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European Marine NZ, Australasian distributors of Finland’s renowned Sargo Boats, have landed the first Sargo 45 Explorer — flagship of the Sargo range — in New Zealand. Built for serious offshore performance and year-round comfort, Sargo boats are celebrated for their robust construction, refined design, and exceptional seakeeping. The impressive new 45 Explorer exemplifies these qualities and sets a new benchmark for luxury adventure boating. Sea trialsSea trials for the Sargo 45 Explorer will be available from early December. Learn morePhone European Marine on 0800 627 068 or visit their website at |
Finnish craftsmanship meets Kiwi conditions
The Sargo 45 Explorer arrives as the largest and most sophisticated model in the Finnish builder’s 50-year lineage. Built in Kokkola on Finland’s west coast, every Sargo is hand-finished by the same family that founded the yard three generations ago.
Inside Passage Yacht Sales’ Brian Krantz, who features in the official walkthrough of the near-identical Sargo 45, describes it as “a vessel with a heart — every hinge, joint and angle carries the family’s legacy.” For New Zealand owners, that same heritage translates perfectly: a boat engineered for the icy Baltic is equally at home in Cook Strait or Foveaux Strait, where strength and safety matter as much as comfort. The Sargo 45 Explorer is effectively the same hull and layout as the standard Sargo 45, distinguished only by its expedition-style trim package — darker or lighter grey hull options, black rails, and exterior detailing tailored for offshore cruising.
From the moment you step aboard, the 45 Explorer feels secure. A wide, level side deck, hull-side boarding gate and substantial handrails make movement effortless. Two generous social zones — an L-sofa aft and U-sofa forward — encourage both sunshine cruising and sheltered dining.
Storage is exceptional. Cushions, tables, and even six full-size fenders have dedicated lockers, leaving the decks clear. Beneath the aft cockpit, there’s space for stabilisers, generator, air-conditioning or long-range fuel options. Sound-dampening insulation and aft-mounted engines keep the wheelhouse remarkably quiet — you can converse at normal volume even at 30 knots.
Step through the sliding door and the Sargo 45 reveals a bright, modern interior. Four forward seats allow everyone to share the view underway, while an eight-person dinette and well-equipped galley make extended trips a pleasure. The galley features a double sink, gas oven, two-burner cooktop, ample refrigeration, and a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher — a nod to Kiwi practicality.
The helm is pure Scandinavian ergonomics: adjustable suspension seats, a tilting console, twin 22-inch displays, and a matte anti-glare dash finish. A large electric sunroof and dual-pane windows provide light, ventilation, and insulation, making the cabin comfortable from the Coromandel to Fiordland.
Down below, the Sargo 45 can be configured with two or three cabins and two separate bathrooms, each with shower, toilet, and vanity. The forward owner’s suite benefits from panoramic glazing and excellent headroom. The mid-cabin doubles as a guest suite or private office, offering twin singles or a double berth.
The sense of volume surprises everyone who steps aboard — the 14.6-metre hull feels larger thanks to its beam, smart layout, and full-height ceilings.
Owners can choose between twin 440 HP DPI sterndrives or twin 480 HP IPS 650 drives, giving a cruising speed around 30 knots and the range to explore remote coastlines. The hull is certified to CE Category B – Offshore and built to tackle serious weather.
Industry recognition has followed: Best of Boats Finalist 2023, European Powerboat of the Year Nominee 2024, and Motorboat Awards Winner 2024.
The arrival of the Sargo 45 Explorer signals something new for New Zealand’s coastal cruisers — a genuine all-season performance pilothouse that blends Baltic toughness with understated luxury. European Marine NZ expects strong demand from owners who want to cruise confidently, whether that means a winter run to Great Barrier or a summer week in the Sounds.
Sargo 45 Explorer technical specifications
Overall Length: 14.60m
Hull Length: 13m
Max. Beam: 4.25m
Berths: 4 or 6 plus saloon
Cabins: 2/3 plus saloon
Cabin Seats: 10
Dry Weight: 13T
Fuel Capacity: 1600L
Water Tank: 400L
Holding Tank: 200L
Drive Type: Stern
Certification CE/UKCA: B
Engine Options:
2 x Volvo Penta D6-440 DPI – 880 HP
2 x Volvo Penta IPS 650 – 960 HP
