states, Whittley offers inhouse post-sale customer service divisions. This ensures that the end-user experience is one of the best in the industry, and has seen our brand continue to expand and grow its market share. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING EXCITING PLANNED FOR THE CR 2800? We're always looking to upgrade the CR 2800 with new technology JAN - MARCH 2022
