Aquabay 70

The BOLD and the beautiful

We bosuns are too often overly familiar with the omnipresent grog locker, the cocktail cabinet, and the so-called wet bar with sink, icemaker and, increasingly, wine fridge. But how many boats can boast a genuine bar or, as it was put to me, a beverage centre. That is, one with a solid counter set before swivelling stools from where views range back over the cockpit to, given good planning, palms swaying and shimmying like dancers in the distance? And should hunger bite as it does when doing sundowners then get the crew to flip lobster tails on the Aussie-sized barbie alongside.

Such is the high life aboard the Aquabay 70, a slick sportsyacht that made a splash at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show earlier this year and is now serving as a corporate charter vessel on Sydney Harbour. One man's vision for the ultimate entertainer, the Aquabay boasts more great seats by the waterfront than most luxury boats, if not a waterfront bar. Besides those tested above, there's a custom seating area up front, a cockpit lunch setting out back, and a Euro-styled interior with oodles more seats and great views.

"I set out to build the best 70-foot entertainer I could, because all the boats I walked into felt the same," explains Michael Smith, the owner and principal of Aquabay Yachts. "But the local market isn't big enough to manufacturer and support the kind of boat I had in mind, so I went shopping overseas for a reputable yard."

A boating enthusiast, Smith found himself at TC Yachts in Taiwan, formerly known as Tachou Shipbuilding, a long-standing boatbuilder owned by the Chen family that had made a name for itself by building bareboat charter yachts, ferries, fast military patrol boats and, increasingly, private luxury liners. The best known of these was the Olympia 76, whose hull was based on a patrol vessel. Smith thought it might just do the trick.

"The four key things on my wishlist were a lounge up front, where the bow is wasted on most big boats, a big dining area out the back, and an aft-facing bar (another Tequila Sunrise would be great, thanks waiter), plus good access around the decks," Smith says. He then brought in the experts.

BIRTH OF A BOAT
Local naval architect Peter Lowe, who designs Warren Yachts among other luxury and custom craft, had the Olympia 76 mould dammed. He then tweaked the hull this way and that including fine-tuning the prop tunnels. Lowe was working with an Italian designer at the time, Michele Lubrano, and between them the lines were born. After which came the interior that, with things like the bar, was more of a meeting of minds between Lowe, Identity Marine Interiors (Gold Coast) and the owner's specific needs.

"I went for a ride after the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and am very happy with the way she travels. On the construction front, there was no skimping," Lowe adds. To which I reply: "Yeh, only Scrimping."

Built to Bureau Veritas and USL 1E and 2C survey standards, the Aquabay 70 No. 1 seen here is made using the Scrimp process involving a resin-infused hull and deck. All up weight is 44,000kg fully loaded, which isn't bad for a working boat.

Local superyacht skipper and boating identity, Tom Cooper, managed the Aquabay project and had input regarding the crew quarters and, among other things, the purpose-built aft fender lockers, the concealed windlass and aft capstans, and concealed liferaft. But the Aquabay is very much a semi-production or, rather, semi-custom boat and Smith says he is receptive to making changes to the layout and finish to suit. However, he is unbending about the survey-quality construction and engineering.

The moderate vee hull has hard chines and strakes and prop tunnels to reduce shaft angles for the running gear, which includes 3.5in shafts and ZF vee-drives spinning five-blade ZF props. There are Lewmar bow and sternthrusters to assist with your departure, a desalinator for endless hot showers, Hynautic trim tabs in case of crosswinds or a crowd leaning to one side during whale-watching or real-estate cruises, and a garage that opens on twin rams to reveal a Williams 325 jet tender.

Two containers loaded with Australian-sourced fittings were sent to Taiwan so the boat remains serviceable and well-supported here. And, like all good boats, there were some tricks in store, such as a brilliant European-designed electric awning over the al fresco dining area on deck whose lounged converted, at the press of a button, to a sunpad.

Such are the options and many more available on the Aquabay 70. Along with survey compliant engineering, they take the boat No. 1 tested here from a $2.7 million base price to $3.05 million. But that's amazingly good value for a 70-footer in survey and of this calibre.

TOP ENGINEERING
Unsurprisingly, the engineering is first class. You access the watertight engineroom down a sweeping staircase leading off the bar, passing the crew quarters for two with a separate Pullman berth, hanging space for uniforms, TV linked to Foxtel, and head with shower, Vacuflush loo and combo washer/dryer. As there's standing room in the engineroom, you can easily create a cloth's line while in liveaboard charter mode.

In no particular order, I note 17.5kW and back-up 11.5kW Onan generators, impressive wiring runs, fan-forced 240V induction fans for engine ventilation, underwater exhausts, an oil-change system, a 95lt/h desalinator, three battery chargers, a ship-like fuel system with twin Racor filters per engine, huge sea strainers, a bilge manifold system, engine-driven emergency bilge pump plus 24 and 240V bilge pumps, fire-fighting equipment, survey-standard insulation and plenty of room around the twin common rail Caterpillar 1015hp C18 electronic diesel engines. If you want more than 28 to 29 knots top speed, then Caterpillar 1500 to 1600hp V12 C32s are an option.

Meanwhile, the inventory and supplied factory documentation that accompanied this boat were impressive, more so than many new boats I see from Asia, and that should go a long way to creating confidence and underpinning the fact that yard is no flash in the pan. Having said that, the outdoor living areas on the Aquabay 70 are what will wow would-be owners.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING
Besides a deep boarding platform (submersible model is an option) for hanging out, underwater lights for summer nights, and a garage for quick dispatch of the tender, there's a terrific al fresco cockpit setting that can cater for up to 10. Even with the table converted to a sunpad, you still get a lounge big enough for several couples to kick back on.

The passage forward along the teak-topped decks, traced by survey-height rails, lifelines and bulwarks, is wonderfully safe for guests and crew. The sunken circular lounge and table before the windscreen serve as a second outdoor entertaining area for six and, arguably, it's the best seat in the house when cruising for views. Engine and generator noise is barely discernible and, what's more, there's a sunpad for working on your tan. Ground tackle includes a heavy-duty Lewmar windlass, 90kg stainless steel anchor and nice big cleats for serious docking.

Twin ships doors flank the central helm station, luring you inside, though it's hard to pull yourself away from the amenities centre in the cockpit that includes the aforesaid bar. There's also a big barbecue, fridge, icemaker, twin stools and hopper or awning window that, along with a sliding stainless steel door, brings the outdoors in and vice versa.

In many ways, the saloon is an extension of the cockpit, on the same level and nicely lit thanks to big picture windows and golden pear joinery (aka English willow), latte-coloured Ultraleather upholstery and serviceable Amtico flooring. Concealed ducted air conditioning - a tropical-strength chilled-water system, no less - and strategically placed curios and statues add to the ambience.

Naturally, there was an impressive audio/visual system with iPod compatibility and separate music zones. A 42in flatscreen television fights for attention (even while propped up at the bar) behind the central helm station. But back to that bar or beverage centre with dishwasher, sink, drinks fridge, wine cooler (loaded with Moet), abundant storage space and counters from which to serve canapés, doubtless a blender, and Tom Cruise if you're lucky.

Indoor seating comes by way of low-slung lounges set before coffee tables, with another lounge forward around a table for six. The electric sunroof brings yet more light inside and with everything open its one big aqua stage ready for partying.

GALLEY AND CABINS
Set down out of prying eyes, the galley cabinetry stands out in two-pack Mercedes Benz gold. Appliances are from Miele including two-burner stove, convection microwave oven, full-size dishwasher, and Fisher and Paykel standing-height fridge and freezer. Ventilation comes via a rangehood and opening ports.

A three-cabin and three-head accommodation plan is forward, with full-beam stateroom featuring impressive panorama windows, a king-sized bed on the centreline, bureau or vanity, and a sofa big enough to double as a daybed. Kick back and watch the world drift by, literally. Ordinarily, owners would fit a walk-in wardrobe, but Smith went for a smaller hanging space and an aft office. The en suite will be remembered for its big shower.

VIPs get the forward stateroom with another king-sized bed, his and her hanging lockers, separate shoe locker, opening portights and hatch for fresh air, plus an oversized shower. The third cabin with twin single beds is still accommodating, with a good sense of head and shoulder room, while all cabins have separate TVs and sound. The third en suite, with shower stall, doubles as a dayhead. And don't forget the crew cabin. We have now turned full circle. Time for a test drive.

AQUABAY ON THE MARCH
Marked by three Besenzoni helm chairs, of which the central skipper's model is electrically adjustable, the helm is a real command station. Electronics run from twin Raymarine E120s to autopilot, Caterpillar engine panels to the twin thrusters, with a plug-in docking remote that can be used while standing in the sidedecks or cockpit.

For coastal cruising, the boat has a decent chart table, good views forward to the point you feel like you're driving a runabout, and Italian-made wipers so you can see the road ahead in less-than-perfect weather.

Cruising range can be worked out from 90 per cent of the 4250lt supply and the consumption figures below. But as the Aquabay is intended as an entertainer, it's the low speeds on flat water that matter just as much.

At 1030rpm, she cruises at hull speed of around 10kts for 60lt/h and remains nice and stable. Plant the throttles and you get a low-speed cruise of 16kts at 1650rpm for 184lt. Cruise was clocked at 19.5 to 20kts at 1900rpm for 240lt, 2100rpm fast cruise gave 22kts for 300lt, and top speed on the day was 27kts at 2320rpm for 400lt/h. All the while the ride was dignified and noise subdued.

Well-made, a sweet performer and with great stying, the Aquabay 70 should by rights be the harbinger for more of the marque Down Under. The price is right, in fact more than one competitor and industry commentator has pointed out the boat is about $1 million too cheap. Invest that into an apartment in Queensland and you would be living the dream. And here's cheers to that from the superbly crafted bar.

LOWS