Bass Strait 40 - Sensational Cheese, Superb Wine and Stunning Boats
by John Curnow on 24 Sep 2014
Steaming away from Arthurs Seat at the bottom of Melbourne’s Port Phillip. Alex McKinnon Photography
http://www.alexmckinnonphotography.com
These are some life’s great pleasures and ones you really do want to share. After all, if something has been finely crafted, it’s almost one’s duty to indulge others in the pleasures you’re partaking. Now ever since Aranui's significant keel was first laid down, this 40 footer has been a talking point. So much so, that it was not long before the team at Corsair Boats in Rosebud, Victoria were on to building another Bass Straight Motor Yacht, albeit she would be five feet shorter. Today, the order book is already growing longer, as this special craft gets her bottom wet for the first time.
You see bespoke takes you into that other realm, where your dreams and desires become reality. Not that this naval architect penned vessel is a fantasy. No sir! She has been built to go into Survey and has been masterfully constructed to have some big muscles, yet still wear an evening gown as well as any super model up on the catwalk.
Powering her is a single Yanmar 530Hp Diesel, which drives a swept back, five-bladed screw with variable pitch inserts. 2000litres of fuel and a 1 metric tonne of water ensure you’ll be able to look at some serious blue water cruising or have a few very luxurious days afloat, as you hop up the coast somewhere.
You’ll do it all at a leisurely nine knots, burning a somewhat miserly 15 litres an hour. However, should the urge arise, or the need to duck for cover as some weather bears down on you, you can give her the beans, she’ll happily lift her skirts and run off at around 20 knots.
All the while, her custom, hand built interior, with a modern and slick feel will make you feel like you’re one of the first to have sailed on the majestic liner, United States. At the very same time, all the Huon Pine flourishes and Tallowood interior deck will not only give you the home like feel, but serve as a wonderful aide memoir to the inherent high level construction that was deployed in to this 12 tonne artwork.
Built from Western Red Cedar strip planks and massive ring frames, this epoxy skinned beauty will be around for many a decade to come and probably not need any new fittings in that time, for everything is over-specced and of the highest grade materials to be found. 'We really have put everything in to this boat and were lucky to have an owner who wanted to go the extra mile. She has been a joy to watch as she takes shape and will definitely give all who are lucky enough to enjoy time aboard her one terrific ride', said Mark Abbott, Corsair’s CEO.
So if you have the dream and want to see what you get when you cross bespoke with pedigree and seaworthiness with beauty, then you do need to speak with Corsair Boats. At over 10,000 man-hours there is a reason Aranui looks the way she does. Soon you’ll be able to see her on a catwalk, but for now go to www.corsairboats.com.au for all the latest information.
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