Dyna 48

I'm not sure what the statisticians say, but by my reckoning businesses based on personal as well as economic fundamentals stand a better chance of surviving than those launched into blindly.

So it is with the new agents for the luxury line of Dyna motoryachts. Rudi Ahamer, who owns one of the most successful prestige car dealerships in Adelaide, has moved into boats because he likes them. Having sold Jaguar, Audi and VW for over 30 years, Ahamer views boats as even more of an indulgence.

Over several decades, he has worked his way from a 21ft timber riverboat with a Blaxland motor eventually decommissioned and consecrated on a bonfire through a 28ft cabin-cruiser, a houseboat, various motorcruisers and, eventually, a Meridian 46 aft-cabin.

"I had this romance," he explains as we sip cappuccinos overlooking Adelaide's new marina at Holdfast Shores. "You could call me an enthusiast."

With a background in customer service and servicing financially savvy customers, Ahamer plans to create new standards for boat dealerships, with a thorough manual, driver lessons, and a customer support network.

"I got to Dyna the long way," he explains. "Three years after selling my last boat, I researched the market and went as far as Dubai, Southampton and the Sydney Boat Show to see what was available. I looked at boats from Sunseeker, Princess and Fairline in the UK and Cruisers from America. I surfed the Net, too, and examined the Italian boat building companies.

"Then I came across Dyna It's one brand of Asian-made boat that already has a presence here. Last October, I saw its new generation styling on the Net, flew to the factory in Taiwan, liked what I saw and, in particular, liked the company's attitude."

NEW GENERATION DYNAS
Indeed, Dynas of one shape or another have been in Australia for around 30 years and the company is well established in Taiwan. It has a long history of holding onto clever craftsman and has just had a major management overhaul so that it is now led by a younger, more OEwith-it' team.

This has breathed new life into Dyna. It's receptive to new ideas and happy to bend to customers' varying needs. Ahamer says it has the craftspeople, tradespeople and right attitude to work with. Plus, it builds pretty good boats.

What's more, there is a distinct price advantage enjoyed by buyers of Dyna motorcruisers Ahamer, who was putting a pricelist together when I met him, says a comparative boat works out about one-third cheaper than a European model. He has already booked production slots for three 55-footers (each from $1.1 million landed), one 48-footer (from $750,000) and a 70-footer (from $2.2 million).

Judging by the 48 I viewed in Adelaide, Dyna has come a long way in the last few years Gone is what I jokingly refer to as the sandshoe look an overdone reverse sheer, down-hooked bow, and ridiculous raking of the superstructure. And gone is the clutter, the fuss, that has long been a hallmark of Taiwanese boats.

Construction is solid glass below the waterline and foam and balsa-cored sandwich above that. The hull, a deep-vee reputedly based on a UK patrol boat, has big chines, a knuckle to shed water, and looks rakish without overdoing things.

Inside, Ahamer has already instructed the factory to make some changes. The boats he has on order will be fitted with bigger bathrooms and a giant transverse stateroom rather than one in the bow.

According to his diligent research, these changes fit with the demographics of probable Dyna buyers. And for the moment, at least, the European styling adopted by Dyna is very much in demand all-round the world.

CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED
I liked the look of the "new generation" 48, its clean exterior lines and uncluttered layout. It certainly dates the older generation of Dynas. Build quality is impressive, with precision joinery and engineering that isn't far off survey standards.

Like most modern European motoryachts, the Dyna 48 balances a smallish cockpit with a largish upper deck. Inside are three separate levels: the saloon, a raised lower helm and dining area amidships, and a galley and accommodation set down below.

The interior works quite well, but is not as open-plan and free flowing as some other motoryacht designs.

Stepping onto the optional boarding platform, which could carry a jetski on a cradle, the boat's deckwear stands out. There's a concealed stainless ladder, wide transom door, solid stainless aft cleats, a hatch down to the lazarette and through to the engineroom, and two hatches either side with overboard drains that you could use as iceboxes or for holding mooring lines.

The rear lounge can probably seat five people for alfresco lunches if you add a loose table. Four steps lead from the cockpit to full-length sidedecks, much like a ini-superyacht. A high bowrail keeps you contained. There is a large padded sunlounge on the foredeck, big stainless rubbing strips for mooring lines, spotlight, wipers around the raked lower windscreen, and a good grade of non-skid underfoot.

Thus I could tend all quarters of the 48 with confidence to toss mooring lines or take a better optic of the vistas in the Gulf of St Vincent during our seatrials. Coupled with a bowthruster and a good view from the helmstations of the bow, sides and the port corner, the 48 is an easy boat in which to decamp to an anchorage somewhere.

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
In keeping with the European theme, the bridge has an open, sun-drenched deck, a one-piece moulding, with a circular aft lounge with table that could accommodate a lunch booking for eight. The skipper and co-pilot ride on pedestal seats, have footrests, and a windshield for comfort. The mandatory targa arch adds to the rakish looks and forms a foundation for radar domes and GPS aerials (owners will want to mount a bimini top from the arch for shade in summer). On the starboard side is a convenient sink with hot and cold water. A fridge or icemaker is a listed option I'd consider.

Interestingly, the helm console is on the port instead of the starboard side. The console has flush-mounted engine gauges, alarm warning lights, aftermarket Raytheon radar/GPS unit and sounder, both flush-mounted either side of the stainless wheel, plus dual throttles/gear shifts, trim buttons and bowthruster controls.

Compact and functional, the console is let down by a flimsy, clear-perspex cover which can be propped open on a single strut.

Underway, the cover flexes and wobbles and doesn't reflect the integrity of the boat. On the other hand, I liked the little locker alongside the skipper, which keeps the radio and intercom dry.

CLEAN LIVING
Back down the ladder, which has a lockable hatch, the saloon beckons behind sliding doors with stylish stainless frames. I sensed a rattle in the door lock, but it's something Ahamer has already committed to fixing. The headroom through the door is around 195cm.

Inside, the decor is smart, simple and elegant. The carpet is a classic Jaguar-green colour with cherrywood used for all the vertical surfaces, topped by burl maple for table and sideboard tops. The headliner and lounge upholstery is cream, with a coffee-coloured check fabric used for the curtains.

The wide saloon door, side windows and wraparound screen direct plenty of light inside. Though you are set down below the side window height, the lounges offer plenty of support. Future 48s will have an extra lounge on the starboard side instead of one big cabinet.

As it was, the cabinet is a handy service centre with battery and generator switches conveniently located near the door, a CD player, TV recess with sliding doors, glass and bottle racks, and a much appreciated U-Line icemaker. There is an intercom nearby, halogen lights overhead, and good Italian catches used with the joinery.

Opposite is a wraparound lounge that can seat four to six people around a coffee table. The table, with burl wood top, was very well made.

Just forward, behind the helmseat, the control panel has been kept out of view behind cabinet doors. Step up and you come to a two-person skipper's helmseat and big console with burl maple inlay on the port side. The lower helm has a reasonable view through the raked screen and a view of the transom. Opposite is a dedicated dinette which can seat four comfortably.

With the two helms, plus two airconditioning units, the 48 is a true all-weather boat. I can see it being as comfortable in mid-winter in Adelaide as the height of summer on the Gold Coast. It can entertain 10 people inside or out.

COOKING AND SLEEPING
The galley and accommodation are set down four steps from the dinette. This makes it five steps from the cockpit, and more than 10 steps from the bridge. While it is out of the way for entertaining, there might be some complaints from those appointed to circulate the canapes.

The galley is well-equipped, however, with stylish black granite benchtops, optional teak flooring, an adequate fridge with cherrywood facia, four drawers, six cupboards, and bench space to assemble meals.

There are dual stainless sinks, a recess for storing appliances, a four-burner Siemens electric stove and microwave, extractor fan, plus two opening portholes.

The first of two cabins, for the guests or budding boaties, is opposite the galley. It's reminiscent of a Fairline or Princess, with sitting room over two single beds with foam mattresses set down with a low-boy in between.

There are separate controls for the music, airconditioning, intercom, and drawers and recesses for personal effects. The hanging locker, with three drawers, is fully-lined and strip lights come on when you open the door.

The bathroom isn't an en suite, but back across the companionway it has a Vacuflush loo, curvaceous black granite benchtops, oval sink, towel rack, and good access to the plumbing. It hasn't a separate shower stall or, as far as I could see, a mirror a must in what is also a powder room.

But owners are pampered on the 48. The big forepeak cabin has a rather splendid queen-sized island berth with a recessed foam-backed bedhead with mirror, stylish art deco light fittings, his and her drawer sets, and it is just one step up from the floor level.

The owners also have his and her hanging lockers, but unfortunately the starboard-side cupboard was fitted with an airconditioning unit that destroyed the amount of hanging space left for your blue blazers or yacht-line Escada wear.

Also, the stainless structure that holds the curtains over the overhead hatch was unsightly and over-engineered. Plus, in a seaway, the carpet shifted underfoot throughout the accommodation level and in the companionways.

These are all minor details and Ahamer relishes the opportunity to polish the Dyna. Things such as foam instead of inner-spring mattresses you can live with, it would take just a few press studs to anchor the carpet, the A/C unit can be moved to a better location, a mirror can be added, and so on.

Fortunately, the owner's en suite has a separate shower stall with a large, circular sliding screen. It takes two hands to swing shut. Future 48s will have even more space given over to the owner's ensuite.

DOWN, DEEPER DOWN
Descend down the cockpit hatch and you'll end up in the lazarette and quasi engineering room. It includes a centrally-mounted 13.5kVa Onan genset, emergency tiller, separate battery banks, 55lt hot-water service, water pumps and more. All the seacocks on the boat are bronze and labelled, while the wiring is colour coded.

Forward in the engineroom bulkhead is a small door leading on the port and starboard side. Access is tight this way, but adequate for day-to-day serving and inspection of the engines by owners. More serious work can be carried out by lifting the floor panels in the saloon. As it was, the twin 3208 Caterpillar engines were nicely insulated.

There wasn't anything untoward about vibration levels, the degree of emissions, or the way the boat handled with the Cats. I cast the lines free, Captain Ahamer gave the bowthruster a tweak, engaged the port then starboard motor, and we were clear of the marina pen.

As if on cue, a pod of dolphins were working the tide line a few hundred metres offshore. Cruising at 2400rpm, the 48 felt solid and efficient. I turned around to see the dolphins launch off the wake fanning out behind. I noted the hull seemed well balanced; it doesn't drag its tail or run with a bow-high attitude.

Though the waves were few, there was a 15kt crosswind. Due to the chines, the hull was dry in these conditions and, in any case, the exit point of the spray appears to be aft of the upper station.

We could have crossed the green water in the Gulf of St Vincent for a cheese platter at Kangaroo Island, cruised west to Port Lincoln for a tuna sandwich, or traced the rust-coloured cliff tops north to Kingscote. I even considered picking up the intercom and dialling in a chicken roll from down below. But instead we returned to the marina to spend some time kicking back on the Dyna 48.

A MATTER OF TASTE
The new model was a pleasant surprise. It exceeded my expectations, pulled around 26-27kt top end, and is in need of only some fine tuning. With the right man calling the shots, I don't doubt the Dynas will get their polish.

While Ahamer plans to get his Master V ticket and one day take a Dyna around the Med, he remains committed to creating brand loyalty here. He also has good taste.

From behind a stack of King George whiting fillets in beer batter and a bottle of local wine at a table overlooking the water, the whole thing sounded pretty good. It was cause for a toast to Euro styling and the passing of the old, dare I say, sandshoe look.