Mustang's 2850 runs free

Luxury boat builder Mustang Marine has returned to its roots with the release across Australia of its new 2850 Sports Cruiser and 2850 Super Sports, two boats aimed at the entry level cruising market.

Having spend a week in Queensland, the first 2850 Sports Cruiser is in Sydney this week and will then head to Melbourne for the Docklands boat show from February 5 to 7, before being shipped to New Zealand for the Auckland International Boat Show in March.

Russell Weston, the operations director at Mustang Marine, says functionality and integrated technology were the two major aims of the new design. "We have integrated everything that made the original 2800 so popular and looked at how we could improve the critical areas of the boat," Weston says.

He says that after careful and detailed consultation with customers Mustang Marine had improved performance, the entertaining areas and added all the latest leading-edge technology and equipment. He says the 2850 offers exceptional value for money and continues the tradition of a great lifestyle that owning a Mustang provides.

Based on the popular 2800 Sports Cruiser, the 2850 has already proved to be a hit with boaters. Priced at just $155,403, the 2850 takes everything that made the 2800 a market favourite and adds features and innovations including extra living and entertaining area.

On board entertaining was one of the prime targets of the designers and the extra beam of the 2850 over the 2800 provides increased room both in the cockpit and below deck. The galley has been shifted up from the cabin to the cockpit, a move that not only gives extra space below but also allows the cook to be with family and friends rather than slaving away in isolation.

Below decks there is full standing headroom and a separate shower and toilet compartment.

The technical upgrades are eye-opening. There is a touch screen electrical control panel, Finscan fingerprint starting, Smart Craft gauges, push-button electric engine room access and the latest in entertainment systems.

To aid ease of movement and safety, there are now steps leading to the foredeck and a boarding ladder to both the stern and bow. These innovations will allow easier access from both the dockside and for swimmers when at anchor.

Check out the offical Mustang Marine website for more information.