December’s Boating New Zealand arrives loaded with summer energy. It is one of those issues where the mix of new boats, Kiwi stories, practical know-how and coastal inspiration makes you want to drop everything and head for the ramp. This month’s headline act is the XO Crossover DFNDR 9 Expedition, reviewed after its long-awaited arrival in Aotearoa. A Finnish alloy hull with real northern grit, the DFNDR 9 blends adventure-boat thinking with commuter practicality. Kiwi readers will spot the appeal straight away. As Boating New Zealand editor John Eichelsheim notes, “This is a boat built to be used, not babied.”
We follow that with a detailed look at the Lagoon 43, a catamaran that punches above its length. Designer-driven improvements in space, structure and rig geometry show how far modern cats have travelled. For cruising families thinking about stepping into their first multihull, this one raises interesting questions about comfort, volume and balance.
Staying closer to home, the OceanPro 533 Cuddy Cabin is a story of a Kiwi alloy builder stepping forward with intent. Stable, tidy and versatile, it feels like the start of something bigger for the OceanPro name. If you fish, dive or run family day trips, this compact hull offers a lot more than its footprint suggests.
We also introduce a brand new arrival to the local market: the Pātea 830, a fresh New Zealand-built design that reflects the country’s growing appetite for capable trailerable craft with a bit of spark. The full feature covers the concept, the styling and the mindset behind it.
A serious summer towing rig
One of this month’s most practical features is the RAM 1500 Rebel Hurricane, a tow vehicle that arrives with the sort of muscle Kiwi boaties often need but rarely discuss in detail. The Hurricane’s combination of torque, stability and luxury is matched with real-world usefulness at the ramp and on the highway.
Boaties who tow heavy rigs will appreciate the deeper look at its towing manners, cabin comfort and payload thinking. Reviewer Brett Patterson frames it well: this is a truck built for those who want power without giving up the creature comforts that make long hauls bearable. In a summer where many families will be on the move with boats, bivvies and gear, it feels like a timely inclusion.
Stories that explore New Zealand
Our features section ranges wide. Up the Creek: Castlepoint dives into the history and character of one of the Wairarapa’s most striking coastal landmarks. Ngataki Magic celebrates one of the country’s most storied wooden boats, while Belle of the Bay shares the uplifting restoration tale of a classic Fullers ferry. There’s a nostalgic shift inland with Glorious Hydrodynamic Relaxation, a tribute to classic boats on Lake Rotoiti.
Christmas Gift Guide
For readers hunting ideas, our Christmas Gift Guide is back with carefully chosen options for every kind of boatie. And while you are thinking about presents, a Boating New Zealand subscription is about as easy and appreciated as it gets, especially for the boatie in the family who already has all the gadgets.
Practical pieces return too: best jigs for snapper, a trolling motor mount for a 660 Haines, a deep dive into cable protection zones and marine protected areas, and a timely check on whether that suspect species is a marine pest or a native look-alike.
Rounding out the issue is a thoughtful Reflections profile on John Mansell, a continuation of our Brief History of Sailing, and a Vintage Viewpoint look at the 1908 Rudder Cup and the colourful entrants who shaped early offshore racing.
The December 2025 edition reads like the start of summer itself. New boats, old boats, coastal stories, fishing, towing, history and practical knowledge all in one place. A good one to take away on holiday, to gift to a mate, or to spark a few plans for the new year ahead.
