[PCW] Sydney International Boat Show

[Gary Stavrou]

I went to the Sydney Boat Show yesterday.
I'm happy to see that each year more power cats are represented. This  
is clearly a growing market.
I thought I might share my impressions with you.

Top of the tree in opulence was the Fountaine-Pajot Cumberland 44.
This is the only power cat that I did not bother to board.
I had seen it before at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and at $A1.2  
million it is simply not under consideration.
It was also the only power cat not designed and built in Australia.

An interesting boat was the Lightwave 46, a Grainger design.
This is one of the few power cats of this size that has its helm in a  
raised position in the cockpit, like a sailing cat.
It appears to be a compromise between a flybridge and a cabin helm.
Good visibility, but still keeping the skipper among the action.
Also good for navigating under low bridges.
The Lightwave has a galley-down configuration.
In this case it worked quite well, the visibility to the cabin and  
cockpit being excellent.
The whole cabin consists of an athwartship, aft-facing dining area  
and a storage/entertainment unit.
The bow-to-stern dimension of this cabin is surprisingly small for a  
46 footer.
But the cockpit is expansive, so the combined "living area" is good.
This boat was fitted with a pair of 160 HP Volvos.
Base price is $A780,000.
Lightwave also make a 40 foot model with similar layout starting at  
$495,000.
I'm sceptical about the steering position but I'm told people love it  
when they try it.
I'm also concerned that the resale value might be compromised by this  
unorthodox design.

One of my favourites was the King Cat. This is a new company and they  
have built a first-class boat.
Main helm is at the huge flybridge with rudimentary controls below.
Master stateroom has an island queen with ensuite.
I've never seen such headroom in a cat this size. This is a very  
voluminous boat.
It makes the overall height a little excessive.
Great choice of engines in the understressed 6-cylinder 160 HP Steyers.
The hulls were designed by Paul Stanyon, a respected designer.
The moulded flybridge steps hinge up to reveal a massive storage area.
A couple more boats down the line when a few niggles have been sorted  
out will see, I believe, the King Cat, as
one of Australia's best power cats. Base price $A 580,000
I'm going for a run next week and I'll post my impressions.

Finally, the Voyager 1040, which I've always considered the best  
around for its size.
Also a Stanyon design, its amazing how well the available space has  
been used.
This is by far the narrowest of the boats at 4.25 metres beam.
Their spin on the narrow beam is that it will fit into a standard  
marina berth without penalty.
But I really would have preferred at least a metre more.
Price from about $A480,000

It's good to have meaningful choices from fine local manufacturers.
Gary