Two new boats for Tassie Eco Cruise

Operating out of Hobart's Constitution Dock area, Hobart Cruises' new Bruny Wildlife Adventure offers a unique boating experience into the Great Southern Ocean where wildlife frolics the way it has for centuries.

According to Neale Tomlin of Hobart Cruises, the design brief on the new expedition boats was a challenge from the outset.

The mission was to achieve a boating experience that offered the utmost in passenger comfort, uncompromising safety and a rapid ride. The addition of a first class seating section is an innovation unique to these boats allowing customers the option of fully sheltered premium seats.

A 14 metre long RIB with seating for 48 passengers was deemed the optimum configuration. Included in the design brief was under floor heating, a well appointed bathroom, remote operated under water video camera and on-board plasma screens which allow passengers to view the sea life from the comfort of their boat.

Four V8 Yamaha F350s were chosen to power each of the two identical 14 metre aluminium RIBs.

"When we looked deeper into the issue we found that there was a lot more to like about the Yamaha outboards than brute power. The dealer support in Hobart is exceptional and the Yamaha brand is the preferred brand amongst commercial fishermen in Tasmania - we think that statement says something about the brand and is worth taking note," said Neale.

"And given our company's commitment to the environment, we were very happy to have selected the world's cleanest outboard engine. Moreover they are ultra quiet, an important factor allowing our customers to come up close and personal with wildlife in wild places."

Loaded up with the full manifest of 48 passengers plus crew, each expedition boat tips the scales at 14 tonnes.

"The Yamaha V8s are the largest cubic capacity outboard on the market. This allows us to achieve our optimum cruising speed of 25 to 30 knots with engine revs hovering around 4000 rpm," said Neale.

www.yamaha-motor.com.au