The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft, je
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P enterprise, they had already developed a target market to build on. So they were ahead of the eight ball, so to speak. They had identified the potential opportunity in their busi- ness plan and so approached Kim Bertelsen at Alloy Cats (NZ) Ltd to design and build a vessel to fulfill their broad objectives. W The fullish hull sections with low deadrise, 4.8m beam and shallow draft enable the Wahine Moe to carry up to 70 passengers, while retaining impressive stability. Like many new custom builds, this one grew like Topsy as new ideas consumed valuable time and the pressure came on. The delivery date was set in stone and she had to complete sea trials and be ready to carry sightseeing passengers, cater for functions and do overnight trips on Raglan Harbour from January 6. No pressure here! The Wahine Moe is constructed in 5083 marine alloy with 5mm plate forming the hull bottom and 4mm on the sides. The superstructure is a mix of 4mm and 3mm in the light areas, such as the rooftop. Wahine Moe, "sleeping lady" in Maori, features a huge saloon that can be configured in several different ways, depending on how she is being used. For overnight accommodation there is a double bed in the saloon, plus the usual freestanding furniture, and access to four double-bed cabins down below within the hulls. 66 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 PARTY BOAT Few charter boat operators can claim to be able to see claim opportunities, tap into tourist streams and make things happen. hen Charlie Young and Erin Rogers decided they needed a harbour function boat to weld their surf school, backpacker and tourist lodges into an integrated Motel afloat or While some may find these beds slightly claustrophobic, there is ample lighting from two port windows per cabin, and ventilation fans to freshen the air. During the cooler months, a gas fireplace is installed aft in the saloon to maintain the room temperature at a comfortable level. This also requires a fixed level of ventilation to ensure fumes do not enter the vessel or the sleeping quarters. A generous galley trimmed in laminated bamboo occupies the starboard side, and aft on the port side is a sliding door to a domestic-type toilet and vanity. The Wahine Moe has another head, complete with vanity and shower, accessed from the aft deck. Both toilets flush into their own 600 litre holding tanks, which are pumped out by a black water or sewage facility on the Raglan Wharf. Because the Wahine Moe can be deliberately left high and dry on a receding tide, fresh water from a 600 litre water tank is used for flushing, rather than seawater. This also eliminates the sea odour often associated with dying plankton in the system. A further 600 litres of water is supplied for domestic use. A side boarding gate is port side aft, and permanently mounted adjacent to this is a large gas barbecue on the port quarter for lunches when catering for large groups. It's also great for outdoor cooking, such as grilled fish in the evenings or a champagne brekkie for overnight guests. Swimmers can use a second boarding gate in the middle of the transom between the outboard motors, with a gate that drops to become a diving ladder at the stern. A nifty "whale twist" open cockpit shower is stowed neatly within this aft deck boarding area so swimmers or muddy walkers can clean up before entering the vessel. Wide steps laid with Tek Dek synthetic teak lead up to the expansive upper deck, where the Wahine Moe boasts a spa, an exceptional feature on a 15m vessel. Guests clearly relish sitting back with cold bubbles in hand, hot bubbles around them and the sun sinking serenely into the Tasman Sea. Oh for the life of Riley. The for'ard