AMAZON
a southern maiden
BY PAM WEGENER, PHOTOS BY ROD WEGENER
Bill Hansen and Brendan Gentle have
been operating Amazon in George and
Charles Sounds out of Milford since she
was launched in February this year. Here at
Professional Skipper magazine we don't know
whether it was the story about FCV's, or the
shot off Amazon on the cover, but if you still
have the 88 edition of the magazine hang on
to it – they're all sold out!
B
ill and Brendon spent years dreaming up the
features their new boat would have and now
that they've tested her in the unforgiving
waters around Fiordland they know its been
time well spent. Her hull form isn't just good looking, its
an amazingly seakindly boat. What this means for them
is that the sea conditions they're working in aren't the
issue they once were. As Brendan says, they just go out
to work getting more days in, which of course is a huge
boost to their bottom line. More crays in less working
days makes very good sense. And when the weather
does stop them from going out, the time spent sheltering in Fiordland really is, as good as a day off.
The hull is glass over ply construction, on timber
frames and stringers, and with its fine cabin, paint
finish using Altex coatings and protection paint
systems, and gleaming stainless steel, it all makes
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for a vessel that looks more like a superyacht conversion
than what it actually is – a fully functioning and
operational fishing vessel.
Inside, the fitting and finish of the cabin looks like a
smart family fishing/cruising boat and the clean lines
of the helm station with its toggle control and raft of
electronics are everything you would expect in a state of
the art working vessel.
Advance Trident Limited were contracted to supply
the navigational electronics, communications package,
including satellite TV and a Panasonic CCTV Camera
System to cover the unmanned engine room and the
blind spot on the aft deck for crew safety. The Simrad
range of electronics are extensive and include: a NSE12
GPS Chartplotter, BSM-1 Broad Band Sounder, SSM-1
Structure Scan, RS25 VHF Radio and Wireless Repeater,
VHF/Intercom, AP35 Auto Pilot, OP40 Repeater Helm
Station & Monitor, JRC JMA 3316 6Kw Open Array
Radar, and JRC SSB HF Radio. It's all far too technical
for a lass like me but I am sure the boys will be starting
to drool. Because of the isolation of her intended fishing
area Amazon has been fitted with an Iridium 9555
Satellite phone, and a Intellian i4 Satellite TV antenna,
