Pacific Powerboat May June 2019

THE 100% ALUMINIU M

PACIFIC

BOAT MA GAZINE

BONUS ALLOY BOAT MAGAZINE MAY - AUG

UST 2019

- ISSUE 17

SURTEES 750 OPEN CABIN $250,000

Hutchwilco Show ’s GranNZ Boat d Prize

ADJUSTING YOUR ATTITUDE TABS OR INTERCEPT ORS?

MAY / JUNE 2019

ALSO REV IEWED

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 WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

IMAG E 8.5 FISH MAS TER

HOT NEW RELEASES LATEST ELS TO DEBUTMOD AT SHOW

BLUE WATE

R 9.3 WAL KABO UT

SILENT RUN NING THE EST IN ELECTRICLAT OUTBOARDS & THRUSTERS

HAM ILTO N

JET 470 SPOR TSMA

N

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40 I SEA RAY SBX210 I GALEON 510 FLY I BELIZE 66 SEDAN I EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET SURTEES 750 OPEN CABIN I BLUEWATER 9.3 WALKABOUT I IMAGE 8.5 FISHMASTER I HAMILTON JET 470 SPORTSMAN

TIMELESS WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

ALSO REVIEWED

+ GALEON 510 FLY + SEA RAY SBX210 + BELIZE 66 SEDAN + IMAGE 8.5 FISHMASTER + SURTEES 750 OPEN CABIN + BLUEWATER 9.3 WALKABOUT + EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET + HAMILTON JET 470 SPORTSMAN

MAY / JUNE 2019 $10.00

INCL GST

GETTING STARTED GRP BOATS UNDER 5.5M

THE OUTBOARD FILES EVINRUDE ETEC

CLASSIC OFFSHORE RACE BOATS FROM THE 70S & 80S

Maritimo reinforces its culture of innovation with the world première of the X50 sport motor yacht at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 23-26 May, 2019.

Intelligent engineering has allowed the X-Series’ to defy the rules of its class with a spacious aft cabin in the form of a beach club and ensuite that doubles as additional stateroom with a hideaway bed. Inheriting Maritimo’s timeless elegance and unparalleled abilities in the water, the X-Series’ superior shaft technology ensures simplicity, efficiency, and reliability.

Maritimo's on water showcase will include models from both the X-Series sport and M-Series flybridge motor yachts. Register online to customise your Maritimo boat show experience.

maritimo.com.au/sanctuarycoveboatshow

MARITIMO.SANCTUARY COVE. X50 WORLD PREMIERE.

C O N T E N T S ISSUE 48

Reviews

Regulars

52

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

8

38

Valkyrie – World’s biggest mega yacht…maybe!

Kiwi marine diesel, new outboards from Yamaha and Tohatsu.

68

LEADING COMMENT

DESIGN FOCUS

POWER ON

10

41

Going out wide

12

Kiwi’s chase US1, SI Mararthon Opener and NZ Offshore at Marsden Cove.

Boat Show time again.

44

92

14

Dote on your diesel.

106

Sports Marine mourns the loss of Peter Bell. A tribute by Ian Williamson.

SEA RAY SBX210

82

PUBLISHER’S COMMENT

GALEON 510 FLY

BELIZE 66 SEDAN

EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET THE 100% ALUMINIU

PACIFIC

M BOAT MAGAZIN

BONUS ALLOY BOAT MAGAZINE MAY - AUGUST

E

2019 - ISSUE 17

SURTEES 750 OPEN CABIN

GUEST COMMENT

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 WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

IMAGE 8.5 FISHMASTER

BLUEWATER

9.3 WALKABOUT

SILENT RUNNING THE IN ELECTRICLATEST OUTBOARDS & THRUSTERS

HAMILTON

JET 470 SPORTSMAN

TIMELESS WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

46

STRAIGHT FROM THE GALLEY

Derek The Chef prepares Mussels with a parsley Parmesan cheese crust.

FatCat Mouse Tender.

Ribco 44 Venom RIB

48

20

Hot new products from some of the world’s leading brands for 2019.

SEEN & ADMIRED

$250,000

HOT NEW RELEASES LATEST TO DEBUTMODELS AT SHOW

CRUISING MATTERS

16

Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show’s Grand Prize

ADJUSTING YOUR ATTITUDE TABS OR INTERCEPTORS? ALSO REVIEWED

RACING NEWS

NEWS

News. New products, boats and events.

ELECTRONICS NEWS

50

DUNCAN ON FISHING Winter snapper.

v

ALSO REVIEWED

+ GALEON 510 FLY + SEA RAY SBX210 + BELIZE 66 SEDAN + IMAGE 8.5 FISHMASTER + SURTEES 750 OPEN CABIN + BLUEWATER 9.3 WALKABOUT + EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET + HAMILTON JET 470 SPORTSMAN

MAY / JUNE 2019 $10.00

INCL GST

GETTING STARTED GRP BOATS UNDER 5.5M

THE OUTBOARD FILES EVINRUDE ETEC

CLASSIC OFFSHORE RACE BOATS FROM THE 70S & 80S

PACIFIC POWER BOAT ISSUE 48 Cover: The first Whitehaven Harbour Classic 40 on Sydney Harbour.

SEE PAGE 52

4 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Features 58

BEGINNING BOATING

Coastguard Boating Education explains why you should invest the time in doing a recreational boating course.

60

• ANTIFOULING • POLISHING • TOUCH-UPS • REPAINTS • PROPSPEED • MAST & BOOMS

THE OUTBOARD FILES – A DECADE OF EVINRUDE ETEC How did an outboard marine engine company help revolutionise and develop the world’s most advanced 2-stroke engines?

74

GETTING STARTED

We look at GRP boats under 5.5m and offer some advice on what to look for when buying your new or secondhand boat. Cabin, cuddy, runabout, open or bowrider, there are plenty of options.

88

A PELIN BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

David Grace transformed a 46-year-old classic runabout, that was severely decaying and ready for the tip and brought new life and style into it.

98

GROOTE ESCAPE

Simon McLean goes fishing at Groote Eylandt where more than 400 fish spread over 30 species were caught and released, four rods broken and countless stories and memories created.

110

CLASSIC KIWI OFFSHORE RACEBOATS We look back at some of the more famous and not so famous offshore race boats from the 1970s and 80s.

THE 100% ALUMINIUM BOAT MAGAZINE

Check out the latest issue of Alloy Boat magazine, which SURTEES 750 has some great OPEN CABIN $250,000 features and boat reviews. We have four reviews; Bluewater 9.3 Walkabout, Image 8.5 Fishmaster, Hamiltonjet 470 Sportsman and the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show prize, the $250,000, Surtees 750 Open Cabin.

There is also a report on the latest electric outboards and another on trimming your boat..

SEE PAGE 123 MAY - AUGUST 2019 - ISSUE 17

Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show’s Grand Prize

ADJUSTING YOUR ATTITUDE TABS OR INTERCEPTORS?

HOT NEW RELEASES LATEST MODELS TO DEBUT AT SHOW

Blending quality marine products, craftsmanship and customer care.

SILENT RUNNING THE LATEST IN ELECTRIC OUTBOARDS & THRUSTERS

ALSO REVIEWED

IMAGE 8.5 FISHMASTER

BLUEWATER 9.3 WALKABOUT

HibiscusMarineCoatings.co.nz

HAMILTON JET 470 SPORTSMAN

Phone: 09 428 3906 Gulf Harbour Marina, Gulf Harbour, Auckland, NZ DB307

ISSUE 17

WWW.BOAT MAGS.C O M 5

Harbour Classic 40

Spontaneous, spirited, simplified.

wmy.com.au

DESIGN FOCUS VALKYRIE

WORLD’S BIGGEST MEGA YACHT… MAYBE! At 229m Valkyrie would be world’s biggest mega yacht if it ever gets built. From the design board of South Korean designer, Chulhun Park, this is one incredible vessel.

8 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

“Having seen too many conventional white yachts which were vertically stacked like wedding cakes, I was determined to design a visually unique yacht which would stand out from a fleet,” says the Valkyrie’s designer Chulhun Park.

That pointed him toward a postmodern architectural movement known as deconstructivism, characterized by building exteriors warped into irregular, fragmented forms that deviate from your typically neat geometric design.

The hull is designed to be built in steel or alloy with a carbon-fibre super structure. The 227m vessel has a beam of 30m, draft of 7.5m and top speed of 25 knots. Fuel capacity is 1500 tonnes, with a range at 16 knots of 10,000 miles. Accommodation will be provided for 52 guests in 26 cabins and 92 crew in 46 cabins.

Valkyrie project is based on a Palmer Johnson copyright trimaran hull form.

So, below the water line is designed

by Palmer Johnson Yachts and above water line is designed by Chulhun Park.

The Valkyrie was designed to serve as public space for the masses rather than a personal playground for billionaires. He imagines casinos, galleries, theaters and restaurants setting up shop on board, drawing in customers (and profits) and providing a good time for all. The floating entertainment hub could be used to host events, and guests could buy single day tickets to check out the action.

WWW.BOAT MAGS.C O M 9

PACIFIC EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER D&B Publishing Ltd Trading as BoatMags.com 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 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: PMP Limited 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 Gordon & Gotch Ltd 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.boatmags.com 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)

10 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Barry Thompson

Going Out Wide I

HAVE been boating on the Hauraki Gulf almost all my life and yet I have only been to the Mokohinau Islands four times. Mind you that is probably four times more than most people as the Moks are a reasonably long way from Auckland. From Westhaven its 63 nm, and from Gulf Harbour 46 nm.

However, the shortest route from the mainland is from Leigh or Mangawhai which is about 27nm. So it is understandable that only those with larger trailer boats and launches ever get to visit these amazing islands.

I first got to go the Moks in the early 1980s when Dave Donaldson, Bob Menzies and myself went from Mairangi Bay to Great Barrier and then across to the Moks in Dave’s twin Mercury 200 powered 8m alloy cat, Woolywool Enterpriser.

We had a beautiful smooth ride and arrived at the Barrier in just under an hour.

A year or so ago, Dave approached me and said he would like to repeat the trip, but this time wanted to show how easy it is to go from Auckland to the Moks and back in a day. Dave sold his alloy cat many moons ago, but now has a 54ft Nick deWaal designed powercat running a pair of fire breathing 800hp Scania, and Seafury surface drives. It runs to 45 knots, a speed he did last year to claim the PowerBoat Magazine fastest diesel in the country trophy.

Hey yeah, I liked the idea of a quicker than quick run to the Moks, but Dave added that he also wanted to go targeting Hapuku about 20nm past the Moks.

From Auckland to the Hapuka territory we had a gentle 5 knots of breeze and calm waters and got there in just on 2 hours. The foil assisted powercat rode like on a feather cushion all the way.

Unfortunately we didn’t do any good with the Hapuka, so headed back to Maori Rock on the northern tip of Fanal island, for a spot of snapper fishing. It would be fair to say we ‘cleaned up’ in both snapper and trevally. A cray dive around Burgess Island produced nothing and at 3.45pm we headed back to Auckland. Dave had T2 running at around 2100 rpm all the way home and we turned into the Gulf Harbour marina entrance 1hr 15 mins later!

After dropping a few of us off at Gulf Harbour, Dave and his guys headed back to Westhaven. Now I will not disclose how much diesel we burnt, just surfice to say it was plenty. But what a great day and it made me determined to not leave it so long to go back.

Look for a full story on this high speed adventure in the July-August issue of Pacific PowerBoat.

It doesn’t matter where you are heading or why, there is a Buccaneer for you…

Buccaneer create superbly designed, exceptionally well-built and finished boats in 21 designs across six different ranges, there is a model to suit everyone.

VISIT US FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU

www.buccaneer.co.nz

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 11

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Doug Dukeson

DB214

BOAT SHOW TIME AGAIN

12 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

I

T just seems like the other day that I was busy on the boat show circuit, and yet it is in fact over six months since I last walked the halls of a boat show in New Zealand or Australia.

May 16th sees the start of our busy boat show season with the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show in Auckland and once again it looks like being a huge event.

For the trailer boat fraternity the ‘Hutchwilco’ is the pick of them in New Zealand, and while there are a few regional shows and of course the all-important Auckland On Water Show, none come close to it for numbers of trailer boats.

2019 will again see plenty of new models from the alloy boys, and you can bet there will be some very impressive imported GRP boats to go with the mix. I am always amazed at the growth in larger trailer boats, be it GRP or alloy and there is no shortage of buyers it seems.

Talking to Bob Mirabito, Sales Manager for Seacraft recently he said there had been a big switch to the larger models in their Haines Hunter range, while the smaller models have slowed.

“Customers can often be a little gun shy when it comes to hooking another $50,000 on their mortgage, but the client purchasing a $200,000 boat doesn’t seem to have the same issue”, said Bob. Incidentially, Seacraft/Haines Hunter in Auckland and Tristram Marine in Hamilton will both be having their own ‘in-house’ boat shows at the same time as the Hutchwilco show.

We have also noticed a big swing towards the larger motor yacht market with brands like Riviera, Maritimo, Whitehaven, Ocean Alexander and Azimut reporting a lot of interest in their bigger models from New Zealand. No doubt upcoming America’s Cup has had a lot to do with that. Pachoud Motor Yachts is a prime example with two Roger Hill 18m powercats to build for the cup. Scott Lane has a 20m Roger Hill, and Bill Upfold says he is busy working on several potential commissions.

The industry is strong, but like all markets, it does have its soft spots, so it is mindful not to get too complacent. As in the past, following a boom there is always a bust, so let’s hope the boom period keeps on going on for a lot longer yet. Pacific PowerBoat has produced bigger issues with more advertising support over the last four issues – bigger than any others for a over five years.

So back to the boat shows, we will be exhibiting at both the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show and the Auckland On Water show, so stop by and say hello, and enter the draw to win a win a FatCat Mouse Tender / Utility boat powered by a with an electric Torqueedo 1003 Outboard valued at over $ 8,000 !!!

See you there Doug Dukeson Publisher.

Power - Performance - Style FOLLOW OUR STORY @SMUGGLERMARINE

INFO@SMUGGLER.CO.NZ

+64 9 838 9024

| subscribe | magstore.nz/boatingnewzealand

SMUGGLER.CO.NZ

Boating New Zealand

179

G U E ST CO M M E N T: IAN WILLIAMSON

Director, Sports Marine

Sports Marine mourns the loss of Peter Bell

H

e was a man known to many in the New Zealand marine industry – Peter Bell was a one-of-a-kind guy who had a reputation for being a genuine, down to earth and knowledgeable salesman.

We had the great privilege of having Peter work for Sports Marine for just short of 40 years, based in our Christchurch dealership. He joined us shortly after the company acquired the Sea Ray distribution for New Zealand. Then in 1985 Peter moved his family to Auckland to open and establish Sports Marine’s second dealership. He negotiated a lease at Pier 21 dry stack and within a very successful 18 months, after outgrowing the facilities, he shifted the operation to Ti Rakau Drive where the company continues to operate today.

Peter was responsible for establishing Sea Ray in Auckland and throughout the North Island. His success saw Sports Marine enter Sea Ray’s top 100 dealers worldwide in 1988. The same year his sales of Sea Ray boats equated to more than 70% of all imported boats into New Zealand.

After successfully establishing a leading market position and structure at the new larger dealership, Peter and family returned to Christchurch.

There, Peter introduced and established the Polaris brand into New Zealand with ATV’s, PWC and Snowmobiles, but it was boating that always held his interest.

Over nearly four decades Peter sold more than 3000 boats from 8 to 60ft to a very wide range of customers. He represented the company at many trade and boat shows in the US, Canada, Pacific Islands, and Australia.

It was with great sadness that Peter passed away suddenly in late February in Dunedin Hospital. Sports Marine has received a large number of messages from customers after hearing of his passing; “He was a genuine guy who bent over backwards to help his customers…” and “I personally really enjoyed all business I did with Peter immensely,” just a small number of the many tributes.

Peter will always be remembered by his warmth and generosity. He was a truly larger than life personality, full of energy and enthusiasm who took no greater delight than ensuring his customers were taken care of. He will be sorely missed.

Available from all Caring Chandlers or

DB232

info@chainsropesandanchors.co.nz www.chainsropesandanchors.co.nz 14 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

SEEN & ADMIRED FATCAT MOUSE TENDER

Prize Winner

Looking for a stable tender or utility boat and don’t want a RIB, then check out this all fibreglass and foam composite FatCat Mouse Tender. At 2.4m, with a beam of 1.6m, the FatCat Mouse catamaran, designed by Blair McLay, is available in a variety of construction materials and in its lightest form has a bare hull weight of only 40kgs.

T

HE base boat can be equipped with plenty of extras, such as bench seats, Railblaza adaptors, and lifting eyes. According to builder, Roger Tweddell, each boat is built according to a client’s requirements with 100% customisation available.

Power options are from 2.5hp to 4.5hp, although Roger says they have tested the boat with as much as 10hp and it handles it well. With one aboard, the FatCat Mouse will plane with a 3.5hp

16 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

outboard.

We went for a run with a Torqueedo 1003, a 3hp equivalent all electric outboard, that proved a great match for the boat. The engine is light, super simple to drive and can be broken down into three parts for storage. The battery pack is built into the engine and can be removed for charging on board or at home.

The FatCat Mouse Tender comes with a 200m deep ring of high density polyethylene foam around the gunnels,

which acts as a soft barrier against a larger vessel, much the same way as a RIB. A base boat retails for $2995, with a fully speced version upwards of $5000.

YOU CAN WIN a highly speced FatCat Mouse Tender, complete with a Torqueedo 1003 electric outboard by simply subscribing to Pacific PowerBoat magazine.

Check out Page 175 for details or see us at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show in Hall 2.

Riviera and Belize luxury motor yacht owners are invited to the Gold Coast for our exclusive 2019 Festival of Boating. Over 30 individual hands-on workshops, many conducted onboard our motor yachts together with educational and inspirational seminars that will all offer an extraordinary wealth of experience and knowledge.

190050

The Festival this year will be held at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort and aboard the Riviera Motor Yacht Club moored within our spectacular 11-model, red carpet showcase including four premiere models at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

DISCOVER MORE & REGISTER AT FESTIVALOFBOATING.COM

SEEN & ADMIRED RIBCO VENOM 44

Oshore Capable The Venom 44 is a sleek 13.5-metre vessel that moves with confidence, agility and speed.

W

ITH solid fibreglass composite hull, durable Hypalon tubes, handlaid teak decking, a new spacious deck design layout with eight individual hydraulic cockpit seats and huge rear sun lounges, the next generation Venom 44 is the ultimate tender and luxury day boat.

The 2019 Venom 44 features all electronically operated hatches and is fitted with the smooth refined power of triple 300 hp Mercury Verado V8 engines to deliver an exhilarating acceleration and top speed to run offshore with confidence. The Venom

18 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

44 is set apart from most premium RIBs on the market in that it offers true offshore capability. It has Category B certification, which means it is capable of voyages 200-nauticalmiles offshore and is also in 2D survey with a 10-person + 2-crew capacity. With its seven-bulkhead hull construction, the Venom 44 can withstand winds of force eight and waves of up to four metres. The cockpit of the Venom 44 is completely sealed, and the self-draining deck means no water gets into the bilge. Its tubes are made of Hypalon fabric from French Manufacturer Orca and has no glaring

external seams, unlike other major RIB brands. The Venom 44 can also run at full speed with the tubes completely deflated and is delivered standard with three 300hp Mercury Verado V8 engines. The Venom 44 does not skimp on luxury, with two large sleeping cabins, a large centre console concealing a spacious toilet and shower space, a wet bar and fridge, a Nespresso machine and a top of the line JL audio system.

Ribco Marine, Ph +61 0439 766 880 sales@ribcomarine.com.au www.ribcomarine.com.au

PA C I F I C P O W E R B O AT

News

Check out the Grady-White 330 Express Special Edition.

NEW RELEASES DEBUT AT HUTCHWILCO NZ BOAT SHOW

T

A WIDE RANGE OF EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS IS SET TO DEBUT AT THIS YEAR’S HUTCHWILCO NEW ZEALAND BOAT SHOW AT THE ASB SHOWGROUNDS IN AUCKLAND ON MAY 16-19.

HE new releases include innovative products such as electric outboards, jetboards and motors for paddleboards, submersible fishing drones, remotely operated underwater vehicles, polyethylene Scout cutters, boats powered by PWCs and a world-first anti-roll stabilisation unit in an aluminium trailerboat.

There will also be, as always, a large number of new boat models, and many completed just in time for the show, as well as an impressive selection of the latest outboards, electronics, accessories and fishing equipment.

The new Power Dolphin is described as the world’s most advanced floating fishing drone.

20 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

The new Power Dolphin is described as the world’s most advanced floating fishing drone. Compact and sleek, it fits into a small case able to be carried in one hand and is used with a fisher’s own rod and reel. Equipped with a range of sensors including compass and GPS, it also has an Auto-Return Home function so it will return to the beach by itself.

Electric Power and Propulsion NZ will be showcasing their new range of ePropulsion electrically powered outboards, the new Vaquita portable electric propulsion system for a paddleboard or kayak and the Mertek S1 jetboard.

The smarter way to Easy Boating Pioneering joystick control

Underwater exploration company Bay Dynamics will be showcasing a number of their The new new Remotely Operated Smuggler 900.

Vehicles (ROVs), including the BlueROV2 and the Gladius Mini. They will also have a BlueROV2 simulator connected to a large 65in screen so people can see how easy it is to pilot an ROV. The new Sealver Wave Boat range transforms a regular PWC into a powerboat. The Sealver Wave Boats, which range in size from 4.4m to 7m, can “dock” with any PWC with the PWC providing the power, steering and some of the seating.

The attachment process is said to take just seconds and detaching the PWC is equally quick and easy.

In addition to their very impressive Helm Master Boat Control System, Yamaha will also be releasing two new outboard models this year. Based on the company’s award winning F25, the new high-thrust T25 efficiently delivers the power and grip to manoeuvre heavier small vessels. A world first will be on display at this year’s show with the fitting of a Seakeeper II anti-roll system to an Extreme 745 Centre Console trailer boat.

Smuggler Marine’s new Strata 900 Centre Console is another making its first appearance. Powered by twin Evinrude E-TEC 250s and featuring eye-catching bright orange accents, it has an overall length of 9m, a top speed around 55 knots, a cruising speed of 30 knots and a 600-litre fuel capacity.

There will be some imported models making their New Zealand debut, too.

Among them is the new Grady-White 330 Express Special Edition. It features a fully tinted, toughened glass enclosure including a full front wraparound screen with no mullions to get in the way of forward or side vision. There is also an electric power vent at the top of the screen to funnel air into the helm area. The 330 is fitted with twin Yamaha XTO 425hp motors, Yamaha’s new Helm Master boat control system and Garmin’s new electric Reactor autopilot system.

Described as a true SUV of the seas, the new Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin has been designed for serious offshore game fishing. It has an innovative layout, recessed side decks for secure access to the bow, two double cabins, a separate shower/head compartment and a large sunroof to bathe the interior in natural light.

GO TO PAGE 176 THIS ISSUE TO FIND OUT ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW ALUMINIUM BOATS AT THE SHOW.

Joystick control Volvo Penta was the first to pioneer joystick technology for leisure boating. We’ve come a long way since then.

Available for Aquamatic Sterndrive, Volvo Penta IPS and Diesel Inboard applications, the joystick puts docking, close-quarter maneuvering and high-speed cruising at your fingertips.

Find out more at: www.volvopenta.com/leisure

Distributed by Volpower NZ Limited For New Zealand & Pacific Islands Ph. 0800 865 769 or 09-2744305 www.volpower.co.nz WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 21

PA C I F I C P O W E R B O AT

News

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst is elated with the Premiere models.

RIVIERA WORLD PREMIERES AT SCIBS

R

IVIERA will present four spectacular World Premieres at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from May 23 to 26.

While what these four boats are is a tightly guarded secret, you can be sure that whatever Riviera releases will be world class. Including the four World Premieres, Riviera will host a magnificent 11-model red carpet showcase at Sanctuary Cove, Riviera’s biggest display in one location in Australia in 2019.

The end of Pier F at the Boat Show marina will be transformed into Riviera and Belize World and will undoubtedly be the centre of attention. The prestigious Riviera Motor Yacht Club will be surrounded by the 11-yacht showcase and will host owners and events throughout the show.

Selected models from every one of Riviera’s five Collections of motor yachts will be on display. A Riviera representative will guide registered visitors as they inspect sophisticated Sport Yachts, sporty and adventurous SUVs, blue-water Flybridge models, long-range and luxurious Sports Motor Yachts and classicstyled Belize motor yachts.

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said that the team is elated with the Premiere models.

“For almost four decades, Riviera has developed a highly respected heritage, launching more than 5,400 yachts in this time.

These new motor yachts, the latest in a very distinguished line, will take Riviera design and style to another level in luxury,” he said.

“The alfresco layouts, merging the welcoming and superbly equipped cockpit spaces with luxurious and comfortable interiors, are the hallmark of Riviera. www.rivieraaustralia.com

22 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Kiwis Lap Up Coastguard Lifejacket Upgrade T

HOUSANDS of Kiwis around the country are sporting much safer lifejackets thanks to a Coastguard water safety campaign.

The annual Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign wrapped up recently which saw 3,462 old, damaged or obsolete lifejackets traded in over the peak summer holiday period for discounted modern fit-for-purpose Hutchwilco lifejackets. There were almost 500 more lifejackets traded in this summer compared to last year’s campaign.

The campaign van was on the road for nine weeks and stopped at 61 different locations around the country. Families brought their old lifejackets to the van and purchased new lifejackets at discounted prices. As well as selling lifejackets, the Old4New crew distributed 1,603 safety items, such as crotch straps, which prevents a lifejacket from slipping up over your head when in water, and provided advice on best boating practice and safety tips.

Old4New spokesperson, Sue Tucker, said the van had become a hub for people wanting to find out more about water safety.

“The van attracts a lot of attention and excitement, which is great to see,” she said. “We feel people are starting to realise just how important wearing a lifejacket is. It greatly increases your chances of survival if you do end up in the water.”

Many of the lifejackets handed in were unusable and downright dangerous, and every year there is always one that should be in a museum. This year it was an oilskin lifejacket surrendered in Greymouth, which was approximately 75 years old and may have been used during World War II. Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes said the campaign has grown in popularity since starting five years ago.

“Lifejackets that are over ten years old should be replaced even if they look okay to the eye. Seawater, sun and general wear and tear impact how effective they are and many old lifejackets won’t even float, which is a serious concern in an emergency,” he said.

Since the campaign started five years ago, over 10,000 old lifejackets have been traded in and taken out of circulation. “This means thousands of Kiwis are now safer out on the water. We are incredibly proud of the difference this campaign is making in our communities,” Holmes said.

The campaign is made possible thanks to generous funding from Maritime New Zealand and support from Hutchwilco, The Giltrap Group, Boating & Outdoors, The Southern Trust and The Four Winds Foundation. Retailer Boating & Outdoors offered the trade-ins at their stores nationwide further supporting the campaign.

#TristramMarineExpo

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SHOWROOM - SERVICE CENTRE - PRODUCTION PLANT 5 Udy Place, Te Rapa Park, Hamilton, NZ // Te Rapa Expressway Exit SH1 pacificpowerboat@tristram.co.nz // +64-7-849-5225

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SEALEGS RELEASE REVAMPED D-TUBE SEALEGS SAY THE NEW 7.7M OPEN D-TUBE IS A TWIST ON A FAN FAVOURITE. THEY HAVE HAD SOME FEEDBACK FROM FISHING AMPHIBIANS SAYING THEY WANTED MORE ACCESS TO THE BOW OF THE 7.7M – SPECIFICALLY A FISHING PLATFORM.

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HEY took a look at the current design and worked out that they could do just that, so coming to the Hutchwilco Boat Show in May is their latest take on the 7.7m Sport D-Tube. The craft also features an electric trolling motor, a Fusion Apollo stereo system and a plethora of other Sealegs options.

That hull originated from Innovision, which has gone through a series of revisions to sharpen it into the boat you can see now. www.sealegs.com

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A NEW GENERATION IS HERE Without question, the most significant release from Aqualuma to date, the all-new GEN 5 range of thru-hull underwater lights boasts significant increases in performance output. It also allows users fully customisable lighting options only a click away through the use of a user interface application for IPhone, Android and tablet.

The GEN 5 range of thru-hull underwater lights have seen a total redesign of the internal workings using the very latest components and is impressive. Available SCIBS 2019 GEN 5 is Aqualuma’s brightest underwater lights to date and will incorporate a 9 Series, 18 Series and a 24 Series.

The Casambi user interface application syncs up seamlessly via Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or tablet and will allow users to control their lights functionality with options such as strobing, dimming, creating and storing unique lighting scenes and also the ability to RGB colour change in the 24 Series to name a few.

Aqualuma is renowned worldwide for its patented thruhull housing that has allowed them to continually improve the product through innovation and advancements in LED technology. The onepiece polymer housing is corrosion proof and allows existing customers the ability to upgrade to GEN 5 without hauling their boat and replacing out old housings.

The Thru-hull range of LED lights is suitable for all craft from tinnies through to luxury motor yachts. The range is also ideal for any hull construction, including aluminium, steel, wood and GRP. www.aqualuma.com.

Delivering Innovation and Reliability While other manufacturers focus on building higher horsepower engines, at Tohatsu, the focus has always been on building the most reliable engines. The range of 2-Stroke 3.5hp through to 90hp are world famous for their reliability, terrifichorsepower-to-weight ratios and top-of-the-line performance.

These outboards provide all of the features you want and need without compromising Tohatsu's well-known quality.

Our new Four Strokes Outboards 3.5hp through 50hp deliver power you can rely on, are light-weight and fuel efficient.

Four stroke

Tohatsu’s New MFS15/20E Fuel Injected model is the lightest in class starting at 43kg for the manual short shaft. This model follows on from the Industry leading lightweight MFS40/50A. Designed and Manufactured in Japan. The superior marine technology means better performance without compromising on reliability. Try a Tohatsu and experience the difference, with over 60 years manufacturing and a total of over 4,000,000 Outboard motors produced from 1956 through January 2018.

The difference is innovation and reliability.

Two stroke

MARK CAMPION PASSES

View our range of 2 Stroke and 4 Stroke Outboard Motors Contact an authorised Tohatsu dealer in New Zealand. www.tohatsu.co.nz Phone 04-237-7800 email:sales@diversifiedproducts.co.nz DB354

Explorer Motoryachts CEO Mark Campion passed away recently after a short illness.

Mark will be remembered by his passion and drive for his boats, initially with his brokerage in Hong Kong, then partnering with Clipper in Australia and NZ. In recent times he had been heavily involved with Explorer Motoryachts which he took worldwide, with agencies in Norway, England, France, USA, Canada, HK, Singapore, NZ and Australia.

Mark lived in Hong Kong, but spent much of his time in the boat building yard in Ningbo, China, developing his boats with new models, and improving the quality and finish of his boats with every order.

He is sorely missed by his dealer network, and his identical twin brother, Neil. Neil has moved from CFO to CEO, and the Explorer range is still being quality built by NBFH Boat Building Co, in Beilun, Ningbo, China.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 25

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Specialists in Rigid Hull Inflatables and Jet Tenders Leading Design & Performance

20 Years of Craftmanship

Only Quality Pennel Hypalon Pontoons

New Zealand Designed & Built

Old pontoons getting tired? We also repair & replace Hypalon pontoons.

www.explorerboats.co.nz

26 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

News

OCEAN ALEXANDER 88 SKYLOUNGE DRAWING ON THE SUCCESSFUL ATTRIBUTES OF THE OCEAN ALEXANDER 85, THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL LIMITED-EDITION OCEAN ALEXANDER 88 SKYLOUNGE IS HEADING TO AUSTRALIAN SHORES IN TIME FOR THE 2019 SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW.

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ELEASED to commemorate Ocean Alexander’s 40th Anniversary, the limited edition OA88 Skylounge has a similar accommodation layout to the popular four-stateroom and two crew cabin layout of the OA85 and boasts a larger galley and adjacent forward settee lounge area, plus an enclosed Skylounge for all weather onboard living and entertaining. The OA88 Skylounge model is also equipped with a high/low swim platform and a luxurious jacuzzi on the top deck.

Ideally configured for the Australian boating lifestyle, the OA88 Skylounge redefines the motor yacht concept, combining classic semi-displacement hull design with contemporary elegance.

As Ocean Alexander President, Johnny Chueh explained, the OA88’s genius is in the details.

“Adding an enclosed 360-degree glass sky lounge on top of one of our most popular models increases usable space by almost 20 %,” he said.

Ideal for the Aussie and Kiwi climate, whether in the winter squalls or the balmy tropics, the massive climate controlled skylounge space allows for allweather entertaining and doubles as an extra saloon for entertaining with a bird’s eye view.

Her interiors offer an abundance of light, space and luxury. Finishes and fittings are the equal of those in exclusive luxury residences and 5-star hotels.

Enormous windows allow light in, and stunning views out of the vessel for those lucky guests on board.

While the OA88 showcases a continued evolution of design, it retains Ocean Alexander’s world-class heritage of engineering for safety, performance and comfort.

For propulsion, this shaft driven superyacht is powered by twin 1,600hp MTU engines, with the convenience of joystick docking and position hold. www.alexandermarineaust.com.au

SEACRAFT SHOWTIME

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practical in vessel discussions can take place. Great Showcase deals will be done including “special” deals on installation Haines Hunter is not exhibiting at this year’s Hutchwilco show, so call in and talk with the SeaCraft Team on their home patch.

The doors will be open from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm from Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19.

Parking is easy, and there will be guided Haines Hunter factory tours on Saturday and Sunday for anyone interested to see how these quality vessels are manufactured and rigged.

Sea Craft is conveniently located just two minutes off the Southern Motorway at Ellerslie. Take Motorway Exit 435 - the Ellerslie-Panmure off-ramp. Drop by at any time for refreshments and meet the crew.

Contact Bob Mirabito or Dennis McCorkindale (09) 579 9661 or sales@seacraft.co.nz

F a new boat is part of your plans this season, make sure you visit the SeaCraft Showcase at Ellerslie from May 16-19 for their annual new and used boat showcase.

Sea Craft is hosting a Haines Hunter expo where a range of Haines Hunter boats, powered by Yamaha outboards, will be on display at its headquarters at 50 Cawley Street, Ellerslie, Auckland.

Customers can take advantage of the factory-rigged Haines Hunter promotion models and great deals on Yamaha Outboards, including portables, saving serious dollars.

Also on display will be a selection of top quality used boats.

These have been workshop appraised by Sea Craft’s Yamaha accredited Service department and offer great value.

The Team will be on hand to discuss your electronics need as well. Seacraft has vast knowledge and experience on Lowrance, and Simrad product’s with displays in store and

ILIAD 50 | ILIAD 60 | ILIAD 70 | ILIAD 90

C H O I C E . LU X U R Y. P O W E R .

The ILIAD 50, 60, 70 and 90 are stunning achievements in power catamaran design delivering safe and incredibly comfortable offshore performance with the longest range in their class.

Enjoy a build process that truly reflects your unique needs and personal style.

––– T H E LU X U RY O F I N D I V I D UA L S T YL E I S N O W W I T H I N YO U R R E A L M

WORLDWIDE LAUNCH OF THE ILIAD 50 POWER CATAMARAN 23 - 26 MAY 2019 SANCTUARY COVE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 1300 855 338 / +61 (0) 7 5452 5164

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info@multihullsolutions.com.au

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www.multihullsolutions.com.au

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ILIAD CATAMARANS HAVE ARRIVED T

HE 2019 launch of Iliad Catamarans, an exciting new line of power catamarans, heralds a revolutionary new chapter in the multihull industry.

The catamarans are particularly unique in that clients can customise almost every aspect of their boat during the build process to reflect their style and needs but without the significant cost of most production power catamarans.

The Iliad Catamarans range comprises the Iliad 50, 60, 70 and 90, with each model allowing clients to choose their preferred layout, timber finishes, electronics package, luxurious fabrics, engine options and more, at a cost-efficient rate.

Just like the legendary Achaean ships of Homer’s epic poem, Iliad Catamarans are designed to face the most treacherous conditions with confidence. Ideal for extended ocean passages and offshore cruisers, each model affords impressive range and speed with some of the most extended range capabilities in their market segment (2000nm-60000nm).

The new Iliad 50 is the first model launched from the innovative new shipyard and will be unveiled by Asia Pacific importer and distributor Multihull Solutions in a world exclusive at the 2019 SCIBS. Iliad Catamarans are built to CE (Cat A) as standard, however,

all Iliad Catamarans models can be created to any specified international survey classification.

Over ten engine options are available, and Iliad Catamarans all come with standard inclusions, including dual control electronics as well as systems for fuel transfer, blackwater and power management systems (minimum 5000W inverter).

Clients have the luxury of genuinely tailoring their boat’s finishes, layouts and specifications to suit their individual needs, style and budget. www.multihullsolutions.com.au.

RIGHT NOW... is the perfect time for boat owners to enjoy the privilege and delights of a custom designed and built Elite Motor Yacht.

ScottLANE B O A T B U I L D E R S www.scottlaneboatbuilders.co.nz T +64 (0) 9 292 8177

Custom design sedan, mid-pilothouse and sportsfisher motor yachts

www.elitemarine.co.nz +64 (0) 9 530 8501

www.lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz T +64 (0) 9 274 7680

R E C O G N I S E D M E M B E R S O F N Z M A R I N E A S S O C I AT I O N

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DB381

be stylishly elite

Talk to Bill Upfold, Principal Designer of Elite Marine Design today and discuss how you can directly benefit from favourable exchange rates, access to the finest equipment and fittings and total build project management in any one of these, highly acclaimed boatbuilding yards, each underpinned by superb, world-class craftsmanship and exacting New Zealand marine standards.

Invest in first-class expertise, proven quality, timeless style and exceptional value.

DOUBLE, TRIPLE YOUR CONTROL WITH YAMAHA HELM MASTER N

EW to the market, Yamaha has announced that its ‘Helm Master’ control system will be available for New Zealand boaties.

Helm Master is a control system designed for use on mid to large-sized boats with twin, triple and quad mounts of Yamaha’s large-class 4-stroke outboards. The system provides electronic control of all the steering; gear shifting and throttle functions.

Complimenting the standard steering and remote control unit, there is a joystick that enables 360-degree control and turning of the boat at low speeds and makes for much easier manoeuvring, particularly in narrow areas like during docking/ undocking and navigating tight waterways and marinas.

The Helm Master supplements the inherent advantages of an outboard rig, including its great economy, environmental friendliness, ease of maintenance (serviceability) and space efficiency, by adding functions that make even a large boat easier and more enjoyable to manoeuvre, even for beginners.

The joystick makes manoeuvring the boat intuitive over the full 360-degree motion range, enabling fore-aft, port-starboard and diagonal motion as well as in-place rotation of the bow.

As well as making manoeuvring in and out of marina berths and tight launching facilities a breeze, the latest generation

of Yamaha’s fully integrated boat control system has features that allow greater convenience and movement while in Helm Master’s SetPoint modes. These features are perfect for those who need more precise control of boat position.

A feature called Pattern Shift allows the operator to troll below standard in-gear trolling speed by shifting into or out of gear to meet the desired target speed. In calm water, resulting minimum speed can be less than 0.4 knots Helm Master can be seen for the first time in New Zealand at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, ASB Showground 17-20 May. Where it will be fitted to the Surtees 750 Open Cabin Game Fisher, and powered by twin Yamaha F150 DEC fourstroke outboards. yamaha-motor.co.nz

LIVING THE DREAM

2018 BAYLINER VR5 CUDDY OUTBOARD www.youtu.be/YXObUcPEHOw

2018 BAYLINER 842 CUDDY – OVERNIGHTER (8.8M) https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ query=842+BAYLINER

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2018 WT 1 HEYDAY WAKE BOARD BOAT www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm5R1ORQKfA

Taupo Lakeland Marine Services Ltd: Pier 87, Taupo Mariner. 16 Rauitoto St, Nukuhau, Taupo.

Ph: 0800 888 500 or 021 153 1830

Christchurch Mr Boats: 247 Dyers Rd, Bromley, Christchurch 03 384 2726

Timaru Mr Boats: 74 King St Timaru 03 684 4107

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 29

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TRISTRAM MARINE EXPO N

UMBERS through Tristram Marine’s successful in-house Marine Expo have continued to soar over the past seven years.

This year’s eighth annual Tristram Marine Expo from 16th – 19th May is set to be the biggest yet, with plenty of awesome products on display including Tristram’s complete range, Enduro Trailers, Yamaha outboards & Mercury engines.

The Team at Tristram Marine will again open their state-of-the-art production

plant for tours at this year’s Marine Expo, giving the public a unique opportunity to gain insight into what’s ‘beneath the skin’ of each Tristram boat.

“The in-house experience offers boating enthusiasts a very real and transparent view into our production line, our brand philosophies and our culture – an experience that is undoubtedly difficult to offer at a boat show”, says Tristram Fink.

Once again Tristram Marine are set to impress Expo visitors with New

Zealand’s largest trailer boat showroom, their range of premium hardtop, cabin boat and cabriolet boat packages, fishing experts, factory tours and much more.

Tristram Marine’s brand new Service Centre is under construction at the company HQ’s usual 5 Udy Place entrance. As such, Expo visitors will be directed to the northern entrance at 6 Barnett Place during the Tristram Marine Expo. www.tristram.co.nz

PREMIER SHIPPING • Specialist Worldwide Shipping of Boats and Marine Equipment •

DB380

Upholstery - full service from recovery to new design. Modernise the appearance of your boat with new wall linings, carpets, custom fitted bedding and soft furnishings manufactured by us for any boat. Interior design service and advice. Covers and clears - from a dinghy to a super yacht, whatever shape or size you need we will achieve what you want.

Call us today to make an appointment for us to look at your boat.

Contact us for a quote: Sara Meyer, Trade Manager – Projects & Marine Phone: +64-9-9666573 Mobile: +64-21-658133 Email: saram@oceanbridge.co.nz

Mob: Justin 021 079 0343 | e: justin@westakupholstery.co.nz Mob: Sharon 021 466 861 | e: sharon@westakupholstery.co.nz

Members of: NZ Marine Export Group NZ Marine Industry Assn

30 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

www.oceanbridge.co.nz

VIEW IN STORE NOW

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SEALEGS SETS MULTIPLE

wenty-seven Sealegs craft landed last week on Langkawi Island, Malaysia, setting two records in the process.

The first for being the largest assembled fleet of governmentowned Sealegs anywhere in the world by the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM), and Fire Department (BOMBA).

The second for the longest trip undertaken by a fleet of amphibious craft, which was registered in the Malaysian Book of Records. The fleet took off from Melaka State travelling more than 700km north along the East coast of Malaysia to Langkawi Island and making pre-planned stops to demonstrate the advantages of Sealegs technology for emergency response.

The Langkawi Amphibious Craft Expedition, as it was called, was organised and led by APM’s commissioner Datuk Roslan Wahab and coincided with both APM’s 67th operational anniversary and the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’19). The expedition’s purpose was to demonstrate the capability and efficiency of Sealegs amphibious craft responding to the increasing number of coastal emergencies in Malaysia.

Sealegs co-founder and CEO, David McKee Wright, who was in Langkawi to meet the arriving fleet, said “the significant gathering of Sealegs here reminds me of the Onetangi Beach Races held each year in New Zealand with record numbers of recreational Sealegs in attendance. The similarities to that event are as significant as the differences - which aptly demonstrate the wide range of uses for Sealegs amphibious technology”. www.sealegs.com

SEA RAY SLX 350 A truly excellent on-water experience starts with more. More friends, more family, more room, more power, more ease and more fun. The Sea Ray SLX 350 delivers in every sense.

Yacht Certified and a standard wet bar with refrigerator make entertaining a must. An array of Sea Ray’s Next Wave™ innovations-from the noise-quashing powers of Quiet Ride™ to the precision and stability of Dynamic Running Surface to the agility of Axius® joystick technology-take the experience to the next level. And a host of intelligent features combine in a sleek, stylish package that exceeds all expectations. In short, the SLX 350 will make you want to spend even more time on the water.

West Auckland Upholstery & Covers are fast making a reputation in Auckland for their quality custom work.

The company runs a full service from recovery to new design. They have a knack of being able to modernise the appearance of your boat with new wall linings, carpets, custom fitted bedding and soft furnishings. These are manufactured by the company for any boat.

They also offer an interior design service and advice from external cover and clears to full make-overs. Shape and size is no issue West Auckland Upholstery & Covers Ph: Justin 021 079 0343 justin@westakupholstery.co.nz

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QUALITY UPHOLSTERY

Now available at Sports Marine

www.sportsmarine.co.nz sales@sportsmarine.co.nz

277 Ti Rakau Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland P: 09 274 9918

507 Moorhouse Ave, Waltham, Christchurch P: 03 379 9208 WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 31

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AUSTRALIAN MARINE WHOLESALE

Your

one stop TOY SHOP

Advise - Installation - Service - repairs

LATEST ELITE LAUNCHED AT 13.2M VIRAGO IS THE 70TH CUSTOM ELITE TO BE LAUNCHED AND IS SCOTT LANE BOAT BUILDERS 11TH ELITE.

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Electrical AC & DC Electronics Entertainment Desalination COMMUNICATION LED lighting Safety beacons Chargers and Inverters DJI Drones

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UILT to their usual exacting standards and extreme level of finish, Virago boasts a three stateroom layout including master with island berth which is seldom found in a vessel of this length.

Power comes from a single Cummins QSC 600 which is returning a leisurely cruise of 22kts and sprint of 28kts.

Virago has many unique features which include a retractable remote controlled sunshade from Sure Shade which has been expertly installed by the SLB team that when retracted is completely undetectable. The anchoring system is entirely below deck and fits snugly into the stem thus not adding to the overall length and is viewed via remote camera when deployed or retrieved.

Joinery and cabinet work is a combination of Black-bean accented with Wenge and has been superbly executed to superyacht standards.

The internal layout has been cleverly designed with maximum use of space to be able to accommodate the three cabins and separated head and shower units. www.elitemarine.co.nz

OCEANMAX APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE

On Display at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show

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ARINE coatings export company Oceanmax, the maker of Propspeed and Lightspeed, announces the appointment of Nona Pedersen General Manager.

The 26-year-old AUT business graduate has most recently been Oceanmax’s Marketing Manager for their portfolio of high-performance marine products that are exported to 30 countries. Some 95% of Oceanmax’s product output is exported. Over 15,000 recreational boats in the U.S. have their propellers and running gear treated with Propspeed.

“Our customers and global distributor network think very highly of Nona,” said Clint Jones, Managing Director of Oceanmax. “Her ability to cover all of the technical and engineering details that come with a precision line of products combined with her charismatic marketing leadership is remarkable. Nona has been a significant contributor to our international expansion. Simply put, she is the right person for the job.” www.oceanmax.com

PASSION AND LOVE FOR BOATING SINCE 1968.

It started in the early seventies when Volvo Penta needed a new kind of boat to suit their newly developed engine. An innovative group of people quickly seized the opportunity to create a new kind of boat for the social lifestyle. The Nimbus 26 was born and along with it a company that would become of one of Europe´s most renowned boat manufacturers. The company´s history is a true success story, a tale of innovation, perfect timing and survival. But most of all a story about people who know about boats and their passion and love for boating. A story still being told.

2019 ADELAIDE BOAT SHOW – NEW VENUE ANNOUNCED

HE 2019 Adelaide Boat Show, South Australia’s most comprehensive recreational marine exhibition, will take place at the Adelaide Convention Centre 28 – 30 June 2019. The move to this year’s venue promises a most comprehensive, inspiring and diverse exhibition of marine craft and accessories for anyone who loves boating, or aspires to spend more time on the water.

The popularity of the Adelaide Boat Show over the past few years with exhibitors, and the growing number of visitors to the show, indicates that boating in South Australia is more popular than ever, and remains an attractive pastime for families, water skiers, wakeboarders and fishing enthusiasts.

Alan Blake, President of the Boating Industry Association Ltd, says relocating the show to the Adelaide Convention Centre presents a compelling opportunity. “This venue reflects the vibrancy, prestige and popularity of the boating lifestyle across South Australia. Having the exhibition at such a convenient location, close to the city, with vast exhibition space has meant that we as an industry can further develop the show along with the accessibility of boating in general,” he said. www.adelaideboatshow.com.au.

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Now available at Sports Marine

www.sportsmarine.co.nz sales@sportsmarine.co.nz

277 Ti Rakau Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland P: 09 274 9918

507 Moorhouse Ave, Waltham, Christchurch P: 03 379 9208 WWW.BOAT MAGS.C O M 33

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MULTIHULL BOAT SHOW DRAWS HUGE CROWDS

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ULTIHULL Solutions’ 2019 Gold Coast Boat Show on the Gold Coast held in late March was a huge success. Six boats were sold on the day, including a new Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 and five pre-owned multihulls. The event drew more than 500 visitors from as far afield as New Zealand, Tasmania and Perth who came to the Gold Coast Sales Centre in Coomera to inspect boats in the marina and in the Out-of-Water display facility, including models from Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, Lagoon, Privilege, Grainger, Seawind and Schionning.

Multihull Solutions managing director Mark Elkington said the day was a great indicator of the ever-increasing demand for quality multihulls and service.

“We were ready for a busy day but were thrilled to see so many people turn up to view our unique boat show,” Mark said. www.multihullsolutions.com.au

RIBCO UNVEIL NEW RIBS AT SCIBS

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IBCO will kick-off the local 2019 Boat Show season with a debut at the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous on the Gold Coast, 17th - 19th May, and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), 23rd - 26th May. The start of the local show season coincides with the first of Ribco’s 2019 releases, the next generation of its luxurious flagship vessel, the 2019 Venom 44, which features a new spacious deck design and three of the latest 300hp Mercury Verado V8 engines.

Front lining the Ribco 2019 model releases, the next generation Venom 44 vessel offers all the luxury and high-performance features of its predecessor while featuring a new spacious deck design layout with eight individual hydraulic cockpit seats for ultimate comfort.

Ribco recently was the official chase boat partner for the Australian SailGP Team. At the upcoming Australian Superyacht Rendezvous and SCIBS events, Ribco will showcase two of the custom built SailGP vessels. This includes a silver-grey 2019 Seafarer 36, with two white cowling 350hp Mercury Verados, and a SailGP special edition R28s fitted with four jockey seats and one 400hp Mercury Racing Outboard, assigned as the official chase boat for Team Australia. www.ribcomarine.com.au 34 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

NZ YACHTING COMMUNITY MOURNS PASSING OF BLANCHE COOK

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LANCHE Cook, financial director and part owner of Yachting Developments of Yachting Developments died recently of cancer.

New Zealand’s yachting community is mourning the loss through cancer of Blanche Cook, financial director and part owner of Yachting Developments. Cook passed away on March 28 while the Superyacht Gathering was in progress, a new event for the New Zealand yachting calendar but one in which she and her husband Ian, the managing director of Yachting Developments, had given substantial support through being foundation partners.

Blanche Cook was an integral member of the Yachting Developments family.

Owner, mentor, mother-figure and friend, her larger-than-life presence pervaded the entire yard. Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, she worked side-by-side with Ian to build Yachting Developments into an internationally-respected and awardwinning operation.

Blanche was heavily involved in New Zealand’s marine community, serving as vice chairperson of the NZ Marine Export Group, supporting the yard’s busy apprenticeship scheme and providing her support to a wide range of yachting causes, particularly the rescue and restoration of numerous classic yachts.

Blanche was a passionate supporter of the Yachting Developments team and was proud of all projects completed by the yard. Together, Blanche and Ian led the Yachting Developments team to build, refit and restore a roll call of beautiful yachts. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all the Yachting Developments team.

TWB Shane Subichin and TDP Branch Manager Scott Redman at the Experience Centre

ON DISPLAY AT THE HUTCHWILCO NZ BOAT SHOW

BOSTON WHALER 315 PILOTHOUSE A host of thoughtful amenities and options make the 315 Conquest Pilothouse the perfect boat to take on open water, whether you’re seeking big offshore sportfish or effortless entertainment. Thanks to an enclosed windshield with aft bulkhead, you’re protected from the elements. And thanks to a multipurpose prep station and ample storage, with a new Conquest Pilothouse, you’re armed to make serious catches.

Duck into the cabin and find a convenient galley, well-appointed head and spacious V-berth dining area, perfect for gathering with friends and family. Whaler’s unsinkable deep-V hull and premium Mercury Verado power ensure that the ride is as smooth and comfortable as the soft, durable seats.

TWIN DISC PACIFIC EXPANDS TO ‘EXPERIENCE CENTRE’ A BUOYANT LOCAL MARKET AND HIGH DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HAVE MOTIVATED TWIN DISC PACIFIC TO COMMIT CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT IN THE OPENING OF A DEDICATED GOLD COAST FACILITY AT THE BOAT WORKS, COOMERA. OCATED at the entrance of the thriving Gold Coast Marine Precinct, the Twin Disc Pacific Seakeeper Experience Centre comprises over 600 square metres of showroom with interactive displays of the latest Twin Disc, Seakeeper and Seatorque product ranges, along with warehouse and workshop facilities. A comfortable client lounge for meetings and light refreshments will enable visitors to immerse themselves in the product lines.

The Revolution and Haines Signature Seakeeper demo boats will be based at the marina for in-water demonstrations - a real boat show 365 days of the year!

There will be qualified sales and service staff on-site, led by Branch Manager, Scott Redman, his Gold Coast based team and several new appointments joining Twin Disc Pacific in the coming months.

The brand-new facility will open in time for the 2019 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. www.twindisc.com.au

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Now available at Sports Marine

www.sportsmarine.co.nz sales@sportsmarine.co.nz

277 Ti Rakau Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland P: 09 274 9918

507 Moorhouse Ave, Waltham, Christchurch P: 03 379 9208 WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 35

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OPPOSITION TO NZ SUPERYACHT LEVY GROWS

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AZIMUT YACHTS OPENS NEW SALES OFFICE IN AUCKLAND

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ZIMUT Yachts New Zealand has opened a new sales office in Auckland at 33/332 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Situated in the heart of the luxury car precinct of Grey Lynn, the new sales office will provide an increased brand presence for the Italian builder and brings the New Zealand dealership into line with other Azimut dealers around the world.

“Sales growth and interest in Azimut is at a record high for the New Zealand market as demand for luxury high-quality innovation products soars globally - we believe sales will continue to remain buoyant over the coming months,” says, Grant Saunders, Dealer Principal of Pinnacle Marine European Ltd - the authorised New Zealand agent for Azimut.

2019 continues to be a busy year for Azimut in New Zealand with the confirmation of the sale of a new Grande 25 Metri model and a Grande 32 Metri to New Zealand buyers. This follows on from the sale of a 53 Magellano and 66 Flybridge earlier in the year.

The four sales in the first quarter of 2019 set a new record for Azimut in the New Zealand market, totalling in excess of NZ$ 30 million.

UCKLAND Council has proposed an anchorage tax on foreign-flagged superyachts longer than 40m.

The opposition is growing to an Auckland Council proposal for an anchorage tax on foreign-flagged superyachts longer than 40m that moor in waters off the city. If the levy is imposed, the New Zealand Marine Industry Association believes it would cut into the estimated NZ$360m that superyacht visits contribute to the national economy.

The move is estimated to add as much as NZ$1,495 a day to anchor off Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

The most recent to join the fray is Team New Zealand, the defending America’s Cup champions. “Owners will simply choose to go to other destinations around the world out of principle at being unnecessarily gouged,” said the team in a statement, according to stuff.com. Estimates are that up to 160 superyachts could attend America’s Cup in Auckland in 2021.

NZ MIA executive director Peter Busfield is quoted by the website, saying the government hasn’t done its homework. “In Sardinia, they imposed an anchoring levy, and there was a significant level of disgust, to the extent the Sardinian government had to repeal it,” he said. “The superyachts went to Palma Mallorca, which is now a major superyacht hub.”

In its statement, Team New Zealand said the impact of taxing superyacht owners has been seen in earlier regattas. “As well as the Sardinia example, we saw at the America’s Cup in Valencia in 2007 and Bermuda in 2017, that attempts to gouge the superyacht owners meant they simply didn’t come,” a spokesman said.

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POWER ON

KIWI DIESEL ENGINE

A New Zealand R&D engine builder has developed a new marine diesel engine with an innovative hose-less design that it says provides numerous advantages over competing designs. And, they’re looking for investors.

I

F there’s one thing that Clint Wishart can’t abide, it’s being let down by mechanical failures. That’s why the Auckland, New Zealandbased entrepreneur founded Marine Propulsion Technologies Ltd. in 2005, with a vision of developing a stateof-the-art marine diesel engine that provides unparalleled reliability and fuel economy while meeting stringent United States EPA Tier 3 and EU requirements.

Built with an eye to the lucrative 30to 50-foot power boat market, the company’s D-Max Marine 6600 diesel achieves that vision thanks to an innovative configuration that eliminates all hoses from the design. Built on the latest GM Duramax 6.6L long block, it features an innovative arrangement of internal passages for coolant and lubrication management, eliminating an average of 20 hoses and hose clamps per unit for substantially greater reliability. “Our approach was that it’s pointless to design something for today, you have to design something for the next 20 years,” says Wishart.

“So we thought what are the big problems people have today? A lot of the problems people have stemmed

38 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

from the failure of various hoses. If you’re up on the flybridge and you’re doing 25 knots, and a hose clamp goes, you don’t hear it, and sometimes the alarms are just too late. You have no indication anything’s wrong - at least until you fill half your engine bay full of water and damage your expensive boat engine. Hoses are the Achilles heel of any engine, so we started thinking, how do we get rid of them altogether?”

The answer that MPT came up with was to re-route fluid passage through a series of neatly-formed manifolds and component castings. The result is a more compact installation with exterior hoses and fittings replaced by just 32 O-rings. Proven over years of automotive use, the O-rings represent a lighter, more durable and more costeffective alternative to the traditional rubber hoses.

Designed from a clean sheet, the MPT D-Max Marine 6600 is said to weigh nearly 150 kg less than competing engine designs, allowing it to achieve greater fuel efficiency and quieter operation. Further, it features an advanced computer using solid state circuitry and with full satellite uplink capability for greater reliability and

lower maintenance requirements.

Wishart sees the primary market for the engine being boat builders producing recreational and commercial craft in the 30- to 50-foot range, marine engine distributors serving the repower market, boating consumers directly and the jet boat and military sectors. MPT’s onwater testing is a single 400 horsepower D-Max 6600 powering a 42-foot, nineton test boat on a shaft V-drive shows cruising speeds of 18 to 20 knots and 25 knots at wide-open throttle.

The company is currently seeking an investor to take the design forward.

“We’ve got a lot more to offer, we believe than other engines,” says Wishart. “For example, we’re the only 90-degree V8 that’s narrower than a 6-cylinder Volvo, a whole lot shorter and we’re 150 kilograms lighter. We don’t believe anyone else’s got a computer like ours. We’ve got patents for ten countries in Europe, the US, Canada, New Zealand. Profit margins per engine are excellent. We have all tooling, machining jigs, computer files, patents, manufacturing facility and some distribution channels set up and complete.” www.mptmarine.com.

YAMAHA RELEASE NEW F20 AND T25 Yamaha has added two new portable outboards to its line up with the introduction of the new generation F20 and T25 outboards.

T

HE new F20 is built around the F25, an Innovation Award-winning outboard featuring modified ECU mapping and a redesigned camshaft as well as an alternator that produces up to 16 amps of power, 60%percent more output than the previous generation F20. There is also ample electrical power for battery charging with plenty to spare for additional electronic equipment.

The variable trolling rpm switch makes the F20 the perfect fishing companion, while the easy to use fresh water flush attachment makes the outboard simple to clean at the end of the day. Built-in ergonomic carry handles and two-position resting pads make it easy to remove and store the F20.

Customers can choose manual start configuration, using Yamaha’s battery-less Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) technology, to power their boat with minimum rigging requirements.

Yamaha also offers a range of electric-start configurations, all with the added peace of mind of factory installed manual pull start.

The new F20 comes in long and short shaft versions with remote, electric or manual start tiller handle, or optional multifunction tiller control.

For those that need a little more thrust in their portable

outboard, Yamaha’s new high-thrust T25 delivers the power and grip to manoeuver heavier small vessels with exceptional efficiency. Also based on the award-winning F25, Yamaha developed the new T25 in response to requests for lightweight, electronic fuel injected performance in a small, high-thrust configuration.

The new T25 benefits from the technology and features available on the standard F25 model, including an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, battery-less Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), variable trolling rpm control and the ability to connect to Yamaha’s Command Link Digital Gauges.

The T25 also comes fitted with a patented dual thrust propeller, specifically tested and developed for this outboard. These big-diameter, low-pitch propellers offer exceptional thrust up to 60% more thrust in reverse, and up to 10% in forward gear - and efficiency for pushing big loads in both forward and reverse with exceptional control.

The T25 is based on a two-cylinder powerhead with two valves per cylinder and single overhead cam. The T25 is available in both 20-inch (L) and 25-inch (X) shaft length to suit a wider variety of hulls and provides both electric and manual start on all models.

Check out the F20 and T25 outboards at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, May 16-19 at ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane. www.yamaha-motor.co.nz

TOHATSU 60HP IS THE LIGHTEST IN IT’S CLASS The ultimate advantage of the new Tohatsu MFS60 is its lightweight.

A

T 98.5 kg, it is more than 15% lighter than Tohatsu’s conventional 2-stroke M60 and more than 7% lighter than the closest competitor.

It features minimal design concept to utilise absolutely everything from the predecessor to be as simple and easy as possible without sacrificing fuel efficiency. You have the choice of Aqua Marine Blue and Beluga White colour, with mirror plane decals.

The fuel injection delivers the precise amount of fuel/air response with excellent fuel efficiency. The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Control system provide power where and

when you need it. This gives you boarder, flatter torque curve and smooth power delivery throughout the engine’s operating range.

Tohatsu Onboard Communication System (TOCS) supports communication between other standard electric devices onboard by simple plug and play.

The MFS60 is based on a three-cylinder, 866cm3 displacement block and is available in 40hp and 50hp versions. You have the choice of tiller steer or remote and shaft lengths of 15” or 20”. www.tohatsu.co.nz WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 39

RACING NEWS

South Island Marathon Opener T

HE 2019 New Zealand Boat Marathon Commission season kicked off with a successful first weekend racing held in Central Otago by the Lake Dunstan Boat Club.

The two days of racing saw two of the nine round series completed, both round 1 on Saturday on Lake Dunstan and round 2 on Sunday in the Roxburgh Gorge started off with near freezing temps but soon warmed to be perfect racing conditions.

A field of 22 boats took the starting line including new competitors to the circuit; Carl Gardener in the brand new Stealth 600 cat, Hayden Lilley in the Viper ‘Black Ops’, Darren Hamilton in the Sonic ‘On The Gas’ and Hayden Hurrell’s Sonic ‘Knee Deep’.

First indications are racing is going to be tight this year, A Class Vee, B and C

40 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

classes all had close tussles at the front with championships locked up after two rounds for B and C Class.

Graham Pike’s ‘Thin Ice’ had a great start to campaigning the new 300XS with a win in A Class Tunnel round one but was short lived as he suffered mechanical failure while testing to prevent him competing in Sundays second round. Craig Archer ran Playco, a 1900 Sonic/Mercury 300 to second in race one and third in race two in the A Class Mono division.

Mark Diggelmann’s ‘Ballz Out’ had the speed to get ahead of Paul Rutherford in ‘Infrared’ for A Class Vee honours in both events, while Jamie Chittocks ‘Enforcer’ narrowly beat ‘Black Ops’ by one second to claim the B Class top step in round 1. Round two on Sunday however would see ‘Black Ops’ return

to beat “Enforcer” by two seconds in the Clyde to Roxburgh and return race.

C Class also had one go each way with Quentin Keens Protech ‘Steve’s Marine’ getting the job done on Saturday against ‘Knee Deep’ but Hayden managed to level up the championship by getting home quickest in Roxburgh. Ian Spencer’s ‘Pacifier’ was ever consistent in E class seeing their best speed yet from the boat and coming home first in both events.

The new Cabin Boat Class which complements G Class in the season long poker run means there are no excuses left not to get involved, no line honours means no need to have the fastest boat nor do you have to thrash your gear.

Powerplay Catamarans – Further, Faster, with Power to Play

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The latest 65’ design takes our experience to a new level in luxury and space with multiple arrangement options, Extended length, higher freeboard and wider body lower hulls while maintaining a slender hull efficiency allows for a larger cabin area, wider floors and private en’suites in each cabin. The curvaceous designs for which Powerplay is synonymous are retained and enhanced by striking form, modern ship design and up-to-date systems. It is a real head-turner, always inviting a second and third look.

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RACING NEWS

Kiwi Chasing US1 K

IWI offshore racer Wayne Valder is returning to the USA to have another crack at taking out the US1 offshore title.

Having had mixed results in the past few seasons, with some wins, but also his share of mechanical and boat issues, Wayne is confident his preparation is as good as it gets for the 2019 season.

He has teamed up with US racer Grant Bruggemann again this year, to run Pro Floors, a 42 MTI running a pair of 750 hp engines in the highly competitive Superboat class.

Grant was seriously burnt at the end of January this year but has made a steady recovery and is determined to be race ready for the start of the season in May. “Our boat is currently under repair after it’s rollover at Clearwater last year, but Grant’s Signature Racing Shop has it well on target for the opening round at Cocoa Beach”, says Wayne.

This will be an exciting time for the Kiwi team, especially for Wayne who is celebrating his 50th birthday on the 17th May at Cocoa Beach.

If you are in the US during the season and want to go along and support the Kiwi team, the following is the race schedule.

Round 1 – Cocoa Beach 18th and 19th May Round 2 - is Lake of the Ozarks on 1st June Round 3 - Sarasota 6th and 7th July Round 4 - St Clair, Michigan 27th and 28th July Round 5 – Michigan City 3rd and 4th August Round 6 – Clearwater 28th and 29th September Key West – 6th to 10th November to finish up the year.

42 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MARCH/APRIL 2019

Race 4 Life won race 2 in Classic Class.

Fairview Unstoppable R

OUND Five of the NZ Offshore Powerboat Championship at Marsden Cove, once again proved an effortless win for Warren Lewis and John Shand, driving FMI. Their chances of retaining the NZ1 title for another season is almost secure, with just 2 rounds left to run. The Whangarei Harbour event saw a reasonable turn out in each class, with only Outboard Pro challenging FMI in the Superboat 1000 class.

However, Superboat 600 saw some close racing with the new Doug Wright 32, Espresso Engineers (Mike Gerbic/Mike Knight) take out the first race from Rainbow Haulage Racing (Darren Butterworth/Colin Dunn). Both boats had engine issues in the second race and finished well back in the field, with Espresso Engineers still taking the class win.

In Superboat 400, BC Racing (Chris Haeger/Karl Wall) picking up first in class and second overall in race two to follow their win in race one. Hijink Racing (Scott Lewis/Jason Jackman) took out second place in both races.

In the Classic Class it was a win each for Gull Force 10 (Gavin McGrath/Haka La Suer) and Race 4 Life (Shan Martin/Aaron Fletcher). It was great to see Owen and Leon Mackay turn up with the recently rebuilt Bay of Plenty Real Estate/ Vantage, now running as Fury II. Handling issues saw them out for the second race, but once sorted this is certain to be a top competitor in the challenging Classic Class.

Mike Urquhart and James Downs won both races in the 200 Class in Xplode, a Sonic 1900 powered by a Mercury V8.

The season goes to Doubtless Bay (Apr 27) and Timaru (May 18).

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C R U I S I N G M AT T E R S

With Laurie Cranfield

Dote On Your Diesel Since a large number of diesel engine problems are fuel-related we should follow best practice procedures in managing our fuel supply - the key areas to consider being monitoring, filtration and rotation.

FUEL TANKS AND FILTRATION All tanks require an air breather to equalise internal pressure during changes in fuel level and should ideally have a removable inspection port enabling access for periodic inspection and cleaning. The tank’s outlet should be situated as low as possible to avoid the accumulation of water and contaminants in the bottom of the tank.

Filtration starts with a “primary” filter to seperate any water present and clean the fuel before it reaches the engine, where a replaceable on-engine “secondary” filter provides a final clean before it’s supplied to the injection pump. If water accumulates in the primary filter’s clear inspection bowl we need to identify its cause and resolve the problem.

Many primary filtration systems have a vacuum gauge to indicate when the replaceable filter cartridges should be changed. In any case they should be replaced about annually as the paper filter media can deteriorate after long term immersion. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if this gauge is working (our needle rarely moves) and you can check this by slowly closing the engine’s fuel supply valve (not the return valve) with the engine idling in neutral. You should see the gauge’s needle begin to rise confirming a vacuum is present. Every boat should carry several spare filters and every skipper should know how to change them.

While diesel sold throughout Australasia is generally high quality and contamination is rare, this is not always the case in other countries and long range cruising vessels often have a further filtration (or “polishing”) system to polish all fuel into one designated tank (often called a “day tank”) which solely supplies fuel to run the engine(s). The excess fuel from the engine(s) also returns to this tank.

A long range cruising vessel also generally has a dual primary filter installation so that a filter cartridge can be replaced underway.

44 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

DIESEL CONTAMINATION For a boat owner the mention of diesel “bug” invokes about the same amount of consternation as osmosis. All diesel carries bug to some extent and the presence of water encourages growth, hence the need to reduce condensation in fuel tanks by keeping them as full as possible. The bug is a fungal organism called Hormoconis resinae (H.res) and is a bacteria not an algae (which would require light). It can normally be seen in filter bowls as black spots or stringy matter. Water and/or hazy, cloudy fuel is also a sign of possible pending problems.

Another issue is asphaltenes (sticky black tar-like particles) which can start to form after about 90 days in unstabilised fuel.

You can tell the difference between asphaltenes and other contaminants by collecting a black particle from the fuel filter and putting a drop of acetone or thinner on it. If it begins to melt it’s an asphaltene particle from old, degraded fuel. Bacterial particles also emit a sulphur dioxide (rotten egg) smell.

Aboard our boat we have a New Zealandmade De-Bug unit installed in the polishing system’s fuel input to reduce the chances of diesel bug and either by good luck or good management have never encountered the problem.

FUEL STABILISER We always use a fuel stabiliser when refuelling to reduce oxidation, increase lubricity and reduce fuel injector pump and injector wear. It’s important to add the correct levels of stabiliser and especially not too much. While stabilisers act as antioxidants they also gradually break down any asphaltine particulates and it’s important this occurs only gradually and not suddenly as could happen with excessive additions. Also if too much stabiliser is added any water present may emulsify in the diesel and pass through the filters into the injection pump and injectors where it could cause damage and corrosion.

Additives that deal with water fall into two categories:

The first encourages its mixture with, or suspension in fuel so the water is captured by a water seperator or goes to the engine to be vaporised in combustion. These are known as emulsifiers or dispersants or suspension additives. The second category encourages its separation from fuel so it can be drained from a tank or filter. These are demulsifiers.

Some engine manufacturers prohibit using the first option so only use additives recommended by your engine supplier.

WHAT ABOUT BIO-DIESEL? New Zealand’s bio-diesel has a 5 per cent “bio” content (sourced from tallow) and isn’t generally sold at marine outlets. Biodiesel is slightly more hygroscopic than standard diesel although at the five per cent level it is very similar to standard. An industry source informed me that while bio-diesel should preferably be used within six months of purchase it contains additional antioxidant and shouldn’t be a problem for up to twelve months. Some commercial operators regularly use biodiesel and report less emissions and longer periods between filter changes, however their vessels are in frequent use constantly turning their fuel over.

Maritime New Zealand recommends checking with your engine manufacturer before using bio-diesel. Aboard our boat located in the Med the only fuel sold is 15 per cent bio-diesel. We’ve used fuel up to two years after purchase and not had any issues.

The key point is whatever fuel you are using, monitor it and always use your oldest fuel first.

Dual in-line primary filters allow cartridge replacement underway.

Find Your Piece Of Quiet.

Whisper quiet and ultra smooth.

That’s how Fleming Owners describe their yacht. Known for their quiet, soft ride, we go to painstaking efforts when building each boat to reduce noise and vibration. From making sure the engine room air intakes are located under the cockpit coaming and away from the main cabin to double-mounting the genset on anti-vibration brackets, every detail is thoroughly considered for maximum noise reduction.

Start enjoying the sound of your surroundings, whether there is any or not.

www.flemingyachts.com 8289

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STRAIGHT FROM THE GALLEY

Mussels with Derek the Chef

Enjoy with

with parsley parmesan cheese crust

Green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) are a New Zealand speciality without a doubt. Endemic to New Zealand they are found on rocky outcrops on many beaches throughout the country. It is a Kiwi tradition to gather our own shellfish from the foreshore, but if harvesting them yourself is not an attractive option, your supermarket or fishmonger will most certainly have an ample supply of fresh mussels stored in a tank of salt water.

All you need to do is scoop out the mussels that please you the most.

Then follow Derek’s receipe and savour this seafood delight.

BABICH MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 This is a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc which is consistently produced in a fuller, riper, softer style that develops well. Clean, fresh and tropical, with fruit from several vineyards situated throughout Marlborough.

It gained 93 points in the New World Wine Awards 2018 and was a silver medallist in the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2018.

INGREDIENTS •

• • • •

•

500 grm mussels Streamed open and ones not opened discarded.

2x Tbsp Cocavo Chili & Lime 3x tbsp shredded or freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2x tbsp parsley chopped 2x cloves garlic crushed and chopped or 1x tsp crushed garlic Freshly ground Gourmet Black Pepper to suit.

46 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

METHOD 1.

Take the opened mussels and remove one side of the shell,

2.

In a large bowl mix together the balance of the ingredients then spoon over the half mussels.

CHEF’S TIP

Place onto a warm to med BBQ (lid down or cover) until the cheese melts then serve with a hot chilli or Soy sauce along with French bread stick.

To steam mussels open I use a blend of White wine water, Garlic cloves celery and bay leaf.

3.

Fresh Mussels Supplied by Silverdale Fresh Fish

chefline14@gmail.com

LESS HASSLE

MORE FUN

8.5M ALLOY CABIN

SEALEGS WILL BE AT THE HUTCHWILCO BOAT SHOW, 16 - 19 MAY, STAND #281

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© 2001-2019 Sealegs International Ltd. The Sealegs logo, Sealegs wordmark and Hydrasol wordmark are registered Trademarks of Sealegs International Ltd. The Sealegs amphibious craft is a registered design. The Sealegs amphibious

ELECTRONIC NEWS

LUMISHORE GLASS BRIDGE L

UMISHORE, manufacturer of high-performance LED lighting systems, has released an intuitive, dedicated glass bridge touchscreen and rotary dial display – the EOS STV 2204-i.

The powerful new EOS STV 2204-i allows the vessel owner to achieve a high level of control of their Lumishore EOS Series underwater lighting systems.

With an infinite combination of colour options and lighting modes over the full colour spectrum, the EOS STV 2204-i achieves a high level of brightness and richness of colour.

The Lumi-Link display features a simple to use palette wheel for colour selection, horizontal slide bar for quick adjustments to lighting intensity, control of lighting across multiple zones with optional presets, and the ability to choose from preprogrammed effect modes like strobe, sweep or cycle and the unique ‘Sound-to-Light’. With built-in Wi-Fi, the lights can also be activated and controlled via Apple, Android, or any other device with a web browser.

Lumishore also recently released Lumi-Link Command Center

which lets users control their lights directly from any compatible MFD and/or this new dedicated Lumishore display. The EOS STV 2204-i is intuitive and the perfect complement to any glass bridge helm station.

The EOS STV 2204-i is simple to navigate, with easy-tounderstand icons. The EOS STV 2204-i is compatible with EOS Series Thru-Hull (THX), Interchangeable Thru-Hull (TIX) and Surface Mount (SMX153 only) models. www.lumishore.com

SIMRAD CRUISE EASY-TO-USE CHARTPLOTTER

S

IMRAD Yachting has announced the release of the Simrad Cruise, designed for simple and straightforward navigation. Cruise features a simple, easy-to-use interface, sunlight-viewable display, preloaded charts, mounting bracket and sonar transducer.

Taking ease of use to a new level, Simrad Cruise combines essential GPS features with basic depth-finding capability to deliver safe and reliable navigation at an affordable price. Free from complicated fishing-specific sonar and networking features, Cruise eliminates the need to master complex electronics.

The user interface is controlled with a rotary dial and keypad, ensuring smooth navigation through menus, and provides the vital information needed for a safe and enjoyable time on the water from speed, depth and GPS location to course, battery level and temperature information.

Users can also track the day’s boating activity with real-time performance data from Simrad TripIntel technology. For maximum detail, users can also choose from a wide range of optional mapping upgrades from C-MAP and Navionics that include advanced features like C-MAP Easy Routing for a true automotivelike navigation experience. The Cruise transducer provides CHIRP sonar with excellent automatic depth tracking for worry-free operation without the need for fine tuning or pre-programming.

Installation is easy, requiring only power and sonar cables.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof rated and ideal for installation in open air vessels and can be conveniently flush-mounted or bracketmounted. Simrad Cruise comes in 5-, 7- and 9-inch display sizes. www.simrad-yachting.com.

48 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

CTEK PRO

C

TEK’S powerful, fully automatic 15A and 25A battery chargers are compatible with any 12V battery, including the increasingly-popular Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) batteries.

Suitable for both marine and land-based applications and for both home and commercial workshop use, CTEK’s safe, strong and robust new PRO range can effortlessly cope with heat, dust and humidity.

Combining fast and powerful charging with practical, long-term maintenance capability, the new PRO range features advanced new technology to ensure that a safe, fast charge is delivered to exactly match the needs of each individual battery. They also boast a dedicated reconditioning programme to restore battery life and recondition flat batteries.

With low voltage and current ripple, CTEK’s PRO range chargers are safe for both batteries and modern delicate electronic systems. Fully automatic and easy to use, the chargers are also very simple to connect and are spark proof and reverse-polarity protected to protect both the user and the battery.

Lightweight, waterproof and portable, CTEK’s PRO chargers come with a rugged, impact-resistant casing meaning they can handle the toughest environments.

The PRO25SE model also comes with handy 2-metre cables so it can be permanently mounted in a boat shed, garage or workshop. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz.

FUSION EXTENDS SIGNATURE SERIES F

USION announced this week the release of two new additions to its industry-leading range of marine audio entertainment products, the Signature Series six- and eight-channel class-D marine amplifiers.

Adding to the company’s existing line of monoblock, four- and five-channel Signature Series Amplifiers, the new six-channel 1500 Watt and eightchannel 2000 Watt amplifiers deliver an impressive power rating and are designed to suit all audio installation requirements. To complement the complete entertainment package, Fusion has also launched a line of highquality performance RCA cables.

The result of world-class design and engineering, the extremely powerful Signature Series Amplifiers are built with Class-D amplification for higher efficiency and output, a rigid aluminum heat sink, a subsonic filter, variable low and high pass crossover filters, and are 2 Ohm stereo stable and includes variable bass boost, behind a stainless-steel front panel with a stylish mirror finish. Ensuring low current draw from the battery while delivering increased power, the highly efficient Class-D design makes the Signature Series perfect for any boating environment.

Carrying Fusion’s True-Marine accreditation, these amplifiers are protected by an industry-leading three-year warranty. Ensuring cleaner, clearer, enhanced audio signal for the best sound quality, Fusion’s new range of RCA cables and connectors feature directional, shielded twisted pair cable providing superior noise rejection. The connectors are also gold-plated to prevent corrosion. www.fusionentertainment.com.

DOCKMATE DOCKING SYSTEM UPGRADE

D

OCKMATE, has announced it has enhanced the functionality for its Dockmate solution.

Greatly expanding the capability and compatibility of its wireless remote-control system, Dockmate now supports an unparalleled number of accessories and offers an unprecedented level of customisation.

A truly intuitive system, Dockmate allows boaters to easily operate electronically controlled engines, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winches and horns from anywhere on board with a small handheld device. Available in four models: Single, Twin, Twist 3-axis joystick with proportional control, and Twist IPS for POD drives such as the Volvo IPS, the system features state-of-the-art “fail safe” technology and breakthrough advancements that increase product reliability as well as operating range without the need for additional hardware.

A pocket-sized extension of a boat’s controls, Dockmate can mimic a compatible accessory’s response time and feel for a seamless user experience or be customized to meet the specific preferences of individual boaters. Using the included software, installers can make adjustments to throttle, to ensure improved response time and boat handling to meet challenging docking conditions, such as high winds or strong currents.

Each Dockmate system includes a wireless, handheld transmitter with an easygrip rubber finish, lanyard and wireless charger, as well as a plug-and-play receiver compatible with most brands of engines and thrusters. The waterproof, floating transmitter’s two-way communication ensures faultless operation with a five-channel Frequency Hopping Spectrum System (FHSS), which is a wireless technology that spreads a signal over rapidly changing frequencies for uninterruptible transmissions.

FURUNO SC33 SATELLITE COMPASS

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EW from Furuno is the SC33 Satellite Compass.

While maintaining a compact Satellite Compass design that allows for simplified installation, the SC33 leverages the latest Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to deliver enhanced accuracy and performance.

The SC33 provides users a highly accurate and stable heading, as well as pitch and roll, rate of turn, and vertical motion data to a vast array of navigation equipment.

The ability to handle multiple GNSS systems allows the SC33 to provide unprecedented accuracy of ±0.4° for Heading/Roll/Pitch and 3 meters for position. The unit also has built-in temperature and pressure sensors, which can output that data to the NMEA2000 network, packing even more useful features into a sharp looking, streamlined antenna.

As marine electronics technology has evolved so rapidly, having highly accurate heading data has become more critical than ever. If you have a Radar, Chart Plotter, Autopilot, AIS, Fish Finder or Sonar on your vessel, the SC33 can improve the accuracy of those units. If you have a Furuno Radar with the True Motion echo trail feature, the SC33’s heading accuracy and speed ensures echo trails are displayed with smooth lines so you can take full advantage of those “at-a-glance” features. Furuno Fish Finders with Heaving Compensation capability will find the SC33 an essential component to having a stable presentation.

Finally, if you have a Furuno Sonar, the SC33’s pitch and roll compensation is invaluable, facilitating stable detection and allowing your Sonar to display a rock-solid presentation, even in foul weather conditions. www.furuno.com

www.dockmate.com.au WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 49

FISHING with Bruce Duncan (aka Captain Swish)

Winter Snapper Now with Jack Frost nipping around the nether regions, the weather is making changes to our daily lives such as what and where we eat even the way we socialise. If it’s not the beach and barbecues, it’s the rugby and roasts. The resident snapper is no different to us, having now changed their eating habits and relocated to new habitat for the colder winter months.

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OU must be able to understand these changes to be able to catch snapper in winter consistently, it needs rethinking of our fishing techniques/ tactics, and the habitat we target is critical to be able to consistently catch fish over winter.

Now spawning is well over, snapper has been on a feeding frenzy for a few months putting on condition and body fat which they need to carry them over winter. They then become lethargic and less competitive in the colder water as there need to eat less. While the vast majority of snapper tend to move out from the coast into deeper water for the winter, luckily for us a lot will remain locally if the habitat is suitable.

Snapper needs protection from winter storms plus a food source, so the first thing to identify is where the winter habitat, the food and shelter will be found. Every bit of rock or reef structure will have some form of kelp or weed on it and in amongst this live crabs, limpets, snails and the likes all of which are the staple winter diet of snapper. Now take a look around at all the foreshores, shallow reefs, be they large or small structures.

Think of it as little bits of foul and isolated rocks as like the corner dairy and the large expanse of a rocky shoreline or reef as a big supermarket.

Due of its size of the structure, the corner dairy holds less variety and stock than the isles upon isles of food found in a supermarket, so each can cater for only a specific number of mouths to be fed. This is why in winter I just take a few 50 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

fish from each spot as they do not get replaced till next winter. I have some small isolated rocks and lumps of low foul I call a “bank” as it’s a place you only go when your desperate and some of these I may just fish every second year.

It’s not just that we eat different foods in winter, we also eat differently than in the summer. Like snapper, we now chew and eat more slowly, and this is the reason so many people now race from spot to spot in winter because the few tiny bites they get at each spot they think are by small fish, but in reality they are not.

Limpets, snails, mussels and the likes all

have hard, sharp shells. Hence snapper nip them off the rocks and crunch them up, sucking out the flesh then spit out the sharp bits without moving. This why the initial bite is small “ tiny taps” and the bait comes back picked over just as you would expect it to be if small fish had eaten it. Somehow we have to get the fish to be more competitive and aggressive on the bite which is why burly and ground bait is so important in winter.

BURLY UP Burly and ground bait are two keys factors to successful winter fishing as it is taken by the current away from the boat back through the rocks and kelp acting, in the same way, to fish drawing them towards the boat as the smell of a roast wafting through the rooms of a house does to us. It’s not long before we gravitate to the source of the scent and start hanging around the kitchen.

Snapper is no different. Small chunks of chopped up bait [known as ground bait] floating back down in the burly trail for snapper to pick up act in the same way as pre-dinner nibbles do for us, it’s the result of our feeding senses being stimulated by the smell of the roast and morsels bring us to the dinner table with a hunger and ready to eat.

The size of the baits you present will be critical due to what and how the winter snapper feed.

With a diet mostly of snails, limpets and shellfish, big baits such as whole pilchards or squid will be largely ignored in favour of smaller half baits for two reasons. Firstly they are mainly living off their body fat so only snack as they feel the urge. It relates more to the size of their natural food, plus smaller cut baits will release a lot more scent to attract them, tempting them to eat as they do with the ground bait they find in the burly trail.

One winter a charter skipper mate and I tested this theory by both casting out whole pilchards within a few meters of where we were casting half baits, within an hour we had six snapper each without the large baits being touched the entire time we were fishing.

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KEEP YOUR TIP UP Until the fish get fired up by the burley trail, they mostly pick up the bait and just crush and mouth it sucking out the soft flesh and spitting out the rest.

Hence most people only think they are small fish. When there is the slightest line movement or bite lift the rod tip a fraction to feel how much weight is on the line. If there is a weight on the line strike the rod up hard and hold it up, this sets the hook and then wind down on the fish always keeping a bend in the rod and weight on the line. Keeping the rod bent and pressure on the line is critical to prevent the fish from being able to spit the hook.

In shallow reef and rock strew areas the snapper live in always keep the rod tip high as you play the fish till it is close to the boat, even if the fish is taking out line hold the rod tip up high. This confuses the fish by keeping the head of the fish up, and it stops it from taking you down into the foul and under rocks. I use a landing net on all fish as a 6kg line is very susceptible to damage from rocks and kelp, and any weakness will show up when lifting the fish on board, regularly check for line abrasion and when needed cut back at least 2m each time.

There are many fishing spots to target over winter, and there is little point in thrashing the same place each time you go out, as there will only be a limited number of fish in the area. Besides, you do not learn anything new from doing the same thing time and time again, the more spots you try, the greater the knowledge you will gain.

E l i t e

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GAME PLAN Knowing the type of habitat to target, armed with ground bait and burley, plus the knowledge of how the snapper will eat the baits, you must make a “game plan” for the day and stick to it. Often it may take an hour and a half before you get your first bite. If the habitat is right, it will hold fish, but many spots may only fire at certain stages of the tide, therefore stick to the game plan as it is critical that you fish an area right over the full tide flow to get to know how and why each spot will fish.

To effectively target an area it is critical to have both the wind and tide flowing in the same direction which lessens the boat swinging at anchor, with fish “just mouthing” baits or the bites are so light it’s hard to detect every little movement. I can’t emphasise just how important it is for you to be able to detect even the tiniest of bites. If the boat is anchored in a spot with the wind or tide off to one side, it is nearly impossible to focus on what’s going on due to the way the boat is swinging all over the place.

Once anchored lower a Wobbly Pot full of burley halfway down to the bottom ensuring it is given a good shake every 10 to 15 minutes to keep a constant burly trail going, a hand full of ground bait should be tossed as far away from the boat at the same time.

As the strength of the current and its direction are continually changing underwater due to the shape and size of the reef structure, the course of the burley trail be affected. Rather than everyone casting baits in the same place, cast out a pattern of baits to establish where the strike zone will be. No matter the type or size of the area you are targeting cast one bait out off each aft quarter and two baits well out the back to cover your bases. Keep the rod tips low pointing in the direction of the line, and this minimises the windage on the line for you to be able to see any line movement and feel any small bites.

The lighter the line, the better the hookup rate will be as there are less windage and resistance in the water for a fish to detect when it picks up the bait. 6 kg line will always out fish 10kg line. I do not use a trace just a 7/0 hook tied straight to the end of the line with only the smallest of sinkers to get the bait down. Yes, I do get a few bust offs but my hook up and landed catch rate far exceeds the odd lost fish. Baits must be rigged in such a manner that the barb of the hook [hooks less than size 7/0 cannot get enough exposure] is well exposed from the bait to ensure it’s driven in hard on the strike.

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BOAT REVIEW

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

TIMELESS The boat comes standard with a vanilla gelcoat but you do have the option of painting the hull. In this case it was Peacock, which is a variation on metallic blue.

52 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Text by Barry Thompson

The Whitehaven Harbour Classic 40 has been described as both revolutionary and retro with the elegance and ease of a bygone era.

Barry Thompson went to Sydney to experience this 40ft dayboat that combines the timeless appeal of a gentleman’s cruiser with the benefits of high-tech design and engineering.

The

COVER STORY

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BOAT REVIEW

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

The only hull alteration has been raising the sheerline 700mm, to provide a more pronounced feature line.

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HEN describing the Harbour Classic 40, Whitehaven refers to it as ….. a thoroughly modern take on a traditional design that encompasses sophisticated luxury while embodying a sense of freedom, fun and flirtation. I reckon that pretty well sums the boat up to perfection.

Over the past few decades I have reviewed more boats than I can remember and yet there are only a few that have made a lasting impression. One of those was the Bill Upfold designed Espresso 40 built in 2004 by Oscar Yachts for owner Dave Tuke. Interestingly, while only six were ever made, I said at the time that the boat was timeless and despite the ongoing trends in boat design, the Espresso 40 would forever be a thoroughbred.

Now, after 15 years hibernation, the moulds are back in business and thanks to Whitehaven Motor Yachts, the Espresso 40 has been reborn as the Harbour Classic 40.

So what’s different? When I first got to go aboard the Harbour Classic 40, it is evident that the new owners had put their stamp on the layout and while it loosely imitates the original, it’s entirely different. Not only visually, but so is the fit and finish and equipment list, with Whitehaven going all out to make their new charge the ultimate luxury dayboat. I use the word day boat advisedly as while it is undoubtedly a perfect and practical day cruiser, it is also very much an overnighter and more.

When designer Misha Merzliakov walked me through Tonic, (the name of the first Harbour Classic 40), it was apparent he is extraordinarily passionate about what he has created. There is a hint of superyacht in the design but restrained to work within the space of a 40 footer.

The way the lighting has been featured throughout the boat is exceptional and the hint of ‘Bentley picnic luggage accessories’ in the upholstery with the featured straps is a nice touch. Bespoke, personalised and 100% custom, the Harbour Classic 40 can be as unique as you want it.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT The hull and foredeck area, designed by Bill Upfold remains relatively the same but while the Harbour Classic 40 has a new deckhouse, it still reflects the classic 54 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

lines, but with a more modern and retro look. While the Espresso 40 had a completely open plan layout with no rear bulkhead, Whitehaven wanted to be able to have the option of separating the cabin and saloon. However, it was also important that with the door and windows open, there was a natural flow through between the internal and external areas.

The monohedren hull has a generous beam of 3.90m, with a moderate deadrise, and a fine entry developing into straight buttock lines in the aft sections. The running surface is soft and rounded with a wide spray chine that is kept above the waterline to eliminate chine slap when moored.

The only hull alteration has been raising the sheerline 70mm, to provide a more pronounced feature line, but also gave more headroom below deck. It elongates the profile of the boat and helps provide harmony between the hull and the superstructure.

Merzliakov took it one step further and used teak timber panels inset into the exterior window line to add a touch of a bygone era when timber was the building material of choice. “ I was looking to bring in not only that classic boat look but also to make the boat look sporty”, says Merzliakov.

LONG OR SHORT ROOF The cockpit is optioned with a short or long roof extension, with no aft support stays to break the smooth lines. The longer extension when fitted with drop down clears, transforms the open cockpit into another massive enclosed space. If the weather cuts up, you can still entertain and enjoy your boating in total comfort. If you opt for the short roof, there is the option of a Sure Shade telescopic shade cover which can extend right back to above the transom.

The cockpit is all about relaxing and has been designed accordingly with ample seating with a large L shape settee with high/low table to port. Forward is the fridge/freezer with a server area above. A unique twinengine hatch arrangement opens the cockpit sole for easy access to the engine space beneath.

As mentioned, one of the most noticeable differences is the enclosed aft bulkhead which has a glass door to starboard and large hopper window to port. Open it all up, and you transform the interior and exterior spaces into one.

RUSTIC FEEL Merzliakov refers to the saloon styling as rustic in nature, with lime-washed walnut and antelope hidederived diamond quilted vinyl panelling with Ostrich inspired fabric used on the ceiling. “It is deliberately different and brings back some nostalgia, and I also wanted to avoid any high contrast interiors in this classic boat”.

Stepping inside one glaring thing I noticed was no galley aft, something that you expect to see on virtually all locally built boats. However, being the style of boat that it is, the galley is forward, and the saloon is maximised with seating. After all, this is an entertaining boat so you might as well make the best use of the space.

There is a large U shape dinette/lounger covered with diamond quilted leather befitting the quality image of the Harbour Classic 40. With the high/low option, you can transform this space into another double berth for those that couldn’t make it home after a hard night enjoying your company. Opposite is the single helm station with fixed bench seat with an icemaker beneath and an electric drop down window beside the skipper.

The electronic’s package is the owner’s choice, and there is space provided for twin MFD screens plus all the necessary switches, controls and whatever else you decide to fit the boat out with. There is also an electrically operated Webasto sunroof overhead. While Lime washed Walnut timbers were used throughout Tonic, you do have a variety of timber options and finishes to choose from.

“The helm is based on a 1960s sports car with feminine curves around the dash, plus I have brought the outside colour into the boat like the old Porsche dashboards and even incorporated a push button bank like they used to have in old Cadillacs and T-Birds”, adds Merzliakov. However, he was also quick to point out that while there is a lot of automotive ideas in the design, it’s still essentially a practical day boat, so everything had to be functional and easy to use.

OPEN LIVING The atrium forward exposes the galley and accommodation areas to natural light and with no doors to separate the two cabins, it is very open living. There is one forward cabin with a twin-island berth and one aft, under the saloon sole with another considerable king size double. If you want your privacy, then there is the option of a screen or even a full solid door to divide off the forward cabin from the atrium space. The Walnut stair treads have also been kept open to make the under sole aft cabin as transparent as possible.

Both share the one extra-large head and shower area, which includes a full walk-in shower, separated from the rest of the bathroom and there is plenty of space to get changed. A raised ceramic sink, Corian composite surfaces and large mirrors, again reflect the quality and upmarket image of the Harbour Classic 40. Merzliakov has carried the use of Corian into not only the galley and bathroom but also as accents in the cabins.

The galley has a household freezer/fridge, Corian surfaces, two burner electric hob and microwave.

There are also plenty of storage spaces available.

POWER The Harbour Classic 40 offers twin or single engine power with a Volvo Penta D6/480 standard. Boat #1 has been fitted with the optional 550hp Cummins.

Interestingly boat #2 is being equipped with a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 400 which should put the boat into the low 30 knots range. While the twin IPS are indeed a tight fit, you don’t have the option of running twin conventional shaft drive engines due to the low profile under the cabin sole.

During our trials, we saw 26 knots on the GPS. What I found quite interesting is the way the new boat handled, despite being considerably heavier than the Espresso 40. It still felt quite nimble and was very responsive to the helm. When I ran the Espresso 40 in 2004 with a Volvo Penta KAD300 with a DPG sterndrive, we topped out at 25.5 knots. While we had another 250hp in a boat that weighed another 4 tonnes, the performance was more than acceptable.

Designer Bill Upfold was aboard for the trials, and he also remarked on how well the heavier hull performed.

Whitehaven says their Harbour Classic 40s will have a lighter displacement in the future, so expect even better figures.

The helm is based on a 1960s sports car with feminine curves around the dash.

The cockpit is optioned with a short or long roof extension, with no aft support stays to break the smooth lines.

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BOAT REVIEW

WHITEHAVEN HARBOUR CLASSIC 40

The way the lighting has been featured throughout the boat is exceptional.

With no cabin doors it is very open living.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Boat Design Name: Year Launched: Builder: Designers: LOA: LWL: Beam: Displ (Dry): Max Speed: Construction: Fuel Cap: Water Cap: Engine Make: Drive Train: Generator: Lighting: Entertainment: Sunroof: Thrusters: Interceptors: Anchor Winches: Aircon: MFD: Priced From: Price As Tested: Contact:

Whitehaven Harbour Classic 40 2019 Whitehaven Motor Yachts Bill Upfold (Hull), Misha Merzliakov (Superstructure & Interior) 12.9m 10.90m 3.9m 8240 kg (excl Gyro) 26 knots FRP & Carbon Fibre 1000 litres 450 litres Cummins 550 (QSB 6.7) Shaft (IPS Option) 4Kva Onan Hella Fusion Webasto Twindisc Hydraulic ZipWake Maxwell Cruiseair Owner’s Choice $AU 869,000 $1,198,000 as tested www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com.au

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA Fuel capacity: 800 litres RPM Knots L/h 600 3.1 1.3 1000 5.3 6.45 1200 6.3 9 1400 7.6 13 1600 8.2 20 1800 9.2 29 2000 11.8 37 2200 12.6 45.5 2400 16.3 53.6 2600 18.0 63 2800 20.0 72 3000 22.0 87.3 3200 25.0 103 3300 26.0 110

L/NM 0.420 1.300 1.500 1.800 2.500 3.200 3.200 3.700 3.300 3.500 3.600 4.000 4.200 4.300

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Range(NM) 1700 550 480 400 280 220 220 190 210 200 200 180 170 160

Test day on Sydney Harbour was relatively calm, albeit with the constant boat wakes. I couldn’t fault the ride and handling of the boat and while it has been a long time since I ran the previous Espresso 40, I have recollections of a top handling boat in the moderate to rough water.

The new version does everything you would expect, gets on the plane with a slippery low profile attitude and has no excessive heel in tight turns. I have to give credit also to the Seakeeper 3 Gyro both underway and at rest. It wasn’t until I had the skipper turn it off on a very sloppy Sydney Harbour that those on-board realised just how well it works. It again showed the ability to hold the boat level when moored alongside a wharf being buffeted by 30-40 knot wind gusts. A not inexpensive addition on the options list but one well worth ticking.

The Harbour Classic 40 is the first single engine shaft drive boat in Australia to be fitted with the Twin Disc Express Joystick System (EJS), which showed its abilities in docking into the tight berth at Darling Harbour. Along with Express Positioning (EPS) a dedicated GPS that determines the boat’s location and heading, it made putting the boat in and out of the marina a stress-free and instantaneous manoeuvre. Along with Quickshift, there is no lag, no lugging, lurching or clunking, so it’s very smooth and quiet.

ENTERTAINERS GETAWAY If you are looking for a superbly built, highly speced and engineered boat and don’t have the space to keep something too big, then the Harbour Classic 40 might well suit you. While the design of the Harbour Classic 40 has been deliberately accented towards spontaneous day boating and entertaining, it is a lot more besides. I would have no hesitation in spending a few weeks gunkholing around the Whitsundays or the Marlborough Sounds.

The Harbour Classic 40 is the first of a new series that will see larger versions based on the same styling. It is the definitive entertainer’s getaway, destined to become a modern classic, and as I said before…. timeless.

ICC SYDNEY & COCKLE BAY MARINA, DARLING HARBOUR The world-renowned Sydney International Boat Show is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest recreational marine event devoted to all things boating.

1- 5 AU G U ST 2 01 9

Incorporating the

SydneyBoatShow.com.au

Partner in Safety

28 TO 30 JUNE 2019 ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE South Australia’s most comprehensive boating show is heading to Adelaide Convention Centre.

AdelaideBoatShow.com.au

24 TO 26 AUGUST 2019 BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE SOUTH BANK Queensland’s ultimate boat show experience featuring the industry’s latest boats and all the gear to go with them.

BrisbaneBoatShow.com.au WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M

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B E G I N N I N G B OAT I N G

Getting them on-board & keeping them on-board This isn’t an article on man-over-board drills or how to select a fishing rod. It’s about something far more important – how to introduce new boaties, whether they be family or friends, into the rewarding world of boating. It’s not as simple as it seems given the number of boaties who leave a spouse/partner at home – often after a less than pleasant introduction to boating.

Q: What’s wrong with this picture?

A: The lifejacket is too big and doesn’t fit correctly.

A

S the leading provider of recreational boating courses, Coastguard Boating Education is well known for its suite of courses for new or experienced skippers. From the popular Day Skipper course through to the iconic Boatmaster, plus specialist courses such as RADAR and Sea Survival, there’s plenty of choice for skippers to continue learning. But what’s been missing in the New Zealand market until now has been a course aimed at those completely new to boating who aren’t interested in becoming a skipper. To meet this need Boating Education has recently developed a course, aptly called Beginning Boating, for people who are ’dipping their toes’ in the water, so to speak.

58 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Q: Where should the other end of the record be attached to?

A: Whoever is driving the boat.

FOCUSING ON THE BASICS. This online, mobile device-friendly course is for people who don’t want to be a skipper but do want to know more before going out with friends/family. The course covers the basics of what to take when boating, what to do if you get seasick, the Boating Safety Code, selecting the right lifejacket and the importance of planning a trip. The basics of safe speed are also covered as are some of the most common boating terms, enabling better communication and understanding between everyone on board. The aim is to help newcomers to boating understand what’s going on, get to grips with boating terminology and feel more at ease on the water.

“New Zealanders love playing around on boats, but that

doesn’t mean it’s in everyone’s DNA,” says Mike Brown, General Manager of Coastguard Boating Education. “We’ve launched this course to cater for those who are new to boating, perhaps scared to ask questions, and just want to understand more about it.

“We want people to enjoy boating, rather than being anxious. This course delivers on that and equips those new to boating with basic knowledge and the skills to know what to do if they or someone else on the boat unexpectedly ends up in the water.”

BOATING SHOULD BE FUN. Many readers will have observed, or perhaps been in a situation, where somewhat reluctant friends or family members were ‘dragged’ out on the boat and the day was less successful than it could have been because so much was new and unfamiliar. This course is intended to reduce levels of anxiety and to encourage new boaties to feel more informed. This course uses images, text and short videos to demonstrate key points. Users get to answer a set of questions (multi-choice, tap and drag) after each section. If you don’t get the correct answer straight away we will guide you – the key is that at the end of this simple course you will be more confident and knowledgeable. Plus there’s the bonus of being awarded a course completion certificate.

Beginning Boating is an online course available on smartphone, tablet and desktop ensuring participants can learn at their own pace, time and at a location that works for them rather than having to come into a classroom

Discover the new online Beginning Boating Course Be prepared. Know the plan. Have fun.

environment. You can complete as little or as much as you wish each time you log in. The course includes a host of additional resources and handy tips that might be handy out on the water - these are available anytime you log in when your phone has cellular coverage.

MAKING BOATING MORE ACCESSIBLE. “At the very core of Beginning Boating is a philosophy to make boating more accessible to everyone, that’s why we’ve kept it at the low price of $35” “We’ve been delighted by the feedback we’ve received from people who have done the course. It seems that some people are using it as a subtle way of dropping a hint to their partner that boating might actually be their cup of tea” says Mike.

“The idea is that an informed crew member will be more relaxed, have a better day out, be able to provide assistance to the skipper in the event of an incident and perhaps even be motivated to take their boating education journey further.”

Beginning Boating provides a great entry point into the fantastic world of relaxation, exploration and adventure – the key is to introduce new boaties in a way that is appealing rather than off-putting. Beginning Boating is one way to ensure that for the new boatie, the adventure of boating is by choice rather than their first experience. For less than the price of Sunday brunch, Beginning Boating is a great investment in helping friends and family feel more confident out on the water.

Boating is a great activity and it’ll be more enjoyable if you’re prepared for a day on the water. Beginning Boating is designed for people who are new to boating and aren’t ready to take on the skipper’s role. This mobile friendly course covers the basics to help you become an informed crew member. Be more confident and relaxed on the water this summer.

BEGINNING BOATING ONLINE COURSE Qualification

Beginning Boating course completion certificate

What it covers

The basics to help make your day on the water enjoyable; selecting the right lifejacket, trip planning, preparing for the unexpected, and some basic boating rules.

Application

For anyone new to boating. It’s downloadable and a great reference tool. If you want to be the skipper we recommend the Day Skipper course.

Duration

Download the course and do it at your own pace. Revisit key aspects whenever you choose.

EST. 1979

New to boating?

Call 0800 40 80 90

www.boatingeducation.org.nz

NZ A NEW ZEALAND UALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY MANA TOHU MATAURANGA O AOTEAROA

YOUR FIRST PORT OF CALL WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 59

BRP advertises the Evinrude E-TEC G2, as the planet’s cleanest outboard.

60 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

The Outboard Files

ETEC How did an outboard marine engine company help revolutionise and develop the world’s most advanced 2-stroke engines? With BRP and Rotax on the verge of celebrating a decade worth of E-TEC engine innovation in Model Year 2019, we look back over the last 10 years (and beyond), as well as what the future might hold E-TEC.

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The Outboard Files Personalised colour wraps are very popular with the E-TEC G2 engines.

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ITH 2-stroke engines on the verge of extinction thanks to new EPA regulations in the early 1990s, other OEMs and media in nearly all motorized recreation industries were preaching the gospel of the 4-stroke engine as the wave of the future – the only wave. However, there were certain highperformance characteristics a 4-stroke engine simply could not match, such as the unbeatable power-to-weight ratio, torque, and quick revving power delivery. And those characteristics were of paramount importance to certain consumer groups: in particular snowmobilers - especially mountain riders - and boaters.

E-TEC technology as we know it today started on the water with Evinrude outboard engines. While the stricter EPA regulations were absolutely a primary factor in E-TEC’s development, the concept of direct fuel injection for 2-stroke engines has been experimented with since as early as the 1940s. The EPA regulations simply turned the experimentation into a musthave if recreational 2-stroke engines were going to survive.

Having two market segments so heavily interested in the benefits of recreational 2-stroke engines made the investment in overcoming the EPA mandates worthwhile in the eyes of both OMC and BRP along with select few other engine makers. However, underachieving performance and reliability issues plagued many of those early efforts, and fueled the growing public sentiment that 4-strokes would be the only viable engines going forward.

The talented engineering minds at OMC were hard at work, and tantalizingly close to a breakthrough that would change the perception and viability of 2-stroke engines forever.

Unfortunately, those same employees were abruptly gathered one morning in December of 2000, and informed that Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) was filing for bankruptcy immediately. Even though the door seemed to be closing, that bankruptcy filing was the opening needed to secure the future of 2-stroke engines.

62 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

On Dec. 23, 2000, executives from BRP, Inc. arranged an evening meeting with a few knowledgeable, but recently out of work OMC employees. They were inquiring about purchasing some of the assets being liquidated by OMC, and were specifically interested in learning more about the new 2-stroke injection technology OMC engineers had been developing.

One of those employees was George Broughton, currently the Director of Product Development at BRP’s Sturtevant, Wis., facility. He picked up an evening phone call that set into motion a chain of events that would change the world of snowmobiling.

“I can remember sitting at home one night deciding which bill not to pay when I answered a phone call,” said Broughton.

“The gentleman on the other end of the line said there were some guys from Quebec that wanted to see what we had been working on.”

What Broughton and his fellow engineers had been working on was a potential solution to exceeding EPA emissions standards for 2-stroke engines with a new method of direct injection that could retain the performance and reliability characteristics consumers desired.

“I said OK, and headed down to the plant with a few of my other unemployed colleagues to show them,” he continued.

“Little did we know at the time, but that evening we were selling Evinrude to BRP.”

A GLOBAL EFFORT

Soon after that fateful December night, it was full speed ahead for Evinrude and the continued development of a new direct injection 2-stroke technology. By March of 2001 – just three short months later – many of the hardworking OMC employees were back to work in a brand new facility with new resources from BRP and Rotax joining forces in a quest for

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The Outboard Files

what would become E-TEC direct injection technology.

While the basic principles of the direct injection process were well vetted by OMC, it would take nearly two years of refinement with BRP engineers to bring the durability, quality and reliability up the company’s lofty standards for consumer marketing. Once confident the product would meet the demands of consumers, this new technology was re-launched as E-TEC Direct Injection Technology. Interestingly, the name E-TEC is not an acronym for anything. It’s simply the name chosen for this revolutionary method of 2-stroke direct fuel injection.

Finally, in early 2003 the first E-TEC engine debuted in an Evinrude outboard boat motor. Five short years later, the first E-TEC snowmobile engine appeared in a mid-January 2008 launch of the 2009 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT with an all-new Rotax 600 HO E-TEC engine.

“It was never a given that E-TEC development was going to get the green light,” said Broughton. “I can remember sitting in the meeting and being asked point blank by our VP of Sales, ‘Will this make California 3-star emissions [requirement]?’”

“Another engineer seated beside me said, ‘No problem!’” explained Broughton. “Of course, we had no idea how we were going to do that, but through a lot of hard work by some very talented people we got there.”

Got there, they did – and then some. BRP’s acquisition of the Evinrude brand did what possibly no other company in the world could do at the time in bringing together the resources of three companies with such a high pedigree of recreational powersports engineering (BRP, Rotax, OMC). It allowed for the refinement of E-TEC technology at an astonishingly rapid pace, and the adaptation to multiple product lines that far exceeded expectations – including the EPA’s.

What started at OMC as the development of the cleanest injection technology while keeping the unbeatable powerto-weight ratio of a 2-stroke engine, has been continually 64 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

The E-TEC G2 150 is hugely popular with Bass boat owners.

perfected since the company’s acquisition by BRP. In 2005 Evinrude E-TEC engines became the first outboard engine to receive the EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Award. E-TEC engines are also the only 2-stroke engines certified to operate in some of the most highly regulated recreational areas around the world – something even many 4-stroke engines are unable to achieve.

In talking with Broughton, it’s abundantly apparent one of the challenges he’s most proud of overcoming is not mechanical, but cultural.

“What people don’t realize is one of the biggest hurdles we had to clear was the combination of three distinctly different cultures all working on the same project – Evinrude in the U.S., BRP in Quebec, and Rotax in Austria,” said Broughton. “I’d even call it three and a half when you consider the difference between U.S. Midwest and U.S. Western markets. We all had our quirks, but that’s usually what kept it interesting, in my opinion,” he added.

THE E-TEC EXPERIENCE

Even though the debut of the outboard E-TEC and snowmobile E-TEC engines were several years apart, they were both in development at the same time.

“The first BRP E-TEC snowmobile was built in 2002,” said Broughton, “I can remember driving it around a parking lot in Waukegan, Ill., with wheels in place of skis.”

There were just more obstacles to overcome on the snow than in the water. The throttle input from the user is completely different. On a boat you push a throttle lever forward to accelerate and slowly pull it back when you get the speed you want, maxing out at around 6000 RPM. On a snowmobile, riders are constantly on and off the throttle whacking it wide open and want instant acceleration near 8000 RPM. Plus you

The Outboard Files

ETEC is offered right through the range such as this 25hp version.

have cold starting in the winter, and it had to be capable of rope starting.

Engine operation at such high revs means the fuel-oil mixture must be delivered much quicker. The genius behind Ski-Doo E-TEC direct injection technology is the use of a voice coil injector, and the ECU’s ability compute the delivery of the fuel-oil mixture to the pistons at much faster speed and in more precise amounts.

The result to an E-TEC owner is not just about keeping the core advantages of 2-stroke performance like instant throttle response, torque, and power-to-weight ratio. The invention of E-TEC technology combined with the advanced engine development from Rotax led to an overall improvement of the total ownership experience. Nearly every aspect of owning a 2-stroke engine got better thanks to E-TEC, from easier pull starts, to vastly improved fuel and oil economy, to an autosummerisation process that preps your sled for long-term storage at the push of a button.

E-TEC engines continue to be well ahead of strict EPA emission standards producing less carbon emissions than many of the leading 4-strokes on the market. Today’s E-TEC engines produce up to 75% less hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide emissions than the competition.

There’s less smoke and exhaust smell. Serviceability is more efficient (read: less expensive) because all E-TEC engines are serviced in virtually the same manner.

The simple act of starting a Rotax E-TEC 2-stroke alone is an enormous, yet often overlooked, benefit. Rotax E-TEC engines only require a onethird-turn of the crankshaft to start. A huge benefit when pull starting,

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The Outboard Files but a gigantic advantage when you consider that third-turn start is a major reason incorporating something like the SHOT engine starting system was even a realistic possibility.

Today, Broughton is director of engineering at BRP and Evinrude outboards are built in a brand-new facility in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. Approximately 300 people work on the shop floor where E-TEC engines are created using components sourced from the plant itself as well as such places as Merrillville, Indiana; Tiffin, Ohio; and Andrews, North Carolina. In 2005, Evinrude E-TEC engines became the first outboards to receive the EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Award, thanks to their cleanburning technology.

BRP advertises its latest and greatest product—the Evinrude E-TEC G2, a platform with offerings from 150 to 300 horsepower—as “the planet’s cleanest outboard,” with 20 percent more torque, 15 percent better fuel efficiency and 75 percent fewer emissions when stacked up against comparable four-stroke outboards. The G2 has fully-integrated, built-in power-assisted steering (with all components salted away inside the engine housing), electronic throttle and shift, and what Evinrude calls “iTrim,” a selectable feature that automatically trims for optimum speed and performance.

Evinrude’s come a long, long way from those halcyon days in the early ‘60s. But then again, maybe the fates have simply returned the company to what it used to be—a solid purveyor of waterborne delights.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR E-TEC?

In the world of powersports recreation, we’re always looking for more power, better economy, a better all-around vehicle ownership experience. The DNA ingrained in us at BRP is to believe where others see challenges, we see opportunities.

The uniting of BRP, Rotax and Evinrude under the same banner has brought together nearly two centuries of engine building expertise. It not only speaks to the knowhow of our engineering teams, but also the diversity of that knowhow.

And if anything, BRP Rotax E-TEC engines show what great collaboration of those assets is capable of. It’s been 10 years since E-TEC technology reinvented 2-stroke snowmobiles, and still no other snowmobile OEM has developed the technology for true direct fuel injection, or duplicate the highend performance of Rotax E-TEC engines with the same eco-friendly efficiencies.

There will be more development coming, although we can’t say what or when. Today we have better tools, more powerful computers and processors, and we understand what we’re looking at far better than we did just 10 years ago.

As Broughton puts it, “The goodness isn’t all wrung out of the grapes just yet.”

66 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

iDock with E-TEC G2 engines, gives you 100% docking confidence.

T

HE newest feature of the Evinrude Intelligent Piloting System, available on multi outboard engine boats powered with E-TEC G2 engines, gives you 100% docking confidence. Advanced aircraft gyroscope sensor technology makes iDock more intuitive to pilot by automatically compensating for wind and current.

This system is really all about close-quarters manoeuvering, and it will allow you to move the boat sideways or spin it in its own length with a mere push or twist of the joystick. iDock will allow you to put your boat into the marina or alongside a fuelling jetty with a whole lot less practice than you’d normally need. iDock leverages the exclusive internal steering system of Evinrude E-TEC G2, keeping your steering pump protected, your transom clean, and your compartments free for storage. No additional pumps are needed to purchase or install.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 67

BOAT REVIEW

SEA RAY SPX 210

PARTY TIME The SPX 210 is a sleek looking boat.

68 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Text by Barry Thompson

The SPX 210 is one of the smallest boats in the Sea Ray SPX range and while in the US market it is referred to as an entry level boat when it comes to selling the boat in New Zealand and Australian, it is far from it.

FOR DIGITAL READERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO M OR VISIT BOATMAGS.CO WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 69

BOAT REVIEW

SEA RAY SPX 210

With 250hp the speedo hit 45 knots.

The bow area is a very typical layout with twin lounge seats with storage under, and a removable centre squab.

K

IWI bowriders tend to be multi-functional and not too pretentious. Tow the kids on water toys one day, family cruising the next and then take it for a dangerous fishing trip with a load of rods. They are mostly an all-rounder with the versatility to suit most boating needs.

However, when it comes to bow riders from the US, the originators of the sports bow rider concept, it’s a little different. Sea Ray has been building bowriders for many years, and every year they refine their model range and pop out new and improved versions.

70 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Over the years I have reviewed many Sea Ray’s and while I felt some of the earlier ones were not well suited to our local boating conditions, my respect for them has gone up in recent years. The SPX 210 is one such boat, and on my recent run on a very choppy Lyttelton Harbour, I was more than impressed with the way the boat handled.

Kiwi’s like a bit of power in their boat and so when Sports Marine, importers for the Sea Ray range ticked the engine option list for the SPX 210, they went for the biggest, the MerCruiser 4.5L MPI ECT Alpha 1 (250hp). Standard power is the MerCruiser 4.5L MPI ECT Alpha I (200 hp) which is a similar engine package but 50hp less. With the bigger engine the SPX 210 tops out at 45 knots, (40 knots with the 200hp standard package) and when you hammer the throttle down, it doesn’t take long to get there. I was impressed with the acceleration of the boat, and you need to tell your passengers to hang on! The 20 deg deep vee hull responds instantly to the power-assisted tilt steering wheel and feels tight in the turns. There was a little noise coming from the hull in the choppy water, but to be fair, I was pushing the boat a lot harder than you would normally if you had the family aboard.

Cruising at around 30mph, the boat has no vices, and I found it didn’t need a lot of trim to set the hull with a level bow attitude. If you are going to use the boat for waterskiing, then you have great holeshot and low down torque to pull a couple of heavy mates up on slalom skis.

But the SPX 210 is not all about watersports. It’s also a boat designed for family boating. It’s not a fishing boat (although there is a fishing package available) and while of course, you can still drop a rod over the side, it’s essentially a family day cruiser.

The layout in the cockpit has ‘entertainment’ written all over it.

THE ENTERTAINER It’s when you look at the layout in the cockpit that you appreciate that this boat has ‘entertainment’ written all over it. Firstly there is a wide boarding platform with a recessed four-rung, boarding ladder moulded into the platform’s deck, which extends over half a metre and also covers the sterndrive. The sole in the stern area and boarding platform was finished with the SeaDek flooring option.

Sea Ray has added a fold up backrest on the engine cover/sunpad so you can sit in comfort and watch the people in the water behind the boat. Just make sure you drop this back down when underway as it’s not designed to be used at speed.

There is a wide portside entry to the cockpit with storage lockers in the steps. Sea Ray angled the entrance to the cockpit just a bit to prevent that entry from impeding on the seating. It’s a smart idea and certainly adds to the roominess of the cockpit. Sea Ray has taken the storage question to the extreme, and I doubt there is spare space in the boat that isn’t used for storage. There is a large 119cm long centreline wet locker under the cockpit sole which will be an

The fold up backrest on the engine cover/ sunpad allows you to watch the people in the water in comfort.

The L shape seating has great storage under.

A variety of hull and fabric colours are available.

excellent place for waterskis, wakeboards, fishing gear and even SCUBA tanks and dive gear.

The L shape starboard side sofa has a dedicated space for a removable isky/chilly bin, plus a there is a wet locker under the 1.5m wide aft bench seat. Throw in some ice, and this makes a great place to keep the drinks cold, or if you are going to take the boat out fishing, then it doubles as bait or catch bin.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 71

BOAT REVIEW

SEA RAY SPX 210 You have the option of analogue gauges or a glass screen Simrad display.

With an adjustable backrest, the port side seating can be configured as a lounger or separate seating. A wraparound full adjustable bolster seat is used for the helm and offers three-way driving; standing, seated or bolstered. Plus with the seat cushion removed, there is further storage under. A flat panel, tinted-glass windshield provides protection. With the front cover clipped in over the open bow and the foldaway windscreen shut, it’s just like being in a traditional runabout.

The helm is available with either analogue gauges or as in the case of our boat a Simrad GO9 (or GO5). A single glass panel displays everything from engine management to a GPS and sounder. Simple, clean and very easy to read as well as navigate around the touch screen functions.

The bow area is a very typical layout with twin lounge seats with storage under, and a removable centre squab with deck tread surface below, so you don’t stand on the upholstery when stepping over the bow. There are conveniently placed handholds as well as drink holders either side.

The Sea Ray SPX 210 doesn’t come standard with a central bollard or fairlead but has a cleat either side of the bow. The bullnose bow has flat step-sections either side of the nav lights for ease of access from a dock, but with a few mods, you could fit a custom anchor platform.

Anchor tackle is stowed in the deep forepeak locker.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Make & Model: Price As Tested: Type: Construction: LOA: Beam: Deadrise: Height On Trailer: Test Power: Top speed: Power Options: HP Range: MFD: Fuel: Manufacturer: Contact:

Sea Ray SPX 210 $116,095 Bow Rider GRP 6.55m 2.60m 19 deg 2.10m Mercruiser 4.5L MPI ECT @ 250hp 45 knots Outboard or Sterndrive 200-250hp Simrad GO9 51 L (standard) Sea Ray Boats Sports Marine, Auck: 09 274 9918 ChCh: 03 379 9208 sales@sportsmarine.co.nz www.sportsmarine.co.nz

72 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

OPTIONAL PACKAGES The SPX range comes standard with all the basics for boating, but it can be optioned out to meet the needs and desires of practically anyone. That starts with having outboard or sterndrive power, a choice of hull colours and electronics.

There are a variety of packages available from the factory, two of which will increase the boat usability. The ‘Elevation Package’ is geared for wake and ski sport enthusiasts with a wakeboard tower with board racks, and a premium ski mirror.

The Captain’s Package adds some essentials such as a battery switch, depth finder and premium-level helm seat. The stainless package adds trim to the rub rail insert, drink holders and all latches and grab handles.

Then there is the Appearance Package. This is the luxury build with LED lighting, a premium-level dash at the helm, and upgraded upholstery. This package also comes with the stainless steel upgrade and the upholstery is available in two colours, Ivory and Dune.

The Premier Audio Upgrade includes a pair of Fusion 6.5” Signature Series speakers, a 10” Subwoofer and Series 5 Channel 1600w Amp. Perfect for getting those sounds across the bay while you are towing a wakeboard or surfer.

SUMMARY There are three models in the range; SPX 190, SPX 210 and the SPX 230, all of which follow a similar design format and are available with either outboard or sterndrive power. The SPX 210 has great looks and loads of seating combine with plenty of power. Thanks to a choice of smart options packages, the SPX 210 has the versatility to suit most boat owners requirements. Whether you favour watersports or cruising all day in comfort, there’s an SPX package that’s ideally suited.

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G R P B O AT S < 5.5m

Getting STARTED WE LOOK AT GRP BOATS UNDER 5.5M AND OFFER SOME ADVICE ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING YOUR NEW OR SECOND-HAND BOAT. CABIN, CUDDY, RUNABOUT, OPEN OR BOWRIDER, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS FROM BOTH KIWI AND U.S BUILDERS.

A

LTHOUGH there has been a real swing towards larger production trailer boats both in GRP and aluminium, there are still a surprising number of models at the lower end of the size range to pick from. In recent years the under 5.5m range has without doubt been dominated by the aluminium boat market in both open runabouts and cuddy cabins.

But fear not, for those who have an affection

for fibreglass, then look no further.

Currently, there are more than 70 new production models that fall in the under 5.5m boat category from both local manufacturers and imported brands. All are light enough to be towed behind a 2-litre car, small enough to be powered with an outboard under 90hp and comfortable enough to offer fun boating in sheltered waters.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 75

G R P B O AT S < 5.5m

OPEN OR CLOSED Of the more than 70 boats in our about 50% are full cabin or cuddy cabin and the rest are open, runabouts or bowriders. Interestingly, there are no imported cabin boats, that’s the domain of local builders, but when it comes to centre consoles, the US brands dominate.

The style of boat you choose should be determined by what your intended use is, be it fishing, towing water toys or family boating. A boat under 5.5m is not designed for offshore boating, but you might be surprised at how well some of these boats perform and handle in rougher water.

When it comes to cabin or cuddy cabin boats, the layouts are generally similar, with a full cabin offering two small berths, with a good-sized forward hatch to make anchoring a lot easier.

A cuddy cabin is a cross-over between a runabout and a cabin with a ‘token’ cabin area that offers some weather protection and may or may not include a couple of short berths. Still a great place to keep the gear dry or for kids to have a rest while you are fishing.

Due to the very nature of their size, they don’t typically have full side decks, or in fact side decks at all, so a generous size hatch is essential. The bollard and fairlead should be close enough to be easily reached and the anchor locker big enough to handle about 50m of anchor tackle and a 4kg - 5kg anchor.

Better still, fit a small capstan or drum winch - also suitable for a bowrider or runabout - and then you can do all your anchoring chores from the helm.

Storage in the cabin is generally in side trays, and these will differ depending on the space available. If the boat is full enough in the bow and high enough in the cabin, then there’s also space provided under the squabs for storage, 76 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

but in some models, there isn’t enough depth, so the area is used for buoyancy.

Be warned, just because a manufacturer says the boat has built-in buoyancy it doesn’t always mean it can’t sink!

However, the exception is, if the boat is built to the New Zealand CPC buoyancy flotation standard you are guaranteed it has been certified to have positive buoyancy even if completely swamped, and will not sink.

So that you don’t get that closed-in feeling all have open bulkheads, well at least one side anyway, and again depending on the cabin height, make sure there is enough ‘stoop room’ when getting in and out of the cabin as well as sitting headroom for at least two adults.

If you are considering an open runabout, such as a bowrider, then obviously there is no cabin, with space taken up with a couple of side squabs, with storage under. Having a soft bow cover is a good option as is a domeon curtain to stop the draft between the two consoles.

If you go for a centre console layout, then everything is left open, with a grp centre module. This can have storage inside, a single forward seat with storage under and a single or twin bucket or bin style helm seating.

While you do sacrifice some weather protection, sun or rain, you do get an excellent fishing platform with plenty of workspaces.

At the entry-level of the under 5.5m sector are the open, tiller steer boats, which can be fitted out with basic seating or as much as you want. A side console allows somewhere to fit a fishfinder and is a great place to keep your phone and keys dry.

UNCLUTTERED COCKPITS Cockpits in cabin boats under 5.5m tend to be reasonably uncluttered, with basic seating layouts. Most favoured is twin forward bucket seats and either removable rear bin seats or moulded transom jump seats. Double back to backs are great but will mean you have to sacrifice some usable floor space when fishing, something that is often at a premium in a boat this size. Also, it’s ideal to have the forward seats swivelling as they make great places to sit when the fishing is a little slow and for an observer to look over the transom when you are towing water toys.

A fore and aft adjustment base on the helm seat would be worth considering as an option. It’s well worth including in the package, and you’ll find it makes your driving that much more relaxing.

If the weather cuts up, then you want to be able to stand to drive without the seat base rubbing into the back of your legs. The controls should be in an easily reached position when seated or standing, and the steering wheel placed, so you don’t have to wrench at it every time the boat gets a little out of shape.

large. Some of the MFDs also include engine data, so there is no need for any separate instruments.

Small boats tend to get knocked around more than big boats in the rougher water, so having something for your passengers to grab onto is also a must.

A stainless handrail around the screen will save you having someone bending or at worst, breaking the screen as they wrap their hands around the aluminium window extrusion. A couple of rear deck bolted handrails will look after your aft seat passengers.

A few boat manufacturers now leave the final fit of the seat base to the retailer who can custom fit the position to suit the owner. This is a good idea as everyone isn’t built the same and the position that suits you will not always suit someone else.

Small boats traditionally don’t carry much in the way of electronics apart from the customary depth sounder/ fishfinder. However the addition of

a VHF and a 6”-9” MFD is worth the investment. It is important to make sure that the electronics have somewhere to be mounted within easy viewing.

Check there is depth and height under the screen for bracket mounting or the flat spaces left on the fascia are enough for flush mounted electronics. As single outboards are the only power options there is never a lot of instruments, so the dash panel doesn’t need to be

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G R P B O AT S < 5.5m

Storage in the cockpit is usually a couple of full-length side shelves with padded or timber facings, under the seats and if there is enough space available, under the centre of the cockpit sole. Although you probably don’t need more than a couple of 25-litre tote tanks for your day’s boating, many of the boats listed offer underfloor fuel tanks as an option.

There should be enough space under the aft deck to carry not only two standard sized tote tanks but also the battery and if necessary an oil reservoir.

Transom arrangements vary a lot, and while some of the later models have moulded transom steps and portofino style sterns, many are traditional with flat transoms and optional boarding ladders. A simple arrangement is a stainless fold-down ladder one side and an outboard auxiliary bracket the other.

However, with the advent of modern outboards, the use of the smaller auxiliary for trolling is not so necessary, with the reliability of outboards having taken away the perceived need to carry a spare engine.

If you are comparing one similar boat to another, then make sure you know exactly what the package includes.

Standard features can mean anything from the most straightforward deck hardware to canopies and carpets, so be warned, getting the boat on the water could cost a lot more than your initial estimates. If the boat is built to CPC standards, then you will also have a bilge pump, battery isolating switch, battery box, navigation lights and structural hull warranty.

78 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

DON’T OVERPOWER Boats under 5.5m don’t usually require much more than 90hp and in fact, will perform adequately with as little as 50hp. You should expect around 35-37 mph with a 50hp outboard, 38-40mph with 70hp and 42-44 mph with 90hp.

Don’t take this as gospel as the speed of a boat can vary considerably on not only the hull design but also such things as the choice of the propeller and the engine height.

As a rule of thumb, a standard set-up will have the engine bolted on with the cavitation plate level with the keel. When the boat is lightly laden the outboard should be able to pull somewhere close to 5500 rpm with the trim no more than 1/4 to 1/2 out. If it pulls more, it could be under-propped (too little pitch), and if it pulls less, it could be over-propped (too much pitch).

If the boat is also used for skiing, then a prop that allows the engine to reach the top end of its rpm range would be advisable, especially if you are going to tow adult slalom skiers from deep-water starts. If you have kids into other water toys such as wakeboards, kneeboards and tubes, then the mid-range options will be enough. Having one propeller that suits all purposes is fine, but if you can afford it, a separate one for skiing and towing water toys is also a good idea.

Hull shapes, while all being of the medium V deadrise style, each have their particular characteristics, so the ride and speed may differ somewhat between one boat and another.

Traditionally a deeper V boat will ride and handle better than a shallower V boat in the moderate to rough water.

Some designers prefer wide flat chines, others turn them steeply downward, some like a sharp V-shaped keel, others go for a soft rounding, and a few carry a wide ski plank. Our list even includes a catamaran, which is an entirely different design.

Whatever the hull shape it is important to remember that this is a boat under 5.5m in length and weighing less than 700 kg wringing wet, so it’s never going to be your answer to blue-water boating.

However, in the right environment each will perform to its ability, and once you

learn your boatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limitations, you will enjoy far more pleasurable boating hours.

No boat package is complete without the trailer, and these have improved so much in recent years that launching and retrieving is an effortless task. High ratio winches, multi and self-centring rollers and submersible lights have taken a lot of the hassles out of the whole launching and retrieving exercise.

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www.seaforce.co.nz WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 79

G R P B O AT S < 5.5m

BUYING PACKAGE So just what do you get in a complete turnkey ready-for-the-water package? Apart from the boat, motor and trailer you should talk to the retailer about all the extras that you will need or should have. Some basic options are safety gear, such as a minimum of two adult and two children’s lifejackets and a powerboat flare kit. You need to have enough lifejackets for everyone onboard. An entry-level fishfinder, VHF, anchor pack and even a canopy are well worth considering.

If a boat carries the CPC certified plate, it means that it will already be fitted with navigation lights, bilge pump, battery box and isolating switch and carry a structural hull warranty. It’s the marine equivalent of a warrant of fitness. The final retail price should also include the installation and full on-road costs, i.e. trailer WOF and registration. All you need to do is hook the boat up to the back of the car and head for the launching ramp.

But remember, buying a boat is just like buying a car - it still pays to shop around for the best deal.

80 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

G R P B O AT S UNDER 5.5M

BARCHETTA (NZ) 502 XR 502 XC 552 XR 552 XC

LOH 5.02 5.02 5.5 5.5

Beam 2.20 21 2.20 21 2.20 21 2.20 21

Deadrise 21 deg 21 deg 21 deg 21 deg

Type RU CA RU CA

BAYLINER (USA) 160 BR 170 BR 180 BR Element CC5 Element E5

LOH 4.93m 5.33m 5.49m 5.41m 5.41m

Beam 2.18m 2.11m 2.31m 2.22m 2.22m

Deadrise 16 deg 19 deg 19 deg NA 17 deg

Type BR BR BR CC B

BOSTON WHALER (USA) Super Sport 110 130 Super Sport 160 Super Sport 150 Montauk 170 Montauk

LOH 3.40m 4.27m 4.93m 4.70m 5.28m

Beam 1.70m 1.78m 2.08m 1.98m 2.21m

Deadrise 12 deg 13 deg 15 deg 16 deg 16 deg

Type CC CC SC CC CC

BUCCANEER (NZ) 440 Esprite XL440 470 Esprite XL 495 Classic XL 525 Sportsman XL 530 Esprite XL 530 Exess XL 565 Esprite XL 565 Classic XL 565 Exess XL

LOH 4.35m 4.96m 4.85m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.49m 5.49m 5.49m

Beam 1.86m 2.03m 2.15m 21.4m 2.14m 2.14m 2.29m 2.29m 2.29m

Deadrise 19 deg 19 deg 21 deg 21 deg 19 deg 19 deg 23 deg 23 deg 23 deg

Type RU RU CA CA RU CA BR CA CA

CHALLENGER (NZ) 550

LOH 5.50m

Beam 2.15m

Deadrise 18.5 deg

Type CA

CSB HUNSTMAN (NZ) CSB 500/La Plata Dorado

LOH 5.00m 5.50m

Beam 2.15m 2.15m

Deadrise 20 deg 20.5 deg

Type CA CA

FAT CAT (NZ) Fat Cat

LOH 3.50m

Beam 1.9m

Deadrise Cat

Type OP

FI GLASS (NZ) Ski Angler Fireball Dominator Firestar Cavalier

LOH 4.75m 4.70m 5.10m 5.30m 5.40m

Beam 2.0m 2.0m 2.04m 2.10m 2.20m

Deadrise 18 deg 18 deg 18 deg 21 deg 22 deg

Type CC RU CA CA CA

GRADY WHITE (USA) Fisherman 180

LOH 5.44m

Beam 2.26m

Deadrise NA

Type CC

HAINES HUNTER (NZ) 485 Fisherman 485 SportFisherman SR 535 SF 535 SF545

LOH 5.22m 5.22m 5.35m 5.35m 5.45m

Beam 2.06m 2.06m 2.13m 2.13m 2.25m

Deadrise 17 deg 17 deg 21 deg 21 deg 21 deg

Type CU CU RU CA CA

MAGNUM (NZ) F15 1650R Rapier 5.2 550 BR

LOH 4.52m 5.15m 5.20m 5.5m

Beam 1.74m 2.09m 2.17m 2.17m

Deadrise 15 deg 18 deg 21 deg 18 deg

Type RU RU CA BR

RAELINE (NZ) 130 Super Dinghy 180 BR 185 BR

LOH 4.17m 5.49m 5.49m

Beam 1.95m 2.29m 2.29m

Deadrise Cat 19 deg 19 deg

Type OP BR BR

REFLEX (NZ) Chianti 485R Chianti 485 MK11 Chianti 530 MK11

LOH 4.75m 4.70m 5.30m

Beam 1.80m 2.20m 2.20m

Deadrise 16 deg 20 deg 20 deg

Type RU CA CA

SEA NYMPH (NZ) Adingi 550

LOH 5.50m

Beam 2.30m

Deadrise 22 deg

Type BR

SCOUT (USA) Sportfish 151 Sportfish 160 Sportfish 175 Bay 177 Dorado 177 Sport 177 Sportfish 177

LOH 4.40m 4.70m 5.30m 5.36m 5.36m 5.36m 5.36m

Beam 1.75m 2.10m 2.30m 1.47m 1.55m 2.21m 2.21m

Deadrise 11 deg 12 deg 13 deg 13 deg 13 deg 13 deg 13 deg

Type CC CC CC CC CC CC CC

SEAFORCE (NZ) 310 360 Dinghy 430 Winna 530 Mate 530 Ute 530 Skipa

LOH 3.10m 3.60m 4.30m 5.50m 5.50m 5.50m

Beam 1.47m 1.55m 1.75m 2.22m 2.22m 2.22m

Deadrise 12 deg 12 deg 12 deg 17 deg 17 deg 17 deg

Type OP OP OP CU CU CC

SMUGGLER (NZ) Sprint 520

LOH 5.20m

Beam 2.23m

Deadrise 21 deg

Type CA

BOAT REVIEW

GALEON 510 SKYDECK

BEST OF BOTH 82 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Text by Barry Thompson

In beach mode the boat takes on a whole new dimension.

The Galeon 510 Skydeck takes us into new territory, unseen before in a boat of this size. Innovation is a word that is often used too freely to describe something revolutionary or original, but when used in reference to the 510 Skydeck, it is perhaps understated.

The Galeon 510 Skydeck combines the advantages of a flybridge with the sporty looks and style of a coupe. What makes the boat so unique and innovative is it has a glass sunroof over the helm station as well as an open top deck with sunpads and a second helm station. Covered by a soft roof, the ‘hidden’ open bridge can be very quickly transformed from a coupe into an open-skydeck.

But that’s not where the innovation ends. Galeon has taken a massive leap above its competitors by incorporating fold-out side balconies, such as you find on superyachts. A rare feature on a boat of this size.

But wait there’s more! Not content with offering the balconies, which increase the beam from 4.46m to a staggering 6.0m, the 510 has large sliding side doors which add a whole new meaning to open living. Innovative yes, but also extremely practical.

Galeon is a new brand to Australia and New Zealand, which is distribute through Alexander Marine Australia and Todd Holzapfel (director). and Built in Poland, Galeon Yachts offer twenty seven models ranging from 30 to 78ft and produce around 100 boats annually. The first two into Australia are the 460 Fly and the 510 Skydeck, both of which will be on display at the SCIBS 2019.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 83

BOAT REVIEW

GALEON 510 SKYDECK Coupe or flybridge, it’s hard to tell!

“Overwhelmingly I saw the Galeon as something unique that no one else was offering and along with the European distinctive design flair, build quality and stand out features I could see it being ideally suited to the local market”, says Todd.

He added that one of the reasons he chose to bring in the 510 Skydeck was to show people this unique concept of effectively having a flybridge when you are not having a flybridge. A soft cover slides over the open flybridge seating (enough for 6-8 people) and hides it from sight. When you want to close it, you fold down the backrests, and once the dash has lowered electrically, to provide the necessary clearance, the fabric cover slides back to put your 510 Skydeck into coupe mode.

I agree with Todd when he says that the 510 Skydeck will have a huge appeal in our market and along with all the other exclusive features on the boat will show what can be achieved with some unconventional thinking that offers a new perspective.

For anyone who is saying they are over a flybridge boat, don’t want to be fully enclosed or have the worry of a high maintenance soft bimini with clears, the 510 Skydeck is undoubtedly going to make you think again. It is such an easy way to enjoy a flybridge on that perfect day or have that low profile sleek looking coupe the next. Galeon has nailed it!

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE When I stepped aboard for the first time, my initial impression is the saloon layout was reasonably contemporary with the customary aft galley, with forward lounger/dinette and helm. In side profile parked outside Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast, it

84 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MARCH/APRIL 2019

looked not a lot, unlike any other European coupe design. Not so different to other boats of a similar size I thought. Wrong! Todd was keen to show me why the 510 Skydeck is so very different from everything else on the market.

The first thing was to transform the boat into beach mode, with the fold-down balconies dropped into position. Controlled by an electro-hydraulic ram, these are restricted for when the boat is docked or moored. Stanchions and safety rails are stowed away and manually fitted when required.

Next was the super size sliding doors that expose the galley and starboard side lounge spaces. The galley bench was transformed into a breakfast bar with a fold-up leaf and a couple of stools added to the port balcony, with the starboard side sofa backrest reversed to look outboard. An amazing transformation that maximises space in a most practical and straightforward way. Why has no one done this before on a boat of this size? Well maybe they have, but I have never seen it.

Another very cool feature is the way the helm seat swings back to form an extension of the starboard side inline lounger and adds another dimension to your entertaining space on the main deck. The way the helm has been configured you might expect it to be the only steering station, with area for a trio of MFDs (your choice) and enough room for all the

extra switches, instruments and controls. The onepiece forward screen provides unimpeded visibility forward. Opposite is the U shape lounge with a high/low table that can be set up for coffee, dining or dropped down to form an extra berth.

Another impressive feature of the Galeon 510 Skydeck is its glazing feature, with extreme use of glass all around. From the vast sunroof to the full opening side and aft doors, the boat radiates a sense of openness and ventilation. Natural light impregnates every space, even downstairs.

The attention to detail and styling is to a very high standard with world-class joinery that would be acceptable on a small superyacht. Timber’s throughout are Walnut, with leather and suede used for all the soft furnishings and fabrics. The bathroom’s configuration, with their mosaic tiles and attention to detail, is another standout of the 510 Skydeck. There are so many small details throughout the boat that draw your attention that it is hard to remember them all.

THREE CABIN TWO BATHROOMS The 510 Skydeck is a three cabin, two head arrangement with each cabin supplied with air con.

The forward VIP with a large island berth and the guest cabin with twin singles both have plenty of storage with hanging lockers or drawers. I loved the fact you can lay on the VIP bed and look through the large skylight to the stars, or conversely close it off for privacy. Fixed picture windows and opening ports help radiate the light and ventilation through the cabins, plus there is also a frosted internal skylight above the guest cabin. While they share the same bathroom which is also used as the day head, the VIP does have private access.

The owner’s full beam master with island berth offers excellent space and a clever arrangement.

Like the rest of the 510 Skydeck, it is finished to an extremely high standard and befitting the brands quality image. There is an en-suite to port with full separate shower, composite vanity top and fulllength mirror. Aft is a chaise lounge with a make-up

Clockwise: The attention to detail and styling is to a very high standard with world-class joinery that would be acceptable on a small superyacht.

Space enough for a trio of MFDs of your choice.

The owner’s full beam master with island berth offers excellent space and a clever arrangement.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 85

BOAT REVIEW

GALEON 510 SKYDECK

Something you would normally see on a super yacht.

The ‘hidden’ flybridge is surprisingly spacious.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Boat Design Name: Year Launched: Builder: Designer: LOA: LOH: Beam: Displ (Dry): Max Speed: Construction: Fuel Cap: Water Cap: Engine Make: Drive Train: Generator: Underwater Lights: Entertainment: Sunroof: Thrusters: Trim Tabs: Anchor Winch: Aircon: MFD: Priced From: Contact:

Galeon 510 Skydeck 2019 Galeon Yachts Tony Castro 16.20m 14.44m 4.40m (Balconies in) 6.00m (Balconies out) 22250 kg 3.5 knots GRP 1800 litres 650 litres 2 x Volvo Penta D11-725 @ 725hp Shaft Onan 17kW Lumitec Fusion/Bose/Samsung Inhouse SidePower Bennett Quick Dometic Raymarine Axiom 12 $AUD 1,850,000 Alexander Marine Australia +61 07 5618 0000 sales@ alexandermarineaust.com.au www.alexandermarineaust.com.au

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA Fuel capacity: 1800 litres RPM Knots L/h

L/NM

Range (NM)

800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2550

2.500 3.900 5.800 8.200 9.300 8.100 8.100 8.400 8.600 8.100

640 410 270 190 170 200 200 190 180 200

7.0 8.0 9.2 10.0 12.5 17.0 20.5 24.0 28.5 33.5

17 31 53 82 116 137 166 200 244 270

L/NM is calculated to two significant figures and rounded up. Range is calculated to two significant figures and rounded down.

86 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

With the fold-down balconies dropped into position the 510 Skydeck provides a breakfast bar to port and lounger to starboard.

cabinet and huge hull side windows. While our boat came with a full bureau on the starboard side, you have the option of replacing this with a lounger.

OUTSIDE Galeon has also taken their innovative flair to the bow area where there is a forward entertaining area complete with fold away backrests (so they are out of your line of sight when driving), overhead sun shade on carbon fibre poles and skylight panels above the forward VIP cabin.

Down the other end, the cockpit is available with another exclusive feature that has a rotating aft seat arrangement which allows you to swing the rear seat in any direction. Unfortunately, this option wasn’t on our boat, but it is available if you want it. I would certainly have it. Again a simple idea that brings something new to an area of a boat that is rarely very different.

There is a utility room under the teak laid cockpit which can also be used as a crew cabin. This has a single bunk and wet head/shower, so it is an excellent place for your guests to freshen up after a swim.

However, if you go for the tender garage option all that goes. The high/low platform is capable of handling up to 500kg so is more than suitable to stow the tender outside.

Standard power is a pair of Volvo Penta D8 @ 600hp which returns a maximum speed of 33.5 knots. You also have the option of a couple of Volvo Penta IPS 950s.

AWARD WINNER Released three years ago, the 510 Skydeck reviewed was hull #62 and is unquestionably the most exciting and inventive new boat I have seen in years. The functionality and utility of the boat far exceed anything else on the market and sets a new benchmark for both European and local builders. But don’t just take my word for it, in 2016 the 510 Skydeck received the World Yacht Trophy award for Innovative Design at the Cannes Yachting Festival against some very tough competition. It’s easy to see why.

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A PELIN BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Resurrection on launching day on the Clive River.

88 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Taking a 46-year-old classic runabout, that was severely decaying and ready for the tip and bringing new life and style into it, was a labour of love for over two years and more than 2000 hours for Hawkes Bay boating enthusiast, David Grace. The result is an outstanding craft that is way beyond what designer Frank Pelin every envisaged.

How the boat looked before being completely changed.

With the deck off, David looks at the work ahead.

D

AVID GRACE BOUGHT THE BOAT FROM A YOUNG GUY IN UPPER HUTT WHO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RESTORATION BUT DUE TO FAMILY COMMITMENTS DECIDED TO SELL IT EARLY ON IN THE RESTO. There was a lot of work to be done, especially as she had rotten gunwales and the deck was a mess”, said David Towing the boat back to his place in the Hawkes Bay was an anxious time as he commented that he wasn’t sure if the trailer would fall apart on the way. “ My idea was not just to restore the boat but turn it into a “Riva” style runabout, the same as was used by famous people around the Med. I always liked the look of the boats, and with the Pelin, I had the basis to start with”, says David.

First, he cut the topsides off at 30cm above the chine. With the hull on the floor of the workshop, the trailer went for a rebuild and the Volvo engine and outdrive were removed. After a significant clean up he then set about replacing the frames, stringers and floor beams.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 89

The new deck starts to take shape.

Resurrection was well received at both the Rotoiti and Nelson Lakes classic boat regatta.

“The ring frames were a fun challenge as I had to use long cedar strips to get a rough shape before cutting the frames to fit. No plans to follow made it quite hard to get perfectly accurate”, added David.

After trying each frame at least a dozen times, he changed from timber to high-density foam so that he could get a fairer shape and then used that as a pattern for a timber ring frame.

Next were the clear cedar strips from JCS timber at

Riverhead. He put each piece through the router twice, to get a convex and concave top and bottom so they would fit tight even around the curves of the hull.

David pointed out that there is no gunwale until right near the bow and although he hasn’t counted the strips, it took two years to lay one strip per night!

The ring frames were made so the deck could be removed when all the strips were in place. The deck was then turned over, and then glassed inside with 450gm

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It took two years to lay one timber strip per night!

glass and epoxy. Next, the deck was turned upright, glued back on the hull and then sanded till smooth.

“My workshop has disappeared under a thick layer of dust even after two big bins went out with the rubbish”.

Two layers of 87gm glass cloth were laid from chine to chine, with two layers of just resin after that, then more sanding down to 400 grit random orbital paper. After hours of hard work to get it pristine perfect to finish, the boat was sent to Freeman Decorators for six coats of polyurethane.

With the hull and deck completed David’s attention went to the cockpit and engine cover.

The local Volvo man was called on to service and reinstall the 1973 engine and outdrive. Firing up the engine on the hose for the first time they found the engine to have great oil pressure but no lift in the hydraulic trim and tilt. After a call to a local engineer at The Welding Shop, the problem was sorted, and the boat was put in the water for a sneaky test before the official launching.

The first showing of the boat was the Wooden Boat Parade at Lake Rotoiti in early Feb, and then it was onto the Vintage Boat Regatta at Nelson Lakes in March.

David says he is pleased how the boat runs, and the fact it is much lighter than the original, it hardly wets the chines even at the transom. Plans are to sell the boat and start another project.

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BOAT REVIEW

BELIZE 66 SEDAN The Belize 66 is a boat that has a distinctive retro look.

Dare to be

diï¬&#x20AC;erent 92 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Text by Arnie Hammerman

THE BELIZE 66 SEDAN IS A CAPABLE CRUISER WITH A UNIQUE STYLE THAT BLENDS CONTEMPORARY ELEMENTS WITH A RETRO LOOK AND FEEL.

D

istinctive styling, elegant, purposeful accommodations combined with the performance and handling knowledgeable boaters desire help the Belize 66 stand out.

The Belize concept is the idea of Wes Moxey (current CEO of Riviera) and was originally developed while he was away from Riviera during the 2008 American recession. After receiving feedback from boaters that too many current model boats look the same, he wanted to create a vessel that stood out. The original Belize 54 has proven to be popular with over twenty-five built so far.

Belize Motoryachts are known for their retro-modern styling, but

also for their sensible yet sophisticated use of space, and quality fit and finish. How these attributes would translate into a larger model was a question many were asking, particularly existing Belize owners eager to step up to a bigger boat. Moxey and designer Stephen Ford worked tirelessly for two years to perfect the design of the Belize 66. Input from current Belize owners, and extensive use of the latest CAD software allowed them to create 3D computer mock ups and even a digital â&#x20AC;&#x153;virtual tourâ&#x20AC;? of the vessel. This helped them refine the layout and design during development stages and insure that the new larger Belize has both the branded styling and the accommodations that new and existing owners want.

WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 93

BOAT REVIEW

BELIZE 66 SEDAN

well as strong financial backing. Unlike Rivieras that are built in Australia the Belize 66 is constructed in Taiwan by experienced craftsmen working under the direction of both Asian and Australian boat building professionals. The attention to detail and high level of fit and finish is evident throughout the vessel.

FAST CRUISE

The broad rise and fall swim platform adds to the utility of the stern area.

Looking over the dining table and galley.

DISTINCTIVE APPEARANCE The first Belize 66 arrived at the Ft. Lauderdale boat show in November 2018 where I was able to catch up with her. As she made her way up the channel to pick me up for a test drive, I noted her distinctive almost ship like appearance from the bow with rounded hull windows and portholes. Minimal bow overhang, a sleek narrow entry, and a soft curving hard top with raked back radar arch make her look different than other modern designs, which is a big part of the Belize appeal. Owners want the accommodations, quality finishes, and modern technology of a new boat but want their boat to be special with a look and feel all its own.

The Belize 66 delivers on that premise with high tech materials and construction techniques combined with modern engines and equipment showcased in a vessel with unique styling. Belize became part of Riviera when Rodney Longhurst bought the company and brought Wes back in 2012. This gives the brand worldwide distribution, service and warranty, as

94 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

As we set out for our test drive, I sat comfortably in one of the twin helm seats that provide easy access to the dash and controls. The wheel is centerline with buttons, gauges, and triple Garmin displays set up in neo-retro leather covered pods. Throttles are to the left and the joystick to the right on the arm of the helm chair, additional joysticks are in concealed wing stations in the cockpit for docking.

Visibility is excellent from the helm and companion seat. The sunroof above provides ample light and air although we kept it closed while testing to measure sound levels which reached only 73dB at full throttle.

(Normal conversation is around 60dB).

The Volvo Penta IPS 1350s accelerated smoothly up to a peak speed of 35knots.

At a fast cruise of 30knots (85% load) we burned 310 l/h providing a range of 391 nautical miles. Slowing to 20knots range increased to 455nm (at 90% of fuel capacity) and fuel burn a more reasonable 178 l/h or 9 l/nm. Running hard at 29 knots she leaned steadily into the turns making tight little circles of about 3-4 boat lengths. Conditions were mild but she cut through boat wakes with no noise or fuss. She was balanced and steady regardless of the speed or direction of turn. The Belize 66 is fun to drive and performs easily and confidently belying her 34.5 tonnes and 21 m. With IPS and a bow thruster she is simple to manage when docking too.

Left to right: A transom settee can easily seat four-six in comfort.

Twin helm seats that provide easy access to the dash and controls.

The galley is positioned aft where it can best serve the aft deck and the saloon.

Making the best use of the foredeck.

PRESIDENTIAL LAYOUT Her performance and agility are not her only attributes. Belize offers three different below deck accommodation options that revolve around a full beam master cabin with a king size bed. All of them have a VIP double cabin forward plus a twin cabin that can convert to a double, both with ensuite heads.

The Presidential layout features twin cedar-lined hanging lockers, a desk/vanity with chair and a massive full beam head that takes up what would be the entire crew quarters in an alternate configuration.

A recessed area behind the master headboard with power and USB ports for phone charging and other details are well thought out.

I measured the cabin at 15m/sq without the head. The shower is nearly 2m long and a meter wide providing

plenty of room to splash around while bathing with a friend. 1.9m headroom in the master is ample for most, and a gentleman I met on board who is 1.95m said he had no trouble. Thoughtful touches in the head include twin sinks on separate counters, heated towel racks and a floor system with removable teak veneer panels and drains below for easy cleaning. The engine room can be accessed from the cockpit above or from the oversized master head which in alternate configurations can be crew quarters.

The port guest stateroom has a hullside window for natural light with an opening port.

STAGGERED ENGINES The engine room is thoughtfully laid out with all sea strainers except for those servicing the main engines coming to a single access point. AC systems are to Starboard, DC to port, and pumps and filters have WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 95

BOAT REVIEW

BELIZE 66 SEDAN

The master stateroom is positioned amidships.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Boat Design Name: Year Launched: Builder: LOA: LWH: Beam: Displ (Dry): Max Speed: Construction: Fuel Cap: Water Cap: Engine Make: Drive Train: Generator: Thrusters: Anchor Winch: MFD: Entertainment: Priced From: Contact:

Belize 66 Sedan 2018 Riviera 21.09m 18.35m 5.45m 34.5 tonnes 33 knots GRP 4500 litres 700 litres 2 x Volvo Penta D13-1350 IPS3 Onan 29kW Sidepower Muir 3x Garmin Yamaha & JL Audio $USD 4,495,000 www.rivieraaustralia.com

FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA Fuel capacity: 4500 litres RPM Knots L/h

L/NM

Range (NM)

600 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2200 2400 2400

1.700 4.400 6.400 8.200 8.400 9.000 11.000 12.000 8.600

2300 920 630 490 480 450 360 330 470

6.4 10.0 11.9 15.3 21.1 25.9 29.9 33.7 28.5

10.6 43.5 75.7 125 176 232.8 308.5 384.5 244

L/NM is calculated to two significant figures and rounded up. Range is calculated to two significant figures and rounded down.

their own centralized locations. Head room is 1.76m or better in some places but the tender garage centerline does restrict overhead space particularly above the 29kw Onan generator. One unique factor is that the engines are not mounted side by side. The port engine is a meter further forward than the starboard engine. Both run jackshafts back to IPS drives that are aligned. It seems a bit odd at first glance but when driving the boat there is no perceptible difference even when turning in alternate directions, and trim and balance did not seem to be affected.

PRACTICAL LAYOUT Above deck a teak clad cockpit is complete with opening side doors for boarding, covered seating and a varnished timber table with stainless drink holders. A flip top buffet conceals twin electric grills a refrigerator or Icemaker. The galley is adjacent to the cockpit with easy access via a stainless slider and a pop-up window. Amenities include a deep double sink, induction cooktop, convention oven/microwave and multiple drawers for refrigeration, freezers and a dishwasher. A tall pantry is to port and a fold out pantry to starboard provides corner access. The central location of the galley and plentiful counter space makes serving aft into the cockpit or forward into the saloon equally easy.

Ample side decks recessed in the gunnels with stainless rails lead forward from the cockpit. The port side includes a locking watertight door to the saloon. On the foredeck a large center seating area can be arranged with a table under a lighted Bimini or top down converted to a sunpad, complete with drink holders and a JL Audio system with 4 speakers.

For docking and anchoring there are storage compartments on both sides, a Muir windlass with devil’s claw, and a custom chain washing system that sprays the chain with alternating nozzles as it comes up the bow tube. Well thought out details and positioning of equipment like a spotlight on the bow, and high-pressure fittings for pressure washing both forward and on the stern are details that demonstrate forethought and an understanding of how the boat will be used.

Tenders are a fun part of cruising, but an exposed tender would ruin the cool curved contours of the Belize. Realizing this they created a large tender garage, designed to hold a BRIG 330 or a Palm Beach 1200 tender with a folding transom that can handle up to a 40HP Yamaha Outboard. The centre of the swim platform lowers, and a transom hatch raises on hydraulic jacks to launch and retrieve the tender. A nice touch is the section of the platform that remains, providing the operator a dry and safe place to stand while launching and retrieving the tender.

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT For buyers that dare to be different, the Belize 66 is a boat that has a distinctive retro look with the accommodations, performance and reliability of a modern cruiser. Quality construction, excellent joinery and finish work round out the package. A “daybridge” model is also available that will provide additional exterior space and the fun of driving outside. The Belize 54 proved the popularity of having a contemporary boat with unique styling. The Belize 66 demonstrates this concept works on a whole new level.

96 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

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WWW.BOAT M AGS.C O M 97

Destination Groote Island. Australia

GROOTE ESCAPE

BY SIMON MCLEAN

THE SCORE AFTER ONLY FIVE DAYS AT GROOTE EYLANDT WAS MORE THAN 400 FISH SPREAD OVER 30 SPECIES CAUGHT AND RELEASED, FOUR RODS BROKEN AND COUNTLESS STORIES AND MEMORIES CREATED.

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Smiles all-round as another big Groote sailfish is brought to the boat.

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Destination

Bickerton Island

Groote Island. Australia

Arnhem Land

Groote Eylandt Lodge

GULF OF C ARPENTARIA

Alyangula Airport Groote Eylandt

South Point

T

HE INVITATION was just too good to refuse.

Accompany a few boating mates to one of Australia’s top sportsfishing hotspots in lateNovember and spend five days with a line in the water with more species on our doorstep than you could poke a rod at.

My partners on this particular adventure would be Rob Cuming, CEO of Northbank Boats, Will Sangster, GM of Mercury Marine Asia-Pacific, and Andrew Stephen, dealer principal of Melbourne Marine Centre.

Our destination was Groote Eylandt, Australia’s fourth-largest island, which is situated in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the nearest major population centre being Darwin, 630km to the west.

Named ‘Great Island’ by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, it has been home to the Anindilyakwa Aboriginal people for hundreds of years. Its main industry these days is manganese mining.

Measuring about 50km east-west and 60km north-south, the island has a varied coastline, from rocky outcrops to remote pristine beaches and mangrove-lined shallows.

But while spending time on the water with good mates chasing some of Australia’s iconic sportsfish is always going to be a great reason to head to the airport, there was one other crucial ingredient.

Fishing legend ‘Bomber’ Farrell is a Groote resident, even holding a few GFAA tag and release records. He also happens to own a high-calibre fishing weapon in the form of a Northbank Danger Pro Series 650 Walkaround. As Bomber had a few spare days up his sleeve, he was more than happy to spend them with some southern visitors keen on exploring the island’s considerable fishing potential.

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Explore the local geography.

RINGED BY FISH

Actually, as it turned out, pretty much the entire coastline of Groote is one big hotspot and, by the end of the five days aboard Bomber’s rigged-up Northbank, apart from being close to exhaustion from all the fishing, we’d logged up more than 30 species caught, along with a few rods that had succumbed to the punishment.

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to covering the highlights of our Groote adventure, whether it was our time on the water exploring the incredible coastline and local waters, the abundant marine life and, of course, the spectacular fishing.

We all had some idea of what lay in store from talking to some fishing identities about Groote’s reputation for the nature and number of its sportsfishing opportunities, and our first night on the island was spent with Bomber going over the logistics and schedule for the trip and talking about what we’d be catching and how. Interestingly, apart from the livies we’d be using on sailfish, bait was off the menu for this trip.

Instead, we’d be using soft plastics, hard-body stick baits and poppers to target local species.

The first morning dawned hot and humid and Bomber ensured we were on the water early to make the most of the fishing that lay ahead. We launched at the main boat ramp

at Alyangula, in sight of the large manganese loading facility in the main harbour, and were soon on our way, armed with a veritable arsenal of lures, rods and all the gear needed to stay on the water for the next few days. The plan was to stay out to maximise our fishing time, sleeping rough on the land or in the boat, depending on where we ended each day.

We’d partially circumnavigate the island for the first three days in a clockwise direction, checking in at various hotspots along the way based on Bomber’s extensive knowledge of

the local waters.

Trevally seemed to be everywhere as we headed north. In fact, it wasn’t until I was hooked up to my fourth straight trevally in the space of 15 minutes that I realised how prolific the sportsfishing is on this isolated island. For the remaining four days, my companions and I would experience what might well become, at least in my case, the ultimate sportsfishing adventure.

A healthy Spanish mackerel.

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Destination Groote Island. Australia

SHARK ATTACK

One of the really amazing experiences of the trip was my encounter with a particularly spirited trevally. As I got it close to the boat, it became apparent that the fish had more to worry about than the hook embedded in its bony mouth. Just as we prepared to land it, out from the clear water leapt a decent-sized shark, which disappeared just as quickly with most of my fish in its mouth, spraying blood all over the big Mercury Verado as it claimed its prize. It was a sobering reminder that we were in a very wild place where nature ruled – and didn’t take kindly to outsiders who flouted the rules.

Other highlights, apart from being hammered all day by trevally and queenfish, was the boating of a rare and very pretty giant herring, along with the curiously named tricky snapper, red emperor and coral trout, one of which made it onto the fire for that evening’s exquisite meal, enjoyed in the quiet seclusion of a hidden bay before we retired to sleep on the boat for the night.

Our destination for day two was the unfortunately named Rats Cove, on the small island of Bickerton, about 50km north of Alyangula. The cove’s name does no justice to its beautiful sandy beach and pristine surrounds, and it made for a spectacular campsite for our second night out.

Prior to our arrival, we notched up some impressive hookups, employing a number of techniques to get the better of our local piscatorial protagonists and resulting in a pretty good session on coral trout trolling poppers over the bommies, with Bomber scoring an excellent 69cm specimen.

Other standout fish for the day included a muscular cobia, large-mouth nannygai, Spanish mackerel and some industrial-sized estuary cod.

CANNIBAL CUDA

We had another reminder of the savagery that can be meted out to the unwitting after we brought a barracuda to the boat and then released it to continue on its way – or so we thought.

Just as it looked like it was ready to head back to the deep, another ’cuda swam up and cut it in half with its powerful razor-lined jaws.

Equally impressive was a quintuple hook-up on queenies, with Bomber managing the chaos expertly. It was every man and rod for himself, but ultimately we managed to bring the fish to the boat and free them all to fight another day.

Our third day on the northern side of Groote was spent exploring the coast and, in particular, the extensive mangrove systems where we had plenty of action at Crackerjack Bay casting for mangrove jacks. And everywhere we went it seemed the water teemed with trevally and queenies. I was fortunate to land a PB trevally on light gear, while flicking lures for mangrove jacks, and we saw an indication of the voracious appetite of the locals when Bomber explained that you don’t even need a lure or bait to catch fish at Groote. In disbelief, I took up the challenge and cast a bare hook near a school of queenfish and, with Bomber coaching, wound like crazy.

Before I knew it, I was on and managed to score my first queenie with nothing but a hook. And just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, my next cast was rewarded by another queenie, followed by a trevally. What a place!

That evening, we returned to the sheltered cove we’d enjoyed on our first night out, only this time around we elected to sleep under the stars on the beach rather than on the boat.

Bomber cautioned that we might be in for a rude – and deadly – awakening, though, if one of the local salties happened to be looking for a late-night snack. Needless to say, we made sure there was plenty of distance between our campsite and the water for the night.

On the way back to Alyangula we had a cultural interlude, with Bomber taking us to a remote aboriginal site to view some ancient rock art. It was a reminder that the area has been inhabited for eons and is full of indigenous history.

A PBT … bruiser trevally caught on light gear.

102 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Landing this monster mangrove jack was a highlight of the trip.

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Destination Groote Island. Australia

SAIL CENTRAL

Our second-last day on the water was action-packed – and for me a real highpoint of the trip. The destination was an area off the south-eastern tip of the island where sailfish congregate. Anyone who has hooked a sail will know what a spectacular fighting fish they are and they certainly didn’t disappoint on our visit.

Once we reached the fishing grounds, we got busy filling the livewell with local bait species, including pilchards and sardines, while Bomber briefed us on tactics for the day.

The plan was to ‘switch bait’ by towing a spread of teasers and baits without hooks to begin with, waiting for any sign of sail activity. Once we had fish in the spread the idea was to slip a rigged-up livebait into the strike zone and wait for the fish to take notice. And boy, once they got a whiff of the livie, it didn’t take long before the reels were going off. The main thing was to let the line free-spool to begin with so the fish consumed the bait and hook completely, and then rely on the circle hook to set in the jaw once the reel was on strike.

As Bomber revealed, the southern waters of Groote attract some of the biggest and most athletic sailfish in Australian waters and the three fish we caught on the day certainly didn’t disappoint.

Our last day was spent focusing on golden snapper, a delicious eating fish. We reached Bomber’s chosen spot and right on time the fish showed up too. Within seconds of dropping our lines, we had fish on – a simultaneous quad hook-up, with two golden snapper, one coral trout and a trevally.

We eventually bagged out on the golden snapper, our haul being used to good effect by several locals that evening.

With bags to pack and planes to catch, we had to call it quits earlier than we’d have liked, but after such an incredible adventure, and with arms aching from some serious fishing action, it was time to head back to Groote.

The only species I didn’t come to grips with over the five days was barramundi, but Rob and Andrew made up for my lapse.

They stayed over an extra couple of days and hooked up to an incredible 60 fish over two action-packed sessions on one of the mainland tidal rivers that run into Blue Mud Bay, including a personal best 97cm specimen for Rob. Speaking for the entire crew, our time with Bomber will

Northbank’s Danger Pro Series 650 Walkaround was the perfect companion for the 5-day Groote adventure.

104 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

certainly go down as one of our all-time great fishing experiences. It seemed we only had to drop a line in the water and the fish were queued up to jump on and give us a memorable battle. Groote Eylandt, and in particular its spectacular and varied coastline, is worth a visit in its own right, and time and again the Northbank Danger Pro 650 Walkaround proved its worth as an extremely competent, safe and well thought out fishing platform.

If you’re looking for a truly amazing sportsfishing experience, do yourself a favour, head for Groote Eylandt.

The golden snapper just kept coming.

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BOAT REVIEW

EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET TENDER

new

Explorer Under new ownership, Explorer Boats has made some significant changes to its Panther 300 series jetboat range, which the company see as a first step into competing head to head on the world market. Barry Thompson got a chance to run one of the first of the new Panther 340 yacht tenders before it was shipped off to its new owner in France.

Explorer is certainly working hard at becoming a significant player in the luxury jet boat tender market.

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Text & Images by Barry Thompson

T

he Panther 340 is one of five models in the Panther 300 series which ranges from the 2.85m, Panther 285 through to the 3.8m Panther 380. The main variance between the models is the overall length and the engine in the 380 being mounted in the stern rather than the centre location of the other models, with a similar layout familiar to all. Obviously, as the size increases so does the internal diameter between the tubes.

While the 285 carries a 0.8m internal beam, the 380 takes that out to 1.08m so you get a little bit more space. Both the 285 and the 300 have the same external beam of 1.65m, with the 320 and the 340 taken out to 1.73m.

The Explorer Panther range was developed over seven years ago and has continually undergone development changes, the most significant in the past 12 months. When Andy Lamont took over

the business immediately after the 2018 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show, one of his first decisions was to look at revamping the Panther and Viking Jet Series.

“We knew we had a great product but it needed to be refined and we had to not only improve the overall quality but also have a look at the power train we were using,” says Andy.

He adds that when the boats were sent overseas, there was always an issue getting the marinised Toyota 1300 engines serviced, so they looked around for a more conventional and universal marine engine package. The obvious choice was a PWC engine from either Sea-Doo with their Rotax or Yamaha’s TR1.

“We decided to go for the Yamaha TR1, and it has proven the ideal engine for the Panther 320, 340 and 380. Owners can go to any Yamaha service centre if they need something done, so service is not an issue any more.

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BOAT REVIEW

EXPLORER PANTHER 340 JET TENDER

Above: The layout is about maximising seating options, with three bench seats with space for 4-6 people.

Right Clockwise: The console lifts up for engine access.

A Yamaha TR1 is the standard power plant.

The anchor tackle is stowed under the forward squab.

There is plenty of storage under the split aft bench seat.

As the Panther is primarily designed as a tender, the bow and stern areas have been reduced to minimise the overhang.

“The change to the Yamaha engine package has also meant a more streamlined production schedule, and along with our proprietary right jet pump, the install is now hours not days,” says Andy.

While Yamaha doesn’t divulge the horsepower of their PWC engines, the word is that the TR1 is around 100-110hp, which in the Panther 340 is more than adequate. However, if you want more, then there is the option of the Yamaha VX engine, which reports put at 125hp. The 250hp Yamaha 1800 Supercharged is too big for the Panther but well suited to the larger Viking Series, although even then that’s a lot of power for a 4m RIB. Explorer rate the Panther 340 to 115hp, so the Yamaha TR1 is a perfect package.

Andy says that while they are not looking at a diesel package currently, they are exploring the electric power option in the future once the existing range is fully developed. Now that would make an exciting jet tender.

The engine couples to Explorer’s jet unit, complete with a 6” pump that’s designed to provide maximum torque when the boat needs to get up on the plane with a load of people aboard. It is a lot more robust unit than you would find in a PWC and has an extralong nozzle which helps with directional control. It also has a lightweight but super strong composite multi-directional reverse bucket and is used in all Explorer jet boat models.

Fixed trim tabs also assist in lifting the stern when you accelerate, and optional fins help stop the stern from getting loose when towing water toys. It’s a reasonable light but extremely strong and stiff hull, which is comprised of an outer shell, composite subframe and inner liner. Andy points out that it is not only much quicker to build, - from about two months to 5 weeks- but also allows for a precision fit. The

108 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Flexiteak used on the cockpit sole and fore, and aft decks add a quality finish.

STUBBY TUBES As the Panther is primarily designed as a tender, the bow and stern areas have been reduced to minimise the overhang at either end. The stubby appearance identifies the Panther as a tender, with no part of the hull extending past the outside of the three chamber per side Hypalon tubes. The 3.4m overall length is all well used.

The layout is about maximising seating options, which in the Panther 340 sees three bench seats with space for 4-6 people. The rear seat extends right to the transom, with space for a driver and passenger.

Forward of the moulded side console is another smaller bench seat, and there is a third across the bow which includes the anchor locker.

The offset console allows for access forward from the helm seat and has a raised instrument panel, plus plenty of space for the side mounted controls, Clarion stereo display, engine management and switch panels.

Our boat also came with Hella nav lights and internal lights. I found the flat mounted Garmin MFD was almost impossible to read when driving and needed to be on a bracket mount. Simple change and one which is an owner’s choice. There are plenty of options available for rod holders, cup holders, handholds, cleats etc.

The console hinges forward on air stays for ease of access to the Yamaha engine, with a separate panel in the sole if you need to get to the driveline.

LEARNING TO DRIVE I ran the boat off Gulf Harbour in a smooth to moderate sea, and I have to admit that even after 49

years of reviewing boats I have still had very little to do with driving jet boats. Not through choice, just circumstance, so when I do get behind the wheel of a jet it always takes me some time to adjust to the way the helm reacts. The Panther 340 was no exception, and while I started with some caution, it didn’t take long before I had it mastered.

Mind you I still made sure I had the kill-switch lanyard attached…. just in case I got into a jet spin and went for a swim.

The Panther 340 is agile, fast, ultra-responsive and a great little boat to drive at speed. Once you drop the throttle, acceleration to max rpm is almost immediately, and so you need to make sure you are in full control behind the wheel. A slight reaction on the wheel has an immediate effect on where the boat wants to go, so it pays to start slowly and work up your confidence, before giving it some serious jandal! But once you have mastered it, it’s an easy boat to drive at any speed.

It’s a boat that seems to adjust to the extra weight well and will carry one or two people as easily as four of five. This is an important factor as the Panther 340 is principally designed as a yacht tender, so weight carrying capabilities are essential. With its low-profile design, the Panther 340 is ideally suited for a larger tender garage or at just under 300 kgs is also not to heavy for stowing on the deck, using a tender crane.

Flat out I saw nearly 33 knots on the speedo with two up and found around 4500rpm @ 25 knots a comfortable cruise speed. Not sure of the fuel consumption as we had no fuel gauge, but the Panther 340 carries 35 litres in a polypropylene fuel, so that’s going to be more than enough for most trips.

EXPORT LEAD With the first two of the remodelled Panther series sold overseas - Thailand and France - and a lot of interest in Australia, it seems that the changes made have certainly proven worthwhile. Explorer is going for CE approval so they can sell into Europe and Asia and have a five-year plan to upgrade and productionise the entire range.

Quality is an aspect that cannot be overstated, and with the new series, Explorer is certainly working hard at becoming a significant player in the luxury jet boat tender market.

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Make & Model: Price As Tested: Type: Construction: LOA: LOW: Beam: Deadrise: Height Of Boat: Weight: Test Power: Top speed: Power Options: Max HP: MFD: Flooring: Fuel: Manufacturer:

Explorer Panther 340 $POA Side Console Jet RIB GRP Composite Hull/Hypalon Tubes 3.40m 1.73m 0.87m 15 deg 0.97m 280 kg (dry) Yamaha 4S EFI/Explorer Jet 32.7 knots Jet Only 115 hp Garmin Flexiteak 35 L (standard) Explorer Boats NZ Limited, Ph +64 9 412 2040 andy@explorerboats.co.nz www.explorerboats.co.nz

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CLASSIC OFFSHORE BOATS 1970s & 80s Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 55 years since the first offshore race in New Zealand but just shy of 50 years since the first dedicated offshore boats were built.

We look at back at some of the best and most interesting.

110 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

O

FFSHORE POWERBOAT RACING STARTED IN AUCKLAND IN FEBRUARY 1964 WITH THE FORMATION OF THE POWERBOAT RACING ORGANISATION (PBRO). The first two events to be held were the Epiglass 40 and the Atlantic 100, with the Ponsonby Cruising Club used as race HQ. Race day was a little foggy to start, but by race start, it was a perfect day. A line of craft stretched across the harbour, with 46 entrants in the Epiglass 40, which saw an inner harbour course and 45 in the tough Atlantic 100.

The route took the fleet (no dedicated offshore boats then) down to the bottom end of Waiheke to Gannet Rock and across to Kawau Island before returning to the Auckland Harbour Bridge finish line. In the early days, it was more about economy v performance with the overall winner decided on points.

However, there was always those that entered to win and take bragging rights. This went to Will Coughey in his ski boat Aquilla in the Atlantic 100, with L.A.Watson driving Turbocraft, a Hamilton Jet 51 to line honours in the Epiglass 40.

Over the following years, the sport gained in popularity with new venues around the country. Taupo, Wellington, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Rotorua were some of the earliest. Boats also changed, although they were still very much runabouts with plenty of power. Plylite Marine in Wellington was one of the more dominant builders, with boats like Plylite IV a 17ft runabout with a pair of Mercury 110hp outboards, the winner of the Rothmans 500 at Taupo in 1967.

Well known production and semi-custom boat builders like Trailer Craft, with plywood built Hartley designs, with boats like Don Burnnand’s 17ft Starflite 111, also powered by twin Mercury 110s, (the biggest outboards of the day) winner of the 1967 Epiglass 40. Fi Glass, Vistacraft, Haines Hunter, Seacraft, Condor Craft and Clipper were also just some of the leading brands of the day that built boats to compete on the growing circuit.

It wasn’t until 1970 that we started to see the first of the genuine purpose-built race boats, such as Ivan Boyce’s Tara Too, Bill Stevenson’s Mystic Miss, John Meredith’s Formula 233, Robin Weston-Webb’s Clipper Commander and Alf Dick’s Jetmark. Offshore racing had come of age and it’s been a wild ride over the past 55 years, although for some of us, it really started around over 50 years ago, when the launches, runabouts, ski boats and even houseboats (remember Caracat) were replaced by speed machines and owners that wanted line honours glory.

The flood gates opened in the early 1970s and we saw more and more race boats every season. Boats like Wynn Brooks 21ft Plylite Alamo, Bill Coughey’s Panic Mouse, Chas Millier’s Twister and dozens of single and twin rigs started to appear. It wasn’t uncommon to see more than 10-12 A class boats at a meeting, such as Clipper Comsec, Max Johnson’s triple Merc powered Clipper 26SR, Aurora, Kevin Green’s 454 Chev powered 21ft Plylite, or Nigel Watt’s triple Merc powered Portage Hotel. These are just some the great boats we have not devoted a separate brief on, but all very deserving and made an impact on the sport. We look at some of the classic boats that helped start the true offshore powerboat racing scene in New Zealand almost half a century ago.

TARA TOO

(Pictured Top Left) Designed by Rex Henry and raced by Ivan Boyce, Tara Too was one of the very first true offshore race boats, that wasn’t a modified family runabout. It was one of the most successful boats in the 1970s and early 1980s in the early years of offshore. Power was a big block 7-litre, 425hp Chev, marinised by Lees Marine through a Casale gearbox and shaft.

It had a unique three-seater arrangement with Ivan sitting in the centre aft in what resembled an armchair, with the two crew Don Dainty and Brian Millet forward and slightly lower than Ivan.

Built by Aucklander Rod Holt, in 1969, the boat was solidly constructed from three skins of heart Kauri with laminated beams. It was a heavy boat constructed to handle any sea conditions and had a top speed close to 70mph. At 5.79m (19ft) it wasn’t a big boat by competition standards.

When Ivan retired from racing the boat was sold to a new owner in Thames who raced for a few seasons, before selling it to Ivan’s son, Mike Boyce. The boat is currently in storage in Silverdale, Auckland and going through a full restoration. We may yet see it back on the water racing in the Classic Class.

MYSTIC MISS

(Pictured Bottom Left) Bill Stevenson got the racing bug early and started with his inboard powered Clipper 26, which proved a competitive boat, especially when it was rough. In the 1967 Epiglass 100 Wellington race run in gale force conditions (they would have cancelled the race today!) he took line honours as well as first in performance and first overall. In the previous Atlantic 100, he had to retire when in the lead after hitting a log and tearing the rudder clean off.

For the 1969 season, Stevenson turned up with Mystic Miss, a brand new 26ft Plylite hull to a Levi design, powered by a trio of Mercury 125s. (later Mercury 150s). The crew was Stevenson, Gordon Holmes and Drew Gordon. In the first season, he proved how good the boat was and won a number of races, including Gisborne. He took out the speed section of the Atlantic 100, but only after Robin Weston-Webb’s triple Johnson 125 powered Clipper Commander was disqualified for a course infringement.

Mystic Miss went on to race for a season as Peter Stuyvesant with Ken Lusty and then was modified into a pleasure boat with a Mercruiser by Bruce Bothwell and eventually turned up in the hands of Ollie Olphert. It was aptly named, Playboy and is still in use today by new owners.

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CLASSIC OFFSHORE BOATS 1970s & 80s

JETMARK

FORMULA 233 Another of the earliest true offshore race boats, Formula 233 was a Formula 23 hull imported from Australia in late 1970, ready to race with triple 135hp Mercury outboards.

With John Haines driving it was a previous Sydney-Newcastle winner and started its racing career with a 550hp Holman Moody inboard and Mercruiser drive.

Driven by John Meredith, Guy Wagg and Doug Wishart it won the NZ Champion in 1972 and 1973. It was sold to Wellington brothers John and Graeme Sutherland, who renamed it BONZ Formula and later Raro before it ended up in the hands of Ken Lusty and finished its days as the plug for the Exocet cabin boat.

Built by Hamilton Jets in Christchurch, the 8.5m Jetmark was one of the few jet boats racing offshore, and while having its moments of glory, it constantly suffered from mechanical maladies. However, in its first outing at the Queenstown marathon in 1970 with Alf Dick at the helm, it beat of 101 competitors to win by 12 km, although the average speed was a relatively modest 45 knots.

Then despite an engine malfunction, came in a respectable second in the Auckland six-hour marathon.

The engine and trim problems that dogged Jetmark were the least of her troubles when she sank on the Sumner bar. The all plywood hull was powered by a 450hp, Chev 427, through a Hamilton Jet drive and built in Christchurch by Graham Rollinson.

In March 1972 with George Davidson at the helm, Jetmark returned to glory with a win at New Plymouth. However, eventually, everyone at Hamilton Marine, including Alf Dick, who had championed the building of the boat, tired of it and it was retired. In fact, Alf decided to end Jetmark’s days permanently by burning it and was reported to have turned up one day at work with a box of Jetmark’s ashes. Sad ending to a remarkable boat.

CLIPPER COMMANDER In 1971 Robin Weston-Webb launched his Clipper 26SR, Clipper Commander, designed and built by Mason Marine. The boat was first named Clipper Sea Horse and became Clipper Commander in 1972. It was the wooden plug for the grp versions, such Clipper Go Go and Miss Comsec that followed. Powered by triple Evinrude 125 V4s, the boat had its moments of glory, like crossing the line first in an Auckland Atlantic 100, only to be disqualified for a course error. Race organiser Tony Mason would have done that hard! However, the Achilles heel were the two outside engines which suffered from blown lower units all the time. The big cleaver props just had too much bite!

The boat was sold after a few seasons to a Wellington buyer who converted it to 454 LS7 Chev inboard with sterndrive power and renamed Inland Commander. Next move was being converted to a pleasure boat, and around 1992 Len Lavas and Roger Puttick brought the boat and repowered with a pair of V8 300hp Evinrude and more recently with twin Yamaha 200s.

Now owned solely by Lavis, Clipper Commander is still seen occasionally in poker runs and the classic class but is mostly just a bloody quick pleasure boat.

Roger comments that they reckon the boat has covered more than 60,000 nm in its lifetime and that there are many more to come.

112 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

TYPHOON On the 22 Oct 1976, Barry Ford sent a telegram (remember them) to South Island Marathon champion Philip Mills. It read; This year Johnson had a fling, but next year Black Max will be king. Mr Wrangler you beware, watch what comes from here next year. That was probably the first anyone got a hint of what was coming and when it did it hit like a Typhoon! Barry and brother Graeme had secretly been building an English designed (James Beard) Cougar 23 and when it was launched for the 1977 season, it changed the future of offshore and marathon racing in New Zealand forever.

Appropriately named, Typhoon, this all plywood cat powered by twin 175 Black Max Mercs outclassed all it raced against, and it wasn’t long before it was followed by John Garrity’s Visor and Phillip Mill’s first Wraggs. It also saw the emergence of builder/designer Scott Robson who had designed a number of competitive single rig tunnels, and the March Bros twin Merc powered Hitachi. Scott built Phillip’s Cougar 28 and then followed with many of his designs which although based on the Cougar design principles saw his own changes to the tunnel and hull designs.

Typhoon was sold to Roger Wood who renamed it Typhoon Karma, and then Graeme Horne picked it up and raced it as EIT Mover. It continued running for many years under different owners and names but never really repeated its early years of success. It got too old, and design technology had passed it by.

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CLASSIC OFFSHORE BOATS 1970s & 80s

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TERRIFIC Hugh Fawcett’s Leo Young designed Terrific was a fast boat in the calm water, but a hard riding s.o.b in the rough, due to its very shallow vee.

Powered by a single 454cuin Chev through a Casale gearbox and shaft, Terrific raced through the early and mid-1970s with various crew.

One of the crewman, Wynn Brooks, tells the story about testing the boat in the drainage canals on the Hauraki Plains, where Hugh would run the boat flat out with the weeds rubbing both sides, stop at the end, turn the engine off and use poles to turn the boat around in the narrow canal, before racing back down in excess of 70mph. Bet the sheep loved it!

After he finished with racing, Hugh put a cabin on Terrific and converted it into a pleasure boat.

KITTEN Kitten was another early dedicated offshore race boat from the board of Rex Henry, the designer of Tara Too, Coranto and Chindit. Driven by Trevor Bernand, Kitten ran in B class in the 1970s, with a small block Chev and was a constant performer in all conditions. It was one of the nicest looking boats on the circuit and always immaculately prepared.

At 5.18m (17ft), Kitten was designed to fit within the PBRO’s length restriction for the Epiglass 40. It was the forerunner of Tara Too, albeit 2ft shorter. Kitten suffered from airlift problems due to its relatively full sheer and entry, so Tara Too was given a finer entry with virtually no flare in the topsides. It’s whereabouts today remains a mystery.

114 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

Jim Mackay crewed for Spinner Black in 1974, in Old Crow, but there was a difference of opinion over the need for trim tabs.

Mackay believed his hulls did not need them and built a new boat, ‘Topaz’ to prove his point.

Tony Mason race organiser and the godfather of offshore racing in New Zealand didn’t really want genuine race boats, so he set the limit to what was then the biggest boat on the scene, Bill Stevenson’s Mystic Miss.

Launched in the mid-1970s, Topaz dominated the 1974-75 season with seven wins from eight starts. He lost the Auckland race to Max Johnson in Miss Comsec, a Bob Wellesley design triple rig and the Napier race to Spinner Black’s Camel. Camel was the sister ship to Topaz and Napier proved to be their only race win that season.

Powered by a single 454cuin Chev, Topaz set the standard, and we are fortunate that it has been lovingly restored and is still racing today in the Classic Class, after more than 45 years.

WRANGLER One of the first competitive twin rig cats, Wrangler was designed and built by Jack Ryan for Christchurch racer, Phillip Mills. Powered by a pair of 200hp Evinrude, the 24 Ryancraft was unique as it had the two crew sitting side by side just aft of the bow.

It was a quick boat that Phillip says was good for the mid-70s and after a race in Wellington against Brian Crouch’s Cossack Vodka, proved it could also handle the rough water.

When Phillip got Scott Robson to build him a new Cougar 28 (Wraggs), Wrangler was given a complete makeover. Scott sliced off the deck, redesigned the sponsons and turned it into a twin cockpit cat which raced as Versatile Garages with Alan Boyd.

It then became Mystic Miss with Paul Stevenson at the wheel and later was brought by Keith Sinclair who ran it as Foden Force and later Lockwood with Kevin Billings.

JESSE JAMES The well respected Facebook site -Historic Offshore Powerboats New Zealand ran a small feature on Jesse James and said the following; This boat needs no introduction, being one of the most recognised and well-known boats in New Zealand. Built by Chris Craft in the United States for brothers Mark and Chris Lavin the catamaran was built of GRP over a balsa wood core. Powered by two Chevrolet 350 cu in V8s through Mercruiser No.4 stern drives. Launched in 1983 she won the American Offshore series in 1984 and 85, and also set a world speed record of 101.3 mph.

New Zealander Ross Tebbs bought the entire Jesse James rig, boat, trailer and tow vehicle. He aimed to contest the Class 2 World Offshore Powerboat Championships being raced here in 1986. Tebbs re-powered Jesse James in 1989, installing two Buick 372 cu.in. aluminium block motors giving 650hp each. It won NZ1 in 1988 and 1991.

Mothballed for seven years - in 2003 it was then bought by Aucklanders Wayne and Grant Valder. Since then the Valders retained the Buick motors and undertook a freshening up to prepare Jesse James for the 2004 series. Jesse James was given a major restyle for 2006, While long retired from racing Jesse James is still owned by Wayne Valder, who one day hopes to have it back on the water in the Classic Class.

BLACK TURTLE/ OLD CROW Owned and raced by Spencer ‘Spinner’ Black in the 1970s, Turtle was an 18ft Plylite hull powered by a single big block Chev and had a top speed around 70mph.

It was the same hull as Miss Waikato, powered by twin Mercury 110s that had originally been set up for ski racing.

Black Turtle had limited success, but when it did finish it finished well. Not sure if it still survives as rumour has it the plywood hull rotted, and it ended up sadly in a landfill.

In 1973 Spinner had Jim McKay build him a new hull. He showed him a picture of a USA Cigarette offshore racing boat and asked him if he could build something similar.

Tony Mason race organiser and the godfather of offshore racing in New Zealand didn’t really want genuine race boats, so he set the limit to what was then the biggest boat on the scene, Bill Stevenson’s Mystic Miss. The result was the first Mackay 8.23m ‘Old Crow’ and the real start of the Mackay offshore racing dynasty. Mackay-built boats won the NZOPBA championship for five years from 1974 to 1978. Mackay crewed for Black in 1974, but there was a difference of opinion over the need for trim tabs.

Mackay believed his hulls did not need them and built a new boat, ‘Topaz’ to prove his point.

Spinner ran the boat first as Old Crow and then under the Camel Filter branding before it was sold to Brian Crouch and raced as Cossack Vodka. It continued racing with great success under the new ownership until Crouch sold the boat to Harry Svirskis and Bill Russell. Called Brut 33, it never retained its winning status and in the late 90s was sold to Nic Phelps. Phelps never did a lot with the boat and after running a marathon, retired the boat from racing. I last heard it was still under his ownership, somewhere in West Auckland and need of a total restoration.

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CLASSIC OFFSHORE BOATS 1970s & 80s

CHINDIT

SOLOMON SEAL Solomon Seal / Bernina was a 26ft Renato Levi hull that first hit the water in the early 1970s. Built by Tom and Horace Manville, Solomon Seal was powered by triple Chrysler 135s. Not exactly everyone’s race engines of choice, but it did okay mid-pack.

The Manville’s sold it to Taupo based Bill David who renamed in Bernina and repowered the boat with a pair of Volvo Penta high performance sterndrives, plus built state of the art fully enclosed racing trailer. I believe the radical needle nose Levi is still around today as a pleasure boat.

No feature on offshore boats would be complete without mention of Chindit. Launched for the 1979 Taupo race, Chindit was a winner from the outset. Owner Graeme Wingate started racing in 1973 in a family cabin boat and then got the ‘bug’. This led to his having the 4.88m (16ft) Coranto powered by a 75hp Evinrude, a specialist race boat designed by Rex Henry.

In 1979 he moved up into C Class with Chindit and along with crewman Laurie Hyland and later Ross Archer became one of the most successful B class boats. Top speed was around 75 mph with a single Evinrude 225.

Graeme sold the boat at the end of the 1982 season, having set his sights on something a little more radical - a V8 outboard powered tri-hull.

Unfortunately, this never proved a success and was eventually parked up.

New owner Norm Jepson repowered with a Mercury 150 and then the boat was sold to John Macdonald who dropped a Yamaha 140 on the transom.

Chindit then ended up in the hands of Keith Sinclair, then Greg Crawford before back in Auckland when it was sold to Joanne Lomax. Chindit has gone the full circle and a few years back was in the Wingate family again, with Graeme’s, son Peter competing on the circuit until the end of the 2018 season with ETEC power. Chindit has never changed its name or livery and still looks as good today as it did 40 years ago.

STEVENSON EXPRESS

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES This big American built Scarab 30 was owned by Graeme Sutherland and crewed by Kevin Green in the early 1980s and took them to the UIM World Class 2 championship in Key West, Florida. Powered by triple Mercury 2.4 V6 outboards, Continental Airlines loved the rough water. When Graeme sold the boat, to John Graeme, he installed a pair of big block MerCruisers and then it was on-sold to Tony Marsh of Marsh Motor Sports who dropped in a single 1000hp big block and MerCruiser #6 drive. The boat appeared on the poker run circuit and is now owned by Tony Banks, ex-crewman for Graeme Horne’s Fleetlease.

116 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

With the 1986 World Class 2 Championship coming to Auckland, Paul Stevenson approached Scott Robson about designing a new full composite triple rig. Marten Marine, one of the most experienced composite builders in the country were given the task of constructing the boat. Power was triple Merc V6s, and when the 10m cat went in the water, it was considered state-of-the-art in both design and construction.

Unfortunately, Stevenson Express suffered from lower unit issues during the world event and never featured well in the results. What followed was a programme of manufacturing their own prop shafts, which eventually saw an end to the problem.

Stevenson Express was an amalgam of the best ideas from Wayne Wilkinson Insurance, Paul’s first Robson triple rig and Graeme Horne’s EIT Mover. Crewman Roger Puttick commented he once saw 112mph on the speedo! Soon after the world’s Paul passed away, but the family continued to race the boat with Roger and Gordon Luke and after winning the NZ1 championship sold the boat. It went through a number of owners and name changes, such as Aquabase and has not been seen on the circuit for many years.

HEADHUNTER/ TORMENTOR Ron Archer had a variety of offshore race boats, right back from his first race in 1965, but without a doubt one of his most successful was Headhunter. A Haines Hunter 1600S, it was powered by a 180hp Volvo Penta 4cyl with a Volvo racing leg and had a top speed of around 72 mph. When first launched in 1974 it raced in F Class and after winning every race was bumped to E Class for the following season and after also dominating the class was moved up to C Class. This is where the boat should have been all along and was still very competitive.

Ron won 22 out of 23 races over three seasons, with a DNF in a Wellington BP5000 after a battery disintegrated. It was sold to a new owner in Taupo, and the whereabouts of the boat now is unknown.

Ron Archer went to the top offshore designer of the day, Rex Henry to design him a formidable B Class boat. Built by Bob Wellesley, the boat was an all plywood affair and powered by a pair of Johnson 125 V4s. The boat was raced for only one season and never really come up to expectations. Despite having ace OMC mechanic Ginger Gallop as crew it never performed as expected and after just a season Ron sold the boat and it was never seen on the race scene again.

Many years later Ron went back to running a twin OMC rig, called Rumrunner, a Smuggler Reefrunner powered by a pair of 200hp Johnsons. Unfortunately, the engines were not counter-rotating, and despite having his own counter rotating lower units engineered, Rumrunner had severe reliability issues. Ron comments that they went through 13 gearboxes before calling a halt to the programme.

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CLASSIC OFFSHORE BOATS 1970s & 80s

VISOR EIT MOVER Graeme Horne was Mr Offshore, and while he started with a 6m twin Mercury powered vee bottom ski/race boat called Eliminator, a cutdown Haines V198, he quickly got the bug and brought Roger Wood’s Typhoon Karma. Typhoon was the first wooden Cougar 23 built by Timaru’s Barry Ford. After Graeme sold the boat, it went through many owners and many name changes, but it never retained the same aura as when raced by Graeme and crewman Bob Menzies.

Horne moved onto a Keith Eade 26 with twin Mercs and then finally the triple outboard powered Robson 32. He later converted the Robson to twin small block Chev V8 power and renamed the boat Fleetlease. After he sold the boat, it sat for many years in the swamp beside the Clevedon River, until someone brought it and restored it to its former glory, albeit as an open poker run boat.

Graeme moved up to Class 1 with the purchase of an alloy Cougar 41 and retired from racing after getting series injuries when the boat barrel rolled during a race on Auckland Harbour. Unfortunately he never fully recovered from his injuries and the sport lost one of its true champions when he passed away a few years ago.

Ginger Gibbs owned the boat for a while but did nothing with it, until it was sold Australian Tony Lowe, who ran with limited success. Unfortunately, the days of the big alloy cats were numbered as light composite constructed cats took over.

Built in 1978, Visor was the second Cougar 23 from Timaru and was John Garrity’s introduction to offshore racing. He won his first three races at Queenstown, Timaru and Christchurch. He took the boat to Australia and won the Queensland Championship as well as establishing a new Brisbane to Calandra record. Stuart Thompson the regular crew and mechanic for the championship and the late Peter Noonan in the Calandra run.

There’s a famous photo of Visor flying of a massive swell in Timaru, that was typical of the bravado of its owner. John raced for many seasons before trading the boat back to Barry Ford as part of a deal to buy the 32ft Cougar Rarotongan. He changed the name to Scrubbers and bolted on a pair of OMC V8s. The 23 Cougar Visor was later destroyed in a spectacular crash during an Auckland race, leaving the boat in bits and crewman Richard Carlton badly injured.

John also raced a Bruce Harris designed Shark Cat, also named Visor, that was a beast in the rough to stupidly rough water.

Powered by a pair of Johnson 225hp V6 outboards, John ran the boat in the 1980s, before moving onto the first of two 28 Harris Cats, the first with twin Yamaha 225s which he sunk during a Hamilton Island race and then the second with a pair of OMC V8s.

John also put together five Pacific 1000 campaigns while competing in various seasons in both New Zealand and Australia. John’s last racing venture was in partnership with Barry Thompson when they ran the Robson 10m diesel powered mono, Line7/RFD. The mono is currently owned by Glen Urquhart and is undergoing a complete engine change and may well appear next season back in Classic Class.

SUNDAY NEWS Designed and built by Scott Robson, the 23ft Sunday News was first raced by Norm Chadwick and Barry Thompson in 1984, competing both in the North Island and South Island circuits. Success was immediate from the first race in Auckland with a win in class 3D (2 x 150hp outboards) and second overall, this was followed by many more wins in both the offshore and marathon series.

After an accident on Lake Taupo, Chadwick sold the boat in 1985 to ex-circuit racer Glen Urquhart who went on to win not only the class and overall championship on the North Island Offshore circuit but also the World 3D Championship

118 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAY/JUNE 2019

in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

On its return to New Zealand, with navigator Barry Thompson the boat competed in the 3D Invitation races in the UIM Class 1 & 2 Championship in Auckland when a bad accident in the first race left Thompson in critical condition.

After a long recovery period, he returned to racing but not before Urquhart had sent the boat back to Europe to compete in the 1987 World 3D championship in Italy, where success eluded him. He sold the boat to an English racer and the ex world champion rig is now languishing somewhere in the English countryside.

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