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THE 100% ALUMINIUM BOAT MAGAZINE

SPRING 2016 â€“ ISSUE 9

Propeller Choice

Exploring the City Fringe

WE TEST 11 PROPELLERS TO FIND THE BEST!!

THE MAHURANGI HARBOUR & OUTLYING ISLANDS

Hold Me Fast ANCHORS EXPLAINED

AN ALLOY BOAT WITH A

GRP HEART THE ULTIMATE 21 ELITE FISHING MAYOR ISLAND

REVIEWED:

MARCO 650 WA

Beach Launching HOW NOT TO GET STUCK

ANNIVERSAR

1996

- 2016

HAMILTON JET HIMALAYAN EXPEDITION

FC 525 CUDDY

FREWZA F16 SPORT JET

ULTIMATE 21 ELITE

EVERYMAN 650 PROFISH CC

$10.00 inc GST

MCLAY CRUISER 751 GEN 2

NEW

NO ONE FINDS MORE BIRDS THAN FURUNO

BIRD MODE RADAR

Pushing the boundaries of what is possible with conventional Radar technology, the DRS6A X-Class marks yet another leap forward for FURUNO. Enhanced in almost every aspect, the DRS6A X-Class Radar features improved short range detection, as well as an impressive long range detection. Utilizing technology previously only available on rugged commercial-grade radars, the DRS6A X-Class offers stunning performance and reliability. For the fisherman, the new “Bird Mode” on NavNet TZtouch/TZtouch2 gives you incredible bird detection performance.

WIN

a set of Red Gill Custom Lures

#teamfurunonz

A couple of deep water critters caught out of 400m on Matt Watson’s Stabicraft with TZ Touch and DFF1 - UHD True Chirp sounder module (Thru Hull), Stay tuned to this season’s ITM Fishing Show to catch all the details.

A monster bass caught aboard Western Break by Nathan Adams, found with FCV 585. Read his story at www.furuno.co.nz

Win a pack of four Red Gill Custom Lures, especially crafted for Furuno by renowned NZ lure maker Nathan Adams To enter go to www.furuno.co.nz *Promotion runs till the 31st October 2016

#teamfurunonz

A solid top water king caught on Cascade Charters with FCV295. Photo: Mark Armistead

A great family catch thanks to Furuno! Rico, Max and Mum Tania caught this very nice kingfish with help from ACCUFish on their TZTouch.

Check out www.furuno.co.nz for more details or to find your local dealer

VISIT US ON STAND 118

/furunonz

/furunonewzealand

561

RANGE OF BOATS

581

601

These models are effectively (a great looking) pontoon boat. Our wide and deep gunnels are filled with closed cell foam, from the stern right to the anchor!!! Now with the extra buoyancy and security of a pontoon boat, while still looking GREAT!!! Loaded with new features not seen on our boats before. McLAY Boats - 28 years of supplying Kiwi Boaties with quality Family, Fishing, and Water sports boats... Contact your nearest McLAY dealer to view and experience these exciting new models;

– 561 – 581 – 601 – 611 new release – 651

611

McLAY BOATS ARE AVAILABLE FROM DEALERSHIPS NATIONWIDE: WHANGAREI: Warren Hay Marine, AUCKLAND: Fish City, Albany, HAMILTON: Fish City, Frankton, WHAKATANE: Oceansports Marine Ltd, NEW PLYMOUTH: West Coast Marine, WELLINGTON: Boat City, MOTUEKA: Bays Boating, CHRISTCHURCH: Powerboat Centre, DUNEDIN: McLay Boats Milton, INVERCARGILL: Marine South Ltd,

ph 09 430 2666. ph 09 476 4282. ph 07 846 6675. ph 07 308 4241. ph 06 759 0939. ph 04 298 5931. ph 03 528 5200. ph 03 389 1146. ph 03 417 8135. ph 03 218 2700.

651

www.mclayboats.co.nz Phone: +64 (03) 417 8135

DB149

www.mclayboats.co.nz www.facebook.com/Mclayboatsltd

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SPRING

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REGULAR COLUMNS Point of View Quick Look DNA 535 XC News & Notable Aluminium Boat Guide ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

Features Beach Launching Launching your boat off the beach doesn’t need to be something to fear. With the right preparation it can be quite simple.

From Family Runabout to Game Boat - Part Three Shane Kelly recalls the sweet taste of success – or was that smoked marlin?

Fossil-Free Boating They’re quiet, smooth and environmentally friendly. Chris Beattie samples the Torqeedo range of electric outboards.

Fishing Mayor Island Mat Hewetson checks out the fishing around Mayor Island and finds a bountiful fish supply with a variety of species.

Understanding Propellers Of all the items on an outboard motor, seemingly the most unpretentious is the propeller. We explain the differences.

Prop Shoot Out We took eleven different propellers and put them on the same boat to find out which was the best and the worst performers.

Exploring the City Fringe Geoff Green highlights the attraction, history and infrastructure of Mahurangi and its outlying islands.

Knowing Your Anchor Modern designs have made anchors not only better, but lighter. Which one will work for you?

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104

Hamilton Jet Himalayan Expedition- Part One

112

Company Profile – Sportcraft Boats

Matthew Fallow explores the holy grail of jet boating.

Alloy Boat met company director Jamie Black to find out what makes this leading retailer and boat builder such a success.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOW & STERN THRUSTER BOATS 24’ to 70’ No Tunnel No Propeller No Noise

BOAT REVIEWS ULTIMATE 21 ELITE

• Thrust Ratings: 30, 50, 70, 90, kgf.

Innovative hull-in-hull design delivers the best of both worlds. Text by Mike Rose

• DC Operation • Easily retrofitted Watch: www.youtube.com/user/hollandmarineparts

MCLAY CRUISER 751 GEN 2 So popular is the new McLay Cruiser 751 Gen 2 that it’s taken Barry Thompson four months to get one to review. Was it worth the wait?

Frewza F16 Fisher Sport Jet

HYDRAULIC TRIM TABS

Barry Thompson went to Invercargill to check out the Frewza F16 Fisher Sport Jet and found a boat that is destined for more than rivers.

InstaTrim is the original hydraulic trim tab boat leveller. twin rocker switches control each tab for precise, instant trim of your boat. Tab sizes for boats 16’ to 60’ Spare parts always available.

FC525 Cuddy The FC Boats brand is making its mark on the New Zealand boating scene. Freddy Foote checks out one of their most popular models.

MARCO 650 WA The Marco 650 Centre Cab is the first walkaround aluminium trailer boat Barry Thompson has tested and it is also one of the few available in New Zealand.

EVERYMAN 650 CENTRE CAB p. +64 9 448 5900 f. +64 9 448 5911 e. info@sopac.co.nz

When TV fishing personality, Adam Clancey set up a new boat, you would expect it to be the perfect fishing platform. Freedy Foote was super impressed.

DB136

www.sopac.co.nz 41c William Pickering Dr | Albany, Auckland

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

POINT OF VIEW

SUMMER CAN’T COME QUICK ENOUGH!

PUBLISHER D&B Publishing Ltd Barry Thompson & Doug Dukeson EDITORIAL Barry Thompson, Editor DDI: +64 (0)9 428 2086 Mob: +64 (0)21 777 355 email: barry@boatmags.com CONTRIBUTORS Freddy Foote, Mike Rose, Mike Broome, Mathew Hewetson, Paul Walker. 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 Aust: Peter Rhodes DDI: +61 (0) 38786 8993 Mob: 0413154 460 email: pete.rhodes@bigpond.com PRODUCTION Design & Prepress: Annabelle Rose Design Mob: +64 (0)27 427 4559 email: design@annabellerose.co.nz Printer: PMP Limited WEBSITE Momentum Marketing Carl Thompson Tel: +64 (0)21 762 275 email: carl@gomomentum.marketing ACCOUNTS Soraja Thompson Tel: +64 (0)9 428 2086 Fax: +64 (0)9 424 2786 email: accounts@boatmags.com CIRCULATION Gordon & Gotch Ltd SUBSCRIPTIONS Carla Dukeson Pacific PowerBoat Subscriptions PO Box 886, Whangaparoa, Auck. NZ Tel: +64 (0)9 428 2328 email: subs@boatmags.com

As this will be the last Alloy Boat magazine this year, with the next issue, #10 due out in February 2017, I would like to wish all our readers a great summer of fishing and boating. Summer is just around the next headland, although right now it seems to be getting closer by the day. Outside it’s still a mild 16 deg and the water temperature is only about 14 deg, but it’s cloudless and sunny. In New Zealand and especially down South we have been going through a bloody cold winter and while it might be good for the skiers and snowboarders, it’s not so great if you prefer to do your leisure activities on the water. I have just started using my McLay Fortress again after quite a few months of it being ‘resting’ in my shed. The lack of getting on the water for my fishing fix has not always been about the weather, it’s also the time available and often when there was a great weekend with calm seas, I was either working or away somewhere. Well that’s all changing and I have had a number of trips out into the Hauraki Gulf, mostly between Kawau and Tiri Tiri Matangi islands and while the fishing has not been fantastic, it has been okay. A few weeks back I was on my own, fishing in about 8m of water on a reef off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, when my reel started to scream. After a 15 min workout between me and whatever fish was on the end, my double snapped and I ended up flat on my back in the boat. I never saw what it was, but the way it ran I’d pick a Kinghie or with that distinctive ‘nodding feeling’ might have been an extra large Snap! I’d like to to have at least seen it and then let it go. Maybe next time. With the boat laying idle I also had some time for general jobs, one of which was to build a larger console for my new Humminbird Series 7 Helix fishfinder. I have to say that it is a fantastic unit. It has excellent clarity, is totally viewable in direct sunlight, simple to use and most of all it reads perfectly at over 50 km/h. I mounted the much larger transducer (compared to my previous Humminbird) in the same place and could not believe that at full throttle @ 57 km/h, there was no distortion on the screen. I am looking forward to checking out all the functions it has over the summer. Another thing we did recently and you can read about it in this issue, is we tested 11 different Mercury propellers on the Mercury 75 I have on the transom. I never really knew if the propeller I had was the right one. However, after testing everything, I settled for what I already had. Also, I now know that flat out, the worst I can burn is around 27 lph and at mid range cruise around 15 lph. If you get a chance go to our Facebook or website and check out our new videos on towbars & couplings, LED Lights and our latest one on beach launching. You never know, you might learn something. Have a great summer and see you on the water somewhere. Barry Thompson

REGISTERED OFFICE Advertising & Editorial enquiries: 14 Glamis Ave, Manly, Whangaparaoa, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel: +64 (0)9 428 2086 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 2324-5255 (Printed) ISSN 2324-5263 (Online)

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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We let our boats do the talking for themselves... PRESS QUOTES: SEE US AT THE AUCKLAND ON WATER BOAT SHOW BERTH 35 (Next to Sealegs)

THE EVERYMAN 470 CUDDY “This little boat, with a hull length of just 4.7m is undoubtedly the most stable and comfortable under 5m conventional hull boat I have ever tested” THE EVERYMAN 550 “Put simply, the 550s are built well and priced right; they punch well above their weight, with hull design and construction finish making them fantastic performers and enormous value for money.” THE EVERYMAN 595 “The Everyman 595 is a very useful and good-looking fishing boat. The construction is robust and the level of finish is excellent. Good use of space is made in the layout, making it an easy craft to fish from. It is stable, travels well, and is a dry, soft rider.” THE EVERYMAN 635 HARD TOP “With an exceptional finish, a chine that must be the widest on the market and a relatively shallow 15 degree deadrise, this ‘tinnie’ bucks the trend with its smooth ride”

Everyman 11.0m

THE EVERYMAN 685 SPORT FISHER “This hull seems just as soft riding and quiet as its smaller sibling’s. Stability at rest is excellent, and putting all the weight on one side produced very little lean.”

OWNER TESTIMONIALS:

From 4.7m to 11m available in Cuddy Cabin, Centre Console, Centre Cabin and Hard Top versions

THE EVERYMAN 550 “What a lovely boat, soft through the water no hammering and a very stable boat at rest.” THE EVERYMAN 595 “The whole experience from beginning to end has been a positive one. I am a very happy customer.” “She runs like a dream, handles well on the water. “The boat’s lines and the finish are exceptional. The boat rides great, soft and predictable. They are a very beamy boat giving it fantastic stability.” THE EVERYMAN 635 “I use the Everyman 635 off the West Coast out of Mokau. “We can’t say enough about this boat it really does go like a dream and turns on a dime. We have been out in some rough weather and the Everyman handles it beautifully, making us feel very safe.” THE EVERYMAN 685 “I researched a wide range of boats, both aluminium and fibreglass, and I believe that the boat I now own satisfies all of my needs and represents the best quality for money currently available on the market.” “The boat has lived up to our expectations and would recommend Everyman Boats.”

P 07 847 6335 E info@everymanboats.co.nz W www.everymanboats.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

DB144

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Visit our website for more reports and testimonials.

quick look: DNA 535 XC

SPACIOUS CUDDY This is one of the most popular of the DNA Cuddy range, which comprises three models; 450C, 480XC and the 535 XC. It is big enough to fish four adults comfortably and the cabin provides excellent protection from the elements. There is a generous amount of dry storage in the bow under the cuddy, which can be customised with a couple of short berths. The cockpit seats are on cantilevered pedestals which also have storage incorporated underneath. Sealed transom lockers house the battery and tote tanks tuck neatly underneath the back shelf if the optional underfloor tank is not fitted. Tapering pontoons offer a sleek appearance and non-pounding ride. High sides give great protection from spray and provide ample storage around the boat for all types of gear meaning a clutter free deck and more room to fish!!! The X series pontoon hulls feature full flat floors, meaning no angular section of hull beyond the edge of the floor to where it meets the pontoon join. The hulls also feature a toe space where you can hook

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

your feet in underneath the pontoon giving you more positive grip and allowing you to stand closer to the edge. Integral hull framing system using CNC cut interlocking full depth full-length frames create a rigid dependable system adopted throughout DNAâ€™s alloy boat range. The hull is constructed of 4mm on the bottom with 2.5mm tubes. We ran the boat with a Honda 80 and recorded a top speed of 33 knots. At 5000 rpm, the 535XC runs nicely at 28 knots, with exceptional fuel consumption. Power options are up to 115 hp. Length overall is 5.35m, with an external beam of 2.15m, internal beam of 1.64m and a towing weight of around 1150 kg. While the boat comes with plenty of standard features, including a walk around bow access, transom shelf, battery, wiring and DNA graphics, there are also plenty of options available. Popular are the auxiliary outboard bracket, boarding ladder, ski pole, bait board and live bait tank. www.dnaboats.co.nz

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

& Notable

IMAGE BOATS ENTER PONTOON BOAT MARKET Image Boats has joined the pontoon boat ranks with their first Image Pontoon, a 7.08m open hardtop. This is an entirely new venture for the company, but one that the company sees as a natural progression for the brand. Having a pontoon range available will certainly bolster the Image name and broaden the appeal of this highly respected

alloy boat builder. The Pontoon 7.08 Open is available with single outboard power from 140hp through to 200 hp. Fuel capacity is a generous 250 litres. Like all Image boats, the construction is of the highest quality with 5mm hull thickness and 3mm pontoons. At 2.36m overall beam itâ€™s easily trailerable and on

NEW SUPER COMFORT SERIES LIFEJACKET FROM HUTCHWILCO

Nanni Release V8 Diesel Nanni Industries has released a 370hp V8 marine diesel that is light-weight, compact, fuel-efficient and strong. It has ample torque low in the rev range, itâ€™s shorter than a six-cylinder diesel and it weighs only 435kg dry. It is ideal for single or twin installations in fast vessels. Nanni marinises core engines sourced from Kubota, Toyota and John Deere to ensure it has the most appropriate engine design and technology for any given application. The Nanni 370hp V8 is based on a proven Toyota engine that has provided excellent service. It is designated the T8V.370 and variants are available with 320 and 350 horsepower. The T8V series engines are available in shaft drive, water jet and stern drive configurations. The sterndrive version is supplied ready to couple up to a Bravo stern drive. The T8V.370 develops maximum horsepower at 3,800 rpm, and it is especially strong in the mid-range. Maximum torque is produced at 2600rpm (804.3Nm), at which point it is producing 290hp and is predicted to consume less than 25 litres per hour. Exhaust emissions comply with the stringent EPA Tier III regulations. GMS Store, 90 Gaunt Street, Westhaven | Ph: 09 309 6317 sales@generalmarine.co.nz ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

the trailer has an overall height to the top of the hardtop of 3.05m. Features include a walkthrough transom, bait station, king/queen seating, rocket launcher, live bait tank and platform cage. However, just about everything can be customised. www.imageboats.co.nz

Hutchwilco Limited has released the new and improved version of their popular manual inflation lifejacket, now called the Super Comfort Series 150N. The new Super Comfort Series 150N manual inflatable life jacket with its new tailored three-dimensional design sees improved adjustability with the stainless steel buckle and adjustment system, which provides a one size fits all tailored fit for greater comfort. Made from durable woven fabric, the Super Comfort Series has the same inflation mechanism as the existing model but features a unique burst zip for when the jacket is inflated. The Super Comfort Series inflatable lifejacket is a great low profile item that has twice the buoyancy of a conventional jacket but without the size and bulk of a traditional unit. There is also an automatically inflating model, which will inflate when immersed in water. The Hutchwilco Super Comfort Series lifejacket will retail for $119.99. www.hutchwilco.co.nz

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WHITE POINTER TRIPLE RIG LAUNCHED

In the last issue of AB, we brought you a picture of the partially finished White Pointer 1050, that was to have a trio of Honda 250 outboards bolted on the transom. Well, it’s been launched and is destined for the Auckland On Water Boat Show at the end of September. The third 1050 to be built by the company and the first outboard rig, the new boat has a beam of 3m, with a 6mm hull and 4mm topside alloy construction. A top speed of 43 knots was achieved during initial trials, but that is expected to be improved one with further testing. The boat has been set up with triple Garmin 15” MFDs as well as CZone and according to the builders is loaded with extras! www.whitepointerboats.co.nz

Ultralon Custom Deck Treads Ultralon Foam International Ltd owned by Skellerup Holdings Ltd in New Zealand have developed a new formulation of chemically cross-linked closed-cell foam constructed from Polyethylene (PE). This 100 deg C, UV stable product provides the basis for a new range of decking products and is a nice addition to the already successful Octi and Z deck treads that have been used by leading boat builders in NZ

and around the globe for the past 20 years. The new foam decking can be processed to clients’ particular template size and thickness requirements. Innovative deck treads and other non-slip surfaces for boats, cockpit cushions and boat fenders are all popular products sold through global OEM manufacturers and chandlery equipment retailers. Ultralon is a smart looking solution for

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deck tread and cockpit flooring. Available in sheets or custom routered, the sheets are provided standard with marine grade pressure sensitive (PSA) doublesided adhesive for easy peel and stick installation. A variety of colours is also available. Ultralon Foam International Ltd, Paul Goddard, 021 999 320, www.ultralonfoam.com

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

& Notable CUSTOM 930 DUE FROM PINNACLE BOATS Pinnacle Boats in Whitianga have started construction on their latest build, a custom 930 model. The boat is being built for SMADA Fishing Charters and will be run out of Whangapoua on the eastern Coromandel as well as servicing the Three Kings area over the summer months. Due to be launched before Xmas, the Scott Robson designed vessel has an overall length or 9.3m, a beam of 2.8m with an estimated tow weight of 3500kg. Construction of the 930 boast an extra heavy duty 8mm alloy hull with 5mm sides and 4mm used in the superstructure. Powering the new 930 will be a 320hp Mercruiser QSD diesel inboard matched with a Bravo II stern leg and it is estimated

the vessel will be capable of 32 knots. Highly customised to suit the ownerâ€™s requirements, the Scott Robson designed hull was chosen for its excellent sea keeping ability, its 18 deg deadrise providing a comfortable ride for passengers and crew while also providing a stable fishing platform when at rest. The Pinnacle 930 will feature an enclosed wheelhouse with plenty of passenger seating with a large 140L fridge and tackle drawer storage also prominent features. Drop down bunks will provide overnight sleeping for up to six. An external shower unit will be accessed via the cockpit, with a head located up under the vee berth in the forward cabin.

FREWZA

Additional features include a large 15â€? Furuno TZ Touch multifunction navigation display, a large underfloor kill tank in the cockpit, full-length cockpit and cuddy side shelves, a large workable cockpit with two live bait tanks, four tuna tubes, large volume underfloor buoyancy, 600L fuel tank and a 200L water tank. The build of the 930 follows on from the launch of Pinnacle Boats first production model last year - the 660. A new 720 model will also be constructed in the coming months. This 930 will be on display at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boatshow 2017. Pinnacle Boats | Ph 0800 292 293 www.pinnacleboats.co.nz

FREWZA

F18 HARDTOP

Hull and Trailer $8800 inc gst Packages $12,950 inc gst

Package with 100hp Honda Outboard $45,500 inc gst

DB145

F14 DINGHY

Frews Marine Ltd, 193 Bond Street - Invercargill, Ph: 03 2141021 e: frewsmarine@xtra.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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McLay at SIBS At the recent Sydney International Boat Show, McLay Boats had a great display on the water amongst the vast array of larger motor yachts and sailing yachts. Presented by Sports Marine, their new Sydney based dealer, show patrons had the opportunity to see four of the latest models; McLay 701, 591,581 and 571. “The interest was extremely high in all the models and the show proved a great success and an excellent opportunity to expose the McLay brand to the local market”, said Max Sutherland, MD of Sports Marine, Sydney. He added that they sold a 701Ht at the show and took an order for a 581 CrossXover after the show, plus are still working with plenty of clients. “We were thrilled with the response and I think that the McLay brand, especially the hardtops will be a big seller for us in Sydney in the future”, says Max. www.sportsmarinesydney.com.au

Auckland Marine Centre 247 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga, Auckland 09 579-7981 Rollos Marine Cnr Euclid & Te Rapa Roads, Hamilton 0800 804 809 Boat City Main North Road, Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast 04 298-5931

The Elite series from Lone Star are a world first and new breed in anchoring systems. They feature brushless motor technology and well-oversized controllers for longer duty cycles and heavy loads. Brushless motors represent even higher efficiency with larger torque curve drawing miserly 10-20 amp on the drop. Motor controllers are self-protecting for the motor and controller itself against voltage drop and overheating. Variable speed function is controlled via multi position momentary toggle at the helm, so the skipper can choose how fast or slow the anchor comes in or goes out instantly. Drop rates are quite fast, up to 76 m per minute depending on the model. The best part of this system is there are no parts to wear out, being brush-less these motors are ideal for high volume commercial use. Elite Series Winches feature no cast parts and all 316SS and anodised 6061 alloy construction. They are available in six models and suitable for boats from 5m to 20m plus. www.ropechainsandanchors.co.nz

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Haven Pleasure Boats 57 Parkers Road, Nelson 03 548-5864

Warren Hay Marine 27 Rewa Rewa Road, Whangarei 09 430-2666

Harbourview Marine, 1 Wainui Road, Gisborne 06 868 8686 Hawke’s Bay Marine 60 Taradale Road, Napier 06 843-5001 Senator Factory 21 Hamilton Place, Onekawa, Napier 06 843-6882 Mr Boats 247 Dyers Road, Christchurch 03 384-2726

16SEN

Mr Boats 74 King Street, Timaru 03 684-4107

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BROADBILL

& Notable

– A SERIOUS OFFSHORE FISHING MACHINE

If you are really serious about offshore sportfishing and want a boat that has been purpose designed for the task, then look no further than the Broadbill Gladiator 8.0. This outstanding fishing machine is the result of six years of development by fishing aficionado Warren Hay and at its first public showing at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show was awarded the award for Aluminium Fishing Boat Open. Being marketed by Warren Hay Marine in Whangarei, the Gladiator 8.0 combines

big boat appeal with the unbeatable performance and simplicity of a trailer boat. An innovative walk-around cabin configuration, enhanced by an armoury of cutting-edge features, make this the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything boat - built to meet the needs of today’s most demanding sports fisherman. The centre cabin configuration offers all-weather protection and overnight capability, with the benefit of a full walk-around fishing platform. Powered by twin Mercury Verado 250s,

fitted with Mercury’s unique Joystick Piloting system puts steering, throttle and trim at your fingertips in one intuitive joystick control, and turns docking into childsplay. Warren Hay Marine, Ph +64 9 430 2666, boatsales@warrenhaymarine.co.nz, www.warrenhaymarine.co.nz

Savwinch Introduce Signature Series Winches Savwinch have introduced the new Signature “Stainless Steel Motor” series. Designed locally and made exclusively for Savwinch, they feature 316 stainless steel motors as well as covers. They also have 20% more power and speed. Machined to fine tolerances and utilising O ring seals, the SS motors are completely submersible without the use of sealants or glues. No more concerns about water ingress or corrosion. The company back the new Signature Series

with a 7 year warranty, the first and only drum winch manufacturer to do so. There are four models in the Signature SS range, from the 2000 SS, a drum winch that will handle 130m or rope and 10m of chain and is for boats up to 10m, down to the 880SS, the smallest drum winch on the market. For boats up to 5.5m, the 880SS is capable of holding 60m of rope and 6m of chain. www.savwinch.com.au

Clear polymer anticorrosive protective coating Nyalic marine kit

Marine touch-up kit

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

IN STOCK

NOW!

Call or email direct from Nyalic NZ.

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Ph: 0800 692 542 www.nyalic.co.nz sales@nyalic.co.nz

DB105

As used by: McLay Surtees Extreme White pointer and others... New Product Kits available direct from Nyalic please

KINGFISHER MINICATS 370, 410, 450 and 510 Minicats 370 and 410 available as tiller. 450 available as tiller, front steer, centre console. 510 available as front steer and centre console.

KINGFISHER RECREATIONAL POWERCATS Custom Built Every cat is designed in house and most are custom built to your requirements.

KINGFISHER COMMERCIAL POWERCATS Some of our Kingfisher Powercats in our commercial fleet are in use as tourist boats, passenger ferries, mussel barges, hydrographic vessels and fishing charters.

ROGER HILL POWERCATS

DB152

Roger Hill is a highly respected powercat designer with a worldwide reputation. We have a close working relationship with the designer which enables our customers to have another design option.

ALLOY CATS (NZ) LTD

2A Aerodrome Road, Mt Maunganui, 3116, New Zealand | Ph +64 (0)7 575 0977 info@alloycats.co.nz | www.alloycats.co.nz WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Surtees Boats CEO Adam Dyck inside the new 900sqm factory extension.

Factory Expansion at Surtees Boats

Image Boats has a reputation for customized aluminium boats. Ranging from 5.8 to 11.3m they combine Safety, Strength, Durability, Quality & Performance to produce the perfect allrounder. 24 Bay Rd, Invercargill Ph 03 214 4573 | Mob 0274 368 055 E: dean@imageboats.co.nz

December 2016 28th Oamaru 29th Christchurch 30th Kaikoura 31st Blenheim

Whakatane boat builder Surtees Boats is undergoing a major expansion of its current production facility with the addition of a new 900sqm building. Surtees Boats CEO Adam Dyck says the expansion of the factory is a strategic move to further streamline the company’s manufacturing process and to decrease the lead-time for customer orders. “The brand is enjoying very strong sales across all of the markets in which we operate in, this expansion will give us the ability to increase our production output,” says Dyck. “This ability to increase our production will allow us to expand into new sales markets and to meet the demand we expect to experience once those markets are established.” Surtees Boats produced over 400 boats in 2015, and expects a 20% increase in the upcoming year. The company currently produces 23 models range in size from 4.95m to 8.5m. The lucrative Australian market is a key driver behind the company’s need to expand. Currently it takes around 50% of what the company produces. www.surteesboats.com

January 2017 1st Blenheim 2-6 Picton 7th Nelson 8th – 13th Kaiteriteri/Abel Tasman 14th – 16th Nelson 17th Greymouth 18th – 20th West Coast 21st Wanaka

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Pontoon Party Boats ENGINEERING & MARINE SHEETMETAL & MARINE SPECIALISTS

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One exhibitor will not have any boats on display at the show. Why? Well it is because they’re different. They’ll be there en masse to talk with you about your craft and what kind of boating you like to do. From blue water cruising and ocean racing, to water skiing and game fishing, Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance is a team that know boats.. Yet the difference is not limited to that. In fact it stems from the unique, born from water, completely global, all-risk policy that has a true and real, agreed fixed value as its cornerstone. Pantaenius will have a full crew on hand to discuss all aspects of marine insurance. www.pantaenius.com.au

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

TAURANGA 19 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Roger: 027 669 7918 Jamie: 021 795 597 Email: sportcraftboats@clear.net.nz

& Notable SCOTT WATERJET GEARS FOR GROWTH

Winchester New Zealand, based Scott WaterJet, a world-leading manufacturer of high performance water jets, jet boats and accessories has exciting expansion plans. Scott WaterJet has seized the opportunity to step up to the next level with founders Konrad & Lyn Scott joining forces with Gary & Yvette McManaway. Gary brings a wealth of business experience to the company, enabling Konrad to focus on his passion of designing, developing, and bringing new products to jet boaters. Konrad already has several exciting new products under development for the New Zealand and worldwide jet boat scene. Customer feedback has been very positive and encouraging with many excited to learn of new products being readied to help increase their enjoyment of jet boating. Scott WaterJet believes that fun, enjoyment and excitement in jet boating requires exceptional performance. These developments will further enhance Scott WaterJet’s position in the worldwide recreation, fishing, tourism, and jet sprint market place. Scott WaterJet, Ph +64 (03) 615 8851, E: gary@scottwaterjet.com, konrad@scottwaterjet.com, www.scottwaterjet.com

ENL INTRODUCES

BANTEN ANTEN NAS

New Distributor for Evinrudes BRP has announced the appointment of a new distributor for their Evinrude range of engines in New Zealand. Long time Evinrude stalwart, Kevin Sharp has been appointed to handle all sales and distribution of the brand in New Zealand. Sharp heads up the newly formed, Evinrude NZ as General Manager, which has opened new premises in Manukau City. Working alongside Sharp, in the sales managers role is Aaron Whitley, who previously worked for Outboard Marine Technologies as the after-sales manager. His role will be to work alongside the existing dealer network. “Essentially we will be building with the established dealer network to help reestablish the Evinrude E-TEC G2 brand as one of the major outboard players in the market”, says Sharp. Evinrude NZ has about 30 dealers throughout New Zealand and Sharp says that there are some strategic gaps in the market that he would like to fill. With 38 years in the marine industry, and almost all of that working with the Evinrude and Johnson brands, Sharp is well suited to the new distributorship role. His goal to position Evinrude as the best power option for outboard powered boats is paramount. The Evinrude range of engines extends from 3.5hp through to 300hp. www.evinrude.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Electronic Navigation Ltd has been appointment as exclusive New Zealand distributor for the Italian manufactured range of Banten antennas. Initially, a selection of affordable, high-quality powerboat antennas will be distributed through their dealer network, with five VHF and two AM/FM antennas starting the range with more models to follow. Many of the models feature the FME to PL style quick connector system for ease of installation, and Fast Fit antenna connection system popular with modern antennas. Banten, based in Genoa Italy, are a family run and owned company with a history of manufacturing antennas for the leisure, professional and military since 1969. ENL Ph 09 373 5595, E: enquiries@enl.co.nz

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Your Boat Deserves Your Boat Deserves

Cool Jetboat from Southern Southern Boats in conjunction with Mercury Marine are excited to see NZ’s first new generation 6.2 V8 Jet on the water. Mercury’s new engine technology featuring an all new powerhead coupled with the tried and true Hamilton HJ212 Waterjet is bound to excite even the biggest petrolhead amongst us. Built with a 5mm hull and 6mm bash plate this 4.7m machine is one tough cookie designed for everything from shallow river and lake exploration to saltwater estuaries and harbours. Despite the above waterline wet exhausts which provide a healthy V8 roar on takeoff, the big displacement V8 is surprisingly quiet when idling and underway. Taking a number of design factors from the popular Lazercraft Jet of days gone by (Lazercraft are also part of the Southern Boats offering from their Mosgiel Factory) the 4.7 boasts a soft dry ride thanks to a moderate vee, suited to flat water as well as harbour or lake chop when the wind gets up. Despite a deeper vee than many flat bottom Jets, the 4.7 has no problem sliding through a 360 spin and is all round a very easy boat to handle. Southern Boats offer custom engine and layout options Family Boats, Auckland | Ph: 64 (9) 274 0511 or 0800 SOUTHERN

RAYMARINE SOFTWARE UPDATE

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· Comfortable, durable, EVA foam · 3M™ Peel & stick application · Great wet/dry traction Easily cut to fitdurable, EVA foam www.seadek.com · Comfortable, Customizable · 3M™ Peel & stick application Coverswet/dry spider cracks and · Great traction · other Easily surface cut to fitimperfections www.seadek.com UV Protected non absorbent foam. · Customizable www.batavian.co.nz · Covers spider cracks and other surface imperfections EXCLUSIVE NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTOR. ·BATAVIAN UV ProtectedRUBBER non absorbent foam. INTERNATIONAL LTD. EMAIL: ADMIN@BATAVIAN.CO.NZ TEL: 0064 6 308 9337 EXCLUSIVE NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTOR.

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The latest free upgrade to Raymarine’s award-winning LightHouse II software includes a huge bonus for fishers, especially game fishers. The Version 17 update includes a detailed, easy-to-use, sea surface temperature overlay, which precisely plots vessels on the temperature maps, for use with existing navigation and fish-finding displays. Updated daily from high-resolution satellites, Raymarine’s SST is rendered in incredible detail with impressive super-sharp animated graphics. It includes a 6-day forecast, along with forecasts for wave periods, directions and height; wind direction and speed; and much more. The data is available on subscription at $NZ21 per month or $NZ139 annually. LightHouse II Version 17, including Raymarine’s sophisticated new sea surface temperature application, is now available to download free at raymarine.com. www.lusty-blundell.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 2015 ISSUE #6 #9

ALLOY BOAT WITH GRP HEART Innovative hull-in-hull design delivers best of both worlds. Text by Mike Rose

While the advantages of aluminium are many, there is also much to like about GRP, especially when it comes to a boat’s interior. A GRP interior is easier to clean, quieter and better looking than an aluminium one. It is also warmer in winter and cooler to stand on in summer. Why not combine the two? Well, because…. When Ultimate Boats’ Mark Presnall asked himself that question, he realised there actually weren’t any good reasons not to do exactly that. In fact, Mark, who had founded Ultimate Boats in September last year with a desire to combine alloy’s ruggedness with GRP’s good looks, is not the first to seriously consider such an amalgamation. Dunedin alloy boat manufacturer Lazercraft released a range of alloy/GRP hybrids around 20 years ago. They featured an alloy hull with a GRP cabin top and were initially quite popular. But Mark had no desire to simply follow in those footsteps. Instead, his idea was both radically different and highly innovative: to design a hull-in-hull vessel with an alloy outer skin and a GRP liner. Now he has not only designed it, he has built it as well. The Ultimate 21 Elite has an alloy space frame, hull and cabin combined with a full GRP liner and, as Mark explains, the benefits are many: “The first is additional safety. The hull-in-hull technology means any

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

frontal or sideon impact would need to penetrate through two strong and rigid skins before it compromised the boat’s ability to remain afloat,” he says. “Additional benefits are quietness, warmth, soft ride, weight distribution and stability, along with a seamless, high quality and easy care finish inside.” He believes the sleeker, more attractive look of the GRP is also a big plus. “Wives, partners and families play a big part in whether to buy a particular boat or not,” he says. “While many Kiwi blokes are

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BOAT TEST

ULTIMATE 21 ELITE The standard outboard for both the Ultimate 21 and its new Elite counterpart is a Mercury 150hp 4-stroke outboard.

prepared to settle for a workman-like interior and hard corners, in my experience, women often are not.” While it is easy to see the immediate appeal of such a boat within a boat, surely the cost of doing it must be prohibitive? “Not so,” says Mark. “Because the interior liner can be moulded at the same time the hull is being built, the boats are quite a lot quicker to build.” Of course the liner mould is not cheap to create and will need to be

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amortized effectively over a reasonable number of vessels. That said, the difference between an all-alloy Ultimate 21 and the new alloy/GRP Elite is surprisingly small: the innovative version is around just 4% extra. While the cost difference is small, the benefits, by contrast, are substantial. For a start, a good part of the GRP’s weight is below the waterline, making the boat more stable and enhancing its performance in rougher seas. That weight is also widely distributed,

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The Ultimate 21 Elite is a good looking boat on the trailer.

The live bait tank is positioned under the step to the transom.

A pair of Waeco Cool-Ice moveable chiller box seats can be positioned anywhere in the cockpit. reducing stress on the keel line. Then there is the cavity between the two hulls. This acts as an insulating barrier — reducing noise and providing warmth — and, thanks to its inherent buoyancy, another level of safety. The liner is a substantial structure, too, disappearing out of sight under the coamings and boasting 3mm sides and a very strong 12mm floor. It employs a specially developed full bonding process, sealed to the sides and the alloy hull’s bearers and is secured by a combination of rivets and adhesives.

and much cooler in summer (and warmer in winter) than traditional mat coverings or bare alloy. The panels also provide a nice accent for the Elite’s onboard colour scheme, a smart contrast between the gleaming white of the GRP liner and the deep black of the helm surrounds, the hardtop frontrunner lining and the powder coated side lockers and rod holders. The black/white theme continues with the twin bolster seats on their Softrider pedestals and another design accent is provided by the new polished alloy handgrips: one above the cabin entrance and the other on port for the passenger. For those familiar with the original Ultimate 21, the main changes are the hardtop hatches (which used to open sideways and now open forward to ensure better air flow on hot days) and the slightly smaller fuel tank, now reduced to 150 litres to accommodate the liner but still capable of delivering 10 hours running. The pride of place on the dash is occupied by the Garmin 1020XS

VERY ATTRACTIVE INTERIOR While, like its all-alloy predecessor, the Elite boasts attractive lines and an immaculate finish on its double axle Enduro trailer, it is the interior that really catches the eye. Lining the side decks and the cockpit floor are CNC-cut panels of SeaDek anti-skid. Light grey, easy to clean and smart-looking, it is very comfortable to stand on

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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The twin batteries are safely housed high up out of harm’s way in the fully enclosed transom locker.

The pride of place on the dash is occupied by the Garmin 1020XS MFD.

The large fully moulded underfloor locker.

The Ultimate 21 Elite has an alloy space frame, hull and cabin combined with a full GRP liner.

MFD, ably supported by the Mercury Smart Gauge instruments, the control panels for the Maxwell RC6 windlass and Electrotab trim tabs, and by a brace of DC panels. These latter connect to a Connex wiring loom on which Mark has specifically left several spare connections in case future owners wish to add more electronics.

locker forward of the fuel tank. The Elite’s twin batteries are safely housed high up out of harm’s way in the fully enclosed transom locker. The locker is also home to the fuel filter, safely separated from the batteries behind its own bulkhead. Another nice touch is the positioning of the battery isolating switch: on the rear bulkhead and under the starboard side deck, meaning it is both protected from the elements and easily accessible.

SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE COCKPIT Like most alloy boats, the Ultimate 21 Elite will probably be used mainly for fishing and diving. To this end, Mark has included a pair of Waeco Cool-Ice moveable chiller box seats that can be positioned anywhere in the cockpit, a live bait well under the step to the transom, a slide-in Manta baitboard with twin rod holders (to complement the 6 in the rocket launcher and the four in the side decks) and a centrally positioned drink holder in each coaming. Other practical additions include a spotlight and tow hitch up on the hardtop, LED lights throughout the interior and a large underfloor

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UNDERWAY The standard outboard for both the Ultimate 21 and its new Elite counterpart is a Mercury 150hp 4-stroke outboard. However, the owner of the all-alloy model that we reviewed earlier this year had opted for a more powerful Suzuki 200hp 4-stroke. Although both our performance runs were conducted in the fairly calm waters in the lee of Matakana Island, just north of Tauranga,

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

the results were not as different as one might expect. Despite the fact it weighs some 200kgs more, it was the newer, heavier and less highly powered Elite that often produced the higher speeds, albeit using slightly more fuel to do so. For example, at a cruising rev of 4500rpm, the Elite hit 29.6 knots and used 33 litres per hour. By contrast, the 200hp-powered all alloy version reached just 28 knots, while using only 30.5 lph. One reason for the disparity could be the different propellers and gear ratios. While the original Ultimate 21 was able to rev out to 6300rpm, the Elite reached just 5800. While the extra weight made very little difference to the speed and efficiency figures, it is certainly noticeable when underway, especially in more moderate seas. In the occasionally choppy seas and gently rolling swells out beyond the harbour entrance, the Elite felt really solid, more like a typical GRP vessel than an aluminium one. Seemingly sitting deeper in the water, it tracked straight and true, handled the peaks and troughs without any problem, even at speed, and was undeniably quieter, too. As a final test, we headed in close to Matakana Island and dropped anchor in the sort of depth one might chose for a picnic, an overnight stay or a shallow water evening fish. The difference was definitely noticeable: there was almost none of that traditional “tinnie slap” one usually expects on an alloy boat; instead there were just soft, almost-soothing, lapping notes; a calm accompaniment to the peaceful serenity of a beautiful winter’s day. SUMMARY Truly innovative concepts are a real rarity in our industry, new thinking tends to be more evolutionary than dramatically revolutionary. It was therefore a rare privilege to be asked to review this truly different addition to our national pleasure boat fleet. Mark Presnall’s unique idea has translated into something really special: a boat that takes the best features of aluminium and GRP boat construction, combines them and, amazingly, costs just fractionally more than one made solely from alloy. Apart from the obvious benefits that come from having a GRP liner in an aluminium boat, there are lots of little touches to admire here, too. For example, those attractive powder coated side pocket flashings are actually bolted in place and strong enough to be stood on when stepping up onto to the side decks. If one needs to go forward around those side decks, they will find they have not been forgotten, either. Low profile handrails on both sides provide safe hand grips without detracting from the Elite’s smart lines. And, perhaps best of all, despite its impressive appearance and performance, this first Elite is not finished yet. For example, Mark has plans to add a combination footrest/berth extension so that the cabin bunks, currently around 1.7-metres long, can be quickly and easily converted into 2m ones. He is also already willing and able to cater for Kiwis’ love of customisation: that impressive GRP liner can be ordered in a wide range of colours, not just white. Although Kiwi boat owners are traditionally conservative and often reluctant to try things that are radically new, Mark’s innovative hull-inhull Elite deserves to become very popular. If his company can continue to produce boats at this level of quality, at virtually the same price as an all-alloy equivalent, I am sure they will do just that.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

SPECIFICATIONS Model & Model: Priced from: Price as tested: Type: Construction: LOA: Beam: Deadrise: Height on trailer: Trailerable weight: Test Power: Propeller: Power options: HP Range: Fuel capacity: Trailer:

Ultimate 21 Elite $88,000 $115,000 Monohull Alloy: 6m hull, 4mm sides; GRP liner 6.35m 2.45m 18 degrees 2960mm 2200 (w/ full fuel) Mercury 150hp 4-stroke outboard Inertia 3 x14.7 x 16 Outboard only 115-200 hp 150 litres Enduro Custom

Notable Standard Items: Bow rails, 10 alloy rod holders, bilge pump, fuel filter, VHF radio, trim tabs Boat Supplied by: Gulfland Marine Contact: Mark Presnall (021) 1380-870 , sales@ultimateboats.co.nz, www.ultimateboats.co.nz

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

The ideal cost effective product to protect your valuable asset. www.nyalic.co.nz

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PERFORMANCE DATA RPM 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 5800

Knots 4.2 5.6 6.7 8.0 15 21 24.5 29.6 32.5 36.5 37.0

L/h 3.4 5.5 8.4 13.4 16.7 19.5 25.0 33.0 39.9 54.0 54.8

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

WATCH OUR BEACH LAUNCHING VIDEO ONLINE AT BOATMAGS.COM

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

Now if you are fortunate enough to have a tractor at your bach or camping ground, then that’s not a problem and launching is no hassle. But not everyone has that luxury so we are left with the car or 4WD to perform the task. This can be daunting if you are unfamiliar with the beach, its composition (soft or hard, shells or sand) and the last thing you want to do is get stuck on the beach. There’s nothing so embarrassing as getting the car bogged

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

down in the sand with hundreds of holidaymakers watching you making a total idiot of yourself. Well, there is hope and if you do things right you shouldn’t ever get in that situation…again! BE PREPARED Firstly you need to be prepared and that starts with checking out the beach, looking at the sand and seeing how hard or soft it is. It is good insurance to check with the

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MADE EASY Living at the beach I am often called upon to bring out my big Nuffield 1060 diesel tractor and tow some poor sod, who has gone and got his tow vehicle stuck in the sand while launching or in most cases retreiving. Launching your boat off the beach doesn’t need to be something to fear – with the right preparation it can be quite simple. Text by Barry Thompson

locals and see where on the beach is the best place to launch. Some area may offer a harder compact surface or maybe deeper water when you drop the boat off the trailer. Getting on and off the beach needs to be assessed also. In some cases the tracks that lead to the beach might be fine but the distance you have to travel across soft dry sand may be far too much for your 2WD

car to handle and a 4WD may be the only option. Getting totally bogged down in the soft sand before you even get near the water is also not a good look! Once you are on the beach, regardless as to whether it’s low or high tide, check that where you have chosen to launch has enough water for the boat to float when off the trailer.

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Some beaches run out very flat at low tide and launching may be almost impossible without a tractor or high wheelbase 4WD. If that’s the case then you may have no choice but to launch and retrieve around high tides. When you do decide to launch you should carry out a very simple check list, which may sound simplistic but believe me it’s amazing how many times we forget the

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

command performance

Commando Trooper 5.4 Stable, affordable boats with a superior ride

Available factory direct All of the Commando Trooper range of boats If you pull outbeen with aapproved 45-degreefor angle, the trailer have survey build wheels will dislodge individually and make the exit a lot easier.

If you are going to leave the trailer attached then have someone ready to unhook the boat as soon as there is enough depth for the boat to float off.

Aluminium Boat Manufacturers www.metaldesigns.co.nz

COMMANDO 1010

littlest things, such as putting the bung in (we’ve all left that out), removing the trailer tie straps from the transom (try pushing your boat off with those still in place) and checking that the shackle on the towing eye is only finger tight so you can undo it quickly. If you have a trailer with surge brakes you need to make certain the override lock is in place so the brakes don’t go on when reversing. Also, make sure you’ve got a good-sized rope tied to the bollard for your crew to hang onto when the boat comes off the trailer. Another good idea is to flick the motor over to make certain it’s going to start straight away and also check that the engine tilt lock is not still in place. A word of caution – running an outboard or sterndrive with a dry impeller can cause it to fry within 10 to 15 seconds, so as soon as the motor fires, switch it off quickly. Taking for granted that you already have all you need for the day’s fishing or family boating aboard, it’s time to launch.

Call Bruce or Allen Ph (09) 274 5586

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

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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Beach launching alongside Tairua Marina is okay at almost all tides.

If you pull out with a 45-degree angle, the trailer wheels will dislodge individually and make the exit a lot easier. rear of the trailer is in enough water, quickly unhook the winch rope and push the boat off. Either have someone in the boat who can drive it off and wait offshore until you return or have someone with a rope, that’s at least twice the length of the trailer, to take hold of it until you return. If there is a wave rolling in and you have no option but to hold

the boat by the beach, then get the crew to turn the bow towards the waves. This will make it easier to prevent the boat from getting pushed back into the shallow water, which if the tide’s going out will make it a hard job to get back into deep enough water to float. The procedure is quite simple…be quick

and efficient. Back the car, unhook, push the boat off and drive straight out. Every second your car’s rear wheels are in the water, the chances of them sinking into the wet sand beneath are increased. Speed and efficiency is critical so make certain your pre-planning is done and everyone knows what they have to do.

In 1956 the Tohatsu tradition began by building reliable motors for Japanese commercial fishermen who needed an outboard motor that could run for days on end, no matter what the weather. The ocean-tested engineering that enabled Tohatsu motors to work under these demanding and often harsh conditions have given Tohatsu a reputation for reliability and toughness.

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This has continued over the past 60 years, with Tohatsu’s commitment to introducing new products and technology into the market that evolves with the times and needs of their customers.

Phone: 04 237 7800 | email: sales@diversifiedproducts.co.nz

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For more information on the full range of 2 Stroke and 4 Stroke Tohatsu engines visit our website: www.tohatsu.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Having a 4WD like this Isuzu D-Max certainly helps in beach launching.

If you donâ€™t want to get the car wet then the best method is to carry out the same preparation for launching as already mentioned but get yourself a really strong, long rope. Drop the trailer off the towbar and attach the rope from the towbar to the front of the trailer. For this method you

should really have a pneumatic jockey wheel to make manoeuvring the trailer much easier both in the launching and in the retrieving. Plastic wheels are bad news on soft sand and more often than not act like a plough rather than assist the easy movement of the trailer.

Simply push the trailer and boat into the water, unhook the boat when you think there is enough depth and then after making sure everyone is out of the way, drive the car up the beach and the trailer will follow.

Performance, Style, Quality!

Pontoon & Plate Boats Custom & Production Boats 3m - 12m Full 3D design and build service FINLAY BOATS PO Box 2158 Washdyke, Timaru 7941 45A Treneglos Street, Timaru, 7910 P: 03 929 2677 M: 027 488 3302 E: grant@finlayboats.co.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Ace Engineering NZ Ltd 42 Factory Road,Brightwater Nelson NZ

Tel +64 3 542 3977, Mob 027 635 2425

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A good, strong rope is a must when beach launching.

EVOLUTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

RETRIEVING So you got the boat in okay, now what happens when you return? This is when most problems happen and cars get stuck. Again, the same rules apply. Be quick and efficient and make sure everyone involved with the retrieval knows exactly what they have to do. If the tide’s right and the beach is steep enough, most times you will be able to back the trailer into the water and winch the boat straight back on. With a 4WD that’s often an option but more often than not, it’s not practical with a car. Again, there are a number of options. Firstly, if you can retrieve without unhooking the trailer then bring the boat as far up onto the beach as possible so you don’t have to put the car into the water. It’s times like this, when dragging your boat over the sand or shells may be the only option, that you shouldn’t get too precious about the underside of your boat! However, more common is the rope method, where you simply take the trailer off, push it into the water and winch the boat on. You don’t need to go so deep that the boat floats on (unless you have a padded trailer), but rather, use the winch wire to pull the trailer under the boat as you winch it on. All of this time you have someone in the car and the rope still attached in readiness for a rapid retrieval. Don’t hesitate. Don’t delay. It is important to get out as soon as the boat is hard up against the snubbing block. You can worry about connecting the chain and tie downs when the boat is high and dry on the hard. Just get it out of that water! To assist in getting the trailer wheels dislodged from the sand you should have the car on roughly a 45-degree angle to the trailer so when you drive forward you pull out one side, then the other. With a straight pull you have the resistance of both wheels to contend with at once, and that’s often too much for the family car to manage. Once on the beach, back the car up, hook up the trailer, tie the boat down and head home. Beach launching is simple and easy if you are properly prepared and a little preparation will save you a whole lot of embarrassment. WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

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EASY BOATING 31

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOAT TEST

A BUYERS GUIDE

BIG BOATS IN ALLOY

MCLAY 751

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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POPULAR OPTION So popular is the new McLay Cruiser 751 Gen 2 that it’s taken Barry Thompson four months to get one to review. Was it worth the wait? Read on and find out. I have owned a McLay Fortress 4.8 now for a few years and I have always been impressed with the company, its boats and moreso owner Steve McLay. Steve is one of the most affable people I know in the marine industry and is always keen to see his brand promoted. He is passionate about his product and is continually improving and updating his model range. So when I first saw his brace of new models at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boats Show, earlier this year, I knew I had to take a closer look. It seems however, that that wasn’t going to happen too quickly, as not only were most of the boats at the show already destined for owners, the follow up was just as frantic, with the factory spending the next few months catching up with orders. “We sold a good number of boats from the show and since then the factory has been maxed out building hardtops, especially the new models”, says Steve McLay, CEO of McLay Boats. He says that until the show, the hardtop sales were steady but not great, but since the release of the Gen 2 boats, all that has changed. “We have certainly seen a huge switch in what we build and while all models are popular, it’s the Gen 2 hardtops that are our biggest sellers at the moment. We have sold more than a dozen 701s and 751s since the show, plus are building two 801s at the moment, so we are very pleased with the customer response to our new designs”, says Steve. The current McLay hardtop range comprises ten models, from the Sportsman 591 HT through to the custom built Cruiser 1100. There are also two models in the CrossXover range, 611 and 651, two in the Premier range, 701 and 801 and a further three in the Cruiser range. The popular Cruiser Gen 2 models start with the 701 and then increase in roughly 500mm increments, from the 751 to the 801 and the 931. The difference in the models is not just size but also appointments and fit out, with some targeting serious fishing and others pitched directly at the cruising and weekender market. Every model is also total customisable. Amongst the ten models (and more are planned), there is a hardtop McLay to suit just about every need.

Calm or rough water the 751 is a great performer.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

It’s a soft riding and quite boat with very little hull noise.

The cabin is spacious with berths for 2 to 4 adults and a plumbed in head. GME provide the comms and Fusion the sounds

SAME BUT DIFFERENT The difference from the previous McLay hardtop range is two-fold. Firstly and the most obvious is the external styling, with the raised sheer line which gives the boat a much more streamlined look. It also has the advantage of a higher bow, which is ideal when you are punching through the rough water. There’s also a little more space inside. The other significant change is the new Gen2 boats are wider at the waterline, so in effect, they are more stable and have less of a need for trim tabs to balance the ride, compared to the earlier standard cruisers. This also gives a lot wider internal deck size. Tabs are still required when there’s a stiff breeze, as all hardtops lean into the wind, but you certainly don’t need to use them as much or as severely. The running surface of the new Gen2 has not changed much with a variable degree deadrise finishing at 18 deg at the transom. The 751 weighs around 1300kg for the hull only and is constructed with 5mm on the bottom, (6mm option) with 4mm topsides and superstructure. The very latest release from McLay Boats, the 751 Gen2 shares a ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

similar hull as the 801 Gen2. The extra length of the 801 is gained in the cockpit, but mostly the rest of the layout is the same. However, this can change, especially with the 801, when some owners opt for a longer wheelhouse, which increases the cabin area by 600mm and lets you get a couple of extra seats or a small galley inside. If you stretch the rear bulkhead out to 900mm, you can then accommodate a rise and fall dinette table that can be transformed into a small double bed. The compromise is you sacrifice some cockpit space. Lockable cabin doors are an option, with side windows. WEEKEND CRUISER While the smaller 701 is more of a cuddy cabin, the 751 and 801 have the volume to make them real weekender capable. Forward is the standard style V-berth (2m long bunks), with an infill, good sitting headroom, a plumbed in head and fully lined interior. There is good storage in side trays and under the squabs and an access hatch in the cabin top can be used for ventilation on those hot nights. While test boat had an optional single pipe berth to port,

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there is space enough for one each side. In total, you can have dedicated berths for five people. You have the option of closing off between the forward cabin and the wheelhouse, which you might want to do if you don’t have a rear bulkhead. However if it were me, I would leave it all open, as it brings a greater feeling of space and doesn’t make the accommodation area look small. The wheelhouse is well set out with a large lined dash that is more than capable of handling all the controls, switches, dials and things that you need to have when you are running a boat this size. Our test boat had a Simrad NSS12 MFD, GME G-Com 600 VHF and a Bluetooth capable Fusion MSRA70 entertainment system. Standard seating is a pair of swivelling bucket seats, with a back to back option, although these are only available if you don’t have a rear bulkhead. While McLay has made good use of the available space for storage, with the King/Queen seat option you significantly increase that and there is room for an 80-litre chilly bin under one.

The big difference over the previous McLay hardtop models of a similar size is the wheelhouse bulkhead has been moved back a further 100mm. This has allowed for a wider rear bench seat (with the addition of a central infill), which also means in its single berth layout it’s wider and more comfortable. However, if you don’t want the bench style seating, there is now enough space to single bolster style seats on pedestals, without changing the bulkhead. One thing I noticed immediately was the ample head height under the hardtop. There’s plenty for even the tallest of us and the high screens all round offer excellent 360 deg visibility. The curved forward screen is safety glass so you can run a wiper, plus the side windows and rear windows open for some extra ventilation. FISHING COCKPIT The cockpit is open and uncluttered and certainly ideal if you are into fishing. With the rear bulkhead fitted you have a bin seat either

The boat is available with or without a rear bulkhead.

The helm seat has storage under and forms part of a full width rear bench seat or berth.

The test boat had a single walk-through and drop down ladder, plus a cage around the boarding platform.

The rear bench seat can be folded out of the way when fishing.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

side. These can be used for storage or somewhere to fit the fridge/ freezer. There are plenty of rod holders around the coamings and in the overhead rocket launcher. Extras like a built-in live bait tank are well worthwhile, as is an additional storage bin. Rods can be stowed in the wide side trays as well as in the optional rocket launcher and the boat comes with a bait board with a built-in tackle drawer under. I loved the way the bait station slides to one side to expose a large fish bin. Very cool! There’s an optional fold down double seat across the transom that can be locked up out of the way when fishing, with Nuova Rade hatches behind to get into the batteries and extra storage. Access to the boarding platforms (optional rear cage) is over the live bait tank and a fold down alloy ladder makes easy access to and from the water. You can design the transom to suit your needs, with no opening at all or if you want one each side. It’s your call. MARSDEN COVE When I did finally get on the water with one of the new models, it was a Cruiser 751 HT, which was up north at the Whangarei yard of Warren Hay Marine. Test day was reasonably calm with a swell and some breaking water off Whangarei Heads. We launched at Marsden Cove Marina and then after some speed runs in the calm we headed out to the Heads into some more confused seas. The last McLay I reviewed was Premier 701 Gen 2 on the mirror smooth waters of Lake Wanaka and before that a 775 Hardtop on the super rough Lake Te Anau, so I am very aware of just how well these boats ride in all conditions. Suffice to say when they are big and heavy they ride well and the 751 is no exception. It’s a soft riding and quiet boat with very little hull noise. The Electrotabs work well and with the strong wind on test day they proved very effective. The new Gen 2 hull has 300mm wide flat chines that taper away well forward and these certainly help with the stability and the soft ride of the boat. The power options are single or twin outboards or a single sterndrive, 200-300hp, with our boat running a single Mercury 250 Verado. This returned a top speed of 33.5 knots @ 6000 rpm, with a fuel consumption of 99 lph. Based on using 90% of the 225-litre fuel tank that gives the rig a range of 67 nm. If you drop that back to 4500 rpm @ 25.8 knots that increases to 110 nm and if you are going to spend the day at trolling speeds, then expect anywhere up to 150 nm from a tank. Overall another great addition to the McLay hardtop range and now with so many models available, Steve has made sure he has just about every size covered. Look also for the 751 to be added to the exclusive Premier range in the future.

The bait station is on slide rails and moves away to expose a deep bait/fish locker. ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

McLay Cruiser 751 Gen 2 $NZ 118,000 $NZ 163,900 Monohull Alloy: 5mm/4mm 7.20m 2.45m 18 degrees 3.20m 2450kg Mercury 250 Verado Revolution 4 15” Outboard/Sterndrive 200-300 hp 225 litres Toko Trailers

Notable Standard Items: Hydraulic steering, lined interior, baitboard and tackle drawer, auxilary outboard bracket. Boat Supplied by: Warren Hay Marine, Ph +64 9 430 2666, E: boatsales@warrenhaymarine.co.nz, www.warrenhaymarine.co.nz Contact: www.mclayboats.co.nz

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

The ideal cost effective product to protect your valuable asset. www.nyalic.co.nz

PERFORMANCE DATA RPM 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000

Knots 3.5 5.5 6.5 9.0 11.5 16.0 21.5 25.5 29.5 31.5 33.5

L/h 4.3 6.7 10.1 14.8 19.4 24.5 31.7 45.1 55 81 99

The Savwinch is now standard on most McLay boats.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

prontoprint.co.nz

GOT In the third and final of his articles about turning a basic trailerboat into a gamefisher, Shane Kelly recalls the sweet taste of success â€“ or was that smoked marlin?

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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CHA GAME FISHING PART THREE

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

failure for a while there. So we were all dressed up and ready to go in December and were waiting for warm water to arrive when … disaster struck. A back injury put me out of action for a good six weeks. I lay in bed reading reports of the best gamefishing season in years, if not the best ever. Marlin seemed to be jumping into boats everywhere. It’s fair to say that those weeks tested my sense of humour to its very limits. When I did get clearance from the Irish Goddess physio to get back on the water I was invited to spend two weekends on my mate Bushpig’s new diesel powered Surtees 6.7 off the West Coast. I decided to gain more experience and a chance to get out off the West Coast during a hot bite was too good to miss. We spent two fantastic days out off Manukau and got four hits (two of them on my lumo sprocket) but dropped them all. It was great fun, but I still hate that bloody bar and there’s nothing that will convince me to ever take my small 560 out there. The following week I once again got out the hooks and the single cut file and gave them another going over until they were even sharper. I’d been stung by the disdain of my “blunt” hooks (two fish dropped on

the sprocket) even after I had spent hours sharpening them. I’m still not happy with the hooks and plan another session soon. Man these things have to be sharp. Eventually we found ourselves fully rigged and on the water at Whangaroa in Northland. The team was Geoff Green – who is no stranger to these pages – my fishing buddy John Mac and I. A quick tow up Thursday evening saw us scorching out of bed at the crack of 8.30am on Friday for giant breakfast before being ready to do battle. You can’t rush these things… We ran out wide for about 10 miles in lumpy but essentially windless conditions, into azure water. The water smoothed out, the sun shone hard and it was absolutely magnificent. We put the lures in the water, running the lumo sprocket and the three Legends – the big andromeda, mid-size merlin and smaller enki. My thinking was that with relatively little wake from our small boat we wanted to convince the fish that there was something going on, so the biggest lures went out on long rigger and short rigger. Lumo sprocket on long and the purple/silver andromeda, imitating skipjack, on short. A free jumping marlin leaping four or five times just ahead certainly gained our attention but didn’t seem to be interested in our lures. Hearts racing, we went back to trolling. Spectacular schools of skipjack tuna, all lit up with purple flashes, worked schools of smaller bait around the area. We stuck to them, remembering the mantra of one of my Fishing.Net mentors, “never leave a bait school to find marlin.” We trolled around the bait schools into the afternoon. We changed the lures running off the outriggers a couple of times, but left the close in lures – the enki and merlin, alone. We kept the bigger lures out the back – in contradiction of the normal practice of running the big lures in close to attract marlin to the boat. Not sure whether it was

Penn reels were the gear of choice – look at that water! Gamefish territory.

Fighting the fish on the Penn Formula 24 – facing forward from the stern.

John (left) and Geoff keep a close watch out for freejumping fish.

When it finally happened, catching our first striped marlin seemed almost easy. The planning, set up, thinking and money spent paid off. On Friday April 1 we set out from Whangaroa, almost a year since the last time we had gamefished on Bender – although the last time we weren’t all that serious, if you’ll remember. We came home in the late afternoon with a striped marlin that weighed in at 91.6kg on the Whangaroa Game Club scales. Yes really, despite the inauspicious date … it was after midday, I promise. Extra preparation necessary on the boat since the last article in this series was written was to rig the Penn rods (two VSW 50s and two Formula 24s) and some new lures. Ass I did the plaits and crimps necessary I said a little prayer that the terminal tackle would all hold together. I chose to follow the rig demonstrated by top deckie Matt Watson in the Blue Water video (remember, that’s the bloody Christmas present that started all this business in the first place!) I used doublers formed by a plait, wind-on leaders and 400lb traces on the lures. To supplement some lures I was given by a member of fishing.net website, I bought some Pakulas that were on sale at a chandlery supplemented by one of the famed “lumo sprocket” lures bought from Trademe. I also invested in some Legend lures because they seemed to be bringing success for other fishos and hot dang they look good. Spending hours rigging all that lot included doing the doublers and wind on leaders four times because each time I left something out. Starting to suffer sense of humour

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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Geoff coolly keeps the boat behind the fish, allowing the angler to retrieve line while also tiring the marlin out. The successful tactic had the fish at the boat in 20 minutes. a case of ignorance being bliss or a little knowledge being dangerous, but the one constant I have found in gamefishing is that there are few hard and fast rules – so we made up some of our own. Round and round we went, trolling away the hours, with plenty of bait schools to chase most of the time. Eventually we decided we’d had enough and elected to troll back to Stephenson Island, off Whangaroa Harbour. We wanted a crack at some of the big kings we’d seen giving the tackle on other boats a serious workout earlier that morning. “Once more around this last bait school” was the call and we had just finished the circle, with Geoff setting a skippy lure to get some fresh bait, when I saw a big fish break

Long-suffering crewman John Mac (left) and the author celebrate the fish at Whangaroa Gamefish Club.

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LIVE BAIT AND CATCH BIGGER FISH Simple…. Live bait catch bigger fish.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

On board!

the surface about 80m away. I steered towards the splash and soon after Geoff called “marlin in the gear.” I turned and sure enough, just 10ft behind the boat, was the dorsal fin of a marlin. The short corner reel screamed as the marlin shot through with the enki in his mouth. SHOWTIME. The Penn Formula 24 reel was howling … unloading line at a jillion miles an hour. And I was on strike – just two minutes left of my time “in the chair” not that we have a chair. There was a slight problem in that we had become lax with boredom and lost our routine. I was on strike, but was driving the boat and didn’t have the stand up harness on. I calmly leaped down aft like a maniac, grabbed the rod and left the boat to steer itself. I then proceeded to shout orders at John to steer the boat, clear the other rod, lift the outrigger and also put the Black Magic stand up gimbal belt around my waist. Poor bugger. We got everything under control and squared away and settled into the fight, with me down aft against the transom and the line forward about 40 degrees off the starboard bow. Keeping the boat moving towards the rapidly departing fish, but with enough tension on the line to keep the pressure on it, we settled in to wear the fish down. This fighting technique was excellent and Geoff drove the boat superbly. He retained the full manoeuverability of a runabout while keeping maximum pressure. He let the fish try to tow the boat to wear it out and I was able to gain line back pretty steadily, except when the marlin ran. We were able to manoeuvre the boat to stay with the fish – and get of its way when it tried to swim under the keel. The marlin stayed deep in the water, but about 20 minutes later we had it next to the boat – it took off a couple of times but we finessed it back each time and soon it was ready to gaff. Until we saw the fish we hadn’t decided whether or not to release or take it … in the end the desire for some fresh smoked marlin was too strong and we sunk the gaff before the three of us manhandled it into the little Ramco. GAME, SET, MATCH. What exhilaration and what satisfaction. We’d done it. We had joined the ranks of fishos who have caught a marlin from a small trailerboat. The Ramco 560 Outsider had more than proven itself, in fact it continues to surprise with how well it performs in this demanding role. We’ve had no problems with the boat or the Yamaha 90

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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outboard. Let’s face it, when you’re 15 or 20 miles offshore in a 17footer, safety comes in the form of a bloody good hull and a flawlessly reliable outboard. We had both. One problem that weekend had been the loss of our bait tank. Three years through all weather it had sat clipped to the swim step … a moment’s carelessness from me, not clipping it on properly, and it was gone. I’ll replace it with an identical tank but this time with an extra security line in case I get careless again. It disappeared over the back containing three kahawai, fully rigged as live baits, ready to be thrown at any marlin that came near. Back to the drawing board on that one – although the basic set up won’t change, just the water pumping system to give me more oomph for the tuna tube (which still sits in the garage ready to be plumbed in. Just ran out of time for that one.) There were a couple of other problems. The battery switch key was smashed by the marlin and we had to jimmy it up to get power back to the boat and electronics. I’ve since bought a new switch key and a spare one for the next fish. Then on Saturday morning we awoke to a dead VHF radio … it had worked fine the previous day. Just one of those things I

guess, but it did prevent us from heading out wide again on Saturday, having lost our frontline safety device (and with a dodgy battery switch.) What else would we change about the boat set up? Well for a start I would not injure my back. That really mucked us up. The standard Perko spring clips on the outriggers really started to hack me off. The long rigger clip could not handle the pressure of the twin-hooked lumo sprocket and we were constantly having to re-rig it. I’ve decided to replace them with Blacks clips, on which we can pre-set the release tension. The Tel-o-riggers were a fantastic choice. We were able to pull the rigger in, telescope it and put it out of the way during the fight – you would not be able to fight a marlin on such a small boat with a standard, nontelescoping outrigger, which would just get in the way. I’d still like to take greater advantage of the downrigger. It has awesome potential but we haven’t really had a decent crack at it. Just need some more time on the water and opportunities to drag livies around. I must also remember to take off that white floppy brimmed hat when being photographed because it makes me look

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like a demented Benny Hill. Or so my wife said when she saw the last article. Best of all, catching the fish proved that these articles weren’t just about theory. The sifting of information, setting up and quite intensive research which led us to attempt this madcap thing were all worth it.

91.6kg on the Whangaroa scales.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

FOSSIL FREE BOATING Theyâ€™re quiet, smooth and environmentally friendly. We sample the Torqeedo range of electric outboards. By Chris Beattie

Futuristic looks and quiet, almost soundless operation are a Torqeedo hallmark.

The Ultralight (1hp equivalent), is ideal for canoes and kayaks.

COMPROMISE | NOT ultimateboats.co.nz

A N O P T ICOONM P R O M I S E | N O T A N O P T I O N

see us for massive demonstrator model savings Auckland On Water Boat Show 2016 ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Sep 29th - Oct 2nd (Gulfland Marine Stand - OS2)

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There are Torqeedos to suit almost every form of outboard water transport.

Power Equipment conducted a press event recently to launch its new range of German-made Torqeedo electric outboard motors. Founded in 2005, according to Power Equipment, Torqeedo has quickly built a reputation for innovation and technological expertise in the emerging area of electric outboards. Power Equipment is the Australiasian importer and distributor for a number of brands, including Yanmar diesel engines, Mase generators and Gori propellers. Power Equipment will be importing four Torqeedo models and has worked closely with Torqeedo to ensure it has the right options for the Australian and NZ markets. “For the last 25 years, we have been passionate about delivering the very best brands, and Torqeedo fits seamlessly into our stable of the highest-quality marine products,” said Jason Hodder, Power Equipment’s Torqeedo Product Manager. “Torqeedo is a pioneering German brand at the global forefront of marine motor technology. It’s known for its innovation, convenience and eco-friendliness – we’re excited to be bringing them to local rivers, bays and oceans.” With the imminent ban on carburetted two-strokes due to be implemented in 2017, the electric option suddenly becomes viable. Apart from the obvious benefits to the environment, electric power also means that there are no risks associated with storing volatile fuels onboard. “This is an important shift in where the future of boat propulsion is heading. What Tesla has done for cars in making electric accessible and acceptable, we believe Torqeedo will create similar waves on the water,” said Hodder.

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The Manson Supreme Anchor is made by Lloyd’s Register certified experts in New Zealand’s wild west – not cowboys in China. So strap on your six shooter, head down to your local chandlery and rustle yourself up a Supreme – it’s known as the Equaliser – and can rein in the toughest seabed. Avoid the stampede, lasso one today! www.mansonanchors.com

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Perfect power for a small lightweight tinnie.

All motors are claimed to be extremely energy efficient and quiet, using powerful lithium batteries which are solarrechargeable.

The Deep Blue range is aimed at the 40 to 80hp market. Engines will include the Ultralight (1hp equivalent), ideal for canoes and kayaks; Travel (1.5hp and 3hp equivalent), suited to dinghies and tenders; Cruise (5hp, 8hp and 20hp equivalent), for power and sail craft; and Deep Blue (40hp and 80hp equivalent), intended for powerboats and commercial operators. The Ultralight range is mostly intended for kayaks, with pricing starting at $NZ2750. The Travel range is suitable for tenders and sail craft and produces power equivalent to conventional 3 to 4hp outboards, while costing around $NZ3080. The Travel 503 will suit vessels up to 750kg, while the 1003 can propel craft up to 1.5 tonnes. Two shaft lengths are available and, with a weight of 9kg less battery, they are claimed to be easy to handle and transport. A 50W solar charger, travel bag and other accessories are also available. The Cruise range is intended to compete with 5 to 9.9hp outboards and is suitable for small tinnies, tenders and sail and power craft up to 10 tonnes. There are 11 motor options in the range, to cover a variety of tiller and remote throttle configurations, plus a variety of shaft lengths. The 9.9hp has a retails of

$NZ7999. The Deep Blue range is aimed at the 40 to 80hp market and is suitable for larger powerboats and commercial applications. Standard equipment on all Torqeedos includes an onboard computer, with an inbuilt range monitor to inform users of range and battery status. Thereâ€™s also a Torq Trac app that overlays range information with a map of the current location that can be linked to smartphones to tell users how far they can travel at a given speed based on current battery power. All motors are claimed to be extremely energy efficient and quiet, using powerful lithium batteries which are solar-rechargeable and require minimal maintenance. They are also compliant with the international IP67 standard for submersion protection. Other claimed features include efficient propeller design for good speed and thrust, heavy-duty construction and corrosion protection. Conventional recharge times begin at around seven hours for the smaller models. The on-water evaluations were conducted with a number of small

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

tinnies,RIBs and kayaks. From my own experience Iâ€™d have to say I was impressed with the Travel and Cruise range of engines. They certainly felt light and easy to steer via the tillers, while power delivery was strong and instant. Throttle response was also good, considering we were dealing with relatively low-power models. At first, it was actually a little weird to be travelling along at a handful of knots with no noise other than the breeze to intrude as we whirred our way around the protected waters of the marina. Visually, the engines have a compact and futuristic look and appear robust and solid as far as mounts and hardware are concerned. Whether tooling around a marina, puttering along on a windless day, or ferrying supplies to your cruiser in the Hauraki Gulf, it seems there is now a Torqeedo to service your needs. www.powerequipment.co.nz

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191

Mayor Island was named by Captain Cook and its Maori name is “Tuhua”

FISHING MAYOR ISLAND Mat Hewetson had fished in the BOP many times over the past decade, usually at White Island but hadn’t fished off Mayor Island. When he recently moved to live in Tauranga, it was therefore only a matter of time and he soon found out it offers great fishing. By Mathew Hewetson

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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Scott Cushman hooked up to a kingfish

Mayor Island (Tuhua) is a dormant volcano 35km (22 miles) north of Tauranga and covers 13 km2 (5 sq. mi). The island is quite steep along its coast and rises to 355m (1,165ft) above sea level. The island is believed to have risen from the sea about 7000 years ago. The island is considered special by Maori partly because of the presence of black obsidian, a volcanic glass created by the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava, prized as a cutting tool. The obsidian was called Tuhua by Māori who called the island by the same name. Captain Cook called it Mayor Island when sighted on November 3, 1769, in recognition of the Lord Mayor’s Day that was to be held in London a few days later. Mayor Island today is a wildlife refuge, but this area of the Bay of Plenty around the island is renowned for game fishing. With marlin, tuna, mako sharks, swordfish and even tiger sharks all inhabiting the surrounding waters. The island and the waters close to its shores however, are now a small marine reserve. There are several tramping tracks around the island and it is also popular with divers. Several pa sites are known on the island, which was inhabited until 1901.

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off Mayor when jigging

FIRST VISIT Up until the start of this year, I had never fished around Mayor with all my previous BOP fishing trips to White Island or off Motiti Island. Since moving to live in Tauranga in late 2015, I had wanted to put in a few trips there over summer to troll for game fish and also jig for kingies. On the very first trip out in January in a Surtees 610 we encountered a marlin and also had a large tuna strike, but unfortunately they didn’t hook up! We managed to land a couple of nice albacore, a great tasting tuna and also fat skipjacks for bait. We also had good success jigging for kingfish on the many sea mounts to the south east of Mayor and in near Tuhua Reef. It was a shame the marlin and yellowfin didn’t stick as it would have been a very successful inaugural visit to the island. But with such a promising start I knew I would be back soon to try again.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

The writer with his first fish at Mayor, this solid 14kg king jigged near Tuhua Reef

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The Surtees 610 which had a lot of interesting gadgets on board. SECOND VISIT We made plans for a second visit a couple of months later in March as the game fishing had really started to fire. We trolled all day to the north of Mayor but unfortunately didn’t see any marlin and only caught a solo albie, always a welcome bycatch for the dinner table. We did see a couple of sunfish and the conditions were glassy, so a great day on the water. Because of work

commitments I didn’t manage to get back out to Mayor again until April and this time was on a different Surtees 610 which had a lot of interesting gadgets on board. DEEP WATER FOR BLUENOSE This Surtees was owned by Papamoa local Bill Dyck and his boat was fitted with an electric Minn Kota motor which would help to keep us positioned over our fishing

marks. I had seen these before on smaller boats, like Editor Barry Thompson’s McLay but never on a larger 6m+ hardtop boat. On my 3rd trip to fish off Mayor Island we were planning to target deep water fish such as hapuka and bluenose. Bill advised that the built-in GPS on the electric motor would keep us over the spot even in 350m+ of water. This could give us a great advantage as it meant we would stay directly above the

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The writer scored a good 16kg fish on the first drop

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mark and we would hopefully catch bluenose or hapuka. Keeping above your mark in deep water is critical for successful fishing and usually comes down to the skill of the skipper allowing for the drift with the wind and tide. When you drop your large baits with heavy sinkers down, they take several minutes to reach the bottom and the boat can move past the structure where the fish are living. So any advantage to stay above the mark will result in more bites. As soon as we reached Billâ€™s mark he turned off the Honda outboard and switched on the Minn Kota with the remote control. The arm came up from the front of the boat and extended into the water and the electric motor hummed quietly away. It did indeed keep us over the spot and we baited up and dropped our baits over. Bill was first to hit the bottom and he instantly hooked up and 10 minutes later had a double of bluenose! I then also hooked up to a powerful fish that took off and pulled the 24kg line. It gave me a great fight

all the way to the top and a fat 16kg bluenose was in the boat. We took photos and then rebaited with squid and dropped back down and Bill hooked up again and then I did too! We had a double hook up and laughed together as we both strained to get our fish up. Bill had caught another double and I had a good 14kg bluenose. Wow! - we had four drops and six fat bluenose in the bin. The Minn Kota was proving excellent and we decided we had enough bluenose and to head into the shallows to fish for some tarakihi. In 150m at Billâ€™s tarakihi spot, we engaged the electric motor again and proceeding to catch a dozen nice fish on fresh tuatua baits. It was after this trip that I thought I really should have fished off Mayor Is a lot sooner as it was proving to be a pretty impressive destination and only an hour by boat from my new home port. With swordfish grounds also close to Mayor, it will definitely be more frequently fished over the rest of the year.

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The Minn Kota electric motor is a revelation for fishing in the deep water keeping you above marks

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOAT TEST

FREWZA F16 FISHER SPORT JET

ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE Barry Thompson went to Invercargill to check out the Frewza F16 Fisher Sport Jet and found a boat that is destined for more than rivers. I have not done a lot of jet boating and what I have has mostly been on rivers, so it was a new experience to try out the Frews Marine’s multi-purpose jet boat. This is a boat that is not solely designed for river boating and has all the right attributes to make it a good little ‘sea boat’ as well. I can remember quite a few years ago testing a Ramco jetboat and I wasn’t impressed. An outboard boat that the builders had decided to drop a jet unit in, it just didn’t work. It was noisey and rattly and didn’t perform well. However, I can’t say the same about the F16 Fisher Sport Jet. Quite simpny it’s an awesome boat that is an amazing performer. Designer Brendon Frews knew what his customers wanted when he built the first jet powered F16 and he made all the right changes to the bottom of the outboard F16 so it would work as intended. The shallow vee and thicker alloy plate on the running surface make it ideal for rivers and shallow estuary boating, while the cuddy cabin styling lends it be being a perfect inshore fishing boat. GREAT PERFORMER Bluff Harbour proved a great place to give the boat a run and as you can see from the pictures, it was far from calm. The boat did everything you would expect from a jetboat and yet performed as good as an outboard version. It is reasonably quiet and there’s no vibration noise through the hull. While the F16 shares a lot of attributes and styling of the F16 Centre Console and the F16 Fisher, the hull is entirely different. Firstly the external beam of the F16 CC and Fisher are 2.00m, whereas the F16 jet is a slightly narrower at 1.98m. They all share the same 1.42mm

The F16 Fisher Jet was powered by a Mercury 200 Optimax Sport Jet.

Stylish, tought and extremely well built.

internal beam. The LOA of the Fisher Sport Jet is also longer at 5.10m compared to 4.95m for the outboard models. While the F16 Cuddy and Fisher are constructed with 16 deg, 4mm bottoms and 2.5mm sides, the Fisher Sport Jet has a 12 deg, 5mm hull running surfaces and 4mm pontoon sides. There is also a 5mm full-length keel protector, which provides a 10mm keel line. Enough to take on most river boulders. “We know that being a jetboat it’s going to be used in more extreme river and shallow coastal conditions that most people would take an outboard so it’s got to be tough and be able to handle plenty of gravel rash across the bottom”, says Brendon. Frews Marine Limited are based in Invercargill and manufacturer a wide range of aluminium pontoon boats ranging from 2.8m to 9m. Brendon Frew is the designer and manufacturer of Frewza Boats and has a reputation for producing rugged, yet stylish and most importantly an affordable range of aluminium pontoon dinghies and boats. The F16 Fisher Jet we ran was powered by a 2.5 litre, V6, Mercury 200 Optimax Sport Jet, which proved very quick in this little boat. The whole package, including the jet unit weighs 166kg, compared to a 3 litre, V6, 200hp Mercury Optimax outboard at 229kg. A whole lot lighter with the same horsepower output. Top speed was 43.2 knots (49.7 mph) and the V6 engine was burning 64 lph @ 5600 rpm. Drop that back to 5000 rpm and 36 knots (41.3 mph) and the fuel gauge dropped to 45.0 lph. In the conditions, I found 4000 rpm was most comfortable and at this, the fuel dropped to a very conservative 21 lph and the speedo was on 26 knots (30 mph).

The F16 has great stability and plenty of fishing space.

Plenty of space in the cockpit for the blue cod pot.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

FISHING SPACE The layout of the F16 Fisher Sport Jet incorporates a full-width boarding platform, which covers the jet unit and there was even an outboard auxiliary bracket on the starboard side. The helm is to port, which while uncommon for an outboard powered boat is very conventional in jetboats. Seating is twin cantilevered swivel bucket seats forward with jump seats either side of the central engine box. Storage trays run down either side and are recessed into the side pontoons, with more dry storage available in the cuddy. A 100-litre fuel tank is fitted under the cockpit floor. The boat we ran is used for fishing and came with not only rod holders and a central bait board, but also a blue cod pot. We dropped this over the side early on during the test, but when we brought it back aboard it was still empty. We did try a spot of soft baiting for some cod in Bluff Harbour with some success, although nothing that was worth a photo! Around the transom there are deck hatches for access to storage space and the raised alloy engine box lifts off when you need to get to the Mercury Optimax for servicing. At the other end of the boat, the F16 Fisher Sport Jet has a large open anchor locker. This could be adapted to fit a small drum winch which I reckon would be perfect for a boat like this. If you do need to go forward, then the Sport Jet comes with a walk through windscreen, plus there are also dedicated side steps provided. One thing I was impressed with was the overall finish of the boat. Not only does it look good, but it’s also extremely well built, right down to the quality of the welds. There are three separate air compartments in the pontoons and a separate sealed underfloor compartment, which makes the boat vertically unsinkable! Being an alloy boat, it is up for customisation and this is something that Frewza do very well. As Brendon says. “ Anything’s Possible”.

SPECIFICATIONS Model & MAKE: Priced From: Price as Tested: Type: Construction: LOA: Beam: Deadrise: Height on Trailer: Trailerable Weight: Test Power: Power Options: HP Range: Fuel Capacity: Trailer:

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Doing the old jet boat spin.

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The anchor locker is easily accessed from the cockpit. The perspex screen offers good protection and there’s a bimini option.

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Knots 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.5 8.0 19.0 26.0 32.0 36.0 42.0 43.2

L/h 1.9 3.2 5.0 8.0 10.8 15.1 21.0 36.0 45.4 54.0 64.0

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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A five blade propeller offers excellent stern lifting properties.

A PROPer CHOICE

Of all the items on an outboard motor, seemingly the most unpretentious and uncomplicated, is the propeller. Yet amazingly, despite the fact they are such an integral part of an outboard motor, propellers are often a very neglected item. It is just so important that we understand the basics of the propeller - the importance of its operation, the principles, and how to gain the maximum benefit not only in performance, but also in efficiency â€“ at whatever form or level of powerboating you participate in.

Counter rotation propellers on one shaft reduce any steering torque.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

A typical three blade aluminium propeller.

...when quality counts

Different boats with different uses require different propellers. So don’t expect one propeller to do all. For example, a propeller that is suitable for skiing will not necessarily be suitable for long distance or highspeed work. It may well do the job, but definitely not effectively or indeed efficiently. To explain that further, and most importantly simply, one must first understand the basic concept, and some of the associated jargon. A propeller consists of anything from two to eight blades; that are attached or moulded, onto a central hub. These blades are attached and shaped at such angles that with each revolution the boat is propelled a certain distance forward. This amount is determined by what is known as the PITCH of the blade. For example, a 21-inch pitch propeller would propel a boat 21 inches forward with each revolution it made, less an allowance for what is called “slippage”. Slippage is usually expressed as a percentage of the pitch. A propeller with 20% slip can in some instances be quicker than one with 15%. Slip varies through the range but a general rule of thumb puts displacement boats at about 30%, planing hulls at 20-25%, twin rigs at 15-20%, and faster sports and performance boats at 10-12%. The ultimate speedsters like racing hydroplanes have propellers with little slip, that gets down as low as 3-5% in some instances. More mathematically inclined readers may care to calculate the slip at full throttle on their own boat. Here’s an example: A top speed of 47.5 knots is achieved at 5800 rpm with a 1.87:1 lower unit gear reduction and a 21-inch pitch prop. If there was no slip, the speed would be (5800/1.87) x 21 inch/minute x {1 ft/12 inch} x {1 nautical mile/6080 ft} x {60 minute/1 hour} x {1 knot/1 nautical mile/hour} = 53.56 knots. Note that by inserting the various conversion factors, in {} brackets, the units of inch, minute, ft, nautical mile and hour cancel out, leaving the speed in knots. Thus the slip is 6.06 knots, which is 11.3% of 53.56, so the slip is 11.3%.

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RIGHT OPERATING RPM The best propeller size for your boat and engine combination is based on the recommended operating range at wide open throttle (w.o.t.) for your engine, which you will find in your operator’s manual. This will be expressed in terms of a certain horsepower at a certain RPM (revolutions per minute). The goal in prop

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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selection is to determine what propeller style and size will maximise performance for your boat, while allowing your engine to operate in the recommended RPM range. The correct propeller will prevent the engine from going beyond its maximum rated RPM, yet allow it to reach the minimum rated RPM where maximum horsepower is produced. Run the boat/motor at w.o.t. under normal operating load to determine the maximum RPM you are able to obtain. A tachometer is necessary for this test. Adjust the motor trim angle for the optimum performance. If during this test, you begin to exceed the maximum rated RPM of the engine, reduce throttle setting to a position where maximum RPM is not exceeded. If your test results in your being able to over-rev the engine, you need to increase the pitch of the propeller. Increasing the pitch increment by 1” will result in approximately a 200 RPM drop. If your testing shows, however, that you are only able to obtain a RPM somewhat lower than the minimum rating given by your engine manufacturer, you would need to decrease pitch. Decreasing 1” pitch will increase your RPM by approximately 200 RPM.

Pitch is the distance, in inches, a particular prop would theoretically travel in one full revolution. A lower pitch will have greater acceleration or pushing power

TYPES OF PITCH To further complicate the situation, there are two types of pitch - CONSTANT and PROGRESSIVE. Constant pitch is a true or flat pitch, which is the same at all points, from the leading to the trailing edge. Progressive pitch, more usually found on highperformance stainless steel props, is an average of a low reading at the leading edge of the blade, and a higher reading at the trailing edge. Propellers act in much the same way as an aircraft wing, in that the motion of a propeller through the water generates a greater average pressure on the rear surface than on the forward surface. This difference in pressure, multiplied by the blade area, provides the thrust force that drives the boat. In order to produce the thrust necessary to get a boat up on to the plane, there is no substitute whatsoever for blade area. Without sufficient blade area, it becomes impossible to generate sufficient pressure difference to produce the necessary force, and the propeller simply “digs a hole” and goes nowhere. Of course, choosing a propeller with more blades is one way to gain blade area, but there is a limit, after which the only way is to go for a bigger diameter. But with outboards and sterndrives, that is not possible. That’s why even twin sterndrives are seldom used on boats over 5 tonnes. In a nutshell then, blade area gets you going and the pitch gives you the forward impetus.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Rake is the angle of the blades in relation to the propeller’s barrel (the center tube), and is expressed in degrees. A high-rake propeller is best-suited for high speed applications.

Cupping effectively increases the pitch size. PERFORMANCE ASPECTS There are two other important performance factors, albeit more traditionally associated with high-performance propellers. One is RAKE, which is the slanted angle aft (at the tip) from the perpendicular to the shaft axis. Standard production propellers normally run around 15 degrees of rake, whereas performance versions can run anything up to 30 degrees at the blade tip. The second performance factor is CUPPING. We have all heard at some time or other of the racer who sits his propeller over the tow-ball on his car and proceeds to ‘cup’ it with a ball-peen hammer. What this does is increase the effective pitch of the propeller, thereby increasing top speed. In some instances too, it is equally as effective in reducing the revs of an over-stressed engine. The last common blade ‘peculiarity’ is SKEW. Instead of being radially symmetrical, in this case each blade is ‘swept back’ in shape, when viewed along the propeller shaft axis. Skewed propellers are ideal for lower horsepower domestic or work engines, where weed or other obstacles are a factor (this shape of blade sheds weed easier), the higher skew in a surface-piercing or high speed application will also greatly reduce the shock sensation as the blade re-enters the water. CAVITATION OR VENTILATION Many people confuse slip with cavitation, or ventilation, when in fact they are very different kettles of fish. Slip is inevitable, whereas both cavitation and ventilation, when they occur, are detrimental to an engine’s performance and well-being. VENTILATION or BLOW-OUT is basically loss of grip or bite by the propeller, caused

by aeration either from the water itself or from the exhaust, that interrupts the flow of ‘good’ water to the propeller. This can be caused by a dirty, scratched or chipped bottom, or an item such as a water intake or transducer that interrupts the flow of water to the propeller. Ventilation or blow-out virtually always progresses on to become CAVITATION, which defined simplistically is in effect the boiling of the water along the leading or front edge, of the propeller. There the pressure is low enough that the water actually boils, forming water vapour. This vapour collapses as it moves along the blade and back into a higher-pressure area, thereby condensing back into a liquid form. This ‘implosion’ causes pitting of the propeller’s surface, also known as “cavitation burning”, and if allowed to continue this can cause a propeller to disintegrate. Ever seen a propeller with hundreds of little pin-holes across part of its surface? That’s cavitation burning. Fortunately today’s better designed and built propellers, with more cupping and rake, resist cavitation. So if you have a problem it is more likely to be caused by incorrect engine set-up (too high on the transom or trimmed too far out), or hull aeration caused by something disturbing the water flow to the propeller. Or, the propeller itself may have been damaged.

A four blade prop provides excellent acceleration from a standing start. A three blade stainless steel propeller like this is the most common to be found on production outboards. APPROPRIATE SIZE Armed with a basic understanding of the workings of a propeller, the choice of the appropriate size to run becomes a little easier. If you predominantly tow water skiers, you will want a lower pitched (just like a lower gear ratio on your motor vehicle) propeller that will give you more punch out of the hole. If you do a lot of high-speed work, the rule of thumb dictates a ‘higher-geared’ propeller pitched at a minimum of two inches higher. One standard-issue propeller, unless you

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

have massive horsepower in a lightweight boat, will seldom do both jobs satisfactorily, so the ideal solution if you want both acceleration and top speed, is to have two propellers. Or alternatively, you can either go to a removable-blade propeller (either situation would also be handy if you damage a propeller while at sea) that allows you to change to a different pitch in minutes, or spend the extra and go to a stainless steel high-performance example. The above scenarios may seem excessive in the context of a quiet day out for the family, but if use your boat a lot for one particular application, then it is worth the effort. Grab a pen and paper and try working out the potential fuel savings in a year, and you may well come to the realisation it doesn’t take too long at all to recoup the extra expense.

A six blade racing cleaver is a finely crafted work of art and usually hand finished by specialist craftsmen.

PROP CONSTRUCTION Having decided on the correct size of propeller required, the next decisions to make are whether to go solid or rubber bush, the number of blades required, and whether to go aluminium, stainless steel, or even composite glass-reinforced plastic. Before you begin this facet of the ‘choice’, remember that you don’t necessarily have to run the respective manufacturer’s propeller; Mercury for instance have propellers to suit other brands of motors, and there are many good after-market propeller manufacturers like for instance Solas and Michigan. Solid hub aluminium or metal propellers, without a splined rubber bush down the centre of the hub, are predominantly for competition and are to be avoided at all costs, because, there is no ‘shock absorption’ whatsoever - both when putting the engine into gear and when the boat is running at speed. Vibration also becomes a major problem without the shock-absorbing qualities of the bush. The number of blades really should only be an issue in high performance or sports applications; otherwise the standard propeller that comes with your engine is

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or multi-bladed version would certainly be more efficient. All of a sudden the extra economy you would get, would far outweigh the additional purchase cost. If however you are looking for the ultimate in performance, then engage the help of an expert, generally a propeller manufacturer or supplier in business for themselves. There are many self-confessed experts out there though, so beware – a full-blown race prop that you may not necessarily need, could cost upwards of $5000 to $10000. A good place to start then is at your local outboard dealer or a specialist propeller shop. They have props that lift the bow, ones that lift the stern, surface riders, choppers, cleavers – ensure you end up with the right prop, for your application! The most important point when making your propeller purchasing decisions then is to provide the engine dealer or the propeller manufacturer with as much information as possible on the size of your engine and boat, what you expect from it in the way of performance, and its predominant use. They will know the correct sizes to run. Then, if your dealer is receptive to the idea, borrow a second-hand propeller of that size and specification (or a selection of them), to try out.

Once you have purchased your new prop don’t just bolt it on, suffering under the illusion that it’s bullet-proof - respect it and look after it. If you have been unlucky enough to hit an object at sea, send your propeller in straight away for a checkup. A damaged propeller could well be sending vibrations through the motor and boat, causing undue stress and wear and tear. And it will certainly be costing you performance, which ultimately equates to an increased fuel bill. A recent field test with an only slightly damaged propeller revealed a drop in top speed of 13.7%, a drop in acceleration capability of 37.7%, and a drop in optimum cruise economy, of 21%. A $50 or $60 repair bill all of a sudden pales into insignificance.

If your propeller looks like this, it is costing you performance and fuel economy.

DB106

more than adequate. The extra expense of more or fewer blades is often not warranted, or justified. And it is the same situation with the stainless steel versus the rest argument. Many dealers (with ulterior motives), or self-professed experts, will tell you the stainless propeller is the only way to go: better performance, stronger blades that don’t warp under load (aluminium ones predominantly don’t either, of course), better cupping, more efficient shape, and so on. All true, certainly, when you get to the upper end of the performance scale, but for me, the rule of thumb is: run what the manufacturer suggests. If it is fitted with a stainless steel prop as standard, fine. If it is fitted with an alloy prop - still fine. Only if you want the best possible performance, and are prepared to pay a premium to achieve it, should you consider using stainless steel high-performance propellers. In saying that though, there is in fact one exception to that statement, where the additional expense and effort would most certainly be worth-while. Purely from an economic perspective, it may be that you have a particular scenario, be it a heavy rig, an inefficient hull, or any number of other contributing factors, then a stainless steel

Thompson Marine Ltd 31 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua | 0800 95 95 90 | 07 348 4997 | office@seaboss.co.nz Auckland Marine Centre 247 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakaranga, Auckland | 09 579-7981 | sales@aucklandmarine.co.nz

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

w w w. s e a b o s s . c o . n z

Eleven different propellers from Mercury Marine provided some interesting results.

PROPELLER

SHOOT OUT (The Best & The Worst Revealed)

We took eleven different Mercury Marine propellers and tried them all on our McLay 4.8 Fortress powered by a Mercury 75 4S, to see what difference to performance and fuel economy, a few degrees of pitch and inches of diameter made. Text by Barry Thompson

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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Mercury Marine’s Dean Villis checks out the readings on the Humminbird sounder.

We have been running a McLay 4.8 Fortress with Merc power for three seasons now and after starting with a Mercury 60 4S, we upgraded to a Mercury 75 4S last summer. It is a rocket ship and also very economical, although until now I didn’t have a handle on just how good it was. When I go fishing, I fill a 25-litre tote tank and a smaller 5 litre spare and head out for the day. I have never run out and even if I did I always have the electric Minn-Kota outboard to get me home at a slow and leisurely pace. Before the multi-prop test, we ran on Orakei Basin, I had been running a Mercury Spitfire 15 X7, four blade stainless propeller. But was that really the best one for the boat/ engine combination? The boat has a manually adjustable jacking plate on the transom, but since setting it so the cavitation plate of the outboard is 40mm above the keel line, I have never moved it. I know if I raised it and ran a different propeller I would increase speed, but as this is a totally dedicated fishing boat and not a speed machine (some would disagree), top end has never been that important. Selecting a performance goal is crucial to finding the right prop. For example, one propeller may be better suited for acceleration while another propeller will

be best for mid range cruise/fuel economy. The first thing is to decide what you want from your boat and then look for the most suitable propeller for the task. The Mercury 75 runs a Big Tiller, with a steering damper to take some of the torque out of the tiller. I find when the engine is trimmed out a little over ¼, there is no torque feedback through the helm. However, when I trim it right in, as I sometimes have to do when heading into a head sea, I can feel it in my arm. However, overall it’s not an issue and I love the fact that with the tiller steer I have the rest of the floor space in the boat uncluttered and maximise it as a fishing platform. THE TEST To get some data about the different propellers, we took the boat to the calm waters of the Orakei Basin in Auckland. With gates to control the water level in the basin, there is no tidal flow, so it’s an ideal venue for such a test. Mercury Marine’s NZ Manager, Dean Harris and NZ Service Manager Dean Villis arrived with a boot full of props which varied from those that should be suitable, to those that shouldn’t. We had already installed a Mercury Smartcraft gauge to register the fuel flow and we used the Humminbird sounder and

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my iPhone as a backup to log the speeds. The plan was to do a series of controlled runs across the basin and record fuel and speeds at rpm as well as check out the acceleration of each propeller. For each run, we had the same team aboard, Dean H and myself. All up weight for the test, including boat, two crew, fuel and my fishing gear which was still aboard, was around 850 kgs. THE PROPS Mercury Marine’s propeller foundry in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, produces an extensive range of high quality, best-performing, and best-selling marine propellers in the world. We ran eleven propellers, from 15” diameter 3 blade alloy and stainless to a 19” 3 blade stainless. There were four alloy props, seven stainless, with a mix of three blades and four blades, with diameters from 13” up to 13.75”. All our test propellers used the Mercurypatented Flo-Torq 3 propeller hub which not only flexes during shift changes, reducing noise and vibration, if your prop hits an underwater object, it sacrifices itself to save your lower unit. Knowing that the boat already ran well with a 15” stainless 4 blader, we purposely went bigger with a Laser 19 and a Vengeance 18, both 3 blade stainless. Plus we tossed

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

LASER II: A three blade stainless propeller designed for quick lift and acceleration is recommended for 75hp - 125hp powered aluminium deep-V boats. Available in eight sizes from 19” to 26”, it is also offered in both left and right hand rotation so is ideal for twin rigs.

in a 3 blade alloy Black Max 17, a 4 blade Spitfire 17, a Spitfire 17 X7, a stainless 4 blade Trophy 17 and a Vengeance 16. To match my Spitfire 15 X7 we put three 15 props up against it; the Vengeance 15 3 blade stainless, Spitfire alloy and the Black Max alloy. Overall a big mix and one that was certain to provide differing results. But just how different would they be?

SPITFIRE: A four blade alloy propeller, aggressively advanced for fast acceleration and turning and ideal for outboards 25250hp. Available in pitch sizes 9.5” to 23” and right hand rotation only.

SPITFIRE X7 : This is the first propeller designed specifically for 75hp-115hp outboards and is constructed with Mercury’s proprietary X7 alloy. It’s also suited to 40-60hp outboards with the Command Thrust gearcase. It is only available in four-pitch sizes, 15”, 17”, 19” and 21”, with four blades and features Mercury’s Performance vent system (PVS).

FUEL USE At 1000 rpm there was little difference between all the propellers, with the range from 2.1 to 2.4 lph. At 3000 rpm, with the boat on the plane, the range again was hardly worth changing props for, with the Trophy 17 recording the best at 8.8 lph and the Laser 19 the worst at 10.6 lph. Average for all eleven was 9.43 lph. Again at 4000 rpm, the differences were not significant with the best on fuel being the Spitfire 15 X7 (my current propeller) with a fuel burn of 16.1 lph, which was much the same as the Vengeance 16. The Trophy 17 and the Spitfire 17 both recorded over 20 lph. Average for all was 18.48 lph. We had planned to run all engines to 5000 rpm and beyond, but some didn’t make it that far. The Trophy 17 only got to 4500 rpm and the Spitfire 17 X7 topped out at 4650 rpm. The Vengeance 16 ran all the way to 6000 rpm, with the Spitfire 15 X7 and Vengeance 18, both cracking over 5500 rpm. At 5000 rpm we found some noticeable difference in fuel usage, but again nothing special. Best was the Vengeance 18 @ 24.8 lph, with the Vengeance 16,

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Vengeance 15, Spitfire 15 X7 and Black Max 15 all around the same at 27 lph. Average for all was 26.7 lph. What was interesting, however, was when we had each engine running at maximum rpm, from 4500 rpm right through to 6000 rpm, they all topped out at almost the same 26.5 lph – 27.4 lph, with an average of 27.1 lph for all eleven engines. Obviously no matter what the maximum rpm, the 2 litre, 8-valve single overhead cam inline 4 cylinder Mercury 75 can only burn so much fuel. Depending on max RPM and engine load the engine will have a maximum fuel burn. However as you can see from the results it is important to explain to the technician setting up the boat what you wish to do with it, i.e fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, diving etc. The tech can then prop the boat correctly for the application it is being used in. PERFORMANCE PLUS There’s no doubt that with the Mercury 75 on the transom, the Fortress 4.8 is a quick boat and after a few seasons now I can say that it handles it with ease. So what was the quickest at the set height? Remember that by simply changing the height of the engine we could have easily altered the results, but as I mentioned previously, we were after mid-range and economy, not top end speed. Three props provided the same top end speed of 57 km/h (35.4 mph). While the Spitfire 15 X7 did it at 5500 rpm, the Black Max 17 and the Spitfire 17 only ran out to 4800 rpm. The slowest was the Black Max

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TROPHY PLUS: A four blade design propeller for great stern lift and high drive heights, the Trophy also features PVS and is suitable for outboards 75hp-135hp and above. It is available in multiple sizes from 17” through to 28”. After each run we came in and changed the propeller.

15 with a top end speed of 50 km/h (27 mph), followed by the Laser 19, Spitfire 15 and Spitfire 17 X7 at 52 km/h (32.3 mph). In the mid range at around 4000 rpm, the Black Max 17 and the Spitfire 17 X7 both ran at 45 km/h (28 mph). Average for all engines was 41.6 km/h. Up to and including 2000 rpm all the speeds hardly differed. We also checked out the acceleration and holeshot (standing start) times to 4000 rpm. We did this three to four times on each propeller set up to achieve the best average. Quickest was the 3 blade stainless Vengeance 15 @ 2.01 secs and the slowest the Spitfire 17 @ 5.86 secs. There was a big difference right across the range, with four 15” propellers faster than everything else. All the 17” props and the single 19” were all over 5 secs, with the worst being the Spitfire 17 @ 5.86 secs. The reason for the holeshot results above is similar to the difference between driving a car in first gear or in fourth gear. A 15 pitch prop is going to get you up and going very quickly (like 1st gear in a car) but you won’t get to a high top speed and tying this into the fuel figures, you would get poor fuel usage for distance travelled. A 19 pitch prop is going to struggle out of the hole (like taking off in fourth gear in a car) but you will get a better top end speed and your fuel used for distance travelled will be better. Something to take into account here is that these props tested were not “too” far each side of being correct. When you go too far outside of having the correct prop the props become inefficient and the small changes

seen in this test become big changes. The prop pitch numbers are pointed at the boat tested only and prop pitch will differ from boat to boat. A 15 pitch Mirage could be perfect for the job on one boat and a 21 pitch could do the job perfectly on another. SO WHAT WAS THE RIGHT PROPELLER? There are a number of things that will tell the technician what the best propeller for the boat is. However, to start with, the engine has to have its top RPM within the manufacturer’s specifications. From there things to be taken into account would be holeshot, top end speed, fuel economy and what the prop does to the characteristics of the boat. Generally a boat should be propped so the boat does everything “fairly” well rather than doing one of the above fantastically and the others badly. After testing all eleven propellers, the best prop for the boat was the Spitfire 15” X7 that I already have been running. Overall there wasn’t really a whole lot of difference in the propellers and they would certainly perform differently on different boats. However, for now I’ll stick to the one I have as I know it’s right for my boat. Top end speed is about as good as I will get at the engine height it is currently set at and the fuel economy is also just about right. If anything I was surprised at the fuel used by all engines at the top end of the rpm range was very similar, despite the rpm differences. Your outboard dealer can best suggest the right propeller for your application and most frequent use.

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VENGEANCE: They call the Vengeance an all around performer and is designed for a broad range of outboard sizes from 20hp to 250hp. The three blade stainless prop is available in left and right-hand rotation and fourteen pitch sizes from 9” all the way to 23”

BLACK MAX: Probably Mercury’s biggest selling propeller, the 3 or 4 blade alloy Black Max is also available in both left and right-hand rotation and is suitable for all outboards and sterndrives for engines up to 250hp. It is available in an impressive 28 pitch sizes, right from 5” through to 23” and includes a lot of .5” increments.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

THE PROPELLERS

QUICK LOOK

LASER II 19

19" x 13.25"

3 Bld

Stainless

VENGEANCE 18

18" x 13"

3 Bld

Stainless

BLACK MAX 17

17" x 13.25"

3 Bld

Alloy

SPITFIRE 17 X7

17" x 13"

4 Bld

Stainless

SPITFIRE 17

17" x 13"

4 Bld

Alloy

TROPHY 17

17" x 13.75"

4 Bld

Stainless

VENGEANCE 16

16" x 13 1/8"

3 Bld

Stainless

VENGEANCE 15

15" x 13.25"

3 Bld

Stainless

SPITFIRE 15

15" X 13.4"

4 BLD

Alloy

SPITFIRE 15 X7

15" x 13.5"

4 Bld

Stainless

BLACK MAX 15

15" x 13.75"

3 Bld

Alloy

FASTEST - 57 KM/H: Black Max 17 - Spitfire 17 - Spitfire 17 X7 SLOWEST - 50 KM/H: Black Max 15 QUICKEST HOLESHOT: Vengeance 15 SLOWEST HOLESHOT: Vengeance 18 BEST LPH @ 4000 RPM: Vengeance 16 WORST LPH @ 4000 RPM: Trophy 17

ACCELERATION 0-4000 RPM

0-5000 RPM

VENGEANCE 15

2.01 SECS

4.92 SECS

SPITFIRE 15

3.47 SECS

BLACK MAX 15

0-4000 RPM

0-5000 RPM

SPITFIRE 17 X7

5.18 SECS

10.25 SECS

LASER II 19

5.34 SECS

3.60 SECS

8.50 SECS

BLACK MAX 17

5.63 SECS

SPITFIRE 15 X7

3.80 SECS

9.67 SECS

TROPHY 17

5.68 SECS

VENGEANCE 16

4.01 SECS

9.15 SECS

SPITFIRE 17

5.86 SECS

VENGEANCE 18

4.20 SECS

9.68 SECS

We used our McLay Fortress 4.8/ Mercury 75 4S as the test rig.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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FUEL & PERFORMANCE LASER II 19 19" x 13.25", 3 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 6 2.2 2000 10 5.6 3000 28 10.6 4000 39 19.6 4900 52 26.6

VENGEANCE 16 16” x 13 1/8”, 3 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5 2.3 2000 10 5 3000 25 9.2 4000 40 16.6 5000 51 27.1 6000 56 27.4

VENGEANCE 18 18 x 13", 3 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 6 2.1 2000 11 5.5 3000 27 9.3 4000 43 17 5000 53 24.8 5650 54 27.4

VENGEANCE 15 15” x 13.25”, 3 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 6 2.1 2000 10 4.9 3000 25 9 4000 40 17.4 5000 48 27.1 5400 55 27.2

BLACK MAX 17 17" x 13.25", 3 Bld, Alloy RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5.5 2.2 2000 10 5.8 3000 31 10.5 4000 45 21.2 4800 57 27.1

SPITFIRE 15 15” x 13.4”, 4 Bld, Alloy RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5 2.2 2000 10 5.1 3000 26 9.2 4000 40 17.2 5000 52 27.2

SPITFIRE 17 X7 17" x 13", 4 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5.5 2.4 2000 10 5.4 3000 29 10.2 4000 45 18 4650 52 26.8

SPITFIRE 15 X7 15” x 13.5”, 4 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 6 2.3 2000 11 5.5 3000 28 9 4000 41 16.1 5000 54 27.2 5500 57 27.6

SPITFIRE 17 17” x 13”, 4 Bld, Alloy RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5 2.4 2000 10 5.8 3000 29 10.4 4000 43 20.6 4800 57 27.1

BLACK MAX 15 15” x 13.75”, 3 Bld, Alloy RPM KM/H LPH 1000 5 2.3 2000 10 5 3000 25 9.2 4000 39 17.5 5000 49 27 5100 50 27.4

Trim and Stabilisation Systems

NEW - The X-Series

• Available in 4 sizes for superior reliability in boats 25’ up to 60’. • Powerful 50mm (2”) blades for world class motion control.

• Reliable performance with ultra-fast blade speed.

• Auto-Trim, Auto-List, Coordinated Turn and Active Ride Control.

FULL COMMERCIAL RANGE ALSO AVAILABLE

Durability by

TROPHY 17 17” x 13.75”, 4 Bld, Stainless RPM KM/H LPH 1000 6.5 2.3 2000 10 5.8 3000 29 7.2 4000 43 22.1 4500 54 26.5

HUMPHREE®

continuous innovations since 2002 Distributed by Volpower NZ Limited For New Zealand & Pacific Islands Ph. 0800 865 769 or 09-2744305 www.volpower.co.nz

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOAT TEST

A 60hp four stroke outboard will deliver 27.4 knots.

A BUYERS GUIDE

BIG BOATS IN ALLOY

FC525

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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THE RIGHT BALANCE Five years on the market since the release of their first model and over 650 boats later, the FC Boats brand is making its mark on the New Zealand boating scene. Freddy Foote checks out one of their most popular models, the FC525. By Freddy Foote

Unquestionable, FC Boats is the fastest growing aluminium boat brand on the market. In just on five years they have produced over 650 boats, and established a new factory in Hamilton. Designed to be stable, deliver a dry and comfortable ride, provide usable space, storage, strength and to look good, the brand is indeed hitting a chord with buyers. Now with 13 models, ranging from dinghies and runabouts through to centre consoles, cabin boats, and hard tops, the brand is on an upward trajectory. Having been lucky enough to get aboard a wide variety of their models, I’m never disappointed and have only ever had positive things to say about them. They always seem to be the complete package, meaning they do everything pretty well. A key attribute of the FC525, like other FC models, is stability. The FC525 has two stability systems; aft, there is a flooding keel, which floods when the boat is at rest, making the craft ultra stable, then when underway the water drains out quickly. In the forward section next to the helm, there is a controllable ballast system, enabling the skipper to bring onboard the desired amount of forward ballast, and then to dump it when it’s not needed. A simple release valve is located near the helm to control the amount of water easily. Though we didn’t use this on our test day – it was flat calm, I have used it in rougher conditions in FC models of a similar size, and it works well. Up under the fairlead are two small holes, which are big enough to push the end of a hose through. This enables you to flush out the ballast tank system with fresh water after your day on the water. WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

A no fuss, well layed out cockpit is a great feature.

Editor Barry Thompson looking right at home behind the well configured and designed helm.

A passive live bait tank is aft meaning it fills itself when at rest, and water can be kept locked in until you choose to discharge.

Soft baiters will love the forward casting platform.

FUNCTIONAL LAYOUT The FC525 has a very open and functional layout giving those on board a feeling that the boat is much bigger than it is. Like other FC Boats models, extended gunnels provide ergonomic access around the sides to the foredeck area. One prominent feature, not seen on many boats of this size, is the casting platform on the foredeck. It can be accessed via a large deck hatch from the cuddy cabin below or by walking around the sides. The gunnels and foredeck are treated with a tough, durable coating called ‘Deck Tread’ which is available as an option. It makes the foredeck non-skid and then also allows the gunnels to take knocks and scratches. Navigating your way around the sides is very easily. Alloy Boat Magazine editor Barry Thompson accompanied me on this test, picking me up from the jetty at the ramp. I was easily able to step onto the foredeck then to shuffle around the sides using the framework of the rocket launcher as a handhold. An open layout firstly sees an adequately sized boarding platform on either side of the outboard pod, with the port corner featuring an aluminium boarding ladder. A grab rail has also been welded onto the rear of the transom to aid in re-entering the boat from the water – perfect for divers. Our test boat came with a 25-litre tote tank, which sits neatly in the aft corner; a second tote can be stored opposite. An 80-litre underfloor fuel tank is available as an option, but that will require you to have the optional box pedestal seat, which houses the fuelling pipes. The transom area has lockers built into the after corners that are ideal for storing any miscellaneous items such as tackle boxes etc.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Additional seating is available in the aft corners, lift-up seats are one of the options.

as well as housing all the onboard systems such as the battery. Above, there is a sizeable bait board, with three different versions available. Other features include the FC passive live bait tank at the centre of the transom. Open a bung when at rest, and the tank fills itself, water can be kept locked in until you choose to discharge. A pretty simple and clever system that means you don’t have to have a pump. On a previous FC test I did, we kept quite a large kahawai in there all day, before releasing him alive and well. The cockpit is fairly sizeable, with long side shelves running right up to the forward seating area. Three welded rod holders each side are situated along the coamings, while the rocket launcher/bimini configuration above provides storage for a further six. Seating on our test boat consisted of a single pedestal seat on the passenger side, with the same configuration mirrored for the skipper. Additionally, seating is available in the aft corners, which when not in use lift up, and create thigh padding for an angler to play a fish right into the far corners of the boat. Small storage shelves are on either side of the helm are a perfect place for keys and cell phones. A handrail runs right along the edge of the dash forward area and is ideal for passengers to grab onto. Forward in the cuddy cabin there is a single bunk to starboard, while to port, gear can be stowed on the floor. The footrest for the passenger seat will stop gear sliding out into the cockpit. A large aluminium deck hatch provides access to the forward casting platform above and is easy to open and navigate through. At the helm, our test boat had the engine instruments mounted in the alloy dash, with the forward dash area carpeted, a flush mounted 7” Lowrance MFD and a GME VHF radio below.

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SPECIFICATIONS Model: Priced from: Price as tested: Type: Construction: LOA: Beam: Deadrise: Trailerable weight: Power: Propeller: Power options: Fuel capacity: Trailer:

Our test boat came with twin pedestal seats, however there are a variety of seating options.

FC525 $34,995 $46,995 Cabin Aluminium 5.25m 2.15m 16 degrees 815kg Mercury 60hp 13” Outboard only 25L tote Voyager

Notable Standard Features: Flooding keel, separate ballast tank, positive flotation under side decks, rear seats (folding). EASY POWER The FC525 is rated from 60hp through to 90hp. Our test boat came fitted with a Mercury 60hp Command Thrust four stroke outboard and was a good little performer. With two of us onboard and a single 25-litre tote tank, the 60hp pushed us along to 27.4 knots at 6200rpm using 22.4 lph of fuel. You’ll find a comfortable cruise of around 18 knots @ 4500rpm using just 10.9 lph. To get on the plane, the 60hp does have to work a little, and it will require full throttle before pulling it back once the desired speed is achieved. Other options for power include going up to a 75hp four stroke, alternatively, if you want something little more lively, then a 90hp two or four stroke can be fitted. The FC525 has an incredibly soft ride and is more than capable of handling any chop you throw at it. A gull wing design is incorporated that has been successful in its smaller models, which lends itself to making this boat very dry. Underway, there was excellent visibility forward through the curved windshield, which provided great protection from the wind. If weather conditions are a bit chilly, you can close the helm in by zipping up the clears of the bimini top to keep yourself and passengers snug. Stability at rest was impressive. With two of us on one side of the cockpit, it hardly shifted, so you’ll be able to net those big fish without that uneasy feeling that the boat is a bit unstable. Once you get home, the FC525 is easily handled back onto its single axle trailer that has been purposely designed with a drop axle. GOOD VALUE As tested with the Mercury 60hp Command Thrust four-stroke, this rig was $46,9995 which I thought was great value for money. I’ve been lucky enough to get onboard most of the FC Boats models, and I’ve never been disappointed. In the design and build process, the FC Boats team manage to get every boat perfectly balanced in terms of design, distribution of weight and matching the hulls with the right outboard configuration. That’s why when you step aboard an FC, the performance characteristics are pretty much the same as the other models. Very few manufacturers seem to get this formula right, but FC Boats have. Overall, it’s a great boat – a super finish, great features, both from a safety perspective and practicality and overall a value for money package to get you out on the water. I can also confidently say it’s one of the best performing boats in its segment for not only ride but also stability. WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

Notable Options on Test Boat Painted sides and cabin, rocket launcher/bimini, Deck Tread. Contact: Fish City, www.fishcity.co.nz, Hamilton Ph 07 846 6675, www.fishcityalbany.co.nz, Albany Ph 09 476 4282

PERFORMANCE DATA RPM 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6200

Knots 3.0 4.3 5.5 6.0 7.5 10.8 15.5 18.0 21.2 23.0 26.0 27.4

The FC525 will take four-strokes from 60-75 hp, and can also handle a 90hp two stroke.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

L/h 1.3 1.9 3.0 4.4 5.9 7.7 9.9 10.9 14. 17.3 21.0 22.4

Moturekareka is the last resting place of the 3000 tonne sailing ship Rewa (formerly Alice M. Leigh), which was scuttled to form a “botel” and breakwater around 1930, although it settled in the wrong place and the resulting ‘harbour’ is rather small.

DESTINATION:

CRUISING THE CITY FRINGE ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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The Mahurangi area took its name from the rocky island outcrop off Waiwera after early European seafarers and colonists applied the Maori name for this prominent coastal landmark to the harbour and river to the north. By providing a safe anchorage and an extended reach inland, the Mahurangi Harbour and river played an integral part in the region’s development. It formed a convenient link in early coastal shipping and passenger transport networks and facilitated the extraction of timber and lime reserves. Kauri spars were felled by Mahurangi’s first European resident around 1832, and in 1840 Governor Hobson asked that it be investigated as one of four possible sites for New Zealand’s capital. Abundant supplies of kauri and pohutukawa fostered a shipbuilding industry (the Scott, Darrach and Darroch families were the mainstream builders), although the timber resources were quickly depleted and construction of coastal and ocean-going sailing ships withered when local timber supplies ran out around 1880.

The Mahurangi Harbour and outlying islands to the east and northeast offer a diverse range of river, harbour, coastal and island experiences that cater to all sizes of trailer craft, cruising aspirations and pastimes. Geoff Green highlights the attraction, history and infrastructure of this popular cruising area, which borders New Zealand’s largest city.

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STEAMERS ON THE MAHURANGI The first steamer called at the Mahurangi heads in 1855 and a regular run was established by paddle steamer in 1871, and the run was extended to Warkworth around 1875. The last scheduled commercial river service was withdrawn in 1937 and the substantial wharves that had been built at Scott’s Landing and Sullivans Bay fell into complete disrepair and were demolished. Scows continued to service Warkworth as demand required and the motorised scow, Owhiti, was the last to carry fertiliser up the river and casein down, in the mid-sixties. Coastal development has surged ahead and the night-time aurora from Auckland’s expanding northern suburbs, the proliferation of Mahurangi lifestyle blocks and residential developments radiating out from Warkworth are combining to encroach pincer-like on the harbour. However, four large Auckland Regional Council coastal parks, three Department of Conservation island reserves and large tracts of rolling farmland have kept suburbia at bay and the region still retains its cruising appeal. A positive aspect of the Mahurangi’s proximity to Auckland’s large population base is that it provides suburban and inner-city trailerboat owners the opportunity to quickly and safely de-stress without travelling too far from home or taking time off work; the Mahurangi area works well for day trips, overnighters and longer stays. Within the DoC reserves and ARC public park four attractive waterfront locations with

Looking out from the ridge between Sullivans Bay and Te Muri to Saddle Island in the middle distance, Motuora Island in the near distance and Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island on the horizon. The rocky islet in the near distance is Pudding Island off Cudlip Point, Mahurangi Harbour’s southern headland.

Not much remains of the wreck of the Rewa at Moturekareka-Island.

basic camping facilities (drinking water, cold shower and clean long-drop loos), and one absolute prime location with a picturepostcard bach for rent, beckon cruisers operating out of boat that can be pulled up on the beach or left anchored in the bay. When sleeping aboard many bays within Mahurangi Harbour provide calm anchorage with secure overnight holding and even though a little more exposed to wind and an easterly roll, the outlying islands offer couple of anchorages that position cruisers far from the madding crowd (outside of peak holiday times) and provide a taste of paradise. Te Muri, on the mainland south of the Mahurangi Heads, is the area’s southernmostpark with camping facilities. It has a white sand beach that shelves gently to provide safe swimming and good holding, but it is exposed to any wind with an easterly component. There is an estuary at the northern end that will provide emergency shelter for a trailer boat when camping ashore, although it dries almost completely below mid-tide, is some distance from the camping ground and is on the walking route in and out of the bay. The beach is well protected from any wind from south through west to north. Te Muri can be accessed by walking in from the Mahurangi West road on the ridge above Sullivan’s Bay (about 15mins), or by boat. The closest launching ramps are at

Wenderholm immediately to the south or Scott’s Landing on the northeastern shore of Mahurangi Harbour. Wenderholm is a tidal estuary (the channel leading to the upstream ramp is navigable to about half tide and slightly beyond), and being an ARC park with access from State Highway One, the gates close at sunset and don’t open until 8am. If you launch at Wenderholm don’t keep valuables in the vehicle because thieves prey on cars (this also applies to Scott’s Landing and the parking area that services Te Muri). Sullivans Bay (also know as Otarawao Bay) is adjacent to Te Muri but, because it is positioned inside Mahurangi Harbour, it offers superior shelter. It is the most developed of all the coastal parks and has easy road access but no formed launching facilities; vehicles are not allowed on the beach and small boats have to be carried across sand or manhandled on the trailer. For those coming in by water, Sullivans Bay is easily the best beach within the harbor and well positioned as a camping base for day trips to Warkworth and the outlying islands. Big Bay on the seaward side of Mahurangi Harbour’s eastern headland (the harbour’s main axis runs nor-north west to sou-south east and what at first glance may appear to be the northern shore, is in fact positioned to the east), is also administered by the ARC and although there is no camping

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

allowed, there is a fine cottage available for rent. Saddle Island protects the bay to some degree from easterly quarter winds, with northeasterlies being the worst as the sea sneaks through the gap between the long reef off the northern point of Saddle Island and the mainland. Big Bay is blissful in any wind from the south through west to the north, and the cottage has power, fridge, freezer, furniture, beds for eight, shower and a clean long-drop; it’s classic kiwiana in a prime location. The park at Big Bay extends over the ridge to Lagoon Bay situated within the Mahurangi Harbour proper, where there is a second cottage (well back from the water) and publiccamping ground if you are completely self-contained (including ‘take-away’ toilet). Lagoon Bay is very tidal but it’s fine for camping expeditions using small boats (tinnies are ideal) and provides an emergency easterly weather anchorage for those staying in Big Bay. While a good portion of the headland is public parkland, the end is private property, although there is nothing to stop boaties using Dairy Beach below the high-water mark. Despite ongoing siltation the Mahurangi River remains navigable to the township of Warkworth. It’s an attractive town that was founded on the ability of scows and small ships to reach inland to service the timber trade, the farmland created after the natural forest was felled, and the lime industry.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

The camping ground at Homebay, Motuora is always packed over the summer

Big Bay reserve is administered by the ARC and offers a classic seaside bach for rent in a prime waterfront location (although it is exposed to the east and northeast). Accessible only by boat, Big Bay could be a million kilometres away from anywhere. Warkworth was originally the site of a sawmill and then a flour mill – both powered by water wheels – and early lime kilns are situated about one kilometer from the river in what is now Kowhai Park. LIME WORK RUINS The burnt lime industry, which started around 1849, then cement production, played a significant part in the area’s prosperity, and the ruins of the largest factory are now a riverside landmark. Riverside evidence of other burnt lime production sites, and a tramway and an alltide wharf used to service a major orchard operation that flourished around 1930, have long gone, although signs of a modified landscape remain. Thomas Wilson first quarried and burnt limestone on the site of the prominent riverside ruins in 1866 (the quarry is now a lake lined with rushes) and started making cement, which is more complex than hydraulic lime to manufacture, in 1885. The calcium content of the quarried limestone was augmented by shell brought up the river by scow, as was coke and Westport coal to fire the kilns. At its peak, the factory produced around 125 tonnes of cement per week, but reverted to making smaller quantities of hydraulic lime in 1918 after a merger and rationalisation of plant to Whangarei, before closing in 1929. Many of the buildings were destroyed during demolition exercises conducted during World War II and the site is now a reserve, marina and haulout yard. The upper Mahurangi is tidal and estuarine and a trip to Warkworth should be planned to coincide around high tide. It’s an easy trip – allow 90 minutes from the heads to Warkworth – and the channel is reasonably well marked; there are no navigation issues

for powerboats following the flood tide in and first of the ebb tide out. If maritime visitors want to stay in Warkworth longer than it takes to have a wander, meal and latte, the narrow town basin retains sufficient depth to overnight throughout a tidal cycle. For something a little different, trailerboat owners might like to plan to share an evening meal in one of Warkworth’s excellent restaurants with land-based friends, then wander back to the boat for a quiet night and a pleasant cruise back to the launching ramp the next day. Because the harbour is tidal and the land adjacent to deep water is administered as parks by the ARC, or is privately owned, or does not have road access, there is a noticeable lack of good launching ramps in the Mahurangi area. Scott’s Landing – named after Thomas Scott who constructed ships in the bay – is the best because it is centrally located within the harbour and useable at all but the lowest spring tides. It was once the site of a major wharf and the parking area is the wharf’s reworked base. From Scott’s Landing it is only 7 nautical miles to where the saltwater mixes with the fresh at the Warkworth rapids and a further 2 nautical miles to Saddle Island guarding the harbour entrance. MOTUORA DOC CAMPING Saddle Island has a sheltered beach on its western flank, but for those with island walks, swimming, beach camping and landbased or boat fishing uppermost in their minds, the camp ground at Motuora Island is a great place to start. The Department of Conservation administers Motuora and all pests have been eradicated and the largest exotic trees have been felled in preparation for re-afforesting the island with native species and restocking it with native

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

birds, much the same as has occurred at nearby TiriTiri Matangi island park off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Motuora’s camping ground will accommodate up to 75 campers (no pets) and a small rustic bach is also available for rent, although sadly its days are numbered and it is due to be demolished because DoC is progressively scaling back its involvement on many Hauraki Gulf islands. The reafforestation society is taking a more active role in managing Motuora, and although the camping ground will remain operational, the bach is too old and too costly to keep maintained. The camping ground beach is exposed to the northwest and north, and a northeasterly swell tends to suck around the curve of the island to put a wave ashore. There is a small wharf adjacent to the ranger’s house but it is not for public use and, besides, it’s only useful from mid-tide on, is exposed to waves and it is further to walk to and from the campground; it is just as easy to use the beach. Once I unloaded our crew and gear into the bach I anchored offshore and rowed back and forth in a 2.2 m inflatable. The holding is excellent in fine sand and many campers leave their boats anchored out for the duration of their holiday. The camping ground beach is one of two great beaches on the island. The other, found in a semi-enclosed bay towards the island’s southwest extremity, is much smaller but offers the advantage of being very sheltered in the prevailing south westerly wind. The bay will accommodate up to five or six trailer boats and although it is a great picnic spot, its tight confines and rocky shallows at low tide discount it as an overnight anchorage. Good snapper fishing is common around the islands and along the coast in spring,

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Cast away your worries

The prominent ruins of the cement works, now a riverside marina, haul-out area and reserve, date from 1866, although most of the current ruins are attributable to buildings constructed to house rotary kilns in 1904. summer and autumn, and for those willing to put in the effort, an occasional crayfish can be found around the rocky outer islands and reefs.

GER145309

www.hqhh.de 06/2016

CRAYS AT MOTUKETEKETE While undertaking a keep-fit snorkel to work off an excessive Christmas lunch I was pleasantly surprised to locate numerous crayfish less than twenty minutes swim from Motuketekete’s most popular bay. One was a jumbo model that generated an adrenaline surge that temporarily suppressed my urge to breathe, and of course I ended up rocketing to the surface gasping for air. However, I did get a fleeting grip to one horn, but the cray’s physical attributes were matched by the twisting restrictions of the hole it occupied and I am happy to say it still lives there to breed and evade divers another day (hopefully). Not too many years ago I snorkeled scallops off Moturekareka, although continuing diving pressure means they are now few and far between. Moturekareka is the last resting place of the 3000 tonne sailing ship Rewa (formerly Alice M. Leigh), which was scuttled to form a “botel” and breakwater around 1930, although it settled in the wrong place and the resulting ‘harbour’ is rather small. It will accommodate six or seven trailer boats at low tide but bow and stern anchors are required to control the swing. Although Rewa is now reduced to a rusting, partially collapsed shell, it was sunk fully equipped and rigged (including the table napkins!) and many of the masts and spars fell away from the shore out to sea. The wreckage on the seaward side is an interesting place to snorkel and I have seen many snapper in amongst the tangle. As far as easily accessed and sheltered cruising areas go, the Mahurangi Harbour and its adjacent islands have a lot to offer. Trailer boat cruisers can enjoy a double-espresso wharf side buzz in Warkworth, catch 40-winks under a secluded coastal pohutukawa, snorkel an impressive wreck, and have a realistic expectation of dining on fresh seafood while anchored in any number of beautiful coastal and island bays. The historical aspects of this feature referenced R. H. Locker’s Jade River – A History of the Mahurangi, and The Rock and the Sky – A Story of Rodney County, by H. Mabbett. Sydney · Phone +61-(0)2-9936 1670 pantaenius.com.au

For information on Coastal and Island Parks with Camping/ Cottage Facilities - www.arc.govt.nz.arc.index WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOAT TEST

From a side profile you donâ€™t see the walk around design.

MARCO 650 WA

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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FIRST TIME The Marco 650 Centre Cab is the first walk around aluminium trailer boat I have tested and it is also one of the very few available in New Zealand. Considering the popularity of the same design in GRP, it’s hard to understand why they are not more popular. Text by Barry Thompson The Marco 650 Walkaround started life as a Marco 650 hard top hull and following a request from an overseas client, was transformed into a centre cabin configuration with a walk around design. “While the well-established hull was left mostly untouched, the centre cab went through a few alterations in the early years as we altered the first few boats to perfect the layout, especially in the bow area and the bulwarks”, says Dayne Horne, MD of Marco Boats. However, not much has changed in the design in the past six years and of the last 15 or so boats built, the alterations have been minimal. Interestingly of the 20 plus boats made, the boat I tested at Whitianga was the first one sold to a local client for recreational fishing. Almost all the rest have been sold overseas. The boat I reviewed was an open hardtop with windscreen and clears, although the same boat is also available as a fully enclosed hardtop or if you prefer more open spaces, with a fold down soft bimini. Marco uses hefty alloy extrusion for the hardtop mount, which is designed to be stood on. It also acts as the mount for the rocket launcher, aerials, grab rails and GPS antenna. CUSTOM BUILD While Marco Boats are right into custom boat building, they start with an extensive range of standard models and let you express your desires within the hull parameters. I have tested a number of Marco’s over the years and one thing that always impressed me is their ability to give the customer what they want. Dayne says he likes to sit down and discuss each boat with a client, be it a 4.4m Dory, or their biggest 9.5m hardtop. “This

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

The bulwalks are a very generous 340mm wide on the deck. The cabin is fully customisable and comes with or without berths.

An open uncluttered fishing cockpit.

way we know that the boat we are building for them is what they want”. He adds that it’s surprising how a small change can make all the difference and while it might not be what everyone wants, if the client is happy, then he is happy. “While we do offer an extensive range of stock models, we are always open to new ideas and designs, such as our recently added large hard tops, which are the result of a close collaboration with a particular client, who wanted something we didn’t already have in our range”, says Dayne. Aluminium walk arounds are not a typical design amongst Kiwi alloy boat builders, although they are starting to gain some popularity. Just as centre consoles and hardtops grew, I can see the alloy walk around becoming a lot more popular in the future. The fibreglass boat builders have been doing them for years and some US brands, they are their most popular models. The beauty of a walk around is you get the versatility of a centre console, but with the protection and cabin space of a hardtop. For fishing they are a perfect design, allowing fishermen to access all points of the ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

boat and allows you to spread your lines so not everyone is hanging around the transom. The only downside (if you can even call it that) is you have to pinch some space from the centre cab area for the bulwarks. For ease of moving from the cockpit to the bow, you need a minimum of 180mm to 200mm on the deck. Anything less makes it difficult to walk easily. The 650 Walkaround is a very generous 340mm on average on the floor and 240mm from the inside of the coaming to the side of the mid-cab, with a depth average of around 400mm, so it’s an incredibly easy and safe boat to walk around. Even the smaller 600 WA is around 280mm on the floor so you don’t have to do the fancy side shuffle when walking fore or aft. The width of the sole in this particular boat was dictated by the hull shape and to what was most practical, while still keeping enough width between the forward helm and passenger seat. While in the 650 WA and 700 WA you can walk easily between the seats, in the 600 WA you need to move past sideways as the cabin size is more limiting. Marco Boats offer three walkaround models in their line up, with

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the 650 WA dropping in between the 600 WA and 700 WA. All three are very much the same in design and layout, it’s just the overall dimensions that alter. The 600 WA has a beam of 2.28m and deadrise of 16 deg, while the 650 WA and the 700 WA share a common 2.48m beam and 17 deg deadrise hulls.

the under floor tank to around 240L, so you can extend you range considerably. You have the option of a raised cockpit sole (100mm) with scuppers or a lower sole and sump with a bilge pump. Our boat had a combination of both with the raised sole but with the sump/ bilge option. This also means the side coamings drop from 800mm to 740mm, but that’s still plenty high enough for stand-up fishing. Being a serious fishing machine, the owner got Marco to add a couple of built-in tuna tubes, a live bait tank and removable bait station. Again the transom area is totally customisable. The cabin area was very spartan with no squabs. This is an area that Dayne says changes from owner to owner and there are a lot of variables available. The standard dashboard is a flat panel and it is large enough to mount all the necessary gauges and controls for either single or twin engines. The 650 WA is available as an outboard or sterndrive package, with engines from 150-225 hp. Our test boat came with a Yamaha 175hp 4S and returned a top speed in the calm water of 38 knots @ 5700 rpm. A real sweet spot is 4000 rpm @ 27 knots, with a fuel consumption of 30 lph and a range of around 130nm. At trolling speeds, the range is around 200 nm @ 4 knots and 100 nm @ 7 knots.

CUSTOM SEATING Being a custom boat, the seating options are plenty. They vary from a couple of cantilevered bracket mounted single seats forward to back to backs, hi/low pedestal bucket seats and even a sliding bench seat aft. Back to backs would, however, restrict access to the bulwarks. End of the day it’s your choice. Our test boat had twin single bucket seats on Softrider mounts. This owner is big into his fishing and chose to leave as much cockpit space free from clutter (that includes the seats) as possible. Storage is provided in side trays and an underfloor locker, plus under the aft deck and walk around. There is also plenty of dry storage in the open mid cabin. While the boat comes with an 180-litre underfloor tank, there is room for a couple of extra 25-litre tote tanks, or as an option to lenghten

The 650 WA has a high sheer line offering good protection from the spray.

The built-in live bait tank is a great option. The open bow section is great for fishing and there is a cabin top seat option also available.

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The transom is all about fishing with tuna tubes, live bait tank and bait station.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

PERFORMANCE Although it certainly wasn’t a rough water day at Whitianga, I could image the high sheer line would offer reasonably good protection from the spray. The owner told me that he has had the boat in some reasonably big waters off Whitianga and is more than pleased with the way the hull handles. He reports that the hull is very good in a following sea, obviously assisted by the low chine lines and big shoulders. It’s a hull that I found tracts nicely without too much work at the helm. Another noticeable aspect of the 650 WA is the stability at rest and while underway, especially at trolling speeds. The stiff and very solid alloy hull is 17 deg at the transom, with a maximum beam of just under 2.5m and a chine to chine beam of 2m. It has a variable deadrise welded chine which is fine in the bow and carries most of its width in the shoulder and then tapers off at the stern. The hull is constructed with 5mm bottom and 4mm sides, with six, 5mm stringers and cross bulkheads under a 4mm chequer plate sole. MORE EXPOSURE The Marco 650 Walkaround is a good compromise between a hardtop and a centre console. You still get the fishing space of a centre console but the protection and comfort of a cabin boat. There would probably be a bigger market for the walk around style of boat if people saw more of them on the water. With the interest Marco has now in the 650 WA and the large 700 WA, that could change. It’s a boat for the serious fisherman, but with a family cruising compromise.

SPECIFICATIONS Model & Model: Priced from: Price as tested: Type: Construction: LOA: LOH: Beam: Deadrise: Height on trailer: Trailerable weight: Test Power: Propeller: Power options: HP Range: Fuel capacity: Trailer:

Marco 650 Walkaround $NZ 74,645 $NZ 89,000 Monohull Alloy: 5mm/4mm 7.10m 6.50m 2.48m 17 degrees 2900mm 1700 kg est Yamaha 175 4-stroke outboard Yamaha Series II 15” Outboard / Sterndrive 150-225 hp 180 litres DMW Custom

Optional Items:

Fusion Ent System, ICOM ICM304 VHF, Electrotabs, Furuno Navnet TZ2 Touch MFD.

Contact: Marco Boats 86 Avenue Road North, Morrinsville, NZ, Ph +64 7 889 7083, E: marco.boats@xtra.co.nz, w: www.marcoboats.co.nz

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PERFORMANCE DATA RPM 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 5700

Knots 4.0 6.0 7.5 10.0 18.0 23.5 27.5 29.0 33.0 36.5 38.0

A large flat dash accommodates all the necessary instruments and gauges.

The centre cabin comes with a solid alloy hardtop and robust mounts.

Wide side trays are great for extra rods.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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L/h 3.0 5.5 9.8 14.5 17.3 22.6 30.0 38.6 48.2 62.6 64.4

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HOLD ME Modern designs and state-of-the-art engineering have made anchors not only better, but lighter, too! In a lot of cases the best holding anchors are actually the lightest! Anchor design has more effect on holding power than weight does.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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There are certain very important attributes you should keep in mind when selecting an anchor. Will it set quickly, and hold in a variety of different bottom types? Can it withstand significant loads? Is it easy to deploy and retrieve, and is it easy to store? There are essentially three categories of anchor. First, there are those with deep penetrating, lightweight, pivoting flukes such as the Danforth, Kewene, the alloy Manson Racer and the alloy legend the Fortress anchor. These are great for muddy and very soft bottoms. Second, there are the older better-known anchors such as the Bruce, Delta, Manson Plow, CQR and assorted others that follow the same design theory. Then there are a raft or newer designs that use ‘area’ rather than just weight as their main holding power focus. This trend was started by the Spade which then cloned many others like the Boss, Shovel, Rocna and Supreme. Then there are a couple that blends all the design features in the same anchor, like

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the Excel and Sarca. In amongst all of those is a growing number of copies out of the east, some which are OK and some that are not. If you only anchor in softer bottoms like mud or sand, then the Danforth style is hard to beat being cheap and easy to store, but they aren’t the biggest fans of hard bottoms. If you only tend to anchor in rocks and foul, then a simple grapnel is a good idea or at least get an anchor with a slotted shank like the Sarca, Supreme or Kewene. For most other bottom types most anchors work fine. Around NZ unless you are doing something specific or are in a particular bottom type all the time, then go with an all rounder. We teamed up with Grant Macduff from Chains, Ropes & Anchors a major supplier of anchoring systems and took a selection of more well-known anchors as well as some new designs. We set them into the sand to see what they did and also looked at the designs of the anchors themselves.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

KEWENE

Designed and made in New Zealand, it’s a general-purpose anchor, good in soft bottoms, as is a Danforth. For rockier conditions it has a sliding shank to make retrieval easier. Good-sized anchor for boats under 30ft, otherwise they can start getting a bit too big for good bow fitting. A very popular small boat anchor.

DANFORTH PATTERN

The Danforth is very good in soft bottoms, really good in soft ‘soupy’ bottoms. Their point design really helps them embed themselves. They are a very common anchor; it seems it’s what every boat dealer sets the boat up with when you buy it. A few of the Chinese imported ones aren’t quite up to scratch but most are OK, NZ made are easily the best though. There are also 2 very good well made alloy versions, the Manson Racer and the Fortress. The genuine Fortress is SHHP Approved.

SHOVEL

Another that uses the same area design as the Supreme and Rocna. These things are strong, we’ve tried to break a fair few without being able too, and work very well. Well made.

MINI HAUL/DREADNOUGHT

The mini haul is very small for its weight, holds really well, and has a shank that slides back and forth to aid in retrieval. Having no sharp edges they are ideal for small inflatables.

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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FOLDING GRAPNEL

FIXED GRAPNEL

For storing away, folding grapnels are good, as they do what they say, and fold down. They are really popular on small dinghies, kayaks and small inflatables, but not really all that suitable for bigger boats.

Fixed Grapnel and StowFlat Grapnel The fixed grapnel has been around for years, and is a must if you are anchoring around rocks. If it gets stuck, you can just pull on it until it gives way, then just repair the prongs in the vice (rowlok holders in your dingy) when you get home. The ‘StowFlat’ are the same except they can fold flat for ease of storage.

SPADE

ROCNA

Spade anchors come out of Tunisia and have been available for many years. They started the new generation high performance anchors, ideally suited for bigger trailerboats and priced accordingly. They are available in steel, Stainless and aluminium, the aluminium models being suitable if weight is a consideration.

The new generation Rocna is another New Zealand designed and manufactured anchor. It’s a good strong anchor, and has proven very popular with the trailerboat market. A Rocna attains the correct attitude for penetration, and with its combination of chisel tip, roll bar, and skids, it buries well in most seabeds – typically within one metre. A Rocna’s roll bar ensures that the anchor will turn itself to the correct attitude for setting, every time. The skid-rails then direct the blade into the seabed. This also eliminates the need for dedicated tip-weight.

EXCEL

MANSON BOSS

This is another Aussie made top end anchor, both in manufacture and performance. Has topped a couple of tests. Designed to get through the often yucky stuff on top of the seabed and into the good holding stuff below. Being popular both in NZ and worldwide. It comes in steel, stainless and a demountable alloy version for the serious cruisers. The Excel is SHHP Approved.

The Manson galvanised boss has been designed to operate in all seabeds, a truly multipurpose anchor. The shank has also been specifically designed for powerboat bow roller conformity. The patented features, design and robust construction make it set immediately and hold during the worst of conditions. The Boss boasts the Manson Shackle Preventor , which has one slot in the shank with two docking stations to enable you to use your anchor in all seabeds. The patented Preventor quickly unscrews and docks on the alternate station to transform the anchor from a fixed shank to a sliding shank for operation in foul ground. The Preventor is captive which means you won't lose it.

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YEN FOR EXCELLENCE THE RISE OF JAPANESE OUTBOARDS

KAWASAKI 310R

S E A D O O R X T-X 2 6 0

SARCA

Made in Australia, it sets very well due to its shape, and is well suited to firm bottoms, where it will dig into the hard surface and hold on well. It has a sliding shank to help in retrieval. Arguably the most popular smaller boat anchor in NZ and only one of a few recreational anchors that is also used a lot in the commercial industry. The SARCA is SHHP Approved HULL, DMW TRAILER AND 50HP OUTBOARD

GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY!

CLAW

The claw is basically a knock-off of the genuine Bruce anchor. The genuine Bruce has an excellent reputation, sets very well and has good holding power. Most claws, as long as they are a good copy, are good quality. The claw does have a habit of letting go under extreme load. More popular on bigger boats. Watch the quality on some of these.

STABLE & SAFE

DELTA 480 Angler

WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?

The Delta is a plough style anchor, generally sets a bit better than other ploughs that have the swivel shank. A good generalpurpose anchor, the low centre of gravity and self-righting geometry ensure that the Delta anchor will set quickly. They are also available in premium grade Duplex/High Tensile stainless steel. There are also many copies of this one out there, one or 2 are better in our opinion, some are good but some are just crap. The genuine Delta is HHP Approved.

• A great boat for the whole family • Excellent usable floor space • A quality finish which ensures a safe and enjoyable ride • The stability is top of the range for a boat of this size. • Lots of extras to benefit you! • All for a great price!

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An old design, but exceptionally popular around the world. They set reasonably well, and work best if you set them slowly. They are good general-purpose anchors that work well in most conditions. The plough’s versatility and good holding power has made this arguably the most popular anchor in NZ

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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MANSON SUPREME

Also a new generation anchor; the Manson Supreme is the latest offering from this New Zealand manufacturer. It has a concave design, which relies on surface area for holding power rather than physical weight. The twin slots on the anchor shank enable use in all seabed types. This anchor has been reviewed by Lloyds Register of Shipping and Manson received SHHP (Super High Holding Power) Approval.

SUMMARY Generally, most anchors don’t like being set at speed. In fact, many people just drop the anchor and don’t set it at all and don’t realise that that’s not the best way to do it! You should lay your anchor as you’re moving slowly backwards, until you feel it begin to ‘bite’, then apply a little more power in reverse to set it into the bottom. If you try and set an anchor too fast, you’ll find that it will skip along the bottom, or suddenly set and cause damage to your winch. This is quite likely with the new generation anchors, as their design will cause them to set and stop you pretty quickly, so passengers had better be holding on! Many people regard the anchor in its own right as just an anchor. However, they should regard it as part of an anchoring system. An anchor will work better with chain behind it, and an anchor straight

T AN

A YE

AR W

on the end of a piece of rope won’t work as well. You have to have a matched set. It’s important to realise that the main purpose of the chain is to provide sufficient weight to keep the angle of attack of the anchor within its design limits, and that the harder it’s blowing, or the faster the current flow, the more chain is required. The weight of the chain also provides a dampening effect so you don’t shock load your anchor out of the ground or winch/cleat out of the deck. It also pays to buy quality rather than buying to a price. For instance, there are a lot of knock-off ploughs, Bruces, Danforth anchors and chains coming out of China, which the experts say, just aren’t up to the standard of CQR, Manson, Excel, Spade and the other NZ or Aussie made anchors. When you consider the value of the boat an anchor is protecting and the fact it stops you from waking up on the rocks, an anchor is no place to economise. It pays to get the best performing anchor system you can.

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

BOAT TEST

EVERYMAN 650 PROFISH CENTRE CAB

DOING THE BUSINESS

The Everyman 650 Profish Centre Cab has a fine entry that flattens out to an 18-deg deadrise at the transom.

Aluminium walkarounds are not common and that surprises me. They are great boats, very practical and perfect for fishing. However, Everyman Boats has taken on the walkaround challenge and what a boat! By Freddy Foote

This 650 Profish Centre Cab is the first boat off the rank in this walkaround configuration for Everyman Boats and was built in conjunction with Adam Clancey of the Fishy Business TV Show. Clancey says that he’s had some good boats in the past and with a few ideas in his head and an eager builder, Russell Spiers of Everyman Boats, this 650 Profish Centre Cab is the result. I’ve been on a few walkarounds over the years and have always loved them, and this 650 Profish Centre Cab is one of the best.

FISHABILITY Fishability is the key design criteria with walkarounds, and the 650 Profish Centre Cab is no different, it has fishability and functionality in buckets. Aft, there is a sizeable swim platform on either side of the outboard, with a guard rail around the sides. The starboard side see’s a boarding ladder drop down as part of the guardrail, and Clancey tells me it’s a great place to fish if you don’t mind getting your feet wet.

Fisherman will love the open layout of the Everyman 650 Profish Centre Cab.

A drop down ladder is built into the guardrail of the swim platform.

The pull out shelf in the transom is a great feature. Check out the size of that live bait tank! In the centre of the transom, is a very large live bait tank - 120L in fact! It comes complete with a viewing window on the front side, and has a handy pull out drawer below, that Clancey uses to house clean up items – keeping them within easy reach of where they are needed. Two rod holders are built into the top of the transom, either can handle a bait board, and there are additional rod holders in the coamings. In the cockpit, there is a side shelf on either side which provides storage for gaffs, tag poles, etc. while above a rocket launcher provides storage for a further six rods. A Scotty downrigger can be mounted onto a fitted bracket in the port corner of the cockpit, and the coamings are fitted with a Seadek soft padded finish throughout the boat. The walkaround of the 650 Profish Centre Cab is incredibly well designed, and constructed. There are two steps on either side and navigating your way to the foredeck is extremely easy. You can ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

walk forward and around the wheelhouse without ‘shuffling’ as you traditionally would on some boats. On the foredeck, is a Watersnake electric trolling motor which has 80lb of thrust, meaning it will keep the boat on station in even the trickiest conditions. A Quick rope/chain windlass takes care of anchoring duties and runs off two anchor lockers. Clancey has the boat set up with a couple of different anchoring options depending on the types of fishing he is doing at the time. The sides are high, and the bow rail makes you feel safe while still giving you enough room to be able to cast out baits, or play a fish. Handrails on the top edge of the roof and cabin sides make navigation around the boat even easier. At the helm, there is a single upholstered Softrider pedestal seat for the skipper, while the passenger has a drop down bench seat. The seat folds up out of the way to not only provide easier access to the forward cabin area but also frees up space in the cockpit for the

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Adam Clancey doing what he does best..catching big fish! The passenger seat can fold up out of the way when not in use.

production crew to work while filming the fishing show. A forward cabin area is just a secure place for the crew to stow gear out of the way, however, with a few modifications you could overnight in the boat. If you extended the lower sections of the cabin out, provide more leg room. But in all reality, it is more of a day boat set up for fishing. The helm area is quite plain yet functional. The most notable feature being the truly enormous 15” Simrad multifunction display which is hooked up to the sounder, chart plotter & radar. The forward section of the windscreen is acrylic, and because you can’t use a wiper on acrylic, is treated with a coating to repel water. Sliding side windows on both sides provide extra ventilation for the helm area. The rest of the helm has a warm and cosy feel aided by the carpeted finish on the dash and the roof lining above.

ENOUGH GRUNT Our test boat was powered by a 150hp Honda four stroke outboard swinging a four blade 15” propeller. Clancey isn’t too fussed about top speed, given the amount of gear that he hauls when filming the show. The outboard just has to be capable of getting the boat up on the plane and provide enough punch and torque when needed, especially in those tricky bar crossing situations. Our test day conditions were quite rough, with 20-25 knots of wind producing a 1m chop in Auckland’s inner harbour, allowing us to really put the hull through its paces. At a trolling speed of 7 knots, the 150hp Honda delivered 4.8 lph @ 2000rpm. Slow it down slightly to 6.5 knots and you’ll see a fuel burn of 4.5 lph. We achieved a cruise speed, despite the rough conditions of 20 knots at 4000rpm, with the Honda using 21.0 lph.

The swim platforms are well protected and provide extra storage

The cabin area is really just a place to stow gear.

Check out the size of that Simrad!

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SPECIFICATIONS Model:

Everyman 650 Profish Centre Cab Priced from: $NZ 91,778 Price as tested: $NZ 139,945 Type: Walkaround Construction: Aluminium LOA: 6.5m Beam: 2.45m Deadrise: 16 degrees Trailerable weight: 1600 kg Power: Honda 150hp Propeller: 15” 4-blade Power options: Outboard only Fuel capacity: 180L Trailer: Voyager

All business up the front, the Watersnake electric trolling motor providing 80lb of thrust. Clancey relayed to me that with the boat fully loaded with gear, three passengers and a full fuel tank of 180 L, the boat will still hit 35 knots @ 6000rpm. I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the Honda 150hp. The boat is rated for outboards up to 200hp, but given the experience I had on the water with this one, the 150hp option performed just fine. The ride was excellent, in fact, the boat seemed to go better the rougher the water conditions. The Everyman 650 Profish Centre Cab has a fine entry that flattens out to an 16-deg deadrise at the transom, essentially meaning it can slice through the rough stuff while remaining stable at rest. Having spent half a morning on the water, the boat certainly does the business in the rough. We took it from all sides and on a whole the ride was great. What was even better, was that at the helm, we remained seated, the Softrider pedestal doing its job absorbing any impact. The 650 Profish Centre Cab also boasts a 6mm bottom in the hull, with a standard cross member and girder system under the floor holding it all together. Russell Spiers of Everyman Boats, says that they over-engineer the boat to increase the rigidness on water performance. Back at the ramp, the boat was easily handled back onto the Voyager trailer with the help of the Balex automatic boat loading system which indeed makes the launching and retrieving of the boat a one person job. MORE WALKAROUNDS This is the first walkaround model for Everyman Boats, with a second 650 Profish Centre Cab already sold and delivered to Noumea and another couple in the pipeline. A large 720 model is also on the drawing board. So why aren’t more builders doing walkarounds? The question, I asked Russell Spiers. “Well, I don’t think a lot of alloy manufacturers have worked out how to do them properly. They are quite tricky to build; this first one took us four months. The walkaround part you can’t design and cut out, it has to be all engineered by hand. But in saying that, we built the second one in half the time.” Overall, a great boat. The utilisation of space was superb, essentially taking away unused space of what would be a traditional hardtop model and turn it into a boat that provides 360-degree fishing. What’s more the price! At $139,945 it’s very good considering the amount of gear and extras aboard this boat. I was expecting the price to be at least an extra $20,000 more, so for this rig to come in under $140k, is outstanding. ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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Notable Standard Features: Walkthrough transom, Boarding platform & ladder, 2 under floor buoyancy chambers, Toughened glass sliding side windows, upholstered soft rider pedestal, Notable Options on Test Boat: Simrad NSS evo II package with 4G radar, Metallic Painted topsides, “Quick” rope/chain windlass, Twin anchor locker for rock anchor, Voyager Trailer with Balex auto loading trailer system, Twin walkthrough transom and cage, “Seadek” non-slip to combings, Scotty down rigger, Watersnake GPS electric motor. Contact: Everyman Boats, Ph +64 07 847 6335, russell@everymanboats.co.nz, www.everymanboats.co.nz

No shuffling here, plenty of room to navigate to the foredeck.

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TAURANGA 19 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui Ph: (07) 928 7193 Fax: (07) 928 7194 Roger: 027 669 7918 Jamie: 021 795 597 Email: sportcraftboats@clear.net.nz

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

J ET H I

AYAN

HA M IL

N TO

EXPEDIT I

PART ONE

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THE HOLY GRAIL OF JET BOATING

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The development of the water jet unit by C.W.F. Hamilton led to many now famous expeditions to demonstrate its abilities, assist scientific study or provide aid to remote areas, none more memorable than the Colorado and Nepal expeditions of the 1960s. This history is well documented in various publications and often the subject of animated discussions amongst keen jet boaters, particularly on the river bank, such is the influence these pioneers have had. By Matthew Fallow

Proudly supported by: Hamilton Jet, www.blackmagic.com.au, Carlton Bar & Grill, David Leckie Motor Company, Independent Fisheries, Swazi WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

The landcruisers were used to transport the boats to and from launch zones.

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The team experienced rapids up to Grade 4+.

Duncan Storrier is a man who shares this passion for jet boating and history with many of us, much of it dedicated to seeking out challenges for boat and crew. After some discussions with Jon Hamilton, Duncan forged ahead to organise an expedition to do history proud and break new ground. Sir Edmund Hillary, Jon Hamilton and Jim Wilson set off on a journey in September of 1968 to explore the Sun Kosi (Son Koshi) and its tributaries, in an effort to open communication between the remote villages. Ed Hillary clearly has a passion for these people and thought the jet boat a great instrument to render assistance. Discussions with Jon Hamilton prior to the expedition revealed a man just as passionate and vivid of memory as he was all those years earlier, describing his experiences of boating the rapids, the friendly people, launching and suggesting campsites for which he still had longitude and latitude co-ordinates. Almost exactly 38 years later three boats were on their way from Christchurch, New Zealand to Calcutta, India for the start of a very exciting journey, a journey in the spirit of the “Ocean to the Sky” expedition on the Ganges, one which would boat the Dudh Kosi which flows directly from Mt Everest. You could say we were boating in the spirit of the ‘Sky’ portion, across the two main river systems in Bhutan and the three main river systems in Nepal, all of which empty into India on the Assam Plains, Sikkim and Bengal before joining Mother Ganga (River Ganges) the most Holy river on earth. A group of twelve boaters left Bangkok for Paro Bhutan not really ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

knowing what to expect, other than that our first task would be to unpack the shipping container which had been transported by road from Calcutta a few weeks earlier. The flight gave some indication of the weeks ahead, Jeff and I lucky enough to ride the jump seat in the cockpit, witnessing the incredible sight of the Himalayas and the truly huge valleys and gorges below. We caught a glimpse of our first river, the Torsa, as it left the plains of India and cut its way through the Bhutan mountains. LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON Bhutan struck me immediately as a very special place, virtually untouched by modern conveniences, no sign of entrenched western culture, topography best described as near vertical and a village atmosphere found only in some fictional magical kingdom or Shangrila. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a nation situated between India and China. The entire country is mountainous except for a small strip of subtropical plains in the extreme south which is intersected by valleys known as the Duars. The elevation gain from the subtropical plains to the glacier-covered Himalayan heights exceeds 7,000m (23,000ft). Its traditional economy is based on forestry, animal husbandry and subsistence agriculture. The country measures its peoples’ ‘happiness’ and focuses on preserving traditional culture and religion. Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world; foreign influences and tourism are regulated by the government to preserve

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its traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture. Most Bhutanese follow either the Drukpa Kagyu or the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. The official language is Dzongkha. Bhutan is often described as the last surviving refuge of traditional Himalayan Buddhist culture. A reflection of their intense Buddhist religious beliefs, the Bhutanese have treasured the natural environment for centuries and today more than 65% of the land is still covered by forest and some of the rarest of Himalayan wildlife. On arrival we were met by our Bhutanese ground crew consisting of a guide, three 80-Series Toyota Land Cruisers and drivers, a small mini bus and driver (Rambo!) and our host Sonam (Toby) in his 100 Series Land Cruiser. We wasted no time in packing the vehicles and set off for the town of Phuntsaholing (pronounced ‘pin-so-ling’) on the Bhutan/India border where our 40-foot container and boats were stored. A drive of some 160km ended up taking a long and torturous 6.5 hours and set the standard for the month ahead – we would rarely travel more than 25km in an hour on any day. The road was a great feat of engineering, clinging to the steep mountains with literally thousands of feet below us and no guardrails. Clearing customs and unpacking the container was completed without incident. Tow bars were fitted to the three older Land Cruisers and some light engineering in town (which cost just $3.00!) meant we had the boats and Land Cruisers ready by lunchtime.

motors incidentally had been fitted with special carburetors to cope with the expected poor fuel and high altitudes. The two remaining boats, a white Hamilton 141 and a red Hartz Marine are called ‘Discovery’ and ‘Explorer’ respectively. The Torsa River entered steep country very quickly and due to plenty of rocks we had a short run upstream before turning about. Passing our launch site, we entered India by water and boated approximately 30km downstream. Scattered down the riverbanks were a few people washing, fishing and bathing, all amused to see our boats. After a small push (all three boats!!) we were underway again and turned about at India’s Highway 31 as two Bangladesh air force jets thundered overhead, an amazing contrast. Word had been sent out and on our return trip upstream many hundreds had assembled, frantically waving and greeting us as we passed. One rest stop brought the local farmer, his wife and daughter to the riverbank. They strolled through our group coyly brandishing their sickles, soon learning we were friendly and staying to watch us boat up the river. We occasionally shared the shingle chutes with large Tata trucks intricately adorned with colourful artwork and overloaded with river stones. They were very surprised to be using the same river bed as us. As the roads are few and far between in Bhutan, in order to travel west to east meant we had to enter India and use the main northern highway, a single lane road in very poor condition. The border crossing was in a large but dirty town and we were soon surrounded by locals, children and beggars, some so curious as to take turns and peer into a 10mm drill hole in one of the hulls.

TESTING ON THE TORSA Our first boat fuelling stop later that day attracted a great deal of attention as we pumped the 82 octane fuel (which did cause some engine run-on) and set off up the river Torsa, which runs just below the town to give the boats a good test run. The newest of the boats, a red 141 named ‘Adventurer’ with just 2.5 hours on the clock also needed some engine timing adjustment to the trusty HT 383ci Chevrolet. All

UNDERWAY ON THE SON KOSH The drive to the Son Kosh river (not to be confused with the Son Kosi in Nepal, ‘Son’ means river) in India was relatively fast compared to the steep mountainous roads of previous days, the Indian roads whilst single lane were quick (up to 50 km/h) as we were on the flat Assam plain. We arrived at our campsite on the banks of the river and quickly launched the boats whilst our tents were set up. The trip upstream started with a clear braided river, teaming with people floating down on man made log jam rafts with their bicycles atop. We surmised that they sell the timber downstream, deliver it by bicycle and then ride the bikes home. Part way up the river we helped recover a timber long boat that sank before us. It was overloaded with around five tonnes of river stones, which they transport to be used as road base or cement. All the stones are crushed into road base by hand. We learned that these road gangs travel the country with all generations of the family working, living, giving birth, eating and dying by the roadside – a harsh life indeed. Before long the Son Kosh river grew steeper, our local contact Sonam pointing to traditional flags and Stupa (religious buildings) on the bank, signaling that we had just entered Bhutan again. Almost immediately we were presented with huge mountains and our first white water. Sonam, an experienced river guide, was able to identify various grades of rapids, initially grade 2 and 3. After entering steep gorge country we soon found ourselves climbing a grade 4, with no mishaps (but quite a few very wet people!) and bearing in mind we still had a long trip ahead of us we turned about for the bumpy ride home, having spent a good part of the day on the river. We returned to find our camp well set up on the river bank and great traditional Bhutanese food for dinner. On the 23rd of December we made a five-hour drive along the single lane India Highway 31, covering just 100km, which was

Some of the rapids were the biggest some of the crews had ever seen.

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Negotiating some of the rapids on the first leg of the journey.

punctuated with a few stops. In one small area we found a roadside stall and could buy only flat Coca-Cola and a few biscuits, most of which was clearly very old stock. We declined a meal from the kitchen that consisted of an earth hearth and compacted dirt floors.

clear water, quite a contrast from the Indian portions of the rivers often polluted with rubbish. After about 25 minutes of great boating and a few people getting very wet we came across a Class 4 rapid. This was studied carefully as there seemed to be only one real option up, so all the gear and passengers were ejected from Jeff’s boat and he climbed his way to the top, pleased at having gone further than the rest of us. Our downstream run provided plenty of action as we all received a good drenching from the water coming over the bow, one boat being swamped after a spectacular run down a steep bit of water, and having to be bailed out before continuing. The lower half of the downstream run back to the lodge was great, boating in a fantastic light and scenery of wild buffalo and some elephants, at one point passing under a huge pedestrian suspension bridge only to notice it had a dozen donkeys crossing, which where not impressed by the boats! Of course, we boated past the 1977 expedition boat again in blissful ignorance. Elephants were to come in handy as we used one to pull the boats up the steep bank to safety, but not before some interesting parking up was done to get them clear of the water.

CLASS 4 ON THE MANAS Launching into the Manas River on the India side of the border, we attracted a crowd and we took some of the local kids for a ride in the boats. We set off upriver for the Manas National Park and accommodation at the Bansbari Lodge in India (called the Royal Manas National Park on the Bhutan side). Along the way we had to negotiate many ‘long boats’ carrying river stones with only 50mm freeboard, so a good deal of time was spent avoiding or idling past them, many surprised to see us dart up a side channel only inches deep. After about 1½ hours of boating we again entered Bhutan by river, signaled by the majestic steep countryside and the bright Bhutanese flags on the shore. Weeks later, this was to be a somewhat surreal moment or memory. Sonam had pointed out to me a large white building on the Indian side of the border, indicating that it was for storage and said no more, instead continuing with a great hobby of his, photographing his country’s wildlife. I was not sure why he would point this out but gave him a smile of thanks and we continued on with the great boating. Weeks later, in fact on our last night in Bhutan on our return journey, we learned its great significance, one of the Hamilton jet boats from the 1977 expedition “From the Ocean to the Sky” was stored there! In fact, Sonam had told them of our visit and had organised for us to view it with the intent to get it going! As our day on the river had worn long he did not mention it – crikey! We boated right past less than 100m away! However, this provides a great excuse to return and be part of this great history. We were soon climbing Class 3 water on this very fast river of clean,

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

CHRISTMAS EVE – A DAY OF CHAOS At the Manas National Park Lodge, after a superb night’s entertainment by local dancers, we were up at 6am. There was no elephant available this morning, so we pushed the boats back in with a Land Cruiser that had been driven around the night before with our gear. By 7.30am we were on our way downstream to the trailers. As the fog was heavy we boated the braided shingle river mostly by GPS. Word had got around and there were groups of locals along the Indian banks for almost the entire 30-minute trip. Occasionally we stopped to say hello and meet the people. Never did we see unhappy or crying children on this trip. Despite inadequate housing and food they were all very happy and

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any type, were pulling in behind our trucks only to find a boat there – many close calls resulted. The Kingdom of Nepal is bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and by India to the south, east and west. Nepal is a kingdom of various geographical features, and is culturally rich. More than 80% of Nepalese follow Hinduism, which is higher than the percentage of Hindus in India, making it the single most Hinduic nation in the world. For a small territory, the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in the north. Nepal boasts eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains, including Mount Everest on the border with China. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city. This is a place of deep religious customs, the most radical topography on earth, and one of the least developed infrastructures in the world. Most of the population of Nepal are subsistence farmers, living man days’ walk from the nearest road. We arrived at Nepal late in the evening at a very poor and filthy Indian border town, only to be stopped by Indian Customs and denied permission to leave India, partly because we needed to use the Bhutan Land Cruisers for the last 200m to the hotel located on the Nepal side. A call to the Bhutan Embassy at 10pm and around 1½ hours later we were through, only to find the promised 80-Series Land Cruisers were in fact 60-Series (1980

The locals turned out in force everywhere the expedition arrived.

well behaved. I think we have much to learn here. The drive to the India-Nepal border took more than 12 rough arduous hours, the first 9 hours on poor roads and the last on a much better, faster road (60km/h). The road was chaos, all vehicles had close calls with trikes, bikes or pedestrians, one Land Cruiser and trailer all locked up as was the minibus! But come night time it only got worse as the hand trolleys loaded with bamboo, the walkers and bikes all had no lights. We too eventually resorted to taping our head lamp torches to the trailers and turning on the boats’ navigation lights, as the locals, unaccustomed to trailers of

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Expert Advise Spare Parts Retailer Jet Unit Refurbishment Hull Repairs

DB148

option 1

Stick her in here mate.

vintage) and none of our tow bars would fit. So with the trailers parked under the arch of the border in ‘no man’s land’, we secured the tow hitches to the 60-Series Land Cruiser bumpers with tiedowns for the short haul of 200m to our hotel. At this point in our trip we farewelled our Bhutanese crew and changed over to our Nepalese crew. The “hotel” found at short notice was an “absolute hole” and that’s in guide Dave’s own words. He’s an expatriate Kiwi and has been 25 years in Nepal. We spent Christmas day tracking down an engineering shop (i.e. a tin shed lean-to) and made our own tow bars with the assistance of local Nepalese fabricators. Christmas Day also revealed that the entire country of Nepal was in the midst of a ‘road strike’ (all roads were blocked by political factions, no cars or buses were allowed to go anywhere) and told that if we attempted to drive we would likely be stoned and have the vehicles and boats burnt. This was a huge blow as we needed to get to the Sun Kosi, our nemesis. So David our guide had some large official looking flags made up and the vehicles were adorned with them, standing high on flag poles. We set off in tight convoy and due to the lack of other road users were able to travel at speed, bluffing our way through many checkpoints, obstacles and makeshift bamboo boom gates, only being stopped once. As the day wore on we saw more and more vehicles on the road as it appeared even the hardened factions were tired of being stuck at home.

Nepalese team had a guide living in the Chatra area trying to track down one of the original Hamilton/Hillary 1968 Expedition boats. Raj a very slight and softly spoken rafting guide thought nothing of his two week search. The Nepalese have no trouble passing the time slowly without our fervor for deadlines and egos to hinder them. He did have some good news though – he had found a boat of 1960’s vintage with the name “Sherpa”. We were very excited at the prospect of finding one of the boats but were a little doubtful it could be “Sherpa”, which had been sunk at the very beginning of the 1968 Expedition in a Sun Kosi tributary called the Arun. As 38 summers of massive monsoon flows had passed, surely it would have been destroyed or buried forever. Raj took us to the site and we approached an upturned hull, but it was not “Sherpa”. In fact, the name on the side written in English and Nepalese said “Sherpa 2” and a plate fastened to the inside said it was built in 1969. We suspect it was named so to honour “Sherpa” and the Expedition the year before. The afternoon turned to evening and at Chatra we hurriedly launched our boats down a steep embankment with the aid of logs into the famous Sun Kosi (Son Koshi). Our equipment is a far cry from that of our predecessors. We have resilient aluminium hulls, huge horsepower from our 383ci HT Chevrolets and the latest High Thrust 212 jet units fitted with white water ‘turbo’ impellers, whereas they had glass and timber Jet 41s and two-stage Colorado jet units! Our challenge, however, was great – possibly not achievable – as we were boating the very steep fast water of the ‘dry season’ with many more rapids to negotiate, of unknown gradients through countless rock gardens. Our base camp was proposed by Jon Hamilton, the very same camp he used in 1968, some 25 minutes

RIVER OF GOLD We arrived at Chatra on the banks of the Sun Kosi just as Ed Hillary and Jon Hamilton did almost 40 years earlier. For two weeks our

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to the tongue. We set off to climb it, but in the midst of entering the rapid we got caught on a rock and spun around, the boat quickly going under at the rear and beginning to roll. All hands rushed to one side, buying precious seconds as the current then pushed us around the rock and out of the rapid. We gathered on the bank to bilge out and Jeff tried the other side. He decided it was too dangerous and turned about – we certainly did not want to lose a boat this early in the trip. Nostalgia was in the air and with history nearly repeating itself with our almost surrendering a boat to the Arun, Duncan used the satellite to call Jon Hamilton at his home in New Zealand. Jon was delighted to hear from us and it was great listening to Jon and Duncan talk about the river and our expedition – a very emotional moment for the pair as it turned out. It really brought home the magnitude of what we were doing and the challenges of the days ahead. Some riverside discussion took place including Jon on the sat phone, and without hesitation Nepal was clearly and undeniably granted the honour of being “The Holy Grail of Jet Boating”. We boated back downstream and turned at our base camp into the Tamur River, where we were immediately presented with a picture postcard view of a high suspension bridge in a steep gorge with traditional houses clinging to the cliff edge, providing rest and food for the Sherpas on the seemingly busy trail. The mighty Tamur River is fed by the Kanchenjunga snow melt and is reported to have at least 40 Class 4+ rapids. We boated through a number of gorges before being stopped by a steep rock filled rapid, and at this point we turned about and headed back to camp. Two boats headed for Chatra to effect repairs and one boat headed downstream to a Hindu Temple set high on the cliff of the river bank. This temple, built in the 13th century, is one of the holiest of Hindu temples in the world, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. That night we had a great feast and campfire in preparation for the days ahead, with more than 350km of challenging and somewhat unknown water to negotiate. Our camp will be broken down and all our gear, save for a few essentials, will be rafted out. The trucks will wait for us 25km above Dolaghat, the beginning of the Sun Kosi, after a marathon two-day non-stop drive. The confluence of the Bhote Kosi and the Indrawati River at the township of Dolaghat does in fact signal the start of the Sun Kosi, meaning seven rivers, and our base camp at the confluence of the Sun Kosi and the Tamur River signals the end of the river and the start of the Sapta Kosi, which drains into Mother Ganga. Look for Part two of this adventure in the next issue.

A bit of kiwi inginuiety was required to fit some tow bars to the Landcruisers

up stream from our launch at Chatra, it consisted of a large high sand beach on the Sun Kosi (Son Koshi)/Tamur River confluence. It was very late now on Christmas Day and we were keen to get to camp and relax. We set off at sunset and entered very steep country almost immediately, losing our light instantly. It was a tense time as we negotiated a couple of rapids and large shingle bars, our boat striking a prayer rope strung across the river taking bark off the driver and navigator, almost pulling them into the back set. We regrouped for a strategy and set off again deciding it safer to continue rather than attempt a down stream run, minutes later we saw the light of our camp and safely beached the boats. Our porters had set up in a great location and we soon had Christmas dinner prepared and sat by the campfire discussing what lay head. Our river guide David Allardice had spent some 360 days rafting this river in the high dirty monsoon flows as opposed to our dry season clear water, he regaled the various rapids we would encounter. However we soon nicknamed him Dave “roll the dice” as the dry season flows changed the river characteristic markedly and what he thought would be flat stretches of water turned out to be Class3 or 4 rafting rapids or worse! Instead of boating say six ‘interesting’ rapids per day we were to soon learn this meant at least 50 or more! Whilst another guide ‘Menesh’ one of David’s most knowledgeable employees, told of when an ice dam on Mt Everest broke and washed him 100km down this very river before he was able to get to shore, a chilling story told the night before our big climb up river! On Boxing Day we awoke to a spectacular view, my tent just metres from the Tamur River and Sun Kosi confluence, the rapid roaring all night providing a great ‘white noise’ by which to sleep. This was a day anchored at base camp, used to explore the local region in the morning and carry out some repairs to the boats in the evening. We set off up the Sun Kosi and into the legendary Arun River. Spectacular gorges and mountains seemed to signal the end of the river, yet we continued to climb and weave our way into the countryside, negotiating mostly Class 2 and 3 rapids. Midway we had to stop and replace a damaged nozzle that would eventually be welded later in the day. Eventually, we came across a very steep rapid, eerily similar to the very rapid Jim Wilson faced in Sherpa back in 1968. A hole seemed to occupy most of the river with a steep, tricky channel up the left providing the only access

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The local children were eager to experience jet boating.

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COMPANY PROFILE: SPORTCRAFT MARINE

why!

Company director Jamie Black sees a bright future for Sportcraft Marine. ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

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The Scorpion 610HT is Sportcraft’s best selling model and, at just, $44,500, it’s easy to see why!

CUSTOMER FOCUSED Sportcraft Marine has built an enviable reputation for producing customer-focused, practical boats for family and fishing at incredibly affordable prices. AB met company director Jamie Black in their Mt Maunganui yard to find out their secret. When and how did Sportcraft start? My father, Spencer Black, built his first boat when he was just 15 and has been involved in the designing, building and racing of boats ever since. In the 1980s he started Sportcraft Marine in Morrinsville. It was a fibreglass boat building business building Sportcraft 40 launches. In 1989, in the wake of the sharemarket crash, the company evolved into a more comprehensive marine business, selling new and used boats and engines and providing marine servicing. Initially we didn’t have any boat or engine franchises but, within a year, we were representing Fyran aluminium boats and Mariner outboards. Soon, we were the biggest dealer for both brands. Because of our success, Fyran started to seek our input into their new models and, using both our own experience as keen fishers and divers and that of our customers, we became very

involved in their new designs. Then, as the demand from our customers grew, we got them to build special models just for us, to our designs and specifications. That was the birth of our Scorpion aluminium boat range. However, as the popularity of our designs grew, we realised we needed to be building our own boats and we started full-on production at our Morrinsville base. While our Scorpion models were proving really popular for family boating, it soon became apparent that we also needed a range of boats for the increasing number of keen fishers. So we bought the Bluefin range, modified them to meet our customers’ demands, and put them into production too. When the Mariner range was absorbed into the Mercury brand, we became a Mercury and Mercruiser dealer and are now one of Mercury’s biggest dealerships. In 2002, we opened our Mount Maunganui

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branch in the Bay of Plenty. We now offer Scorpion and Bluefin boats and Mercury sales and service in Morrinsville and Scorpion, Bluefin and Fi-Glass boats and Mercury and Honda outboard sales and service at Mount Maunganui. How many boats do you produce each year and which model is the most popular? We produce about 110 boats annually across the Scorpion and Bluefin ranges. Our most popular model is the Scorpion 610 Hardtop, probably because it is just so practical: it has a big, full-length cabin, with 1.8-metre berths; lots of fishing room in the cabin and is easily towed by a normal family vehicle. It comes standard with a Mercury 90hp, VHF, fishfinder and is completely ready for the water. It is just $44,500 and, although many people upgrade to the Mercury 100hp 4-stroke, it is still is a heck of a package for under $50,000!

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Sportcraft’s Mount Maunganui base in handily positioned close to both the launching ramp and Tauranga airport. Jamie Black’s favourite model: the Bluefin 665HT.

What makes Sportcraft boats so special? The people who design the boats actually use the boats, so they are designed for practicality. They are well laid out, with a lot of clear area for fishing and good cabin space, too. The cabins are designed with sufficient headroom and length so they are comfortable to sleep in; the gunwales are wide and flat so they good to sit on and use. Our boats come as a complete package, too — they are ready to go in the water. Lots of items such as the anchor, the baitboard, the hand rails, the rocket launchers and rod holders are all standard, not additional extras. And best of all, they are very well priced. How to do you keep the quality up and the prices so low? We are a proper production boat builder and, in many ways, are more like a carmaker than a traditional Kiwi boat builder. Rather than building the boats to order, we build them in batches, confident that they will sell quickly. We order lots of components at a time, we sell direct to our customers (eliminating the middle man and their margin) and we operate on smaller margins ourselves. All of that helps keep prices down. Do you sell all your boats locally or do you have other dealers here and/or offshore? We sell direct to our customers all over New Zealand. One of the advantages of our Mount Maunganui base is that it is very close to Tauranga airport. We have people fly in, take a boat for a test drive and then fly back home. It is very convenient.

Easily visible from the road, Sportcraft’s high profile position has played a key part in its success.

Everything in one place for a safe, enjoyable day on the water. We also sell some boats offshore, especially in Australia, where there are Kiwis who know our brands and want one over there. Again, all those sales are direct to the owners, so that keeps the boats competitive. We do have a dealer in Noumea but, at the moment, we are mainly focused on satisfying the growing market here in New Zealand. What is your favourite model and why? My personal favourite is the Bluefin 665 Hardtop. It is a really big volume boat, more like a 7-metre really, but more manageable. You can take friends out in it or use by yourself; fish close in or head out to offshore islands like the Mercs or Mayor. It has a big cabin but is also big out the back for fishing and the cockpit has high sides and big gunwales. What are Sportcraft’s plans for the future? We are in the middle of a major revamp of both ranges at the moment and that will be our focus for the next year to 18 months. We are giving all our models a more modern look, with curved windscreens and different window shapes. We are also incorporating a

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lot of the feedback we have received from our existing customers — mostly little things that will help make the boats even more practical and easy to use. We are also expanding our manufacturing facility in Morrinsville and expect to be producing more bigger boats (especially in winter), like our recently released 780 Weekender with its separate toilet and shower, which is proving very popular. We are expecting to see even more customers choosing to put 4-stroke outboards on their transoms and we are gearing up for that. That change is partly driven by the better fuel economy but more importantly by the much greater range it gives the boat owners. Our servicing department will probably continue to grow, too. We now have six of the highest qualified technicians in our Mount Maunganui facility and are the only New Zealand dealer ever to have won Mercury’s Stephen Mills Award for service excellence. Most importantly, we plan to continue producing high quality, practical family and fishing boats at a good price — and including a wide range of items that others treat as additional, and more expensive, extras.

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Make/Model

LOA

Beam Hull Const

Type

Make/Model

ALLENCO 4.6 Runabout 5.00 Runabout 5.3 Cuddy 5.5 Cuddy 5.9 Cuddy 6.25m 6.60m 6.70m 6.80m 7.50m 8.00m 8.50m 9.00m

5.20m 4.70m 5.70m 5.80m 6.28m 6.50m 6.90m 7.00m 7.10m 7.80m 8.30m 8.80m 9.40m

1.86m 2.17m 2.17m 2.27m 2.27m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m

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

761 HT 821 HT 850 HT 941 HT

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

4100 6400

2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

8mm 8mm 8mm 8mm

HT CC HT HT

5.80m 6.10m 6.80m 7.20m 7.70m

2.25m 2.35m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

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

4.20m 4.60m 5.10m 5.44m 5.90m 6.00m 6.00m 6.58m 6.79m 7.50m 8.79m

1.64m 2.00m 2.00m 2.35m 2.35m 2.43m 2.40m 2.40m 2.43m 2.50m 2.5m/3.1m

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

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

5.00m 5.50m 6.00m

2.45m 2.45m 2.45m

4mm 4mm 4mm

CC CA/HT/CO HT/CA

6.20m 6.20m 6.50m 6.65m 7.10m 7.20m 7.20m 7.69m 7.69m

2.30m 2.50m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

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

CC HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

5.90m 5.60m 6.00m 6.40m 6.60m 6.70m 7.00m 7.50m 7.70m 8.00m 8.70m 9.10m 9.50m

2.30m 2.30m 2.30m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m

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

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

6.00m 4.60m

2.25m 1.84m

3.65m 5.05m 6.06m 7.12m 8.13m

1.67m 1.93m 2.13m 2.43m 2.48m

3mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 6mm

RU CA HT HT HT

7.90m 8.80m 8.50m 8.90m 9.50m 10.0m

2.50m 2.80m 2.50m 2.50m 2.83m 2.83m

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

HT HT HT HT HT HT

5.30m 5.50m 6.15m 7.21m

2.02m 2.28m 2.41m 2.50m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

CA CA CC HT

Hull Const

Type

7.61m 8.21m 8.50m 9.41m

2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

HT HT HT HT

4.30m 6.40m

1.88m 2.45m

4mm 5mm

TS/CO CC

4.30m 4.70m 5.00m 5.60m 5.95m 6.35m 6.55m 6.50m 6.90m 7.65m 8.65m 9.47m

2.00m 1.86m 2.10m 2.05m 2.35m 2.35m 2.45m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.70m 3.00m

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

TS CA/CC TS CU/CC/HT CU/CC/HT CU/CC/HT CA/CC/HT CA HT/CC HT HT HT

5.50m 5.75m 6.18m 6.65m 7.20m 7.60m 8.60m 9.54m 11.00m

2.10m 2.22m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m 2.80m 2.94m 3.10m

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

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

3.90m 4.30m 4.65m 5.35m 5.25m 5.60m 5.95m 6.00m 6.20m 6.40m 6.75m

1.82m 2.02m 2.00m 2.05m 2.15m 2.25m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

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

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

4.20m 4.60m 4.70m 4.70m 5.00m

1.90m 1.90m 1.90m 1.75m 1.90m

5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

RU RU RU RU RU

6.06m 6.56m 8.08m

2.40m 2.50m 2.70m

5mm 5mm 6mm

HT HT HT

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

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

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

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

3.20m 4.20m

1.37m 1.45m

5mm 5mm

RU RU

EVERYMAN 430 470 500 550 595 635 650 650 Profish Centre Cab 690 750 850 950

AMF 7.20m 7.50m 7.70m 8.50m

Beam

ENDURO

* All hulls also available as pontoon boats and larger boats overwidth.

Viper 720 Cobra 750 Viper 770 Cobra 850

LOA

AMF PRO SPORT 580 Pro Sport 610 Pro Sport 660 Pro Sport 720 Hardtop 770 Hardtop BAXTER C 420 Jet C 460 Jet C 510 Jet B 540 B 590 B 600 SC (Cat) B 600 B 635 B 650 WC (Cat) B 750 B 800 SC (Cat)

EXTREME 540 Sportfisher/CC 570 Sportfish 610 Gameking/CC 650 Gameking/SF 700 Gameking 750 Gameking 850 Gameking 950 Gameking 1100 Gameking

BLADERUNNER 5m cat 5.5m 6m Cat

FC BOATS FC390 FC430 FC465 FC535 FC525 FC560 FC595 FC600 FC620 FC640 FC675

BLUEFIN Bluefin 620CC Bluefin 620HT Bluefin 650HT Bluefin 665HT Bluefin 700HT Bluefin 720HT Bluefin 720 WK Bluefin 769HT Bluefin 769 WH BLUEWATER Bluewater 5.4 Bluewater 550 Bluewater 5.8 Bluewater 5.9 Bluewater 6.1 Bluewater 6.5 Bluewater 6.8 Bluewater 7.3 Bluewater 7.5 Bluewater 7.7 Bluewater 8.5 Bluewater 8.9 Bluewater 9.3

HAMILTON MARINE Jet 132A Jet 141A Jet 151A Jet 152A Jet 161A

COAST CRAFT 560 Rapid Runner 460

CA RU

INNOVISION

DIYNO KITSET 361 501 601 701 801

606HT 656HT 808HT IMAGE 5.8 Elite 6m Elite 6.4 Elite 7.45 Fishfinder 7.5 Fishfinder 8.25 Fishfinder 8.25 Fishmaster 8.25 MasterJet 8.75 Fishmaster 9.0 Fishmaster 10.4 Cruisemaster 11.3 Cruisemaster

DICKEY Custom 750/XS Semifly 28 HT/Softop Custom 800 Custom 850 Custom 900 Custom 950 DNA 531 Sport Fisher 551 Sport Fisher 621CC 721 HT

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KEELOW (Jet Boats) Riverwild 320 Riverwild 420

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ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Make/Model Riverwild 450 Riverwild 480 Riverwild 560 Voyager 560 Highlander 470

LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

4.50m 4.80m 5.60m 5.60m 4.70m

1.50m 1.54m 1.80m 1.80m 1.47m

5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 5mm

RU RU RU CA HT

7.10m 8.10m 9.10m 9.60m 10.40m

2.40m 2.50m 2.70m 2.80m 3.30m

6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

HT HT HT HT HT

3.70m 4.10m 4.50m 5.10m 6.20m 6.70m 7.05m

1.80m 1.95m 2.07m 2.35m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

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

TS/CC TS/CC TS/CC/FS FS/CC CU/CC/HT HT/CC HT

5.80m 6.20m

2.30m 2.30m

4mm 4mm

CA CA

6.40m 7.40m 8.40m 9.40m 11.00m

2.50m 2.70m 2.80m 2.90m 3.60m

6mm 6mm 6mm 6/8mm 8mm

CA HT HT HT FB

5.00m 5.00m

2.31m 2.31m

4mm 4mm

CAT (CC) CAT (CA)

4.00m 4.40m 4.90m 5.10m 5.20m 5.20m 5.50m 5.50m 5.70m 6.00m 6.25m 6.50m 7.40m 8.00m 9.30m

1.90m 2.10m 2.10m 1.90m 2.07m 2.07m 2.07m 2.07m 2.20m 2.20m 2.27m 2.49m 2.49m 2.49m 2.90m

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

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

4.40m 4.60m 4.80m 5.00m 5.50m 5.18m 5.50m 5.65m 5.65m 5.80m 5.60m 5.80m 6.00m 5.95m 6.10m 6.60m 7.05m 7.50m 8.01m 7.01m 8.01m 11.40m

1.85m 1.85m 2.00m 2.00m 2.08m 2.00m 2.08m 2.20m 2.20m 2.28m 2.08m 2.20m 2.28m 2.20m 2.28m 2.30m 2.35m 2.45m 2.48m 2.35m 2.48m 3.09m

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

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

3.80m 4.50m 5.40m 6.00m 7.00m 7.00m 8.00m 6.52m 6.70m 8.29m 6.20m

1.60m 2.05m 2.33m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.50m 2.25m 2.43m 2.65m 2/40m

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

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

3.58m 3.64m 3.75m 3.76m 3.80m 3.85m 4.00m 4.01m

1.45m 1.49m 1.50m 1.45m 1.58m 1.79m 1.69m 1.73m

1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 1.6mm 2mm

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS

PPB020

KWIKKRAFT 661 Offshore 761 Offshore 861 Offshore 922 Offshore 1022 Offshore

114c Railside avenue Henderson Auckland, Mobile: 021 121 8889 e: Allan@makairaboats.co.nz • www.makairaboats.co.nz

KINGFISHER 370 Minicat 410 Minicat 450 Minicat 510 Minicat 620 Powercat 670 Powercat 705 Powercat

T Thompson Marine

LAZERCRAFT 580 620 MAKAIRA Coaster 640 Coaster 740 Ranfurly 940 King Bank 940 Wanganella Special MAVERICK Renegade 500 Rebel 500

FLUSH YOUR ENGINE WITH

Corrosion Control SALT REMOVING TREATMENT

MARCO

WARNING! 9 out of 10 engines fail from salt corrosion. ACT NOW and protect your valuable boat, engine, trailer, fishing and dive gear.

400 Dory 440 Dory 480 Dory 510 Thresher 520 Dory 520 Angler 550 Striker 550 Bowrider 570 Angler/Striker 600 625 650 700 Souwester 760 Souwester 880

Salt-Away is the most concentrated salt removing product on the market. Using our Mixer Unit and 40mls of Salt-Away you can flush your engine, wash the salt off your boat, trailer, trailer brakes, fishing gear (boats up to 7 metres in length), for as little as .95c per wash, and it leaves a protective film. Salt-Away breaks down and removes salt build-up with repeated use and is made in the USA. NZ FREEPHONE

AUS FREEPHONE

0800 272 589 1800 091 172

MCLAY

www.salt-away.co.nz www.salt-away.com.au

PPB021

Fortress 441 Sportsman Package 461 Fortress 481 Fortress 521 Fortress 551 Sportsman Package 521 Sportsman Package 551 Sportsman Package 571 Fortress 571 Fisherman 581 CrossXover 561 CrossXover 581 CrossXover 601 Sportsman Package 591 CrossXover 611 CrossXover 651 Cruiser 701 Gen 11 Cruiser 751 Gen 11 Cruiser 801 Gen 11 Premier 701 Premier 801 Walk Round 1100 ORCA 3.8 4.5 5.4 6.0 7.0 7.0 Party 8.0 Party Seablade 19 Seablade 22 Seablade 24 Orca 6200 Walkaround

We offer a complete range of glazing services for marine vessels of all sizes.

AB019

QUINTREX

27 Bellville Drive, Clendon Park, Manurewa, Auckland P: 09 266 6992 M: 021 154 2017 E: outwork@allmarineglazing.co.nz • www.allmarineglazing.co.nz ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

Quintrex 350 Explorer Quintrex 350 Dart Quintrex 370 Explorer Quintrex 370 Quintrex 370 Dart Quintrex 390 Explorer Quintrex 400 Dart Quintrex 400 Hornet

116

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LOA

Beam Hull Const Type

4.01m 4.05m 4.27m 4.29m 4.29m 4.41m 4.29m 4.43m 4.43m 4.48m 4.50m 4.50m 4.50m 4.54m 4.54m 4.61m 4.61m 4.65m 4.69m 4.72m 4.75m 4.84m 4.96m 5.00m 5.01m 5.05m 5.05m 5.05m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.21m 5.26m 5.32m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.41m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.61m 5.88m 5.88m 5.88m 5.88m 5.88m 6.13m 6.16m 6.16m 6.16m 6.16m 6.16m 6.43m 6.43m 6.43m 6.43m 6.93m 7.44m 7.44m 6.81m

1.76m 1.87m 1.87m 1.87m 1.87m 2.00m 1.87m 2.02m 2.02m 1.90m 2.00m 2.10m 2.05m 2.01m 2.01m 2.10m 2.10m 2.09m 1.96m 2.09m 2.05m 2.05m 2.10m 2.05m 2.25m 2.09m 2.09m 2.09m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.10m 2.09m 2.10m 2.25m 2.22m 2.25m 2.22m 2.22m 2.25m 2.38m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.30m 2.25m 2.25m 2.38m 2.38m 2.38m 2.38m 2.38m 2.21m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m

1.6mm 1.6mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 2mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm

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

4.75m 5.05m 5.05m 5.45m 5.45m 5.45m 5.80m 6.02m 6.25m 7.01m 7.45m 8.45m

2.05m 2,10m 2.10m 2.10m 2.10m 2.10m 2.25m 2.20m 2.33m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

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

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

3.05m 3.55m 3.48m 3.81m 3.85m 4.25m 4.45m 4.60m 4.90m 4.32m 4.62m 5.14m 5.32m 5.45m 5.95m 3.21m 3.60m 3.80m 3.90n

1.11m 1.14m 1.53m 1.27m 1.72m 1.95m 1.95m 1.95m 1.95m 1.95m 1.95m 2.05m 2.30m 2.33m 2.33m 1.41m 1.48m 1.58m 1.85m

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

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

• Engines 2 – 900hp • Sales & Spare Parts • Full Service Facilities

PPB030

Make/Model Quintrex 400 Trophy Quintrex 400 Trophy Quintrex 420 Dory Quintrex 420 Explorer Quintrex 420 Trophy Quintrex 430 Top Ender Quintrex 420 Angler Quintrex 440 Hornet Quintrex 440 Trophy Quintrex 430 Escape Quintrex 450 Fishseeker Quintrex 450 Top Ender Quintrex 450 Trophy Quintrex 440 Angler Quintrex 440 Dory Quintrex 450 Escape Quintrex 450 Top Ender Quintrex 460 Dory Quintrex 440 Top Ender Quintrex 460 Classic Quintrex 470 Fishseeker Quintrex 480 Trophy Quintrex 470 Coastrunner Quintrex 500 Trophy Quintrex 500 Fishseeker Quintrex 470 Freedom Sport Quintrex 470 Escape Quintrex 470 Top Ender Quintrex 490 Escape Quintrex 490 Freedom Sport Quintrex 490 Coastrunner Quintrex 490 Legend Quintrex 490 Top Ender Quintrex 520 Dory Quintrex 520 Classic Quintrex 510 Legend Quintrex 510 Spirit Quintrex 570 Escape Quintrex 510 Freedom Sport Quintrex 510 Freedom Cruiser Quintrex 510 Coastrunner Quintrex 510 Top Ender Quintrex 530 Escape Quintrex 530 Legend Quintrex 530 Spirit Quintrex 530 Top Ender Quintrex 530 Freedom Sport Quintrex 530 Freedom Cruiser Quintrex 570 Coastrunner Quintrex 570 Spirit Quintrex 570 Legend Quintrex 570 Top Ender Quintrex 570 Freedom Sport Quintrex 600 Fishseeker Quintrex 610 Top Ender Quintrex 610 Spirit Quintrex 610 Legend Quintrex 610 Freedom Sport Quintrex 610 Coastrunner Quintrex 650 Coastrunner Quintrex 650 Spirit Quintrex 650 Freedom Quintrex 650 Offshore Quintrex 610 Freedom Cruiser Quintrex 690 Offshore Quintrex 690 Offshore SDP Quintrex 690 Spirit

4107 Great North Rd, West Auckland. Ph: 09 818 5604 www.bensemann.co.nz • info@bensemann.co.nz

Never Antifoul Again. Ever.

A Clean Hull Saves You Money! Easy to Use

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With over 5000 customers trusting the SeaPen and FloatBricks systems, you know your boat is in safe hands. Call one of our DOCKPRO specialists today to find out more!

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RAMCO

AUCKLAND’S SPECIALIST BOAT REPAIR CENTRE Insurance Work Specialists • Launch, Yacht and Runabout Repairs • Antifouling and Gelcoat Work • Full Marine Maintenance Service Spraypainting and Jetski Repairs 58 Diana Drive, Glenfield Steve@boatrepairs.co.nz www.boatrepairs.co.nz

SAVAGE 305 Jabiru Punt 355 Jabiru 345 Jabiru 375 Jabiru Cartopper 385 Jabiru 415 Jabiru 435 Jabiru 455 Jabiru 485 Jabiru 415 Bay Cruiser 435 Bay Cruiser 485 Bay Cruiser 515 Bay Cruiser 545 Bay Cruiser 575 Bay Cruiser 310 Water Rat 355 Snipe 375 Snipe 385 Big Boy

Recognised

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

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117

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

DB056

4750 Prelude 5050 Prelude 5050 Sportsman 5450 Prelude 5450 Prelude 5500 Dominator 5800 Interceptor 6020 Fisherman 6250 Fishmaster 7010 Provider 7450 Seahunter 8450 Ultimate

Make/Model

LOA

Beam

4.27m 4.41m 4.55m 4.85m 5.25m 4.40m 4.55m 5.04m

1.96m 1.96m 2.05m 2.05m 2.09m 1.87m 2.05m 2.07m

3mm 3mm 3mm 3mm 4mm 3mm 3mm 3mm

TS TS TS TS TS TS/SC TS/SC/CC SC/CC

3.60m 4.10m 4.40m 4.70m 4.80m 5.35m 6.10m 6.70m 7.30m 8.50m 8.89m

1.80m 1.90m 1.90m 2.17m 2.17m 2.20m 2.30m 2.40m 2.40m 2.45m 2.80m

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.57m 6.00m 6.49m 7.15m 7.3m 8.0m 8.35m 8.8m 9.3m 10.80m

2.38m 2.38m 2.38m 2.5m 2.5m 2.5m 2.7m 2.7m 2.7m 3.10m

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

CU CU HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

3.5-4.8m 2.00m 6.50m 2.50m 7.00m 2.50m 7.50m 2.70m 7.60m 2.90m 8.0-10.0m 2.8-3.5m

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

CC HT HT HT HT HT

5.50m 6.00m 6.20m 6.70m 7.00m 7.50m

2.42m 2.42m 2.42m 2.42m 2.50m 2.50m

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

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

XP516 XP616 CC XP646 HTO XP676 HTO XP716 HTO XP746 HTO XP746 HTE XP776 HTO XP776 HTE XP816 HTE XP856 HTO XP856 HTE XP896 HTE

5.45m 6.20m 6.50m 6.80m 7.10m 7.50m 7.50m 7.80m 7.80m 8.20m 8.60m 8.60m 9.00m

2.20m 2.40m 2.40m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m 2.80m 2.80m

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

CA CC HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

SURTEES 495 Workmate 550 Workmate 575 Workmate 610 Workmate 610 Gamefisher 650 Gamefisher 700 Gamefisher 750 Gamefisher 850 Gamefisher

4.95m 5.63m 5.75m 6.10m 6.10m 6.50m 7.00m 7.50m 8.50m

2.00m 2.15m 2.15m 2.35m 2.35m 2.35m 2.35m 2.50m 2.80m

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

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

425 Big Boy 445 Big Boy 455 Safari 485 Safari 525 Safari 435 Scorpion 455 Scorpion 485 Scorpion

Hull Const Type

2.45m 2.45m

6mm 6mm

HT HT

5.60m 5.60m 5.80m 6.20m 6.60m 6.60m 6.60m 7.20m 7.20m 7.20m 7.40m 7.40m 7.40m 7.60m 7.60m 7.60m 8.20m 8.20m 8.20m 8.40m 8.40m 8.40m 8.40m 8.80m 8.80m 8.80m 9.20m 9.40m 10.50m

2.10m 2.10m 2.10m 2.35m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.75m 2.75m 2.75m 2.70m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.90m 2.90m 3.10m

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

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

5.34m 5.85m 6.03m 6.47m 6.75m 7.55m

2.10m 2.10m 2.44m 2.44m 2.44m 2,44m

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

CA CA CA CA HT HT

4.35m 5.07m 5.52m 5.65m 5.95m 6.47m 7.20m 7.77m 8.55m 9.00m 10.80m

1.95m 2.02m 2.18m 2.32m 2.40m 2.45m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.80m 3.10m

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

TS CA CA HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

6.72m 6.92m

2.40m 2.50m

5mm 5mm

HT HT

4.83m 5.30m 5.50m

2.00m 2.00m 2.42m

3mm 4mm 4mm

CA/CC CA CA

4.00m 4.50m 4.50m 5.00m 5.50m

2.05m 2.20m 2.20m 2.35m 2.45m

4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 4mm

TS CC CA CA CA

4.20m 4.80m

1.87m 1.87m

3mm 3mm

TS TS

3.10m 3.60m 3.60m 4.20m 4.20m 5.40m 5.80m 7.50m 8.50m

1.72m 1.72m 1.72m 1.72m 1.72m 2.22m 2.26m 2.48m

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

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

3.03m 3.90m 4.40m 4.50m 4.60m 4.80m 5.15m

1.01m 1.71m 1.71m 1.71m 2.02m 2.05m 2.13m

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

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

535 SS 570 SS 601 SS-XRV 645 SS-XRV 665 WHT 775 WHT AQUALINE 435 495 545 565 595 645 705 780 860 890 1080 ASSAULT 672 APB 692 APB

SEABOSS 550 600 620 670 700 750

6.35m 6.35m

AQUALITE

SKELTON CRAFT Bardozer Phantom 6500 Phantom 7000 Phantom High Bow Ocean Series HT760 Carbon Series

Ultimate 21 Ultimate 21 Elite

ALLOY BOAT PONTOON

SENATOR MC 540 MC 600 MH 630 MH 670 MH 700 MH 760 MH 800 + Wide beam MH 850 Wide beam MH 920 Wide beam Offshore 1020

Beam Hull Const Type

550 Sports 550 Cente Console 5.80 Sports Jet 6.20 Sports Hard Top 660 Sports Hard Top 660 Sports Cruiser 660 Custom Cruiser 7m Sports Hard Top 7m Sports Cruiser 7m Custom Cruiser 730 Sports Hard Top 730 Sports Cruiser 730 Custom Cruiser 750 Sports Hard Top 750 Custom Cruiser 750 Sports Cruiser 8m Sports Hard Top 8m Sports Cruiser 8m Custom Cruiser 840 Pro Sportsman 840 Sports Hard Top 840 Sports Cruiser 840 Custom Cruiser 850 Sports Hard Top 850 Sports Cruiser 850 Custom Cruiser 920 Custom Cruiser 940 Pro Sportsman 1050 Pro Sportsman All models avaliable in 8mm

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

LOA

WHITE POINTER

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

Make/Model

BAXTER B 480 B 530 B 550 BLACKDOG CAT - Catamarans BDC 4.0 SS / XL BDC 4.5 CC BDC 4.5SS BDC 5.0 SS BDC 5.5 SS

SOUTHERN

BLUEFIN 420 APB 480 APB COMMANDO 3.1 Trooper 3.6 Trooper Delux 3.6 Trooper 3.9 Trooper 3.9 Trooper Sport 5.4 Trooper 5.8 Wide Body 7.5 Silverado 8.5 Trooper DNA 300 D 420 440 JetX 450 480 XC 480 JetX 515 CCX

ULTIMATE

ALLOY BOAT 2016 ISSUE #9

118

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Make/Model 535 XC 570 XHT 660 XHT 680 XHT

LOA

Beam Hull Const

Type

5.35m 5.70m 6.60m 6.80m

2.15m 2.27m 2.47m 2.47m

4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm

CA HT HT HT

3.40m 4.10m 4.40m 4.95m 5.75m 6.30m 6.80m

1.65m 1.75m 1.75m 2.00m 2.25m 2.30m 2.30m

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

TS TS CA/CO/HT CA/CO/HT CA/CO/HT HT/CA HT

Make/Model 400 535 585 650HT

Beam Hull Const

Type

4.50m 5.50m 6.25m 7.20m

1.60m 1.90m 2.10m 2.26m

4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm

CU CU CU HT

3.67m 3.67m 4.41m 4.36m 6.00m

1.30m 1.54m 1.51m 2.10m 2.39m

3mm 3mm 4&3mm 4mm 4mm

RU RU CA CA CA/CC

3.50m 3.80m 4.20m 4.80m 5.50m 6.80m 7.60m

1.70m 1.70m 1.73m 1.73m 2.20m 2.20m 2.50m

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

TS TS TS TS/CA CO CA HT

6.13m

2.25m

5mm

4.00m 4.10m 4.10m 4.74m 4.74m 5.04m 5.30m 5.50m 5.70m 5.85m 6.12m 6.13m 6.45m 6.13m 6.45m 6.75m 7.13m 7.93m 7.97m 9.90m

1.65m 1.80m 1.80m 1.87m 1.87m 1.87m 1.52m 1.98m 1.98m 2.03m 2.18m 2.20m 2.38m 2.20m 2.38m 2.38m 2.49m 2.49m 2.70m 2.70m

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

TS CC TS CA CC CA CA CA CA CU CA CC CA HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

3.92m 4.55m 5.30m 6.00m

1.90m 1.90m 1.90m 2.30m

4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm

RU CA CA CA/HT

4.30m 4.30m 4.30m 4.67m 4.88m 4.88m 5.00m 5.40m 5.60m 5.60m 6.27m 6.40m 6.40m 7.32m 7.62m 7.92m 8.38m 8.80m 8.80m 8.80m

1.70m 1.70m 1.70m 1.87m 2.02m 2.02m 2.15m 2.16m 2.40m 2.40m 2.31m 2.30m 2.30m 2.30m 2.55m 2.49m 2.49m 2.49m 2.49m 2.49m

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

TS CC CA CA CA CC CA CA CC HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

REVO

FREWZA 3.4 4.1 F14 F16 F18 F21 680

LOA

361 Jet-2 361 Jet-3 442 Powercat 451 601 SEA SURGE 3.5 3.8 4.2 4.8 5.5 6.8 7.6 SEALEGS 6.1 D-Tube SENATOR IS 380 ICC 400 IS 400 RC 450 RCC 450 RC 480 RC 500 RC 520 RC 540 RC 560 RC 580 RCC 580 RC 620 RH 580 RH 620 RH 650 RH 690 RH 770 RH 780 RH 860

FINLAY Striker 400 Sports 5900 Escape 5900 Ignite 6300 Ranger 8000

4.30m 6.29m 6.29m 6.75m 8.57m

1.67m 2.31m 2.31m 2.43m 2.90m

4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm

RU HT CA HT/CC HT

4.0m 4.7m 5.25m 5.40m 5.70m 5.80m 6.50m

1.78m 2.06m 2.17m 2.17m 2.17m 2.17m 2.30m

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

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

3.60m 3.90m 4.70m 5.20m 5.50m 5.90m 6.60m 7.20m 7.80m 7.80m

1.82m 1.95m 2.00m 2.10m 2.20m 2.30m 2.40m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

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

TS CA CA CA CA/HT CA/HT CA/HT CA/HT HT HT

3.80m 4.50m 5.40m 6.00m 7.00m 7.00m 8.00m

1.60m 2.05m 2.33m 2.40m 2.40m 2.40m 2.50m

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

TS TS/CA/CC CA CA/HT/CC CA/HT/CC PP PP

3.50m 4.00m 4.50m 5.00m 5.20m 5.65m 5.90m 6.10m 6.50m 7.00m 7.50m 8.00m 8.50m

1.68m 1.68m 1.95m 2.15m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.25m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m 2.50m

2.5mm 2.5mm 3mm 4mm 4mm 4mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 5mm 6mm 6mm 6mm

TS TS TS/CO CO CC/HT CC/HT CA HT CA/HT CA/HT CA/HT HT HT

4.65m 5.20m 5.45m 5.85m 5.85m 5.87m 6.00m 6.40m 6.50m 7.00m 7.35m 7.50m 7.80m 9.40m

1.80m 2.00m 2.00m 2.14m 2.14m 2.14m 2.25m 2.30m 2.40m 2.40m 2.31m 2.60m 2.66m 2.73m

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

CA CA CA CA CC HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT HT

4.05m

1.68m

3mm

TS/RU

HARDY 4.0 4.7 5.25 5.4 5.7 5.8 6.5 KIWI KRAFT 360 390 470 515 Fisherman 550 Fisherman 590 Sport 660 Sport HT 720 Sport HT 780 Sport HT 780 Overnighter

SCORPION 392 455 530 600 STABICRAFT 1410 Explorer 1410 Frontier 1410 Fisher 1530 Fisher 1600 Fisher Carbon Series 1600 Frontier Carbon Series 1650 Fisher 1850 Fisher 1850 Frontier 1850 Supercab 2050 Supercab 2100 Supercab 2100 Frontier 2400 Supercab 2500 Ultracab XL 2600 Supercab 2750 Supercab 2900 Supercab 2900 Weekender 2900 Pilothouse

ORCA 3.8 4.5 5.4 6 7 7.0 Party 8.0 Party OSPREY Osprette 349 E/S Osprette 380E/S Osprette 450S Osprette 495 Classic 520 Classic 565 Classic 590 Plus 610HT Classic / Plus 650 Classic / Plus 700 Classic / Plus 750 Plus 800HT 850HT

STYLE CODE:

PROFILE 465C 520C 545C 585C 585CC 585H 600H 635H 650H 700H 735H 750HW 780HW 940HW

WWW.BOATMAGS.COM

RU = RUNABOUT

CO = CONSOLE

TS = TILLER STEER

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THE ALL-NEW YAMAHA WAVERUNNER GP1800 With 14,000km of coastline, over 180,000km of rivers, and 3,820 lakes, there’s more to the land of the long white cloud than land. And all you need to unlock it is the all-new Yamaha Waverunner GP1800. Bred from Yamaha’s legendary GP models, it has a sleek, agile hull paired with a high performance Yamaha SVHO ® marine engine. Take your seat, and see New Zealand like never before.

SAME PLANET. DIFFERENT WORLD. yamaha-motor.co.nz

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