seating area, as well as space for two
standalone dining chairs.
A wet bar on the port side includes
a solid surface bench top, stainless
steel sink with mixer tap, an ice maker,
drinks fridge and drawers for glass
storage.
There’s also a small watertight
battery box inside the wet bar unit
to give emergency power for the
electronic navigation and control
systems in the flybridge.
At the console, the skipper is on the
centreline of the vessel, so they can
judge both sides equally and see aft
easily (with cameras enhancing the
lower views aft).
The helm is dominated by a row of
four 22in Garmin nav screens – ideal
for large format views of charts, radar,
cameras and sonar.
The Twin Disc joystick-transmission
is the key instrument for slow
manoeuvring, as I found when taking
the big Riviera out of the marina.GAME CHAIR
In warm climates, usable deck space on
your bluewater explorer is essential.
To this end, the aft is cleverly divided
into two cockpit areas, both finished
in teak.
The other essential is shade, so
the inner aft cockpit includes a large
covered dining area with a gleaming
walnut table alongside the transom
bench seating.
Aft of this and below this is the outer
cockpit.
Recalling company owner
Longhurst’s opening remarks, a game
chair can be included here for when the
marlin are running.
Practicalities also abound, including
four large deck hatches.
The outer two provide storage or fish
bins while the inner two provide access
to the aft lazarette and the steering
system.
A barbecue unit is also found in this
outer cockpit, ideal for grilling thosepelagic prizes as they come sliding onto
the swimplatform.
The bow is equally well appointed,
thanks to a spacious sunken
entertaining area with seating for eight,
or at least when the Williams jet tender
is not in place which shares this space.
The tender can be launched and
retrieved via a hydraulic davit arm
capable of 550kg lifts.
The area can also be covered with
a folding bimini – an ideal space at
anchor for sun worshippers or a spot
to relax and savour a drink after a day’s
cruising.OPTIMISED HULL
The hull has a fine entry with plenty
of bow flare to minimise spray, while
chines underneath give directional
stability as the aft section flattens
behind the keel to promote planing.
Propellers are housed in tunnels to
minimise drag and the 6m beam is
wide enough to cope with heavier loads“My sea trial was a coastal voyage north from Sydney,
in order to experience swells rolling up from the Southern
Ocean to test this new hull”
26 trade aboat.com.auB65 Expedition series