Leeder 290 Millennium Hardtop

There's the beginning of the new Millennium, the middle of the Millennium, but the most impressive part is undoubtedly the end of the Millennium. Designed for entertaining, Leeder's new 29-footer has a cockpit filled with more built-ins than some upmarket apartments.

One of Western Australia's best known boating brands, Leeder has survived several decades of change with its, well, largely unchanged cruisers. But with renewed vigour and valour, the company has at last pulled out all stops to produce a contemporary cruiser for 2000.

A nice step-up from say a Whittley 700 Cruisemaster, the 29ft Millennium is fitted with single or twin petrol engines with sterndrive units. It has a hardtop for all-weather boating - which might endear it to boaties in southern states - and accommodation that can swallow a family for a weekend or more.

The hull bears some Leeder family resemblance. That is to say, there is more than a hint of that signature reverse sheer. But the 290 Millennium Hardtop has an altogether more modern look and must surely be Leeder's most adventurous boat to date.

Aside from the mouldings being curvaceous and complex, they are also practical. For example, the hardtop is taken almost to the gunwales, thereby creating maximum space inside. But while being high-volume, the boat retains an appealing sporty profile.

BUILT TO LAST
The number of Leeders kicking about the waterways and minding moorings points to their quality of construction. The Millennium hull is solid GRP topped with NPG gelcoat around fibreglass frames, bearers and stringers. The bulkheads are structural.

The most important thing, the trendy deck moulding, is one-piece. Incorporating non-skid patterns on the foredeck, cockpit, marlin board and walk-through areas, the deck isn't self-tappered to the hull like some brands, but bonded with fibreglass forever and a day.

The hull itself carries 18° of deadrise, which is by definition a deep-vee, plus two 230lt fueltanks with cross-overs, about 200lt of freshwater (this is more generous and practical than many imported boats), and twin V-eights under the floor.

Engine access is impressive. Once you've folded the cockpit lounges out of the way and folded the clip-in carpet back, the big aft hatch can be eased up on a ram so you can inspect the bilge and check oil levels.

There's room around all sides of the engines for extra batteries, an invertor or perhaps a portable Honda genset. The engineroom is insulated, while a separate hatch leads to a machinery space. I'd also consider adding a solar panel on the rooftop for trickle charging the battery bank.

Deck hardware appears up to the task, with through-bolted mooring bollards and cleats, access to fuel valves, an exterior fuel filler, plus a 12V power outlet.

In keeping with current trends, a storm cover with access is included in the turnkey package.

There is tight but safe access in calm water to the foredeck, using strategically placed rails on the cabin top and the bowrail.

Alternatively, you can use the deck hatch over the main cabin. But with a windlass and bowsprit, there's no reason to leave the living areas back aft.

SUNNY PATIO AFLOAT
A cross between a patio and sunroom, the self-draining cockpit is unquestionably the highlight of the 290. The amenities, moulded liner, social seating and weather protection make it the very best place to park yourself while cruising, swinging at anchor, or doing lunch after a swim...

The full-width moulded boarding platform has a retractable swim ladder, integrated fish well to keep a Rottnest cray or two kicking and handheld freshwater shower. A cut-out in the transom and lockable door to port leads inside.

The built-in galley has a stainless sink with pressure water, two-burner gas stove, microwave oven, 12/240V fridge, big drawers for holding cooking utensils and a dedicated locker for the LPG bottle. (I'd consider replacing the standard with a stainless gas bottle from Tailored Marine.)

The seating arrangement can be altered to cater for more guests. There is a pop-up two-person lounge on the starboard side and a fold-down aft lounge at the transom that can seat three. All that's missing is the grapevine for perfect alfresco dining.

OUTDOOR SALOON
More luxurious seating - upholstered in aqua and cream vinyl - can be found under the hardtop. Indeed, the hardtop effectively turns the helm and undercover portion of the cockpit into a quasi saloon.

There is a two-person adjustable seat for the skipper with an icebox below with overboard drain. A three-person curved lounge is opposite. It has high backrests and a view through surrounding windows. It's a comfortable spot when travelling fast, or when those afternoon seabreezes kick in. Two overhead hatches and side vents can be opened for fresh air.

The helm contrasts with your Leeders of yesteryear. No teak and vintage engine gauges, the Millennium has stylish walnut-looking facias with nice switch panels and a sporty wheel. There's a footrest with storage inside and room to drive standing or seated. The view through the laminated safety-glass windscreen - aided by wipers if needs be - is good enough.

Engine throttles are mounted in a cut-out in the hull side around about where your right arm falls naturally. On the upper tier of the dash are gauges for the twin MerCruiser engines, the second tier has switches, while the facias beside the wheel are used for flush-mounting a Lowrance X85, GME CD/stereo and 27mHz radio.

THE DOWN AND DIRTY
Accommodation is down three steps.

You get full headroom in the head and forepeak cabin.

The layout is best described as big and simple, comfortable and accommodating for a couple or family of four.

The bow is high-gloss milk-coffee coloured gelcoat with marine vinyl liners and camel-coloured carpet, an offset double bed and room to mount a TV. There is a stowage unit to port, storage in pockets alongside the berth and below it and in a big hanging locker.

I thought the finish in some areas could be better than wall-to-wall carpet, especially around the companionway leading back to the aft cabin. Also, due to the narrowness of the companionway and an irregular-shaped ceiling above the berth, I found the aft cabin claustrophobic.

Having said that, kids will probably love what the dealer deems "the cubby house." There's sitting room once you scramble inside, a big double berth, two hatches for fresh air, and more carpet on the walls.

The head to starboard, as you walk into the boat's interior, is beautifully roomy. It has full headroom, a Jabsco loo and sink with handheld shower, a big mirror, storage hatches and nicely moulded doors.

Jointly, the cockpit and interior cater for the modern way of doing things on the water. In other words, there's room to pack a party aboard for day-boating or lunches afloat and accommodation for a couple when you want to get away from all that.

POWERING UP ON PITTWATER
Fitted with twin 5.0lt MerCruiser V-eight petrol engines, the Millennium seemed an easy boat to drive. Despite its hardtop there wasn't too much windage. A problem with the testboat's fuel supply was the only thing that stood in the way of taking the boat to sea or at least traversing the bumpy entrance to Broken Bay, north of Sydney.

Cruising along windswept Pittwater, the boat showed it had a useful amount of shelter from what turned into a bitter southerly change. The hull was smooth and, though responsive to trim, the engine legs were sufficient to keep it tracking on an even keel.

While I'm at a loss to find where I put the speed readings, I can report that the boat cruises comfortably in the mid-20kt range with twin 220hp motors. If my memory can be relied upon, top end was in the low 30kt range.

Facts and figures aren't what Leeder's new Millennium is all about. The company has produced a lifestyle boat suitable for sharing sunny Sundays with friends on the water, weekends with your valentine, while remaining comfortable in adverse weather.

Such a boat has been a long time coming for Leeder.

Considering the non-existent summer we've had on parts of the eastern seaboard this year, the boat has arrived not a moment too soon. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another 1000 years for the next new model...

Box Story: HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN
Boats come and boats go, but the Leeder 900 Capri is seemingly eternal...

Contrasting with the company's new Millennium, the flybridge cruiser remains virtually unchanged since the day it was launched some decades ago.

The cruiser has a traditional teak-lined interior, classic retro feel, and unconventional ladder leading up to a bridge where a starboard-side helm can be found. The cockpit is taken up mainly by a generous engine box.

Among the subtle improvements on the testboat were more space in the head, a better carpet and headliner, and an improved finish on the forest of teak.

Powered by twin 240hp MerCruiser motors with new technology EFI systems, the Leeder 900 Capri hit a top speed of 38kt. The hull is surprisingly predictable and smooth when crossing boat wakes.

It also has that unmistakable Leeder reverse sheer. Appearance-wise, the boat offers a degree of conservatism that will appeal to those who want the good old days.

A memento of the golden era of power cruising, when anyone with a few bob to rub together had a petrol-powered boat on the waterways, the Leader 900 now costs $136,000 with a single 7.4lt petrol MerCruiser.

Presumably, the terry-towelling hat costs extra...