The latest insights on racing and cruising yachts, keelboats and dinghies. Plus all of the latest gear, boating accessories, equipment and sailing clothes from Australia and around the world.
MED MAXI SCENE All the passion pizzazz Australians joined the 40th birthday party in Sardinia, writes Bob Ross. The 40th anniversary regatta of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in September wove together all of the threads that have made the…
LAUNCHES: SUNBEAM YACHTS Established Austrian builder Schochl Yachtbau is introducing its Sunbeam range of yachts to Australia through local distributor Westhead Marine. A specialist builder, it has traditionally produced heavily built centre cockpit yachts. The current fleet ranges in size…
Navico's BR24 Broadband Radar has won the 2009 EDN Innovation Award for ‘Best Application of RF Design'. Celebrating Australian and New Zealand innovation, the prestigious award highlights Navico's groundbreaking achievement in overcoming significant challenges in all aspects of the system's…
The ExclusivE 76 was launched at the end of August for her first public presentation at the Cannes Boat Show 2009. The “ExclusivE Marine” cruising maxi-catamaran received a very warm welcome in the Mediterranean. Designed by architect Gilles Ollier, the…
Distributors and builders update us on what's new in the world of multihulls. Fountaine Pajot Fountain Pajot has plenty of reason to celebrate in 2009, with the release of three exciting new models as well as the 2,000th catamaran due…
Protect your boat and valuables from theft and water damage this summer, with the new ABUS Submariner padlock. The ABUS Submariner Padlock is the ultimate marine and outdoor padlock. It is specifically designed for marine and outdoor applications. The special…
Melbourne based Kleentec Marine has recently been appointed Australasian distributor for the Chafe-Pro® range of mooring line protection products manufactured by Fjord Inc. of Graham NC., USA Chafe-Pro's patented design allows the units to be moved easily to the desired…
Taken out of the water in May to allow alterations to take place during the summer's light wind conditions, the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran is now ready to tackle the Lake Geneva speed records. She will be back on…
The idea of building your own boat from scratch is daunting, but many DIYers are altering the odds for a successful outcome in their favour by buying a kit, reports Jo Djubal. Building your own multihull is an admirable, if…
Bavaria flies the flag with new corporate design Bavaria Yachts has officially launched a new corporate design this week at the Interboot boat show in Friedrichshafen. Bavaria Yachts stands at the dawn of a new era in yacht design and…
Roger Priest checks out the latest import from overseas – the South African-built Leopard 40 luxury catamaran. Here's the open-water proof. Ten thousand miles, two ocean crossings and this 12-month-old Leopard 40 is in pristine condition, boat-show ready. Literally the…
New boat: Hanse 320 Australian Hanse distributor Windcraft is targeting new territory with the value-for-money Hanse 320, reports Caroline Strainig. Every time I see a new boat, I am amazed how much space they have packed in. “Surely, this must…
Jeanneau's latest racer combines short-handed practicality with IRC sensibilty, By Andy Robertson. Giants such as Jeanneau and Beneteau have long since learned not to dabble in the niche markets, to make short to medium sized runs of race type boats….
Any yacht venturing offshore needs one of these! Designed for use by rescue teams, and in particular for cutting people out of wrecked cars and collapsed buildings, it must be the quickest and simplest way of cutting rod or wire…
Sunbeam shines in EuropeA model from the European-built Sunbeam range which will arrive in Australia shortly has been voted Europe's top yacht of the year by experts from 11 leading yachting magazines. Winning features cited include deck/hull design, the brightness…
Practical: my boat Kirsten Wilkins and her partner Paul find the Hood 23 fits the bill when it comes to getting on the water without spending up big. When we tell people we have a yacht, they usually give us…
Azzura Marine, has launched one of the world's fastest luxury sailing multihull yachts. Azzura Marine's Managing Director confirmed that the 32 metre multihull, Necker Belle (formerly Lady Barbaretta), has undergone a major refit and refurbishment. The light weight, all-carbon fibre…
The new Simrad NSE series of multifunction displays incorporates radar, chartplotter and sonar technology. The versatile NSE8 and NSE12 are compatible with the most powerful marine technology available, including BR24 Broadband Radar and BSM-1 Broadband Sounder, and come pre-loaded with…
Navico Australia goes directNavico Australia is to expand its distribution strategies to supply Simrad and Northstar products directly to all Australian dealers and boatbuilders from its Sydney logistics centre.Navico Asia Pacific's chief operations officer, John Scott, said several factors ð…
DECKEYE VIEW: SUPERMAXI This is one feline that definitely purrs, reports Kevin Green, from the deck of the newest 98ft carbon rocketship. The 10 knot northeasterly breeze blew across a relatively quiet Sydney Harbour as Leopard sliced through the flat…
The Hydro is a watersports version of the popular Crocs Cayman footwear, using the same proprietary Croslite material. Lightweight, anti-microbial and extremely well cushioned, the Hydro incorporates a neoprene upper, with slip-resistant, non-marking soles, and has a recommended retail price…
Living Legends: Mick York David Salter celebrates the life-in-progress of a remarkable Australian yachtsman. WE’VE ALL met them. Some of us have been lucky enough to sail with them. They’re that special breed of yachtie who seem to embody all…
PROFILE: WILL OXLEY Back home after a hectic year of international yacht racing, Will Oxley talks to Lulu Roseman about what drives him in his role as a navigator and sailor. Having clocked up over 200,000 nautical miles during his…
Wild Oats XI's new rig reinvents old technology, by Bob Ross. CONTINUOUS carbon fibre rigging construction, the latest measure to reduce weight and windage aloft, was demonstrated effectively by both line honours winner Wild Oats XI and Tattersall's Cup overall…
Beneteau in Airlie BeachThe exclusive French range of Beneteau yachts and sister companies is now represented in the Whitsundays.Mike (The dealership includes Beneteau sailboats, Lagoon Catamarans and Wauquiez yachts. As well as selling new boats, Vicsail Whitsunday offers warranty and…
In this year's Northern regatta season, the brands of Bavaria Yachts and X-Yachts accounted for five series wins, one second and one third. With 28 podium finishes in the Cruising divisions from 17 races over 10 divisions, this is an…
CLASSIC RESTORATION: Nerida Sir James Hardy’s beautiful 1933 gaff cutter Nerida sank at her mooring last June after being struck by runaway yachts during two violent Sydney Harbour storms. David Salter outlines the restoration. WHERE DO you start’ Nerida was…
Brisbane-based company Lanotec produces a range of lanolin-based natural lubricants. Lanolin, derived from sheep’s wool, is a biolubricant and is more environmentally friendly than traditional petro-chemical based lubricants.The biolube is biodegradable and non-toxic. Lanotec is dedicated not only to the…
Veteran British sailor George Stead, who spends the northern hemisphere winters in New Zealand, has developed the BoatiesFryPan, which is rectangular-shaped to fit boat and other compact recreational stoves. Measuring 250x200x45mm and weighing 950gm, the pan is made of 4mm…
Fountaine Pajot has enhanced its Flagship Class of luxury sailing catamarans with the launch of the spectacular Galathea 65. Priced from AUD$3.3m, the Galathea 65 is the largest cruising vessel ever built by Fountaine Pajot and is constructed with isopthalic…
Bellingham Marine Australia (BMA) recently completed another project in theSouthport area. BMA was contracted by 'Abigroup' and the Gold Coast City Council, to design, construct and install a floating public access pontoon as part of the Gold Coast City Council's…
Australia's newest and smallest imported sailboat has just emerged triumphant from one of the toughest tests on the planet. A Canadian-built NorseBoat 17.5 travelled 1400 miles through the Arctic, crewed by a team of Royal Marines. “Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Oliver…
AROUND THE YARDS: SUPERYACHTS Yard work is thriving across the superyacht sector with an interesting mix of design styles, materials and construction techniques, reports Kevin Green. In the Australia-Pacific region alone, yards in New Zealand such as Alloy and Fitzroy…
CLASS PROFILE After 33 years the home-grown single-hander continues to provide keen competition for all ages, by Rob Hartnett REX FETTELL designed the popular Minnow junior sailing dinghy prior to finalising the Sabre design in 1974.Initially he considered simply stretching…
My Boat A shoal-draught that enables you to boldly go where most cruising yachts cannot go is just one of the pluses of the Norwalk Islands Sharpie, writes Petrea Heathwood. Ten years ago, after years envying the versatility of shoal-draught…
2008 BOATS The latest European yachts show an impressive increase in specifications, from starter boats to exciting cruisers, and many will be destined for our shores during the year, reports Kevin Green. Bavaria's new and improved 31 footer replaces the…
Hot Hobart Boats It's going to be tough at the top in a healthy Rolex Sydney-Hobart race fleet, writes Bob Ross. BOB OATLEY's ambition to take line honours in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart race for the third successive year with Wild…
DESIGN: BRUCE NELSON America's Cup designer Bruce Nelson’s distinguished career has encompassed many of the key designs in modern racing, including dashing Australian hopes in defending the auld mug, reports Kevin Green. New York-born designer Bruce Nelson's long and distinguished…
PROFILE: ADAM BEASHEL In sailing terms, the name Beashel goes back three generations, reports Di Pearson. Like his grandfather, father and old brother before him, Adam Beashel has excelled in the sport he grew up with and loves. Here, he…
CLASSICS YACHTS During a recent visit to Europe, David Salter surrendered to the seductions of some of the world’s great classic yachts. IT IS, of course, utterly illogical to ascribe human qualities to a yacht. They are mere wood, stainless…
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