Boat Reviews & Insights Menu
BOAT REVIEWS
Discover New Zealand’s best boats with expert reviews, specs, and local insights—sailboats, powerboats, and yachts covered.
BOAT REVIEW
GHB 10.5m powercat
Launch
Makédo’s construction is a foam-cored, epoxy sandwich: Corecell foam for the hulls and Divinycell fo...
Displacement (M):
3479
Length Over All (M):
10.7
Construction:
Composite
BOAT REVIEW
Grand Banks 54 Laughalot
Launch
The Grand Banks 54 delivers traditional styling with timeless good looks, comfortable accommodations...
Displacement (M):
25000
Length Over All (M):
18.41
Construction:
Composite
BOAT REVIEW
Pescador 35
Launch
In a market that can sometimes confuse bling with ease of use and reliability, it is refreshing to s...
Displacement (M):
7500
Length Over All (M):
10.8
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Stabicraft 1450 Frontier ProFish
Trailer Boat
Stabicraft boats will need no introduction to anyone with New Zealand boating experience.
Horsepower (HP):
50
Length Over All (M):
4.42
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Legacy Marine L35 Awatea
Launch
The Legacy 35 was designed by the world-famous, New Zealand-based LOMOcean team.
Displacement (M):
6000
Length Over All (M):
10.58
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Aluka 823 Walkaround
Launch
At rest, the boat was extremely comfortable, and certainly fits the family-friendly bill.
Horsepower (HP):
350
Length Over All (M):
8.23
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Wright 52 Powercat
Launch
The Wright 52’s interior exudes sheer comfort, usability, and Kiwi boat-building craft.
Displacement (M):
16000
Length Over All (M):
15.4
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Artnautica 60 Sportfisher
Launch
The hull and IPS 800s make for a happy marriage. Matuku cruises at 23-24 knots, consuming about 155 ...
Displacement (M):
22000
Length Over All (M):
18
Construction:
Carbon Fibre
BOAT REVIEW
Parker 920 Explorer Max
Power Boat
The 920 Explorer Max was conceived as a multi-role vessel: a day boat, fast commuter, sportfisher an...
Displacement (M):
3413
Length Over All (M):
9.95
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
L980 semi-displacement powercat Emocean
Launch
Semi-displacement power cats work well when the hulls are narrow and the bridge decks high.
Length Over All (M):
9.80
Construction:
Composite
BOAT REVIEW
Dufour 470
Yacht
Nothing is more enjoyable to sail to windward than a deep-keeled monohull.
Displacement (M):
13200
Length Over All (M):
14.85
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Swift Trawler 48
Launch
Mature boaties will love the walk-around side decks, the ease of the sliding door at the helm, and t...
Displacement (M):
12200
Length Over All (M):
14.7
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095
Launch
The Merry Fisher 1095 should prove to be a most cost-effective vessel to run and own, while at the s...
Displacement (M):
4638
Length Over All (M):
10.75
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
E-40 Powercat
Launch
The E-40 PowerCat is the latest in a long line of engineering and boating innovations by John McGett...
Displacement (M):
3600
Length Over All (M):
12
Construction:
Composite
BOAT REVIEW
Boston Whaler 360 Outrage
Power Boat
Formally introduced at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show, the 360 Outrage has been nothing shor...
Displacement (M):
6070
Length Over All (M):
11.12
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Rodman 890 Ventura
Launch
The Rodman 890 Ventura is sold with the promise of quality, prestige, innovative features and excell...
Displacement (M):
5150
Length Over All (M):
8.90
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Innovision 757 Explorer
Trailer Boat
The stern of the 757 is a great example of what a fishing boat should be.
Horsepower (HP):
400
Length Over All (M):
7.65
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Beneteau GT45
Launch
The GT has a very Mediterranean feel to it, with its swooshy styling and open entertaining areas jus...
Displacement (M):
11241
Length Over All (M):
14.78
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Wind Spirit – LSB 24m Expedition Ketch
The warm tones of the naturally finished anegre wood paneling creates a snug ambience and the carefu...
Displacement (M):
50000
Length Over All (M):
24
Construction:
Wood
BOAT REVIEW
Regal 42 Grand Coupe
Launch
Steering is light and the Regal responds immediately to helm inputs.
Displacement (M):
11204
Length Over All (M):
12.78
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Classic 45
Launch
Stepping into the saloon one is immediately impressed by the spacious full-width salon and generous ...
Displacement (M):
19500
Length Over All (M):
13.98
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Sasga Menorquín 54
Launch
The boat feels like a large boat underway, its 24 tonnes just gliding along, powered by twin Volvo D...
Displacement (M):
24260
Length Over All (M):
17.15
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
King K5000 RIB
Launch
If you’re in the market for a highly spec’d, high-quality RIB with good looks and performance, take ...
Length Over All (M):
5.1
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Sea Ray SLX 260
Launch
Sea Ray has always been about raising the bar and going beyond the expected.
Displacement (M):
2.52
Length Over All (M):
9.41
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Caribbean 2400 Hardtop
Trailer Boat
These vessels will take you a long way out, run all day long, and get you back home safe, sound, and...
Horsepower (HP):
400
Length Over All (M):
8.0
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Legacy L70
Launch
Legacy Marine’s first L70 is the sort of sportfishing paragon other vessels will be measured against...
Displacement (M):
60000
Length Over All (M):
24
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Sealegs 12m RIB Cabin
Power Boat
On land it’s a big machine to pilot – tall, wide, and long, with a very wide turning circle, though ...
Displacement (M):
7000
Length Over All (M):
11.3
Construction:
Aluminium
BOAT REVIEW
Maritimo S600
Launch
Such is the refinement, handling and practical feel of the excellent Maritimo S600, it reminds me of...
Displacement (M):
32600
Length Over All (M):
18.62
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Buccaneer Exess XL
Trailer Boat
The overwhelming impression I took away from our few hours on Lake Dunstan is how well this boat goe...
Horsepower (HP):
200
Length Over All (M):
6.46
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Princess F55
Launch
Princess has been making high quality motoryachts since 1965, with a range that currently runs from ...
Displacement (M):
4.6
Length Over All (M):
17.6
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Fjord 38xpress
Launch
The angular lines of plumb bow, flat sheer and abrupt transom are reminiscent of the Banfield’s Wall...
Displacement (M):
6060
Length Over All (M):
11.63
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Candela C7
Trailer Boat
One of the keys to the C7’s impressive performance is its light weight. All up, it weighs just 1.4 t...
Displacement (M):
1300
Length Over All (M):
7.7
Construction:
Carbon Fibre
BOAT REVIEW
Sasga 42 HT
Launch
The Menorquín range (pronounced Men-or-keen) are based on the look and shape of a traditional small ...
Displacement (M):
11260
Length Over All (M):
13.2
Construction:
Fibreglass (GRP)
BOAT REVIEW
Dreadnort V5500 CC
Trailer Boat
Gypsy Rose is a highly-spec’d semi-custom V5500 CC model with several customer-driven features.
Displacement (M):
1970
Length Over All (M):
5.76
Construction:
Aluminium