Now a comfortable people
friendly ferry
One of the new
Yanmar engines
bulkhead, facing aft. On stepping into the upper cabin, this space
has got to be the business class of the ferry with table seating
for commuters with laptops or iPads. The d��cor is the same, but
what a nice place to travel. Mind you, you will have to be quick
or get stampeded in the rush.
On stepping into the enclosed bridge we find a completely
new, modern layout of all nav aids, switches and engine
instrumentation, and a new helm seat. We are pleased to find the
retention of a wheel at the conning position, although we note
there is a joystick control on the seat arm.
Vision is excellent and there are berthing controls each side.
We note the recording station and a small bench seat for when
crew are taking time out to rest their legs. Gone are the night
curtains, these have been replaced by 80 percent darkened blinds
that kill the cabin���s glare, but still allow the crew to see aft
through the upper cabin when operating on night vision.
Once underway the sound of the grunty 600hp Yanmars below
are reduced to an acceptable purr. Even on light load and when
slightly down at the head, the vessel quickly lifts to maintain an
even trim.
On watching Tiger Cat travelling with a load of commuters
later, we were impressed to see that the ���drag me arse while
pushing half the harbour��� look is now gone. Likewise, the wash
��� New Ship Build
��� Aluminium and Steel
Fabrication and Welding
22m
Beam
6.2m
Draft
Power
Passengers
Speed
1m
2 x Yanmar 600hp
148
22 knots
4 FRASER ST, WHANGAREI
V S
VIP.S91
4 Fraser Street, Whangarei, PO Box 11060 Whangarei NZ
14 Professional Skipper January/February 2013
LOA
��� Installation
��� Repair
��� Maintenance Services
Proud to be associated with the TIGER CAT project
E: glenn@whangarei-engineering.co.nz
n
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
PROMARINE
MARINE
ELECTRICAL
��� Ship Repair
��� Heavy Machining
and Fitting
Ph: +64 9 438 7802 ��� Fax:+64 9 438 7803
coming off this ferry at speed is now markedly improved making
for better relations on the upper harbour route and the Tamaki
Estuary.
In summary, this rebuild is an excellent example of how
successful a rebuild can be when the numbers stack up, rather
than pull the plug and go for new. In this case the new option by
the time it got to turn key would have taken the thick end of 10
months and $3 million.
Yes, when considering fleet replacement and upgrades, by
doing your homework and using the ship repair and refit
capability of our workboat industry. It is, a viable option to
breath a new commercial life into a vessel. And it may be that
when an expensive new build is on the cards that the budget
will just not support ��� it���s a viable option!
Phone: (09) 470 0559 or 027 669 6656
Email: promarine@oceaniamarine.co.nz
VIP
VIP S77
VIP S77
VIP.S7
