Compass Boats introduces a new way to get afloat

Compass Boats. Surely you have heard of them? Well, yeh nah. But for the yachts of that name from many moons ago, the brand recently appeared in our listings as a new player.

No so overseas. Compass has a range of fibreglass boats built in Greece, where they are often found in hire fleets. They have been manufacturing boats for more than 40 years, with the next generation of family boatbuilders recently entering the business.

The Compass GRP fishing boats today span two centre consoles: the 150CC, which is the first model to arrive in Australia, and the larger 165CC due to arrive in January 2017.

Local importer and director of Compass Boats Australia, Dan Hanoumis, has put the boats into AMSA-accredited Certificate of Operation and is establishing a boating club framework that allows you to buy membership to then access these two Compass models.

The initial plan has up to 12 members between the two demonstrator boats, the 150CC and the imminent 165CC. These boats will remain available to members while they wait for their new Compass boat to arrive. In other words, you can try before you buy.

Meantime, while he sets up his Sydney-based operation, Hanoumis is offering weekly on-water demonstrations so you can get a first-hand feel for the 150CC that is here already. He is also offering a flight rebate program for owners who fly from interstate for a demonstration and purchase a Compass boat thereafter.

Ultimately, the goal is to expand to other states and major boating destinations and to partner with hire/drive operators and dealerships. With 14 years experience in the commercial vessel industry, Hanoumis is no stranger to getting things done.

The beauty about the two Compass centre consoles is that they are foam filled, with positive buoyancy, and Hanoumis says they are built tough, meet AMSA requirements and are powered by trusty Yamaha outboards.

The 150CC, which is kept in a rack on Sydney Harbour at Sydney Boat House, has a 60hp Yamaha on the back. There is also a second 150CC on trailer that can be accessed and launched in other Sydney waterways like, say, Pittwater.

This is an interesting new boat club model for trailerable craft designed to make boating affordable. Membership costs $3000 per year for 16-20 days boat usage, plus fuel.

"We already have eight members, two boats in the club, and another one on the way. It’s all about affordability, creating awareness for the brand and getting the boats out there and seen," Hanoumis says.

"The Compass Boats are tough. There has been 18 months of due diligence on the builder. I’ve tested the boats thoroughly, inspected boats that were eight years old, and the manufacturer performs level floatation tests. They’re up to their 200th 150CC hull built in three years.”

With $3000 getting you afloat for a year, it sounds like a great model. Just add fishing gear for a day out on the harbour, Pittwater or Port Hacking chasing the kingfish and grab the family afterwards. More at compassboats.com.au.