MATIILDA BAY 32OBX

MATILDA BAY 32 HEADS FOR SYDNEY

As I have previously written, we have partnered up with Twin Disc (Pacific) to demonstrate the Seakeeper 3 Gyro Stabiliser. It is a new release for smaller vessels it runs off the 12 volt vessel system and when tested it eliminated 95% of the roll on our 32 OBX.

Back to the Matilda Bay 32, our first version, with single 370 hp Yanmar diesel inboard this this voyage last year in mixed conditions, the vessel handled the sea very well and was well received at the Sydney Show.

This year we have the outboard powered version, Matilda Bay 32OBX, twin 300 hp Mercury Verados on an Armstrong Nautical bracket. The boat stills feels excellent in the water, so I am confident that if we encounter rough conditions it will prove to be as good as the inboard version. Cruising speed is up from 20 to between 25 and 29 knots but heading into slightly sloppy seas our speed at 23-25 was a perfect ride. Fuel consumption was a shade under 4 litres per mile.

Yesterdays run from Gold Coast to Yamba was hardly a test, however there was still a swell running and heading into some residual seas from the weekends winds. Our journey was nothing short of sensational, travelling at a comfortable 22-25 knots with glassy conditions. We stopped to photograph a whale seen breaching not too far away to get a good photo. Normally you would have to lean on something or hold on but with the Seakeeper the boat was steady and a good shot was easy. Would you believe it, the whale disappeared.

Cape Byron headland - easternmost point of Australia

We hope to see you at Sydney International Boat Show

Chas Milner