Classic Norman Wright: One Man's Boat

Many of the most knowledgeable old salts around Australia reckon that the classic 82ft cruiser Bali-Hai II is the finest vessel to come out of the famous Norman Wright & Sons Shipyard in Bulimba, Queensland.

The boat, which has a hull made of spotted gum hardwood and an interior of Australian maple, was launched in 1964 -- when it was claimed she was the largest private motor launch to have been constructed in this country. Built for Sydney businessman Lindsay Lee, the boat was christened Bali Hai II because Lee’s partner was then performing in the Sydney production of the musical South Pacific.

Now in survey as a charter vessel on the Gold Coast, Bali-Hai II is licenced to carry 30 people in enclosed waters and 10 guests offshore. She is for sale as a private vessel, while the charter business -- which includes a number of future bookings -- is for sale separately.

Claire Akacich, who bought Bali-Hai II with her husband Joe in January 2009, says they planned to use the boat for private cruising and to charter it out when they couldn't use it themselves. Unfortunately circumstances changed and they are now reluctantly selling, simply because they couldn't use the boat often enough.

Over the past 40 years, Bali-Hai II has sailed up and down the Australian coast innumerable times and criss-crossed the South Pacific. Keen yachtsmen will recall that for a number of years she sailed to Hobart each December as the official radio relay ship for the famous Sydney-Hobart race. She also performed that role in a number of Sydney to Mooloolaba races and for the 1988 Bi-Centenary yacht race. For many years she was owned by the well-known Queensland Cavill family and was later used as a mother ship for big game fishermen in FNQ.

She has always been kept in top condition and Joe Akacich, who is a shipbuilder who runs Australian Marine Enterprises, undertook a complete refit in 2009.

Powered by twin Gardner 6LXB diesels, each producing 90kW (220hp), Bali- Hai II has a relaxed cruising speed of nine knots and a huge range from her 10,000 litre fuel tanks. On board comfort is assured with two generators (13kva and 25kva), a watermaker, stabilisers and air-conditioning.

She has five cabins with berths for 10 people. The galley has a four-burner stove and oven, two freezers, a dishwasher and a microwave. The wet bar on the aft deck has its own icemaker and coffee machine.

Claire Akacich says Bali-Hai II is a supremely comfortable family boat but warns that she is "a lot of boat" and would appeal to someone with the confidence and experience to handle and big, heavy, 82ft vessel.

"She would be ideal for a retired couple with grown up children and grandchildren," Claire told BoatPoint, "The high gunwales on the side decks make her very safe for even small children (or seadogs)."