Boatbuilding Down Under

To understand what makes Australian boatbuilding special, you need to understand Australian boaters, and the qualities they look for in their vessels. I set out to learn both on a recent stint down under, at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

On a sea trial of a new Maritimo in sporty seas, company captain Roscoe Wellington encapsulated his home country. “People here don’t just leave their boats at the dock, they use ’em,” he said with a cool, confident Aussie accent. “They go out in the rough stuff.”

Boaters need tough boats to handle the notorious waters off Australia. And it’s that toughness that has led to a boom in the popularity of Aussie boats in the U.S.

“Fifty percent of our boats have made their way to America,” says Elandra Managing Director Luke Durham (at press time, Elandra had just been purchased by Maritimo yachts and will continue building as Elandra by Maritimo). “We expect that 70 percent of our boats will be exported to the U.S. in coming years because of the decline of the Aussie dollar compared to the greenback (at press time, the ratio was .75:1).”

“People like Australian boats in the U.S. because of the integrity of the build. I’m proud to say that any Australian builder, whether it be Riviera, Maritimo, Palm Beach, or us, you know you’re going to be getting a really good product at a strong price,” Durham says.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts (shown here) was also reporting that 70 percent of the boats built this year were bound for U.S. waters.

“The long distances between ports here means that our boats have to have good range,” Durham says. “We find that’s popular with those on the U.S. West Coast, and even the East Coast, where many boaters will travel north and south. We do a lot of what we call camping on our boats, which means dropping the anchor for three or four or even more days and living on the boats. So they’re really self-sufficient, they have big water capacity, a lot of fridge space.”

Well built, lots of range, with excellent fit and finish? It’s safe to say that such craft will always be in demand.

Flying Tender

A helicopter landing or taking off from the deck of a superyacht—you can work in the marine industry your whole life and still be awestruck by the sight.

The ability to escape an isolated atoll and grab dinner in an exotic city is a level of freedom that few ever experience. And the choppers that provide this freedom may be getting some stiff competition from float planes, thanks to the Icon Aircraft A5 ($189,000).

Our friends at our sister publication Yachts International think this could be a viable option for superyacht owners, because the wings of the craft collapse, leaving the beam at a svelte 8.5 feet. Built for two passengers, the Icon A5 is said to reach a maximum airborne speed of 120 miles per hour. iconaircraft.com

Mercedes of the Sea

Automobile manufacturers have, in the past, tried their hand at yacht design. Sometimes it works out okay, and other times, well, not so much.

With the launch of the highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz Arrow 460 Granturismo, auto makers may have finally gotten one in the win column. A collaboration between Mercedes-Benz Style and Silver Arrows Marine, the 46-foot Arrow 460 sports some stare-worthy lines and a shimmering metallic paint scheme to boot. Able to accommodate 10 guests, the sleek cruiser is powered by twin 960-horsepower Yanmar 6LY3-ETPs, which should produce a top speed near 40 knots.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the images

48 Hours In: Camden

Even in August, if you dip your toes in the water in Camden, Maine, your total body temperature drops precipitously. But walking through the quaint downtown, past a bakery or a boutique shop, will warm your heart right up. And if solitude is what you seek, a hike through Camden Hills State Park—with an occasional stop for blueberries—is a sweet way to spend an afternoon. In short, Camden is a must-stop when cruising Maine.

Olympic Spirit

Looking for a summer cocktail to enjoy while getting into the Olympic spirit? A Rio Mojito might be just the drink for you. Give it a try and let us know what you think. And go Team USA!

✶ 1 part Rio D Cachaça
✶ Lime wedges
✶ Mint leaves
✶ Sugar
✶ 3 parts club soda

To blend this cocktail you’ll want to muddle the limes and sugar (amount to taste) in a low glass and place in the mint leaves. Fill with ice and rum and top off with club soda.

This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.