Amazon underway in the Sounds
LEFT: Large flood lights turn dark in day
BELOW: The solid hydralic anchor winch
absent from many work boat interiors that tend to favour a more male functionality.
an ideal boat. After looking across the ditch in Australia, and in New Zealand, they decided on something similar to their old boat, the 21 year old Tempest. But this is a modernised version with the addition of improved speed and performance that sleeps eight instead of just the two traditional crew bunks. When Brendon started crewing with Bill as a 17 year old, it was to be the start of a 25 year relationship. Now they have a sound understanding of how each other thinks, their likes and dislikes, how to work together without thinking, and finally, what would be the best in a boat for them. Construction of Amazon started in July 2008, and after a long haul they are both very pleased with the final product four years later. The project was managed locally by their trusted friend Richard Orchard, until his passing in November 2010, after which time Allan Guard oversaw the interior completion. On this note I am sure a woman must have been involved in this part of the design stage, because carpet, covers and the general finish show a 'women's touch', a feature generally
similar to 10 Professional Skipper July/August 2012
The diesel stove, a standard option on most southern boats, not only keeps the interior of the boat warm, it is also great for keeping the billy hot all day ready for that warming cuppa. Clearly roast dinners are an easy favourite for hard working guys at sea. The Whirlpool microwave and two-burner induction hob add to the cooking options, as well as a normal toaster and jug. They are all great labour-saving items and make for an easy life cooking aboard. Over the sink are both hot and cold fresh running water, and a cold salt water tap that can save a huge amount of fresh water when preparing dinner or cleaning up. The microwave is one of the new breed that will crisp the roast chicken nicely or bake the muffins for visitors within minutes. The crew may have to practice a little, and if all else fails maybe read the book! With an overall length of 62 feet (18.9m) and beam of 18 feet (5.5m) (for some reason these boys still talk in imperial), this boat is not small. Even so the amount of room throughout is surprising. In the main saloon the dinette has seating for six at the table and there is a television overhead, meaning that when not fishing, time can be spent relaxing and watching TV while having dinner. Off the saloon is a good sized shower/toilet cubical, as well as the second heads/ shower, accessed from the outside on deck. This is useful as it allows two divers to come aboard and warm up as soon as possible when doing dive or charter work.
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The main accommodation arrangement means that the below- decks space could be used to provide a total of eleven berths, all with a view of the second television set. With three double bunks, two in cabins, and the five single bunks, when all the family come away there is a lot more comfort than having to sleep on the floor of the cabin as they had to do in their previous boat. Both Bill and Brendon have put a lot of thought into creating this design to provide the storage needed when a number of
