Voyager V625 - Sportfish Text and photos by Barry Tyler Voyager Catamarans have developed an envied reputation for building good quality, family orientated cruisers, and to help boaters to ultimately own one of those cruisers they have now developed a smaller Voyager V625 model which capably transcends the boundary between a trailerboat and a cruiser. Any new model that appears on the scene is sure to get the juices flowing in anticipation of what one might find but I have to... Read More >>
Unique Aluminium Production Monohulls When I first spotted an Ovni on the water in the 1970's I thought it was an apparition. Enquiries soon revealed that these boats are called 'objet volant non identifié', which translates into unidentified flying object. It was also the very first time I saw a sugar scoop with a targa bar/ radar arch over the top. This French design was indeed unique and avant-garde for the time. However, they are still being produced and are as popular as ever. The Ovni design is a true no-no... Read More >>
Pity the Poor Cook Food preparation on a boat is typically hampered by restricted space and a lack of modern facilities. At sea, such limitations are compounded by the boat’s motion, which threatens to move or upset anything that isn’t secured, and may make the cook feel decidedly unwell. This article examines practical aspects of a working galley, and ways modern technologies can improve the cook's lot. Galley Layouts The galley is a work station for the preparatio... Read More >>
The Gold Coast - Famous for Fun the Beaches - part 2 By Rosemary Jilderts WATERWAYS OF THE GOLD COASTMost of us would probably think of Venice as the city with the most waterways in the world but, in fact, we’d be wrong. The Gold Coast has nine times more waterways than Venice with over 260 kilometres of navigable waterways within the City. It has a spectacular network of waterways which are made up of five main rivers, numerous creeks, lakes, canals and the magnificent Broadwat... Read More >>
Lewie Marine Gold Coat-Based Lewie Marine build a range of inflatable RIB’s with a difference, a semi custom range based around a standard package of GRP hulls and Hypalon tubes. Developed by Lewie Marine owner Ben-Lewie McDonald, the brand is the culmination of his prior time with industry-leading inflatable-manufacturing companies Cobia Marine and Gemini Inflatables. Commencing business in his own right, firstly in the repair and maintenance side of the industry then on into full boat production main... Read More >>
Change of dates to March for Sail Paradise 2012 on the Gold Coast Sail Paradise, Southport Yacht Club's impressive offshore regatta which is contested along the surfline of the Gold Coast's magnificent ocean beaches, is to be staged from 21-25 March next year.The change of dates from early January to March has already been welcomed in sailing circles: the rapidly expanding SB3 sports boat class has nominated Sail Paradise for its Queensland championship, and Bruce Absolon, owner of the Volvo 60 Nikon-Spirit of the Maid, has declared he will be u... Read More >>
Integrity Motor Yachts Ties up with Australia’s leading resort marina It’s going to be a brand new home and it will create a brand new experience for motor cruiser enthusiasts. After a string of outstanding sales at the Sanctuary Cove and Sydney International Boat Shows, Brett Flanagan and the team from Integrity Motor Yachts have decided to call Sanctuary Cove Marina home. This exciting and innovative boating brand is making a significant investment in their brand. From their new base, they a... Read More >>
Wyatt Earp - A little ship with a big story By David Jones, Queensland Maritime Museum There was nothing to distinguish the Fanefjord from any other seal and herring catcher in the Norwegian fishing fleet. She was a small vessel, just 402 tons measurement and 41.3 metres in length with no pretence at beauty. And she was no greyhound either, chugging along at a mere eight knots. Her auxiliary ketch rig helped, if the wind was right, but really the sails were more useful for... Read More >>
Inflatable Lifejackets Inflatable lifejackets must be checked and serviced Inflatable lifejackets must work efficiently when they are needed. If not looked after they simply won't work and you, your family and crew are then at serious risk of drowning. Remember, inflatable lifejackets are not lifejackets until they are inflated and all it takes is a fish hook, or a loose or damaged CO2 cylinder to prevent them from inflating. Follow the advice in this guide and treat your inflatable lifejacket with resp... Read More >>
Long Range Tanks By Andrew (Aussie) Bray Fuel capacity usually isn’t an issue in home waters, but becomes one when yachts designed to sail have to motor for long periods. This commonly occurs when crewed or charter yachts need to be delivered on time across an ocean, or the length of the Mediterranean for example. Economizing with fuel, or routing to allow intermediate ports costs time and money. One solution is additional fuel ... Read More >>
The Life of a Sailorman – Len Foxcroft - his story part 1 By Rosemary Jilderts “Why don’t you do a story on Len Foxcroft?” Wayne, a friend, suggested. “He’s very interesting and loves to tell his stories. He’s a great talker.” I knew, of course, who Len Foxcroft was. I didn’t know him. I knew of him. I was aware that he had worked his passage from England to Australia on one of the last great working sailing ships, the “Pas... Read More >>
Brig Hits the Sweet Spot with the New 580 Look on any waterway and you’ll see the heaviest traffic is in the 17-19 foot (5-6 metre) range. Craft of this size are big enough to serve as a family runabouts, fishing craft or ski boats, yet still easy enough to tow behind a typical family car. So when we hear that Europe’s leading inflatable boat manufacturer has built a model that sits right in the middle of this popular category, it’s worth taking notice. The new model is the Eagle 580 w... Read More >>
New Boating Reforms for Queensland - How will they affect you? By Rosemary Jilderts New boating safety regulations for the State of Queensland that were announced recently will begin to take effect in January, 2012. As soon as I heard about the reforms I began reading the legislation only to find it a bit confusing in parts. Some of the changes would take place in 2012 but there were others that wouldn’t take effect until 2013. January 1 would be the starting date in both years, but which reforms relat... Read More >>
Coral Sea Safari - part 4 Our trip out to the Coral Sea aboard Huntress 11, a Lloyd Stevenson Elite 68 Sportfisher, has been a real adventure thus far. Having already visited Wreck Reef and Kenn Reef, we are now at Frederick Reef and beginning the return leg of our journey. The trade winds have limited our movements at times and we are currently waiting for a break in the conditions to continue our journey to Saumarez Reef and then finally back home to Brisbane. We will be hemmed in at Frederick Reef for a few more days,... Read More >>
Ensign Yachts Queensland French Yacht Challenge and Beneteau Cup 2011 By Tracey Johnstone French bateaus enjoy the grande competition At some time in our lives we are likely to drop a French phrase or two without even thinking about doing it. But bring together a group of Francophiles and invite them to have fun in the name of celebrating French yachts and you will hear them dropping French phrases, most heavily anglicised. Mon Dieu! This year’s Ensign Yachts second French Yacht Challenge and seventh Queensland Be... Read More >>
An expo with a difference By Elaine Kleiss It was a new experience: our yacht, K-Sera II, on the hard like a duck ... sorry, swan ... out of water, while me, the crew, twiddled our thumbs while someone else did the dirty work! And to make things really different for us, this was happening at the Gold Coast City Marina, a stronghold of the power boat community. As luck would have it, we were there for the staging of the inaugural three day Gold Coast Marine Expo. As a commi... Read More >>
Flotsam and Jetsam by Gordon Macdonald There is a continuous supply of new products hitting the market that are of interest to those who enjoy the outdoors and marine lifestyle. Whether you are into sailing, fishing, cruising, kayaking or any other aquatic activity, there is likely to be something new to make your life a little easier or your activity more enjoyable or hassle free. In this column I am going to review a few products each issue that may be just ... Read More >>
Wrino Boat Hook Whatz new? Scenario one You are motoring gently up to the public jetty. You have taken the wind and current carefully into consideration. If you are a good skipper you have your lines and fender in place and the 'Admiral' is on stand by. Keen to assist, line in hand, the missus is ready for the long jump. You say in a gentle but firm voice "Not yet darling!". Soon, hopefully, judging the right distance your better half will be jumping and landing on the jetty. Sitting at your hel... Read More >>
FUSION electronics marine entertainment system with worlds-first features for all boats Fusion-Link software enables a compatible Multifunction Display (MFD) to become the Entertainment Control Centre. Skippers use the MFD large screen to control one or more 700 Series audiovisual Systems with four speaker Zones each. Now Fusion’s head unit can be installed elsewhere, if the helm has little space.Boat Builders and owners will especially appreciate wiring is considerably reduced, as Fusion Head Units and Remotes connect to, plus communicate through the NMEA 2000 Bus or Etherne... Read More >>
Know your Marine Terminology - part 9 By Barry Tyler Glossary of Nautical Terms Old and New Painter: A length of small rope in a boat, used for securing it when alongside a larger boat, jetty or pontoon. Parallel Connection: Connecting battery positive terminals together, and negative terminals together, to increase system capacity without increasing voltage. Passarelle: A portable gang-plank used for transferring passengers from the boat to a wharf or other boat. Pawl: Part of winch capstan, i... Read More >>
