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BOAT REVIEWS
Discover New Zealand’s best boats with expert reviews, specs, and local insights—sailboats, powerboats, and yachts covered.
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Iliad 53 S
Compared to the range’s flybridge models, the 53 S has much less windage and greater stability, so ...
Length Over All (M):
16.35
Displacement (M):
24000
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
CONSTRUCTION:
Vinylester above and below the waterline; monolithic or solid glass around the keel line and other key areas; vacuum-infused PVC closed-cell sandwich elesewhere
Boat Review
Beneteau First 36
The First 36 has a pleasingly yacht-like cockpit: this is a boat that is meant to be sailed.
Length Over All (M):
11.98
Displacement (M):
4800
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
10.25
Sea Ray Sundancer 265
The Sea Ray Sundancer 265 is an impressive example of all that is good about American production boa...
Length Over All (M):
8.07
Displacement (M):
3200
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Oceanpro 540 GTS
He aimed to produce something that provided the best of both worlds: the tough, rigid hull sides of ...
Horsepower (HP):
115
Length Over All (M):
5.4
Construction:
Aluminium
CONSTRUCTION:
Alloy pontoon type
Senator 500 Side Console
Senator allows owners to spec the boat however they want it, starting with a base, but very comprehe...
Length Over All (M):
5.2
Construction:
Aluminium
Boat Review
Caribbean 2300 Hardtop
Straight from the factory, the Caribbean 2300 is ready for fishing action.
Length Over All (M):
7.84
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
7.0
CONSTRUCTION:
Solid hand laid GRP
Profab 1200
The quad-cam 7.6L V12 600hp Verado is stunning!
Length Over All (M):
13.0
Displacement (M):
11700
Construction:
Aluminium
Maritimo S75
My first impression of the S75 was its striking and sleek profile, thanks to nearly 75 feet (23m) of...
Length Over All (M):
23.07
Displacement (M):
48000
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
22.86
Rodman 31 Spirit Hardtop
Although relatively unknown here, Rodman is one of Europe’s most respected brands.
Length Over All (M):
9.48
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
GHB 10.5m powercat
Makédo’s construction is a foam-cored, epoxy sandwich: Corecell foam for the hulls and Divinycell fo...
Length Over All (M):
10.7
Displacement (M):
3479
Construction:
Composite
Length Over All (M):
10.67
CONSTRUCTION:
Foam-cored epoxy sandwich
HH 50
After a day of sailing the HH50, I can clearly see the attraction, assuming your budget is large eno...
Length Over All (M):
15.79
Displacement (M):
16000
Construction:
Composite
Length Over All (M):
14.89
CONSTRUCTION:
E-Glass or carbon fibre versions
Grand Banks 54 Laughalot
The Grand Banks 54 delivers traditional styling with timeless good looks, comfortable accommodations...
Length Over All (M):
18.41
Displacement (M):
25000
Construction:
Composite
Length Over All (M):
16.4
CONSTRUCTION:
Resin-infused carbon fibre decks and reinforcing
Pescador 35
In a market that can sometimes confuse bling with ease of use and reliability, it is refreshing to s...
Length Over All (M):
10.8
Displacement (M):
7500
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
9.15
Stabicraft 1450 Frontier ProFish
Stabicraft boats will need no introduction to anyone with New Zealand boating experience.
Horsepower (HP):
50
Length Over All (M):
4.42
Construction:
Aluminium
CONSTRUCTION:
4mm hull, 3mm pontoons
Legacy Marine L35 Awatea
The Legacy 35 was designed by the world-famous, New Zealand-based LOMOcean team.
Length Over All (M):
10.58
Displacement (M):
6000
Construction:
Aluminium
Length Over All (M):
10
Boat Review
Aluka 823 Walkaround
At rest, the boat was extremely comfortable, and certainly fits the family-friendly bill.
Horsepower (HP):
350
Length Over All (M):
8.23
Construction:
Aluminium
Wright 52 Powercat
The Wright 52’s interior exudes sheer comfort, usability, and Kiwi boat-building craft.
Length Over All (M):
15.4
Displacement (M):
16000
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
CONSTRUCTION:
Solid fibreglass and composite
Boat Review
Artnautica 60 Sportfisher
The hull and IPS 800s make for a happy marriage. Matuku cruises at 23-24 knots, consuming about 155 ...
Length Over All (M):
18
Displacement (M):
22000
Construction:
Carbon Fibre
CONSTRUCTION:
100% resin-infused carbon
Parker 920 Explorer Max
The 920 Explorer Max was conceived as a multi-role vessel: a day boat, fast commuter, sportfisher an...
Length Over All (M):
9.95
Displacement (M):
3413
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
L980 semi-displacement powercat Emocean
Semi-displacement power cats work well when the hulls are narrow and the bridge decks high.
Length Over All (M):
9.80
Construction:
Composite
Length Over All (M):
8.80
CONSTRUCTION:
E-glass epoxy laminate, foam core
Dufour 470
Nothing is more enjoyable to sail to windward than a deep-keeled monohull.
Length Over All (M):
14.85
Displacement (M):
13200
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Swift Trawler 48
Mature boaties will love the walk-around side decks, the ease of the sliding door at the helm, and t...
Length Over All (M):
14.7
Displacement (M):
12200
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
12.77
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095
The Merry Fisher 1095 should prove to be a most cost-effective vessel to run and own, while at the s...
Length Over All (M):
10.75
Displacement (M):
4638
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Boat Review
Boston Whaler 360 Outrage
Formally introduced at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show, the 360 Outrage has been nothing shor...
Length Over All (M):
11.12
Displacement (M):
6070
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Rodman 890 Ventura
The Rodman 890 Ventura is sold with the promise of quality, prestige, innovative features and excell...
Length Over All (M):
8.90
Displacement (M):
5150
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
7.99
Innovision 757 Explorer
The stern of the 757 is a great example of what a fishing boat should be.
Horsepower (HP):
400
Length Over All (M):
7.65
Construction:
Aluminium
Boat Review
Beneteau GT45
The GT has a very Mediterranean feel to it, with its swooshy styling and open entertaining areas jus...
Length Over All (M):
14.78
Displacement (M):
11241
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
13.50
Wind Spirit – LSB 24m Expedition Ketch
The warm tones of the naturally finished anegre wood paneling creates a snug ambience and the carefu...
Length Over All (M):
24
Displacement (M):
50000
Construction:
Wood
Length Over All (M):
22
CONSTRUCTION:
Cold-moulded multi-layer strip-plank yellow cedar encased in E-glass and Kevlar
Regal 42 Grand Coupe
Steering is light and the Regal responds immediately to helm inputs.
Length Over All (M):
12.78
Displacement (M):
11204
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Boat Review
Classic 45
Stepping into the saloon one is immediately impressed by the spacious full-width salon and generous ...
Length Over All (M):
13.98
Displacement (M):
19500
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
12.6
Sasga Menorquín 54
The boat feels like a large boat underway, its 24 tonnes just gliding along, powered by twin Volvo D...
Length Over All (M):
17.15
Displacement (M):
24260
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
14.98
King K5000 RIB
If you’re in the market for a highly spec’d, high-quality RIB with good looks and performance, take ...
Length Over All (M):
5.1
Construction:
Aluminium
CONSTRUCTION:
Aluminium hull, Hypalon tubes
Sea Ray SLX 260
Sea Ray has always been about raising the bar and going beyond the expected.
Length Over All (M):
9.41
Displacement (M):
2.52
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Boat Review
Caribbean 2400 Hardtop
These vessels will take you a long way out, run all day long, and get you back home safe, sound, and...
Horsepower (HP):
400
Length Over All (M):
8.0
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
7.2
Legacy L70
Legacy Marine’s first L70 is the sort of sportfishing paragon other vessels will be measured against...
Length Over All (M):
24
Displacement (M):
60000
Construction:
Aluminium
Sealegs 12m RIB Cabin
On land it’s a big machine to pilot – tall, wide, and long, with a very wide turning circle, though ...
Length Over All (M):
11.3
Displacement (M):
7000
Construction:
Aluminium
CONSTRUCTION:
Aluminium hull, Hypalon tubes
Maritimo S600
Such is the refinement, handling and practical feel of the excellent Maritimo S600, it reminds me of...
Length Over All (M):
18.62
Displacement (M):
32600
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
Length Over All (M):
18.43