NOVEMBER 2008
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link be
The latest edition of Modern Boating magazine is out now! To get your copy delivered to your door, simply click on the link be
Modern Boating and Big Hat Productions head out for a glorious day on the water to give the Seawind 1160...
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Ocean Cylinder
Scott Amon discovers the soft riding stability of a hardworking boat that promises safety.
You don't see too many fancy lightweight boats in the Northern Territory. Locals know only too well that priority number one is a boat that can cope with long runs, harsh conditions and plenty of wear and tear.
The Anindilyakwa Land Council of Groote Eylandt in NT obviously did their homework when looking for a boat builder to manufacture a vessel that could act as a Customs patrol boat, people mover and indigenous tour guide boat. They chose an Ocean Cylinder 7500 Hardtop Cuddy built by Yamba Welding & Engineering (YWE) on the North Coast of NSW. YWE has been building boats for the demanding commercial sector for more than 30 years. The fact that the company's work is assured under a quality system based on the relevant requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000, as certified by Bureau Veritas Certification, ensures they are qualified for such a task.
It's not the first Ocean Cylinder to go to the demanding NT commercial scene and I doubt it will be the last. The rigid inflatable concept employed in the Ocean Cylinder line of boats is based around outstanding performance. At rest, the rigid cylinders sit on the water surface, creating amazing stability. When the hull ascends onto the plane, the main deep-vee hull lifts up into its normal planing mode, and the cylinders themselves are completely out of the water, thus minimising any possible drag while also acting as chine-like spray deflectors. All Ocean Cylinder boats are built to 'Level Floatation' standards—an extremely important safety feature!
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LAYOUT
The boat we tested has a commercial-style layout, but the hull lends itself to be set up just as effectively for a range of purposes such as serious game and sportfishing, diving or even as a comfortable family boat and possible weekender.
Up at the pointy end, a bowsprit and roller is accessed by a high, split bow rail that runs back to the cabin windscreen. A perspex foredeck allows light into the cabin and gives access to a huge anchor well and serious bollard. The cabin stands tall with loads of headroom. Expansive tinted safety glass windscreens and side windows offer exceptional visibility. Driver and passenger windscreen wipers ensure spray and rain do not hinder vision.
Twin-throttle controls for the two Suzuki 140s that power the big boat are fitted to a dedicated angled portion of the dash. Switch panels, radio, gauges and electronics all fit neatly into the dash set-up, although instrumentation lacks trim gauges, something I would opt for. The sounder is well positioned up high between the two forward windscreens, but the in-dash mounted chartplotter is obscured somewhat by the steering wheel.
Rather than a bulkhead, the area under the steering station is open, as too is the port side area, with a handy lipped shelf to store charts and other bits and pieces. This allows quick access to a very spacious cabin, left open and bare for storage. A set of cushioned bunks would be more appropriate for recreational use, and I'm sure would be a simple addition for the manufacturer. Expansive carpeted side shelves with high lips run either side of the cabin.
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You don't see too many fancy lightweight boats in the Northern Territory. Locals know only too well that priority number one is a boat that can cope with long runs, harsh conditions and plenty of wear and tear.
The Anindilyakwa Land Council of Groote Eylandt in NT obviously did their homework when looking for a boat builder to manufacture a vessel that could act as a Customs patrol boat, people mover and indigenous tour guide boat. They chose an Ocean Cylinder 7500 Hardtop Cuddy built by Yamba Welding & Engineering (YWE) on the North Coast of NSW. YWE has been building boats for the demanding commercial sector for more than 30 years. The fact that the company's work is assured under a quality system based on the relevant requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000, as certified by Bureau Veritas Certification, ensures they are qualified for such a task.
It's not the first Ocean Cylinder to go to the demanding NT commercial scene and I doubt it will be the last. The rigid inflatable concept employed in the Ocean Cylinder line of boats is based around outstanding performance. At rest, the rigid cylinders sit on the water surface, creating amazing stability. When the hull ascends onto the plane, the main deep-vee hull lifts up into its normal planing mode, and the cylinders themselves are completely out of the water, thus minimising any possible drag while also acting as chine-like spray deflectors. All Ocean Cylinder boats are built to 'Level Floatation' standards—an extremely important safety feature!
read on below advertisement
LAYOUT
The boat we tested has a commercial-style layout, but the hull lends itself to be set up just as effectively for a range of purposes such as serious game and sportfishing, diving or even as a comfortable family boat and possible weekender.
Up at the pointy end, a bowsprit and roller is accessed by a high, split bow rail that runs back to the cabin windscreen. A perspex foredeck allows light into the cabin and gives access to a huge anchor well and serious bollard. The cabin stands tall with loads of headroom. Expansive tinted safety glass windscreens and side windows offer exceptional visibility. Driver and passenger windscreen wipers ensure spray and rain do not hinder vision.
Twin-throttle controls for the two Suzuki 140s that power the big boat are fitted to a dedicated angled portion of the dash. Switch panels, radio, gauges and electronics all fit neatly into the dash set-up, although instrumentation lacks trim gauges, something I would opt for. The sounder is well positioned up high between the two forward windscreens, but the in-dash mounted chartplotter is obscured somewhat by the steering wheel.
Rather than a bulkhead, the area under the steering station is open, as too is the port side area, with a handy lipped shelf to store charts and other bits and pieces. This allows quick access to a very spacious cabin, left open and bare for storage. A set of cushioned bunks would be more appropriate for recreational use, and I'm sure would be a simple addition for the manufacturer. Expansive carpeted side shelves with high lips run either side of the cabin.
next page »
« go back
