Pacific Powerboat January February 2022 by PowerBoat Magazine

THE 100 % ALUM IN

BONUS ALLOY BOAT MAGAZINE ISSUE 24 JANUARY

I U M B OA T MAGA ZI

2022

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

MERCURY VS . YAMAHA VS . TOHATSU VS . SUZUKI REVIEW

T R A I L E R B O AT S | L A U N C H E S | C R U I S E R S W W W. P O W ER B OATMAGA ZI NE.CO.NZ

MAKAIRA 35 KING BANK I VOODOO XF60 EXPEDITION FOILER I ABSOLUTE NAVETTA / COUPE 48 I STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT I SEA RAY SUNDANCER 370 I SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS I BLUEFIN 665HT

MAKAIRA STEPS UP WITH 35 KING BANK

Also Reviewed

VOODOO XF60 EXPEDITION FOILER ABSOLUTE NAVETTA / COUPE 48 STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT SEA RAY SUNDANCER 370 SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS BLUEFIN 665HT JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 $10.00

INCL GST

BLUE FIN 665 HT

STAB ICRA FT

2250 WT

MAK AIRA agazin KING

Power boatM

e.co.n z

BAN | 131K 35

TOP SEVEN

RADARS

BEACH LAUNCHING MADE EASY HOW NOT TO GET STUCK

STAYING AFLOAT

IS YOUR BOAT SAFE ON A MARINA BERTH?

FACTS ABOUT LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz | 1 IMPROVED AND TWEAKED OVER 150 YEARS

THE LE A DER OF THE FLEE T The all new M75 flybridge motor yacht combines a synergy of balanced proportions, grace and purpose with an immensity of deck and interior spaces to cater for a vast range of entertaining, relaxation, or adventuring activities. Australian built, its powerful exterior form and grand luxurious spaces reset the international standard for cruising flybridge motor yachts. Coming 2022. maritimo.com.au

M75

C O N T E N T S ISSUE 63

Reviews 48

138

108

MAKAIRA 35 KING BANK

ABSOLUTE NAVETTA / COUPE 48

SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS

SEA RAY SUNDANCER 370

VOODOO XF60 EXPEDITION FOILER

Regulars 6

BLUEFIN 665HT

144 182

STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT

DESIGN FOCUS

THE 100 % ALUM IN

CRUISING COLUMN

Navier electric foiler.

BONUS ALLOY BOAT MAGAZINE ISSUE 24 JANUARY

I U M B OAT MAGAZI

2022

Life in the slow lane.

LEADING COMMENT

PUBLISHER’S COMMENT Get yourself in a better space.

Derek the Chef prepares Cajun Spiced Pan Scallops.

ELECTRONICS COLUMN

All that’s new and innovative in electronics.

GUEST COMMENT

Hutchwilco continues to expand. By Tim Ritchie, sales and marketing manager for Hutchwilco NZ Ltd

The speed record holders

ROGER’S RAMBLINGS

SEEN & ADMIRED

DUNCAN ON FISHING

Upfold 18 - Crazy Diamond Sealegs 12RC

Tackle the tackle before it all turns to tears.

NEWS

120

Phil Gilbert ponders : Walking on Water… The Pro’s and Cons’

News, new products, boats and events.

POWER ON

MAKAIRA 35 KING BANK I VOODOO XF60 EXPEDITION FOILER I ABSOLUTE NAVETTA / COUPE 48 I STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT I SEA RAY SUNDANCER 370 I SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS I BLUEFIN 665HT

STRAIGHT FROM THE GALLEY

Kiwi foiling powercats.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

MERCURY VS. YAMAHA VS. TOHATSU VS. SUZUKI REVIEW

T R A I L E R B O AT S | L A U N C H E S | C R U I S E R S W W W. P O W E R B O AT M A G A Z I N E . C O . N Z

BLUEFIN 665 HT

MAKAIRA STEPS UP

INCL GST

MAKAIRA KING .nz BANK | 131 35

PowerboatMagazine.co

RADARS

BEACH LAUNCHING MADE EASY

Also Reviewed

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 $10.00

2250 WT

TOP SEVEN

WITH 35 KING BANK

VOODOO XF60 EXPEDITION FOILER ABSOLUTE NAVETTA / COUPE 48 STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT SEA RAY SUNDANCER 370 SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS BLUEFIN 665HT

STABICRAFT

HOW NOT TO GET STUCK

STAYING AFLOAT

IS YOUR BOAT SAFE ON A MARINA BERTH?

FACTS ABOUT LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz | 1 IMPROVED AND TWEAKED OVER 150 YEARS

COVER The first Makaira King Bank 35 during sea trials in the Bay of Islands.

SEE PAGE 114

WHAT IS THE QUESTION? T H E 1 0 0 % A L U M I N I U M B OAT M A G A Z I N E

126

Hot new power products.

FLETCH’S TIPS

ISSUE 24 JANUARY 2022

Aaron Fletcher shares his tips learned after years of getting it right and getting it wrong.

ALLOY BOAT In this issue we review three very different boats; the Makira 35 King Bank cruiser, Bluefin 665HT weekender and the award winning and very unique Stabicraft 2250 Ultracab WT. We also show you how to launch your boat this summer from the beach, go fishing on the western side of Great Barrier Island and test four 90hp outboards in a head to head shootout. Plus if you are looking to bling your boat or want to add some essential extras then we offer some tips on what to look for.

SEE PAGE 131 4

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

MERCURY VS. YAMAHA VS. TOHATSU VS. SUZUKI REVIEWED

BLUEFIN 665 HT

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

STABICRAFT 2250 WT

MAKAIRA KING BANK | 131 35

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

Features 56

Marine

TOP SEVEN RADARS

Radar can be a useful tool on any size vessel, so it’s important you choose the right one.

THE RISK TAKERS – CARL KIEKHAEFER Danny Casey profiles Carl Kiekhaefer, the father of the Mercury outboard and Mercruiser sterndrive.

HEAVY DUTY COMMERCIAL & RECREATIONAL ENGINES Commercial Use

ALL NEW

ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER?

In Part 2 of our Coastguard Boating Education series, we look at Navigation 101.

STAYING AFLOAT

G7 Diesel Power: 300-350 hp | Torque: 1079 Nm

Think your boat is safe at the marina berth? Think again. Follow these tips to keep your boat afloat.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DREAM FOR

In part two on the voyage of the MV Strannik, Rodney Russ takes us along the Russian far east coast from PetropavlovskKamchatskiy to Anadyr.

100

L13 Diesel Power: 500-700 hp | Torque: 2275-2403 Nm

THE FACTS ABOUT LEAD-ACID BATTERIES This primer on lead-acid batteries will answer most of your questions about this arcane subject.

118

CLASSIC BOAT

Peter Morgan recalls Miss Vauxhall – an early New Zealand designed and built outboard-powered planing hull.

150

H10 Diesel Power: 380-410 hp | Torque: 1667 Nm

Recreational Use

BUYING THE RIGHT GEAR

Whether it’s new or used there is always something you can add to your boat. We offer some handy tips on what to look for.

160

90HP SHOOTOUT

We stack up four 90hp 4 stroke outboards in a head to head test to find out which is the fastest, most economical and the history behind each engine.

S270 V6 Diesel Power: 270 hp | Torque: 565 Nm

170

BEACH LAUNCHING MADE EASY

Launching your boat at the beach doesn’t need to be something to fear and with the right preparation it can be quite simple.

176

FUN ON THE WILD SIDE

R200 Series Diesel Power: 200 hp | Torque: 440 Nm Call us today on 0800 498 632 or visit us at hyundaimarine.co.nz

Paul Walker continues his romp around Great Barrier Island and explores the north eastern side, or as the locals call it the wild side. PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

DESIGN FOCUS

NAVIER ELECTRIC FOILER

Navier, a Silicon Valley startup that’s building technology to increase the efficiency of small powerboats, has partnered with Lyman-Morse in Thomaston, Maine, to build the initial year of production for the company’s first boat, the Navier 27.

avier says it’s going to produce a limited number of boats in its first year under what it calls the Pioneer Program. Lyman-Morse will build the pre-production vessels and the first year of limited production of the Navier 27 that will be 2023 model-year boats. The company says the first one will be unveiled at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and that the first year customer delivery will be in the second quarter of 2023. Navier 27 is a 8.23 m foiling boat with an 2.59 m beam and she draws .61 m

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

with the foils retracted and 1.68 m with them extended. She’s powered by twin 50 kW electric motors and her top speed is estimated at 30 knots, while Navier says the boat has a range of 75 km at 20 knots. She will be built in carbon fibre as a fully enclosed cabin model or as an opencockpit model with a hardtop. Among the features of this boat are active foil control, advanced autopilot, assisted docking, a hazard alert system and remote monitoring via a smartphone. www.navierboat.com

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

POWERCAT MASTERCLASS

R 602 C-CB INBOARD R 602 C-CB OUTBOARD

ROBSON Centre Cab Design Range. RSV 442 C-CB, RSV 472 C-CB, RSV 522 C-CB, RSDV 602 C-CB. Design Packages, Kits, Turnkey craft in Alloy, Fibreglass composite as outboard or inboard models. These are all proven designs based on craft recently launched in service in USA and Australia.

ROBSON DESIGN: Production: Custom: Pleasure: Commercial: Paramilitary.

RSV 40 EXP

RCV 221

DB858

• Custom Design • Production Design • Turnkey Craft Tel 64 021 320 874 • scott@robsondesign.co.nz • www.robsondesign.co.nz

R 600

PACIFIC

EDITOR'S NOTE with Barry Thompson

Playground, the first Voodoo XF60s to be launched.

PUBLISHER D&B Publishing Ltd EDITORIAL Barry Thompson, Editor DDI: +64 (0)9 428 2086 Mob: +64 (0)21 777 355 email: barry@boatmags.com CONTRIBUTORS Doug Dukeson, Freddy Foote, Bruce Duncan, Derek the Chef, Laurie Cranfield, Mike Rose, Phil Gilbert, Aaron Fletcher ADVERTISING New Zealand & Australia Doug Dukeson DDI: +64 (0)9 428 2328 Mob: +64 (0)21 772 202 email: doug@boatmags.com Alex Ram DDI: +64 (0)9 428 7277 Mob: +64 (0)21 0286 5298 email: alex@boatmags.com PRODUCTION Design & Prepress: Annabelle Rose Design Mob: +64 (0)27 427 4559 email: design@annabellerose.co.nz Printer: OVATO WEBSITE Stealth Media Ltd Gustav Wentzel info@stealthmedialtd.co.nz +64 21 0201949 ACCOUNTS Soraja Thompson Tel: +64 (0)9 428 2086 email: accounts@boatmags.com CIRCULATION ARE Distribution SUBSCRIPTIONS Printed & Digital subs@boatmags.com Pacific PowerBoat is published bi-monthly January, March, May, July, September, November REGISTERED OFFICE 14 Glamis Ave, Manly, Whangaparaoa, Auckland, New Zealand. email: barry@boatmags.com www.powerboatmagazine.co.nz Postal Address: PO Box 132 Whangaparaoa, Auckland 0930, New Zealand. All rights reserved. Reprinting in whole or part is expressly forbidden, except by written permission of the publisher. Printed in New Zealand ISSN 2230-4134 (Printed) ISSN 2230-4142 (Online)

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

KIWI FOILING POWERCATS E HAD A HUGE FEEDBACK TO OUR STORY ON THE FOIL ASSISTED CARBON CAT 20 IN OUR LAST ISSUE AND HAD MORE THAN 6000 VIEWS OF THE VIDEO ON FACEBOOK. It got me thinking about

the ever-evolving boating scene that is changing so fast it is hard to keep up with the latest trends and developments. We read about electric outboards, electric PWCs and electric boats that not so many years ago were just dreams and projects being developed. Like the automotive industry, it seems the way forward in most minds is electric. Someone asked me why they couldn’t see the foils on the Carbon Cat, and I had to explain that, unlike the ones we see hanging off the side of an America’s Cup boat, they don’t lift the boat out of the water, they just assist it. They are hidden between the hulls. Foils are another evolving design medium that is becoming popular in larger powercats. One of the earliest advocates in New Zealand was South African Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design, who introduced the foil assist concept to local builders. There are many successful examples of his designs on the water today, such as the 20m, 50 knot, U21. So, while the foil assist is not that new, it’s just that it has been perfected and finely honed over the years. In 2011, Tauranga based Pachoud Boatbuilders, in collaboration with designer Roger Hill and foil guru Giuseppe Musca, launched their first Voodoo 18m foil assist powercat and put a whole new slant on fuel-efficient boating. Pachoud Yachts have spent ten years fine-tuning their Voodoo 18m foiling high-speed powercat to near perfection, with Playground, the first of their new Voodoo XF60s to be launched. With five in production and eight more on order, it seems the world was ready and waiting for this exciting concept. The idea of the foil assisted hull is not so much about top-end speed, although that is certainly a bonus, it’s more about economy and efficiency. When I reviewed the first Voodoo 18m in 2011, it was the first time I saw over 40 knots on the GPS of a boat of this size. What set Voodoo apart from other boats was not only the top-end speed but that it could cruise at 30 knots. I have to agree with Pachoud’s when they say that “For a 25-tonne luxury cruiser, this speed is fantastic, but when combined with excellent fuel efficiency, it is just amazing”. Pachoud Yachts continue to ‘reinvent’ their Voodoo range and today are regarded as one of the world’s leading foil-assisted recreational powercat builders. Check out page 118 for Mike Rose’s report on Playtime, the latest foil-assisted Voodoo 18m.

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition

AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CLASS COLLECTION OF LUXURY MOTOR YACHTS 210363

xhilarating blue-water performance has always been a part of the Riviera heritage. Over 40 years of constant refinement, a timeless contemporary design is evident across the entire 24-model collection. Sweeping lines of grace and beauty, luxurious staterooms bathed in natural light, the finest fabrics, leather and handcrafted joinery of exotic timbers. These are the qualities that make every Riviera a world class luxury motor yacht. Engineering excellence in harmony with state-of-the-art electronics and industry leading warranty support create the ultimate boating experience that is uniquely Riviera. Easy operation creates enjoyable adventures for family and friends. Discover more at RivieraAustralia.com

PUBLISHERS NOTE with Doug Dukeson

GET YOURSELF IN A BETTER SPACE… Well here we are in level 4 – no, level three point something – perhaps level 2 – with red, orange and green lights now upon us.

DB214

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

ne thing is for sure, the interest in boating and the boating lifestyle remains as strong as it has ever been. Record sales continuing to be made, both here in NZ and Australia and around most of the world. And what better way of enjoying safe time with your friends and loved ones while still running with the countries COVID policies and restrictions. Over in Australia a BIA Discover Boating campaign has recently invested in a three-month, multi-channel advertising campaign to promote participation in boating and the boating lifestyle to millions of people across Australia. Their theme is about enjoying the boating lifestyle. “Having a boat is a bit like having your own island. You choose where you go and when, and who goes with you, and you can do so in keeping with social distance rules while enjoying the boating lifestyle on our fabulous waterways.” No one can argue that boating is good for the body and mind. Being in, on or around water helps reduce stress and promotes a sense of wellbeing otherwise known as the “Blue Mind”. With the buoyant mood of the boating public, the industry seems to be in a place of ‘Blue Mind’, with their biggest issue still being sourcing components and in turn, boats out the door to their anxiously waiting new owners. On both sides of the Tasman millions of us go boating each year on the boat of our choice. There is a boat for all ages and all budgets, with a huge choice from small paddle and sail craft to runabouts, fishing boats, tow-sports, right through yachts and cruisers of all sizes. Alternatively, you can simply join in a boat share program or just hire a boat for the day. Whatever you boating pleasure is, just get out there and do it. The fish have had a break and seem to be plentiful. The islands and waterways are waiting for friends and family ready to come out and play, now we are allowed out. Have a fantastic and safe 2022 Boating Season.

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

Explore a world of new horizons.

Auckland | 131 Westhaven Drive (09) 274 9918 Christchurch | 507 Moorhouse Avenue (03) 379 9208 Learn more about Princess at PRINCESSYACHTS.COM

OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR

r uc du c ee r ee d

GUEST COMMENT

Tim Ritchie, sales and marketing

o a tt r b r u yyo o a b ro r ollll ou

manager for Hutchwilco NZ Ltd.

HUTCHWILCO CONTINUES TO EXPAND

At anchor and underway At anchor and underway

With a long history in the New Zealand wholesale marine and manufacturing industry, Hutchwilco is well known as New Zealand’s leading life jacket brand.

Anti Rolling Gyro Stabilizer -with over a decade of experience of creating stable situations on pleasure and commercial craft all over the world.

For Luxury Yachts, Trawlers and Sports Fishers • Allow crew and guests to move around safely and enjoy themselves. • Provides a comfortable setting for dining and entertaining. • Sleep in comfort at the dock or anchored out. • Keeps your vessel steady when docking. • Effective at trolling and at ‘zero’ speeds. • Less maintenance means more time to fish. • Easy to use, just flip a switch. • Improves fuel efficiency.

There are over 3000 installed worldwide

ARG 375T

ARG 250T

ARG 175T

ARG 50T

Boats to 60 Tons

Boats to 40 Tons

Boats to 25 Tons

Boats to 10 Tons

Motor Yacht Service Centre | Ph 09 416 1179 | Mob 027 2922 405 | glynis@motoryachtservicecentre.co.nz DB414

www.motoryachtservicecentre.co.nz

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

n fact Hutchwilco are believed to be the oldest remaining manufacturer of life jackets in the world. The brand is 100% locally owned by Gary Sutton, who purchased the business back in the mid nineties. Many of the staff have been within the organisation for 20 plus years so there is no shortage of knowledge regarding anything marine safety related. What is not so well known by the New Zealand boating public, is that Hutchwilco is also one of New Zealand’s leading wholesale distributors to the marine retail market supplying not just life jackets, but a wide range of marine chandlery and water sports equipment. Hutchwilco owns or represents several leading industry names such as Loose Unit Water Toys, ACR Personal Survival Equipment, Ocean Safety Life Rafts and Jonbuoy etc. to name a few. Over the past few years Hutchwilco has continued to expand its business in the commercial marine safety field with the acquisition of Actron Fire Systems and more recently Denray Marine to add to the existence of Wilco Marine Services who currently handle anything from life raft sales and service, inflatable boat repairs, super yacht safety systems through to life jackets certification and testing. Denray’s operations centre around liferaft, lifeboat and lifeboat davit supply and service, focusing on the commercial shipping market. Denray is the New Zealand distributor for Viking life rafts, and also offers helicopter underwater escape training (HUET), for organisations which operate helicopters over water. Denray, which is based in Auckland’s East Tamaki, will come under Hutchwilco’s umbrella, the company will continue to operate as normal without disruption to existing customers. This summer make sure you are safe on the water. Today’s inflatable life jackets are comfortable and stylish, unlike the old bulky kapok ones that were uncomfortable and no one really wanted to wear them. Inflatable life jackets have become commonplace now and there are sizes and styles to suit any age. Also make sure your boat is stocked up with the latest safety gear and make sure your flares have not expired. Hopefully you will not need them, but it’s a bugger if they don’t work, that one time you do. From the team at Hurthwilco I wish you a great and safe Christmas on and around the water.

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

Feel the Difference

Nimbus C11 A flexible boat to fit your lifestyle. What distinguishes the Nimbus C11 from other commuters is the way it can transform itself to suit any occasion. The heart of the boat is the cosy spacious saloon with large windows and a seating arrangement that is easily adjusted

SCAN FOR MORE INFO

depending on activity. Sydney | 758 Pittwater Road (02) 9158 0678 Auckland | 131 Westhaven Drive (09) 274 9918 Christchurch | 507 Moorhouse Avenue (03) 379 9208 Learn more about Nimbus at sportsmarine.co.nz

OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR

SEEN

& ADMIRED

ELITE 18M

CRAZY DIAMOND

Crazy Diamond is the first full custom new build for Weber Marine of Gulf Harbour.

esigned by Elite Marine Design for an Auckland businessman for sport fishing and family cruising, the 18m, Crazy Diamond is a timber composite build utilising the best materials available for strength and weight-saving, such as epoxy resins, balsa and foam cores where applicable. Power comes from twin MAN i6 engines rated at 800hp and features full hydraulics and EJS manoeuvering system, which incorporates bow and stern thrusters and both engines for

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

joystick controlled close quarters manoeuvering. Initial sea trials have seen the boat easily reach design parameters. The maiden voyage was from Gulf Harbour to Whitianga just four days after launching to have the remainder of the upholstery fitted due to Covid not allowing the upholster into Auckland to be open. A case of taking the mountain to Mohammed. Braden Weber reported the boat ran perfectly at 21kts. Fitted with TRAC stabiliser fins for passage making and trolling, will be PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

an asset for planed Pacific Island trips. Crazy Diamond is also equipped with long-range tanks negating the need for bladders. Interior fit-out is satin finish Walnut exquisitely executed by the talented master craftsmen at Weber’s yard with interior colours coordinated by Kim at Parkhurst interior design. Look for a full review in the March-April issue of Pacific Powerboat Magazine. www.elitemarine.co.nz www.webermarine.co.nz

Sundancer 265 With over 2,000 in New Zealand, it is easy to see why Sea Ray is the preferred choice of American boats for kiwi boaties. Fully enjoy a long weekend, an extra night, that last hour on the water. The Sea Ray line of Sundancers provides an idyllic boating experience. Decades of artistry,

SCAN FOR MORE INFO

craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology culminate in every moment feeling absolutely perfect Auckland | 131 Westhaven Drive (09) 274 9918 Christchurch | 507 Moorhouse Avenue (03) 379 9208 Learn more about Sea Ray at sportsmarine.co.nz

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SEEN

& ADMIRED

SEALEGS 12RC

BIGGEST SEALEGS UNDERWAY

Sealegs 12m Cabin RIB is a large platform boat, purpose-built for a variety of activities and is due for delivery early next year.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

he Sealegs 12m Cabin RIB utilises Sealegs’ largest, commercial grade amphibious system, with a fully enclosed cabin and 500L fuel tank supporting a maximum 850hp from twin outboards. The 12m Cabin RIB can be customised to suit both commercial and recreational activities. Designed in collaboration with Hall Marine and C4 Design, the 12m Cabin is the largest, and most luxurious Sealegs ever produced. It can be optioned with a full galley and four berths, and offers unparalleled space for an amphibious boat. The 12RC has an overall length of 12.7m with the wheels up, a beam of 3.631 m and a height of 3.53m [wheels down] and 2.84m [wheels up]. The 15 deg deadrise hull is constructed from 6mm hull plate. On-land power is provided by a, 94hp, 4-stroke, air cooled petrol engine, The 12RC system is permanent All Wheel Drive, with an optional momentary diff lock and all wheel braking. It also has significantly higher supportable payload and carry up to nine passengers with recreational configuration. Power options are twin 300hp-425hp outboards. The first 12RC is currently in production with delivery and demonstrations expected mid-2022 www.sealegs.com 16

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

CMY

25% LESS FUEL

3x LONGER LIFE

479 LB.FT TORQUE

Go further. Go diesel. Scan the QR code for more info

Auckland 131 Westhaven Drive (09) 274 9918 Christchurch 507 Moorhouse Avenue (03) 379 9208 www.sportsmarine.co.nz

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

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NEWS

2 0 2 2 B O AT S H O W

AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW TO BE BIGGEST EVER

When the Auckland Boat Show returns, from 17-20 March, 2022, it will be with more exhibitors, in a bigger footprint. With the show moving to March to take advantage of Auckland’s season of boating, the new dates will allow visitors to experience summer on the water at the show. The March show is set to be 15% bigger than previously-planned shows and will be held in Jellicoe Harbour; formerly the America’s Cup team bases.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

Scheduling the show for March dates has allowed for expansion both on water and on land. The show, which is known for its sea trials and extensive on-water component, will have an increased number of boats on display on the show marinas allowing for further sea trials and much-needed time in front of the boating public for the New Zealand marine industry. On land exhibition space has also increased with more marquee space now available. Exhibitors have

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

rapidly returned to the show with those from 2021’s cancelled October show quick to express interest, and new exhibitors vying for the newlycreated space. The show has traditionally been run as a spring event across September or October dates, before the decision to shift to March was made this year, back to the original summer timing of the show, which was last run in 2010. www.auckland-boatshow.com

NEWS

3D PRINTED CRAFT

GEOFENCING

ELECTRIC CARBON FIBRE JETSKI A Southern California company plans to ship a fully electric, carbon fibre personal watercraft by next summer. The 3D-printed Elaqua jetski will have a top speed of 70mph. A Southern California company plans to ship a fully electric, carbon fibre personal watercraft next summer that it says can save up to 7,500 pounds of carbon emissions annually. Eloqua Marine, with engineering and manufacturing facilities in Irvine,

California, claims its 3D-printed craft will provide 180 hp for a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 60 miles. The jetski will feature what the

company calls a “full-suite software package” hosting a remote app and GPS tracking, built-in 5G LTE and WiFi, built-in Bose Bluetooth speakers, and ‘Apple Find My’ enabled. With an RRP of US$12,250, the new model would be priced comparably to similar-sized gas model PWCs.

SKIPPERI ADDS GEOFENCING TO NZ FLEET Skipperi NZ has added geofencing to its fleet of Haines Hunter SF545 boats in Auckland. With geofencing, Skipperi will now notify its users about shallow waters, speed restrictions or maximum speeds in harbour areas to hazardous zones and protected areas for birds and seals. It works via the onboard chartplotter’s GPS signal, and there is a notification on the plotter screen and a warning sound when a boater is, for example, exceeding the speed limit. We believe that by bringing this type of technology into boating, we can create an even safer and smarter boating experience for our Skipperi members. With an active boating community, we want to take the lead in utilising new technology to ensure smarter & safer boating. We are also in a unique position to test new technology and ideas and get instant feedback from our members,” says Skipperi New Zealand CEO Alexander Rosenthal.

In the next phase of Skipperi, we see the potential to work with environmental authorities and organisations to protect other sensitive locations like pest-free islands and areas where there is endangered sea life.”

Initially established in Finland in 2017 with 300 boats in service throughout Scandinavia, Skipperi launched into Auckland in June, and by Xmas will have a fleet of fifteen Haines Hunter SF545 boats, each powered with a Yamaha 115hp four-stroke outboard. www.skipperi.nz

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

WHERE LUXURY MEETS SPEED

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

carbon-cats.com PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

NEWS

NEW VESSEL

COASTGUARD GREAT BARRIER RECEIVE NEW 4UNZ VESSEL This summer, the first of 26 new vessels to be added to Coastguard New Zealand’s fleet has been delivered to Coastguard Great Barrier. Thanks to a unique partnership with Lotto NZ and Emirates Team New Zealand - 100% funded by a $9.8 million lottery grant made possible by the millions of Kiwis who play Lotto NZ games each year.

Used initially as chase boats during this year’s America’s Cup, the boats have been refitted to meet the specific demands of Coastguard service and rebranded for Coastguard units across the country that had been identified as having ageing vessels and limited capacity to fundraise. Over the coming months, 18 vessels customised to the specific demands of the areas they patrol will be delivered to Coastguard

units from Houhora in the north to Dunedin in the south. Two vessels will be retained as training boats for centralised crew-training requirements, with another two on standby to support units as and when required. Great Barrier’s new Coastguard Rescue Vessel (CRV) ‘Waitoa Barrier Rescue’ is a 12.5m Rayglass Protector featuring an elevated cabin and powered by twin 350hp Mercury outboard engines. www.coastguard.co.nz

The Sabre 48 Salon Express Crafted in the Maine Tradition

sabreyachts.com E Marine Motor Yachts • Clontarf Marina • 1 Sandy Bay Rd. • Clontarf, NSW 2093 • +61 417 200 165 • emarine.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

NEWS

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

MARITIMO TO CONTEST 2022 UIM XCAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Australia’s Maritimo Racing, the current UIM XCAT Powerboat World Champions is in preparation to defend the UIM World Championship title. More than 15 years since first racing together, Norway’s Pal Virik Nilsen will join Tom Barry-Cotter in the cockpit of the Maritimo designed and constructed R30 XCAT for the 2022 UIM XCAT World Championship. Coming onboard with Pal, will be fellow Norwegian Lars Inge Graver, joining the team alongside Kurt Davies, Ross Willaton, and Graham Fraser. The Australian / Norwegian combination has a prolific track record with Tom and Pal having competed

in more than 40 races together and securing 3x Australian Offshore Superboat National Titles as well as a Bronze in the 2009 Class One European Championship. Maritimo Racing has been using the extended offseason as opportunity to test and develop the Maritimo R 30 design and setups. “We have been making small improvements to everything we do on an ongoing basis, and I am confident when the time comes to put it is all to the test we will be ready and extremely

competitive,” says Tom. Maritimo Racing have been gathering data from the valuable test time, and applying to the design and construction of a new R30 XCAT for later in the 2022 season. “We have just begun construction of a new and upgraded Maritimo R30 XCAT, which should be ready early in the 2022 season,” he said. Maritimo Racing will be set to return UIM XCAT competition for Round 1 of the 2022 UIM XCAT World Championship. www.maritimo.com.au

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NEWS

2022 MODELS DESIGN COLLAB

GRADY-WHITE UNWRAPPED

WHITEHAVEN REIMAGINE 2022 RANGE The 2022 Whitehaven range has been re-imagined in collaboration with awardwinning yacht designer Misha Merzliakov.

Whitehaven 600

The 2022 Whitehaven range has been 10 years in evolution and for 2022 all the models have come in for a facelift. While there has been some changes in window lines and external profiles, the fact you can be directly involved with the internal layout is a real plus. The 2022 edition, 7000FB and 7000SY flagship models feature European inspired cockpit design that delivers tender storage beneath, an abundance of entertaining space above and a seamless flow to the interior. This alfresco area comes complete with barbeque, sink, fridge/freezer as well as generous lounge/dining space. The flybridge on the 7000FB has been designed as an additional living and socialising space, complete with lounge and a pleasant aft deck with seating, table, sink and storage. However, if you don’t want a flybridge then the 7000SY, one of the biggest sports cruisers on the market features single level, open-plan living and dining space for easy entertaining and a seamless flow between interior and exterior. Looking for something a little smaller, then the Whitehaven 6100SY, 6100SC both offer one level living and comfortable accommodation. Like the idea of a flytbridge, then there is the extremely popular 6000FB, which takes inspiration from the Whitehaven 7000 Flybridge, offering a spacious entertainer’s cockpit, fully enclosed tender garage, flowing galley through saloon and stunning generous accommodations. www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com.au

Whitehaven 6100SC

Whitehaven 7000SY

GRADY-WHITE 2022 MODELS ARRIVE A Grady White Fisherman 236, the first Grady-White 2022 model range, was recently unwrapped in Auckland. Powered by the latest Yamaha V6 300hp motor with Yamaha EX Helm Master, the boat has many new upgrades and features compared to the previous model. These include carbon fibre 18ft outriggers with polished S/Steel 316 bases. The most feature-rich 23-foot centre console, Grady-White’s Fisherman 236 is a superior fishing boat and family-friendly. Standard features that make this boat remarkable include a 15.5-gallon livewell, an oversized enclosed head, and a transom door that makes it easy to board fish or get in and out of the water from the swim platform. Grady’s patented seating designs

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

add comfort for up to 10 passengers. There’s room for everyone from the bow seating with forward-facing foldaway backrests to the foldaway aft bench seat. www.gradywhite.co.nz

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NEWS

8.2M FINSEEKER

FIRST FINSEEKER 280DC Finseeker’s largest model has arrived in Auckland.

The 280DC (8.2m) is the largest model in the Finseeker range and designed as a a dedicated fishing platform for keen fishos. This massive, multi-skilled dual-console vessel is crafted for you to haul in a record catch, cruise the open water or just hang out with friends and family. Fully loaded with top-notch features and amenities for the serious fisherman such as an aluminum framed hardtop enclosure with full windscreens, centre door, electric sunshade, rod holders, lighting and four Wet Sounds speakers, the Finseeker 280DC has it all. Standard features include a pair of Mercury Verado 350hp with DTS controls. The 280DC is finished with a fully enclosed dual console with hardtop and walkthrough to the bow seating, with canvas bow and cockpit covers. An electric SunShade adds extra cover to the open cockpit area. LED lighting package with remote control and underwater transom lights provide a touch of ambience to the boat. With a beam of 2.84m, the Finnseeker 280DC is offered on a Redline tandem axle, braked trailer at $NZ595,990 RRP. www.eurocitymarine.co.nz

Power and Power and performance. performance. Redefined. Redefined. New D4 & D6 propulsion packages Introducing a new generation of our D4 and D6 propulsion packages, from Introducing a new of years our D4 and D6 propulsion packages, from 150–480 hp. Aftergeneration having spent refining and developing the proven platform 150–480 hp.this After havingsystem spent years refining and developing the proven ever further, complete delivers new exciting features – from helmplatform to ever further, this complete system delivers new exciting features – from helm to propeller. All to offer you a more powerful and reliable experience. propeller. All to offer you a more powerful and reliable experience. Learn more at: www.volvopenta.com Learn more at: www.volvopenta.com

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09 274 4305 New D4 |&www.volpower.co.nz D6 propulsion packages PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

NEWS

JAMES BOND VIBES

RAE LINE RELEASE NEW 180 XS Christchurch based Rae Line Boats have released their most stunning model to date in the form of the 180 XS.

TAKACAT INFLATABLE BOAT CLEANERS Takacat NZ has released two specially formulated inflatable boat cleaning products to ensure your Takacat or any inflatable boat stay in top condition. Takacat Boat Cleaner is specially formulated as a spray and wipe style cleaner and UV Protectant. The product’s base is non-caustic so that it can be used on PVC, Hypalon, gel coats and aluminium. It is an environmentally responsible cleaner and surface protectant for all areas where surfaces and equipment are dirty, soiled, and exposed to UV. Whilst you can use this cleaner on any boat, Takacat Boat Cleaner with UV protectant is specially formulated for

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

I N F L AT A B L E B O AT C L E A N E R S

The black on tan U-Dek and upholstery is truly unique. It radiates another level of luxury not seen on many other boats. James Bond comes to mind when you see the 180 XS, with the classic and smooth sleek lines that Rae Line has built their reputation on carrying through. The functional aspects of this boat are equally impressive. Providing ample storage, high-tech features, and attention to detail. Power is not an issue either. Powered by a Volvo 200hp V6 sterndrive, the Rae Line 180 XS has some get up and go

Takacat PVC and Hypalon boats. It contains self-emulsible ultraviolet light absorbers for aqueous systems and imparts UV protection to fabrics and hard surfaces. Takacat Cleaner with UV protectant is a more durable UV protective treatment than obtainable with water-soluble UV absorbers. Delivered in a 750mm spray bottle manufactured using recycled milk bottles. Priced at $NZ25.00 Takacat Boat Wash is an environmentally responsible cleaner, salt remover, and surface protectant for all areas where surfaces and equipment are dirty, soiled, or in contact with saltwater. The boat wash is manufactured using readily biodegradable surfactants and chelating agents along with a protective polymer to reduce the ability of salt, dirt and oil to re-adhere to surfaces that have been cleaned

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

with a great sound to match. The bowrider concept means the whole boat is fully utilised with seating form 7-8 people. There are jump seats either side of the engine box and wide transom deck. Plus a king/queen forward and single helm seat. It is a boat designed to have fun and destined to tow water toys all day. Basic dimensions are 5.49m overall, with a beam of 2.29m and a 19deg deadrise. RRP is $NZ101,787 www.sportsmarine.co.nz

with Takacat Boat Wash. It can be used as an engine flush to protect the internals of your outboard engine. It’s sold in a 1-litre concentrate form for $29.95 www.takacat.co.nz

NEWS

N E W F AT C AT C O N F I G U R AT I O N S

FATCAT 4500 COMING SOON The all new Fatcat 4500, which has been delayed due to lockdown is back on track and due for release soon. Plans are to have the first boats in the hands of customers in early December. Multiple configurations will be available. A base hull in similar spec to a standard FatCat 4000 is expected to initially cost $12,995 incl gst or $16,750 with a trailer. There is huge variance in motor prices. With a tiller steer 40hp you could be on the water from as little as $23,495. Depending on the power, engine brand and set-up chosen, most boats with a console, 4 stroke engine and some extras will leave the factory in the $28k - $39k range. The Fatcat 4500 is offered in a variety of configurations. The Open (tiller steer) models and console

configurations (single centre, double centre, side, twin sides, rear) will be available initially. The forward cabin version will be available in February 2022. New options on the 4500 include and a transom mounted live bait tank and drum anchor winch. Consoles will be rotomoulded and can be placed anywhere. Also, the forward seat can be extended into a large casting platform. The Fatcat 4500 is 4.6m overall, with a beam of 2m and a 610mm high coaming height. Side decks in the 4500 don’t overhang at all. Seating in the 4500 is inside rather than on the side. Thicker construction is used for greater strength given the increase in loadings, but still using the highest grade rotomoulding polymars available to maximise strength/ weight ratios. www.fatcat.nz

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PREMIER SHIPPING

NEWS

H E R L E Y B O AT S D I S T R I B U T O R

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Herley 45 concept

Members of: NZ Marine Export Group NZ Marine Industry Assn

EUROCITY MARINE TAKES ON HERLEY BOATS EuroCity Marine have taken on the sole distributor rights for Herley Boats in New Zealand.

Cule hatches are proudly made in NZ so we can customise to your needs and supply any parts. Easy online purchasing backed by friendly local customer service and a manufacturers warranty. Check out our new website to buy direct or get in touch to discuss your next project.

Buy direct culemarine.co.nz or call 09 835 9706 28

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This is an exciting addition to the brands that EuroCity Marine offers, and adds aluminum fishing boats and catamarans to their product line-up. The Tauranga-based boat builders purpose build high-quality aluminum powerboats and catamarans range from 6m trailer fishing boats to 18m luxury power boats and catamarans. Herley Boats is leading the charge in developing a sustainable approach to boating in New Zealand, having designed and built the first locally produced hybrid catamaran for the recreational market. The team at Herley work closely with customers for a customisable design and build. Whether that be a trailer fishing boat built tough for New Zealand conditions or a hybrid catamaran for overnight cruising, the Herley team create vessels fit for individual needs and taste. www.eurocitymarine.co.nz

NEWS

PROTECT YOUR TEAK

JUSTTEAK JustTeak is a premium teak protection designed to clean, brighten and protect your teak. JustTeak is a marine-grade teak cleaning system that quickly and easily rejuvenates your teak. It will clean, brighten and once sealed protect your teak decking and outdoor teak furniture. The Teak Cleaner renews your valuable teak, removing stains, greying and old coatings, whilst being gentle on your teak. The Teak Brightener removes light stains and greying and brightens teak when used in combination with JustTeak and Teak Cleaner. Teak Sealer ensures a beautiful, natural finish that protects your teak from sun, rain and stains. You will also prolong your teak from turning grey, and when it is time to re-apply, Teak Sealer can be easily removed with JustTeak, Teak Cleaner and Teak Brightener. www.marinexpress.co.nz

W AT E R J E T

DIESEL OUTBOARD WATERJET Jet-Tech’s waterjet is offered as a bolt-on replacement for the standard lower unit on OXE diesel outboard. The Jet-Tech unit is a compact, single stage, high performance waterjet which, according to the company, “combines mixed-flow properties within an axial design build, with a hybrid stator for high torque diesel outboard engines.” Manufactured as a direct bolt-on replacement to the standard lower unit on OXE diesel outboards, the unit fits all current OXE diesel models. Performance is said to be equal to or better than propeller lower units, and is matched 1:1 to the unit horsepowerdriven prop outboard. According to the company, benefits include improved high-speed efficiency with superior cavitation margins at lower speeds and high load conditions. www.jettech.com

A FANTASTIC SPACE SAVING ALTERNATIVE WITH LOADS OF BENEFITS TO KEEP YOUR CATCH IN PREMIUM CONDITION. TOP QUALITY CONSTRUCTION WITH 12MM INSULATING FOAM AND HD TARPAULIN FOR IMPROVED COOLING PERFORMANCE. 3D WELDED CONSTRUCTION

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NEWS

Z O D I A C I N F L AT A B L E S

L&B TO DISTRIBUTE ZODIAC TENDERS Lusty & Blundell Ltd has become the New Zealand agent for the popular range of Zodiac Cadet inflatables. L&B will initially be offering four Zodiac Cadet models: Roll Ups, Aero Inflatable Floor, Aluminium Floor

and Aluminium RIB Light. All will be available in a range of sizes. Mark Milburn says Zodiac inflatables are the perfect complement to L&B’s extensive range of white boat and large trailer boat products and will sit

comfortably alongside the company’s comprehensive ranges of lifejackets, safety equipment, cranes and davits, electric outboards and the like. Zodiac’s patented technology includes their unique ‘thermo-bonding’ manufacturing process which offers unparalleled durability with seams that are virtually indestructible. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz

Company with an experienced team in the Marine and Soft Furnishing Industry. • Marine – Upholstery – Clears – Dodgers - Bimini – Carpets • Custom Bedding – Boat Mattresses – Sheets – Protectors - Bedcovers • Commercial fit outs – Restaurants – Bedding – Age Care • Residential – Upholstery – Soft Furnishings • Attention to detail using the highest quality products and finish.

SPECIALISTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF MARINE, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL UPHOLSTERY. DB854

Call us today to make an appointment for us to look at your boat. Phone: 09 818 3841 | e: justin@westakupholstery.co.nz | e: sharon@westakupholstery.co.nz | www.westaucklandupholstery.co.nz

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

NEWS

D E S I G N E D F O R E N T E R TA I N I N G

HORIZON YACHTS DELIVERS HIGHLY BESPOKE FD75

Built for an Asian owner, the latest FD75 features a unique layout designed for entertaining. Horizon Yachts has delivered a brand new FD75 to an Asian owner based in Singapore. The builder’s high-volume Fast Displacement Series FD75 model provided the optimal platform for the Taiwanese owner, who envisioned a yacht meant for entertainment. The owner of the new FD75, christened Ocean Lily, requested a number of customisations, resulting in a yacht that features one of the most unique layouts found on an FD Series yacht to date. Ocean Lily will be berthed at Singapore’s world-class

ONE°15 Marina in Sentosa Cove. The owner of the new FD75, christened Ocean Lily, requested a number of customisations, resulting in a yacht that features one of the most unique layouts found on an FD Series yacht to date. The concept behind the Ocean Lily design and build is to entertain and accommodate groups of up to 20 people. The most dramatic customisation on this yacht comes in the form of a simple yet unique layout configuration. Forward, the space that normally holds the full-beam, on-deck master stateroom has been designed as a

elite for a reason

www.webermarine.co.nz

Karaoke room with disco lighting. The second departure from the norm appears on the open flybridge of OceanLily. In this expansive space, which offers multiple areas for dining and lounging, the owner requested a DJ booth setup and smoke machines as well as disco lighting. On the lower deck, three additional staterooms have been configured to sleep multiple guests, while aft of the engine room housing the twin MAN V8 diesel engines of 1,200hp each, a crew cabin and mess. www.horizonyachtaus.com

Elite 18m

www.lloydstevenson.co.nz

DB849

Custom design Sedan, Mid-Pilothouse and Sportsfisher Motor Yachts www.lloydstevenson.co.nz www.elitemarine.co.nz • • +64 (0) 0274 9 530 853 8501 www.lloydstevenson.co.nz www.elitemarine.co.nz +64 235

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NEWS

B O AT I N D I S U T R Y B O O M

MARITIMO SOLD OUT TILL 2024 Luxury motor yacht builder Maritimo is enjoying massive growth, both locally and overseas. Maritimo Director of Design Tom BarryCotter said the boatbuilding giant was positioned to experience 20% annual

growth year-on-year over the next three years, with orders for new motor yachts sold out beyond mid-2024. He said two key factors were driving growth – a strengthening global economy and Maritimo’s large scale new model roll-out. The multi-billion-dollar global luxury boat industry is experiencing such a boom brought on by the pandemic that it is fuelling a burst of new locally designed and produced motor yacht models, as well as sales and exports. Even from markets where travel wasn’t so heavily restricted, such as the United States, Maritimo

was experiencing record sales and enquiries, he said. “We are seeing record interest and sales from Australia, New Zealand and North America,” he said. “Over 50 per cent of our production is exported around the globe.” He said Maritimo’s large scale new model development strategy would see the company globally launch eight new models by the end of the year. The new M55 Flybridge Motor Yacht and S55 Sedan Motor Yacht were launched at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida in late October. www.maritimo.com.au

uperior

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www.superiorboats.co.nz Superior Boats Ltd: 25-27 Holmes Rd. Manurewa, Auck | +64 9 268 2222 | info@superiorboats.co.nz 32

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

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WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHTWEIGHT, WE’VE GOT YOUR TENDER...

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NEWS

NEW MODELS

ANITFOULING EFFECT PAINT

NEW ISLAND GYPSY’S ON THEIR WAY Island Gypsy Boats have announced two brand new Island Gypsies models, which are currently under construction. There are two brand new models joining the Island Gypsy fleet, the Island Gypsy 500 and the Island Gypsy 650. The Island Gypsy 650 features a full-width master while the Island Gypsy 500 features a huge twin cabin and master ensuite with a separate shower to port and separate head to starboard. Each vessel also has a separate guest double cabin along with a luxurious bathroom. The vessels we currently have under construction have already been sold to new owners. Also the first dozen Island Gypsy 400’s are also well underway with construction. The first ten have already been sold to their owners. For the remaining two Island Gypsy 400’s the company are offering a free engine upgrade to the 355hp Cummins electric engine, dual Gyro Stabilisers, upgraded bow and stern thrusters, an Onan generator and air conditioning. Altogether this equates to an estimated $50,000 of upgraded equipment! This special will be running until the end of the year or until both vessels are sold, whichever comes sooner. www.igboats.com.au

FOULING RELEASE PAINT FROM CRYSTAL BOAT Crystal Boat is a 2K gliding paint with an antifouling effect suitable for fibreglass and metal surfaces that doesn’t ruin itself after a prolonged contact with air or water. The boats treated with this paint can therefore be hauled and launched an unlimited number of times. Crystal Boat is a 2K gliding paint with an antifouling effect suitable for fibreglass and metal surfaces. Crystal Boat is designed to protect the environment because, as being 34

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

completely devoid of biocides, its environmental impact is practically close to zero. Given its high resistance to exfoliation, the hull is expected not to be repainted earlier than three years. It’s therefore for a mechanical reason that Crystal Boat can be used in the same way as a conventional antifouling paint. Crystal Boat creates an almost total protection against moisture in the same way as anti- osmosis treatments. The paint creates an insulating layer that protects the boat against galvanic currents. Crystal Boat is also certified to handle impacts of up to 45 Newton and resist all types of solvents. www.nzmps.co.nz

Herley Boats Elite 8

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Euro City Marine - 12 Clearwater Cove, Hobsonville Marina, Auckland | Ph 09 416 2190 Euro City (Head Office) - 120 Prebensen Drive, Napier | Ph 06 835 8810 Email: enquiries@eurocity.co.nz | www.eurocitymarine.co.nz

POWER ON

TEMO APPOINT NZ & AUS DEALERS French electric outboard manufacturer TEMO has appointed dealerships in New Zealand and Australia. Tenob Wholesale has been appointed New Zealand dealer for TEMO, with RWB Marine given the rights to market and sell this unique outboard in Australia. The first shipment of engines will be arriving in Australia in December, with Kiwis having to wait until late January. Just 12 months after raising

fundraising to manufacture its portable electric motor, Temo delivered its 1000th unit and is now ready for worldwide distribution. Tenob’s, Danny Bassi says, “It is a very unique product that is ideal for small tenders and is certainly right up there with the latest electric outboard technology”. It’s compact, lightweight and has an exceptional battery live. The outboard is all about simplicity, ergonomics and portability. Weighing less than 5kg and with a unique design combining motor,

VETUS RELEASE HIGHEST OUTPUT THRUSTER

Vetus is adding the highest output thrusters yet to its expanding line-up of advanced BOW PRO units with the BOW PRO Boosted 300 series launch. The new BOWB285, BOWB300, and BOWB320 thrusters are Vetus’s most powerful BOW PRO thrusters and the first BOW PRO units in the 300mm tunnel range. Suitable for boats up to 30m, the latest models enable more boat owners to experience the innovative DC-to-DC charging technology, exceptionally quiet operation, precision proportional control and extended run time of the unique BOW PRO Boosted (BOWB) range. Combining the efficiency of the Vetus proprietary motor controller with the latest maintenance-free brushless motors, the 17.5 to 18.7 kW Boosted 300 series provide power outputs of 285 kgf, 300 kgf and 320 kgf, alongside the benefits of 48V compatibility and the added boost function. VETUS continues to expand the BOW PRO Boosted range, with units for the 400 mm tunnel range available to the market soon. www.vetus.com 36

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PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

battery and control unit, TEMO is practical and ultra-compact. You simply squeeze the trigger and go! Its telescopic size (from 130 to 170 cm) allows everyone to use TEMO comfortably. Its ambidextrous and multiposition ensures your well-being and control in all circumstances and in all weathers. “We wanted a product that would participate in carbon-free boating while respecting a very short supply chain. Thus, 70% of the product’s cost is sourced within a 100km radius of Nantes,” explains Alexandre SEUX, the company’s founder. www.tenob.co.nz

SMARTGYRO ANNOUNCES NEW SG60

Smartgyro has announced the addition of the SG60 unit to expand its unique line-up of gyro stabilisers further. The introduction of the latest model, suitable for boats from 55 feet to 65 feet, follows the launch of the new SG20, for boats from 45 feet to 55 feet, earlier this year, enabling Smartgyro to offer its industry-first design benefits and advanced roll reduction technology for a variety of vessels in the 30 feet to 80 feet range. With other units under development, the strengthened SG series now consists of the SG20, SG40, SG60 and SG80, with a growing dealer network in place to supply to customers worldwide. www.vetus.com

Join Tristram Marine for the 9th annual Tristram Marine Open Fishing Tournament from 19th to 26th February 2022. Based at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club in Whitianga, the Tristram Open is again set to be a whole heap of fun for families and game-fishermen alike, with another brilliant prize pool up for grabs. Fish as few or as many days as you like! For more information visit -

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C R U I S I N G M AT T E R S with Laurie Cranfield

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE ( PA R T O N E )

lthough five of the six boats we’ve owned since the 1980s have been planing, a large chunk of our cruising has been in the Med at around six knots aboard our passagemaker, Envoy. During that time we really grew to enjoy life in the slow lane and now find that even though our Salthouse 52, Rapport, is capable of over 20 knots we prefer to cruise mostly around 8 knots. Many owners of twin-engined planing vessels choose to cruise on the plane when cruising some distance to their destination, but then cruise off the plane in the general area around their destination. Let’s put aside the intangible factors and focus on the indisputable factors of reduced fuel consumption and increased range, even though most cruisers understand the cost of fuel is one of the cheapest of their costs. I studied three examples of fuel savings and range increases from this magazine’s recent reviews of twinengined planing and semi-planing boats in the 13.3m to 17m size range, finding that reducing speed from around 17-24 knots to around 6-8 knots increases both economy (in terms of litres per nm) and range by a factor of three to five times as a result of cruising closer to displacement speed where the boat’s hull becomes wonderfully efficient. That’s why long distance cruisers are nearly always displacement vessels or faster vessels operated at near displacement speed. The figures would be even more impressive if I’d compared maximum rpm with idling rpm, but I wanted to compare realistic speeds. However there are downsides to cruising at low rpm and I want to mention these as well as suggesting several alternative options to minimise their effects. These thoughts are based on our own experiences and some internet research as well as discussions with four diesel mechanics over the last several years. Diesel engines are not designed to be run for long periods at light loading, which is defined as rpm less than about 40 per cent of wide open throttle (WOT). On the contrary the suggested rule of thumb is to run engines at 60-75 per cent of WOT for 60-75 per cent of your cruising time.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

So what happens if you consistently run at light loading rpm? Low rpm causes lower than optimum engine temperatures and piston rings don’t seat so well resulting in faster wear, additional blow-by (more than double the normal), oil fouling of components such as turbos and carbonisation. Blow-by is the phenomenon whereby combustion chamber gasses consisting of unburned fuel and water vapour as well as soot bypass the rings causing a harmful sludge to build up on the rings in the process and to enter the crankcase. Some blow-by is normal, but

increased levels contaminate lubricating oil and the sludge can partially block lubrication feed lines as well as forming acids that attack engine parts, often resulting in later engine problems and significantly reduced engine life. This is one of several reasons why engines used in commercial vessels generally have a longer life than in pleasure vessels; that is their engines are mostly specified according to their intended operational speed and rpm. Another cause of increased blow-by is over filling lubrication oil so we should never add oil beyond the dipstick mark. Running diesel engines for long periods at

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

near idling speed is particularly detrimental and engine “wear” occurs at about double the rate compared to running them under normal loading. For this reason ideally engines should only have 3-5 minutes of idling following start up and then run around 1,200 rpm with some load applied. Not only can idling cause a build-up of carbon in the engine but also causes mirror glazing, which is the creation of a mirror-like surface finish on cylinder bores, eventually allowing more oil to pass the rings and creating more blow-by. Mirror glazing can also be caused by constantly running engines at the same rpm, so this should be avoided. Before shut down a diesel should also be idled for 3-5 minutes to allow the turbo to cool down and in practice this is catered for when entering your marina or approaching your anchorage. Additionally alternators don’t operate so well at low rpm. For example aboard Rapport, which has 24V battery banks, our 50 amp alternators charge at 23 amps at 1,170rpm and 36 amps at 1,510rpm – a 57 per cent difference. At low rpm alternators’ cooling fans also run more slowly which can cause alternators to overheat particularly in the early stages of charging when the alternators are working their hardest. Another negative for running slower is it results in more engine hours accumulating for the same distance cruised theoretically resulting in an increase in service costs, though practically many vessels have an annual service without reaching their hours of service threshold. But don’t despair as our next issue will cover the pros and cons of several options available to run your vessel at lower speeds without compromising engine wear or longevity. Meanwhile here’s a tip if you want to run your engines for slow cruising. Avoid running below about 1,200 rpm and at least run at 60-75 per cent of WOT for about 30 minutes after reaching full operating temperature, then again for about 15 minutes every 4 hours and then for about 30 minutes about 1 hour before shutdown. This last one is especially important to reduce soot formation and to clean the turbocharger and it’s better to spend less than optimal time at higher rpm than none at all. Happy and safe summer cruising.

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STRAIGHT FROM THE GALLEY with Derek the Chef, chefline14@gmail.com

Cajun Spiced Pan Scallops, chorizo and vegetable Scallops are found around the coast on the sandbanks and mudbanks of sheltered bays from the low tide mark out to about 50m depth. They lie on the seabed with the flat shell uppermost, often singly but mostly gather in beds. PREP 5 mins COOK 2-3 minutes

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • •

CHEFS TIP

500 grm fresh / frozen Scallops You can replace the 500 grm Chorizo sausage yellow courgettes 2x med Courgettes sliced (green & yellow) (seasonal availability) ½ bunch asparagus cut into 3rds with yellow capsicum. 2x Red capsicum roughly chopped 8-10 cherry tomato Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2x Tbsp Cajun seasoning 2x Tbsp Cocavo Chilli & lime Coconut and Avocado oil

METHOD 1. Melt the Cocavo in a large wok or heavy based pan, then toss in the Chorizo cook for a little while until just browned, remove and set aside. 2. Next place the vegetables in the hot Cocavo chilli & lime, (Courgettes, Asparagus, Capsicum,) and cook that through. 3. Add the Cajun seasoning to the scallops then toss to coat and combine and quickly sear on both sides. 4. In the same pan as above add a little more Cocavo Chilli & Lime (This becomes the sauce) and bring to medium heat return the vegetables from above and bring up to temperature. 5. Add in the halved tomatoes and just wilt the skin a little 6. Check and adjust seasoning then turn out into a serving bowl. 7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. 40

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Frozen Scallops where used in this recipe purchased from OCEANS FRESH SILVERDALE

Enjoy with LISTEL GRAIN DE GRIS

Pale pink coralish colour, expressive nose with fresh red fruits and yellow fruits (peach) and a citrus touch. The aromatic palate has a beautiful red fruits and citrus expression and ends on a supple and greedy note.

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ELECTRONIC NEWS

RAYMARINE CYCLONE RADAR Raymarine’s new Cyclone takes open-array radar to the next level, delivering incredibly powerful CHIRP precision in a low profile, lightweight package. With a strikingly aggressive aircraft-winginspired design, Cyclone radars not only look as good on a 6m hardtop as they do on 18m cruiser, they also offer a level of performance usually found only on much larger and far more expensive radars. Thanks to the latest CHIRP pulse compression and beam-sharpening technology, combined with Raymarine’s unique new RangeFusion, Cyclone radars can quickly and clearly identify and display both close range and distant targets in a single radar image that is quick and easy to interpret.

With Cyclone, Raymarine, the original pioneers of Bird Radar, have taken their world-leading Bird Mode to new levels. Automatically intelligently optimising radar gain and sea clutter controls the new Bird Mode quickly identifies and targets distant flocks of seabirds, including those just above the surface of the water. Cyclone radars are built to withstand with extreme (up to 100 knot winds) weather conditions while, thanks to its -fast 60rpm rotational speed, continuing to deliver 360-degree awareness and accurate tracking of up to 100 distinct ARPA

INTELLIAN EXPANDS L-BAND PORTFOLIO The new Intellian FB250 enables simultaneous voice and data connectivity up to 284kbps. Marine satellite antenna manufacturer Intellian has received type approval from Inmarsat for its new FB250 and Fleet One L-band terminals, making it one of the first to market with user terminals for operation on Inmarsat’s L-band network, ELERA.

HELLA APELO UNDERWATER LIGHTING Lighting specialists Hella Marine has announced the release of Apelo underwater lighting. Apelo underwater lights feature Edge Light technology and optical intelligence for superior brilliance, and advanced materials that offer maximum durability. The Apelo range comprises of three models offering 1,800 or 3,000 lumens of underwater illumination in either white/blue or RGB light, creating the perfect mood whether dockside or moored out at sea, whilst Edge Light technology – making its debut on the Apelo A2 – also provides courtesy illumination. Hella’s unique Optical Intelligence delivers a wide horizontal spread of 42

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

targets in real-time, even when the vessel is at full speed! Raymarine’s new Cyclone radars are available in six solid state models: in 3’, 4’, or 6’ with either Cyclone 55 watt/6kW equivalent magnetron performance or Cyclone Pro 110 watt/12kW equivalent magnetron performance. All integrate seamlessly with Raymarine Axiom, Axiom+, Axiom Pro, and Axiom XL chartplotter multifunction displays and are backed by Raymarine’s industry-leading three-year warranty. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz.

The FB250 is a multi-functional terminal, either acting as a stand-alone primary communications terminal or combining with Intellian’s GX60NX and GX100NX to create a Fleet Xpress (FX) solution. The Fleet One terminal provides an easy-to-install, reliable voice and data solution, ideal for smaller fishing and leisure vessels. The new FB250 has been engineered to complement Intellian’s GXNX series of Ka-band antennas, creating one of the mostinnovative FX product offerings on the market. www.advancetrident.com

light across the transom and a narrow vertical distribution for high lux levels instead of sending light too high or too low where it becomes invisible. With this unique technology, Apelo compares favourably with lamps offering higher lumen ratings whilst using less energy to achieve the same brightness levels. Completely sealed, Apelo lights are certified to IP68 and IP69, and engineered for both dry running and absolute waterproof reliability. Intelligent electronics sense their environment and regulate the power accordingly to control the internal operating temperature, enabling Apelo lights to operate at optimum efficiency whether submerged or out of the water. Apelo A2 ships in two housing choices depending on hull materials. Apelo A2 Aluminium is purpose designed for

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aluminium hulls and vessels that do not require anti-fouling (i.e., storage on boat lifts, trailers or berthed in fresh water). Apelo A2 Bronze is a robust marine grade bronze housing for permanently moored hulls of fibreglass, timber, steel and composite (not aluminium). www.hellamarine.com

ENL ENDORSES PROPSPEED’S FOULFREE FOR WASSP L&B SETS UP SPECIALIST LITHIUM TEAM Lusty and Blundell, has established a new Specialist Lithium Team to meet the fast-growing demand for lithium batteries. Unlike other batteries, lithium has many advantages over traditional lead-based batteries, including weighing far less and boasting a much longer cycle life. It is also one of the most cost-effective types of battery per cycle. “Lithium batteries are now considered the ‘gold standard’ for many applications and it is easy to see why,” says L&B managing director, Mark Milburn. “There comes a time where the novelty of replacing batteries on a boat or motorhome wears off and many ask: ‘Is there a better way?’ The short answer is: ‘Yes, lithium” and, because it can last up to 10 times longer, it can really be considered a battery for life.” Because the entire capacity of a lithium battery can be used if needed, lithium offers owners the option to either downsize their bank size or have extended runtime, compared to a traditional lead-based battery. “With so many different types of chargers and batteries on the market, our Specialist Lithium Team can offer expert advice about choosing and then integrating these together to produce best possible solutions for our customers. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz

Sonar technology, WASSP, has been approved to be coated in Propspeed Foulfree. Propspeed, the leading innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, announced last week it had received an endorsement from Electronic Navigation Ltd. (ENL). The innovator in wide-angle sonar technology, ENL has tested the Propspeed Foulfree foul-release coating and found it to be effective for keeping their transducers clean and free from marine growth. Designed by industry-leading engineers and certified by Airmar, Propspeed has no loss in transducer performance once applied, Foulfree releases marine growth, reducing the maintenance needed to keep transducers clean and streamlining water flow. Foulfree is a specialised foulrelease coating that is biocide-free and does not poison marine growth. Once cured, Foulfree forms a superslippery surface over the transducer, preventing marine growth from attaching to its surface. Offering a long service life – it lasts a minimum of 12 months, with an even longer life span in cooler climates. www.propspeed.com

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ROGER'S RAMBLINGS with Roger Tweddell

SPEED ON WATER

n the early 1980’s in New Zealand, the advent of Volvo Penta’s diesel engines with their turbo charged high rpm performance, initiated a period where launches could now match runabouts for speed. Turbocharged diesel engines revolutionised performance and enabled boats over 10m and more to surge on to the plane and leave displacement launches in their wake. Whilst Volvo dominated the scene in the 80’s and early 90’s many other diesel engine brands came on to the market offering better performance for big boats. The new-found speed spurned record attempts and bragging rights for New Zealand’s fastest dieselpowered launches. Sponsored by PowerBoat Magazine and encouraged by the magazines editor, Barry Thompson, speed records increased during the 80’s & 90’s until in 1995 it was set at 43.9 knots. Interest lulled until just recently the record has been set at 45.6 knots by T2, a power cat, with a pair of Scania 750 hp diesels. The race for speed is back on! The scene in Auckland for speed records had already been set by the measurement of trailer boat speeds during sea trials and magazine boat reviews. During the 1980’s and 90’s trailer boats were getting faster with many easily able to exceed 40 knots straight off the show room floor. The venue for these records was a marked 44

T2 is the current Pacific PowerBoat magazine diesel speed record holder at 45.6 knots. Power is a pair of 750 hp Scanias.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

measured mile down the break water off Auckland’s Okahu Bay. This was close to the offices of most of the boating magazines of the period, which were based in Parnell, Auckland. PowerBoat Magazine, Seaspray and Boating New Zealand were all within a 5 minute drive. The break water encompassed a mooring area for hundreds of yachts and launches. Today however, most of the moorings have now been removed along with the Compass Dolphin, which was demolished during a severe storm, and the break water is almost non-existent. It was a regular occurrence for testers to drag race boats for two way runs, along this course. The inner harbour conditions provided a consistent and reliable bench mark. This was of course long before the existence of GPS and marks on the break water were used as way points with testers clicking the stop watch as they went past. On one PowerBoat Magazine test the subject boat was taken down the measured mile at full throttle when chine walking took over to such a degree that the boat flopped on to one side and stayed there at approx. 40 knots. The crew was mildly shaken and the manufacturer did a little redesigning to improve its high-speed handling. Leaving our shores and on a grander scale the obsession for who has the fastest pleasure craft goes all the way to superyachts. At an incredible 70 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

knots the record is shared by “World is not Enough” (20,000 HP and 291 tonnes) and “Foners” (10,000 HP and 180 tonnes), both 42 metres in length. Of course, like all superyachts they have accommodation for a dozen or more guests in palatial cabins and the fit out incorporates all the usual superyacht extravagance. Both an example of a very expensive passion for speed. If extreme outright speed is the answer, then the outright World Water Speed record is held by Ken Warby, an Australian, in his 6000 HP Westinghouse Turbo Jet powered “Spirit of Australia”. Set in 1978 this record of 317 MPH still stands to this day. His son, David is currently testing Spirit of Australia II , with a 9000hp Westinghouse jet engine and hopes to have a crack at breaking the record sometime next years at Blowering Dam in Victoria. If extreme on water acceleration is required then “Problem Child” an unlimited drag boat, the creation Eddie Knox and Larry Bless of the USA might be a bit of an understatement. At 8000 HP it can reach a speed of 262 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Not to be forgotten are the exploits of Sir Donald Campbell who in 1967 died in a spectacular crash on Coniston Lake, trying to break his own record of 276 mph set in in 1955.

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FISHING

with Bruce Duncan (aka Captain Swish)

A full spool of mono gives greater accuracy and distance for stray lining.

TACKLE THE TACKLE BEFORE IT ALL TURNS TO TEARS Most of our fishing gear sits idle in the boat or garage for most of its life. We don’t even give it a second thought till we head out for a fish, and it is only when we are out on the water hooked up to the fish of a lifetime that’s just busted you off due to gear failure dose it hit home.

et’s be honest, we still get grumpy and spit the dummy even when we know it’s our fault for not looking after and checking the gear. We will still lay the blame at the manufacture’s feet rather than our own with comments like, “I only used it a couple of times last year”! The marine environment is so harsh that even the smallest grain of salt will affect it over time if left on a reel. Saltwater is even on the line as it is rewound onto the spool. Left to dry, it crystalises, becomes abrasive in time, damaging and weakening it. The best example is the saying, “smoking reels. That is, when hooked up on a game fish, the line is being stripped off the spool at such a speed that it releases the crystalised salt, giving the impression the reel is on fire. Years ago, I was probably lazier than most when cleaning down the gear

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

after a day’s fishing. It’s only having learnt from the school of hard knocks over the past years, having been busted off due to sticky drags an old nylon, that I now follow a simple routine after every fishing trip.

ROD CARE

First, having given all the rods a light spray to soften any baked-on bait and scales, I start at the rod tip with a wet soapy rag wiping down the rod and each guide. Cleaning the guides is as vital as the reel and takes less than a few minutes to do correctly. Over time salt builds up around the base of the guides, which gets under the binding, causing unseen corrosion. Eventually, the guide will fail when under load or knocked. Rod grips get covered in a slimy mess that builds up and hardens when dry. The buildup of grime over time makes

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the grips slippery when wet. A light scrub can lessen heavy buildups with sandpaper to remove it, but it’s best to give the grips a good scrub off each time they are used. Even when away for a week on the launch and the rods are used daily, I make a habit of cleaning the gear each night at rum o’clock.

REEL MAINTENANCE

The single most overlooked thing people fail to do to the reels after washing their gear before putting it away is to back off the drags. Drag washers will compress and harden in time, so instead of the line when pulled off the reel running out smoothly, it is all jerky and sticks in places, often resulting in busts. One little trick I have learnt over the years is before I set the drag is to give the handle of the reel a few turns while

holding the spool, to take out any hard spots and warm-up and smooth out the drag. Once dry, give both the guides and reels of each rod a light spray with Tackle Guard trying to keep it off the nylon. Reels need more than just a bit of grease and a polish, but I strongly suggest that you leave it to the experts unless you know what you are doing. Many a time, I have pulled a reel apart only to find that I have lots of tiny little springs and screws left over after I have reassembled, and for some weird reason, the reel makes funny grinding noises.

LINE MATTERS

In all reality, the only thing between you and the fish, which is the cheapest part of the days fishing, is the fishing line. Over time the line gets kinks, nicks and stretched. Even the heat of a garage or engine room or the sun over a season will weaken it. Nylon gets damaged without you realising it by being dragged over rocks and kelp, and even the boney tail of a fish will rub it. Every time I go fishing, I strip of at least a meter of line then run the next few meters between my fingers, checking for damage to be on the safe side. Every time the line gets stuck on the bottom, you must do this, and you have to break it off. Pulling the line stretches it till it breaks. From the point of the break back up the line for at least a meter, the line will be thinner and weakened by at least 50%. If you then tie on a hook at the point of the break without cutting back a meter of the line, the chances are the next decent fish will break you off.

TOP SHOT

Over my lifetime, I have only been spooled twice, yet I have seen it happen many times and 90% of the time, it’s due to lack of line on the spool. Let’s face it, the last 100m of the line is seldom used, so rather than doing a complete re-spool, I do what is called a “top shot.” That is to leave the last 100m on and tie and wind on another 250m of line. Hooked up on a big fish that is taking a lot of line, be aware the weakest point is where the nylon has been joined, watch for the knot to come up and once past the rod tip, be very careful to slowly play the fish till the join is back on the spool. By keeping the spool full [especially when using fixed spool egg beaters], not only will you have plenty to play with, but more importantly, a full spool allows you to cast 30% further with greater accuracy of getting the bait to land where you want it. A bit of time spent cleaning and doing preventive maintenance stops you from becoming one of the hard-luck stories back at the ramp.

Washed, dried, sprayed drags backed off all good to go. PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

B O AT R E V I E W S : A B S O L U T E 4 8 C O U P E & N A V E T T A 4 8

BEST OF BOTH TEXT BY BARRY THOMPSON

While the Navetta 48 has proven a popular model in the Absolute range, the company has taken the concept a step further with the release of the 48 Coupe. 48

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

While the Navetta 48 has proven a popular model in the Absolute range, the company has taken the concept a step further with the release of the 48 Coupe. The 48 Coupe announces, this Italian marques, return to the very competitive sport cruiser market. New Zealand Absolute agent, Gary Erseg (Yachtfinders Global) has been selling the Absolute brand since 2016 and to date has eight new boats either on the water or due shortly. His biggest to date is the Navetta 58, which will be reviewed in the next issue (Mar-Apr) of Pacific PowerBoat. While the Navetta 48 and 48 Coupe look totally different, they share a very common |

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

layout inside and it is essentially only the exteriors spaces that are very different. The Navetta for example has a flybridge, whereas the 48 Coupe is, as the name suggests a Coupe so has a flat roofline. The cockpits are very different also. Kiwis are very familiar with sport cruisers be they locally built or overseas brands and outsell new flybridge boats across virtually all sizes. Not having a flybridge is not for everyone, but if you like one level, very social living spaces, then a sport cruiser/ sedan is the way to go. Visually both boats are very different above the deck line and also there is some variation

While the Navetta 48 and 48 Coupe look totally different, they share a very common layout inside.

in the massive hull windows. What Absolute have done is essentially give you the option of both mediums, sedan or flybridge, without compromising the internal layout.

DISTINCTIVE EXTERIOR

The 48 Coupe has been described as a very clever package with all the features of a much larger boat. Due to Absolute’s modular cockpit furniture arrangement, each client is able to make the call on the loose furnishings, either factory supplied

“What Absolute have done is essentially give you the option of both mediums, sedan or flybridge, without compromising the internal layout.”

or from an outside source. The external lines of the 48 Coupe are strong and reflect the new style that the company is portraying in its new sport cruiser range. The hull is enhanced by details along the hull and by the designs of the windows, both the bow one and the one at midship. The transom is also cut off, rather than the traditional Portofino look and the bow follows the new trend of been not too inclined to maximise the internal space right forward. The opening sun roof has been replaced by a set of solar panels which allows the main on-board utilities to function without the

continuous use of the generator. In this way, it is possible to spend time at anchor in total silence. The central solar panel has a glass section that allows the light into the main deck, without overheating the area. It is also possible to close it off with a blind. The 48 Coupe features wide walkaround decks with a neatly designed cut-out line in the coaming, which means that there is no viewing interruption from inside. Neat and simple feature. There is a wide side access to the helm, which is always a bonus when docking or manoeuvring in tight spaces. PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

A B S O L U T E 4 8 C O U P E & N AV ET TA 4 8

The opening sun roof has been replaced by a set of solar panels on the 48 Coupe.

If you prefer a conventional flybridge design, then the Navetta 48 has that covered.

The helm has a convenient side door access to the bulwalks.

The foredeck area has also come in for special treatment and no longer is this often neglected area left as a forgotten space. Absolute have reformed this into a very social environment with a large sun deck comprising three reclining backrests and a detachable awning with carbon fibre poles. At the other end of the 48 Coupe, the transom area has also come in for some very special treatment that I have not seen on a boat of this size or style before. The traditional fibreglass moulded transom has been replaced with a glass and stainless railing that means you have unobstructed views from the cockpit to the wide boarding platform. Below are three storage lockers accessed from the platform. Great spots to stow your fishing gear, fenders or mooring warps. There are three removeable stainless rails across the rear of the 1.53 long platform and a stainless handle either side to assist when boarding. Something else I have never seen on a boat before. Absolute describe the cockpit area as more of a terrace and I would have to agree. It’s not until you are seated around the cockpit lounger that you can really appreciate what the benefit of the glass transom is. With no solid moulding there is a feeling of being in a much larger vessel or even at home on your terrace. It also means that you can keep an eye on your kids swimming and diving off the platform. While cockpit is covered by a solid roof for the forward half, there is a retractable electric awning to

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extend that right through to the transom. Keep the sun out or have it open to enjoy the rays, it’s your choice. The cockpit space has been maximised with narrow side coamings. The 3m long cockpit is typical of the benefits of the modular furniture system, which can be configured in various versions and combined with other furnishing elements. Two options are with either four or six modules comprised of seats and tables.

MORE SPACE

If you prefer a conventional flybridge design, then the Navetta 48 has that covered. It’s an impressive area for this size boat with spacious living and amenities. There’s room for five people ahead of the helm seat in a sundeck. Access is from the cockpit via wide steps, with a galley equipped with fridge, icemaker, bbq and sink unit to port. Around the rear of the deck is a wrap-around lounger with large central table. A hardtop option is available as well as a bimini with clears. While the cockpit space is much the same as the 48 Coupe, the layout is more traditional and you don’t have the option of modular furniture. The cockpit is equipped with a central sofa and table, ahead of a fully moulded transom, with a cockpit privacy sunshade that completely disappears into the ceiling when not in use. Very cool. There is a double entry from the platform and the Navetta 48 retains the same 1.45m deep boarding platform as the 48 Coupe. The foredeck lounging area is retained although differs slightly from the 48 Coupe, being longer and wider, with the same width decks, and both boats retain the same side access door from the walkway to the saloon.

MAIN DECK

The split-level saloon deck while contemporary has some very cool features. For example, the entire middle sections either side of the exceptionally large windows, can electrically be dropped halfway down, creating a natural circulation of air. Along with the multi sectional (six door option) saloon access door, the abundance of light and ventilation into the saloon adds a bright ambience. There is a feeling of oneness between the cockpit and saloon, which tends to radiate an openness and adds an inviting friendly and fun appeal on board. The gallery is closely linked to both areas so if ideally situated for those of us that like to entertain. Features include a microwave, dishwasher, two burner induction hob, double fridge-freezer, wine cooler and Corian benchtop. The starboard side helm forward comes with a single helm seat and a generous size dash for all your displays, instrument and controls. There is space for at least two 16” displays. Standing or seated it offers an excellent driving position and the side door access is a bonus. Aft is a second lounger with deep storage beneath. Opposite is the C-shape lounger that is raised so you have great external sightlines and you’re not hunkered down not being able to see what’s happening around you. There is a high/low table to convert from dining to coffee height and this can also be converted to another accommodation area. While the Navetta 48 copycats much of the interior layout of the main deck the windows are very different. A feature is the rounder pillars installed at the sides of the pillarless screen. Visibility is exceptional from a great driving position. The Navetta cockpit has a conventional moulded transom.

The 48 Coupe glass transom is more in keeping with a terrace.

The master cabin features a king size berth with good access all around.

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

A B S O L U T E 4 8 C O U P E & N AV ET TA 4 8

(top left & right) The VIP cabin and guest cabin are midships.

The split-level saloon deck while contemporary has some very cool features.

The middle sections in the 48 Coupe’s windows can electrically be dropped halfway down.

THREE CABIN LAYOUT IDENTICAL

Absolute have made the best use of the space available forward with three large cabins, two with double berths and one with twin singles, plus two bathrooms, which are also of a reasonable size. Massive hull windows bathe the cabins in light, with the shapes of the furnishings reflecting the design of the windows. While full beam aft masters are the norm, the 48 Coupe and Navetta 48 has the master in the bow which has access to an ensuite. The off-set kingsize berth has plenty of access either side, a vanity desk, hanging locker and all finished with light oak furniture contrasted by dark oak tones and fabric inserts. With the broad beam carried well forward there is more space available internally and Absolute have used that advantage well. The VIP cabin and guest cabin are midships, with the port cabin featuring a queen size double berth, walk-in wardrobe and the option of a vanity desk with ottoman or a cabinet with a washer-dryer. The starboard guest cabin has two single berths with a large walk-in wardrobe and mirrored doors. The day head is access from the companionway and is shared by both cabins.

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PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

VOLVO POWER

There is only one engine option, a pair of Volvo Penta D6 -IPS650 engines, giving a maximum speed of 28.5 knots @ 3800 rpm. Ideal cruise is 3200 rpm where the fuel consumption is around 126 lph and a speed of 22 knots. Push the throttle down and it’s a very quick run to the maximum 28 knots. With the Volvo Assisted Docking system fitted, it is an easy and predictable boat to manoeuvre at low speed. I liked the fact that when you let go of the joystick the boat holds position and will not move again until you reconnect with the joystick. Another cool feature available is the Raymarine Docksense, which is like a radar powered parking system, so there is no reason to embarrass yourself when docking or coming into a tight marina. The stress and strain are removed. The yard’s range of 12m-22m Navetta, Flybridge and Sport Yachts is internationally renowned and gaining some prominence in New Zealand. Its name and motto (Reaching for the Absolute) reflects its desire to achieve the finest standards in both build quality and seakeeping. The all new 48 Coupe and Navetta 48 certainly reflects that motto.

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ABSOLUTE 48 COUPE & N AV ET TA 4 8

Absolute Navetta 48

SPECIFICATIONS Model: Absolute 48 Coupe & Navetta 48 Builder: Absolute Yachts Designer: Absolute design Group Year Launched: 2021 Priced From:

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

$NZ1.634,560 (48 Coupe) $NZ1.734,000 (Navetta 48) Construction: GRP Displacement: (Loaded) 21.2 tonnes (48 Coupe) 23.5 tonnes (Navetta 48) LOA: 14.93m

Absolute Couple 48

LWL: 11.52m Beam: 4.52m Draft: 1.17m Power: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS650/480hp Max Speed: 28.5 knots MFDs: Garmin

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Fuel Capacity: 1600 litres (48 Coupe) 1800 litres (Navetta 48) Water Capacity: 530 litres Contact: www.yachtfindersglobal.co.nz

Bow area and side walkways

October 2021

The 48 Coupe has a modular cockpit furniture arrangement.

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7 BEST RADARS

56 | | JANUARY JANUARY / FEBRUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 | 2022 PACIFIC| POWERBOAT PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGA ZINE MAGAZINE

7 Best Radars Radar can be a useful tool on any size vessel, so it’s important you choose the right one. Each year, the well-respected USA based, National Marine Electronics Association’s Marine Electronics Journal (MEJ) publishes what electronics makers themselves consider their “Best and Brightest” product in any given category, and put’s them into a “Buyer’s Guide.” The magazine asks manufacturers to identify the one radar model they rate highest in overall terms in their product line for one reason or another. It may not be the most technically-advanced or the newest, overall they consider it their “Best and Brightest.” Here is their 2021 pick of radars.

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7 BEST RADARS

RAYMARINE 1 QUANTUM 2 Quantum 2 is the latest generation of Raymarine’s popular Quantum CHIRP radar, now made even better with the addition of Doppler target processing. Quantum 2 instantly highlights moving radar contacts and colour codes them to indicate whether they are inbound or outbound. Boaters will enjoy vastly improved situational awareness and confidence at the helm. Like its predecessor, Quantum 2 uses CHIRP pulse compression technology for superior target detection at both short and long ranges. Integrated Wi-Fi and thin cabling simplify installation plus Quantum’s energy efficient and lightweight design provide safe radiated emissions and substantially reduced power consumption.

SIMRAD 2 HALO20+ Ideal for a wide range of boats, the Simrad HALO20+ comes in a compact dome antenna and delivers high-quality short-, mid- and long-range detection. HALO20+ radar delivers a full 360° sweep every second, thanks to its 60 RPM rotation at ranges up to 1.5 nautical miles. These ultrafast updates give boaters an almost real-time view at close range, offering the ultimate view for collision avoidance of fast-moving targets. Boaters can monitor two distance ranges at once in Dual Range mode, allowing them to keep an eye on distant weather cells while watching for collision hazards nearby. Simrad HALO20+ radar’s pulse compression technology means no compromises in detection at either selected range, while beam sharpening provides enhanced separation between small or distant targets.

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INTRODUCING

CYCLONE RADAR

EVOLVED

Aircraft wing inspired

FOR THE

Enhanced Bird Mode

OCEAN

RangeFusion™ technology

High speed 60 rpm imaging

Designed like a seabird. Sleek and aerodynamic with 360-degree situational awareness featuring Cyclone Bird Mode technology to get you to the fish faster. The new evolution of premium radar.

WWW.LUSTY-BLUNDELL.CO.NZ LAB0589

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7 BEST RADARS

SI-TEX 3 MDS-12

The SI-TEX MDS-12 provides high-resolution digital radar for the popular NavPro 900 and NavPro 1200 Series MFDs. Wireless Wi-Fi integration makes it easy to install and rig this 4-kW, 24-inch radome on any type of vessel, giving navigators 36 nautical mile range with superior target resolution. The MDS-12’s slottedwave-guide-antenna design and digital signal processing ensure excellent target definition, as well as separation between closely space targets. With a full range of professional-grade features and the ability to integrate with the NavPro’s 9" or 12" (22.86 cm to 30.48 cm) high-resolution color LCD displays, the MDS-12 is an excellent option for powerboats and sailboats of all sizes. Backed by SITEX’s two-year limited warranty.

KODEN 4 MDC-5200 The Koden MDC-5200 Series radar from SI-TEX Marine Electronics delivers professional-grade performance for a wide range of vessels. With available output power ranging from 4 to 25 kW and maximum range scales up to 96 nm, this radar is built for professional operators in challenging conditions. Features include built-in AIS interface for displaying up to 1000 targets, built-in ARPA tracking of up to 100 targets, comprehensive ship’s data display and C-MAP chart overlay (with optional SD card). Koden’s Clear Image feature provides high-speed sampling in the short range for precise target acquisition and tracking, while Auto Gain and Auto STC settings allow for easy operation. The 12.1" (30.73 cm) high-resolution XGA display with anti-reflective coating provides clear viewing in any environment.

5 ONWA KRA-1007_N

The Onwa KRA-1007_N is a low-cost, reliable and high-quality independent radar antenna that can be used with Onwa MFDs or connected directly to a PC or wirelessly through a home router. The KRA-1007_N can display radar targets using a PC with Onwa radar PC software. Using the unit with Onwa MFDs enables the radar function for target interpretation. The antenna uses digital radar target technology, sports fully digital signal processing and built-in sea and rain clutter algorithms. It shares the same protocol with all Onwa magnetron pulse radar antennas. The range reaches to 36 nm, operating at X-band frequency with an output power of 4 kW.

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2021 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

GMR FANTOM™ 8X AND 24 X DOME RADARS

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7 BEST RADARS

FURUNO 6 DRS25ANXT The Furuno DRS25ANXT is a 200-watt solid-state radar with pulse compression and Doppler frequency shift sensing technology with open array antenna options ranging from 3.5' to 6' (1.07 m to 1.52 m). Designed for NavNet TZtouch, TZtouch2, and TZtouch3 MFDs, the DRS25ANXT along with the 100-watt DRS12ANXT are packed with features. Target Analyzer clearly shows hazards, changing the colour of dangerous targets approaching your boat to red. Green echoes are stationary targets or targets approaching your vessel at fewer than 3 knots. Echoes dynamically turn red when targets are approaching at a speed of 3 knots or faster. It works the same when you’re following another vessel. Also, Target Analyzer works independently of your vessel’s speed.

GARMIN 7 GMR FANTOM 254 GMR Fantom 254 is Garmin’s most powerful 4-foot solid-state radar, featuring 250 watts of power. It uses MotionScope technology to detect and highlight moving targets in different colours, which helps you avoid potential collisions, find flocks of birds and track weather. New MARPA Automatic Acquisition allows for triggering and tracking with no user prompting on all returns, boundary zones, guard zones or MotionScope. Scanto-scan averaging, a new feature, helps aid in reduction of sea clutter and interference. Its pulse compression technology provides high-resolution imaging and maximizes energy to help you detect and identify targets. Auto Bird Gain helps you identify flocks of birds on the water. The GMR Fantom 254 radar has a detection range of 20' (6.1 m) to 96 nautical miles. 62

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S E A R AY S U N D A N C E R 3 7 0

Sea Ray is celebrating its 45th anniversary in style with the introduction of an outboard version of its iconic staple, the Sundancer 370.

he Sundancer line has been the main identifier of the brand since its inception, and indeed it has even come to define the brand. It literally started the Express Cruiser market that has been copied by nearly every builder in class, but none can match the distinctive traits that define a Sundancer. And now it’s been re-defined. We conducted an early inspection of this new Sundancer 370 Outboard and came away with the opinion that she’s not only a game-changer, but she may also be the most well-thought-out boat we’ve seen. Ever. One of the key reasons for her creative design is that she’s the first boat to evolve from the newly formed Brunswick Boat Group Technology Centre. This is the think tank that is going to take the Brunswick-owned manufacturers to new levels. If there were any doubts about that lofty goal, this 370 should put them to rest. She’s completely new from the keel up and represents Sea Ray’s new design language with terms such as S-Sheer Line, Jaw Line, Centre Crease and Integrated logo while also maintaining the design stylings that are consistent with the Sundancer family. Outwardly, the most striking design change with this boat, aside from the obvious outboard power, is the glass going all the way up to the hardtop. Typically, Sundancers had the half glass and the rest was, in nearly all cases, filled in with isinglass. This has much more of a Coupe characteristic design with the full glass. The side windows going up to the hardtop is an option with the standard being half-glass. That said, every 370 ordered to date, most sight-unseen, are with the full glass allowing for climate controlling the interior. One other departure from the usual Sundancer that we’ve seen to date… this one takes more advantage of the bow space. Previous Sundancers had a walkthrough windshield that provided access to a solid foredeck, with perhaps a sunpad on top of the deck. This is a fully functional bow, with multiple uses and the ability to reconfigure on the fly.

MISSION Almost 45 knots are possible with triple Mercury 300hp Verado power.

The Sundancer 370 Outboard was designed to provide the best of what Sea Ray can deliver based on everything it has learned in the last 45 years. She excels at her roles as a day cruiser, an onboard entertainment platform and an overnighter. With her outboard power she meets the demands of a growing market segment and offers new versatility for operating in shallow water, and dare we say… even beaching.

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S E A R AY S U N D A N C E R 3 7 0

The new Sea Ray Sundancer 370 is an imposing vessel. Twin Simrad EVO-3S 16” screens dominate the helm. The transom seat is a cool feature. Now that’s what we call a bowrider!

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING

With triple 300-hp Mercury Verados with JPS turning 16 x 18 Eco Enertia props and wound up to 5900 rpm, our speed topped out at 44 knots. Best economic cruise was reached at 4500 rpm and 33.1 knots. It was at that speed that the 162 lph fuel burn translated into 34 lpnm and a range of 174nm, all while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat's 946.35 litre total fuel capacity. With the throttles pinned, we reached planing speed in an average of 5.7 seconds, continued through 17 knots in 9 seconds and 26 knots came and went in 14.4 seconds. Reducing the throttle showed her staying on plane right on down to 14 knots. Don’t be shy about pushing those throttles to get her up on plane. If the throttle is eased forward, the 370 will hang in that ugly zone, between being bow high and getting up on plane, for an extended time. Put the throttles to the stops, get her up on plane, and then pull back to cruise speed. This is, not surprisingly, a very fun boat to drive. She has sport boat handling so I was just having my fun doing a lot of cranking and banking on it. Obviously, this isn’t how the typical owner will be handling her, but the point being is that she can take it if there’s a desire to dish it out. Never once did I get any ventilation from the props. Yes, I had auto

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

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trim activated the whole time, so it was continually adjusting the outboard trim and it seems to do it very well. That said, when she came up on plane if you want to get top speed out of her, then override and give it a little bit of additional up trim to get that bow up just a little bit higher and you'll feel a little bit of boost of speed. Other than that, I let the auto trim do its thing. There’s only one choice for the outboards and that would be the triple 300-hp Mercury Verados. During our testing, we found them to be a good match for this boat. Mostly because these are the new V-8 technology from Mercury. They put out more power and run quieter than the larger models. Now that they are V8 instead of straight 6s, the difference and advantages are clear.

SOCIAL COCKPIT

The gatherings will begin in the cockpit that features opposing seating in the form of J-shaped to the starboard side and L-shaped to port. Both are separated at the stern by the gate to the swim platform, and that gate is mounted slightly offset to starboard. Sockets in the deck will accommodate two removable pedestal tables. Storage is underneath the seats. There’s a distinctly elevated comfort level with softer padding on these seats. It is here that we also start

to notice the elevated level of attention to detail in the upholstery. Ahead and to port is a refreshment centre. It includes all Corian counters with a white Onyx finish, electric grill and then a sink in the corner with a flip-up faucet. To the side, there is a pull-out refrigerated drawer. Overhead is a newly designed hardtop 2.03 m off the deck. The standard version has no glass. This one has a fixed glass skylight aft, a centre Webasto 80-Series electrically actuated sunroof, and forward are three separate glass units with the centre being able to open manually to create ventilation. Both the centre and aft pieces have a continuation of the diamond-patterned theme. There are so many thoughtful touches throughout the 370, and one of them is the gate leading out to the swim platform, which opens both inward and outward. The aft platform is down two steps. It comes out 53.34 cm from the transom to the end of the platform in front of the engines, so even though we have outboard power we're not sacrificing platform space. To starboard and under a hatch, there's a four-step reboarding ladder that can be deployed with the hatch closed. You can further enjoy this aft area by converting the cockpit seating into a sun pad. That can be further extended by dropping a cockpit table down and adding a filler cushion. Plus, we can get even more creative by bringing the cockpit seat base up and making it into aft-facing seating. If the sun gets to be too much in this aft area, a ShureSHADE extendable awning can be deployed all the way aft to the limit of the seating. Back in the cockpit, as we move to the forward area, this space features what is probably the biggest departure from the Sundancers of the past. Here, there’s all glass surrounding this entire area. The previous versions of the Sundancers would have the glass coming up part way and then owners would put isinglass between the windshield frame and the overhead. Now Sea Ray just cut to the chase, glass goes all the way around and there's even full glass on the sides as an option. Standard will have half glass, but we really like this fully enclosed version. Its weather protected, it's much more comfortable, and now we can take advantage of the standard heat and air conditioning. The portside observer’s seat is wide and in a fixed position. As we make our way forward, there are a few more significant thoughtful

An entertainers cockpit. The very spacious mid cabin. The forward area can be easily converted to another berth.

design features. First, the companionway is offset to the side, so we still have plenty of room to get into the cabin. In the bulwarks to port, there’s storage for the optional TV that can go into the cockpit.

HELM

The helm is nicely laid out with a soft-touch panel with two beverage holders to each side and the three engine start/stop buttons. Up above are twin EVO-3S 16” Simrad displays that includes C-Zone. At the lower panel, there’s a Fusion 770 series stereo. To the right is a sub-panel with the DTS (Digital Throttle And Shift), the JPS joystick and Lenco’s automatic trim tabs.

BIG BOW

The bow is accessed through a wide walkthrough. As for the social zone, there’s a lot to like. It starts with three-across lounge seating. The seating then wraps all the way around to the front where it becomes aft-facing seating. There's a base in the deck, between the fore and aft seats, so we can add a pedestal table. That can also be lowered to form a larger sun pad. Lastly, we can add a sunshade that gets supported by carbon-fibre poles meaning that, in effect, we can have shade for the entire length of the 370.

WEEKENDER CABIN

The cabin is the most indicative representation that the Sundancer series is moving away from being an overnighter and more into the realm of being a weekender. The access door to the cabin is offset to the left side of centre, leaving plenty of room for the helm as PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

S E A R AY S U N D A N C E R 3 7 0

The 370 has a well equipped galley. Lunch is ready.

well as the port-side walkthrough to the bow. In the cabin, there's plenty of room thanks to the overhead being 2.13 m off the deck. There's a skylight pouring natural light into the area plus there are two hull side windows. The galley is over to the port hand side and includes more of the white Onyx Corian that we saw up

SPECIFICATIONS Boat Design Name: SeaRay 370 Sundancer OB Year Launched: 2021 Builder: Sea Ray LOA: 12.11 m Beam: 3.66 m Tested Weight: 10408 kg Deadrise: 20 deg Max Speed: 44.2 knots Construction: GRP Fuel Cap: 946 litres Water Cap: 174 litres

Engine Make: 3 x 300 hp Mercury Verado JPS Drive Options: Outboard Only Sunroof: Webasto Tabs: Lenco Gyro: Seakeeper 3 (Optional) Awning: ShureSHADE Decking: SeaDek Enter System: Fusion 770 MFD: 2 x Simrad Evo 3s Priced From: $NZ1.51m Contact:

www.sportsmarine.co.nz

on the main deck. There's a covered single basin stainless steel sink and we’re happy to see that there is dedicated storage for that cover right underneath and next to the trash receptacle. There’s a big storage cubby that’s more of a coffeemaker garage. And of course, there’s a microwave along with a refrigerator. Continuing forward, there’s L-shaped seating that is extremely comfortable and it makes a nice social area. We can easily convert this area to a berth. Lift a small cushion, push a button and the seatback lifts to become the foot of the berth.

MID-CABIN

Moving back into the mid-cabin, what a wonderful sitting area this is. Across to port is the same type of compartment, but this time it’s dedicated completely to storage. This area easily converts to a berth and the good news is that it doesn’t take pulling supports and filler cushions out of storage to do so. Across from the galley and to starboard is the head. It surprisingly includes a separate walk-in shower with a teak seat.

OBSERVATIONS PERFORMANCE DATA Knots L/h L/NM Range (NM) RPM 600 2.9 8 2.9 297 1000 4.8 15 3.1 271 1500 6.7 25 3.7 233 2000 8.1 41 5.1 168 2500 8.8 60 6.8 125 3000 9.2 88 9.6 89 3500 11.5 122 10.6 80 4000 25.4 126 5.0 172 4500 33.2 162 4.9 174 5000 37.3 219 5.9 145 5500 35.8 65 1.8 137 5900 44.2 72 1.6 139 Note: Range is allowing for 10% reserve fuel.

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The 370 is an excellent step-up from the brand’s 320 Sundancer for those looking to increase their time onboard with plans for distant locations because she’s so inviting for spending entire weekends, if not longer periods, onboard. It’s also ideal for those that want to move on from a large bowrider without losing the functionality of that design style. More importantly, this is such a well-thought-out boat that it leaves so little to be desired. At the beginning of this report, we said it may be the most well-thoughtout ever and we stand behind that. Sea Ray simply did an excellent job on this new Sundancer 370 Outboard. One problem though… it’s so popular that there is an immediate waitlist to get one. Kiwis will have to wait around 18 months, but we guarantee, it’s worth the wait.

17 - 2 0

M A R C H

J E L L I C O E

2 0 2 2

H A R B O U R

P R E V I O U S LY T H E A M E R I C A’S C U P T E A M B AS E S

W W W. AU C K L A N D - B OATS H O W. C O M PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

RISK TAKERS PART TWO

The Risk

Takers

N ALL SPHERES OF ENDEAVOUR OR WORK, there is a multitude, very often the journeymen or the “clock punchers”, who carry out the duties assigned to them by those in charge without query or quibble and little inquisitiveness. Such people are necessary to get things started, built and finished, and are a key requisite for getting products into the hands of customers. But what of the people to whom these workers report? What sort of leader or visionary motivates, mentors, inspires and pushes such workers to proudly and enthusiastically give of their very best in the belief that they are truly

part of something special? In general, the boating world has been short of such visionaries – people whose inventions truly changed our world and the way in which we live, like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford and Bill Gates – but there have been some who have nonetheless made an impression and whose creativity, focus, purpose and gritty determination have left a mark and a legacy for generations of boaters to this day. In a short series, Danny Casey looks at four of the figureheads who helped turn the nascent boating business of yesteryear into the international marine industry of today.

PART 2:

Carl Kiekhaefer Carl Kiekhaefer was in the early fifties was a tough businessman on a mission.

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In part two of our series, Danny Casey profiles one of the most powerful, driven and visionary industrial tsars of all time – in any field of endeavour. We look at a hard-driving, complex and demanding perfectionist who created one of the marine industry’s most dominant and powerful brands and whose legacy and reputation will never be erased.

The 1961 line up of Mercury outboards.

HOULD ONE WISH TO READ A FULL, warts-and-all biography of Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer (pronounced “Keykayfur”), the father of the Mercury outboard motor, there is an excellent book (possibly out of print now but nonetheless magnificent) by the Pulitzer-winning writer, Jeffrey Rodengen, with the title “Iron Fist”. This tome will provide a comprehensive insight into the mind of a genius, an innovator, an engineer and a master strategist, but also an overbearing and arrogant bully. He was an ogre and a man both feared and respected in equal measure. What follows, however, is a mere digest and a quick glance into the life and work of a complex and demanding perfectionist. What many people do not realise is that Carl Kiekhaefer never intended to be a long-term player in the outboard business at all. His original intention, when he bought a defunct manufacturing company in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, in 1939, was to produce magnetic separators for the dairy industry in the region. The only problem was that the plant contained approximately 300 outboard motors with the brand name “Thor”, which had been manufactured for the Montgomery Ward mail order company but returned due to poor quality. Kiekhaefer had to rectify the faults in the outboards and sell them before clearing the decks for his dairy-industry project – which, as we know, never happened at all. Kiekhaefer’s fledgling outboard business grew and he wanted to adopt a brand name of substance for what was now a proprietary product (rather than a generic one manufactured for a catalogue company) and so his motors were given the name (still following the mythical god theme) of “Mercury”. As Kiekhaefer sold more motors, one factor that constantly drove him was his visceral hatred of what he called “The Enemy” – i.e. the Outboard Motors Corporation (later Outboard Marine Corporation). In the heyday of the US outboard industry (the ‘50s and ‘60s), there were tales and pictures of Carl hanging Johnson and Evinrude engines upside down on gallowstype structures at dealer conferences

and encouraging dealers to smash them to pieces with sledgehammers. He was also known to plant spies in the bars in Waukegan, Illinois, that OMC employees would visit after work on Friday, in the hope that tongues loosened by drink would provide information (and apparently this strategy did yield occasional results). The tales of bullying and despotism are legion, with someone summarily fired one day only for Carl to ring that person’s department the next day and ask why such-and-such a sonofabitch wasn’t at work. Then there was the time he spied a guy in overalls outside his office, leaning against the Coca-Cola machine and wiping his brow with a handkerchief. Carl ran outside, gave him a mouthful and fired him on the spot then walked back into the office and asked them to make up the guy’s final pay and give him his cards. They told him they couldn’t do that, and when Carl screamed and asked why, they said, “Er... Because that guy is employed by the Coca-Cola Company and was

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

RISK TAKERS PART TWO Mercury 1000 Tower of Power.

Jeffrey L. Rodgengen’s book, Iron Fist is a brilliant biography on Carl Kiekhaefer’s life.

here refilling the machine!” Like many innovators and industry kingpins, there was more than a hint of mystery around Carl – for all his overt character traits like bullying and intolerance, there was also something of the cipher and enigma about him, and he revelled in secrecy. This was epitomised by the purchase, in 1957, of an isolated, alligator-infested, brackish piece of water called Lake Conlin, in Osceola County, Florida, which Carl rechristened (hardly imaginatively!) Lake X, the name by which it is still known today. Lake X, although small (about three miles long by one mile wide), played host to much of Mercury’s test and evaluation programme for decades, the most famous of which was the “50,000 Mile Endurance Record” of 1957. In the 50,000-mile marathon, four of the new Mark 75 60 hp inline-six outboards were run non-stop around the clock for 68 days. At the 25,000-mile, half-way mark, the motors were stripped, examined by inspectors from the United States Auto Club and then installed on different, larger boats to finish the marathon. That these outboards had, at that stage, supposedly run for over a month without either a shutdown or a breakdown was a momentous feat of endurance in itself, but Rodengen, in his book, maintained that there were indeed problems and myriad repairs and component changes, but that Kiekhaefer’s engineers were so highly skilled at breaking the wire-and-lead crankcase seals, opening the engines and perfectly resealing them that the technical inspectors had no idea that internal work had been done. In terms 72

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of engines, however, Carl didn’t always get it right. One glaring technological blunder (indeed a serious omission) occurred with the introduction of the 60 hp Mark 75 inline-six engine (the progenitor of all the later Mercury “Tower of Power” motors) in 1957: it had neither a neutral nor a reverse gear. For the boat to go astern, the engine had to be stopped and then started again – only with the crankshaft rotating the opposite way. Little wonder this motor was known as “The Dock Buster”. Also, Carl didn’t see any point in designing or promoting the concept of a sterndrive; in fact, he proclaimed it to be a “horseshit idea”. Luckily for Carl, his then chief of engineering, Charles D. Strang (covered in the first part of our series), put him right on both the need for a full-shift outboard gearbox and the viability of inboard-outboard power units. One aspect of Kiekhaefer’s life that is nearly always omitted, or given short shrift, in marine publications is his pioneering involvement with, and unprecedented success in, the early days of NASCAR auto racing, which began for him in 1955. At that time, Nascar was still a nascent sport for good ole Southern boys, many of whom had been, or still were, moonshiners, and who saw an opportunity to legally make some money using the driving skills that had served them well in their illicit ‘shine-running endeavours. In those days, the cars – in many cases grubby,

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

untidy and badly prepared – were driven to the track and then driven home. Imagine the culture shock when Kiekhaefer’s fleet of immaculatelyprepared Chrysler 300Bs (Carl always liked Chrysler products) arrived, not driven but on separate transporters, with the cars on jacks to prevent undue stress on the bearings, hubs and suspension during transit. Not to mention that the pit crews wore immaculate, matching uniforms and that pit stops were practised, choregraphed and stopwatchtimed to the last second. Kiekhaefer participated successfully in NASCAR for only two years (1995 and 1956) but left prior to the 1957 season because some other competitors accused him of cheating, even though no infraction of the rules was uncovered (which is not the same as saying that he didn’t commit any!). His main legacy to NASCAR was that he ran the first truly professional team and, secondly, he and Charlie Strang invented the paper air-filter element, which replaced the bulky, heavy oil-bath systems of the time. Of course, the paper air-filter element then went on to become the automotive industry standard until carburettors ceased being used. There can be little doubt that Carl’s regimented NASCAR endeavours helped shape the subsequent tradition and ethos of Mercury Racing - later run, almost militarily and with a rod of iron, by Gary Garbrecht. By the earlymid 1970s, Team Mercury was signing only the very best race boat drivers

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– men like Bill Seebold, Bob Hering, Reggie Fountain and Cees Van der Velden. The year 1961 was a momentous and maybe poignant one for Kiekhaefer, as his company became part of the massive Brunswick Corporation. Carl didn’t know it at the time, but he had lit a slow-burning fuse which would result in an eventual, acrimonious exit a few years later. From the start, Carl could not get on with Brunswick’s President, Jack Hanigan, describing him as a “typical Irish bully”. For his part, Hanigan had lined up Strang to be President of the Mercury Division of Brunswick, even telling Strang over the course of one weekend that he (Hanigan) was going to fire Kiekhaefer on Monday morning and that Strang would take his place right away. That never happened, though, because Strang, always unfailingly loyal to Carl despite the latter’s unpredictable temperament, resigned and went (but indirectly and not immediately) to Outboard Marine. If one were to examine and analyse the crucial, almost inter-dependent relationship between Strang and Kiekhaefer during those heady Mercury years, one would conclude that they were reasonably simpatico and enjoyed a somewhat fractious, temperamental but ultimately dynamic synergy. Whilst it is debatable that Kiekhaefer ever had any real friends, he and Strang were as close as two driven, headstrong, opinionated men could possibly be. Kiekhaefer admired and valued Strang’s integrity, ingenuity and intelligence and always treated him well – especially when it came to company cars. Carl was a huge proponent of creating the right image and believed that a high-ranking executive should be seen in an appropriate vehicle. To this end, and during the flirtation with NASCAR, he presented Charlie with his very own Chrysler 300B, but he regularly updated the status and value of each company vehicle until Charlie eventually found himself the custodian of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (imagine if he’d had the foresight to put that in his pension fund!). Interestingly, years later, when Carl was on his deathbed, one of his last utterances reportedly was: “Tell Charlie to forgive me.” But Strang later stated that there was no need for such a statement. There had been no festering animosity, as he and Kiekhaefer had never let any disagreements percolate – they always resolved them swiftly and moved on. After Kiekhaefer’s resignation as President of Kiekhaefer Mercury in 1970, the company changed its name to the now-familiar Mercury Marine in 1972. And here’s an interesting snippet for Mercury pedants: even though Carl left in 1970, the “Kiekhaefer Mercury” branding was still present on the front chrome motor cover until the 1972 model year – the first year of the “blue band” models. The 1973 blue band was virtually the same except that the front cover was now adorned with the words “Mercury Marine”, thereby symbolically bringing emphatic closure to the Kiekhaefer era. For a brand that didn’t visibly display its creator’s name as overtly as that of the competition, OMC (with its prominent Evinrude and Johnson branding), it could be argued that never was a name so closely and memorably identified with a product than that of Carl Kiekhaefer. One could also suggest that it was not until his death in October 1983 that Brunswick was finally able to truly expunge all vestiges of Carl – everything, that is, except his gargantuan and indelible legacy.

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B O AT R E V I E W

BUILT TO CRUISE

Whether it’s a nostalgic yearning for traditional craft or just an appreciation of their practical features blue water-boaties will nod with approval when they see the Sabre 48 Salon Express. TEXT BY JAMES HILL

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SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS

Twin Volvo Penta IPS15 are good for around 34 knots

Running a Mercury Verado 250, we saw 40 knots on the GPS.

his handsome American cruiser is a fine example of the ‘Down East’ breed of motor yacht that has long held a market niche in the US amongst power cruising enthusiasts. The design inspiration comes from the traditional lobster fishing boats found in Maine, the far north-eastern Atlantic state with a rich tradition of boat building and fishing. The Sabre boatyard is based in Raymond, Maine and has been building boats for over half a century. The Sabre 48 Salon Express is typical of its current range that blends both traditional elements and a modern technology. The traditional woodworking skills of Maine are evident in the beautiful wooden interior of the Sabre 48 motor yacht. Indeed, the whole timber interior is hand-built into place. However, beyond this warm wooden heart the Sabre 48 is very modern deep Vee craft with hull/deck constructed with vacuum infused e-glass and vinylester resin for strength and longevity. The Sabre 48 is also fast enough to get you to favourite anchorages quickly with twin Volvo Penta IPS 700s (550hp) that delivers an impressive performance across the power range. The company has gone over to pod drives for all its models 38ft - 66ft which eliminates need for rudders or for bow/ stern thrusters. Recently I had the pleasure of test running a Sabre 48 Salon Express in her home waters of Pittwater, Sydney. At 52ft overall the Sabre 48 is a just-right size for coastal cruising in this part of the world. She’s big enough to comfortably tackle a cruise from Sydney right up north to Cairns, or down south to Hobart. Indeed, her owner had planned to do the latter when the boat was launched early 2020 but subsequently stopped by Covid travel restrictions. From the moment you step aboard the Sabre 48 your aware she goes beyond the scope of just being a bay cruiser. She’s a motor yacht well suited to offshore passages with features like the safe walk-around deck protected by raised bulwarks and solid stainless-steel rails. The sliding door next to the helm is another sensible feature for longer range cruising. The saloon deck design is also very practical for extended stays aboard. There’ s a flybridge option too on this model but the single-level suits what a lot of people are looking for now as the helm station is well protected and keeps close to the social-heart of the boat. Especially on a long-haul offshore trip this ‘down station’ keeps you comfortable and out of the elements of sun and weather. Leaving our berth at the RMYC Pittwater it was immediately apparent how user-friendly this craft is for cruising. The high cabin roofline and big windows provides excellent all-round vision. There’s even rounded aft corner windows to prevent a blind spot in that direction! An extended sunshade brow over the front windows prevents reflective glare and ensures for’ard vision is excellent. And if you run into spray or rain the Sabre 48 is equipped with variable speed, triple windscreen wipers and freshwater windshield washers. At the helm station it’s all very comfortable with twin PowerboatMagazine.co.nz PowerboatMagazine.co.nz | 75

SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS

A handsome American cruiser and a fine example of the ‘Down East’ breed of motor yacht.

At the helm station it’s all very comfortable with twin Stidd deluxe helm seats.

Stidd deluxe helm seats and a teak wheel with IPS joystick on the helm sea armrest. My host for the day was Jed Elderkin of E Marine who has been the local importer of the Sabre and sister brand Back Cove since 2006. He knows these brands inside out and delivered some 55 of these boats in that time. And that includes a few repeat buyers like the owner of this boat who has previously bought another Sabre model. Like many Sabre customers the owner of this boat is an ex-sailor and that’s been a common theme in the Sabre brand story. The company started out as a sailing yacht builder but later moved into the powerboat field when it launched a fast trawlerstyle motor yacht in 1989. Since then, Sabre evolved into a specialised builder of a fast motor cruisers with the classic, clean look of the Down East style craft.

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After 1994 the company also moved into a new range of small to medium single-diesel engine cruisers called Back Cove. These are similar in style but while Back Cove goes from 34-41ft the Sabre pitches to the bigger size market with a range from 38 – 66ft.

ON THE WATER

With some sunny weather adding sparkle to Pittwater, it was a great opportunity to take this big American boat for a run up the bay to the Broken Bay entrance. Sea conditions were quite calm but in just below a metre swell the Sabre 48 delivered a very comfortable ride cruising at a fast clip of 22 knots. Taking the wheel, I felt immediately at home as the Sabre 48 just powered along with the Volvo Penta diesels doing a relaxed 2200rpm. A large steering wheel and good allround vision makes it just so easy to steer especially whilst the Interceptor trim system automatically looks after the trim. There’s also an Active- Ride option to vastly improve pitch and roll but we didn’t need that on our run. The large leather-padded console is remarkable clean thanks to all readouts and controls being on the twin Garmin 8617 multi-functional displays. This Garmin Glass Bridge System lets you run the chart plotter on one screen whilst all the engine information RPMs, fuel usage, temp etc displays on the other. The touchscreen is a delight to use and the big letter/number readouts perfect

for people like me who need glasses! Back in calm waters we opened the throttle and got a top speed about 34 knots which is impressive for such a large motor yacht. However, it’s the mid-tolow speeds the Sabre really stands out. At the 8-knot speed limit she tracked along beautiful with very little wake and the twin diesels using only 20 lph. That’s a cruise range of 822 nautical miles! Throwing the big Sabre through some faster turns she handled this smoothly in a very steady, composed manner. It was an impressive display of the twin duo-prop Volvo Penta pod drives and the well-balanced Vee bottom hull. I think the Sabre’s good handling is a tribute to her designer Kevin Burns. The hard chine hull has a sharp 23-degree Vee deadrise amidships that flows to a moderate 14 degrees at transom. This ensures she works well both at fast and slower speeds. Also, with the hulls designed around the twin pod drives being aft (under cockpit) she’s well balanced to start with. As we returned to the marina, I noticed another great feature of the Sabre are the hull side rubbing strakes which will protect the boat alongside a dock. Also, the IPS Joystick control comes into its own here enabling us dock without needing to juggle between main engines and thrusters. Getting ashore is so easy thanks to the extra wide (optional) hydraulic-lift transom platform. This can be lowered into the water to act as a swim platform, or better still to float-off the outboard powered RIB tender.

INTERIOR REPORT

Now let’s run through what’s on offer for living aboard. Entering via the portside stern door you find a delightful cockpit area with rear lounge and removable table offering seating upwards of 8 people. It’s an appealing area to relax, or simply enjoy an alfresco meal with an overhead canvas awning, lit at night by LCD lights. Entering the saloon via the big opening glass doors you discover a spacious living area of pure elegance. The interior is very much classic motor yacht with crème leather upholstered lounges and American cherry wood panels complimented by varnished teak and holly floor. A key feature is the large L-saloon lounge and folding table for meals or drinks which seats 6 adults comfortably. There’s an electrically operated window behind the lounge so you can enjoy fresh air from the cockpit. There’s also a two-seat lounge to port that runs electrically on rails so it can become part of the lounge seating area. Behind this is a ‘secret entrance’ to the utility room under the saloon. This can be a paid-crew cabin, or a place for the kids to get away from the adults. The test boat had it configured as a laundry with separate washing machine/drier plus a double bunk and utility bench. Another surprise is the galley-down layout which follows the traditional thinking of having the galley out of the main traffic area and those dirty dishes out of sight! For an explorer/cruising boat it also means there’s room opposite the helm station for a

The interior is very much classic motor yacht with crème leather upholstered lounges and American cherry wood panels.

The galley-down layout follows the traditional thinking of having the galley out of the main traffic area.

The utility room under the saloon was configured as a laundry, plus with a double bunk and utility bench.

The forward cabin can be either two singles or a double.

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SABRE 48 SALON EXPRESS The quality of finish is top draw and attention to detail very impressive.

The Chock Master pin-drop dinghy cradle with wireless remote is very James Bond style.

‘first mates’ 2-seater lounge plus a proper navigation table. The galley offers a long work bench that suits regular cooking aboard. It has solid surface counter tops, big stainless sink with cover and pull-out faucet. It also has good natural lighting thanks to the open space above and a big hull window. Standard fitments include a large stand-up stainless-steel refrigerator and freezer plus an induction cooktop. There’s a convection microwave, soap dispenser and plenty of cupboard and draw storage. Opposite the galley is the spacious master cabin with queen island bed and large en-suite bathroom with a cherry bench top. An attractive feature of this and the double berth Guest cabin on the same level are Japanese Shoji sliding doors and portlight screens. Both cabins have flat flooring around the island berths so it’s easy access in the berths just like home. The lower level also has a guest bathroom, and another great feature is the added soundproofing around this part of the hull, so you don’t hear the dreaded ‘chine slap’ that happens in some mooring situations. It goes without saying Sabre come standard with reversecycle heat/air conditioning with 4 zones. There’s also a Fusion Black box sound system with Bluetooth and flat screen TVs in both sleeping cabins and the saloon. Another nice touch is LCD diming lights in the sleeping cabins and galley. There’s also illumination on the main circuit breaker board.

SUMMARY

SPECIFICATIONS Model: Sabre 48 saloon express LOA: 15.93m LOH: 14.48m Beam: 4.67m Deadrise: 14 deg Displacement (1/2 load): 17,010kg Engines: Volvo Penta IPS 15/700 Drive System: IPS

Fuel capacity: 1892 L Water capacity: 606 L Holding tank capacity: 265 L Headroom (max): 1.98m Air draft (w/mast): 4.32m Contact: Jed at E Marine Motor Yachts Sandy Bay Rd Clontarf Marine, Clontarf NSW, Australia. Ph: +61417200165 jed@emarine.com.au

www.emarine.com.au

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA RPM Knots L/h L/NM Range NM 600 4.6 5.7 1.2 1374 1000 7.7 55 7.1 787 1400 10.1 42 4.1 413 1800 14.0 83 5.9 287 2000 17.9 95 5.3 321 2200 21.2 114 5.4 318 2400 24.4 132 5.4 315 2600 28.1 159 5.7 301 2700 29.4 174 5.9 288 2800 30.8 190 6.2 276 2900 32.6 204 6.3 272 2990 33.6 220 6.5 260 Fuel range based on 10% reserve

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The standard inventory of this Sabre motor yacht is too long to list here, however you probably by now get the picture this is a high-end motor yacht. The quality of finish is top draw and attention to detail very impressive. Yes, you pay for that for about A$2.4m landed in Australia but it is a toplevel product. What I particularly like are thoughtful features you normally don’t see like the two electrically retractable 21.3m shore power cords in the transom, hot and cold transom shower and anchor locker with antislam latch. The Sabre 48 also looks the part of a proper seacraft with her big 12in stainless steel deck mooring cleats for’ard and amidships plus large bollard cleats aft. She provides direct hatch access to the engine room via the cockpit and an Onan 13.5kW generator is standard along with dual Racor fuel filters. The test boat has a few custom additions including Garmin Glass Bridge, Garmin GMR radar and Garmin GDS 25 premium sonar. She is also equipped with rooftop solar charging with hinged panels for easy cleaning and removal. However, my favourite is the Chock Master pin-drop dinghy cradle with wireless remote so you can have the RIB tender in the water and ready to use, James Bond style. To my mind this completes the picture, of the perfect boat to fulfil that wish-list cruise to the Great Barrier Reef you always said you would do.

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Navigation

101

So, the boat’s ready, engine checks completed, safety gear onboard. Kids are bundled in and you’ve enough food and water to feed an army. Hold on, what about the passage plan? What? We’re only going fishing and it’s flat calm out there…

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IT’S ALL IN THE PLANNING.

Conditions are perfect now. However, in six hours when the sea breeze has sprung up and the ebbing tide is creating breaking, standing waves that can threaten to broach or swamp a small craft, getting home is not so straight forward. This is not the time to start a passage plan! The basics of navigation are not complicated and it only takes a little knowledge, time and basic planning (20-30 minutes for most day trips should cover it, with practice). It’s worth breaking down the process that some may already be doing unconsciously. If we make a conscious effort to complete these elements, then it’s not likely we’ve missed anything (like a predeparture checklist for safety gear).

1. APPRAISAL

Where are you heading? And where are you planning to stop? Consider your start and finishing points and whether there are any ‘gates’ along the way that need to be reached at certain times. An example would be a bar crossing, at slack high water. Narrow channels like French Pass require good planning and timing along with consideration of likely wind against tide conditions. What tools do you have? There are many tools available to help with your planning. The most basic is of course a chart, but then there are tools available online or via a screen. This might be satellite imagery, a weather forecast, or tidal information. Browse online or via books, cruising guides, local club information, harbourmaster directions, local council bylaws

(these give information on usage zones, speed limits and compulsory radio call up zones), almanac, and pilotage books. And of course, never underestimate local knowledge.

2. PLANNING

When are you heading out and how are you getting there? Now you have all the relevant information, it’s time to develop a plan: Identify hazards - what are the no-go areas? What are your margins of safety (for example, “we plan to stay 1 nautical mile (1852m) off the coast”) - how do you identify this? It may be a simple depth contour that you follow. Knowing the minimum/maximum depths you should encounter will help affirm you’re where you planned to be. Tidal streams on route - will it help or hinder you as well as affect sea state and hence boat speed. What navigation markers/ lights/headlands are you going to encounter? A quick and easy sketch with hazards and route can help when out in the wind and rain. Knowing where you are at all times, in reference to a landmark is essential. This is how you could direct Search and Rescue to you in the event of an emergency. Always reference the distance and direction from a known point, e.g. 1 nautical miles NW of Snapper Point. Detailed Lat/Long coordinates can follow later if there is time. If things don’t go to plan, what are alternatives? Consider your refuge ports/anchorages that can be used. Are you confident and have a plan on how to get in there if conditions change for the worst? If using electronic navigation aids, place your waypoints and check,

check, check! Always zoom in all along the route to check that it’s not taking you through or too close to a hazard. It takes seconds to double check. Make planning part of the preparation excitement. Take your time. Enjoy the moment of getting familiar with your planned adventure. Spend time in the comfort and warmth of your home, using a chart or passage planning software, then transfer it to your onboard electronics when you’re happy. Once you know distance, speed, ETA, fuel can be worked out and ensure you have sufficient for the trip plus at least 1/3 reserve (for alternate plans/ change in conditions). Think, 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3 reserve.

3. EXECUTING

You’ve done the work by this point. You’ve planned the sail, now sail the plan! Never rely on one form of navigation. Using sight, hearing and all available means, is the mantra. Visual transits, bearings, depths, waypoints, lead lights, 3-point fix, range rings off a radar. Use them all. Try to run by the assumption that if you can’t disprove where you think you are, then you’re probably where you should be. Don’t let electronic navigation lull you into a false sense of security. They’re good but they’re not fail-safe. Remember that boats still hit rocks, and it’s usually because of over-reliance on one form of navigation and not trying to disprove what it tells you. Be critical, keep alert! Remember the humble compass? This is still an essential piece of navigational equipment! During the middle of the night whilst attempting to anchor, with the

GIVE WAY RULES ON THE WATER

Knowing which side to pass another boat is one of the most important rules of the sea.

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wind blowing, and rain creating zero visibility a chart plotter is essentially useless (it will tell you where you are but not help orientate you). The trusty compass will be there for you. Once anchored, always make a note of the compass heading to get to safe water if needed in the night, and back it up with a waypoint in clear water also - a bit of preparation to buy you time if you need it.

4. MONITORING

monitor. Waypoints will give you a Distance To Go (DTG) and Cross Track Error (XTE). Use XTE to plan in a safety margin, either on paper or electronic charts. Try to get yourself into a confident situation where you can look out of the boat, not at a screen! Combine this information with depth (charted plus height of tide) and you’ve got more than one source to confirm where you are. If you have radar, then

Isolated Danger mark - These marks are placed on, or near to a small area of danger that has navigable water all around it.

Special mark - These marks indicate a special area or feature

Safe water marks - These marks identify an area that has navigable water all around it but do not mark a danger.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

How are you doing? Those sailors amongst you will appreciate that the above statement (sail the plan) is rarely true. The wind normally has other ideas! Weather conditions change, altering course and speed. Be sure to consider whether these changes are altering your distance from hazards? Update the plan as required, ensure everybody knows and continue to

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use the Variable Range Marker (VRM) or parallel index lines to do the same thing, keep land/hazards out of a safe zone around the boat - think of it as your ‘bubble’.

IDENTIFYING SAFE AREAS AND HAZARDS

So we’ve got the plan and checked the chart. Out in the real world it looks different! Buildings and vegetation on land, background lights at night; we’ve all spent many an hour identifying navigation lights only to see them drive off! Planning what you’re expecting to see is important. There are not many markers and having a handy guide at hand on board will always help. Through your planning you’ve identified the hazardous areas, now you need to understand buoyage to identify the safe areas.

LATERAL MARKS

Red cans (Port) and Green cones (Starboard) identify the channels in/out of harbours. In New Zealand we have IALA system A, which means on entering harbour, keep ‘red to red, green to green’ (boats have red lights on the port side and green to starboard) and travel on the Starboard (right) side of the channel- this is due to when two power driven

Port Hand mark

Preferred Channel mark

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Yep I found the channel marker okay.

vessels approach head on, they both give way to starboard. By being on the Starboard side, vessels pass ‘Port to Port’. Also, within Harbour limits in NZ, vessels less than 500GT shall not impede the passage of a vessel over 500GT. Remember: ‘might has right’ in this case. But you still need to know where your harbour limits are - it will be on the chart/harbour bylaws. When leaving port, you are still on the starboard side of the channel, however the reds are to your starboard and greens to port. Worth mentioning why we still use port and starboard and not left and right- a common question. Port and starboard are in reference to the vessel and do not change. If you turn and face the rear (stern) of the boat your reference has changed - port is now on your right side but is still the port side of the boat. No matter which way you are facing, port is port and starboard is starboard.

due to a wave) West- pointing in- looks like a sideways ‘W’- Flashing 9 Also, if you can’t make out the topmark, the triangles point to the black stripe/s on the pile - have a look and see - clever stuff eh!? Remember your trusty compass? It’s your best tool for keeping situational awareness. Remember a cardinal tells you where safe water is, so head to the North of a North Cardinal.

OTHER MARKS YOU SHOULD KNOW

South Cardinal mark

North Cardinal mark

West Cardinal mark

East Cardinal mark

• • •

Isolated Danger Mark - this indicates a danger with safe water all around. Special marks - 5 knot zones, various zones Safe Water marks show navigable water all around, and can be a useful landfall mark.

CARDINAL MARKS

These show where the safe water is around a hazard. All of them have 2 triangles and they flash a white light at night which coincides with a clock face North - both pointing North (up)- constant flashing (or 12 repeating with no pause) East- Easter Egg- Flashing 3 South- both pointing South (down)- Flashing 6 (plus 1 long flash- so it doesn’t get confused when you can’t see all the flashes, maybe 84

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Staying

AFLOAT Think your boat is safe at the marina berth? Think again. More boats sink at the marina than anywhere else. Follow these tips to keep your boat afloat.

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ou think your boat’s safe when it’s tucked up safely in the marina, but the facts say otherwise: According to insurance statistics, more boats sink when they’re unattended than when underway. While you’re reading this your own boat might be collecting water in the bilge, and, according to Archimedes, when there’s enough accumulation, bingo! Down she goes. If that happens, I know what you’ll say: “The bilge pump failed.” But if you’re counting on the pumps to keep Leaky Tiki afloat, you better take anything valuable ashore now, or sooner or later it’ll be in the hands of Davy Jones. Not to get overly Shakespearean here, but if your boat sinks in the slip the fault lies not in our pumps, but in ourselves. At least it does for inattentive owners. (If you’re reading this, you’re probably not one.) Boats that sink in the supposed safety of their berths generally fall victim to the owner’s failure to follow basic maintenance schedules, inspect the vessel thoroughly on a regular basis, and protect what is usually an expensive investment, and one that deserves better treatment. If the boat’s

not new and shiny, but a bedraggled veteran of years of rough service, it’s even more important that someone take pains to keep it on the surface; age catches up with boats just like with people, and senior citizens require extra TLC. Finally, it’s not just about your investment: Boats that sink in situ not only create financial headaches for their owners and insurers, but also damage the environment and demand that some responsible party raise and either repair or dispose of them. If the boat’s underinsured, as so many older ones are, salvage costs eventually end up in the owner’s lap, where they often remain unpaid, leaving some blameless party out of pocket. Life’s much easier for everyone if boats stay afloat.

WHERE’S THE WATER COMING FROM?

It’s no secret why boats sink: They fill up with water. But how does that happen when the boat’s resting calmly at the marina. Unattended sinkings are often weather-related: Heavy rains combined with blocked scuppers result in flooded cockpits, for example.

Heavy rains combined with blocked scuppers result in flooded cockpits.

The rainwater eventually finds its way into the bilge, often through poorly sealed hatches in the cockpit sole. Or rainwater can accumulate over time in loose-fitting canvas, which eventually splits under the weight and dumps the water into the boat, with the same result. Add a clogged bilge pump and/ or a dead battery, and eventually— glug, glug, glug. When this happens,

Boats that sink in situ not only create financial headaches, but also damage the environment

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Life’s much easier for everyone if boats stay afloat.

don’t blame the bilge pump, it’s been keeping the boat afloat. Unless there’s been a deluge of biblical proportions, if you visit your boat every week, you’ll usually find evidence of excess water on board while you can still do something about it, aside from calling a salvage diver. And you can fix the bilge pump, too. But folks who leave their boats alone for two, three, four weeks or longer—why would you do that?—might not be so lucky, especially during a rainy summer. The bottom line is, to keep your boat from sinking under the weight of water from above, don’t leave it alone for too long—drop in weekly, especially during monsoon season, and make sure everything is copacetic. Water entering from below isn’t as easy to catch. Sure, there are the usual suspects: A cooling hose that splits and lets the harbor gush into the bilge; a hose clamp that rusts out and falls off, letting whatever hose it’s holding gradually vibrate loose; a leaky stuffing box on the shaft or rudder that’s needed repacking for a couple of years, but nobody’s taken a halfhour to do the job; and incompetent winterizing that’s caused freezing damage that nobody noticed before the boat went back into the water (or under it). Wilson said that occasionally a minor grounding or other incident underway can cause damage—a 88

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

broken through-hull or a damaged stuffing box, for instance—that’s unrecognized at the time but may fail later on and lead to a sinking. Taking an inspection trip through the bilge now and then will forestall most of these issues.

It’s no secret why boats sink: They fill up with water.

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CLOSE THE SEACOCKS

Closing the seacocks when you leave the boat prevents a lot of problems. Seawater-flush toilets are a frequent culprit if the rim of the bowl is close to the waterline level and there’s no anti-siphon loop in the intake hose.

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Leaving the intake seacock open can let water seep into the bowl. This is a common problem aboard sailboats, whose MSDs are often mounted low in the hull, but it can happen aboard powerboats, too. If some other factor, or factors—marine disasters often result from the combination of many problems that would be minor on their own—introduce enough water into the bilge to sink the hull below the waterline, the toilet can then overflow and add more water to the already flooding bilge. The key here is to close the seacock when the head’s not in use. It’s even better to close all the seacocks when you leave the boat. This practice forces you to locate and identify the seacocks, knowledge that can be convenient to have in an emergency, and frequent opening and closing keeps them working smoothly. Other through-hull fittings above, but close to, the waterline, e.g., scuppers, ice- or fishbox drains, bilge-pump discharges, etc., can also invite water on board if the boat starts floating lower. These are usually not seacockprotected, so it’s important to keep their plumbing up to snuff, with no

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

dubious hoses or corroded hose clamps. Bilge pump discharges should have an anti-siphon loop to prevent water flowing back into the bilge if the exhaust fitting is submerged; same with engine exhausts and rawwater cooling hoses if the engine’s mounted at or below the waterline—in a full-bodied, single-screw trawler, for example. If your boat has stern drives, inspect their bellows. Typically, there are three of them inside the gimbal housing, keeping water from leaking in around the shift cable, exhaust hose and U-joint. If the bellows are cracked or split, water can flow through them and into the boat. Many skippers don’t spend the money to replace the bellows on the recommended schedule; the job requires removing the drives, which for most folks means paying a mechanic. But eventually they will fail and let water in, so it’s false economy to ignore them.

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PUMP

Most bilge-pump switches have a red light that glows when the pump’s

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

running, so you can see what’s going on when you’re on the boat. I’m surprised at how many people of my acquaintance, folks who should know better, fail to keep this basic safety device functional—usually all it needs is a bulb or some basic rewiring. If your light’s not working, fix it. Okay, it won’t help when you’re not on board, but at least you’ll be warned when underway if the pump’s cycling constantly, and you can check things out. Lots better than a light is a bilge pump counter, which lets you keep track of what your pump’s been doing while you were away. A basic counter costs about $50 and is easy to install, so why don’t you have one on each of your pumps? Reset the counter to zero when you leave the boat, and when you get back you can see how many times the pump ran. Maybe your boat is leaking like a sieve, but the pump’s taking care of it so far—without a counter, you won’t know it. If you see the pump’s been running three or four times an hour, you’d better climb into the bilge and check things out. While you’re at it, install a bilge alarm to warn you when the water level’s rising.

Pick one with an eardrum-piercing siren that will inspire your marina neighbours to take action should it sound when you’re not on board. If your boat starts to sink, you’ll need human intervention to keep her off the bottom. A helpful marina manager comes in handy here, too; keep his or her palm well-greased.

Closing the seacocks when you leave the boat prevents a lot of problems.

MONITORING SYSTEMS

Even better is a full-function monitoring system, such as Maretron, you can access remotely. There are several on the market; that monitors bilge pump activity and water level, battery voltage, temperature in select areas on board, motion in the cabin and various other inputs. You can even connect a sensor that notifies you when a canvas snap comes undone. Not only will a monitoring system watch the vessel’s systems, but it will track her—your boat might not be sinking, but maybe somebody’s stolen her and is heading for Fiji. With respect to water ingress, nearly all units on the market support a simple on-off bilge level alarm that warns you if the boat begins filling up. Most also allow you to connect a bilge pump to a relay in order to switch it on remotely. Some will even monitor overall bilge pump activity for any unusual patterns. Most will now warn you of this via your smart or satellite phone.

WHATEVER LIES AHEAD...

USE YOUR BOAT OFTEN

The best way to avoid all of the above is to use your boat often. Leaving any machinery sitting idle for extended periods will lead to trouble, and even more so in the marine environment. Wilson said that in 2020, when people were using their boats more than in past years as escape vehicles from the pandemic, the frequency of at-the-dock sinkings went down. Folks were paying attention, taking care of their boats just by being aboard, and Davy Jones’ locker was less visited. More boating, after all, is good for your boat and your psyche—how can you lose?

THouSAnD REASonS, onE pARTnER

This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine. PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DREAM PART 2

RUSSIA e v o l with

In part two on the voyage of the MV Strannik, Rodney Russ takes us along the Russian far east coast from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy to Anadyr. IMAGES BY O.BELONOVICH & LISLE GWYNN

The author with the MV Strannik behind.

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PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

once read that “Russia was a place where nothing was allowed but everything was possible”. Perhaps that is what attracted me to it in the first place, or maybe it was its history. Bering, Cook and La Perouse had all come this way and been infatuated with the Pacific coast of the Russian Far East. Their accounts littered my library with a persistency that could not be ignored. As a biologist, who had spent a lot of my time working in the higher latitudes of the southern hemisphere I was fascinated by arctic fauna and flora. I was particularly keen to see the megafauna like polar bears, walrus, sea lions and the cetaceans as well as the migratory wading birds like the spoon-billed sandpiper. From New Zealand, I had watched our sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) depart each autumn for the Bering Sea and then return in the spring. If they could do it why couldn’t I?

A RUSSIAN AFFAIR

My “affair” with Russia began in 1993. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, I was offered the opportunity to charter a Russian ice-strengthened polar research vessel for expedition cruising. The Russian research institutes were bankrupt and were looking to earn money from chartering

their vessels. I took up the offer and operated this vessel and a sister ship for over 25 years. My company offered commercial expeditions to Antarctica, the Sub Antarctic Islands, the Western Pacific and in 2006 became one of the first companies to offer commercial expeditions in the Russian Far East. These expeditions included the Kuril Islands, the Sea Okhotsk, Kamchatka Peninsula, Chukotka and the NE Passage. I passed ownership and management of this business to my sons in 2018. It was against this background that I was determined to make a series of private expeditions in the Russian Far East. My yacht “Strannik” (Russian for pilgrim or wanderer) was finally ready in August 2019 (see issue Nov / Dec 2021) and I had been asked if we could pick up a British film crew who had been filming polar bears and walruses on Wrangel Island. I didn’t need another excuse. When the iron curtain came down after the second world war the Russian Far East, because of its proximity to the USA, was declared a closed area. Even Russian residents had to get special permits to enter certain areas. Border Guard and military bases were constructed at strategic places along the coast and military vessels patrolled the adjacent seas. These bases and patrols collapsed along with the Soviet Union in 1993, there was simply no money to support them. However, by 2006 new protocols to manage the area were starting to emerge and these had been slowly refined and enforced.

PERMITS FIRST

To undertake a private expedition, such as I proposed, I needed a permit, and it wasn’t something I could organise myself. I used the services of a Kamchatka-based travel company to help me prepare the application. Firstly, I had to prepare a sailing schedule showing my intended route, it had to include all scheduled border crossings, that is, any time I planned to cross the 12nm territorial sea border. The estimated time and latitude and longitude of these crossings had to be included as did the location of any planned landings. This application had to be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism in Moscow who sought comment from all potentially interested parties including, the Military, Federal Security Bureau, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Fisheries and the Border Guard Service. The Ministry of Tourism in Moscow then collated these various agencies’ comments and conditions and returned them to our agent in PK. Our agent then worked with the local Border Guard office who issued our permits and clarified the conditions of entry. My permit was granted on the condition that the vessel’s position would be electronically monitored by Moscow and we agreed to advise the Border Guards by email and phone every time we crossed the border. There is a cost to all of this but it was worth every rouble. The crew consisted of myself, an

Numerous wrecks lay dotted along this coast, testimony to the extreme weather of the region and the rugged coastline.

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DREAM PART 2

engineer, deckhand and a translator. The latter was essential both for officialdom and for our landings. Sadly, my affair with Russia hadn’t included learning the language much to my disappointment. My partner Olga joined us for the first leg of the journey to Anadyr and then another Olga who had helped me with translations on a recent snowmobile expedition in Chukotka joined us for the remainder of the expedition.

PETROPAVLOVSKKAMCHATSKIY

We arrived at PetropavlovskKamchatskiy from Pusan on August 7th and were lucky to be able to come straight in. The port is closed whenever there are military shipping movements. These closures can last from several hours to several days. Opening borders here was fairly standard and went smoothly. We spent a couple of weeks here tied up alongside near the outfall from a fish processing factory, but then berths for visiting yachts are rare, visiting yachts are even rarer. The port has been described as one 94

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of the greatest natural harbours in the world. It was from here that Vitus Bering sailed on his Great Northern Expedition of 1741 to Alaska, Capt James Cook 3rd Expedition called here in 1779 as did La Parouse in 1787, it was the place to visit. We visited with friends, climbed volcanos and soaked in the thermal hot pools, for which the area is renowned, before stocking up on food, including both air-dried and fresh Kamchatka salmon. We departed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy on Monday 19th August and as it was classed as a domestic voyage, we only needed to get port clearance and advise the Border Guards of our departure. We were finally underway. Our first planned stop at Olga Bay had to be aborted because of a big swell on the beach. On previous visits, I had had great Kamchatka Brown Bear encounters here. Our next stop was Karaga Bay which gave us access to two villages that I hadn’t been to previously Karaga and nearby Ossora. There are only a few hundred people in each of these villages, they are remnants of a larger population that lived here under the Soviet regime. A Border Guard patrol vessel came alongside and checked all our papers

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

while we were anchored here.

TIME HAS FORGOTTEN

Our next stop was the village of ll’pyrskiy on the Milyutynyn Spit. It is a village that time has forgotten, less than 100 people live here and almost all are employed in a local fish processing factory. We caught up on the local gossip in the general store. We sailed from here across the Gulf of Korf to the village of Tilchiki. In April 2006 a magnitude 7.6 earthquake destroyed this village. It has subsequently been rebuilt on a nearby site. It is the administrative centre for the Koryakskiy Nature Reserve and we planned several days within the Park. But first a special encounter. We were in contact with one of my former ships now operated by my sons. We rendezvoused with them near the southern tip of the Goven Peninsula and spent an enjoyable hour catching up with crew and friends. On the eastern coast of the Goven Peninsula and within the Koryakskiy Nature Reserve are three of the most stunningly beautiful fiords, two of which were accessible by Strannik the third and perhaps the most beautiful is Tintikun Lagoon, which is only

"The region surrounding Anadyr has huge reserves of oil, natural gas, coal and gold which are slowly being exploited."

Anadyr is the eastern most town in Russia.

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DREAM PART 2

MV Strannik moored off Berengia Park Chukotka.

accessible by zodiac. The weather wasn’t suitable for anchoring off Tintikun so we visited the other two Yuzhnaya Glubokaya and Lavrov Bay. Just inside the entrance to Lavora Bay a large fishing vessel lies wrecked on some rocks, testimony to the inclement weather which buffets this region, especially in the winter. The anchorage in the north arm of Lavora is very secure. We spent time exploring the remains of the abandoned herring fish factories. This region had a large herring fishery but it was overfished and collapsed and the factories lie in ruins.

metrological stations and Border Guard bases. During the summer months, brigades of reindeer herders can often be found in the valleys tending their herds. We visited just four of these fiords, time did not allow us to do more. In Ekspeditsiya Bay we visited an abandoned metrological base. Glubokaya Bay is a historic anchorage and on a small headland in the fiord, there is a very small poignant

SPECTACULAR BAYS

From Cape Olyutorskiy to Cape Rubikon, which is the border between the Kamchatka and Chukotka Districts is 170 miles and there are no fewer than 18 spectacular bays or fiords, not all are accessible by vessels our size but those that aren’t can often be accessed at high tide by Zodiac. There are no permanent settlements along this coast, just a couple of seasonal fishing camps and abandoned 96

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cemetery with several graves of crew from the Soviet whaling ships that worked this coast and sheltered here in times of bad weather. In Nataliya Bay, there are the remains of a Border Guard base that was manned until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1993. We sought shelter in Bukta Pavel (Bay of Paul), one of two bays draining into Bukta Nataliya the other one is Bukta Petra (Bay of Peter). These bays were named after Vitus Bering’s two ships

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DREAM PART 2

(St Peter and St Paul) used on the Great Northern Expedition to Alaska. We had hoped that the weather would allow us to anchor off the small village of Meynypil’gyno and take the Zodiac across the bar to meet friends that were working on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) arguably one of the world’s rarest migratory waders. It breeds only in Chukotka but winters over in Asia. Reclamation, industrial development and hunting in the wintering grounds are threatening the survival of this species. Sadly, for us, the weather wasn’t suitable and we sailed past and around Cape Navarin and into the Bering Sea to Anadyr. The Beringia land bridge that once connected Asia and the Americas during the last ice age started near this Cape. The town of Anadyr is situated on the banks of the Anadyr River, it is the administrative centre of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and is the easternmost town in Russia. The region which is the most sparsely settled in Russian has huge reserves of oil, natural gas, coal and gold which are slowly being exploited. The Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich was the Governor of Chukotka from 2001-2008. We were exempt from pilotage because of our size. Much

of the 30-mile-long river channel is shallow and it shifts from year to year so the harbourmaster would normally insist on pilotage. On arrival were directed to anchor in the river just off the town. Friendships forged over many years of visiting the town with my Russian vessels and for private snowmobiling expeditions proved invaluable for arranging

Spoon-billed Sandpiper at Chukotka Coast, Russia.

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PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

clearance, stores and refueling. Refueling was done by a tanker that was driven onto a barge which then tied alongside us. We said farewell to Olga and welcomed a new Olga as a translator, stocked up on food and prepared to depart for Wrangel Island a journey that would take us through the Bering Strait and into the Chukchi Sea. But that’s another story.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

For many boaters, batteries and electrical matters, in general, are not their strong suit. They feel more comfortable talking about horsepower, litres per hour and top speed. But batteries aren’t going away and the more you know about them, the better your boat will be equipped to conduct its mission. This primer on lead-acid batteries will answer most of your questions about this arcane subject. BY FRANK SARGEANT & JEFF HAMMOND FOR BOATTEST

Conventional flooded lead-acid batteries are by far cheaper than AGM, gel and particularly lithium-ion batteries.

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capacity is required. Batteries, no matter what their chemistry, fall into two categories: 1- Starting, or cold cranking batteries. 2- House, or on large motoryachts called “hotel” batteries. In this report, we will cover conventional lead-acid batteries, which have essentially been used for at least the last 150 years, but have been improved and tweaked over that time to a point where they are relatively long-lasting, reliable and safe

early all boaters need reliable, durable batteries, no matter what the boating pursuit or the budget. Boat batteries can range in size from the little 3kg mini’s designed to power a kayak‘s sonar/ GPS to the big 82kg 8D’s putting out over 2250 starting amps, capable of

cranking massive 12-cyl CAT diesels. Specialised house batteries — deepcycles — keep onboard electronics and lighting functional, whether you’re running a 6m centre console or a 40m motoryacht. The batteries that suit you and your boat best depend on what they are needed for, and how much charging

Starting Batteries vs Deep Cycle Batteries A starting battery is one designed to put out lots of amps for a short period of time to start gas and diesel engines. The battery is then recharged by the alternator, generator, shore power or solar power.

This chart shows how the owner of an express cruiser, for example, might determine the capacity needed for a house battery. In this example, house battery capacity should be 325 Ah, based on the estimated time of use of each appliance. Note: typically anchor windlasses have their own dedicated battery. PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

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BATTERY CASING

POSITIVE PLATE SET

There is a lot of parts that make up a lead-acid batteries, which have essentially been used for at least the last 150 years.

NEGATIVE PLATE POWERFRAME GRID

PLATE BLOCK NEGATIVE PLATE SET

NEGATIVE GRID POSITIVE PLATE IN SEPARATOR POSITIVE GRID

This Optima AGM battery with a spiral design is more shockresistant and has more power per pouwnd than other AGM designs, according to the manufacturer.

Unlike a deep-cycle battery, starting batteries are not designed to withstand multiple deep discharge/recharge cycles. Draining a starting battery can significantly shorten its life. That’s why repeated cranking without result is not recommended. (It can also overheat your starter and ruin it.) The power of a starting battery is rated in cold-cranking amps or CCA—higher means more power. Check with your engine manufacturer for the recommended minimum CCA for your boat’s engines. The more amps the better. Large diesel engines in cool or cold climates should have block heaters to aid the process. A deep-cycle battery is designed to withstand repeated deep discharges, with power usually then replaced by housecurrent via a charger. Deep-cycles are rated in amp hours or Ah. Higher Ah means more available power for longer and greater discharge before recharging is necessary.

need is to total up the amps your electrical systems use in a day on the water. As an example, a 6 Watt navigation bulb in a 12 volt system draws 0.5 amps. If you use it for 10 hours in a day, the light bulb will consume 5 Ah (amp hours). Most trolling motors use 5 to 30 amps an hour, depending on their load. Multiple big-screen electronics, stereo and other extras can add significantly to the load. Add them all up and you’ve got a pretty good estimate of how much capacity your deep cycle house battery should have to last a full day on the water. Dual-purpose batteries designed to start an engine and to power accessories are particularly useful in small boats where minimal weight is important, as in an ultra-light, shallow-draft flats skiff, where a single battery may serve both purposes. Calculating the required energy capacity is particularly important when buying a dual-purpose battery.

Understanding Amps and Amp Hours (Ah) Amps are a unit of electrical current. Batteries store electrical current and the amount stored is measured in amp hours. Devices powered by electrical current require a certain number of amps in order to function. A device requiring one-amp of current to function over the course of one hour will draw what is called one amp-hour of current, or 1 Ah. A 10 Ah deep cycle battery could power the 1-amp device for 10 hours theoretically, for example. A 100-amp-hour battery’s approximate runtime to 100% depth of discharge can be estimated by dividing its 100-amp hour capacity by the amp load of the DC devices you plan to power. For example, if you are running a 5-amp load, the 100Ah capacity will last roughly 20 hours. If you are running a 10amp load it will last 10 hours, etc. Add up all the potential loads onboard and the time you’re likely to run each of them on a trip and buy house battery capacity to match. A quick way to figure the approximate size of deep cycle you

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Conventional Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries have been around since the late 1800s and have multiple varieties — the conventional wet flooded variety, AGM (absorbed glass mat) and sealed gel. You’re familiar with flooded-cell batteries because that’s what your car or truck has running all its electrical functions including starting (unless you’re an early Tesla adaptor). The big advantage of standard flooded cell lead-acid batteries is their cost. They are far cheaper than some other types of batteries, in some cases (compared to a lithium-ion battery) by a factor of 10. If you really have to watch your boating dollars, they’re worth considering—and generations of boaters have gotten along just fine with them, both for starting and other uses. The disadvantage of standard flooded cell batteries compared to other types now available is that first, they don’t last nearly as long. And these batteries are susceptible to damage due to the boat pounding hard and jarring the plates loose or cracking them. Though you spend less to buy them upfront, a frequent replacement can add up—and you also have to deal with the aggravation of fitting them into tight bilges or engine rooms if you’re a do-it-yourselfer. Not to mention they are heavy. Also, they can spill acid, and they put off fumes which in some conditions can be explosive—venting is essential. You have to occasionally add distilled water to keep them functioning at full capacity. And they corrode the battery posts and connections, as well as any other metal the acid may seep on should the battery tip—a quality vented battery box with strong tie-downs is a must to keep them safe. It is also an ABYC requirement.

Gel cell batteries are durable, never need refilling and cannot spill acid in your bilge. They also don’t produce explosive gases.

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries AGM or absorbent glass mat batteries are a step up from the standard lead-acid batteries. An AGM battery contains fiberglass mat separators that wick the electrolyte solution between the battery plates. This material’s design enables the fiberglass to be saturated with electrolyte – and to store the electrolyte in a “dry” or suspended state rather than in free liquid form. As the battery generates power, electrolyte is transferred from the glass mat to battery plates as required. The mat contains enough electrolyte for the battery to deliver its full capacity and – should the battery case become damaged or the battery be tipped on its side – its electrolyte will not spill. AGM batteries are somewhat more expensive than standard lead acid batteries, but they are extremely resistant to vibration—a major factor in many boating applications. They’re totally sealed, non-spillable and maintenancefree—great for batteries that have difficult access. AGM’s offer better cycling performance, minimal gassing and no acid leakage when compared with conventional lead-acid batteries. They have a few negatives: over and under charging can affect their life and performance. They’re most reliable when their use is limited to discharge of no more than 50% of battery capacity, according to manufacturers we checked with. For this reason, you may want to revisit your computations on the number of Ah needed.

Gel Batteries Gel cell batteries are durable, never need refilling and cannot spill acid in your bilge. They also don’t produce explosive gases. A gel battery is a valve-regulated lead acid battery in which an electrolyte together with sulphuric acid is combined with silica fumes to create a semi-solid gel. The gel batteries are virtually maintenance free. They use one-way valves that allow the internal gasses to recombine into water, removing any need to top up with distilled water or monitor water level. Gel batteries are extremely robust, good for a high-speed boat where they’re likely to take a pounding. They are safe to be installed in places where ventilation is limited because they have a very low (virtually zero) gas/fumes production, which means you can install the batteries in tight spots inside your hull—and they can actually be installed on their side and continue to function. Gel batteries lose power fast in cold weather, while AGM’s don’t, and they also require special chargers to avoid premature failure. Pricing is a lot higher than conventional, but not much more than AGM’s.

This 6 amp single-bank onboard charger has separate settings for Flooded Lead, AGM and Gel batteries, but is not recommended for lithium-ion batteries. (Pro Mariner)

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The Bottom Line The Bottom line is there’s no single best battery choice for boaters - it all comes down to how you use the boat, how often you use it - and how much.

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VOODOO XF60 EX PEDITION FOILER

Many “expedition yachts”, if truth be told, do little more than hug the coastline. Not the new Voodoo Yachts XF Expedition Foiler, Playground. With a cruise speed of 30 knots (in virtually every condition), slow fuel burn and exceptional comfort, cruising offshore is not only a real possiblity, it is darn near mandatory!

or most launch or cruiser owners, cruising offshore (say up to the islands or across the Tasman) is simply too hard. Even for those with larger “expedition style” vessels the journeys are usually seen as too long, too hard and too fraught with danger. The Tasman Sea and waters immediately north of New Zealand can be distinctly unpleasant in bad weather. The “good” weather windows are often short, not lasting quite long enough to give a healthy safety margin. The Voodoo XF60 changes all that. Using an innovative foiling system, called the Xpedition Wing that has been developed and refined over 10 years and taken 5 generations to get this advanced stage, it is perfectly positioned to take advantage of those small weather windows. With twin 850hp MAN diesels running through Voodoo-designed low drag shaft drives and swinging 5-bladed Interceptor props, it can leave Opua and, just 23 hours later, be berthing in New Caledonia. Fiji is now under 40 hours away and Tonga, the Cook Islands and Australia suddenly all easily in reach. Able to hit a top speed of 38 knots, Playground cruises comfortably over just about any sea state at a groundswallowing 30 knots and, as Voodoo’s Dave Pachoud points out, is just as economical at those 30 knots as it is at 20. With a fuel capacity of 10,000 litres and an average fuel burn of 7 to 7.5 litres per nautical mile it has a range of over 1200 nautical miles. Getting quickly to Fiji requires around 8000 litres so there’s a huge safety factor and, should one wish to drop down to a more sedate 8 knots, consumption more than halves to just 3 L/NM.

POPULAR ALREADY

Running a Mercury Verado 250, we saw 40 knots on the GPS.

Able to hit a top speed of 38 knots, Playground cruises comfortably over just about any sea state.

While Playground is the first XF60, the original Voodoo, after which the model and the company are named, first hit the water some 10 years ago. It, too, foiled, and, along with the several that followed, gained an impressive reputation. All for New Zealand or Australian owners, they travelled extensively, cruising up to the islands, being delivered “on their own bottom” across to Australia and ending up all over the big island: in Sydney, Mackay and Perth, to name just a few. Dave and his team spent the intervening years refining every aspect of the design, tweaking the hulls for better rough water performance, developing multiple generations of the foils and undertaking an enormous amount of computer analysis. When they were happy, they made the moulds and went into production. That hard work has paid off: while Playground, launched in April 2021 is the first to kiss the sea, there are already five more “on the floor” (in production) and another 8 on order. And this is for a radical 60-footer with a price tag in the multiple seven figures! After spending a day on board Playground with Dave and son Mitch it was easy to see why these boats are so popular. The team clearly have a couple of key principles that guide everything they do: simplicity and useability.

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VOODOO XF60 EX PEDITION FOILER

Cruising offshore is not only a real possiblity, it is darn near mandatory! There are two separate lounge areas, and a very large galley.

Make no mistake: this is not a “simple” boat. It has incredibly sophisticated systems for everything from fuel distribution to the provision of water and power; from boat handling to fire-fighting; from the convertible dinette to the transforming saloon bench to the now-you-see it, now-you-don’t cocktail bar. It’s just that, when one comes to use these new and innovative systems, it’s not hard. It’s easy ¾ pushone-button-and-it’s-done easy.

EASY RIDING

Even driving the boat at speed is just like driving a regular powerboat. After watching the America’s Cup foiling catamarans, with their “flight controllers” and foiling arms, one could be forgiven for thinking that one would need an advanced engineering degree to drive Playground. Not so.

It hops onto its foils in the same way other vessels hop onto the plane. It accelerates, decelerates, turns and even reverses just like any other power cat or monohull (like most modern cat designs it leans into the turns not out). If there is one thing that does take some getting used to it’s the lack of a steering wheel. Dave prefers to use a toggle switch (actually there are two, ensuring one is comfortably within reach depending whether one is standing or sitting back in one of the stylish custom helm seats). When docking, hydraulic bow and stern thrusters make steering of any kind pretty superfluous and a remote stern control station on the platform makes berthing a pretty simple affair, even when shorthanded. Because Playground has been designed with island cruising in mind, Dave has ensured the skipper can also choose to stand on the bow and maintain complete control of the vessel using a simple remote. This is an ideal state of the affairs in places where big bommies lie lurking under the surface, often in the most inconvenient of places (such as in narrow entrances to coveted anchorages).

NO COMPROMISE

The old adage that every boat is a compromise is not much in evidence on the XF60. Superyacht-style feel and finishing? Check. Specialist features and plenty of room for fishing and diving? Check. Choice of layouts? Check. Formal or casual dining? Check. Playground’s cockpit and platform areas are a great example of how this design truly delivers the best of all worlds. The large platform is equipped with everything 110

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needed to enjoy our favourite water sports: fishing, diving, swimming, exploring. Protected by rod holder-equipped stainless steel pushpits, the platform has twin kill tanks in the quarters and a brace of custom bait boards, complete with knife holders. Forward is an almost full width console containing literally everything one might need to find and catch fish, keep it in good condition, cook it and keep everything sparkling clean in the process. In addition to the mandatory livebait tank, there is salt-ice-maker (capable of producing 15kgs of flake salt ice an hour), 12v outlets for electric reels, a networked Simrad MFD screen with access to the ship’s sounder and CZone system, a large specially made 316 stainless steel sink with fresh water (there is also a hot and cold water telephone shower for the swimmers and divers), a salt washdown water outlet and, of course, a barbecue. There is also a mountain of stowage above the console, with specialist lockers for lures, tackle and the like. There is dive compressor in the starboard portofino locker and, for the swimmers and divers, an electric/hydraulic system capable of lowering the platform to half a metre below the water line. When lowered, the platform reveals a handy garage, home to Playground’s jet-powered tender.

SUPERYACHT FEEL

In contrast to this superbly-equipped but undeniably utilitarian area, the cockpit above has a distinctly superyacht feel. Dominated by a large dining table, it is part of a large open living area that basically runs,

uninterrupted, from the transom to the windscreen. There are so many innovative yet eminently practical features in this area alone it is hard to know where to start. Sheltered by a large overhang, the cockpit is obviously the go-to area when Playground is at rest. Protected from above, it is wide open to the rear and sides giving wonderful views of the surrounding anchorage as well as a birds’ eye view of the action below on the platform. Clearly designed with entertaining in mind, it features a console servicing both the cockpit and the galley. Containing a large sink and a faucet that dispenses both fresh and either light or full sparkling water, it is supplied by a 1000-litre fresh water tank and a 220l/hr watermaker. On the cockpit side it contains such necessities as a fridge and freezer and drawers containing blenders, shakers and the like (there is also an icemaker close at hand, across the companionway). A push of a button and the cocktail slide cabinet appears, sliding over the console from where it had been hidden in the port bulkhead. Revealed are not only all the different styles of glassware one might need, but also a wide range of spirits, already set up in their dispensers and ready to be put to work. Push another button, a large section of the ceiling hinges down revealing a pair of massive rod lockers, wide enough to contain multiple straylining, softbaiting or game rods. The U-shaped galley continues in the saloon with everything one would expect on a vessel of this style: domestic fridge/freezer, dishwasher, 4-burner induction hub, microwave, pantry, appliance garage

A push of a button and this cocktail slide cabinet appears.

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VOODOO XF60 EX PEDITION FOILER

A large section of the ceiling hinges down revealing a pair of massive rod lockers.

The cockpit above has a distinctly superyacht feel.

The aft saloon has a stand alone chair along with a settee, enabling it to act as a day or passage bed.

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and loads of stowage. There are two separate lounge areas, one opposite the galley and featuring a stand alone chair along with a settee with double-wide squabs, enabling it to act as a day or passage bed. The main lounge is forward of the galley and its U-shaped settee is served by another of Voodoo’s clever innovations: a timber coffee table that converts, Transformer-like, into one suitable for dining. All of the seating features spring bases for extra comfort. Because Playground has been designed to have adventures in both warm climes and cold, it has both a full air-conditioning system and diesel heating. In typical Voodoo style these both perform double duty: the former ensuring the windscreen is demisted and kept clear in even the muggiest conditions; the latter able to be used to quickly heat the large portable spa pool that can be quickly assembled, filled and warmed on the platform. Additional ventilation in

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the saloon is provided by electric windows on either side (controlled from the helm) and skylights over the galley. Despite the sophisticated nature of Playground’s systems, the helm station is a pretty user-friendly affair. The dash is carbon fibre and there are three 16” Simrad screens. Two are used as MFDs (displaying the feeds from the chartplotter, radar, sonar and CZone system), the third to relay the feeds from ship’s infra-red and security cameras.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Voodoo owners have a choice of two accommodation plans: 3-cabin, 3-bathroom or 4-cabin, 2-bathroom and day head. Although the latter has so far proved the more popular, Playground’s owner has gone with the former, using the day head space in the cockpit to house the vessel’s power fire flap fire-

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VOODOO XF60 EX PEDITION FOILER

Despite the sophisticated nature of Playground’s systems, the helm station is a pretty user-friendly affair.

SPECIFICATIONS Design Name: Voodoo XF60 Boat Name: Playground Year Launched: 2021 Builder: Voodoo Yachts Designer: Voodoo Yachts LOA: 18m Beam: 6.3m Displ: 27t Max Speed: 38 knots Cruise Speed: 30 knots Construction: Composite Fuel Cap: 10000L Water Cap: 1000L

Engine Make: MAN Drive Train: Voodoo designed low drag Shaft Drives Generator: Fischer Panda Thrusters: Hydraulic Interceptors: Zipwake Anchor Winch: Drumwinch MFD: Simrad Priced From: POA Contact: Mitch Pachoud Ph +64 (0)21 026 36362 mitch@pachoud.co.nz www.voodooyachts.com

PERFORMANCE DATA Knots L/h L/NM Range (NM) RPM 700 8.0 19 2.4 3750 1000 10.3 50 4.9 1854 1200 13.5 92 6.8 1321 1400 19.0 116 6.1 1474 1600 24.5 148 6.0 1490 1800 29.0 202 7.0 1292 2000 33.0 264 8.0 1125 2100 35.0 292 8.3 1079 2200 37.5 314 8.4 1075 2290 39.0 326 8.4 1077 Note: Range is allowing for 10% reserve fuel.

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The “VIP cabin” is forward in the port hull, also comes with its own ensuite, TV and an even larger view window.

fighting system and to stow additional game fishing gear. Access to the cabins is via separate, private companionways underneath the windscreen (meaning they don’t bisect the salon as is the case on some powercats). The full-beam master suite is forward with a large view window to the outside, a pop-up TV, electrically controlled curtains behind a pelmet and loads of stowage. The large ensuite includes another substantial wardrobe, twin sinks, a separate shower cubicle and Techma electric toilets. The “VIP cabin” is forward in the port hull, also comes with its own ensuite, TV and an even larger view window. The third cabin is aft to starboard (actually amidships) and can be configured as a double, a queen (made up of two singles) or twin singles with an inset. The corresponding space forward is occupied by the third bathroom/day head and linen locker.

SUMMARY

In over 35 years of writing boat reviews, there are few that have impressed me as much as the Voodoo XF60. Not only have Dave and his team created a true expedition cat, capable of safely travelling large distances at high speeds, they have also introduced high levels of innovation in virtually everything they have done. There are simply too many to do justice to in an article of this size but here are a couple more that I haven’t mentioned yet: the engine room vents, often a bit of an eyesore, have been placed at the bottom of the platform Portofino. The heated air exits through dorades and near-invisible stainless steel grills and have the additional benefit of providing warm air around the feet on a cold winter’s day. The other is an electric roller system for the clears that protect the outside dining area from salt spray while underway. Developed in-house, like virtually everything else on board, it is yet another innovative, easy-to-operate system that makes life on board that much more enjoyable.

The Voodoo Xpedition Foiler range of hydrofoil assisted power catamarans are set apart by their ability to cover huge open ocean distances at high speeds in absolute comfort. And with incredible efficiency. Contemporary interiors, light, flowing spaces and sustainable selections refine the extreme performance. Devastatingly fast, immensely capable and supremely comfortable. The Voodoo Xpedition Foiler truly is the ultimate boat for the modern day adventurer. Get your key to unlock the oceans.

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THE ALL-NEW MU-X HAS ARRIVED

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CLASSIC BOATS

MISS VAUXHALL Peter Morgan recalls Miss Vauxhall – an early New Zealand designed and built outboard-powered planing hull.

IN THE EARLY 1950S SHE WAS THE ONLY BOAT IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS THAT COULD TOW WATER SKIERS.

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y father, Jack Morgan, managing director of Paine Bros (North Auckland) Ltd, General Motors dealers in Whangarei for Vauxhall cars and Bedford trucks, in 1947 asked Richard Hartley, then a young (b. 1920) boatbuilder in the town, to design and build the 14-ft (4.3 m) Miss Vauxhall. She was built with one diagonal layer and one longitudinal layer of spruce planking with red lead painted canvas between, over NZ native kauri frames and scantlings – all held together with screws and rivetted copper nails and rooves. This was before marine adhesives were used. She was powered with New Zealand’s one and only Mercury 25-hp Thunderbolt in-line 4-cyl. 40 cu.in. (655 cm3) outboard. Paine Bros (North Auckland) Ltd stocked and sold Sea Craft clinker dinghies and Mercury outboards, being NZ’s second Mercury dealer, after Manthel Motors Ltd, Wellington.

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Miss Vauxhall had a top speed of 27 mph (23.4 knots), measured by timing between the ends of the Paihia and Russell wharves and measuring the distance off our hydrographic chart of the area. Miss Vauxhall could pull water skiers up from a deep-water start on a single ski. For a time in the early 1950s she was the only boat in the Bay of Islands that could tow water skiers. The 25hp Mercury outboard had a chrome-plated steel flywheel, with two diametrically opposed notches for pullstarting with a knotted rope having a wooden handle. There was no such thing as an electric starter on outboards back then. Also, there was no neutral and no reverse gear. The outboard had a tiller with a squeeze throttle and a detent. About a quarter throttle was needed to get the motor to start, and when it did, the boat leaped forward instantly. One had to be extremely quick to kneel and hang on to

Miss Vauxhall making a slight starboard turn off Paihia beach, Bay of Islands, late 1948. Turning gives the illusion that its transom deadrise was considerably more than its actual 6°. The town of Russell can be seen in the background. My big brother Roger, born 30 December 1936, so aged almost 12 at the time, was at the tiller.

the tiller to control the boat’s speed and direction – it wasn’t easy, believe me! The photographs above show that my big brother Roger, when aged not quite 12, was allowed by our father to operate the boat single-handedly. I, born on 18 October 1940, of course wanted to do the same, but I was then only 8 years old! Rather than outright refusing to let me drive Miss Vauxhall on my own, my father pointed out to me that I wasn’t yet strong enough to start the outboard. However, he told me that when I was strong enough, I could. That’s how it came to be that in November 1952, soon after my 12th birthday, I too was able to take Miss Vauxhall out on my own. Oh, how times have changed! Roger and I enjoyed many fishing trips together in Miss Vauxhall, often venturing out to Cape Brett. Richard Hartley, who became a personal friend of both my father and myself, went on to develop a large range of boat designs, both power (displacement and planing) and sail, and became widely known for his boat plans for amateur construction. The number of plans he sold world-wide was phenomenal, and he became, by New Zealand standards, a wealthy man. In 1964 I designed and started building New Zealand’s first composite sandwich boat, the 20ft, 25° deep-V Aurora, the forerunner of my Morgan 6.3 production fibreglass cabin cruiser. I invited Richard Hartley to Aurora’s launching in early 1966, and he was so impressed with its soft ride and seakeeping that as soon as he got home he designed the Hartley Deep-V 20.

Miss Vauxhall on Whangarei Harbour. My big brother Roger was at the tiller. Photo by Palmer’s Photography, Whangarei.

The above sections of Miss Vauxhall and the note were reproduced by well-known marine historian, author and lawyer, Harold Kidd, from an old Sea Spray article on Richard Hartley.

ONE HAD TO BE EXTREMELY QUICK TO KNEEL AND HANG ON TO THE TILLER TO CONTROL THE BOAT’S SPEED AND DIRECTION

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PHIL GILBERT COLUMN

Walking on Water… The Pro’s & Cons’ ‘Our/My Journey’ is a term I grew to despise on those endless reality TV shows, with some moronic unplaced participant clutching for a plus after being eliminated.

HAVE NOW LEARNT TO EMBRACE THE TERM, as My Journey from larger motorboats into fizz boating continues. Within previous prose, I stated an aversion to RIBs as they are held up by air which can leak out, an aversion to smaller tinnies as they can convert water travel into sound and transmit that through your feet, and an aversion to bigger fizz boats as they can create weighty issues for we geriatrics at launch and retrieval. Speed was irrelevant as we didn’t plan to go far, and our inbuilt human shock absorber system is stuffed once you pass 50. Showing that logic has no place in the real world, I have bought a 7.5m, @1.6t RIB that can do 50 knots, as a stock item while the ordered alloy amphibious craft is built, with delivery mooted for August 2022. It is a known and proven fact that if you ask anybody for their thoughts or knowledge on an item, you will hear of all that items perceived faults, issues and disgruntled opinion via some unnamed ‘friend of a friend’ who had one. Very rarely do you hear ‘it’s a good one!’ without a list of caveats. Once I had decided on an amphibious craft as my next evolution, the usual in depth research on the various options available revealed that according to the naysayers, apparently all were no good! You don’t often hear the many positives about sea keeping, economy, stability or ease of use, which forms the vast majority of the time spent on these craft. I was impressed to discover the number of well-known and reputable boatbuilders working closely with the three major suppliers of amphibious drive technology. It is a testimony to the tenacity and marketing acumen of Maurice Bryham and David McKee Wright, that mention to anyone you are getting an amphib, and they nearly all reply ‘Ahh, a Sealegs!’. Given they have designed and built over 1500 boats, there must be some pretty happy owners, as not 120

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that many come on the market, and they command good resale values. Expert comments were offered, with the majority opining that the centre console commuters or fishing smacks, were as wet as a shag in any breeze. I would have thought that was a given! There were comments that the weight of the boat, and the amphib package meant there was little spare load capacity given the rated weight capacity offered. Rudimentary maths showed around seven 100kg passengers, or four fishos’ complete with kit and grog could bring the load weight close, but I

have not heard of any actual collapses or breakage within the studies I undertook. Interestingly, the vast majority of the modern campervans you see on our roads have only 400500kg spare load capacity from empty. Under intense cross examination most of those who offered such opinions admitted to never having been on one, or personally experienced the aforementioned issues. Some very good local and offshore builders use Sealegs drive systems. I was intrigued when I heard about Tectrax. All electric, and independent drive per wheel. The idea of silent running on land had appeal. The bonus of extra space in my fishing cockpit, with no auxiliary hydraulic motor was alluring. Given the likes of Profile, Southern, Senator and McLay, all excellent manufacturer’s, offer Tectrax within their ranges, I quickly undertook an in depth study at a number of local fishing pubs. Immediately the naysayers mentioned

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limited run times with battery drives, suggesting at least with engine driven drives the on land range was only limited by the fuel remaining in your tanks. I mentioned Tesla is the biggest selling car in NZ at present. Also high battery usage occurred on more difficult high load terrain, (which you would expect), which could lead to embarrassing halts in progress. Anything uses more energy under load! There are only a couple of years warranty on the expensive lithium/Ion batteries but you don’t need to do anything to them meantime and they do last way longer than that. Given the stated weight of 580kg for a drive package, with the majority of this weight at the extreme ends of the boat, trim issues did concern me. Reading various boat test articles offered no confirmation as to the veracity of these concerns. Sadly my long term plans needed longer run times on land than those offered, so Tectrax was put to one side. Also NZ designed, Orion manufacture hydraulic drive systems for many builders around the world. NZ builders installing Orion include Smuggler, FC Boats and Stryda. As they are a supplier to the industry, and not a builder of boats, they are not as well-known as SeaLegs. They seemed to offer slightly more weight carrying capacity than others, and had a 4 wheel drive option. Their units seemed a bit lighter. Again in depth analysis showed load capacity on the bigger craft needed watching, but overall they enjoy a solid reputation here and offshore. Although amphibs don’t need trailers, at times they will be transported. I learnt tow weights are much higher than like conventional craft, and planned around this. These drive packages add an extra 500-580kgs to a boat, so hp requirements go up, both on land and sea. I am enjoying ‘My Journey’, learning as I go forward, eyeballing the bigger picture, and keen to prove all the naysayers wrong.

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FLETCH’S TIPS The summer is finally here, lots of boating fun to look forward to and a reminder to everyone that they all need to stay safe out on the water. Make sure you wear your life jacket and sunscreen, also watch the weather and if in doubt, don’t go out!

TIP #075

TIP #076

SUN CANOPY

As we head into a hot summer, the risk of sunburn is greater than ever. I highly recommend investing in a sun canopy for the rear deck. I purchased a sun canopy a month ago for some extra shade and was impressed with how quick and easy it was to install. The front of the canopy is tied to the rocket launcher and its upright poles fit into the side rear rod holders. These two upright poles can be removed from the rod holders and the canopy folded back very quickly when not in use. This sun canopy is my best upgrade I have made this summer. These universal sun canopies are available from your local marine store for less than $200, which is well worth the investment to stay cool out on the water.

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DIY REEL SPOOLING

Another great gift for the boatie who has everything is a Fishing Reel Spooler. This portable line spooler can be used with mono or braided line and is very handy for spooling your own fishing reels. I used my spooler to replace the old, worn line on several reels during lockdown when I couldn’t get into the store. It is unbelievably quick and easy to do a professional job. I have also used it to create a line combination with half mono and half braided line with a blood knot joining the two lines. You can pick up Reel spooler from your local fishing tackle store or order online.

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TIP #077

TIP #078

TIP #079

BRAKES AND JOCKEY WHEELS MARINE TOASTER A cool gift for the boatie that stays out overnight. I recently tried out a Dixon Gas Hob Toaster using it to make 2 golden, perfect pieces of toast at the same time, impressing the wife. This is made from marine stainless steel and can be used on a gas hob or gas BBQ. When finished, just stow it with your pots and pans with the assurance that it won’t go rusty. This toaster is made right here in New Zealand by Dixon Stainless in Warkworth.

Keep your jockey wheel and trailer brakes out of the weather this summer using a seat cover, it does a great job keeping your trailer equipment dry and out of the sun. I have had a number of people complain that when they try to raise the jockey wheel or release the trailer brake, they find it’s seized up or not working. The cover will keep all the important trailer components out of the weather and also help prevent your brakes seizing up unexpectedly when towing. A seat cover can be purchased for under $20 from any good marine store.

DISCO LIGHTS

If you are needing to upgrade or install deck lights, consider a multi-coloured lighting option. Fusion Marine have a LED lighting control module that allows you, via wireless remote, to change your lights through the full spectrum of the rainbow. Roll on New Year’s Eve celebrations!

If you have any ideas or tips you want to share, please email fletch@boatmags.com – all published tips will receive a free online subscription to Pacific PowerBoat and Alloy Boat magazines.

Available from leading boating stores PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022

PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE

T H E 1 0 0 % A L U M I N I U M B OAT M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 24 JANUARY 2022

MERCURY VS. YAMAHA VS. TOHATSU VS. SUZUKI REVIEWED

BLUEFIN 665 HT

STABICRAFT 2250 WT

MAKAIRA KING BANK | 131 35

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

THE FUTURE OF AMPHIBIOUS BOATING IS HERE

ORDER YOUR ELECTRIC SEALEGS TODAY!

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T H E 1 0 0 % A L U M I N I U M B OAT M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 24 JANUARY 2022

MERCURY VS. YAMAHA VS. TOHATSU VS. SUZUKI REVIEWED

BLUEFIN 665 HT

STABICRAFT 2250 WT

MAKAIRA KING BANK | 131 35

PowerboatMagazine.co.nz

ON THE COVER:

90HP SHOOTOUT SEE PAGE 160

REGULAR 134

NEWS & NOTABLE

Robson Design release new range. $280,000 Boat Show Prize & Image Boats take a road trip.

160

188

90HP SHOOTOUT

ALUMINIUM BOAT GUIDE

All the major brands, sizes and styles available in New Zealand.

We stack up four 90hp 4 stroke outboards in a head to head test to find out which is the fastest, most economical and the history behind each engine.

FEATURES & REVIEWS

170

BEACH LAUNCHING MADE EASY

138

Launching your boat at the beach doesn’t need to be something to fear and with the right preparation it can be quite simple.

REVIEW BLUEFIN 665HT

The Bluefin 665HT ticks all the boxes for serious fishing and family comfort. Mike Rose spend sometime aboard with the bonus of fishing around the Mercury Islands.

176

FUN ON THE WILD SIDE

144

Paul Walker continues his romp around Great Barrier Island and explores the north eastern side, or as the locals call it the wild side.

REVIEW MAKAIRA KING BANK 35 Onjon II, is the first King Bank 35 from Makaira Boats and their biggest boat to date . 150

182

REVIEW STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT

BUYING THE RIGHT GEAR

Stabicraft’s 2250 WT (Walkthrough) breaks with alloy hardtop design convention and brings a whole new meaning to practical boating. Barry Thompson checks out this very unique creation.

Whether it’s new or used there is always something you can add to your boat. We offer some handy tips on what to look for. WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

NEWS

$280,000 2022 HUTCHWILCO NZ BOAT SHOW GRAND PRIZE! Surtees Boats and Yamaha Motor (NZ) Ltd have again joined forces with show organisers to create another must-be-won Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize package for the 2022 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. The 2022 prize, which will have a retail value of over $280,000, will again be centred around the popular Surtees 7.5m 750 Game Fisher enclosed cabin. Designed for extended offshore cruising, the 2022 Grand Prize boat features a large, 400-litre fuel tank, 530 litres of water ballast for even greater stability both underway and at rest, and an 80-litre freshwater tank. Like all Surtees boats, the 2022 Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize has been built to fish. The Grand Prize also comes complete with $5000 worth of Okuma fishing gear, an eye-catching wrap from Brave Design, and SeaDek protective panels. The huge list of extras includes a Lone Star GX3 Drum Winch, a comprehensive Hella marine LED lighting package and Electrotab auto-retract trim tabs. It is powered by a Yamaha F250 V6 DES outboard and is fitted with a Yamaha Helm Master EX control system.

Included for the first time is Yamaha’s Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust system, delivering increased prop grip and thrust for improved manoeuvering when docking or reversing on a big catch. The 2022 Grand Prize winner will also enjoy an impressive set of the latest Garmin electronics. A Fusion Apollo MS-RA770 stereo is paired with Signature series speakers. The prize sits on a Hosking Trailers custom tandem trailer designed and built just for the 2022 Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize. To keep the lucky winner and their crew safe on the water, the 2022 Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize also comes with six Hutchwilco 170N manual inflatable lifejackets, a Hutchwilco powerboat flare kit, an ACR Electronic Distress Flare, a large safety grab bag, first aid kit and a year’s worth of Yamaha Marine Insurance. Thanks to the show

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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sponsor, Hutchwilco, there is also a 1m Kai Cooler fish insulated catch bag, a 700mm, Kai Cooler fish insulated catch bag, a Desalt cleaning kit, Loose Unit ski rope and ski biscuit and dock and bowlines. The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show will be held at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland, on May 12-15, 2022. All those attending the show with tickets bought either online at www.boatshow.co.nz or at the gate are eligible to enter the draw for the 2022 Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize. Tickets are now available, and all tickets bought online at www. boatshow.co.nz also come with a Free Bonus. All tickets purchased online also automatically go into the draw for a powered Viking Kayaks’ ultimate fishing kayak package, worth over $8000. www.boatshow.co.nz

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

TOP VALUE TOP SELECTION

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OPEN 7 DAYS OVER 200 BOATS www.sportcraftboats.co.nz

TAURANGA 19 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Peter 0272716882 Jamie: 021 795 597 Email: sales@sportcraftmarine.co.nz

NEWS

IMAGE BOATS ROADIE

Dean & Stacey Wilkes and their family are “On the road again” this Summer on their annual Image Boats Xmas Tour showcasing the latest Image Boat, “On The Job” an 8.5m Fishmaster powered by Twin 200hp Suzuki outboards. Customers can see the “Dream” in action as the family live & holiday together on the boat for 4 weeks, both on land and in the water, and are available for viewing and Test

Drives by appointment. This year’s Tour starts in Cromwell (27-29 Dec), before heading through the middle of the South Island to Kaikoura (30 Dec) and on up to Picton (31 Dec-6 Jan). “It gives us the opportunity to talk directly to potential owners and they can not only see what we build they can also experience it on the water”, says Dean. After a week in Picton & the Marlborough Sounds the Image

Road Trip heads around the coast to Nelson (7-14 Jan), Abel Tasman (15-19 Jan) and then down the West Coast to Hokitika (20 Jan). Last stop is Wanaka (22 Jan) before the Image team head back to Invercargill. You are welcome to follow their trip on the Image Boats Facebook page which Stacey regularly updates and if you are interested in a test drive contact Dean on 0274 368 055 or email dean@imageboats.co.nz.

NEW ROBSON DESIGNS Kotare Kraft, a new manufacturer based in Napier is busy building two new Scott Robson Design alloy powercats. The KR 5500, is a 5.5m X 2.4 m model, available in either hardtop or centre console. The bigger KR 7400 is 7.4m with a beam of 2.8 m and is available in hardtop, centre Cab or Centre Console. The owner of Kotare Kraft and the other people involved in the new venture are very experienced sports fisherman and charter boat operators on the East Coast. The designs for the new models utilise the experience of 20 years of operating boats offshore in these fishing grounds. This can be seen in boats cockpit, layout, storage and with the forward facing screen a standard option on the Cab models. Design by Robson Design, the hulls are based on the new series of proven catamaran hull designs developed and already in use in the USA and Australia where a normal days fishing is to go 60 – 100 miles offshore in rough conditions . The first two boats are sold, with construction to start on the New Year .www.robsondesign.co.nz ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

The KR 5500

The KR 7400

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SPORTSMAN HARDTOP 591 XL PACKAGE.

571 SPORTSMAN

HARDTOP

SPORTSMAN 571

MULTI AWARD WINNING BRAND

SPORTSMAN HT591

SPORTSMAN 521 Go to our website for specifications and pricing or get down to your local dealer

w w w.mclayboats.co.nz MCLAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE FROM DEALERSHIPS NATIONWIDE: WHANGAREI: Warren Hay Marine, ph 09 430 2666. AUCKLAND: Fish City, Albany, ph 09 476 4282. HAMILTON: Fish City, Frankton, ph 07 846 6675. WHAKATANE: Oceansports Marine Ltd, ph 07 308 4241. WELLINGTON: Boat City, ph 04 298 5931. MOTUEKA: Bays Boating, ph 03 528 5200. CHRISTCHURCH: Powerboat Centre, ph 03 389 1146. DUNEDIN: McLay Boats Milton, ph 03 417 8135. INVERCARGILL Marine South ph 03 218 2700

DB844

DB360

SPORTSMAN 551

BOAT TEST

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BLUEFIN 665HT

& STILL GOING STRONG

The new remodelled Bluefin 665HT ticks all the boxes for serious fishing and family comfort. Mike Rose spend sometime aboard with the bonus of fishing around the Mercury Islands.

bout 20 years ago, when the world was firmly in the grip of that nasty recession, the team at Bluefin decided to “shrink” their 700 Hardtop to create a more appealing 665. It was a clever move. In the years since, the company has sold 100 of these 6.65m LOA trailer boats. Many of those have been the full lockup versions. Since the first boat was launched the chine width has increased by 200mm, offering more stability at rest, but essentially little else has changed. “In some ways, it has been too successful,” jokes Jamie Black from Bluefin manufacturer Sportcraft Marine. “The 665HT is such a good boat, it takes sales away from both our smaller and larger models. The simple fact is, for many of our customers, it’s the perfect sized boat.” Following the tried and true marketing philosophy of backing your winners, the Sportcraft team recently invested in a well thought out revamp of their popular 665HT. The well-proven hull has been left alone but the tweaks to the hardtop are significant. A stylish curved windscreen replaces the conventional one, (sliding side windows are available on the lock ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

up version) and the side bulkheads moved further outboard. They are changes that are welcomed by the owner of Whitiangabased Macho II, the first of the revamped 665HTs. A notinsubstantial fellow, he welcomes the extra space in the hardtop and, thanks to a remotely-controlled windlass, only uses the slightly narrower side decks for the end-of-day washdown. “They’re absolutely fine for that,” he explains. Having stepped up from a 5.5 metre vessel, he is also loving the extra waterline length and the additional on board space. “We like to go to the Mercs,’ he says, “but we often copped a hiding on the way home when the wind picked up “I wanted something that would give the family a more comfortable ride, especially in choppy seas. I went out in the 665HT with Jamie and was really impressed with the way it handled the seas. It is a very dry boat and gives a very soft ride.” He also like the fact he could tow the boat with his family Holden and didn’t need a braked trailer (fitted with a 150hp Mercury EFI four-stroke outboard and a 140-litre fuel tank, Macho II has a 1650kgs trailerable weight on its tandem trailer).

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REFRESHED FROM ALLOY BOAT MAGAZINE #5 2015

Macho II’s well-balanced hardtop and striking blue superstructure ensures she stands out, even on an overcast day.

Off to the Mercs

softbaiting. As a result, we are soon anchored in relatively shallow water between two of the Mercury islands, a berley trail doing its business out the back. As anyone who has ever visited either a major boat show or one of Sportcraft Marine’s outlets will know, the company loves to bundle their boats into fully-featured, cost-effective packages. The 665HT is no exception. For example, standard on board is a fishfinder and a VHF and a deluxe baitboard which fits neatly into the transom rod holders and keeps everything neat and tidy. Macho II’s owner, an experienced boatie and very keen fisher, opted to upgrade from the standard fishfinder to a new Raymarine A68 MFD (sounder, chartplotter, etc). While I inspected and photographed the interior, Macho II’s owner and Jamie Black baited up and started fishing. It quickly became apparent that, like virtually any size of trailerboat, the 665 is best suited to two fishers, especially when straylining. The pair had plenty of room to move around, use the baitboard, cast and remove fish from their lines without getting in each other’s way. Even when a large trevally or big kahawai called for my help with the net, there was always enough space for everyone to do their job properly.

I got to review the Bluefin 665HT on a fine if slightly breezy day Coromandel day. Launching at the Whitianga Marina was easy and we were quickly clear of the 5 knot zone and able to get onto the plane. With three of us on board, the 3-litre outboard and its 17” Inertia propeller had no trouble getting us up and away and we were soon cruising at around 30mph at 4000rpm and using between 27 and 28 litres of fuel per hour. This means a family trip to and from the Mercs, complete with fishing and sightseeing, uses around 45 litres of fuel. Macho II’s owner says fuel consumption remains fairly constant, regardless of sea state or the number of crew. “The day before, we had six people on board and the numbers hardly changed at all,” he says. Macho II is also very easy to handle thanks in part to its hydraulic steering, now a standard feature on almost all Bluefin models, and a set of Lenco trim tabs. Although Jamie says many owners use their 665s for gamefishing, Macho II’s owner is more into straylining and

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BOAT TEST

BLUEFIN 665HT

The hardtop now has a curved windscreen that provides a softer appeal to the boat. Thanks to the versatility of the Mercury gauges and the Raymarine MFD, Macho II’s dash is a very clean affair. The cabin features 2m long bunks, wide side lockers and space for the catch.

Carpeted interior

Although the Bluefin range is generally recognised as being at the more affordable end of the aluminium boat spectrum, there is little to suggest this while on board. The entire hardtop and cabin area is fully carpeted, the finish is very professional and there are a number of innovative touches. Moving those cabin sides outward has created an immediate benefit inside: there is now space for a number of handy little lockers in the side bulkheads. These are of the close-at-hand, open variety that are so good for stowing things such as sunglasses, wallets, mobile phones and car keys. Also getting plenty of use on our day out was the large flat area that runs from the passenger side,

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across the cabin entrance to behind the helm station. Again fully carpeted, it is a wonderful spot on which to throw all manner of things from an oldfashioned paper chart (for those who still use them) to a cruising guide, notepad or phone. The carpet ensures these items stay where they are put (as does the surrounding upstand) and the area is so big it is unlikely to ever become cluttered. Other nice touches here are the well-placed grab rails (for when it does get rough) and the ceiling moulding that houses the GME Stereo and VHF. The helm, too, is well appointed with that Raymarine MFD, Mercury’s engine gauges, a BEP DC panel, not one but two DC outlets (great for using a spotlight and charging the phone) and the windlass and trim tab controls. Despite this, it looks very clean and uncluttered and there is clearly room for more electronics or equipment should it be wanted. The cabin is a deceptively large affair. Although it looks quite small (probably a result of the carpet lining and the dark coloured bunk squabs), the berths are actually long enough to comfortably accommodate the boat’s 1.9-metre (6ft 3in) owner. There is room for the traditional infill, too, and the side lockers are also considerably wider than normal, meaning there is ample room in each for a brace of two-piece rods. Macho II’s owner has chosen to upgrade from the standard Bluefin pedestal seats to a pair of King and Queen models, with additional stowage underneath.

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Fishing cockpit

Macho II’s cockpit is clearly a fishing-focused one. Its chequerplate floor is covered with tube matting; there are wide coamings (great for sitting on), complete with non-skid patches and three rod holders per side; the side lockers are wide and practical and there is a big live bait tank (complete with glass front) under the port side transom step and running right back to the platform. Unusually, especially in a boat of this size, there is also a protective drop down door on the outside of the step. This closes off the step from the platform and must be a great safety feature when there are young children on board.

The platform itself is also extra large, big enough to fish from, and there is the standard ladder and grab rails. There are two large plastic hatches to the right of the step. These give access to the batteries and isolating switch and to the washdown pump and windlass reset. Macho II’s owner has also opted for the standalone fish bin/seat which he uses, centrally placed, to stow his bait. He uses a medium-sized chilly bin (one that fits snugly into the gap between the bunks in the cabin) for his catch.

Options for keen fishers include the removable fishbin/ seat and a deep live bait tank, complete with glass viewing window, under the port step.

The deep transom lockers house the twin batteries and isolating switch as well as the washdown pump and windlass reset.

Even with extra wide coamings, there is still plenty of space in the 665HT’s cockpit. WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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NZ’s Va

BOAT TEST

BLUEFIN 665HT

Summary

The transom platform is extra large, big enough to fish from, and there is the standard ladder and grab rails. Sportscraft Marine’s Jamie Black with a nice Mercury Island trevally.

Despite Sportcraft Marine’s reputation for well priced and entry level aluminium boats, there is nothing but class about the new Bluefin 665HT. From the two-metre-high hardtop to the carpeted interior and fine finish of the aluminium, this is a very impressive vessel. It easily switches between a dedicated fishing boat and a family cruiser, has lots of innovative touches that are as practical as they are clever and, from a performance point of view, is very hard to fault. With a 150hp Mercury EFI four-stroke outboard and a brace of trim tabs on the transom, the 665 copes comfortably with even choppy and confused seas and does so economically. It nicely fills the gap between the larger weekenders and the smaller runabouts and, on its tandem unbraked trailer, can be safely towed by a family V6. What’s more, if something about the design isn’t absolutely perfect, Jamie and the team are happy to make adjustments. Macho II’s owner doesn’t like rocket launchers. He thinks they are not good for the rods and, besides, with one in place, the 665HT wouldn’t fit in his garage. Not a problem, said Jamie, we’ll take it off and, instead, put in a single rod holder on each side of the back of the hardtop. Job done and another satisfied Sportcraft customer.

SPECIFICATIONS

Make & Model: Manufacturer: Priced from: Type: Construction: LOA: Beam: Deadrise: Height on trailer: Trailerable Wgt: Test Power: Propeller:

Maximum RPM: Top Speed: Power Options: HP Range: Fuel capacity: Trailer: Contact:

Bluefin 665 Hardtop Sportcraft Marine Ltd $94,950 Cabin boat with hardtop Aluminium 6.65m 2.4m 17 degreees 2.95m 1650kgs Mercury 150hp Four stroke EFI Inertia 17” 5250rpm 40mph Outboard Up to 175hp 140 litres Sportline tandem Jamie Black, Sportcraft Marine, Ph 07 889 7193 E: sportcraftboays@xtra.co.nz sportcraftboats@xtra.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA

RPM Knots L/h L/NM Range(NM) 1000 5.5 3.5 0.640 190 1500 6.0 5.5 0.920 130 2000 7.5 9 1.200 100 2500 9.0 14 1.600 78 3000 15.5 16.5 1.100 110 3500 20.0 22 1.100 110 4000 25.0 29 1.200 100 4500 29.0 34 1.200 100 5000 34.0 49 1.500 84 5250 35.0 50 1.500 84 To allow for adverse conditions, range is calculated on 90% of the fuel

tHe aLUM

This boat could be protected against the effects of corrosion, oxidation and discolouration.

The ideal cost effective product to protect your valuable asset. MORRINSVILLE

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Thames Street West, Morrinsville Ph: (07) 889 7193 Fax: (07) 889 5405 Alan Solly: 021 595 151 Email: sportcraftboats@xtra.co.nz

NZ’s & Best Selection Selection & BestNZ’s Selection & Value to Match! Match! alue to Match!

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OVER 20 MODELS Over 20 models to choose from: TO CHOOSE FROM: • Centre Consols • Dinghies • Centre Consols • • Cuddy • Cuddy • Cabin • Open Runabouts • Cabin Boats• Cabin • Pontoons • Hard Tops • Open • Weekenders Runabouts • Wheelhouse •

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Bluefin 780 Weekender $133,500

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MORRINSVILLE TAURANGA Thames Street West, Morrinsville 19 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui MORRINSVILLE Ph: (07) 889 7193 Fax: (07) 889 5405 Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) TAURANGA 928 7194 TAURANGA Thames Street Morrinsville 19271 Hewletts Road,021 Mt 795 Maunganui Alan Solly: 021West, 595 151 Peter 027 6882 Jamie: 597 19 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui Ph: (07) sportcraftboats@xtra.co.nz 889 7193 Fax: (07) 889 5405 Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Email: Email: sales@sportcraftmarine.co.nz Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Alan Solly: 021 595 151 Dave: 029 770 7036 Jamie: 021 795 597 Dave: 029 770 7036 Jamie: 021 7952022 597 ISSUE #24 WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ ALLOY BOAT 143 Email: sportcraftboats@xtra.co.nz Email: sales@sportcraftmarine.co.nz Email: sales@sportcraftmarine.co.nz

BOAT TEST

MAKAIRA KING BANK 35

MAKAIRA STEPS UP

Onjon II is the first King Bank 35 to be built and the biggest boat yet from Makaira Boats. ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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Stepping up from a jetski to an 11m alloy cruiser was a big step for the owner, but it was one he was pleased he made. Barry Thompson went aboard to check out Onjon II, the first King Bank 35 from Makaira Boats.

njon II is the first King Bank 35, to be built from the Kerikeri based Northland yard of Makaira Boats and interestingly, it wasn’t the owners first choice. He explained that after looking at a few other yards around the country that could build what he wanted, he settled on a 970 Makaira. “I was very impressed with the way Allan (Shaw) built his boats, the quality, and I had had some great reports from Makaira boat owners on their performance, especially in rough water,” he said. However, early into the build, the owner’s wife asked about fitting a gyro, which, while usually no issue in a 970, was not practical at the stage of construction the boat was already at. “So, after talking with Allan, we decided to sell the partially completed 970 and ordered the King Bank 35, so we could fit a Seakeeper 2 gyro. It did delay our delivery time of the new boat, but then what we have ended up with is more than we had originally WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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planned on, and we are delighted we made the change.” “They are wife keepers as much as sea keepers”, remarked the owner. He says that his wife is also much happier to go boating and staying overnight, with the Seakeeper 2 providing stability when it’s needed. He also reckons it will be a winner when they finally get out wide to sit over a deep canyon in search of bluenose and groper. While snapper fishing will always be a big part of the target species, he is also keen on landing some big kinghies this summer. There are also a couple of game rods fitted to chase tuna and marlin off the coast. Delivery was mid-2021, and after initial trials in the Bay of Islands, Onjon II was driven down the coat to its berth in Gulf Harbour Marina, Auckland. “Our first trip with the boat was brilliant, and the boat performed like Alan had told us it would”.

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

BOAT TEST

MAKAIRA KING BANK 35

A single Volvo Penta D6/440 is good for 34 knots.

STERNDRIVE POWER While there is a trend towards fitting multiple large outboards to boats of this size, the owner was always going for the diesel sterndrive option. In Onjon II, it’s a Volvo Penta D6 440/DPI that provides all the power. The top speed is a very respectable 34 knots, which gives a range of around 280nm. The optimal cruise speed on this vessel is 21 knots, using 1.9 lpnm, providing an approximate range of 420 nautical miles. According to Allan, if you were of the outboard persuasion, a pair of 300-450hp outboards would be a great combination, or perhaps a single Mercury V12 600. The diesel inboard choice is limited to 400-600hp. I have driven a couple of Makaira Boats in the past and was impressed with their handling in rough water. Anything the size of the King Bank 35 will perform in the calm, but the test is when the seas are coming at you from on the beam, or you have to punch into it. On both counts, the Makaira King Bank 35 runs well. Weighing in at around 6200 kgs, there is enough weight to keep the boat on the water and the deep vee warped hull helps with a comfortable ride.

TWIN BERTHS

While the main deck and wheelhouse arrangement of the King Bank 35 and the King Bank 970 are very similar, proportionally, you get a lot more in the bigger boat. According to Allan, it’s about 30% more volume, so that’s a big step up from the original 970. Onjon II has a 3.4m beam as opposed to the 970 at 3.0 m beam. There is also the addition of a separate amidships master cabin. The forward ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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cabin can be configured with various layouts, with the owner opting for four berths (upper/lower), with an infill to make the lower an enormous double. To port is easy access to a reasonable spacious mid-cabin under the wheelhouse, which is well lite and ventilated. While Onjon II was devoid of storage lockers or shelves in the mid-cabin, there is plenty of space to add them if required. Opposite is a separate head and shower space. The King Bank 35 has spacious sleeping for six, and that’s without the optional drop-down table in the wheelhouse making up another double.

FISHING COCKPIT

U-Dek is applied to the deck and gunwales and even comes with a 150cm fish measurer. Underfloor are various wet lockers, with more on both sides under the coamings. Being a dedicated fishing boat, it has been fitted with nine-rod holders overhead and a further six in the coamings. There is a central live bait tank on the transom, and even a couple of gunnel-mounted electric reel plugs for those long hauls back from the deep-water chasing groper and bluenose. A dedicated bait station houses tackle drawers and a polycarbonate cutting board. There is even a couple of tuna tubes hidden away under the port coaming. There is no boarding platform to get in the way when backing up on a fish, with a transom ladder built-in under the starboard side transom opening. A boarding platform is undoubtedly an option. The cockpit is self-draining with large scuppers on both sides. Forward to port is a lift up bench seat that exposes further storage and starboard a secondary control

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Bifold doors and a drop-down window divide the cockpit from the wheelhouse.

station. With the bi-fold doors and drop-down windows providing a secure wheelhouse, there is an easy flow from the interior to the cockpit when open. It makes the boat feel even bigger.

COSY WHEELHOUSE

To port is the galley complete with diesel stove and hob, sink unit and Isotherm fridge. The timber is all oak and adds a nice touch. Opposite is the U-shape dinette with a fixed table, with comfortable seating for 4-5 people. With the high-profile window line and raised seating, you get excellent all-around visibility when seated. The front screen is 6mm curved toughened glass, with sliding side windows. Overhead are a pair of black powdercoated Cule hatches. A Wallas diesel heater keeps the wheelhouse warm on those cold nights away. When it comes to the electronics package, the owner has gone all out, especially when it comes

to finding fish. Central is a Garmin Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit System MFD 8616, with two 16” screens. There’s also a WAASP F3 which has a 120-degree port-to-starboard swath, so you’ll locate and map baitfish shoals quickly and easily. This lets you present your lures and bait to marauding billfish and tuna with great accuracy. The wideband CHIRP technology enables excellent target separation of bottom species like bass and bluenose. Fusion provides all the sounds you need from the accommodation areas to the cockpit, with speakers placed strategically throughout the boat. Onjon II has a flip-up bolster double helm seat on a sliding base, with the standing or seated driving positions offering excellent visibility. The owner chose not to fit a wiper, instead has coated the windscreen in Nanoshield, and it seems to work well.

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When it comes to the electronics package, the owner has gone all out, especially when it comes to finding fish. Four berths can convert to a large lower double with an infill. The deck and cockpit sole are finished in Udek. The midships cabin is surprisingly spacious. The boarding ladder stows neatly under the transom coaming.

BOAT TEST

MAKAIRA KING BANK 35

BUILT TOUGH

Onjon II sits on an Airberth, so there was no need for any antifouling.

While Makaira Boats are not one of the more recognised brands, they are quietly making a name for themselves as builders of quality alloy boats. Their range now extends from 7.5m through to 10.7m. All are hardtops, and all can be designed to suit an owner’s needs. All the hulls, regardless of size, are constructed from 8mm 5083 alloy with full depth frames and girders. Captive buoyancy is created amongst the structural grid by fully welding all the seams. The hull structure is designed to meet Lloyds Register Special Service Craft (SSC) requirements, with a limited lifetime warranty. All aspects of the boat build are completed in house, from cutting plate on a CNC Router to paint, upholstery and complete fit-out of the boat. Onjon II is an outstanding example of Makaira Boats craftsmanship and a testimony to Kiwi boat builders who are at the leading edge of design and construction in the alloy hardtop and sedan market.

The wheelhouse is spacious with a practical layout.

SPECIFICATIONS

Boat Design Name: Makaira King Bank 35 Year Launched: 2021 Builder: Makaira Boats Designer: Alan Shaw LOA: 10.70m Beam: 3.40m Deadrise: 16 deg Displacement: 7750 kg Max Speed: 34 knots Construction: Aluminium 8mm/4mm Class: Lloyds Structural Fuel Cap: 800 litres Water Cap: 250 litres Engines Make: Volvo Penta D6 440/DPI Drive Train: Sterndrive Bow Thruster: Maxpower Sonar: WAASP Gyro: Seakeeper 2 Interceptors: Zipwake Flooring: U Dek Lighting: Hella Hatches: Cule MFD: 2 x Garmin 16” 8616 Diesel Heater: Wallis Winch: Maxwell Freedom Ent System: Fusion MS-RA670 Price of Boat: POA Contact: www.makairaboats.com

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FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA

RPM Knots L/h L/NM 600 5.0 2 0.3 1000 6.3 4 0.6 1500 8.6 11 1.3 2000 10.5 25 2.4 2500 16.5 37 2.2 2750 21.0 40 1.9 3000 25.0 50 2.0 3250 28.0 61 2.2 3500 31.0 77 2.5 3740 34.0 87 2.6

Range(NM) 2400 1134 563 302 321 378 360 330 290 281

To allow for adverse conditions, range is calculated on 90% of the fuel

This boat could be protected against the effects of corrosion, oxidation and discolouration.

The ideal cost effective product to protect your valuable asset.

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Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ͺ ǡ Ǥ

ACCESSORIES

Accon Marine’s folding cleat easily locks in the down position when not needed, helping ensure the deck is free of potentially dangerous protrusions.

The Hutchwilco Coastal flare pack is ideal for trailer boats.

Underwater lights not only look good but they attract fish. - Photo courtesy of Aqualuma. EPIRBs are now more compact and reasonably priced and an easy fit for your trailer boat.

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BUYING THE RIGHT GEAR Whether you have just purchased a new trailer boat or have owned your current boat for many seasons, there are always things you need to add to it. From deck hardware to bilge pumps, cockpit lights to floor coverings, a trailer boat is always in need of some new gadget or fixture. It may be practical, it may be cosmetic, but mostly it improves the boat you have and your pride in owning it.

This article is about spending your money on the items that are essential or very important, and then buy the discretionary toys afterwards! It’s also about buying quality and the adage…you pay for what you get is never so poignant as with marine hardware and fittings. The secret is to approach the matter in a prioritised fashion, beginning firstly with the all-important safety features. Items such as lifejackets, flares (kept in a water-tight container), and marine radio and EPIRB (if going offshore), are ‘musthave’ items. The first three should be mandatory in every boat, and an EPIRB is a wise purchase, especially if you go offshore.

ANCHORS & ANCHORING

Lifejackets are a must have, especially if you have children aboard.

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Next, you should address the anchoring equipment, which includes appropriate (to boat length and weight) deck gear such as cleats, fairlead, bollard, and capstan, and anchor, warp and chain. The latter comes with your safety kit in most states anyway, but make sure it is adequate for your requirements. Don’t look upon it as a means of appeasing the authorities, look upon it as a means of one day maybe saving your life. And please remember the golden rule with chain – you should have a suitable weight chain – and it must be twice the

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

BOWTHRUSTERS

The Life Cell not only keeps your flares dry it also floats and has handles to support you in the water.

ANCHOR WHINCH

“Nothing but the best”

length of your vessel if you don’t ever want your anchor to drag. If you are considering a capstan or winch, then take the time to check out the incresingly popular drum winches. Most boats have a deep enough anchor locker to fit them and they are great because they never bind up and you can have a lot more rode on the drum than compared to what you can drop into an anchor locker. You should also address those general convenience features applicable to the vessel’s predominant application. Forget the fluffy dice, electric chairs, electric aerials, windscreen wipers and other such gadgetry, what we are now looking for are features that are practical and will ensure your vessel is just that much more user-friendly.

LIGHTING

DB855

Bowthruste rs

Bow & Stern Thrusters for boats from 8 - 30 metres

FREEPHONE:

VISIT:

www.tenob.co.nz 0800 273 9180

Anchor Te nob W h o l e sWinch ale Marine |

Vertical and Horizontal winches to suit every craft

QUALITY LADDERS Crafted Marine Grade 316 Stainless Steel Transom Ladders, Removable Gunwale Ladders,Telescopic Ladders, RIB Ladders, Handrails, fittings and accessories.

USER FRIENDLY

Having looked after the basics of your package now is the time to take a look at some essentials that will help make life aboard just that much more convenient. A lockable, watertight (if possible) glove box or locker for a start, is a must for the storage of mobile phones, keys or valuables. A tool kit of some description is sensible (how many times have you wanted a pair of pliers or a screwdriver), as is a simple little waterproof first aid kit, both of which can sensibly also be stowed in this locker/glovebox. A USB port or a 12V cigarette lighter alongside your purposedesigned marine ‘accessories’ switch panel, is another sensible option that will power remote searchlight, lantern, or any other electrical equipment, or charge or run your mobile phone.

CHOOSE FROM AN EXTENSIVE RANGE CUSTOMISED OPTIONS AVAILABLE

www.dixon.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

DB702

Call us for more info: p: +64 9 422 3595 or e: mx@pl.net. 59 Woodcocks Rd, Warkworth 0910. NZ

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Limited

Having the right anchor for the bottom structure is a bonus.

The above are essential items, but there are many other creature comforts such as drink holders, a compass (providing you are prepared to learn how to use it properly) and grab handles (you can never have enough of these, spread around your vessel). Next up we should be looking at all the options available – directly applicable to the vessel’s intended predominant usage. Sensibility suggests you should only fit what is required. It is a waste of money fitting a bait-board, for instance, if you don’t fish! And more important than wastage of money, every ‘extra’ adds more weight to your boat – weight that equates to higher fuel costs. These items often fall into the category of discretionary purchases, and heading the list, providing you still have

TRUE BLUEWATER SAFE BOATING

DB384

Bluewater Safe Boating: Soft riding – Lifetime Construction | Inboard and Outboard models from 5.4m to 12m | Standard or custom built to your requirements | Repairs and alterations to all aluminium boats | Built to survey specifications.

30 A Airdrie Rd Ranui Ph: 09 8322170 or 027 296 3254 e: bluewaterboatsltd@xtra.co.nz www.bluewaterboats.co.nz

LED

IP67

COMPLETELY SEALED

UV RESISTANT

CORROSION RESISTANT

5 YR WARRANTY

SEA HAWK-470

LED LIGHT BARS

When outstanding light intensity and proven reliability is needed to safely get you home, the Sea Hawk-470 Light Bars are the preferred choice. A sleek versatile design and non-metal corrosion resistant housing provides an ultra long service life for complete peace of mind.

Designed & Manufactured in New Zealand, specifically for the marine environment

www.hellamarine.com

Available at all leading marine outlets

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You never have too many rod holders, seen here with a drink holder that doubles as a place to keep extra tackle you want to get at quickly.

The size of your MFD is only restricted by the space available on the dash.

money left in your budget, is an electronics package of some description. Here the options are seemingly endless, as there is a multitudinous array of depth sounders, MFDs, GPSs, entertainment systems, and the like. A word of warning here – if you are at all confused, give the manufacturers of the respective equipment a call. Their advice is free and can save you a lot of dollars.

If it is cruising you are into and don’t have a hardtop then a canopy and even side and rear ‘curtains’ have to be considered. If it’s a new boat, you can always ask the dealer to add one to the package and if an older boat, there are plenty of marine upholsterers that will fit one for you. There are also kits that you can retrofit yourself, which are ideal for smaller open tinnies. For your cruising vessel, you may well require more or different seating configurations. It might be that back-to-back, bucket, pedestal, or king and queen arrangements, adjustable or nonadjustable, would better suit. If you want to change your seating arrangement, then there are plenty of retailers around the country that will sell you what you want. Retrofitting is not difficult and can certainly transform your boat. A comfortable helm seat can undoubtedly make a difference. If you are using your boat for family cruising, you may want to add a portable or fully plumbed head, as well as some cooking

THE RIGHT USE

It is helpful to categorise usage into the various pursuits such as fishing, water-skiing, diving, cruising, or whatever else it is you will predominantly use your boat for. If it is skiing, you will need to address the aspects (and positioning) of a suitable ski pole arrangement, storage for the skis, vests and ropes, and items such as a rear view mirror, rear-facing seating, and an accurate speedometer.

Space saving Freefall Anchor Winches with Built in Motor

...when quality counts the edge in safety, performance and style

www.kiwikraft.com KIWI ENGINEERING & MARINE LTD

www.smartawinches.com ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

DB445

DB856

Call +64 (0) 27 419 0059 email: Michael.marriott@smartawinches.com

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73 Annan St, Invercargill New Zealand Phone: 03 214 1388 Email: rodney@kiwikraft.com

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ALLOY KITSETS For the home builder or engineer

Here’s a toilet fitted inside a centre console.

facilities. There are two options, a marine BBQ; which are generally rod holder mounted or a small galley unit; which according to available space can be separate or stowed under a seat until needed. There is also a good choice of brands when it comes to cockpit lighting. Nothing worse than sitting in the cockpit in the evening and you can’t see to pour the next cab sav. Adding mood lighting adds to the overall ambience. Adding solar panels will help save the power drain from your batteries and should also be considered, especially if you are staying out for a while.

RSV 8600 HT

Catamaran

RSV 332 CC

Catamaran

RSV 362 CC

Mono-Hull

RSV 383 SF

Alloy craft available as pre-cut kits. Talk to us about our range of mono-hull or cat designs available to the D.I.Y enthusiasts

Hi Tech Plastics make a range of retrofit live bait tanks and tuna tubes.

FISHING OVERLOAD

If there is a multitude of options available in the way of electronics, then they pale into insignificance when it comes to the number of fishing extras available, for the serious fisherman. This is where you can seriously blow the budget and weight constraints. Storage is perhaps one of the most under-rated aspects here, WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Catamaran

DB859

Tel 64 021 320 874 • scott@robsondesign.co.nz

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If you have a hardtop then solar panels are good addition.

How about a fish measurer on a removeable coolie bin.

for fishermen require plenty of working space. Everything, therefore, must have a home (applicable in any situation really, not just fishing), and into play come such items as rod-holders, rocket launchers, and side-panel or overhead (depending on boat size) rod racks. First and foremost, in any vessel but most importantly in a fishing vessel, the aspect of storage must be addressed! Accessibility to the transom is of great importance, so make sure any rear seating is removable if it impedes access to the bait station. The transom isn’t there just to hold the topsides together; by sheer coincidence, it very conveniently also houses the bait stations, tuna tubes and live-bait tanks! Live-bait tanks and bait stations, of course, come in many different forms, depending on the respective manufacturer, yet they remain a very personal facet of a fishing vessel. Depending on how committed you are to the pursuit, tanks can vary in size, and the associated re-cycling pumps too vary in size as well as efficiency, according to the type of bait held. Bait stations, however, offer up the most variations, from the simple polyethylene lid of the live-bait/wet fish storage facility, up to multi-faceted arrangements featuring pumped water, tackle storage, bait storage and bait preparation areas. Don’t forget that you can also go all out and bolt an electric trolling motor to the foredeck, but before you do make sure it will work with your existing bow rail. You may have to get a new one made especially to work around the trolling motor. One of the biggest annoyances, especially in a fishing-orientated vessel, is water damage to ‘essential’ items such as batteries, filters, oil tanks, and in some instances in older engines, trim pumps. A simple shelf arrangement, up off the floor level, allows

better access to this equipment – while at the same time keeping it away from fish scales, dirt and grime. Many new vessels now have this feature. The engine well area varies dramatically in configuration from manufacturer to manufacturer. Still, if it isn’t fitted as standard, it is a good idea (if the option is available) to include some form of boarding platform for either side of the engine. The humble boarding ladder is another contentious item, with many deciding that as they are not into diving or the like, they won’t bother with the option. Every boat should have one as you will be surprised how many times you will use it – boarding from a beach, or boarding while the vessel is on the trailer. Providing that is, that the ladder is substantial enough, and ensuring too that the grab handle theme is continued through to this boarding area! Make sure the ladder has enough rungs too, especially if you are into diving, skiing or swimming around the boat. A ladder that drops just below the surface is nowhere as easy to use as one that extends well down in the water. A short version will suffice if all you want it for is climbing onto the boat from the beach or land, otherwise go for the long option. Other sensible user-friendly features aimed at enhancing the ‘efficiency’ of anglers include tackle boxes that recess into seat bases, recessed EPIRB and fire extinguisher mounting points at an appropriately sited-place and remote ‘bin’ seats. Practical also are wet-fish bins able to be recessed into the floor, exterior anchor storage mounts (for attachment to the bow-rail), recessed yet open lifejacket storage lockers (so they don’t get damp and ultimately rot), spray deflector curtains should your intended vessel be of the centre-console configuration. Hatches are another accessory that you might like to consider,

Minn Kota trolling motors are becoming very popular and now have auto raise and fall available on some models.

This stainless steel Viper drum winch fits easily into the anchor locker of a 4.8m McLay.

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CALLING ALL MARINE DEALERS... DO YOU WANT ACCESS TO OVER

FOR POPULAR MAKES AND MODELS. FROM PREMIUM BRANDS.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

LAURIE HODDER

HAYDEN MILLS

+61 03 8720 6000 | laurie@whitespowersports.com.au

+64 7 850 0784 | hayden@whitespowersports.com

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Hella offer a wide range of flood and cockpit lights.

The Hutchwilco gear bag is great to stow all your safety equipment.

At DOCKPRO we provide innovative docking solutions to make boating life easy.

DB853

Not sure of the right product for your situation? Our friendly trained professionals will help find the best solution for you.

For more information please phone: +64 9 887 4160 or visit www.dockpro.co.nz ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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especially on older boats. While modern boats usually always have a deck hatch, many boats from the 1970s-1980s had no forward hatch, so anchoring was not a simple chore. Retrofitting a deck hatch is a simple DIY job as long as you do it right. Sealing the hatch on the deck is probably the most crucial factor and also getting one that proportionally fits the deck space.

MARINE DECKING Smart, custom solutions for your boats deck

• Durable & light-weight • Easy maintenance

Dixon Manufacturing make quality ladders for all sizes and styles of trailer boats. Also note the auxiliary outboard bracket from TENOB.

• Fully customisable with extensive colour range & routering options available

DECK PROTECTION

• Full Installation or DIY options available

Older trailer boats often have an antiskid pattern on the floor or a sturdy material like Nautilex or perhaps carpet. However, in recent years faux teak has become the flooring of choice, and with more than half a dozen brands, you have plenty of options. It is not cost-effective to put genuine teak decks on a trailer boat, and it also adds considerable weight. So, if you like the look and feel of a teak deck, then you may want to look at the many man-made teak deck alternatives. You can have the flooring custom-designed for your boat and even drop in things like the boat name or a fish measure. Faux teak is extremely tough and durable and well suited to both aluminium and fibreglass boats. And so the list goes on.

ABOVE Faux teak is becoming the norm and gives a very classy finish to any boat. RIGHT Snap-D, it won’t over tighten, it won’t un-tighten. On or off, just one click away Contact us to create custom decking

ARTICLE REPRINTED FROM PACIFIC POWERBOAT OCT/NOV 2020

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options for your boat

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0800 114 222

sales@ultralon.co.nz

www.udek.com

90HP SHOOT OUT BIOS BY DANNY CASEY

AFTER MONTHS OF LOCKDOWNS, LOGISTICAL AND SUPPLY ISSUES WE FINALLY GOT TO COMPLETE OUR 90HP FOUR-STROKE SHOOT OUT… WELL ALMOST.

t’s been many years since we have carried out an engine shoot-out. Logistically they are not easy and over recent years with boat sales as they are, it has been difficult to get a manufacturer to supply us with enough identical boats for the test day. However, this time we decided to use our own boat, a McLay 4.8 Fortress. As the boat was already powered by a Mercury 90 4S, it was a logical start and so all we had to do was get hold of another four 4 stroke 90s from; Honda, Tohatsu, Suzuki and Yamaha and the job was done. Well not exactly. Firstly, to make things easy to swap engines they were all tiller steer and as there is an adjustable engine bracket on the transom, it was quick and easy swapping engines. We used a Humminbird 9 Helix for the speed data, but did require each engine to have a separate set of fuel gauges. We asked each of the suppliers to set the boat for average performance, with an emphasis on achieving the best balance between speed and economy. To be fair, all the results can be skewed with different engine heights and ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

propellers, so should be taken as a guide as to what they were on the day with the setup we had. All started off well a few months ago, but then we came across a problem. There are five 4 stroke 90hp outboards on the market and you will notice we have only reviewed four. There is a good explanation for that, which are factors that were beyond our control. Try as we might we were unable to obtain a new 90hp Honda for out 90hp Shoot Out. While we did everything we could to obtain a Honda 90 we were unsuccessful. Despite rolling the review over a couple of issues, with months of lockdowns and supply issues it meant we were unable to secure an engine to test in time for this issue. However, while it may be missing from our printed edition, we do plan to review a Honda 90 sometime over the next few months and we'll add that to our online version edition of the magazine. We have still included all the engine data and history of the Honda so you can at least get some technical information on the engine.

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MERCURY TRIO

ercury offer three outboards in the 90hp sector, all four strokes and all based on the same 2.1 litre, 8 valve SOHC inline 4. The 90hp Mercury uses the same valvetrain design found in the 150 FourStroke engines. This the largest engine in the class of 90hp providing great mid-range fuel economy, quick acceleration with smooth overall operation and sound quality. The three options are the Four stroke, Command Thrust. And Sea Pro. The first two are designed for the recreational market, with the SeaPro targeted 100% at the commercial operator. They all are available in 508mm (20”) or 635mm (25”), and run a 35amp alternator. The differences are quite small but significant and designed for the purpose each engine is designated for. The 90hp Four stroke that we tested is the lightest of the three at 163 kg, with the 90 SeaPro and 90 Command Thrust (CT) marginally heavier at 165kg. While the 4 stroke and the SeaPro run on 87 RON fuel, the CT is recommended for 91 RON. The 4 Stroke and the CT have a maximum WOT rev range of 5000-6000 rpm, where as the SeaPro is 5000-5500 rpm. SeaPro models have a different tune on them, different camshaft designed to boost lower-end power, and stiffer upper mounts are more durable. SeaPro are a commercial-grade outboards are ultra-tough, super-reliable, powerful and efficient. These motors are engineered for commercial use and created using heavyduty components. Theyutilise the heavy-duty Command Thrust gear-case.

gearcase with a 2.38:1 gear ratio, in place of the standard 4.2inch case. The lower unit drain is relocated in the torpedo, rather than behind the prop in the bearing carrier as is the case on the recreational model. This makes it possible to drain the case lube without putting the boat on a trailer or lifting it out of the water – with the boat on a beach at low tide. The Command Thrust 90 is identical in all respects to the 4 Stroke 90 apart from the higher 2.38:1 gear ratio, as opposed to the 2.07:1. With the larger gear cases, longer props, and larger gear ratios, the results are more lift, better acceleration, and added durability.

Each is also equipped with the 4.9-inch Command Thrust

SNAP BIO: MERCURY

Of all the brands on test, Mercury’s path to their current 4-strokes is perhaps the most circuitous and evolutionary. At the end of the 20th century, both US manufacturers were caught on the hop by the US EPA’s accelerated and draconian approach to emissions reduction. As everyone now knows, OMC/Bombardier (Johnson and Evinrude) didn’t survive, but Mercury certainly did – albeit using a hodgepodge and mixture of technologies. Their first lean-emission participant in this power segment – purely expedient, as they were still years from having their own 4-stroke platform - was the 3-cylinder 75/90/115 hp Optimax DI 2-stroke. Ostensibly one cylinder bank of a V6, it was reasonably economical but bulky and, due to the intrusive sound of the “Orbital” injection pump, quite noisy. Mercury’s second effort was markedly better, and a classic paradigm of a “win-win” situation in their increasingly fraught and deteriorating relationship with Yamaha. The new Mercury 75 and 90 hp 4-strokes used a complete, bought-in engine unit from Yamaha (the 1,596 cc DOHC engine from Yamaha’s original F80/90/100 series (carburetted then fuel-injected), which was mounted on a Mercury midsection. These were good engines which greatly improved Mercury’s reputation and market share in this popular horsepower segment – the only issue being the well-documented corrosion problem between the bottom of the power unit and the water-tube grommet, caused by the marriage of the two dissimilar metals used by both manufacturers. In many ways, the introduction of the inline-6 supercharged Verado in 2004 was Mercury’s 4-stroke salvation, as they reaped exceptional mileage out of the modular premise of the design. After the original inline 6 was introduced and proven, Mercury introduced a 4-cylinder version (also supercharged) in 135/150/175 and 200 hp variants.

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THE OPTIONS

In 2007, with the acrimonious relationship with Yamaha now sundered, Mercury, again with great pragmatism, introduced a new fuel-injected 75/80/90/100/115 hp series, which utilised the I4 Verado power unit without the supercharger. These were also good engines, albeit oddly proportioned with a large, domed protuberance atop the engine cover. Mercury’s current 90 hp 4-stroke, one of a range that tops out at 115 hp, was introduced in 2014 and is a classic, purist example of “less is more”. It is a conventional 8-valve, single-camshaft engine (with valves never needing adjustment) of 2.1 litres (largest in class) and a catalogued dry weight of 163 kg (midway for weight among the test engines). They have also adopted Suzuki’s policy of utilising an oil-bathed timing chain in the sump rather than an external rubber belt. Also, innovatively, the exhaust is routed externally down the side of the motor, rather than the usual “trumpet” down through the sump – which could theoretically give Mercury a head start should they eventually deign to fit a turbocharger or, God forbid, a catalyst.

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA MERCURY 90 / Prop Spitfire X7 13.5" X 15" 4 BLD Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres RPM

Knots

L/h

600

2.7

1.5

0.6

1000

4.1

0.7

Range (NM)

1500

5.7

0.9

2000

6.2

1.0

2500

6.6

1.3

3000

16.6

0.6

3500

20.4

12.5

0.6

4000

23.0

0.7

4500

25.7

0.9

25 22

5000

29.0

28.3

1.0

5500

32.0

33.1

1.1

Acceleration

L/NM

0-20 Knots 5.0 sec

0-30 Knots 7.6 secs

SUZUKI DF90A

uzuki utilise the same 1.5 litre, four-in-line engine platform for the DF70A, DF80A, DF90A and DF100B. The only difference is the programming of the ECU. The engines are built on an offset driveshaft design which is designed to bring the powerhead closer to the transom, moving the outboard’s center of gravity forward. The offset driveshaft features a first stage reduction between the crankshaft and drive shaft and a second stage reduction inside the gear case. This design makes a larger gear ratio possible, allowing it to turn a large diameter propeller for high propulsive efficiency while providing greater torque. The DF90A comes with two freshwater flush ports that make flushing the cooling system much easier. There’s also a tilt limit

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

system that prevents the outboard from tilting beyond a certain angle and Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control System means only the right fuel and air mixture is supplied depending on the navigation conditions.

SNAP BIO: SUZUKI

When the Suzuki brand was reintroduced to the ANZ market, the timing was both fortuitous and propitious. The tide was turning against 2-strokes at exactly the same time as Suzuki had embarked upon one of the most innovative and adventurous new-product plans in the outboard industry. There had been brief insight into Suzuki’s technological capabilities with the fuel-injected DF60/70 in 1997 (the only fuel-injected 4-stroke outboard of that era), followed by the first DF40/50 series (also fuel-injected) in 1998, but after the brand’s temporary withdrawal in 1998, the only buyers who could avail of such excellence were those visiting Evinrude dealerships (a result of the original OEM supply deal with OMC, before new owner BRP later badged all Suzuki 4-strokes as Johnsons). After the DF60/70 and DF40/50, Suzuki’s plan was to introduce larger-horsepower outboards at an accelerated pace. The first product of this ambitious strategy was the original 1,950 cc DF90/115 in 2000. This was a clean-sheet, DOHC 16-valve, marine-specific unit which owed nothing to any Suzuki automotive engine. Also, while it had twin camshafts, these were not driven by the usual serpentine belt, but instead by a self-adjusting, oil-bathed chain in the sump, which needed neither adjustment nor replacement. Weight-wise, the DF115 was a smidgen heavier than the Yamaha F115A (a catalogued dry weight of 186 kg vs 182 kg), which wasn’t too bad for the era but it meant that its DF90 sibling was a tad heavy. Whilst the DF90 was indeed a little heavy for rated output, it had much going for it – like the offset driveshaft (which placed the weight of the power unit directly over the transom and minimised any overhanging mass aft) and an extremely low gear ratio of 2.59:1 which allowed it to turn large-pitch propellers on heavier boats.

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THE ULTIMATE MID RANGE PACKAGE 75-115HP FOURSTROKE Mercury’s 75-115hp FourStrokes offer 2.1 litre displacement providing superior mid-range fuel economy, quick acceleration with smooth overall operation and sound quality... along with the lightest weight 115hp available. • Unbelievable Power and Torque • Lightweight and Compact Design • Outstanding Reliability • Low Maintenance For more information go on-line or see your nearest Mercury dealer. mercurymarine.co.nz WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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THE OPTIONS

When it came to renewing the venerable DF90 in 2008, Suzuki stuck with tried and trusted technology and the low 2.59:1 gear ratio, but introduced an entirely new 1,502 cc DF70A/80A/90A series. This new series of engines weighed in at a catalogued dry weight of 155 kg – virtually the same weight as the old DT90/100 2-stroke and also the lightest of all the engines in our test. One notable point about the DF90A is its “Lean Burn” feature, which constantly monitors the ratio of air and fuel fed to the engine – it can run much leaner than the usual 14:1 air/ fuel mixture in the midrange for pronounced fuel savings. Of the

other engines on test, only the Honda has a similar feature. The DF90A (and the subsequent DF100B derivative in 2018) fast became a de rigueur power source for RIBs in Europe because of its power-to-weight ratio and ability, due to the low gearing, to lift and push heavy loads with ease. It is an economical, durable, well-engineered motor and a proven performer. FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA SUZUKI 90 / Prop: 3bld 13.75 X 17 Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres RPM

Knots

L/h

L/NM

Range (NM)

600

2.0

0.7

0.350

1000

3.2

1.3

0.410

1500

4.6

2.2

0.480

2000

5.6

3.3

0.590

2500

6.5

5.2

0.800

3000

14.0

7.8

0.560

3500

17.6

9.8

0.560

4000

21.4

11.8

0.560

4500

23.0

14.5

0.640

5000

26.3

18.5

0.710

5500

30.0

0.800

6000

32.5

28.5

0.880

6300

34.8

0.900

Acceleration

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

164

0-20 Knots 5.3 sec

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0-30 Knots 7.1 secs

YAMAHA F90

THE ALL

NEW 4 STROKE MFS 90/100/115

World First in Outboard Technology 4-2-1 Performance Tuned Exhaust

amaha has a single entry in the 90hp market in New Zealand, with the same engine platform used for the 115hp and 75hp models. The next-generation F90 is a direct-evolution of the previous 1.5 litre model, delivering increased fuel-efficiency, reduced-weight and improved performance. The four-cylinder, 16-valve, SOHC 1.8L marine engine, is not only 10kgs lighter, but an increase in displacement over the previous generation 1.5L engine aids in a richer torque-band. The reduction in weight and improved compactness has been achieved through the adoption of a single overhead camshaft valve-train, delivers smooth and efficient performance. The Yamaha F90 is compatible with Yamaha’s range of CommandLink gauges, while its NMEA2000 compatibility allows for easy integration with third-party multi-function displays, GPS and fish finders. It features a 35-amp alternator and is available in 508mm (20”) or 635mm (25”) shaft lengths.

Powerful Torque Exceptional Acceleration Revolutionary Design

SNAP BIO: YAMAHA

The Yamaha 90 hp timeline is relatively concise and quite straightforward, as there have basically been just two platforms since the first variants were introduced almost 25 years ago. The later, current Yamaha F90LB is the latest iteration of an engine range that has always made Yamaha a consistent and immensely strong performer in this power segment. With the exception of the original Honda BF75/90 series (detailed WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

DB741

View our range of 2 Stroke and 4 Stroke Outboard Motors

165

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ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

THE OPTIONS

elsewhere), which was actually introduced earlier, the 4-stroke Yamaha engines from 75-100 hp established the benchmark for this class and cemented the standard to which the others had to aspire. The first F80A and F100A models were introduced in 1998, and these 1,596 cc DOHC 4-valve motors, originally carburetted but subsequent gaining a relatively simple (and exceptionally reliable) fuel injection system with a single throttle body, built huge market share for Yamaha, which was further consolidated by the F90D variant towards the end of the model run. One must take into consideration that, with this series of outboards in production for nineteen years (alongside Mercurybadged half-siblings that ran alongside for at least seven years of that production run), there has probably never been a more refined, honed and perfected outboard motor. If one really had to select a weak point (albeit one would have to be very picky), it was that the single-ram power trim and tilt system- at least in the earlier years – was not particularly durable in heavy-duty or commercial applications. By 2014, the original, long-running 1,741 cc F115A (the first fuel-injected Yamaha 4-stroke) had been superseded by the new 1,832 cc F115B, also a DOHC motor, but the smaller 1,596 cc models soldiered on for a little longer – and are indeed still available in less-developed, commercial markets. Finally, in early 2017, an all-new F75 and F90 (the latter on test here) were introduced. This engine was based on the 1,832 cc power unit of the F115B, and therefore with greater capacity than its predecessor, but with a single overhead camshaft to operate the 16 valves instead of the DOHC configuration of the F115B. With this new motor, the weight was pared, from the catalogued 172 kg dry weight of the former model to 162 kg – making it the second lightest engine on test. Somewhat like Mercury with their XS series on selected models, Yamaha also does a higher-performance variant of several of their 4-cylinder motors with the designation SHO (Super High Output), which includes the F90 (special order only in NZ) – but the standard F90 is testimony enough to Yamaha’s unerring ability to provide exactly the right product at the right time.

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA YAMAHA 90 / 13.24" X 14" 4 BLD Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres RPM

Knots

L/h

L/NM

Range (NM)

600

2.7

1.6

0.6

1000

3.6

2.2

0.6

1500

5.2

3.7

0.7

2000

6.0

4.7

0.8

2500

7.1

1.0

3000

14.8

0.6

3500

19.5

0.6

4000

22.1

14.2

0.7

4500

25.2

0.7

5000

27.6

0.8

5500

29.0

25.5

0.9

6000

32.5

29.5

0.9

Acceleration

0-20 Knots 4.6 sec

0-30 Knots 6.9 secs

TOHATSU MFS90A SNAP BIO: TOHATSU

ith the 4 cylinder, 1995cc, Tohatsu 90 you have the choice of two colours, white or dark grey. The MFS90 features a number of industry-first innovative feature and characteristics. There is the 4-2-1 Performance Tuned Exhaust, which provides outstanding torque throughout the rpm range. The synergy between the 4-2-1 Performance Tuned Exhaust and Tohatsus fine-tuned ECU programming, MFS90 provides a strong acceleration allowing you to reach the top end speed faster. The Tohatsu MFS90A is equipped with standard features such as Variable Idle System allowing you to change the idle speed from 650 to 850 RPMs, a low gear ratio (2.08:1) giving you the increased low end torque your boat needs, and a high output 41 amp alternator. The MFS90A is only available in 508mm (20”) shaft length and weighs in at 178kg.

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

Of all the units on test, the provenance and the heritage of the Tohatsu are, perhaps, most unique in that Tohatsu had never actually manufactured a 90 hp 4-stroke outboard – until recently. Tohatsu’s first foray into the lean-emission sphere was with the 2-stroke TLDI series (low-pressure direct injection as opposed to Mercury’s high-pressure interpretation of the same “Orbital”derived principle). Being variants of established and well-proven 2-stroke architecture, they were exceptionally reliable and economical engines. The only issue was that the best pollution rating the TLDI system allowed Tohatsu to attain in the important US market was a 2-star California Air Resources Board (CARB) score for “Very Low” rather than “Ultra Low” emissions. As the oldest Japanese manufacturer of outboards, Tohatsu obviously decided that the time to become truly serious had arrived and realised that were their international market share to grow, then their “clean” engine line-up would have to do the same – as well as conforming with the strictest (rather than lower-tier) emission standards.

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THE OPTIONS

It was certainly fortuitous and propitious timing for Tohatsu when, in 2013, they formed an alliance with Honda Motor Co., whereby Honda would supply Tohatsu with all 4-strokes from 60-250 hp, which would be painted, badged and sold under the Tohatsu brand (none of which, strangely, were ever available in New Zealand). Doubtlessly an expedient, “stopgap” measure, Tohatsu soon started introducing its own in-house midrange 4-strokes, beginning with the 60 HP MFS60A. The Tohatsu BFT75A/90A (the Tohatsu version of the Honda BF90D in this test) and BFT115A were gradually phased out and replaced by Tohatsu’s own MFS75/90/100/115A and (most recently but still not officially on sale) MFS140A series, of which our test unit is a lower-output variant. A refreshing, clean-sheet design, Tohatsu’s striking-looking and “Darth Vader-like” new MFS90A is second in cubic capacity to only the Mercury (1,950 cc vs 2.1 litre) and, with a catalogued dry weight of 178 kg for the long shaft model (next closest is the Honda, at 165 kg), is the heaviest 90 hp engine here. However, as this is a de-rated 115 hp unit, those few extra kilograms present little handicap. The technical premise of the engine is extremely good, with a single camshaft operating 4 valves per cylinder and a 4-2-1 exhaust system where the four cylinders exhaust equally into separate tubes, which then filter down into two tubes before being expelled through one final tube – so back pressure, exhaust tuning and torque are all optimised. Although Tohatsu may have been incorrectly perceived to be a “supporting player” for many years, this new series of engines lifts them decidedly into the major league. FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA TOHATSU 90 / 3LD 13.5" X 17" 3L BLD Fuel Capacity: 25 Litres RPM

Knots

L/h

L/NM

Range (NM)

600

2.5

1.5

0.6

1000

3.2

2.2

0.7

1500

5.0

3.6

0.7

2000

5.9

5.4

0.9

2500

7.2

8.5

1.2

3000

15.3

9.2

0.6

3500

19.0

12.1

0.6

4000

22.1

16.2

0.7

4500

25.5

20.4

0.8

5000

29.7

27.1

0.9

5500

33.1

29.5

0.9

Acceleration

0-20 Knots 6.0 sec

0-30 Knots 7.9 secs

HONDA BF90

he BF90 hosts Honda’s legendary racing technology including VTEC and is based on a 1.5 litre, SOHC 4-inline, 16 valve engine that is also used as the platform for the Honda BF100, BF80 and BF75 engines. The VTEC system, which optimises power and efficiency at all engine speeds, was born out of Honda’s passion for racing. Innovations like these are now available inside many Honda outboards. ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

Developed for high performance engines, VTEC varies the lift and duration of the intake valves to provide optimum performance at both low and high RPMs. VTEC delivers smooth stable idling at low speeds, while increasing valve lift at higher speeds, which broadens the torque curve and top end power. The BF90 offers flexibility with a 508mm (20”) or 635mm (25”) shaft options.

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SNAP BIO: HONDA

with four carburettors. It had a catalogued dry weight of 172 kg. Either Honda was in such a hurry to introduce this engine that they couldn’t wait for the lower unit, or weren’t yet able to design one, but early models had a bought-in Mercury 75-90 hp lower unit (identified by the “shark gill” water intakes vs the plastic, screw-on intake grates from 1999 onward). This carburetted series soldiered on until 2006, when it was replaced by an all-new 1,496 cc fuel-injected SOHC model with 4 valves per cylinder. There was a subtle yet sophisticated styling change, where the top cowling profile adopted what Honda called a “Wing Form”. Although engine capacity had decreased, there was no detriment to performance because Honda added VTEC (variable valve lift and timing), as well as lean-burn plus boosted low-speed torque – both latter features giving optimum fuel/air mixture and density during acceleration. In 2015, a 100hp variant was added, and in 2017, the entire BF75/80/90/100 series received another facelift, adopting a convex side flank on the cowling - what Honda now called a “Crouching Form”. The current model weighs in a catalogued dry weight of 166 kg, which makes it the second heaviest engine on test. While the BF90B has been around for a while, it still holds its own superbly and has a well-founded reputation for dependability, smoothness and economy.

Many believe Honda to be a neophyte in the outboard business, but that assumption is wrong – in fact, Honda trumped Suzuki by creating its first outboard, the GB30, in 1964 (Suzuki didn’t produce its first outboard until 1965). The GB30 wasn’t really an “outboard” as such, being a general-purpose air-cooled unit affixed to a midsection and outboard lower unit from which the engine could be detached and used for industrial purposes During the ‘70s and ‘80s, the little Honda BF7.5 – the first real Honda outboard - was moderately popular, especially in Europe, with many also sold under the Volvo Penta name due to an OEM agreement. Honda’s next foray into the outboard business was with the BF35/45 series in 1992, and the light weight of these engines (about the same as a 50hp OMC 2-stroke of that era), plus the slimline “dolphin” shape, caused a sensation at the time. In the early ‘90s, in fact, the Honda BF45 (later the BF50) was the largest 4-stroke outboard available. By late 1997, there was a sporadic selection of small-midsize 4-strokes from 9.9 – 50 hp by Yamaha and Suzuki, but Honda really set the world alight with the introduction of the epochmaking BF75/90 series – wholly unique for both its horsepower rating and packaging. There was literally no competition – Suzuki’s DF70 being almost a year away. The B75/90 used a 1,590 cc SOHC engine (3 valves per cylinder) from the Ballade automobile,

Specifications MODEL

HONDA BF90

MERCURY 90 4S

DISPLACEMENT

1.5 Litre

CYL TYPE

4-in-line

BORE & STROKE

SUZUKI DF90A

TOHATSU BFT90

YAMAHA F90

2.1 Litre

1.5 litre

1.5 Litre

1.8 Litre

4-in-line

73mm x 89.4mm

90mm x 81mm

75mm x 85mm

73mm x 89mm

81mm x 88.9mm

GEAR RATIO

2.33:1

2.07:1

2.59:1

2.33:1

2.15:1

ALTERNATOR

44 amp

35 amp

27 Amp

44 amp

35 amp

EFI

163 kg & 166 kg

163 kg & 165 kg

156 kg & 160 kg

163kg

160kg & 164kg

5300-6300

5000-5800

5700-6300

5150 -5850

5000-6000

508mm & 635mm

508mm

508mm & 635mm

*-4 to +16 deg

*-6 to +16 deg

*-6 to +14 deg

-4 to +12 deg

"-4 to +16 deg

68 deg

70 deg

69.5 deg

63 deg

70 deg

FUEL INDUCTION WEIGHT WOT RPM TRANSOM HEIGHTS TRIM RANGE DEGREE OF TILT WARRANTY

Seven Years

Six Years

Five Years

Three Years

EMISSION RATING

3 Star Carb

RRP - Engine only

$NZ14595

$NZ16580

$NZ15499

$NZ18220

$NZ17920

COMPARISON FUEL LPH 3000

4000

5000

COMPARISON WOT 5500

6000

MERCURY

32.0 knots @ 5500 rpm

SUZUKI

34.8 knots @ 6300 rpm

MERCURY

28.3

33.1

SUZUKI

7.8

11.8

18.5

28.5

YAMAHA

32.5 knots @ 6000 rpm

29.5

TOHATSU

33.1 knots @ 5500 rpm

YAMAHA

14.2

25.5

TOHATSU

9.2

16.2

27.1

29.5

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ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

BEACH LAUNCHING HOW NOT TO GET STUCK Living at the beach I am often called upon to bring out my big Nuffield 1050 diesel tractor and tow some poor sod, who has gone and got his tow vehicle and boat well and truly stuck in the sand. Launching your boat at the beach doesn’t need to be something to fear and with the right preparation it can be quite simple.

Okay so not all beaches lend themselves to be suitable for beach launching. Some have way too soft sand and should only be approached with a tractor, others have too much swell or surf that can make a launching quite dangerous. But there are plenty that provide a hard enough sand base that a good sized vehicle, preferable a 4WD ute (sorry Jacinda) will do the job perfectly. Saves queeing up at a congested boat ramp this summer.

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

Every summer, thousands of us head to the beach for our holidays and for many of us that means taking the boat along. Now if you are a suburbanite then you will normally do all your launching within the convenience of a concrete boat ramp. Every city has them, and some are better than others. Whilst some holiday destinations have them, more often than not you have no alternative to launching off the beach.

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AT VIEW THE VIDEO .co .nz ne

www.powerboatmagazi

Our Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain made short work of the soft sand.

Now if you are fortunate enough to have a tractor at your bach or camping ground, then that’s not a problem and launching is no hassle. But not everyone has that luxury so we are left with the car or 4WD to perform the task. This can be daunting if you are unfamiliar with the beach, its composition (soft or hard, shells or

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sand) and the last thing you want to do is get stuck on the beach. There’s nothing so embarrassing as getting the car bogged down in the sand with hundreds of holidaymakers watching you making a total idiot of yourself. Well, there is hope and if you do things right you shouldn’t ever get in that situation…again!

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BE PREPARED

Firstly you need to be prepared and that starts with checking out the beach, looking at the sand and seeing how hard or soft it is. It is good insurance to check with the locals and see where on the beach is the best place to launch. Some area may offer a harder compact surface or maybe deeper water when you drop the boat off the trailer. Getting on and off the beach needs to be assessed also. In some cases the tracks that lead to the beach might be fine but the distance you have to travel across soft dry sand may be far too much for your 2WD car to handle and a 4WD may be the only option. Getting totally bogged down in the soft sand before you even get near the water is also not a good look! Once you are on the beach, regardless as to whether it’s low or

high tide, check that where you have chosen to launch has enough water for the boat to float when off the trailer. Some beaches run out very flat at low tide and launching may be almost impossible without a tractor or high wheelbase 4WD. If that’s the case then you may have no choice but to launch and retrieve around high tides. When you do decide to launch you should carry out a very simple check list, which may sound simplistic but believe me it’s amazing how many times we forget the littlest things, such as putting the bung in (we’ve all left that out), removing the trailer tie straps from the transom (try pushing your boat off with those still in place) and checking that the shackle on the towing eye is only finger tight so you can undo it quickly.

If you have a trailer with surge brakes you need to make certain the override lock is in place so the brakes don’t go on when reversing. Also, make sure you’ve got a good-sized rope tied to the bollard for your crew to hang onto when the boat comes off the trailer. Another good idea is to flick the motor over to make certain it’s going to start straight away and also check that the engine tilt lock is not still in place. A word of caution – running an outboard or sterndrive with a dry impeller can cause it to fry within 10 to 15 seconds, so as soon as the motor fires, switch it off quickly. Taking for granted that you already have all you need for the day’s fishing or family boating aboard, it’s time to launch.

"Beach launching is simple and easy if you are properly prepared"

Having a 4WD ute like our Isuzu D-Max certainly helps when beach launching.

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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LAUNCHING

Most modern multi-roller trailers allow the boat to slide off with ease, so it’s also important not to unhook the winch wire too early, otherwise you may have the boat sitting unceremoniously on the sand well short of the water. Beach launching can be a real bitch with a padded trailer and usually requires you to go so deep with your vehicle that the chances of getting stuck or at worst semi submerged are greatly increased. Padded or bunk trailers as found under many American imported boats are not suited to beach launching, but if you have no option then it’s best to unhook from the car and use manpower to push the trailer as far out as necessary for the boat to float off. The hull will never slide off as easily as a multi-roller trailer and even retrieval requires the trailer to go deeper than a multi-roller set up. A 5m to 6.5m trailer boat doesn’t need a lot of depth to float so you don’t need to bury your multi-roller trailer too far. If you’ve got about 400mm of water behind

then you should find the boat would float just fine. There are a couple of ways to beach launch with the car. Firstly, if the beach is steep enough you can simply back down until the rear of the trailer is in enough water, quickly unhook the winch rope and push the boat off. Either have someone in the boat who can drive it off and wait offshore until you return or have someone with a rope, that’s at least twice the length of the trailer, to take hold of it until you return. If there is a wave rolling in and you have no option but to hold the boat by the beach, then get the crew to turn the bow towards the waves. This will make it easier to prevent the boat from getting pushed back into the shallow water, which if the tide’s going out will make it a hard job to get back into deep enough water to float. The procedure is quite simple…be quick and efficient. Back the car, unhook, push the boat off and drive straight out. Every second your car’s rear wheels are in the water, the chances of them

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sinking into the wet sand beneath are increased. Speed and efficiency is critical so make certain your pre-planning is done and everyone knows what they have to do. If you don’t want to get the car wet then the best method is to carry out the same preparation for launching as already mentioned but get yourself a really strong, long rope. Drop the trailer off the towbar and attach the rope from the towbar to the front of the trailer. For this method you should really have a pneumatic jockey wheel to make manoeuvring the trailer much easier both in the launching and in the retrieving. Plastic wheels are bad news on soft sand and more often than not act like a plough rather than assist the easy movement of the trailer. Simply push the trailer and boat into the water, unhook the boat when you think there is enough depth and then after making sure everyone is out of the way, drive the car up the beach and the trailer will follow.

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

Have someone ready to detach everything when you want to launch the boat can save a lot of time, resulting in a quick and efficient launching.

RETRIEVING

So you got the boat in okay, now what happens when you return? This is when most problems happen and cars get stuck. Again, the same rules apply. Be quick and efficient and make sure everyone involved with the retrieval knows exactly what they have to do. If the tide’s right and the beach is steep enough, most times you will be able to back the trailer into the water and winch the boat straight back on. With a 4WD that’s often an option but more often than not, it’s not practical with a car. Again, there are a number of options. Firstly, if you can retrieve without unhooking the trailer then bring the boat as far up onto the beach as possible so you don’t have to put the car into the water. It’s times like this, when dragging

your boat over the sand or shells may be the only option, that you shouldn’t get too precious about the underside of your boat! However, more common is the rope method, where you simply take the trailer off, push it into the water and winch the boat on. You don’t need to go so deep that the boat floats on (unless you have a padded trailer), but rather, use the winch wire to pull the trailer under the boat as you winch it on. All of this time you have someone in the car and the rope still attached in readiness for a rapid retrieval. Don’t hesitate. Don’t delay. It is important to get out as soon as the boat is hard up against the snubbing block. You can worry about connecting the chain and tie

downs when the boat is high and dry on the hard. Just get it out of that water! To assist in getting the trailer wheels dislodged from the sand you should have the car on roughly a 45-degree angle to the trailer so when you drive forward you pull out one side, then the other. With a straight pull you have the resistance of both wheels to contend with at once, and that’s often too much for the family car to manage. Once on the beach, back the car up, hook up the trailer, tie the boat down and head home. Beach launching is simple and easy if you are properly prepared and a little preparation will save you a whole lot of embarrassment.

If you pull out at an angle the trailer wheels will dislodge individually and make the exit a lot easier.

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BLUEFIN 650HT Large cockpit and enough cabin space for overnighting. Built for all occasions 6mm hull and 4mm sides. Complete with mulitroller trailer. 135hp Mercury 4 stroke. Underfloor fuel tank. Lined cabin and HT. paint & sliding windows extra Retail $84,250 Special Price $77,750.

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BLUEFIN 600 PROFISH New 6 metre boat on trailer, including motor. A boat built to hunt. 5mm hull, treadplate floor, nice and stable, heaps of fishing room and big anchor hatch. Complete on trailer including 90hp Mercury four stroke outboard. Retail $55,000 Special Now $50,000

SCORPION 195XS An affordable inboard powered family-style recreational ski boat with plenty of options for fun on the water. Includes inboard, trailer, Simrad GPS, 100lt fuel tank. LOA 5.86m, Deadrise 21deg. Std package from $61,500 to the premium package shown $78,000

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SCORPION 470 CUDDY - unbeatable value, roomy boat, incl fishfinder, VHF, deluxe canopy, helm & back seat upholstery, nav lights, switch panel, baitboard, Sportline trailer, 50hp four stroke Mercury, separate anchorwell. Retail $41,600 Special Now $39,100 (paint extra).

BLUEFIN 525 CENTRE CONSOLE The ultimate midsized centre console with 5mm hull and sealed treadplate floor. This boat comes complete on trailer with 60hp four stroke CT Mercury, VHF, hydraulic steering, rod holders, bait Board & anchor. Retail $45,850 Special Now $42,150

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BLUEFIN 720 WEEKENDER Boasting the largest fishing deck space of all our Bluefin range. Separate toilet and shower closet with hot and cold water included as standard. Complete boat motor and trailer packages, on water Retail $126,500 Special Now $116,500 (paint extra).

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TAURANGA

119 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui Phone: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Peter 027 271 6882 • Jamie: 021 795 597

Email: sales@sportcraftmarine.co.nz ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

DB833

$39,100

THE BEAUTIFUL BARRIER - PART TWO

FUN ON THE WILD SIDE Paul Walker continues his romp around Great Barrier Island and explores the north eastern side, or as the locals call it the wild side.

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The coast from the Needles to Waikaro Point has some amazing rocky country for both straylining in close.

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THE BEAUTIFUL BARRIER - PART TWO

Rangiwhakaea Bay is one of the most beautiful anchorages on the North Eastern coastline.

f you read the article about the western side of the island (AB MayJune 2021), you will recall I finished that journey at the Needles, so I guess its appropriate that we start this north eastern journey from there. First a word of caution, I would not be undertaking this trip in any boat under 7-8m. You will need a large fuel capacity, food drink and supplies for about a week. You may not be intending to stay for a week but believe me this place is so captivating you wont want to leave. if you have the choice a launch with all its onboard facilities is the nicest way to take this trip. Above all else check and double check for a clear spell of weather, if it comes in from the north/north east while your around there, places to hide are few and far between, so it could become very uncomfortable and spoil what could have been a fantastic trip. Check that weather. Now back to the Needles. As you cruise around past this group of pinnacles a huge portion of the North coast opens up to you. This is where marine charts 531 or 522 will be a great help. The coast from the Needles to Waikaro Point has some amazing rocky country for both straylining in close. Or you can take the tender and get up onto the rocks for some excellent land-based fishing. There’s some big fish through here so making the effort will be well worth it. You may choose to overnight in

Rangiwhakaea Bay or you may choose to motor down to Waikaro Point. As you come around this point the coast changes into the beautiful white expanse of Whangapoua beach. In the corner of this bay tucked under Waikaro point you will find the graves of some of the victims from the sinking of the Wairarapa back at Miners Head. This corner can be a nice place to overnight as long there is little or no surf running. Another option would be to soft bait or slow jig across the length of Whangapoua bay and tuck in for the night behind the little island in Harataonga Bay. This bay has some of

the best shelter on this coast, but also leaves you nice and handy for an early morning attack on Arid Island next day.

PRODUCTIVE ARID ISLAND Arid Island is a fishing magnet and mecca for all boats that travel down this coast, its about two nautical miles from your safe overnight anchorage at Haratonga bay. Fishing your way around the island the first place to try would be Te Akau Point on the southern end of Arid. There is a shelf that runs out some distance from this point, and

The beautiful white expanse of Whangapoua beach.

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Arid Island is a fishing magnet and mecca for all boats that travel down this coast.

Looking from Great Barrier to Arid island.

bottom fishing or straylining can be very productive here. Heading up the western side of Arid is a rock that comes up to 7m. It has a good surrounding reef and is situated just a bit south of Maturoa Point. Inside Maturoa Point is a lovely safe little cove. It’s a great place to have a nice calm lunch in anything but a northwester. The best fishing really starts from February and March and all of this area and right down the eastern coast of Arid fishes amazingly well. There are endless reefs, pinnacles, and bricks. Just check chart 531 and pick a spot you wont be disappointed. You can expect

big snapper, kingies, terakihi, trevally, hapuka, red snapper, and a bunch of other reef fish. After a day at Arid you may want to overnight back at the safe anchorage of Haratonga Bay before heading east on the next part of the wild side journey. Leaving Harataonga Bay, the area just east of the small island guarding the bay and all the way down to Wahkatautuna Point is a good place to try for a morning fish. If no luck there, continue on down the coast to Korotiti Bay this whole piece of coast right down to Awana bay can and does fish very well. For all of these

areas you can use a variety of fishing styles. Bottom bait fishing, soft baits, slow jigs or jigs. it just depends on the type of country underneath you and water depth. Dividing Awana Bay from Palmers Beach is a headland, adjacent to which is Lion Rock and its surrounding reef. I’m sure this would be a great fishing spot but unfortunately it sits within a large no fishing or anchoring cable zone. Check your chart to give this area a miss and continue east.

DB826

info@hydromarine.co.nz p: 0273 900161 https://www.facebook.com/customboa/

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THE BEAUTIFUL BARRIER - PART TWO

Tryphena Harbour offers a calm and safe anchorage.

B I G B AY S Three big beaches will now come into view, palmers is pretty much out of play because of the cable area, that leaves you with the great sweep of Kaitoke Beach, and then the smaller Meadlands. By staying out behind the breakers of these two surf beaches, again using soft baits or slow jigs drifting across the sand in 10-30m will probably fill your fish bin if you haven’t filled it already. Then heading into the corner of Meadlands beach and tucking under the Shakespeare Point you should be safe for the night. After hopefully a comfortable night its now time to again head east on the last part of your journey. Between the 30-50m depth lines, and from the cable boundary line all the way down to Windy Hill where the wreck of the Wiltshire lies, there are a string of deep water pinnacles. As you travel down this coast it would pay to check out as many as you can with the sounder as they can be very productive. Deep water fishing tactics will apply on these pins, slow jigs, jigs, or big bait rigs should produce the goods so give one or two of them a try. From the pinnacles we come down into Rosalie Bay, fishing inside the 30m mark from the northern point right down to the little island at the southern end of the bay, this area on the right day can fish very well. Whether your drifting the length of the bay with soft bait or slow jigs, or on a nice day you may wish to anchor up on a likely spot and bait fish for a while, it’s a nice spot to kick back and relax.

Beyond Rosalie Bay we finally come to Cape Barrier, where this long journey started back in the part one article on the western side. As I said in part one, Cape Barrier is not a good place to hang around, the strong currents and pressure waves from the Colville channel can make it pretty uncomfortable. Luckily Tryphena harbour is only five miles up the coast, where you drop the anchor in the calm and safety of the harbour, crack open a beer or two hopefully there is some left and go over your trip down the wild side. I’m sure there will be some great events and stories to go over. Any of you that own a boat capable of making this trip, or perhaps have a friend that has a boat that is, now is the time to be making some planes and getting the logistics worked out. Remember there are no food stores or fuel stations around there, just unforgettable fishing and scenery.

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Should a boating trip be difficult to arrange or perhaps boating isn’t for you, other possibilities are open to you. There are passenger ferries that have regular trips to the island, including vehicle ferries for those wishing to take there cars over to be more mobile, plus there are buses, rental cars and taxis on the island. For those wanting to make the most of there time there are daily flights from north shore airfield at Dairy Flat. So for the land based or rock fishers the possibilities are endless, and you folks can walk on the wild side. Check the chart for spots that are accessible and maybe ask the locals once you get there. As for accommodation there are camping grounds, cabins, motels, right up to exclusive lodges, the choice is yours. So there you have it get planning for your turn to have some fun on the wildside.

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BOAT TEST

STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT

Fishing in the Hauraki Gulf, spotting for deer in Fiordland or overnighting at Great Barrier, this is a boat that can do it all.

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AWARD WINNER

Stabicraft’s 2250 WT (Walkthrough) breaks with alloy hardtop design convention and brings a whole new meaning to practical boating. Barry Thompson checks out this very unique creation from New Zealand’s largest alloy boat manufacturer. WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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BOAT TEST

STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT

Overall, once you accept the style and design of the 2250 Supercab WT, you can't fault it.

ow that's different. What is it?" said a guy standing beside me on the foreshore at Gulf Harbour as I was busy snapping some running shots of one of Stabi's latest creations. "It's a Stabicraft 2250 Ultracab WT (Walkthrough), and yes, it is a bit different from the common hardtop alloy boats you see around here, and that's what's so good about it". Did he like it? No, but then he was driving a new Tesla 3, and I didn't see him as the sort of buyer for this very unique and very practical vessel. This is a boat for someone who sees past the aesthetics and is more concerned about the practicality and useability of the boat. Style is defined as shape or design, and when it comes to the 2250 Ultracab WT, it is well defined and self-assured. It boldly makes a statement about what it is, which alone makes this an extraordinary vessel. Released at the 2021 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show, the 2250 is available in three versions, two walkarounds, the 2250 Centrecab, 2250 Ultra Centrecab and the 2250 Ultracab WT. The Centrecab’s are, as the name suggests, walkaround designs with a large central cabin or wheelhouse. While they are both based on the same hull, the 2250 Walkthrough has a steeper keel angle, providing more bow volume. It wasn’t until later in the year that I was able to get aboard one of the first 2250 Ultracab WTs, supplied by New Zealand’s biggest Stabicraft dealer, Gulfland Marine, Hibiscus Coast, Auckland. Owner Craig Lewis had mentioned before to me about the boat and reckoned it was one of the best Stabicraft has ever designed and since being released in May 2021 he has sold quite a number, with orders now well in to late 2022. ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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His sentiments about the 2250 Centrecab WT are borne out of the fact that the boat was awarded the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ Red Dot Design Award for global product design in the watercraft category for 2021. Designed for the American market in the Pacific Northwest, the Stabicraft 2250 Ultracab WT transformed over a four-year period into what it is today. Akin to the Oscars of product design, the Red Dot Awards are one of the world’s largest design competitions. The ‘Best of Best’ Red Dot Design awards are only given to the standout in any given category. Some years none are awarded. Winners are often globally recognised names - last year, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and the Honda E Electric car won ‘Best of Best’ Red Dots.

10,000 PLUS

It's been around 35 years since Paul Adams 'invented' the world' first aluminium positive buoyancy chambered boat, and the rest is history. Since then, the Invercargill based builder has built-in excess of 10,000 boats and exported them worldwide. The secret behind all Stabicraft's is what the company refer to as the Life Ring Protection, which comes from individually sealed air and watertight aluminium chambers that wrap right around the hull. The 2250 can be filled with water and remain level on the surface. The ethos of Stabicraft has always been based on being the best at what they do. As founder Paul Adams says, "In some cases, this is about tweaking the wheel to make it faster, safer, more efficient. In some cases, it's about reinventing the wheel. And in other cases, it's about asking – do we even need the wheel?"

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A thoughtfully laidout wheelhouse, with comfort in mind and plenty of arrangements available. The driving position is excellent, with comfortable seating and plenty of room to stand at the helm.

BUILT TO LAST

When your backyard testing ground is Foveaux Strait, one of the harshest marine environments in the world, you have no option but to build your boats tough, real tough. The 2250 Ultracab WT is constructed using 6mm hull plate with 4mm tubes and has a dry hull weight of approx. 2000kgs. Towing weight is around 2800-3000kg. Length overall is 6.90m, with an external beam of 2.55m, an internal beam of 1.97m and a height on the trailer of 3.0m. Stabicraft offers a five year warranty on the 2250 Ultracab WT, which also carries USC, CPC & CE standards. Not only built tough but also built to the highest standards possible to meet the requirements of the world markets. WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

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While 200hp is recommended as the standard package, our boat ran a 300 Mercury Verado, which gave a top speed of 42 knots @ 5800rpm. Conditions on test day were mirror-smooth, so needless to say, the boat ran perfectly. This is a big boat, designed for reasonably big water. Acceleration with the 300hp V8 Verado was excellent, with the 3-blade stainless, 17" Enertia propeller bitting hard from the get-go. Our boat was fitted with the Mercury SmartCraft DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift) that delivers precise and smooth handling with instant response. Also, you will notice that when putting the engine into gear, it is a lot smoother and less clunky. Stabicraft has paid a lot of attention to the transom area where there is flexibility to mount a single ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

BOAT TEST

STABICRAFT 2250 ULTRACAB WT

The massive forward access is the piece de resistance of the 2250 Ultracab WT.. There is plenty of space for fishing with high coamings. Who needs a galley when you can mount a bbq on the coaming?

PIECE DE RESISTANCE

30" engine or twin 25" engines, thanks to being cleverly engineered in a way that you can adjust for height regardless of twin or single outboard solutions. Very smart.

TWO OPTIONS

The 2250 Ultracab WT is available in either a Base package, which comes standard with the innovative 3-piece walk-thru door design leading out onto a forward utility deck and a tri-mount transom. With a vast list of sleeping and seating options, you can configure the base package to almost any type of boating setup. The Offshore package is upgraded from the Base package with a three-sided canvas rear cabin curtain and a much longer transom box for those XOS sized fish. The Offshore package is equipped with 2 x 70L Icey-Tek coolers and the availability of a sleeping v-berth system with fold-down extensions. Our boat, only the second production 2250 Ultracab WT delivered, was up-speced with the canvas rear cabin curtain replaced with a rear wall with lockable door, Maxwell drum winch, Udek flooring, a bow step ladder, Porta Potti and live bait tank. The owner has plans to use the boat both for family cruising and serious fishing. Hence the 22rod holders scattered throughout, from the rocket, launch to the side coamings and transom. There is also a 1KW transducer on the transom to feed all the fishy information back to the Simrad Go12 MFD. ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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Both ends of the 2250 Ultracab WT have been given special attention to make them as workable and practical as possible. The cockpit is designed for fishers, with plenty of workable flat spaces, wide coamings with rod holders, and an extralarge live bait or kill tank. Provided with the 2250 Ultracab WT is a pair of Icy-Tek split lid 70-litre bins complete with Stabicraft embossed cushions. There is a storage tray on either side, with the batteries all neatly hidden aft behind a black panel. No storage underfloor as the centre is taken up by a 378-litre fuel tank and buoyancy chambers. The pontoons have been injected with foam to adding quietness to the boat. No slapping noises when at rest or underway. But it is the forward bow utility deck that really sets this boat apart from others. It is the perfect platform for not only loading or unloading your gear but also for soft baiting. There is a deep storage bin in the sole, and a Maxwell drum winch is hidden away under a forward hatch. There are also coaming handrails all around for safety. The starboard side drop-down ladder is something I have not seen before, and it certainly makes sense. Great when nudging up to a beach and needing to unload/load all the kids and gear. But the piece de resistance has to be the unique three-piece walk-thru door system. When closed, the door seals tight against the super-structure of the cabin and is an easy 3-step operation to open to then lead out onto the bow deck area. It allows

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you to maximise the internal space and makes access to the utility deck a simple task. In fact, with no side decks around the wheelhouse, it is the only way forward anyway.

IDEAL WEEKENDER While this is undoubtedly a boat for the hard-core adventurers, it also has a thoughtfully laid-out wheelhouse, with comfort in mind and plenty of arrangements available. The owner chose to stay with the standard seating package of two swivelling bolster bucket seats forward and bench seats aft. By adding a couple of infills, the rear seats can be transformed into a second berth. There is storage under the port side and a Porta-Potti to starboard.

The boat is available with or without a rear bulkhead.

Storage is provided in side trays and a deep open locker ahead of the forward passenger seat. The driving position is excellent, with comfortable seating and plenty of room to stand at the helm. What you cover the dash in is your choice, but we had a Simrad GO12, Simrad VHF, all the Mercury Smartcraft controls and DTS. Another neat feature is how the full-width footrest folds back to extend the already generous forward berth. Another great little extra that Stabicraft has added. There is no galley on the boat I reviewed, but again there are options to do that. Personally, I would have a Magma BBQ mounted in a rod holder or on the bait board. Add a freshwater system and handheld shower, and you have all you need for staying out for a few nights.

SPECIFICATIONS

Stabicraft 2250 WT (Walk-Thru) 2021 Stabicraft Boats Stabicraft 6.90m 2.55m 3.00m 17 deg 2800 kg (approx.) 42 knots Aluminium 6mm/4mm USC,CPC,CE 378 litres Mercury 300 Verado V8 Outboard Only 200-300hp Lenco U Dek Hella Simrad GO12 Maxwell Drum $NZ194,000 Gulfland Marine Ph 09 4245556 craig@gulflandmarine.co.nz

Boat Design Name: Year Launched: Builder: Designer: LOA: Beam: Height on Trailer: Deadrise: Tow Weight: Max Speed: Construction: Class: Fuel Cap: Engines Make: Drive Train: Trim Tabs: Flooring: Lighting: MFD: Winch: Priced from: Contact:

ALL-ROUNDER

Overall, once you accept the style and design of the 2250 Supercab WT, you can't fault it. Stabicraft says it is the ultimate beast for hard-core adventurers with proven rough-water performance, strength, and stability. It also has a great layout and some unique features, such as the utility deck that makes it appealing to family boaties looking for a genuine all-rounder. Fishing in the Hauraki Gulf, spotting for deer in Fiordland or overnighting at Great Barrier, this is a boat that can do it all.

This boat could be protected against the effects of corrosion, oxidation and discolouration.

www.gulflandmarine.co.nz

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The bow section provides easy access off the boat with starboard hull ladder.

The ideal cost effective product to protect your valuable asset.

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ALLOY BOAT LISTING 2022 Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

EVERYMAN

ALLENCO 4.6 Runabout 5.20m 1.86m 5.00 Runabout 4.70m 2.17m 5.3 Cuddy 5.70m 2.17m 5.5 Cuddy 5.80m 2.27m 5.9 Cuddy 6.28m 2.27m 6.25m 6.50m 2.50m 6.60m 6.90m 2.50m 6.70m 7.00m 2.50m 6.80m 7.10m 2.45m 7.50m 7.80m 2.50m 8.00m 8.30m 2.50m 8.50m 8.80m 2.50m 9.00m 9.40m 2.80m

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 8mm

RU CC CA CA CA HT/CA HT HT/CA HT/CA HT HT HT HT

Viper 720 7.20m 2.50m Cobra 750 7.50m 2.50m Viper 770 7.70m 2.50m Cobra 850 8.50m 2.50m

8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm

HT CC HT HT

470 4.70m 1.86m 565 5.65m 2.05m 595 5.95m 2.35m 635 6.35m 2.35m 650 6.55m 2.45m 650 Profish 6.50m 2.45m 690 6.90m 2.50m 720 7.35m 2.50m 750 7.65m 2.50m 820 8.20m 2.60m 850 8.65m 2.70m 950 9.47m 3.00m 1080 11.00m 3.05m

4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6/8mm 8mm 8mm

CA/CC CU/CC/HT CU/CC/HT CU/CC/HT CA/CC/HT/WA WA HT/CC HT HT HT HT HT HT

545 Sportfisher/Console 605 Gameking/Sportfisher 645 Gameking/Sportfisher 695 Gameking 745 Gameking/Walkaround 795 Gameking/Walkaround 885 Gameking 915 Gameking/Walkaround 985 Gameking 1185 Gameking

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 8mm

CA/CC CA CC/HT HT CC/HT/WA CC/HT/WA CC/HT CC/HT/WA HT HT

3mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm

TS/SC TS/CC/SC RU CC/SC CU HT/CC/CU CU HT/CC HT/CC

EXTREME

AMF

AMF PRO SPORT

580 Pro Sport 5.80m 2.25m 6mm CC/CA/RU 610 Pro Sport 6.10m 2.35m 6mm CC/CA/RU/HT 660 Pro Sport 6.80m 2.45m 6mm CC/CA/RU/HT 720 Hardtop 7.20m 2.50m 6mm HT 770 Hardtop 7.70m 2.50m 6mm HT/CA

5.50m 6.07m 6.45 m 7.00m 7.43m 7.93m 8.85m 9.15m 9.85m 11.80m

2.10m 2.34m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m 2.80m 2.80m 2.82m 2.94m 3.10m

BLADERUNNER

5m cat 5.00m 2.45m 5.5m 5.00m 2.45m 6m Cat 6.00m 2.45m 6.5m Cat 2.50m 7.0m Cat 2.50m 7.5m Cat 2.50m 8.5m Cat 3.10m 9.0m Cat 3.10m 10.0m Cat 3.50m 12.0m Cat 4.10m

4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5 mm 5 mm 6mm 6mm

CC CA/HT/CO HT/CA HT / CC HT / CC HT / CC HT HT HT HT and Custom

Bluefin 620CC 6.20m 2.30m Bluefin 620HT 6.20m 2.50m Bluefin 650HT 6.50m 2.45m Bluefin 665HT 6.65m 2.50m Bluefin 700HT 7.10m 2.50m Bluefin 720HT 7.20m 2.50m Bluefin 720 WK 7.20m 2.50m Bluefin 769HT 7.69m 2.50m Bluefin 769 WH 7.69m 2.50m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

CC HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

Bluewater 5.4 5.90m 2.30m Bluewater 550 5.60m 2.30m Bluewater 5.8 6.00m 2.30m Bluewater 5.9 6.40m 2.50m Bluewater 6.1 6.60m 2.50m Bluewater 6.5 6.70m 2.50m Bluewater 6.8 7.00m 2.50m Bluewater 7.3 7.50m 2.50m Bluewater 7.5 7.70m 2.50m Bluewater 7.7 8.00m 2.50m Bluewater 8.5 8.70m 2.50m Bluewater 8.9 9.10m 2.50m Bluewater 9.3 9.50m 2.80m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

CA CU CA HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

FC BOATS FC390 FC430 FC465 FC535 FC525 FC560 FC595 FC635 FC700

BLUEFIN

3.90m 1.82m 4.30m 2.02m 4.65m 2.00m 5.35m 2.05m 5.25m 2.15m 5.60m 2.25m 5.95m 2.50m 6.35m 2.50m 7.05m 2.50m

BLUEWATER

www.hamiltonjet.com - 03 962 0530 HAMILTON MARINE Jet 132A Jet 141A Jet 151A Jet 470 Jet 152A Jet 161A

4.20m 4.60m 4.70m 4.70m 4.70m 5.00m

1.80m 1.85m 1.80m 1.85m 1.75m 1.80m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

RU RU RU RU/LU RU RU

COAST CRAFT

560 6.00m 2.25m Rapid Runner 460 4.60m 1.84m

CA RU

361 501 601 701 801

3.65m 1.67m 5.05m 1.93m 6.06m 2.13m 7.12m 2.43m 8.13m 2.48m

3mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 6mm

RU CA HT HT HT

Custom 750/XS Custom 800 Custom 850 Custom 950 Semifly 28 Semifly 32 Semifly 36 Semifly 40 Semifly 45 LRC58

7.88m 2.48m 8.72m 2.48m 8.9m 2.48m 10m + swim Platform 8.82m 2.80m 10.2m + swim platform 3.46m 11.2m + swim platform 3.46m 12.51m + swim platform 3.88m 14.2m + swim platform 4.84m 19.04m 4.09m

6mm 6mm 6mm 2.8m 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 8mm

HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

DIYNO KITSET

www.innovisionboats.co.nz INNOVISION

DICKEY

IV 515 5.25m 2.35m IV 555 5.65m 2.40m IV 585 5.95m 2.45m IV 616 6.25m 2.50m IV 656 6.56m 2.55m IV 707 7.15m 2.60m IV 757 7.65m 2.65m IV 808 8.15m 2.70m IV 858 8.65m 2.75m IV 909 9.15m 2.80m

5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC HT/CU/CC

5.8 Elite 6m Elite 6.4 Elite 7.45 Fishfinder 7.5 Fishfinder 8.25 Fishfinder 8.25 Fishmaster 8.25 MasterJet 8.75 Fishmaster 9.0 Fishmaster 10.4 Cruisemaster 11.3 Cruisemaster

5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

CA HT CA/HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

IMAGE

www.dnaboats.co.nz - 03 542 3977

DNA

531 Sport Fisher 5.30m 2.02m 5mm 551 Sport Fisher 5.50m 2.28m 5mm 621CC 6.15m 2.41m 5mm 721 HT 7.21m 2.50m 5mm 761 HT 7.61m 2.50m 6mm 821 HT 8.21m 2.50m 6mm 850 HT 8.50m 2.50m 6mm 941 HT 9.41m 2.50m 6mm

6.10m 6.50m 6.40m 7.45m 7.50m 8.50m 8.50m 8.73m 9.00m 9.25m 10.50m 11.30m

2.30m 2.35m 2.35m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m 2.70m 2.80m 3.10m 3.05m

CA CA CC HT HT HT HT HT

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

- +64 021 407000

188

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

ALLOY BOAT LISTING 2022 Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

Make/Model

www.keelowcraft.co.nz - 03 208 9995 KEELOW (Jet Boats) Riverwild 320 Riverwild 380 Riverwild 420 Riverwild 450 Riverwild 480 Riverwild 560 Voyager 560 Highlander 470

3.20m 3.20m 4.20m 4.50m 4.80m 5.60m 5.60m 4.70m

1.37m 1.37m 1.45m 1.50m 1.54m 1.80m 1.80m 1.47m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 5mm

RU RU RU RU RU RU CA HT

www.kwikkraft.co.nz - sales@kwikkraft.co.nz RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU HT HT HT HT HT CA CA CA

Coaster 670 Cape Runner 725 Cape Runner 770 Makaira 825 Ranfurly 870 Makaira 925 King Bank 970 Makaira 35 Makaira 40

Targa/HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

2.39m 2.48m 2.59m 2.7m 2.78m 2.85m 3m 3.4m 4m

8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm

MARCO 4.00m 4.20m 4.40m 4.90m 5.20m 5.20m 6.00m 6.25m 6.50m 7.40m 7.80m 8.20m 8.80m 9.30m 10.0m

1.90m 1.90m 2.10m 2.10m 2.10m 2.25m 2.20m 2.33m 2.49m 2.49m 2.49m 2.65m 2.70m 2.90m 3.0m

4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 8mm 8mm

TS/CO TS/CC/RU CC/CA/RU/TS/CO CC/CA/RU/TS/CO CC/CA/RU/TS/CO CC/CA/RU CC/CA/HT CC/CA/HT CC/HT/WA CC/HT/WA CC/HT/WA CC/HT/WA HT HT HT

4mm 4mm 4mm

CAT (CC) CAT (CA) CAT (CC

MAVERICK

Renegade 500 Rebel 500 Renegade 500 Twin

5.00m 5.00m 5.00m

2.31m 2.31m 2.31m

www.mclayboats.co.nz - 03 417 8135 MCLAY Fortress 441 Fortress 481 Fortress 521 Fortress 551 Fortress 571 Sportsman Package 461 Sportsman Package 521

4.40m 4.80m 5.00m 5.50m 5.65m 4.60m 5.18m

1.85m 2.00m 2.00m 2.08m 2.20m 1.85m 2.00m

4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm

TS TS CO CO CC RU CA

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

3mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 3mm 3mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

TS TS/CA/CC C CA/HT/CC CA/HT/CC PB PB CC CC CC CA

Pinnacle 720 Pinnacle 830 Pinnacle 930

6mm 6mm 8mm

HT HT HT

7.22m 8.30m 9.30m

2.50m 2.50m 2.80m

www.purekraftboats.co.nz - 07 282 7188

480 Centre Console 4.95m 1.97m 560 Centre Console 5.80m 2.16m 600 Centre Console 6.15m 2.33m 650 Cross Cab 6.67m 2.40m 700 Hardtop 7.20m 2.50m 750 Centre Console 7.70m 2.60m 850 Cross Cab 8.70m 2.75m

5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

CC CC CC XCAB/CC/HT HT CC/Xcab/HT XCAB/HT/CC

Quintrex 350 Explorer Quintrex 350 Dart Quintrex 370 Explorer Quintrex 370 Quintrex 370 Dart Quintrex 390 Explorer Quintrex 400 Dart Quintrex 400 Hornet Quintrex 400 Trophy Quintrex 400 Trophy Quintrex 420 Dory Quintrex 420 Explorer Quintrex 420 Trophy Quintrex 430 Top Ender Quintrex 420 Angler Quintrex 440 Hornet Quintrex 440 Trophy Quintrex 430 Escape Quintrex 450 Fishseeker Quintrex 450 Top Ender Quintrex 450 Trophy Quintrex 440 Angler Quintrex 440 Dory Quintrex 450 Escape Quintrex 450 Top Ender Quintrex 460 Dory Quintrex 440 Top Ender Quintrex 460 Classic Quintrex 470 Fishseeker Quintrex 480 Trophy Quintrex 470 Coastrunner Quintrex 500 Trophy Quintrex 500 Fishseeker Quintrex 470 Freedom Sport Quintrex 470 Escape Quintrex 470 Top Ender Quintrex 490 Escape Quintrex 490 Freedom Sport Quintrex 490 Coastrunner Quintrex 490 Legend Quintrex 490 Top Ender Quintrex 520 Dory Quintrex 520 Classic Quintrex 510 Legend Quintrex 510 Spirit Quintrex 570 Escape Quintrex 510 Freedom Sport Quintrex 510 Freedom Cruiser Quintrex 510 Coastrunner Quintrex 510 Top Ender Quintrex 530 Escape Quintrex 530 Legend Quintrex 530 Spirit Quintrex 530 Top Ender Quintrex 530 Freedom Sport Quintrex 530 Freedom Cruiser Quintrex 570 Coastrunner Quintrex 570 Spirit Quintrex 570 Legend Quintrex 570 Top Ender

1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 2mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS RU TS TS RU TS TS CO RU TS RU SC TS TS SC TS SC RU SC TS BR RU TS RU BR RU CC CO TS CC CC CA RU BR BR RU CO RU CC CA CO BR BR RU CA CC CO

QUINTREX

www.marcoboats.co.nz - 07 889 7083 400 Tiller 420 Tiller 440 Angler/Thresher 480 Angler/Thresher 520 Angler/Thresher 550 Striker 600 Striker/Souwester 625 Striker/Souwester 650 Souwester 700 Souwester 725 Souwester 750 Souwester 800 Souwester 880 Souwester 950 Souwester

3.8 3.80m 1.60m 4.5 4.50m 2.05m 5.4 5.40m 2.33m 6 6.00m 2.40m 7 7.00m 2.40m 7.0 Party 7.00m 2.40m 8.0 Party 8.00m 2.50m Seablade 19 6.52m 2.25m Seablade 22 6.70m 2.43m Seablade 24 8.29m 2.65m Orca 6200 Walkaround 6.20m 2.40m

PUREKRAFT

MAKAIRA 6.7m 7.25m 7.7m 8.25m 8.70m 9.25m 9.70m 10.7m 12m

CA CA CA/HT HT CA CA CA HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

LAZERCRAFT

580 5.80m 2.30m 5mm 650 6.50m 2.30m 5mm 700 7.00m 2.35m 5mm

4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

PINNACLE

KWIKKRAFT 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

Beam Hull Const Type

ORCA

460 Performer 4. 6 m 2.2 m 470 Performer 4.7 m 2.2 m 500 Adventurer 5.0 m 2.2 m 5500 SL 5.5 m 2.35 m 5800 RL 5.8 m 2.35 m 600 Performer 6.0 m 2.20 m 6015 SLR 6.4 m 2.35 m 7200 SLR Twin 7.4 m 2.35 m 661 Offshore 7.10m 2.40m 761 Offshore 8.10m 2.50m 861 Offshore 9.10m 2.70m 922 Offshore 9.60m 2.80m 1022 Offshore 10.40m 3.30m

LOA

Sportsman Package 551 5.50m 2.08m Sportsman Package 571 5.65m 2.20m Sportsman Package 591 5.95m 2.20m Sportsman Package 591XL 6.15m 2.20m CrossXover 561 5.60m 2.08m CrossXover 581 5.80m 2.20m CrossXover 601 6.00m 2.28m CrossXover 611 6.10m 2.28m CrossXover 651 6.60m 2.30m Cruiser 701 Gen 11 7.05m 2.35m Cruiser 751 Gen 11 7.50m 2.45m Cruiser 801 Gen 11 8.01m 2.48m Raptor Amphibious 741 7.40m 2.35m Walk Round 1100 11.40m 3.09m

189

3.58m 3.64m 3.75m 3.76m 3.80m 3.85m 4.00m 4.01m 4.01m 4.05m 4.27m 4.29m 4.29m 4.41m 4.29m 4.43m 4.43m 4.48m 4.50m 4.50m 4.50m 4.54m 4.54m 4.61m 4.61m 4.65m 4.69m 4.72m 4.75m 4.84m 4.96m 5.00m 5.01m 5.05m 5.05m 5.05m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.26m 5.32m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.88m 5.88m 5.88m 5.88m

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

1.45m 1.49m 1.50m 1.45m 1.58m 1.79m 1.69m 1.73m 1.76m 1.87m 1.87m 1.87m 1.87m 2.00m 1.87m 2.02m 2.02m 1.90m 2.00m 2.10m 2.05m 2.01m 2.01m 2.10m 2.10m 2.09m 1.96m 2.09m 2.05m 2.05m 2.10m 2.05m 2.25m 2.09m 2.09m 2.09m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.10m 2.09m 2.10m 2.25m 2.22m 2.25m 2.22m 2.22m 2.25m 2.38m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.30m 2.25m 2.25m 2.38m 2.38m 2.38m 2.38m

ALLOY BOAT LISTING 2022 Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

Quintrex 570 Freedom Sport 5.88m 2.38m Quintrex 600 Fishseeker 6.13m 2.21m Quintrex 610 Top Ender 6.16m 2.40m Quintrex 610 Spirit 6.16m 2.40m Quintrex 610 Legend 6.16m 2.40m Quintrex 610 Freedom Sport 6.16m 2.40m Quintrex 610 Coastrunner 6.16m 2.40m Quintrex 650 Coastrunner 6.43m 2.40m Quintrex 650 Spirit 6.43m 2.40m Quintrex 650 Freedom 6.43m 2.40m Quintrex 650 Offshore 6.43m 2.40m Quintrex 610 Freedom Cruiser 6.93m 2.40m Quintrex 690 Offshore 7.44m 2.40m Quintrex 690 Offshore SDP 7.44m 2.40m Quintrex 690 Spirit 6.81m 2.40m

4mm 5mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

BR TS CC CA CC BR RU RU CA CC HT BR HT HT CA

4750 Prelude /Sportsman 4.75m 2.05m 5050 Prelude / Sportsman 5.05m 2,10m 5450 Prelude 5.45m 2.10m 5800 Interceptor 5.80m 2.25m 6020 Fisherman 6.02m 2.20m 6250 Fishmaster 6.25m 2.33m 7010 Provider 7.01m 2.50m 7450 Seahunter 7.45m 2.50m 8450 Ultimate 8.45m 2.50m 9000 Ultimate XL 8.95m 2.85m

4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm

CA CA CA CA HT HT HT HT HT HT

305 Jabiru Punt 3.05m 1.11m 355 Jabiru 3.55m 1.14m 345 Jabiru 3.48m 1.53m 375 Jabiru Cartopper 3.81m 1.27m 385 Jabiru 3.85m 1.72m 415 Jabiru 4.25m 1.95m 435 Jabiru 4.45m 1.95m 455 Jabiru 4.60m 1.95m 485 Jabiru 4.90m 1.95m 415 Bay Cruiser 4.32m 1.95m 435 Bay Cruiser 4.62m 1.95m 485 Bay Cruiser 5.14m 2.05m 515 Bay Cruiser 5.32m 2.30m 545 Bay Cruiser 5.45m 2.33m 575 Bay Cruiser 5.95m 2.33m 310 Water Rat 3.21m 1.41m 355 Snipe 3.60m 1.48m 375 Snipe 3.80m 1.58m 385 Big Boy 3.90n 1.85m 425 Big Boy 4.27m 1.96m 445 Big Boy 4.41m 1.96m 455 Safari 4.55m 2.05m 485 Safari 4.85m 2.05m 525 Safari 5.25m 2.09m 435 Scorpion 4.40m 1.87m 455 Scorpion 4.55m 2.05m 485 Scorpion 5.04m 2.07m

1.2mm 1.2mm 1.6mm 1.2mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4.mm 4mm 2mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 3mm 3mm 3mm

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS SC RU RU RU BRRU/CA BR/RUCA CA TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS/SC TS/SC/CC SC/CC

360 Dinghy 400 Dinghy 440 Runabout 470 500 Bowrider 535 Cuddy 610 670 Wheelhouse 730 Wheelhouse 850 Wheelhouse 890 Wheelhouse

3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm

TS TS RU CA/CC RU CA CA/HT HT HT HT HT

RAMCO

SAVAGE

MARSDEN MARINE Ship Surveyors and Valuers

MNZ, AIMS-CCMS & UK SCMS qualified, recognised and professionally accredited leisure and commercial marine surveying practice.

Greg Marsden (Practice Principal) DipMarSvy, AIMS-CCMS, AMCMS, MNZ P(AP) www.mmservices.co.nz

SCORPION

DB835

enquiries@mmservices.co.nz Ph: 021 420 984

3.60m 1.80m 4.10m 1.90m 4.40m 1.90m 4.70m 2.17m 4.80m 2.17m 5.35m 2.20m 6.10m 2.30m 6.70m 2.40m 7.30m 2.40m 8.50m 2.45m 8.89m 2.80m

SCOTT (Jet Boats)

DB262

PROVEN HYDROFOIL TECHNOLOGY p: +64 9 536 5070 | e: info@teknicraft.com

w w w. t e k n i c r a f t . c o m FLUSH YOUR ENGINE WITH

KILLS SALT CORROSION SALT REMOVING TREATMENT

GOLD MEMBER

Best value for money • Most concentrated (500.1)

0800 272 589

www.salt-away.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

3.30 Puddle Hopper 3.55 Puddle Hopper 3.55 Scud 3.70 Puddle Hopper 3.70 Scud 3.90 River Boat 3.70 Scud 4.30 River Boat 3.70 Scud 4.45 River Boat 4.45 Cross Over 4.55 Scud 4.60 River Boat 4.60 Cross Over 4.60 Scud 5.10 Sea Scud 6.50 Sea Scud 13’ 6 Sprint Boat

3.30 m 3.55 m 3.55 m 3.70 m 3.70 m 3.90 m 3.70 m 4.30 m 3.70 m 4.45 m 4.45 m 4.55 m 4.60m 4.60m 4.60m 5.10 m 6.50 m 13’ 6”

1.46 m 1.46 m 1.46 m 1.46 m 1.46 m 1.53 m 1.46 m 1.64 m 1.46 m 1.64 m 1.64 m 1.64 m 1.64 m 1.64 m 1.64 m 1.96 m 1.96 m 1.35 m

10mm 10mm 10mm 10mm 10mm 10mm 10mm 12mm 10mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm 5mm

RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU RU

www.seaboss.co.nz - 0800 95 95 90 SEABOSS 550 620 670 700

190

5.50m 2.42m 6.20m 2.42m 6.70m 2.42m 7.00m 2.50m

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

CA CA/HT CA/HT CA/HT/CA

ALLOY BOAT LISTING 2022 Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

SENATOR 6mm 6mm 6mm

HT HT HT

XP646 HTO 6.50m 2.40m XP676 HTO 6.80m 2.45m XP716 HTO 7.10m 2.50m XP746 HTO 7.50m 2.50m XP746 HTE 7.50m 2.50m XP776 HTO 7.80m 2.50m XP776 HTE 7.80m 2.50m XP816 HTE 8.20m 2.50m XP856 HTO 8.60m 2.80m XP856 HTE 8.60m 2.80m XP896 HTE 9.00m 2.80m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

495 Workmate 4.95m 2.01m 540 Workmate 5.4m 2.19m 575 Workmate 5.75m 2.19m 610 Workmate 6.10m 2.26m 650 Workmate 6.50m 2340mm 700 Workmate 7.00m 2340mm 610 Gamefisher 6.10m 2.26m 650 Gamefisher 6.50m 2.34m 700 Gamefisher 7.00m 2.34m 750 Gamefisher 7.50m 2.50m

4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm

CA/CC CA/CC/HT CA/CC/HT HT/CC/CA HT/CC/CA HT/CC/CA HT HT HT HT

Ultimate 14 4.0m 1.8m Ultimate 16 5.10m 2.05m Ultimate 18 6.05m 2.30m Ultimate 21 6.35m 2.45m Ultimate 21 Elite 6.35m 2.45m Ultimate 25 Elite 7.25m 2.55m Ultimate 27 Elite 8.50m 2.80m

4mm 6mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

TS/CC SC/CC/CA CA/CC/SC/HT HT/CC HT/CC HT/CC/SC HT

6.20 Sports Hard Top 6.20m 660 Sports Hard Top 6.60m 7m Sports Hard Top 7.20m 7m Sports Cruiser 7.20m 730 Sports Cruiser 7.40m 750 Custom Cruiser 7.60m 8m Sports Cruiser 8.20m 840 Pro Sportsman 8.40m 840 Sports Cruiser 8.40m 840 Pro Sportsman 8.40m 870 Sport Cruiser 8.70m 870 Pro Sportsman 8.70m 850 Sports Cruiser 8.80m 850 Custom Cruiser 8.80m 920 Custom Cruiser 9.20m 940 Pro Sportsman 9.40m 970 Pro Sportsman 9.70m 1050 Pro Sportsman 10.50m All models avaliable in 8mm

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

AUCKLAND’S SPECIALIST BOAT REPAIR CENTRE Insurance Work Specialists • Launch, Yacht and Runabout Repairs • Antifouling and Gelcoat Work • Full Marine Maintenance Service Spraypainting and Jetski Repairs

SOUTHERN

58 Diana Drive, Glenfield Steve@boatrepairs.co.nz www.boatrepairs.co.nz

Recognised

member

DB056

Typhoon 760 8.0m 2.5m Typhoon 800 + Wide beam 8.35m 2.7m Typhoon 920 Wide beam 9.3m 2.7m

Phone: 09 441 2000 Fax: 09 441 4000 Mob: 021 908 156

T Thompson Marine

SURTEES

ULTIMATE

WHITE POINTER HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA HT/CA

DB778

2.35m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.75m 2.75m 2.75m 2.75m 2.75m 2.50m 2.50m 2.90m 2.90m 2.90m 3.10m

info@hydromarine.co.nz p: 0273 900161

www.hydromarine.co.nz

www.fatcat.nz

ALLOY BOAT PONTOON

ADVENTURE Adventure 1430 4.30m 3mm TS Adventure 1450 4.50m 4mm TS/CC/CA 435 4.35m 1.95m 495 5.07m 2.02m 545 5.52m 2.18m 565 5.65m 2.32m 595 5.95m 2.40m 645 6.47m 2.45m 705 7.20m 2.50m 780 7.77m 2.50m 860 8.55m 2.50m 890 9.00m 2.80m 1080 10.80m 3.10m

3mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm

TS CA CA HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

Call 021 1142 444 or info@lightningmarine.co.nz

ASSAULT

672 APB 6.72m 2.40m 5mm HT 692 APB 6.92m 2.50m 5mm HT

Custom built inflatables, re-tubes & repair of any inflatable

BLACKDOG CAT - Catamarans

4.1 Blackdog Cat 4.10m 2.18m 4.6 Backdog Cat 4.60m 2.18m 5.1 Blackdog Cat 5.10m 2.18m 6.3 Blackdog Cat 6.30m 2.18m 6.5 Blackdog Cat 6.50m 2.18m

4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm

TS/CC CC/CA CA/CC/HT Walkthrough CA/CC/HT

420 APB 4.20m 1.87m 480 APB 4.80m 1.87m

3mm 3mm

TS TS

3.1 Trooper 3.6 Trooper Delux 3.6 Trooper

3mm 3mm 3mm

TS TS TS/CA

SF600R

BLUEFIN

3.10m 3.60m 3.60m

1.72m 1.72m 1.72m

WWW.POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

DB368

COMMANDO

191

1487A State Highway 17, Dairy Flat, Auckland. Ph: 021 570 505 | e: info@seafarerinflatables.co.nz | www.seafarerinflatables.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

DB453

AQUALINE

www.shackles.co.nz Rated

STYLE CODE: ALLOY BOAT LISTING 2022

Make/Model

BIG TURN KEY

DB760

MORE LEVERAGE

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

3.9 Trooper 4.20m 1.72m 3.9 Trooper Sport 4.20m 1.72m 5.4 Trooper 5.40m 2.22m 5.8 Wide Body 5.80m 2.26m 7.5 Silverado 7.50m 2.48m 8.5 Trooper 8.50m

3mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm 6mm

TS/CA CA/CC CA/CC CA CA CC

300 D 3.03m 1.01m 420 3.90m 1.71m 440 JetX 4.40m 1.71m 450 4.50m 1.71m 480 XC 4.60m 2.02m 480 JetX 4.80m 2.05m 515 CCX 5.15m 2.13m 535 XC 5.35m 2.15m 570 XHT 5.70m 2.27m 660 XHT 6.60m 2.47m 680 XHT 6.80m 2.47m 730 XHT 7.30m 2.50m

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3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm

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IMAGE 7.08 7.08m 2.36m 6mm

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4. 6 m 4.7 m 5.0 m 5.5 m 5.8 m 6.0 m 6.4 m 7.4 m

2.2 m 2.2 m 2.2 m 2.35 m 2.35 m 2.20 m 2.35 m 2.35 m

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3.8 4.5 5.4 6 7 7.0 Party 8.0 Party

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DB192

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3mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 3mm 3mm

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192

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2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80M 2.80M 2.80m 2.80m 2.80m

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392 3.92m 1.90m 455 4.55m 1.90m 530 5.30m 1.90m 600 6.00m 2.30m

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193

ALLOY BOAT 2022 ISSUE #24

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Photos by Alberto Cocchi

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