Oceania Sportfishers Magazine July 2011

SPORTFISHING BOATS. LUXURY MOTHERSHIPS. LATEST GEAR. BOAT BUILDS.

JULY 2011 I Issue 1 OCEANIA SPORTFISH MINI-MAGAZINE

SPORTFISHERS

Motor Yacht Cosmos Sportf ishing Expedit ion Base

Grady White 209 Lit t le Offshore Quickie

Askari Unmistakeably Assegai

New Assegai 39 Express Syndication

Y O U R G U I D E T O T H E B O A T S + E Q U I P M E N T

Oceania

The Assegai dream. Every Assegai is custom built to exacting standards using only the finest

materials by some of the finest craftsmen in the Australia. From 44ft to 76 feet, the dream can be

yours. Built to chase the giant black marlin off Cairns, but just as at home at anchor in Sydney

Harbour with the family onboard. Assegai is proud to be part of the Pacific gamefishing story.

Don’t just build a boat, build an Assegai.

- Built for life - For an introduction to the Assegai dream phone Barry Martin on 0410 303 074.

ASSEGAI MARINE

Meridien Marina, 5 Cabbage Tree Point Rd, Precinct D5, Shed 6 & 7, Woongoolba QLD 4207 Telephone: 61 7 5546 2798 Fax: 61 7 5546 1697

Email: [email protected] Web: www.assegaimarine.com.au

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Reviews

GRADY-WHITE FISHERMAN 209 Grady White‘s new 209 is great centre console

with family friendly features for quick trips offshore

or inside the bay.

ASKARI - ASSEGAI 56 There is something about an Assegai that just

reassures you that you have just stepped aboard

the gamefishing adventure of a lifetime.

EXPEDITION BASE COSMOS Motor yacht Cosmos would make a prefect

expedition base.

Inside

NEWS

ON BOARD + ON SHORE

Your new Guide to Sportfishers Oceania Sportfishers is your new monthly guide

to the latest developments in design, build and

gear for sportfishing boats in Oceania. This first

issue, July 2011, is in reality a teaser of what is to

come. Oceania Sportfishers will be a companion

magazine to Oceania Sportfish, official magazine

of the Pacific Marinelife Institute’s The Sportfish

Project and Oceania Sportfishing Club. Like the

other digital magazines the Institute is launching

over the next two months, this magazine will have

a vital role in funding the Institute’s research and

history projects.

David Joyce

Publisher and Institute Director

Issue 1 July 2011 Published Monthly Publisher and Editor David Joyce [email protected] Published by Pacific Marinelife Institute Pty Ltd ABN 12 009 767 631 68/88 Cotlew Street East Southport Queensland Australia 4215 Postal: PO Box 721 Southport QLD Australia 4215 Phone: (07) 5574 3815 Email: [email protected] * No responsibility is accepted by Pacific Marinelife Institute for the accuracy of any statement contained in this publication. The opinions of the writers may not be that of the Publisher. Contents are copyrighted.

contents

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OCEANIA SPORTFISHERS July 2011 I 3

ICON 54C Offers Enclosed Flybridge

Formula Cruisers has launched on the world market the ICON 54C range. A

development of the successful ICON 54, the 54C features a larger fully-enclosed

flybridge with forward helm and aft bulkhead complete with electric drop-down

window. Slightly longer than the previous versions, this new model provides a

more versatile, cruising-oriented space. The ICON 54C displayed at Sanctuary

Cove showcased the latest styling for the Formula range with a new frameless

window design. ―Having seen and admired earlier more fishing-oriented ICON

54‘s, the vessel‘s owners challenged us to design and build a boat focused more

on family cruising with three generations on board,‖ said Formula Cruisers sales

and marketing manager Troy Woods. Contact: Troy Woods, Formula Cruisers,

Ph: +64 416 4836, mobile: +64 21 555 344, www.formulacruisers.com

Hydra-Sports 3000CC Comes Down Under The Hydra-Sports 3000CC was

launched in the southern

hemisphere at Sanctuary Cove

this year. This 9.04m (29ft 8in)

vessel has a beam of 2.95m with a

maximum horsepower of 600hp.

The US Nashville-based fiberglass

fishing boat builder Hydra-Sports

was recently purchased by

MasterCraft. The new vessel is

built side-by-side with MasterCraft.

This efficient and well-equipped

open fishing boat allows the boat

owner to cast from the bow or troll

from the stern. It has a fresh water

capacity of 123L and a fuel

capacity of 1361L. Features of this

centre console boat include a

spacious bow with a large casting

platform, Kevlar enforced hull for strength, a huge bow flare, which cuts through rough sea conditions and a helm station

with twin Raymarine wide screen monitors. Contact: Ronnie Arenson, Hydra-Sports, Ph: 0404 473 375.

Shafts For 440

News

Australia‘s premier luxury boat builder,

Maritimo, is now offering its 440

Offshore Convertible with optional

drive systems – pod or shaft drive.

When the Maritimo 440 Offshore

Convertible was launched last year, it

was the first flybridge boat from

Maritimo to utilise the Volvo Penta IPS

pod drive system.

Adaptable for sportfishing or family

cruising, owners can select between

pod or shaft, and the power options of

Volvo Penta IPS 600 turbo diesel

engines rated to 435 hp or Cummins

QSB 5.9 turbo diesels rated to 480hp.

For more information contact Maritimo

on Ph: +61 (0)7 5588 6000 or visit:

www.maritimo.com.au

4 I OCEANIA SPORTFISHERS July 2011

ASSEGAI 39 Express Syndication Gold Coast

Applauded by International Game fishing Captains and proven by some of Australia‘s best

Captains - you can now own a share in an a custom Sportfisher from the Assegai Marine.

Anglers from around the world have fished for giant black marlin off Lizard Island aboard one

of Barry Martin‘s custom built Assegais. You now have the chance to call one of them your

own. The Oceania Sportfishing Club Syndication program is creating a series of Club Fishing

Bases around Australia and the South Pacific where you can fish aboard legendary boats with

your own Gamefishing Captain to put you on the fish and look after your dream boat.

A share in a custom 39ft Sportfisher for only $74,500.00 plus ongoings

For more information contact David Joyce on 0412 761 016 or [email protected]


Reviewed - Grady White Fisherman 209

Little offshore quickie Words David Joyce. Photographs Grady White

Grady White‘s new 209 is great centre console with family friendly features for quick trips offshore or inside the bay.

Living on the doorstep of southern

Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast‘s

offshore grounds, offers the chance of

a ‘quickie‘, that pre-dawn run before

work, to chase flathead around Mud

Island or venture out to the 24‘s in

search of a couple of teraglin. And you

can‘t beat the Broadwater for some

great all weather locations to take a

young family fishing. Finding a centre

console that offers the speed needed

for those early morning dashes, plus

easy walk-around fishing and a couple

of extra features to make those family

escapes a little easier might have

proven a challenge. But the Grady

White Fisherman 209 ticks many of

the boxes.

With the strong Australian dollar

meaning better then ever prices, and

new 2011 models landing here now,

the Grady White 209 Fisherman is

definitely worth considering if you are

looking for a centre console under 7

metres. It is prefect as a trailer boat,

will easily fit on a floating dry-dock and

is easy to manoeuvre alongside a tight

marina berth.

Grady White in the USA has a long

tradition of building well engineered

boats since 1959. The new 209 is a

fantastic entry level boat or upgrade

from an aluminium tinnie as the family

starts to expand and it continues a

Grady White commitment to build

boats for fisherman. Their exclusive

SeaV² hull offers one of the industry‘s

best combination of sea keeping,

dryness, performance and speed.

The SeaV² hull has no two places on

the keel where the deadrise is the

same. With the vee continually

sharpening from the transom to the

bow, it offers a smoother ride and

when coupled with the wide chines at

the transom, the hull is stable at rest

or when trolling. While the wedges

formed by the SeaV² hull gives the

209 great tacking in quartering and

following seas. And the strakes and

chines do a very good job at knocking

down the spray and keeping the

cockpit dry.

Every Grady White is built solid and

with safety in mind. The hand laid

fibreglass hull is filled with foam

between the stringers, meaning every

Grady White exceeds the standard

floatation requirements.

The 5.4m² cockpit is easy to walk

around with no step ups to trip over

when concentrating on a fish that

takes you from stern to bow. The

diamond pattern floor offers excellent

grip under foot, bare or ‗decked‘, and

the cockpit height of 0.64m gives a

secure free when reaching over the

side to tag, gaff or release a fish. Plus

easy to maintain toe rails also offer

safety when you lean over.

GRAY WHITE FISHERMAN 209

Price As Tested Contact your local dealer for pricing

General Specs

2011 Model

Length Overall: 6.20m

Beam: 2.46m

Transom Width: 2.39m

Hull Draft: 0.38m

Bridge Clearance: 1.95m

w/T-top: 2.36m

Weight (w/o engine): 1179kg

Fuel: 310 litres

Power + Underwater Gear

Engines: Rated to 250Hp

Yamaha or Suzuki Four Stroke

Build Materials

Hand-laid fibreglass, epoxy resin.

Closed cell foam sprayed between

stringers for flotation

Some Standard Features

Automatic bilge pump (4164 LPH), self

-bailing cockpit w/cockpit drains x 2,

LED cockpit lights, 2 x 83.28L fish

boxes, 10 x rod holders, 6 x rod racks,

2x 12V console accessory outlets,

compass, scratch resistant acrylic

windshield.

Some Options Available Freshwater cockpit shower, portable

head with pump out or in-line

macerator, hydraulic trim tabs, live

well, painted hull, casting platform,

raw water wash down, hydraulic

steering, stereo, swim platform w/

ladder, T-top with radio box.

Built By Grady White

USA

www.gradywhite.com

Contact

Game and Leisure Boats Gold Coast

Phone: (07) 5577 5811

www.gandlb.com.au

The 290‘s fishing credentials are

easily spotted in the inclusions in the

cockpit and up forward. There are four

rod holders well positioned along the

aft gunwale, and six horizontal rod

storage racks underneath. The seat

just forward of the console has a

cushioned removable cooler. And the

V-shaped bow seats hide two 83.1L

ice boxes with overboard drains,

which can be easily transformed into

a casting platform using an optional

insert.

The options list is long and extensive.

For fishing, a live well available when

you choose the deluxe lean bar for

the helm seating should be on every

fisherman‘s wish list, and recessed

freshwater shower is a good option.

Previously known as the Escape 209,

the new Fisherman 209 model as a

lockage storage / head area forward

of the console that features a dome

light. Adding the optional portable

head offers this great 20 footer an

advantage over many others of similar

size for family escapes or fishing

offshore. This compartment also

offers plenty of extra storage for rods

(6) and tackle, as well as a great

place to keep the camera dry.

The 209 Fisherman is rated to 250 Hp

and when paired with a four stroke

engine, provides good fuel economy

and performance. With fuel capacity

in the under floor tank of 310L, you

will be able to run out to those wider

grounds with safety. One optional

feature that really allows you to get

the best out of the hull design is the

hydraulic trims tabs.

For over 50 years Grady White has

delivered a well engineered quality

product, and the 209 Fisherman

continues that tradition. For fishing or

family boating it is a great little all

rounder that is a step up from the

great Australian tinnie. It is easily at

home in Moreton Bay or offshore from

the Gold Coast.

Boat reviewed at Game and Leisure

Boats on the Gold Coast. For more

information visit: www.gandlb.com.au


There is something about an Assegai that just reassures you that you have just stepped aboard

the gamefishing adventure of a lifetime. I had the privilege of sitting around the dinning room

table of Barry Martin‘s home when the first Assegai was conceived in 1992. Now I am reminded

what makes an Assegai, unmistakeably an Assegai, after stepping aboard Askari.

Askari Unmistakably An Assegai

Words David Joyce Photos Bill Billson, Askari and David Joyce.


The first time that I stepped aboard

Askari was at the 2010 Sanctuary

International Boat Show. As I walked

down E Arm on the first day of the

Show, the curves from the flybridge

down to the cockpit of the two

Assegais side by side stood out

amongst the other boats at the river

end of the Arm. Barry Martin‘s latest

creation, the 55ft Askari sat beside her

smaller ‗sister‘ the 44ft Megumi which

was fresh from three years in Fiji. Both

on display as a proud example of fine

Australian craftsmanship after Askari‘s

first successful Cairns black marlin

season.

Now stepping aboard to sit down with

Skipper Corey Hard after another

successful Cairns season I am

reminded that this is unmistakably an

Assegai. There is a finish to these

boats which can only be appreciated

by stepping aboard. Each Assegai is

unashamedly built for one purpose, to

search out and catch big gamefish.

And Askari is certainly no exception to

that rule. She is carrying a few proud

‗battle scares‘ around the striking

curved transom after tackling some

impressive fish during the season, but

as with all Assegais‘, the way in which

the boat has been built means the

post season visit to the shed will

easily see these scares removed.

If you ever have the chance to visit the

Assegai shed, you will see first hand

the adaption of old traditions of boat

building with the new. Each Assegai

hull is built by hand using strip plank

western red cedar, inside a female

construction case, then fibre glassed

inside and out using ultra strong

epoxy resin from SP Systems, and

finished in paints from Altex Coatings.

This means the is vessel extremely

strong and able to take everything a

25 plus knot day off Lizard Island

brings. When I met owner Shane

Sipthorp, he recounted the times he

had seen other Assegais cruise past

with ease in the worst of conditions on

their way to the grounds on the outer

reef, convincing him that to offer one

of the best marlin charter vessels, he

had to have an Assegai.

On first impressions Askari is sleek

and not as wide in the beam as some

of the American designed vessels of

similar length. But there is certainly

ample room and in the tradition of an

Assegai, it simply just feels right. The

attention to detail that has gone into

Askari, is evident in the beautiful teak

stepping boxes Shane had imported

from the United States, one for the

wharf and one for the cockpit. Highly

polished, with the word Assegai in

gold inlay makes stepping on and off a

lot easier.

From a crewman‘s perspective the

cockpit is a perfect ‗office‘. The extra

gunnel height means it is easy to lock

those knees and the gunnels' curve

means there is no corners to get

caught up in when handling a big fish.

Sitting proudly in the middle of the

cockpit is a Release game chair that


Shane had on his previous boat and

contrary to reality, looks like it hasn‘t

seen many days on the water after

being restored by Barry and team in

the Assegai shed.

The finish of the teak gunnels and

cockpit floor really does set the

cockpit apart from many others. In the

centre of the transom is a large live

bait tank set into the gunnel. To the

right is the transom door and either

side, just off centre in the floor are the

large scuppers that Corey has proven

on many occasion are certainly up to

the job. To the left of the saloon door

is a well thought out bait preparation

station with sink and plenty of room for

rigging a bait of any size. Below the

bait station is ample cupboard space

and a drinks fridge, while to the right

of the door is a generous freezer.

There are also lockers either side

which extend into the engine room

space for the tag poles and gaffs.

Meaning everything in the cockpit has

its place out of sight. Clever ideas can

be found all over Askari, starting in the

cockpit where a misting system set

into the underside of the flybridge

overhang delivers a fine cooling mist

over the crew and anglers on a hot

day from eight small jets.

The simple well thought out lines and

curves of the exterior are carried on

inside. This is a boat offering comforts

for those extended liveaboard trips

with an easy to maintain finish crews

working an entire Cairns marlin

season aboard will love. There is a

generous dark chocolate leather

lounge on the right as you enter the

air conditioned saloon which hides a

massive rod cabinet. On the port side

is a beautifully polished mahogany

convertible dinning table with u-

shaped leather lounges to match the

starboard lounge. Crafted by Goodline

Trim, the saloon‘s off-white finish, light

cream upholstered ceiling and high

gloss mahogany timber trims offers a

cooling feel to the interior, something

welcomed during a long hot day on

the water. And if you want to retreat

out of the sun during the day, two

large electric windows on the saloon‘s

rear allows you to let in a sea breeze

and observe the action in the cockpit

and beyond the transom.

Forward of the lounge and dining area

is the functional galley across the

beam of the boat divided by the

walkway. On the port side are all of

the modern appliances you expect on

a liveaboard vessel today. Here you

find a Miele induction cook top framed

by a glass splashback and under

bench oven, microwave and

dishwasher. And do not forget the

early morning life saver, a striking red

coffee machine sitting on top of the

stainless steel bench top. On the

starboard side is a massive fridge and

freezer, as well as ice maker that will

easily provision catering for five-star

liveaboard charters. The combination

of the stainless steel bench tops,

polished timber floors and the stain

finish cupboards really do complete

this practical and functional galley.

Hanging on the forward bulkhead and

concealed in a cabinet below is the

entertainment hub. With a flat screen

32 inch TV, Bose sound system and

computer that lets everyone onboard

stay in touch with the world via high

speed internet access as well as

replay the day‘s action from the

multiple cameras onboard. At night

the blue LED lights set into the leather

trimmed ceiling add a very modern

stylish touch while you enjoy a drink

and some of the very impressive food

the crew has been know to produce

after a day‘s fishing.

Down four polished wooden steps with

their inlaid lights and you are in the

accommodation area. There is a

double bunk room to starboard and


well designed massive head to port

with a separate shower. Forward of

the head is a second double bunk

room. And forward again is the master

cabin with an ensuite to starboard.

The master cabin has a double size

island berth with a single bunk either

side. This is where you are reminded

that while Askari was built for chasing

marlin off Lizard Island, it is also very

much a boat built for the Shane‘s

young family to enjoy. Each cabin is

air-conditioned, has a LCD TV

and plenty of flexible storage

space. There is ample light and

fresh air available from large

hatches in each cabin ceiling.

Back outside and it is time to step

into Corey‘s ‗office‘, climbing up

what I deem to be the traditional

style of stairs to the flybridge on a

game boat over the starboard freezer.

There are two polished timber and

leather Release helm chairs facing the

well appointed helm. The highly

polished stainless steering wheel and

single-lever controls are well

positioned on the mahogany console.

Surrounding the console are large

LCD display screens offering easy

access to information on everything

that is happening with the electronics

and engines. The latest in Furuno Nav

-net 3D fully intergraded systems are

also displayed on the 15-inch screens,

with information from the 3kw/2kw

multi-frequency sounder, a 1kw 360

degree sonar and the latest in

MaxSea navigation system at Corey‘s

finger tips. The CH-3000 Dual

Frequency sonar will search in any

direction up to 1200m from the boat

and the radar is a Ultra High Definition

Digital 12kw 72 nm open scanner well

capable of seeing birds smashing boat

schools. A small side note, we viewed

some amazing images of five marlin

stationed below the baits from the

sonar combined with the Nav-net 3D

system and it is this type of

technology that is really going to be of

assistance in what information boats

will be able to provide the Pacific

Marinelife Institute‘s research projects

in the future. Forward of the helm is

plenty of seating for up to eight, plus

ample storage and an ice box.

Towering above the flybridge is the

beautiful marlin tower by Black Marlin

Towers. The tower‘s steering station

includes a single 10-inch Nav-net

screen that links to all of the

equipment on the flybridge, with a

separate screen for the engine

information.

What you normally cannot see, is that

the attention to detail Barry Martin and

his hand picked team of suppliers are

famous for, is what sets Askari and

others in the Assegai fleet apart from

other Sportfishers. Over a number of

builds Barry has forged a very good

relationship with the likes of Goodline

Trim, Freezetec, P&W Marine

Engineers, Altex Coatings, Black

Marlin Towers and Furuno to ensure

his attention to detail is carried

through every aspect of each boat.

Allowing the latest ideas and

functionality to be incorporated into

each boat. Simple things like conduits

throughout the boat are twice the size

you will normally find on production

vessels, meaning ease of

maintenance and the adding of new

equipment, as well as reducing

possible over heating from the

increasing amount of cables now

found on modern vessels.

Under the water is again where an

Askari stands out from the crowd

and benefits from the partnerships

Barry has forged with the likes of

P&W Marine Engineers to offer

the best in underwater gear. An

innovative two tunnel hull designed by

Barry is perfectly matched with the 32

inch Veem 4 blade Interceptor

propellers matched with Sportfish

Flexible Couplings and stainless steel

3/4‖ rudders to create outstanding

performance and manoeuvrability.

Something Corey has proven on a

number of occasions in the way he

has been able to back down on and

follow increasingly determined marlin

close to the boat. The tunnel design

assists in keeping the angle of the 3‖

Aquamet 22 shafts to a minimum and

the vessel‘s 21-degree dead rise

really does help in the handling of the

boat in any conditions. The trim-tabs

are cleverly housed out of the way

inside the tunnels to again improve

the performance under the water and

improve how the boats backs down.


Powering Askari are two fully

electronic 1015hp C18 caterpillars

matched with twin disc MGX 300

Quick Shift gearboxes all housed

within an impressive gloss-white two-

pac finish engine room that is

accessed through a hatch in the

saloon step. In this space you will also

find dual Onan generators, and the

highly polished raw water piping,

strainers, value manifold assemblies

stainless steel fuel lines create a

striking machinery space. What is

really impressive is how dry the space

is kept and that comes down to the

flybridge air intakes that Assegai

Marine have been able to prefect. The

twin dual-turbo C18‘s allow Askari to

cruise easily at 25knots at 1850rpm

consuming 280 litres per hour. Aim to

get to the marlin grounds in hurry and

at 2350 rpm and 400 litres per hour,

Askari achieves 34 knots. But Assegai

Marine also got it right when it comes

to what these boats spend a lot of

time doing, because at a trolling

speed of 7.5 knots Askari is every

stable and only uses 13 litres per

hour. Her 6000 litre fuel capacity gives

Askari an estimated 480-mile range at

25 knots and with many skippers /

owners opting to run at more

conservative speeds today over

longer journeys, Askari has the range

to travel deep into the Coral Sea.

Askari‘s plant room and storage

compartment is accessed by lifting

the companion way steps in the

saloon and is full of every necessity of

a liveaboard imaginable. Multiple

refrigeration, air-conditioning units,

and 260L per hour desalinator sit

along side a battery charger and

inverter offering capacity to run key

systems all day without running the

main engines. There is ample room in

this area for dry stores to provision

expeditions into the northern GBR.

Askari is a beautiful piece of Assegai

Marine craftsmanship. For those who

use her for what she is designed,

chasing big marlin along Australia‘s

east coast, they will enjoy every

moment of their time onboard.

Askari Charter Information

5 Seastar Rated Reef and

Gamefishing Expedition

Gold Coast Light Tackle

May—June

Cape York Expeditions

July—August

Cairns Heavy Tackle

September—November

Contact: Captain Corey Hard

Phone: 0433 747 413

E: [email protected]

W: www.hardcoregamefishing.com.au

ASKARI 55FT SPORTFISHER

Price As Tested Approx $3 million (in survey)

General Specs Launched: 2009

Length Overall: 16.75m

Beam: 4.77

Draft: 1.2m

Weight: 23.363 tonnes

Survey: 2B 10 + 2

Cabins: 3

Sleeping Capacity: 8 persons

Fuel: 6000 litres

Water: 1000 litres

Grey Water: 100 litres

Black Water: 190 litres

Maximum Speed: 37 knots

Cruise Speed: 30 knots

Power + Underwater Gear Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C18 1015HP

Gear Boxes: Twin Disc MGX 300 QS

Propellers: Veem 32 x 44.5 4-Blade

Shafts: 3‖ Aquamet 22

Generators: 2 x 11.5kVa Onan

Build Materials Western red cedar strip planked core,

hand-laid fibreglass, epoxy resin

Optional Equipment Deck and tow cameras, Black Marlin

aluminium tower, Release game and

helm chairs, Furuno Nav-net 3D, Rupp

38ft outriggers, Miele and Fisher and

Paykel appliances, Bose Lifestyle 48

sound system, fully air-conditioned,

Intellian 45cm satellite TV dome with

Foxtel, dual system Eutectic system

refrigeration, 32 inch Samsung LCD

TV and DVD player, dive compressor.

Built By Assegai Marine

Contact: Barry Martin

Meridian Marina, Woongoolba QLD

Tel: (07) 5546 2798


W. www.assegaimarine.com.au


FINANCE TO GET YOU ON THE WATER

PMIFBS. THE BOAT FINANCE SPECIALIST.

When it is time to get out on the water, the team at PMI Finance

Broking Services can help with your finance needs.

Our PMIFBS Team has over 50 years combined experience in the

finance, boating and marine tourism industry. PMIFBS can assist

in sourcing finance for your new and used boat purchases, refit or

construction. With the benefit of a Registered Finance Broker like

PMIFBS helping you select a finance package to suit your needs,

you can be on the water sooner.

PMIFBS is the proud Principal Partner of the Pacific Marinelife

Institute. A percentage of every finance solution is contributed to

the Institute's fishery, reef, cetacean and coastal habitat research

projects, as well as marine environment rehabilitation programs.

For assistance in finding a finance solution, call Dale Joyce on

0407 738 644 or visit www.pmifbs.blogspot.com.

Support marine research next time you need Finance.

Motor yacht Cosmos would make a prefect expedition base and look as at home

with barra punt or game boat alongside and the peaks of Hinchinbrook Island in

the background, as it does berthed at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.

Captain Eddy Ruyssenaers and I are discussing his ideas

for Cosmos‘s cruising season to the Great Barrier Reef and

South Pacific. Sitting in the saloon‘s oversized lounge, with

a coffee to rival that made by any trendy Tedder Avenue

barista, I am distracted by the thoughts of how the three

generations of my family could spend some well deserved

family time aboard in the semi-isolation of Queensland‘s

Hinchinbrook Channel. Fishing the protected waters in the

morning, trying for some light tackle action offshore in the

afternoon and spending time exploring an unspoilt coral cay.

At 92ft, motor yacht Cosmos could be described as a mid-

sized vessel, in terms of the luxury fleet now available for

charter in Australia and the South Pacific. This can have

advantages. The size, open plan design, expansive

entertaining deck and a luxurious but relaxed décor really

does give this vessel a home away from home feel.

Expedi t ion Base

COSMOS Words David Joyce Photos Flagship Photos, Motor Yacht Cosmos.


Built in Brisbane by Lloyds Ships in

1987, Cosmos underwent a refit in

2008-2009 and again in 2011 that has

seen the interior significantly refined.

Stepping aboard and climbing the

stairs from the swimming platform, you

are greeted by an intimate aft deck

with large cane lounges. Prefect for

some quiet time out of the sun with a

good book and glass of Tasmanian

wine or beer. Through a massive

timber framed glass sliding door you

enter into the open plan saloon

trimmed with teak and Tasmanian

oak, and earthy granite. There is a

chocolate coloured lounge in an L-

shape setting along the port side

separated by side tables with large

etched glass lamps and a casual

Balinese coffee table. Immediately

giving the saloon more of a warm

luxury apartment feel then the sparse

modern look many yacht designers

seem to have embraced.

Large tinted panoramic windows offer

270° views from any point in the

massive saloon, but privacy or a

theatre to watch the day‘s fishing

action on the 52inch plasma screen

television that rises from a cabinet

along the aft wall, can be created by

closing the motorised fabric blinds.

Opposite the lounge, the walk-in

granite topped bar has a frosted

etched glass back-lit panel that at

night, adds to the mood in the saloon.

Forward of the lounge is a large

oversized Java timber table with high

backed wicker chairs to seat 10 for a

formal dinning experience. Opposite

under the granite topped bench that

surrounds the dinning area is a wine

fridge. One wonderful piece that

stands out in the saloon is the world

globe between the lounge and dinning

areas. What I wouldn‘t give to spin

that and cruise to where my finger

lands.

Beside the bar are stairs down to the

three guest cabins. There are three

staterooms downstairs with the master

suite stretching across Cosmos‘ entire

beam 7 metre beam. The suite‘s

queen bed sits in the middle of the

cabin with a day lounge/bed to

starboard and desk to port. The suite‘s

bathroom has a very modern feel with

glass shower screen, frosted glass

free standing basin and floor to ceiling

titled walls. Each of the two guest

cabins have a double and single bed,

television, music system and ensuite

with a large shower.

Back up stairs and the versatile top

deck entertainment area is accessed

through the wheelhouse. This is the

prefect spot where 8 people could

enjoy some amazing Queensland

influenced el fresco meals, but it could

easily host a barbeque for 20 anglers

and crew from game boats sharing an

anchorage behind the reef. There is a

large granite topped food servery/

preparation area behind the helm

station and impressive polished

commercial cafe standard coffee

machine opposite. By day, you could

choose not to move from the top deck,

relaxing on one of four sun lounges,

dinning while enjoying the views of the

reef and enjoying a refreshing drink

from the wet bar. Either side of the

sun lounges are positions for Cosmos‘

toys – two 800 Yamaha jet skis and a

15ft inflatable tender. The versatility of

Cosmos again is shown by the way

the top deck can be transformed from

entertainment hub into a heli-pad, to

allow shore transfers or the chance to

join one of the famous Queensland

barra helicopter safaris. At night, with

all the toys back in their place, the top

deck can be turned into an open air

theatre with large projection screen

under the stars.

Back down on the main deck, deep

teak side decks lead to the enormous

bow, where there is a Jacuzzi and


oversized cushioned sunbathing

lounge set into the bow. The bow also

makes the prefect spot for the whole

family to enjoy some reef fishing, with

positions for large ice boxes to keep

the catch cold and wind-up reels able

to be attached to the railings. If you

intend to spend time on or under the

water while you are on board, then

Cosmos is well equipped. In addition

to the watersports equipment, a dive

compressor and scuba equipment on

board is available for those who wish

to join Eddy exploring the underwater

ream‘s wonders.

Cosmos can easily play the dual role

of sportfishing expedition base and

game boat support vessel, being fully

equipped with fuel transfer facilities.

Allowing her travel with or join any one

of the day boats along the reef or take

the lead on an expedition out into the

Coral Sea. As well as carry specialist

fishing punts, to make exploring some

of the rivers along the Queensland

coast or South Pacific Islands a real

possibility.

Cosmos is powered by twin Caterpillar

C18 859Hp engines and the extensive

engine room houses two Sea Wasp

Genset units, 73 KVA and a 30 KVA,

as well as a Sea Recovery 3500L/day

watermaker. On the flybridge, the

electronics include Simrad autopilots,

450M sonar, ICOM VHF and KODEN

HF communications, Raymarine

Sounder, and 48NM and 98NM

Radar.

The latest refit has refined this already

classic motor yacht while retaining a

very serene and calming interior that

is prefect for hosting an angling party

or family. Cosmos has proven her

strength and sea-worthiness on many

South Pacific expeditions and is ready

to host to a long range sportfishing

safari along Queensland‘s Great

Barrier Reef or into the Coral Sea and

beyond.

MV COSMOS

General Specs Launched: 1987

Length Overall: 27.68m (92‘)

Beam: 7.00m

Draft: 2.40m

Builder: Lloyds Ships Australia

Survey: 2B

Cabins: 3 Guest

Sleeping Capacity: 6-8 persons

Water: 3500L/day

Power Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C18 859HP

Generators: 1 x Sea Wasp 73 KVA, 1

x Sea Wasp 30KVA

Build Aluminium Displacement Hull

Features Air-conditioned throughout, 1x queen

master stateroom, 2 x double + single

guest staterooms, 1 x tender, 2 x jet

skies, scuba diving equipment and

compressor, refuelling facilities,

stabilisers, complete communications

system, heli-pad facilities on top deck.

Charter Enquires Oceania Sportfishing Club Concierge

Contact: David Joyce

Tel: (0) 412 761 016



Where’s your next marine adventure....

Seawalker @ Green Island. Click to visit - www.seawalker.com.au.

Seawalker Green Island 5 Seastar Rated Helmet Dive Adventure Green Island Dive Centre Phone: 0407 581 096 www.seawalker.com.au

Queensland Scuba Dive Company Reefhabitat Project Partner Berth 91 Mariners Cove Marina, Gold Coast Phone: 61 7 5564 0058 www.qldscubadive.com.au

Hervey Bay Whale Watching 5 Seastar Rated Whale Adventure Urangan Harbour, Hervey Bay Phone: 61 7 4128 9611 www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au

That’s Awesome 4½ Seastar Rated Whale Adventure Urangan Harbour, Hervey Bay Phone: 1800 653 775 www.awesomeadventure.com.au

Bruny Island Charters 4½ Seastar Rated Marine Adventure Adventure Bay, Tasmania Phone: 61 3 6293 1465 www.brunyislandcruises.com.au

Tasman Cruises 4½ Seastar Rated Marine Adventure Port Arthur, Tasmania Phone 61 3 6250 2200 www.tasmancruises.com.au

Calypso Mango Charters Premium Seastar Gamefishing Adventure Marina Mirage, Port Douglas Enquires: Marinelife Expeditions 0412 761 016

Askari Charters 5 Seastar Rated Gamefishing Expedition Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns Phone: 0433 747 413 www.hardcoregamefishing.com.au

Sea Probe Fishing Charters 5 Seastar Rated Reef Fishing Adventure Southport Broadwater, Gold Coast Phone: 0400 312 330 www.seaprobecharters.com

Coral Sea Charter Company 5 Seastar Rated Reef Fishing Expedition Mackay Marina, Mackay Phone: 61 7 4955 5032 www.coralseacharter.com.au

Kekoa Sport and Gamefishing 5 Seastar Rated Gamefishing & Sportfishing Expedition Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns Phone: 0428 789 840 www.kekoa.com.au

Tradition Charters Adventure Network Members Gold Coast and Cairns Phone: 61 (0) 427 758 768 www.traditioncharters.com

For more information contact: Pacific Marinelife Institute www.marinelifetraveller.blogspot.com

http://www.seawalker.com.au/

ON BOARD + ON SHORE

Products and Services

PMIFBS Supports Institute

When it comes time to get on the water, PMI Finance

Broking Services can help with your finance needs. Our

PMIFBS Team has over 50 years combined experience in

the finance, boating and marine tourism industries and

can assist in sourcing finance for your new and used boat

purchases, refit or construction. Benefit from a Registered

Finance Broker like PMIFBS helping you select a finance

package to suit your needs. PMIFS is the proud Principal

Partner of the Pacific Marinelife Institute. A percentage of

every finance solution is contributed to the Institute‘s

fishery, reef, cetacean and coastal habitat research

projects. For more information, call Dale Joyce on 0407

738 644 or email: [email protected]

Assegai Refit Centre

Renowned custom Sportfisher builder Assegai Marine,

operates a refit centre as part of its facilities at Meridien

Marina Horizon Shores on the Gold Coast. Well known

for their 44-56ft range of Assegai game fishing boats,

Barry Martin and the team are also experts in redesign or

restoration of boats. Learning his craft at the famed

Norman Wright boat builders in Brisbane, the team are

very accustomed to working with the old traditions of boat

building. Services available include extensions, system

design installation, general engineering, maintenance,

resprays and engine alignments. For more information

phone Barry at Assegai Marine on +61 (0) 7 5546 2798

or email: [email protected].

A World of Experience

Captain Greg Edwards has fished around the world and

learnt from some of the best, and you can now benefit

from this experience. Looking to buy or build a game

boat, fish remote destinations around the Pacific, set up a

new game boat or learn the techniques of light and heavy

tackle sportfishing. Greg now offers assistance with all of

this through Sportfishinglive. He is also the Australian

representative for John Blumenthal Yacht Broker, a

Florida based broker that specialises in importing new

and pre-owned gamefishing boats into Australia. Benefit

from dealing from years of combined professional. If you

are in the market for a game boat, contact Greg (Muddy)

on 0457 021 365 or [email protected]

Sunset Bar Crew Base

Located on the northern side of Marina Mirage, the

Sunset Bar Waterfront Cafe Bar and Grill is a favourite

breakfast and lunch venue for visiting game boat and

super yacht crews mooring at Oceanus Marina or

Versace Marina. Sunset Bar and Grill is also the Pacific

Marinelife Institute‘s ‗wharf office‘. A great spot to meet

with the crews, talk about the research projects or

conduct an interview for the Fishery History Project.

Looking out over the marina, it is the prefect place for

hearty breakfasts, fresh seafood from the nearby trawler

wharf and great toasted sandwich combos. And don‘t

forget the coffee with a chocolate on the side. Open for

breakfast till late, take away orders available.


Offsets that make a real difference to our oceans and coastal ecosystems.

THIS IS NO ORDINARY FISHING CLUB

Membership has it privileges including exclusive entry to

the Oceania Sportfish Challenge.

Request a membership information pack

by contacting David Joyce on 0412 761016, or

email: [email protected]

Oceania Sportfishers Magazine July 2011

Documents

Transcript of Oceania Sportfishers Magazine July 2011