None But The Brave

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday July 18, 1998

DAVID LOCKWOOD

The annual Boat of the Year awards have resulted in no fewer than 11 Australian-made winners.

IT'S been a year of who dares wins. The Boats of the Year - all 11 of them - are the craft that have dared to be different and broken with tradition. And these craft are really, well, going places.

Step aboard the Aluminium Boat of the Year, the Quintrex 455 Hornet Trophy, and you'll find an eager little dinghy designed especially for exploring shallow estuaries, tree-lined rivers and outback dams.

Designed for a spot of fly fishing for bass or barramundi, some trolling for rainbow trout on Lake Eucumbene, or casting deep-diving lures for yellowbelly on Lake Windermere, the Hornet is the kind of small boat you can comfortably spend a day aboard.

The idea of niche boating isn't lost on the Boating Industry Association of Australia's Boat of the Year, either. The Haines Hunter 585SF Seeker is intended for hardcore offshore fishing (though you can snap a lounge in the back and take the family upriver instead).

While it may not be patently obvious, those on board the Haines Hunter are sure to use the innovative walk-through transom and be coddled by the ergonomic mouldings which are intentionally bruise- and bump-free.

But this year, surely the most contentious in the BIAA awards' history, a record 11 innovative Australian-made boats have been awarded.

It's not unreasonable to assume, therefore, that new-boat buyers will be asking the question at the Sydney Boat Show starting on Thursday at Darling Harbour: would the real Boat of the Year please stand up?

The open-handedness this year stems from the fact there were two Boat of the Year campaigns, run by rival marine magazine publishers, Federal Publishing (Modern Boating) and Yaffa Publishing Group (Powerboat, Boat Fishing, Australian Sailing and Marine Industry News Magazine). Although boating magazine buyers appear phlegmatic about the awards (sales don't rise for the issues that announce the awards), advertising volumes jump in these issues.

Nonetheless, the Boat of the Year awards are a valuable marketing tool. Visit the Sydney Boat Show and count the number of craft claiming to be a boat of the year.

Look closer and you may see the words finalist, 1997, commended, and so forth.

As if to endorse the idea of everyone being a winner this year, the BIAA's president, Ian Andrew, said at the award ceremony in May at Sanctuary Cove: "Judges had an extremely difficult task choosing the winners. The real winner tonight is the boating public which has a wide range of locally made world-standard craft from which to choose."

But even I, as one of those involved in the preliminary judging of the BIAA's awards, find it necessary to isolate the winners this year by seeking a consensus of opinion. Within the 11 awards handed out, two camps picked the same boats in three categories.

This year's favourite three comprise a trailable boat, a glorious big cruiser and an ocean-bred yacht - something for everyone. At least no side can declare these Australian-made boats indecorous of receiving a Boat of the Year award.

THE Quintrex 455 Hornet, an aluminium boat with a gull-wing shape running right through to its transom, is a triple award-winner. The innovative open boat has tunnels that trap air and give the hull lift. It's more efficient and stable than deep-veed boats, but almost as smooth riding.

The model picked by the BIAA as its Aluminium Boat of the Year is the 455 Hornet Trophy. It has a side console, a modern dash, lots of storage space, flat carpeted floor and, like all aluminium boats, it's designed for low maintenance.

Modern Boating gave the 455 Hornet - the Wildfish version - its overall 1998 Boat of the Year award. The magazine acknowledged that the Hornet, despite being designed especially for the art of fly-fishing, took aluminium boats beyond the realms of tinnies to more sophisticated craft.

But if you're seeking unanimity, look at the Riviera's 4000 Offshore. It received double Cruiser of the Year awards. And, if market acceptance was a criteria, it's surely the most successful new boat of the year.

The 4000 Offshore has sold well in the United States from where traditional petrol-powered sportscruisers hail. Fitted with economical, low-maintenance and snappy diesel engines, it offers a sporty ride, good looks, but is economical to run to far-away places.

The sportscruiser has also received praise for its split-level cockpit, with outdoor entertaining space and undercover seating. Meanwhile, its interior can cater for a couple as comfortably as a downtown apartment. And if you're still unconvinced, you can charter one.

East Sail at Rushcutters Bay has a Riviera 4000 Offshore for charter. Costs of Sydney Harbour outings in the low season (till the end of September) are $385 for two hours, $570 for a half day, $825 for a full day and $945 overnight (plus fuel and $3,000 bond).

It was also a uniform decision to name the Farr 41, a fast cruising yacht, Sailboat of the Year. It's the kind of yacht you can park at Rushcutters Bay, but just as easily sail with the family to the Whitsundays in winter. Binks Yachts, from South Australia, was commended for its boat-building integrity.

The interior has Huon pine and blackwood, but performance is more sprightly than a comfortable cruising yacht should be. Its open-plan saloon, graced with plenty of lounges, is innovative. The layout is a three-cabin design, with two ensuites.

All Boats of the Year can be seen at the Sydney Boat Show. In fact, prospective new-boat buyers won't need to look far to find a winner this year. Let's just hope that it's a sign of the boat-building industry's strength, rather than its indecision.

And the winners are ...

1998 BOAT OF THE YEAR

The Haines Hunter 585SF Seeker has taken out the Boating Industry Association of Australia award, and the Fishing Boat of the Year award. Attributes of the new wide-bodied cuddy cabin boat include its clever design, high-quality finish, pleasing aesthetics, seaworthy performance, safety and value for money. With a 150 hp OceanPro Evinrude outboard, trailer, bimini top and accessories, it is selling through Middle Harbour Marine for $42,990. Details: 9938 2711.

FAMILY BOAT OF THE YEAR

The Whittley Sea Legend 6.3 is an all-rounder, available with outboard or sterndrive power, suitable for fishing, family day-tripping, overnighting, and trailering away for holidays. The trailerboat comes with lots of standard equipment: portable toilet, full covers and so on. Fitted with a depth sounder and GPS, the drive-away package sells for $54,250 with 175 hp outboard. Details: Hunts Marine 9546 1324.

CRUISER OF THE YEAR

Riviera 4000 Offshore. Already, about 40 have been sold. Available with a hard or soft top, and always twin diesel engines, it offers economical but sporty performance. At home passage-making or flashing around the harbour, it's priced from $439,000. Details: Riviera Sales Sydney 9363 0000.

THE ALUMINIUM BOAT OF THE YEAR

Quintrex 455 Hornet Trophy, designed primarily for freshwater fishing, a pastime gaining a strong following on some inland dams prospering under fish-stocking programs. With an environmentally friendly 50 hp four-stroke Yamaha outboard, drive-away Hornet packages are about $18,750. Details: Hunts Marine 9546 1324.

SAILBOAT OF THE YEAR

Farr 41, designed with the assistance of Bruce Farr in America and built in South Australia. The strong, fast, long-distance cruising yacht has uncluttered decks, a world-class finish, accommodation for up to eight and two heads. But only two people are needed to sail it. Priced from $317,000. Details: Binks Yachts (08) 8294 1388.

Next week: Tips for buying a boat at the Sydney Boat Show.