Boating NZ May 2018

We review the just-launched Absolute 58 – a superbly-crafted vessel from Italy. Equipped with twin IPS-800s (1200hp in total), this beauty’s highly-regarded for her frugal fuel consumption and maneuverability. She hosts seven guests with a maximum capacity of 14. A multiple world-champion of powerboat racing, Fabio Buzzi has just set a new world record for a diesel-powered vessel – 277.5 km/h. The milestone, certified by Guinness World Records, was achieved in March on Italy’s Lake Como. What’s particularly impressive is that Fabio is 75 years old. We profile the man and his remarkable achievements. The remarkable resurrection of one of New Zealand’s most revered hydroplanes. She featured in the recent NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow down at Lake Rotoiti, where she was driven by one of her original champions, Jon…

Billed as the world’s largest underwater restaurant – and the first in Europe – Under is a new, must-visit dining facility nearing completion on Norway’s southern coast. The 600m2 structure – scheduled to open next year – will accommodate 100 diners. The restaurant’s name is also a play on words: in Norwegian, ‘under’ can also be translated into ‘wonder.’ And the view promises to be wondrous. Half-submerged, the building’s monolithic form breaks the water surface to lie against the craggy shoreline. A massive 11m x 4m panoramic acrylic window offers a view of the seabed as it changes throughout the seasons and varying weather conditions. Diners will see all sorts of fish species swimming by, including huge cod, colourful lip fish, lobsters, seals, spiny dogfish and distinctive seaweed and kelp…

Riviera owners gathered recently at Westhaven’s R Flagship Marine to attend an anchoring seminar. The company’s managing director, Dean Horgan, initiated the seminar after witnessing anchoring carnage during over Christmas holidays, when numerous boats had to contend with cyclone Fehi. Dragged boats, tangled anchor lines, damaging collisions – you name it, says Dean, I saw it. A seminar about the better techniques of anchoring – presented by experts – seemed a good idea. He began with the closest group he knew – the owners of the Riviera boats he sells. The seminar – held in early April – was attended by around 50 people. Guest speaker was Steve Mair from Manson Anchors and Elvis Aitchison from Lusty and Blundell (covering the winch aspects of anchoring). Mini anchors and a sand…

Boasting more cabins than any other vessel afloat and with room for 6,680 passengers, the just-launched, 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas is the world’s largest ocean liner. She’s a slightly larger version of the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, the 22-month-old Harmony of the Seas. Harmony, in turn, was a bit bigger than the first two Oasis Class vessels, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Designed for vacationers who love big, bustling mega-resorts, the Oasis Class vessels have made waves in the cruise industry since they began debuting in 2009. All of the Oasis Class ships currently at sea are in excess of 225,000 tons — more than 30 percent larger than the next biggest cruise vessels. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley says the line’s…

CAT WITH A VIEW Stryda Marine has again teamed up with Kit Carlier Design and Stimson Yacht Design & Naval Architecture to produce a 10m power cat. The design is in response to enquiries for a multi-purpose charter vessel suitable for fishing and dive charters, while also providing a premium sightseeing platform for America’s Cup viewing. As a multi-role vessel, the cat offers outstanding visibility, a high level of comfort for guests, side boarding and an aft swim ladder. With structural design and stability designed to comply with MNZ 40.C for commercial operations beyond restricted limits, she’s a capable, functional craft that’s a lot sleeker than the average utilitarian charter boat. The symmetrical vee, planing hull form has plenty of volume to support 10 passengers and two crew, basic galley…

Two international expeditions are embarking on a hunt to find the wreck of the Endurance, Ernest Shackleton’s ship that was crushed by Antarctic pack ice in November 1915. The loss of the ship under the ice triggered one of history’s greatest survival stories. Shackleton and his 27 men spent weeks on the ice before using the ship’s lifeboats to reach nearby Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands. The most remarkable part of the epic, though, saw Shackleton and five others sail the jury-rigged James Caird lifeboat 800 miles from Elephant Island to South Georgia – across treacherous, freezing waters with scant navigational equipment. The remainder of the crew were rescued in August 1916. A number of previous expeditions to find the Endurance have failed. Beginning in January next year,…