Spy Boats

Australia’s newest boat builder, Spy Boats conducted a not-so-secret launch at the recent Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show. A collaboration between established boat manufacturers, Whittley Marine and Peter Webb’s Performance Marine, the company showed off its new 21- and 22-foot wake and ski boats to an appreciative audience.

Company principals, Neville Whittley and Peter Webb said Spy Boats will compete at the quality end of the market, especially against top-end American boats.

Webb and the Whittley design team have created five Spy models on two hull lengths using Whittley’s cutting-edge computer aided design (CAD) technology.

Automotive design cues and the latest marine engineering technology have been integrated to give the boats a high-tech edge, evident in their sharp styling and the sophisticated construction that lies beneath.

The 21-foot models are both centre-mounts, but are configured as specialist ski or wake boats.

With the 22-foot hull, there are rear-mount sport and wake models and a centre-mount, dual-purpose ski and wake boat.

Beneath their sleek hulls, with a hint of BMW in their moulded haunches, according to the manufacturers, Spy Boats are exceptionally strong yet lightweight, thanks to sophisticated computerised design.

In keeping with Peter Webb’s long experience in first-class ski boat fit-out, Spy Boats are powered by MerCruiser engines (most using the top-of-the-range Black Scorpion powerplants). They will ride on customised Easytow trailers and come with the very best Clarion audio systems.

Spy and Whittley intend to take on the best of American boats in the Australian market, and eventually intend to take the battle to the American makers on their home ground.

As the only Australian manufacturer with its own factory in the USA, Whittley will eventually build Spy Boats alongside its Cruiser, Sea Legend and Clearwater ranges at its plant in Willacoochee, Georgia.

Go to: www.spyboats.com.au for more information.

Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht

To be launched at the 2007 Sydney International Boat Show in early August, Riviera says its new 4400 Sport Yacht takes luxury boating to a new level with its lightweight, yet robust hull construction and Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) propulsion, which includes Volvo Penta’s joystick docking system.

The 4400 Sport Yacht design continues the indoor-outdoor theme and sense of light and space introduced on the first award-winning Riviera 3600 Sport Yacht and carried on to the 4700SY. Exterior lines have been further refined to create even more visual appeal, says Riviera. Bonded glass windows each side of the boat are a striking feature that, together with an opening porthole each side, allow natural light and ventilation into the aft cabin of the boat.

According to Riviera, the two cabin/two bathroom cruiser exudes style and is packed with all the modern conveniences, making it the ultimate in lifestyle-orientated vessels.

Designed with the aid of the latest CAD software systems, Riviera says the 4400 Sport Yacht contains a host of new innovations and technologies for both Riviera and the marine industry at large.

The hull has been constructed utilising infusion moulding technology rather than the traditional open moulded lay-up of fibreglass and resin. And the twin Volvo IPS 500 diesel engines, rated at 370hp each, can be optioned-up to IPS 600s, rated at 435hp. Stylish new engine room air inlet vents are moulded as scoops outside the side coamings.

The cockpit is both spacious and functional, with a wide lounge across the transom. A large table with drink holders is mounted on gas-assisted high/low pedestals.

A wet bar, including solid surface top with sink and mixer tap, is built into the port forward quarter of the cockpit. The wet bar features a stainless steel refrigerator as standard. An icemaker can be added to complement the fridge in lieu of the standard locker and garbage bin.

A large storage locker, accessed from the swim platform, is built into the rear of the transom for fenders and owner’s gear. An optional hydraulic swim platform lifter can be fitted for launching and retrieving a tender.

Joinery throughout the vessel is the highest grade American Cherry timber, finished in multiple coats of high-gloss polyurethane varnish applied by Riviera’s robotic varnish system.

Air conditioning is standard to the saloon and galley areas, with outlets to the windscreen to help prevent fogging.

The Master stateroom?is?equipped with a queen?walk-around island berth, complete with inner spring mattress. There is storage under the berth in the form of drawers, while the entire bed is hinged and supported by two gas struts to reveal a large storage space beneath.

For more information, go to: www.riviera.com.au

Gemini Inflatables

Gemini Inflatables is no newcomer to the inflatable scene.

As inflatable specialists, Gemini says its range features everything from small ship-to-shore tenders, to luxury white boat tenders, rescue and military vessels and tougher-than-tough oceangoing boats for commercial operators in dive, tourism and environmental niches. The company’s range runs from 7- to 30-foot craft.

Greg James, Gemini Inflatables director, says the company’s highest volume performers are the American-made range of Caribe Deluxe inflatables, notably the DL11 and DL12 luxury tenders.

“We can’t get enough of these into our stores to meet the demand,” says James. “Wait lists feature the who’s who of Australian industry. They are the ultimate white boat accessory.

“We fit them out and integrate them with 30hp or 40hp motors and out they go. They have a great life, turning up in the Whitsundays, Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean.”

James says that, apart from their great looks, the crafts’ features make them popular as water toys.

Standard features include three air chambers, 22.7-litre fresh water tank, pop-up anchoring cleat, bilge pump, folding ladder and fresh water shower.

Visit the Caribe website at: www.caribeinflatables.com for full specifications on the Caribe range.

For more information on the rest of Gemini’s product line, call (07) 5573 7265 or go to: www.gemini-inflatables.com.