Oceanmaster Ocean Blaster 52

A boat's lines are like maritime DNA; they say a lot about its habits, its intended purpose, its parentage and the places it might go. So where is a 52ft motorboat with a high forecastle, swooping sheerline, pilothouse-style cabin and huge cockpit heading?

The Ocean Blaster 52 is ripe for adventure. While you can head out for three hours or three days, this is more a boat in which to hit the ocean road. Retirees with time on their hands should think three months at a time.

Based on a west coast crayboat, the Ocean Blaster 52 is a unique marriage of two divergent groups. The boat teams the time-proven principles found in commercial fishing craft with the kind of comforts one expects in a custom-made pleasure boat.

Things like a low centre of gravity, long keel, self-draining decks and survey-standard engineering mean it will be around for a long time to come. So, too, the handiwork of the boatbuilder, South Australian Tom Wagner from Wagner Boat Works, who is best known to local and west coast commercial crayboat operators.

The boat's owners, Les and Jim Dickinson from the Tweed Heads area on the NSW far north coast, are no strangers to boats, either. Over the years, the brothers have worked their way through a Clipper 34 and a Roberts 30 before deciding on their dreamboat.

Initially, they intended to buy a preloved west coast crayboat and embark on a deck-to-keel renovation. Problem was that second-hand crayboats were selling for big money. By the time they paid for the rebuild, they may as well have bought new.

It was this realisation that led to the Ocean Blaster 52, a well-priced rig available in complete or kit form. The brothers bought the boat's motors, windlass, 13kVa Onan genset, leather, lighting, tender and so on. And they pretty much managed the project themselves.

BUILT FOR THE SEA
Respected west coast marine architect Gavin Mair penned the underwater shape of what amounts to a warped-plane hard-chine hull. Despite its name, the Ocean Blaster 52 doesn't so much boom and bellow its way offshore as reel in the sea miles in supreme comfort.

The boat has terrific mouldings, exceptional structural strength, and commercial-grade engineering that meets survey requirements for 8+2 within 200nm of a safe port, for 30 people up to 20nm seawards and for 40 people in enclosed waters.

As such, there is a complex pumping system with 12 and 240V bilge pumps, full Wormald firefighting gear, four watertight compartments and two collision bulkheads. Elsewhere, you might note the giant scuppers, 3in prop shafts, life raft and so on. Below the decks, the stainless-steel engineering is a veritable work of art.

As with most hulls of this type, the Ocean Blaster has a deep forefoot that runs the length of a full keel before fanning out to a flat run aft. The aft sections generate lift, buoyancy and support for the cargo ? originally holds full of crayfish ? while the sharp bow cuts the waves.

The boat displaces quite a bit of water, and it is not unusual in heavy seas to have spray lashing the decks and flybridge. But those decks are self-draining, and behind a watertight cabin door is an enclosed helm in a saloon with a galley, plus three cabins below. The head compartment is accessed via an outside door.

Construction is solid glass below the waterline with composite decks. At least one surveyor has said the boat is 40% thicker than it needs to be. The hull is strengthened with massive foam-cored and glass-encapsulated timber stringers and big cross members.

Tipping the scales to 22,000kg fully laden, that is, with 2600lt of fuel and 1000lt of water, the Ocean Blaster 52 gets along just fine. The boat does 17kt while burning 70lt/h on both engines. There is room to carry more fuel and water in the boat's giant underfloor recesses.

Fair weather or foul, the Ocean Blaster has a range of about 500nm. The motors are twin Cummins 6CTA8.3-M diesel engines, with a semi-commercial rating, that produce 430hp a side. The boat's range and seaworthiness were put to the test by the owners just days after the boat was launched.

DELIVERY TIME
The Dickinsons jumped aboard for a delivery-cum-shakedown cruise that took them from Port Adelaide all the way to the sunny Gold Coast. They set out in a 30kt south-easter and ran all night to the first port of call, Port Fairy, some 28-hours away.

Next stop was Port Welshpool for fuel, then into Bass Strait, past Gabo Island, towards Eden. Towering waves reared up behind the transom, but by now they were supremely confident. In Eden, professional fishers gathered approvingly, and some said the boat's beam was greater than the beam on many west coasters.

The brothers left Eden in 25kt winds and arrived in Sydney some 14 hours later. A low-pressure system followed them all the way up the coast, delivering 40kt winds and more giant swells. But the full-length keel kept the boat on line and confidence was running sky high.

Some three months were spent exploring Sydney and neighbouring waterways late last summer. The boat can cruise for views at 12kt and use less than 30lt/h on both motors. Idle in gear gives 7kt, while 1000rpm delivers a useful 8-9kt trolling speed.

Then came Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour and finally the Tweed. The boat now lives at the Southport Yacht Club, but by the time you read this it might be north of Fraser Island, gadding about Heron Island, anchored on the Swains or maybe around Darwin.

LIFE ON DECK
The practicality of the crayboat's layout appealed to the Dickinsons. Whether it's breakfast at anchor, a barbie at lunch, or time to wet a line while doing sundowners, the partly-shaded deck is this boat's main living area.

Last Australia Day the owners had 29 people aboard. The only thing that might have helped cater for the crowd was a second bathroom down below. Otherwise, few boats can boast this much single-level entertaining space. The cockpit measures 4.2m wide by 5.5m long and just 1.6m of cockpit length isn't undercover.

Solid stainless-steel safety rails trace the boarding platform, which is down four moulded steps from the cockpit. The 1.5m-wide boarding platform is perfect for fishing, diving, and hanging out on a director's chair. There are wet lockers, a hot/cold handheld shower, a swim ladder and courtesy lights.

The fibreglass hardtop over the cockpit is a feature of the boat ? it typifies the superbly crafted mouldings. So, too, the serious deck gear such as the 40mm stainless-steel rails, custom mooring cleats and hardtop support struts.

The hardtop is so strong that it can carry a tender and Davco davit without needing moulded support struts. The stainless handrails that hold it up also help your passage via the walk-around decks to the foredeck. Non-skid decking and a high bowrail with a lifeline make the foredeck safe in a calm sea.

GEARED TO GO PLACES
Anchoring gear includes chain lockers, 110m of chain, a 100lb anchor and a custom bowsprit with a brass roller. An old-world Samson post, a Muir windlass, and neat cleats, fixed in place with an allan key rather than a screwdriver, are among the nice touches.

The lower windscreen is fashioned from five pieces of toughened safety glass, while the dorade-style engine vents are nice and high up the cabin sides. There are fuel fillers on both sides of the boat, a dedicated gas-bottle locker for the barbie, and fuel and air shut-offs.

Back in the cockpit, the hardtop has lights and a 240V outlet so you can plug in the breakfast appliances. The Dickinsons have a cockpit table and chairs for outdoors meals. Aside from the barbie there is a moulded icebox with 450lt capacity that needs a fridge/freezer unit.

Two giant fish boxes, each capable of taking 30 coral trout, hide underfloor. The hatches have overboard drains. Other hatches lead down to the lazarette and Hydrive hydrostatic steering system, the engine room, and a forward utility room. A wonderful watertight door reminiscent of a submarine door seals the lazarette from the engine room.

Engineering details include continuous 24V extractor fans, a 24V charger, an Onan generator with access to all sides, stainless-steel fuel tanks, big pong boxes for the wet exhausts, and direct access to the Racor fuel filters, M&J sea strainers and computer brain for the Morse electronic controls.

The engineering space or storeroom forward of the engine room contains the air-conditioning unit, water pumps, hot-water heater, and a central outlet for six plumbing lines. And there is great dedicated storage for spares, cleaning gear, tools and so on.

Above deck, the boat's only bathroom is accessed from the cockpit. There are sliding shower doors for the separate stall, a good amount of dressing space and a ceramic sink just like home. Even the loo is a ceramic number more in keeping with what you sit on most days of the week than with something on a boat.

FROM THE BRIDGE
While the flybridge is comparatively small compared to your average 52-footer, its low-profile design contributes to seaworthiness and stability. The bridge has moulded bench seating that can accommodate a small party and a Tracey International helmseat behind a centre console.

Electronics range from a VHF and 27 MHz radio to twin 7in Raymarine screens for the chartplotter and radar. There is an ST6000+ autopilot, a survey-standard compass, twin Cummins engine panels, a windlass remote and electronic Morse controls with a lovely fingertip feel.

Clear curtains hang from the stylish moulded bridge hardtop that is propped up on extra-heavy-duty stainless-steel rails. A lockable hatch over the ladder leading from the cockpit ensures party goers don't fall through.

The bridge overhang is home to a Davco davit, life raft and a 14ft RIB with a 30hp Yamaha outboard. The tender takes just a few minutes to launch. Little wonder it's been a key part of the adventures that have taken place at various anchorages.

THE CRUISING ROOM
The comparatively small cabin is what creates the purposeful west coaster look. Inside hides a surprisingly upmarket boat with cork saloon flooring, American oak joinery, stainless-steel kitchen benches and leather lounges.

Nowhere are creature comforts more apparent than the skipper's seat, an upmarket KAB drive-all-day pneumatic number in front of the lower helmstation to port. With lumbar support and adjusters for everything including your weight, plus a lambswool cover, it makes driving the boat almost too comfortable. You might need to keep the coffee on at night.

The moulded low-glare grey dash is home to marine radios, Raymarine navigation equipment, engine gauges, a genset panel, bilge-pump switches and alarms, a GME stereo and more. A back-up 12V battery is nearby along with the AC/DC control panels. Good forward vision and air-conditioning round out the all-weather helm.

The saloon features a big American oak table with surround lounges clad in a stylish Prussian-blue leather. The table has fiddle rails and big stanchions and is rock solid when leant on. Headroom is another high point and the views out the windows are pretty good, too.

An Akai television helps while-away the time at anchor, but you will also appreciate the stainless-steel handrails that let you move through the boat to the compact galley when at sea. The brushed stainless-steel benchtops and splashbacks look chic and are also handy to the helm and dinette.

Appliances include a two-burner SMEG ceramic hotplate and a convection microwave oven. The boat could probably do with more fridge space (the cockpit icebox needed a fridge unit) and more pantry room, too. But there is room for a huge amount of victuals in the underfloor engineering space or storeroom.

CREW QUARTERS
You will find accommodation in three cabins, set five steps down from the saloon. The finish is more practical than pretentious, with mock-grey wool wall liners, cork flooring and two-pack coated built-ins. All three cabins have hanging lockers or cupboards or some kind, opening portholes or hatches, and adult-sized beds.

There is a double berth in the spacious port-side cabin, a double to starboard that loses room to the lower helm above, and a ship-like oval door leading into a cabin with four bunks in the bow. All up, the boat can sleep eight — plus one on the saloon lounge and a dozen backpackers under the stars in sleeping bags.

As the Ocean Blaster 52 is a custom boat, you could cut back on the cockpit space, increase cabin size, boost the room inside and add a second bathroom. Either way, the boat is ready for adventure. All I would add are a desalinator, bigger fuel tanks and more refrigeration.

Hydrostatic steering, a good spread of electronics and that deliciously plush helmseat make the Ocean Blaster 52 a joy to drive hands-on as well as hands-free with the autopilot taking over. Cruising at 17kt is fast enough to go places without draining the fuel. Five-blade props add to the smooth run, too.

I struck fair weather during my quasi-Pacific Ocean odyssey off the Gold Coast, so the big 52-footer was ridiculously unchallenged. But the Dickinson brothers will tell you their boat is unstoppable in 40kt winds with the bowrail underwater, as was the case off Eden.

But you don't need a degree in rocket science or genetics to realise the Ocean Master 52 is bound for high-seas adventure. The boat's purposeful west coast crayboat lines say it all.

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