Tauranga’s Marra Marine recently launched Kaeā — a 13.8m Bill Upfold Sedan design. She’s the company’s first Upfold build and, as such, brings Marra into the Elite ‘fold’ — an extensive group of local and offshore boatbuilders that have completed Upfold projects.
Established by Tim and Maddie Marra about 10 years ago, the company’s byline branding is ‘Defined by Detail’. It’s an apt descriptor. A stellar Elite debut, Kaeā presents exceptionally well, and her standout feature is craftsmanship.
She’s also a successful ‘classic-modern’ blend. The ‘classic’ is reflected in the colour palette that accentuates her traditional lines: a grey hull contrasting with white topsides, offset by gleaming stainless steel and rich teak. That styling continues within – dark oak joinery, off-white carpets and fabric upholstery (and fabric on some bulkheads), with NautikFor synthetic teak/holly strip flooring in the galley and helm station.
For the ‘modern’ side of the equation, check out the digital dash – dominated by twin 12-inch Garmin MFDs with ultra-crisp definition. They’re complemented by Cummins engine controls and gauges, autopilot, Mastervolt battery monitoring panel, Zipwake controls, bow thruster joystick, Auto Anchor, VHF and Fusion stereo. A hi-tech, integrated command centre the owner describes as ‘intuitive’ to use.
Explore a little deeper and you’ll find a watermaker, 7kVA Kohler generator, inverter, radar, a Starlink satellite receiver – and plenty of subtle LED lighting (including colourful underwater lighting). All cleverly and neatly absorbed into Kaeā’s traditional styling. All up – a solid package exuding aesthetics.
The vessel will be Wellington-based but is destined to spend much of her cruising life in the Marlborough Sounds, stationed off her owner’s bach. With her twin 480hp Cummins QSBs, impulsive weekend getaways from the capital are on the cards. The warmth and coziness inherent in the vessel’s interior will be appreciated during those crisp, morning cruises in the Sounds.
Weight & cost
A trademark Upfold service is customisation – no two vessels are exactly alike, even if of the same design. Plenty of 12-16m Elite sedan launches have been built, but each is subtly different, adjusted to suit every owner’s preference. Kaeā is no exception. Much of her tweaking related to speed, weight and cost considerations.
The owner initially requested twin 550hp Cummins engines, but after discussions with Upfold was persuaded to switch to the 480hp models. This allowed a more cost-effective propulsion system and a trimmed-down drivetrain – smaller gearboxes, reduced diameter shafts and smaller props – resulting in better fuel efficiency with no appreciable performance loss.
Rather than sandwich foam, her hull comprises three layers of marine ply (2 x 6mm and 1 x 9mm: 21mm in total), vacuum-bagged during gluing to enhance integrity and strength, with structural E-glass either side. Topsides are a ply-foam-glass sandwich construction, the lighter structure helping to lower the centre of gravity.
Performance is aided by the hull’s shallow tunnels accommodating four-bladed ZF props. Shallow tunnels ‘flatten’ the shaft angles, reducing draught and generating better horizontal ‘thrust’ – delivering a more efficient drivetrain.
Upfold’s speed/performance recommendations (480hp vs 550hp) proved spot on. She displaces 13.9 tonnes and cruises comfortably at anywhere up to 27 knots, with a top speed of around 32 knots. Her 1,200-litre fuel tank is plenty for extended Sounds cruising – and beyond.
Accommodation
Kaeā’s relatively conventional layout is enhanced by the Marra team’s impeccable joinery, geometric precision and attention to detail.
The vessel sleeps four in two cabins – the forepeak master suite has an island bed, with another double in the second cabin just aft (port). They share a bathroom (starboard) with
a separate shower. Separate showers are always a treat. There’s also a cockpit day head.
You feel a real sense of elegance in these cabins – the rich, dark oak joinery contrasting with the plush, off-white carpets on the floor and cabin sides. It’s a theme that continues throughout the interior, orchestrated by décor specialist Kim Forkert (Parkhurst Design in Hamilton).
Up in the saloon, the panoramic views are the obvious standout. The windows are massive – plenty of light enhancing the sense of spaciousness and offering great visibility from the helm. But if you feel a little exposed in a crowded anchorage, there are drop-down blinds hidden behind pelmets. Very stylish.
The sliding door next to the helm offers multiple benefits: ventilation on sweltering days; the skipper can poke his/her head out to bark orders at the foredeck crew; if short-handed, he/she can step out and dash forward/aft to deal with bow/stern lines when coming alongside.
A plush, generously proportioned sofa runs down the saloon’s starboard side – plenty of seating for guests. Immediately behind it is a pop-up TV. Opposite, a spacious U-shaped settee surrounds the large saloon table (more precision joinery).
The bench also houses a large subwoofer speaker – it’s very discreet. The owner is evidently a music buff, and in the isolation of the Sounds I imagine he’ll be tempted to crank up Hotel California to a decent level. Do NOT spill red wine on the upholstery/carpeting while singing along!
Immediately aft is the U-shaped galley. It contains a two-burner gas hob, a gas oven below, heaps of storage, and more great views. Opposite is a fridge/freezer. A second fridge-freezer is located under the cockpit seating. A large, drop-down window (electrically operated) forms part of the galley’s aft bulkhead, providing easy serving access to the cockpit table for drinks/al fresco meals.
With the window retracted and the bifold doors fully open, there is effectively a continuous, open-plan area from helm station to cockpit. She’s a versatile vessel. Perfect for a couple’s romantic sojourn but easily adapted to spontaneous parties (those rowdy guests from the anchorage).
Cockpit
Another spacious area, it’s able to host drinkers and anglers in equal measure (together if necessary). The cockpit table is a particularly clever bit of design/craftsmanship: it (and its pedestal) is quickly disassembled to create more space. The table-top lives under the cockpit hatch, secured in chocks, where it’s easily accessible.
One of Upfold’s popular design features is a sliding door separating cockpit from swim platform. A much neater solution than swinging doors, it disappears into the transom. I also like the removable BBQ and bait board.
The BBQ couples to a mount built into the transom and plugs into a nearby LPG port. Similarly, the baitboard has mounts on the trailing edge of the swim platform. Both items are stowed in the large cockpit lazarette but can be deployed quickly when needed. A neat solution that leaves stern views uncluttered.
The cockpit also features a second helm station (starboard) to aid reversing into tight berths – it includes a bow thruster joystick and throttles. Back at the transom is a basin/pullout shower – a convenient washdown facility for salty swimmers and smelly anglers.
But my favourite cockpit feature is the aft-facing day head. I can’t be sure it was part of the design brief, but being able to watch sunrises or dancing lures while responding to nature’s rhythms – well, it’s the ultimate room with a view.
Sun lizards will enjoy the expansive foredeck area – bring a cushion and a cocktail. There’s also an enormous amount of space on the cabin top. The boat’s electrical infrastructure runs off AGM batteries, and while there are no solar panels keeping them perky, there is ample room on the roof should the owner change his mind.
Utility/engine room
The Cummins engines enjoy a pristine environment – and there’s tons of space for checking/changing oil, coolant, filters, and belts. Everyday access to the engines is through the aft bulkhead of the shower; it leads you into a large utility room, which in turn leads to the engine room.
Like everything else on the vessel, the two areas are immaculate, well-lit, and resplendent in their white/silver surfaces. Maintenance will be a welcome chore. The sloping bilges are thoughtfully lined with non-skid to aid your mobility.
Kaeā translates as ‘to lead’. The Marra crew has stamped a distinctive benchmark on the vessel, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the project leads to many more Elites.
Welcome to the club, Marra Marine.
