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
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The large purpose built trailer provides heading data to the Furuno NavPilot 711 autopilot. A Maretron Weather Station provides environmental information. Similarly, as part of the network, there is a Toughbook laptop running the PC-based charting program MaxSea Explorer, providing the user with a "second station" for information from and control of the network. Because much of Canada is isolated, onboard radio communications consist of an ICOM 504 VHF radio and 802 single sideband, each with appropriate antennas. Technical survey equipment onboard includes a POS MV Wavemaster dynamic positioning and orientation unit providing data for attitude, heading, heave, position and velocity and a Hemisphere 131 Differential GPS providing sub-600mm positioning information. All onboard data is directed through a multiplexer and sources can be selected through a system of rotary switches. By now we can start to see the true depth and capability of this vessel. While the Knave is essentially a day boat, given the long hours the crew will be expected to work when deployed the vessel is fitted with a KAB self-riding helm seat to reduce fatigue on the skipper. From this position the helmsman is afforded excellent all round vision with only a small area well aft of the beam blocked by the heads. In saying this, the helmsman can still see all four corners of the vessel and the small blind spot can be easily compensated for. Once underway and clear of the marina and channel restrictions Knave quickly responded to the touch on the twin throttles and quickly registered a top end speed of 42 knots on the GPS. Drop the revs to her most economical service speed of 25 knots and she is consuming 70 litres an hour giving a working range of 500nm. The Knave was surprisingly nimble at speed and easy to control in the turns. I was even more impressed when coming back into the marina how easy she was to manoeuvre even when turning and berthing within the tight confines of the work pontoon and mangroves. Clearly the distance between the main engines giving the twin-screw manoeuvring ability is a significant advantage that will come into its own when in service on the Canadian waterways. Loaded on the trailer On arrival, sitting comfortably on her purpose built Canadian approved triple-axle alloy trailer she will be matched to her intended tow vehicle, a new Ford F550 Super Duty rated to 26,500lbs towing GVM utilizing the fifth wheel and turn table coupling which is quite common in the northern hemisphere where it is used in preference to the rig feeder coupling. The breaking system and trailer components are all American, supplied by CM Equipment incorporating a Kodiac electric hydraulic breaking system for six stainless steel disc breaks. In summary, Bladerunner Boats and Greg Shine have a well- earned reputation for building quality strong vessels of this type and in reviewing Knave it is easy to see why. With the added stringer strength as recommended by the Australian standards, the vessel while heavy in deadweight, is also heavily constructed and designed to carry a heavy load. The workmanship throughout is good and the finish of the exterior has been random sanded, acid washed before the application of three coats of Nyalic clear coatings, leaving a pleasant look and durable finish. On arrival in Canada, yes she will be different from the norm and will turn heads. But it is our guess that when she starts work, doing what she has been designed to do efficiently will ensure young Kenneth Keeping will be chuckling all the way to the bank. SPECIFICATIONS Length overall Hull length Displacement (light ship) Power 10.4m 9.0m Beam 3.1m Construction 5083 marine grade alloy plate 5500kg 2 x 250hp Yamaha 4-stroke Petrol 1720 litres Diesel 125 litres Water 240 litres Electronics ENL Designer Greg Shine Builder Bladerunner Boats Limited Built to MNZ SSM coastal and Australian 2B offshore. A unique anticorrosive clear coat that lasts CLEAR SURFACE PROTECTION Nyalic® is a Registered Trademark of HBI Inc. TUFF PREPTM , RIGHT RINSETM 16 Professional Skipper May/June 2012 NZ/EUROPE • www.nyalic.co.nz AUSTRALIA • www.nyalic.com.au USA • www.nyalic.com Ph 0800 692 542 , BUILDING PREPTM and SIMPLE PREPTM are all trademarks of HBI Inc. © 2002 HBI Inc. www.nyalic.com VIP.S87