Bladerunner Boats Ltd
CRAFTSMEN IN ALLOY
4b Loft Place,
Kumeu,
Auckland West
bl d
Phone 64 9 412 8096
fax 64 9 412 6223
email: bladerunner@xtra.co.nz
G
bil 027 2899508
ABOVE: Survey computer
RIGHT: KAB Helm seat
BELOW: Sidescan images
of wreck below
VIP.S88
4b Loft Place, Kumeu, Auckland West
Phone 64-9-412 8096, Fax 64-9-412 6223
email: bladerunner@xtra.co.nz, Greg Mobile: 027 289 9508
www.bladerunner.co.nz
Power Solutions
MARINE ENGINES | INDUSTRIAL | GENERATORS | SOLAR
Heavy duty
Continuous rated
Low rpm
Low fuel use
"The power
house of
marine
engines"
PROVEN
RELIABILITY
VIP.WB13
while they are still in an unexploded state..!
Knave's wonderful functionality was originally
designed for use in Australia, and although she has
ended up in New Foundland, Greg went ahead and
got design approvals for Australia anyway and is hoping
that Aussie skippers might need an aluminium boat of
Knave's functionality, built by one of the best aluminium
boatbuilders in the world.
Ken wanted the largest amount of boat he could
fit onto a trailer so he could truck the boat around
Newfoundland's myriad ofwaterways for his marine
survey business. He also needed a comfortable working
platform that was durable, stable and that you could
sleep in overnight. He saw Bladerunner's Gambler, and
was impressed with the amount of boat you got for the
length because it meant they would be able to take the
boat just about anywhere with relative ease.
Ken had read the Professional Skipper article on NIWA's
research boat Rangitahi, and was impressed, despite
hydrofoil catamarans not being that popular where he
comes from. He knew he needed a catamaran's stability
for the remote sensing equipment, and the tough
durability of aluminium, so he went to Bladerunner
Boats where he could customise the design to suit his
specific requirements.
Ken had originally wanted the design to be capable of
operating in heavy seas, so he used the 2B category for
the 200 nautical mile limit in Australia as a model. While
consulting with an Australian surveyor in Adelaide he
suggested that you could achieve this by using a different
welding schedule with thicker stringers than Bladerunner
traditionally builds in their boats. As a result Knave is one
of the strongest boats around for her construction size,
and we understand that Bladerunner have adopted this
same interlocking construction method for all their new
commercial boats.
"We wanted a boat with a very high capacity for fuel
so that it would be able to make the 200 nautical mile
limit with relative ease, although the full fuel capacity
will not be used unless required for designated jobs,"
said Kenneth. "We have 1720 litres split between
We can build custom alloy craft to any design
for work or pleasure to 20 metres plus and we design
and build our own computer cut hydrofoil supported
catamarans for twin hulled safety economy and
performance – over eighty boats on the water – 5m-15m
for all uses – these offer large fuel savings and a wonderful
ride – call Greg for more information.
BEST PRICING
IN NEW ZEALAND
160-1200 HP
PHONE 09 299 6019
www.leesgroup.com
182 Great South Road, Takanini, Auckland
email marine@leesgroup.co.nz
030_LG_advert_workboatyearbk.indd 1
NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013 278:36 AM
16/11/11
