TRADEABOAT.COM.AU | 95TRAVEL | KIMBERLEY REGION, WA“None come near the
Kimberley Xplorer for close-
up action and going where
other boats and ships can't
go, or where their skippers
fear to tread”
as possible, as well as forming a base to sit on the
mud if the boat and crew are unlucky enough to
get caught out by the incredible tidal fluctuations
that the Kimberley coast is known (and feared) for.
It is an ideal craft for exploring this rugged
coastline.
It mightn't be as luxurious as some of the other
boats and pretty ships that cruise the Kimberley
coast, but I can tell you – none come near the
Kimberley Xplorer for close-up action and going
where other boats and ships can't go, or where
their skippers fear to tread.CUSTOM CRUISER
The twin turbo diesel QSB 5.9-litre 355
horsepower Cummins engines are one of the
most popular engines on the planet and can be
found in a host of trucks (including my 2006
Dodge Ram pick-up) and as marinised power
plants in a host of other marine craft.
They propel the Kimberley Xplorer along at
20-odd-knots, but they drink fuel at around 110
litres per hour at that speed.
At the more sedate cruising speed, they are
relatively miserly, sipping fuel at just 30 litres per
hour for the pair of them.
With more than 4,300 litres of fuel on board,
this boat is capable of cruising the whole length
of the Kimberley coastline, if and when required.
An on-board watermaker creates fresh water
each day, while solar panels, batteries and an
inverter are backed up by 240V generator, all of
which ensures fridges and freezes run cold and
everyone has access to camera battery charging
facilities and the like.