Above the helm, the radio and stereo
are mounted in a teak strip fixed to the
white gleaming hardtop – out of the
way yet easily to hand.
The helm station is comfortable
and access to instruments is simple,
uncluttered and instinctive. The
helm has the usual sports wheel, light
to command and accurate, and for
instrumentation the terrific Simrad
16in touchscreen does the business.
I like this unit very much; it’s flat,
flush, bright and simple to use, while
its split screen is easy to negotiate
and configure. Engine information
is provided by digital gauges and the
layout is pleasing to the eye. Dash-top
storage is good and useable.
The Maxwell winch hauls a generous
rope and chain combo attached to
the Sarca Excel anchor snugly homed
between the double-roller bowsprit.
The strapping stainless steel bow and
grab rails look terrific and are sturdy.
On the aft edge of the hardtop is a
six-pot rocket launcher, with places
for four more rods on the baitboard,
in this instance mounted on the tall
boarding platform rail.
FAMILY WEEKENDS
The weekender aspect of this boat is
terrific, with human needs taken care
of to a fine degree, including the luxury
of a hot and cold shower at the stern.
The macerating electric toilet –
beneath and forward of the helm
station – is a very welcome addition
too, as is the manner in which the door
swings into the main companionway
and is held in place magnetically,
assuring complete privacy below.
The forward bunk is large and my
183cm frame fitted without a problem.
The galley is fitted with a fridge that’s
large for a boat, an excellent two-
burner gas hob under a toughened
glass top, a sink unit with tap,
pressurised freshwater and wooden
infill top to make this a great kitchen
preparation area. Useful drawer and
cupboard space beneath allows storage
of all cookware and crockery, and
above, at eye height, is a lined shelving
unit with double opening sliding doors
for pantry and mug storage. The layout
works well, allowing for fresh coffee
and hot food to be delivered during the
journey or at rest.At day’s end the table can be placed
in the socket in the cockpit floor for
dining or drinks. With the Cruiser
hardtop that was fitted to the test boat,
the cockpit would hold bad weather
well at bay or equally deliver sun
protection par excellence.
Were it configured more for fishing,
the standard hardtop might be
preferable as being a little shorter it’s
less in the way for casting rods.
For Mum and Dad this is a launch-
capable home-away-from-home with
the looks and performance of a top-
end sportsboat that you can hook to
the 4WD and take wherever you fancy.IN THREES
There’s a magic mix in these
Rayglass/3.0L Mercury Diesel Bravo-III
combos, the 3, 3, 3. Cruising uses about
a litre per nautical mile – 3,3,3 refers to
3000rpm, 30mph, at 30L/h.
With 300L aboard that’s 10 hours’
steaming – a good range, though a 400L
tank is optional and would really open
up some fantastic cruising and fishing
options aboard this comfortable and
sporty girl.“At 8.7m long, this is
probably as big as
it’s possible to get
and still be legally
transportable on
the road”
The boat you want is easier to find tradeboats.com.au^51
Rayglass Legend 2800