Fuel economy trend for Powerboats

by Sail-World on 20 Jul 2008 The popularity of the Mainship brand continues to grow after an extremely successful presence at Sanctuary Cove Boat Show. With a surge in demand Mainship sold all their stock boats before the show and are now awaiting the arrival of a brand new 45 foot Trawler. The Trawler will be the first of the kind in the country but you can catch a glimpse of her sistership, the 40 Trawler, at the Sydney International Boat Show (July 31st to August 5th).

The 40 Trawler is only up for sale because her lucky owner decided to upgrade to the new 45 foot model; his new boat is due out of the factory on the 1st August and will then be shipped to Australia. Apart from this 40 footer, one of the few Mainships currently for sale in this country is a 34 foot Pilot which has recently arrived at the ‘Boat Brokers of Tasmania’ in Oyster Cove Marina.

Steve Taylor, proprietor of the Kettering based brokerage, said that he was delighted to have the 34 Pilot in stock and that the brand was a natural choice for Tasmania’s rugged conditions. The arrival of the 34 footer has already sparked intense interest among local connoisseurs; with Tasmania’s strong tradition in wooden boat building, there have been many enthusiastic, and informed, viewers of Mainships superior grade of cabinetry.

Chris Szewczuk from Mainship Australia’s head office in Lake Macquarie, NSW said that the quality of the internal joinery really needed to be seen to be appreciated:

'It’s the tiny things that Mainship does that other companies scrimp on these days – lockers lined with cedar which is a natural insect repellent, American cherry interiors that are a beautiful honey colour, and all our flybridge boats have staircases, not ladders. They are truly inviting and some of the best around.'

Chris and her husband Wally have been importing the Mainship brand since 1999, trading as Auspicious Yacht Sales, and have seen interest in the brand grow exponentially since the first vessels arrived into the country. Chris says that originally the classic, sturdy yet luxurious style of the Mainship range appealed to well heeled retirees; she smilingly refers to Mainships as the ‘thinking person’s powerboat.’

But over the years she has noticed a distinct polarisation in the type of people who are buying the boats. The brand was always popular with retired sailors, people who knew that not only do you need a vessel that looks good but you also need one that can handle rough conditions, and now it’s becomingly increasingly popular amongst young families.

People with kids are buying the boats because of their reputation as safe vessels, practical design and ease of handling; there’s also the added attraction of owning a boat which doesn’t cost a huge amount to run.

'When we first began with Mainship, our main market was the retiree, with cash and time to spare and an appreciation of the American aesthetic' she said.

'These days, we are attracting a much broader market, more families and younger couples. They not only enjoy the ease of operation, cruising capacity and elegance, but also 'the green credentials of the boats'.’

Prospective buyers at the major boat shows always ask about fuel consumption; now they seem to be turning away from the Miami Vice speed machines typical of the 1980s and choosing vessels with reasonable, but not excessive, amounts of power.

'In this climate, with people concerned about global warming and fuel efficiency, boat buyers are conscious of not recklessly burning fossil fuel around our waterways, then coming home and turning on an energy-saving light bulb. It makes sense to own a ‘greener’ boat.'

The 40 foot Trawler is something special and is sure to stand out at Sydney International Boat Show. Mainship is renowned for their spacious interior design, practical layout and craftsmanship and the 40 Trawler continues this tradition: there’s an expanded flybridge sporting two tables to make dining a pleasure, not a hassle; a wonderful summer kitchen for outdoor grilling (fresh fish is delicious but even nicer when cooked outside!); and a helm station that is cleverly designed with room for all the necessary gauges and electronic equipment.

On the aft deck are a set of aluminium framed glass panel doors which let in a huge amount of light and make the interior feel warm and spacious. This impression is heightened by the rich colours of the timber used in the interior fitout: the galley and raised salon are satiny cherry wood.

And in terms of creature comforts, the 40 Trawler is second to none. A flat panel TV faces a stylish sofa (with the option of a convertible sleeper); then there’s the standard integrated Bose® stereo and DVD. If you’re worn out from all this luxury then the queen sized master stateroom is the perfect place to unwind, while your guests have their own stateroom with twin berths, hanging locker and cabinets.

Chris and Wally are expecting the 40 Trawler to attract a number of serious enquiries with quite a few people just wanting to experience the stylish, comfortable vessel in the flesh. They’re always able to answer questions about any vessel in the Mainship range and being former sailors (they originally imported Hunter yachts) are happy to talk to sailors thinking of taking their first step into powerboat ownership.

Steve Taylor, of Boat Brokers of Tasmania, will also be in attendance and can be contacted on 0400 934 974 for any queries about the 34 Pilot. The 34 footer is considered to be perfect for a cruising couple and boasts a luxurious double berth with twin cedar lined hanging lockers and ample storage; not to forget a range of economical diesel engine options. Rock solid ride and a luxurious interior- what more could you want? See you at the show!