Whittley Cruisemaster 700

It's an imposing sight - all 7.0m of it. It's around 3100kg on a Mackay MultiLink trailer boasting more rollers than Double Bay and Toorak combined, with an industrial-strength MerCruiser Bravo II sterndrive leg poking out the back and neat integrated bowsprit/anchor storage up front.

Of course, we're talking about the new Whittley Cruisemaster 700 - the latest in a long line of trailerable Whittley family cruisers and a craft that has proved a runaway success since its launch at last year's round of winter boat shows.

Building on the Thomastown (Vic)-based company's impressive reputation for turnkey family boats, the 700 heralds a new era of Australian designed and built overnighters.

This is a craft that quite literally has all the mod cons... and then some. And while our final judgement will have to wait until we have a chance to spend a proper test period onboard, our initial impression is very positive.

AN ACQUIRED TASTE
Whittley will be the first to admit its boats are not for everybody. In many ways these are unique vessels, built to cater to a growing band of cruisers - mainly families and retirees - who want to spend extended periods on their craft yet still have the flexibility to trailer them to new locales when the spirit moves them.

It's no coincidence then that Whittley's snowballing success has echoed the resurgence in caravanning as a great Australian family pastime. It's equally no surprise that this is where the company has drawn its inspiration for onboard systems and interior features.

In fact, the interior layout of the 700 and its 12/240V electrical systems both benefit from technology and practices from the burgeoning RV market. Particular noteworthy is Whittley's Advanced Power Management System (APMS), which allows the Cruisemaster 700 to be used for extended periods without having to hook up to shore power.

In practical terms, the heart of the system is a three-battery set-up that sees two 95amp/hr deep-cycle 'house' batteries take care of domestic loadings, while a separate 'start' battery is protected to make sure you make it home. Of course, all three are charged once the powerplant is started - in the case of our test boat, a carbed 5.0L MerCruiser.

And during long periods of inactivity (the boat not you!), there are two 12v 'light' panels positioned on the hardtop to provide top-up charge.

Along with features like a fully-pressurised hot and cold water system, good sized head, galley with a host of appliances and optional inverter, the APMS means an end to roughing it.

IMPRESSIVE SPACE
What is immediately apparent is the 700's spaciousness. As well as an increase in headroom, the bulkhead which separated the front vee-berth from the main cabin in the Cruisemaster 23 has been removed. Coupled with large sidelights and a generous glazed forward hatch, the result is a seemingly huge cabin area for a trailerboat.

The compact yet workable galley is to port, while opposite is the fully enclosed head with standard porta-potty. A privacy curtain can seal off the front berth area as required. At the rear of the cockpit the engine box and rear lounges convert to form another large berth.

A step up from the cabin is the fully-carpeted, high-sided cockpit. There's a fold-down navigator's seat to port (which encroaches just a little on the companionway when in use) and generous gunwale height sidepockets.

The two-person helm seat is elevated, providing excellent vision through the Australian-made toughened glass screen (complete with wiper).

Here a burl walnut-look bi-level dash incorporates an upper bank of integrated gauges (including digital depth sounder) specially manufactured for Whittley locally by VDO. The lower level incorporates space to flushmount a GPS/chartplotter. GME marine stereo and 27meg two-way units are both standard equipment and are attractively mounted. All in all, it's a classy set-up.

ON THE WATER
Of course, there's more to a boat than a long list of standard equipment, and fortunately the 700 doesn't let the side down once out on the water.

Proven in the Cruisemaster 23 launched back in 1991, the 700's hull is a conventional deep-vee design with four near full-long planing strakes, pronounced reverse chines and a deadrise at the transom of 21°.

Unaltered in its latest guise, this is a soft riding yet stable hull. With the 700's all-new raised deck, it is also a very dry boat - in terms of spray at least. However, with the roof closed and side curtains in position we did experience a little blowback.

There have been big changes to the deck design in the move from 23 to 700. It's now a much more modern-looking craft with softer lines and an impressive integrated look.

Integral to the new design is the standard full-length hardtop. Designed to carry a small tender, the hardtop is structural and effectively extends the 'living area' of the boat. With the addition of clears and/or screens this should be quite a pleasant place to spend an evening or three.

The piece de resistance, however, is the incorporation of a sliding section of roof that opens up a large area of the hardtop adjacent to the helm.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Performance is not a high priority on this style of boat, but in standard trim the 700's 220hp MerCruiser 5.0L mated with the Bravo II leg's large-diameter 21-inch prop offered lots of usable urge. There was also plenty of bow rise on the way to the plane, which we probably could have tuned out using the testboat's standard trim tabs.

However, it should be noted that during our short test the craft's 177lt fuel and 130lt water tanks were all but empty. Add this load plus a galley full of food and an icebox full of cool treats, and I'm guessing the performance will be dulled somewhat.

If you plan on doing a lot of travelling at full load, it's probably wise to plug for something like the 260hp 5.7L EFI or perhaps even the 350 MAG MPI. For oiler fans Whittley has a diesel option for the 700, utilising a 170hp Duoprop-equipped Volvo Penta unit.

WINNING FORMULA
There's no doubt Whittley is on to a winner with the 700. Already, its order books are bulging and to satisfy demand the maker is working towards building one 700 per week.

As I stated earlier, the Cruisemaster won't suit everyone, but if you have a young family or you're just SKIN-ing (Spend Kids Inheritance Now) around looking for a trailerable waterborne home away from home, check it out. You won't be disappointed.