Steber 52

Long-serving boatbuilders, the Steber family have witnessed an absolute flotilla of recreational and commercial craft leave their Taree yard over the years. However, this Steber 52 is a first — built to the exacting specifications of a VIP in Qatar where the warm waters, numerous small offshore islands, coral and artificial reefs lend themselves to diving.

Designed as a commercial dive charter vessel, Steber 52 #261 was in survey for 16 passengers and crew and built to Australian Standards USL Code Class 1C. As such, features include a full set of engine-driven bilge pumps, survey height rails, external fuel and engine vent shutoffs, and heavy-duty engine shafts. This boat carries 2600lt of fuel and 460lt of water since its primary role is a dayboat.

STEP OFF
The 52 has a massive cockpit where an army could get suited-up before taking the plunge. Among the purpose-built diving features are rear tank racks, an air compressor, and removable stainless steel transom gates.

 For ease of access to the water, however, nothing beats the submersible boarding platform with a hydraulic Opacmare pump. There is also a side-opening cockpit gate with drop-in dive ladder.

A nice touch for divers is the outdoor dayhead. On the portside of the cabin, the enclosure features a shower and an electric loo that doubles as a bidet. Two other shower roses are mounted under the 3.5m-long moulded cockpit canopy, as is a removable cockpit table for doing lunch. There are also freshwater deck washes for cleaning dive gear. An underwater camera linked to a multifunction navigation screen at the helm is one option mad-keen divers might consider.

Other outdoor features include a small washbasin, a big deck fridge and wonderful engine room access. The motors propelling this 21,000kg dive boat are twin C12 700hp Caterpillars, spinning four-blade props through Twin Disc electronic shifts. There are three idle speeds, a synchro mode and very little delay. The boat has a matching 11kVA Caterpillar generator for one-stop servicing.

Easy walkaround decks lead to the bow and a short ladder climbs to the flybridge, which isn't fitted out, however, as the bridge was intended to be used as a very occasional viewing platform only. The single helm station indoors behind the windscreen is fully equipped. Great views extended ahead and, even with no trim tabs, the bow didn't block my outlook of the ocean.

 It must be said, however, that this is a big boat and it's a long, long way back to the transom. As such, reverse parking is probably best done with the aid of a crew person at the transom. While driving from the forward indoor helm station I found it easy to forget just how much boat I had behind me.

DRIVE ON
The wheelhouse station has twin 11in Furuno electronic screens, autopilot, weather fax system, and twin Caterpillar LCD engine monitoring screens. The Hydrive hydraulic steering has quite some turns in the wheel, and indoor engine noise levels were nice and low.

At 1580rpm the engines returned 20 knots while consuming 100lt/h each. A faster cruise speed of 22.2 knots was clocked at 1750rpm for 138lt/h per side. Flat out, the lightly laden boat does 32 knots at 2340rpm.

The ride offshore was dry and smooth. Like most Stebers, this 52 reeled in the sea miles with the determination of a commercial vessel more than a purely pretty boat. Given a carte blanche, you could make anything from a galloping gamefisher to an expedition cruiser with the Steber's 52ft hull.

 Although its primary purpose is a day dive boat, the Steber has a nice interior fitout of rosewood laminate joinery, wool carpet and ivory leather upholstery.

While remaining a spacious thoroughfare, the air-conditioned saloon has a starboard C-shaped lounge around a table with views outside and across to the wall-mounted Sharp LCD television. The portside galley is one long continuous benchspace for preparing lunch, with brushed aluminium splashbacks and an array of storage cupboards. Amenities include a deep sink, microwave oven, AC/DC 130lt fridge and 90lt freezer, and an icemaker.

The boat's simple forward cabin is set under the short foredeck. I noted plenty of headroom, a curtain for privacy when changing, and an offset double berth against the starboard wall.

There is an escape hatch, of course, but the owner intends to escape a lot more often around the coral reefs off Qatar.