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Latest Yacht Reviews
Fin Chaser 700HTA
I have always been impressed with the hull performance of FC Boats and a change of name hasn’t altered the way they go.
Fin Chaser 700HTA
I have always been impressed with the hull performance of FC Boats and a change of name hasn’t altered the way they go.
Catalyst 45 Render
Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders’ latest iteration of the popular Catalyst high-performance powercat is Render, a bespoke superyacht tender and water sports adventure platform extraordinaire.
Catalyst 45 Render
Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders’ latest iteration of the popular Catalyst high-performance powercat is Render, a bespoke superyacht tender and water sports adventure platform extraordinaire.
Assault 920 Amphibious
Assault Boats’ new Pursuit 920 Amphibious is a great all-rounder. Suitable for fishing, scuba diving, family cruising, overnight trips, corporate hospitality – even search and rescue operations – it’ ...
Assault 920 Amphibious
Assault Boats’ new Pursuit 920 Amphibious is a great all-rounder. Suitable for fishing, scuba diving, family cruising, overnight trips, corporate hospitality – even search and rescue operations – it’ ...
Innovision 616 Venture
It is over a decade since we reviewed the first production boat from Innovision, and in many respects nothing has changed since then.
Innovision 616 Venture
It is over a decade since we reviewed the first production boat from Innovision, and in many respects nothing has changed since then.
Rayglass Legend 2700
Rayglass Boats’ new Legend 2700 is the spiritual (and, eventually, literal) successor to the Legend 2500, the Auckland-based company’s most successful...
Elliott 1150 Tourer
Denim is a classic Kiwi tale. Start with a solitary man and a dream, pile on the challenges, stir in creativity and innovation, and voila! A unique Ki...
Matera 40 cruising catamaran
This build philosophy—and its practical result—is best shown in the wide, uninterrupted arch of the coachroof above the saloon
Elite 13.8m Sedan Kaeā
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.
Candela C-8 Hardtop
The Candela C-8 is clearly a much more mature and technologically advanced model than its predecessor.
Dickey Pacific 62
Passage making is about long days at sea, often with swell and waves running at different angles, or else a long period roll, so limiting hull roll to...
Dibley 7.5m Sportsboat
Despite the lack of gennaker it’s still a fun and fantastic ride down the harbour, and reminds me how much fun sportsboat sailing can be.
Axopar 29 XC Cross Cabin
The ultimate multi-purpose craft for boaters who demand more from their vessel.
Maritimo M600 Black Edition
The Black Edition of Maritimo’s M600 Offshore Flybridge Motor Yacht is no mere badge-engineering solution. It is a massive collection of enhancements ...
Proline Alloy 1860 HT
Mat says the hull is designed to cater for all, with ease of use being one of the main priorities.
Fi-Glass Viscount
Modern engines are bigger and more efficient. They need bigger platforms to host them. Furthermore, people seem to spend more time in the boat these d...
Morris Metal Products S.J Seahawk
S.J. Seahawk is a development of the 7.6m Eliminator, which Phil and his team built 26 years ago.
JP Crafts Code 9.8
This is a beautifully finished boat with an attention to detail that we don’t often see.
Kiwi-Kraft 780WA
Pontoon alloy boats are seriously good sea handling vessels. I should know, having fished out of many such boats of different makes, designs and sizes...
Innovision IV7000 Amphibious
In engineering the IV7000 to amphibious duty, Innovision has hardly compromised its utility for fishing/diving, family boating, or any other duties.
Elite 16m Mid Pilothouse Te Whara V
In another stellar example of a successful collaboration, boatbuilder Lloyd Stevenson and designer Bill Upfold have launched their 21st project. Te Wh...
Radian R27 Nordarc
Overall, this is an impressive boat. The styling is bold and unique and will certainly turn heads. The layout is one of the most practical we have see...
Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht
The vessel’s low centre of gravity, combined with the Humphree fin stabilisers, gave us a comfortable ride and we heard no groans or crashes coming fr...
Extreme 795 Game King
Performance-wise, the new 350hp Yamaha, plus the Helm Master EX with bow thruster and Seakeeper Ride integration, make a big difference.
Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
As you would expect from an experienced design team, the boat is well-balanced and, while the sail area is conservative, it’s plenty to get her sailin...
Saffier SE 33 Life
The Saffier SE 33 Life daysailer is a breath of fresh air in the production yacht world, with performance taking precedence over accommodation. This i...
Rae Line 206
Some boats are good to look at from the outside and some are good to be onboard. Like her sister the 205, the Rae Line 206 is that rare collision of b...
Sasga Menorquin 55FB – Carajillo
She makes a wonderful ship for coastal adventures and holidays, promising easy passage-making and plenty of comfortable spaces in which to accommodate...
What A Rush!
Catalysts were originally conceived for Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup team as a high-speed, comfortable chase boat for all conditions with...
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380
In the wide cockpit, the racing-style Carbonautica wheels are positioned well aft and outboard, corresponding with the position of the twin rudders be...
Caribbean 27 Flybridge Sport Fisher
Fuel consumption for a vessel this size is pretty good, as you might expect from a modern common-rail diesel engine.
Southern XF650
Southern Boats has been building top-quality aluminium trailer boats for more than three decades. Its factory in Mosgiel has gained a reputation for e...
Tristram 691 Offshore
When Kingsley and Lance Fink pulled up at Westhaven boat ramp with the Tristram 691 Offshore in tow, it was easy to appreciate the appeal of this new ...
Seawind 1170
Combining the space of twin hulls with the capabilities of a proven design froma vastly experienced Australian yard makes this 40-footera worthy addit...
Vindex 350 S
When the itch for another boat project required scratching a little over two years ago, de Fluiter decided that repurposing a Vindex 350 flybridge wou...
Cora 48 Catamaran
Performance is modest, as expected for its power-to-weight ratio, but nearly 17 knots of speed was available when I used maximum throttle.
Buccaneer Five Seven Five
The spacious cockpit is uncluttered but has plenty of seating. The cockpit sole is covered in SeaDek. The bolster-equipped helm chairs are a decent si...
Beneteau First 44
Fifteen knots eased back to about 10 knots and the boat felt light on the helm, responding nicely to changes in wind pressure as they came through.
Haines Hunter SP635
The hardtop SP635 shares the same underpinnings as the popular SF 635 which was a completely new model back in 2020.
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NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar
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FISHING
Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane
The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga
ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa
NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide
REGATTAS
Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland
PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour
PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell
Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia
HYDRO THUNDER
JET BOAT RACING
2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch
WATERSPORTS
IWWF University Nationals (waterskiing), 26 February to 2 March Orakei Basin, Auckland
MEET UPS
Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Cruising Rally, Easter 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, BOP
SHOWS
Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa
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Magic end to the 40th anniversary Hamilton Island Race Week
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Biotherm and Holcim-PRB break away north of the Balearic Islands
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Mercury’s new mid-tiller kit brings comfort and control to 25–30hp outboards
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September 2025 issue: boating for every season
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Southland Twin Rivers 2025 – Prestons sweep silverware as Wilton and Flett shine
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