Boating New Zealand - July 2018

WORDS BY PETER ELLIOTT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER ELLIOTT

AND LAWRENCE SCHÄFFLER

review

Admiral 10m

Sports Cruiser

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ADMIRAL

hat focus is immediately apparent

when stepping aboard; this is an

immaculately-presented vessel. And as

I crawled, poked and explored, it was

clear that every centimetre on this little

ship had been meticulously planned.

She feels and looks great. With the padded linings

and leather furnishings (artworks in their own right) the

ambience is welcoming – like a good, mature wine. Internal

surfaces are carpeted or lined with pin-perfect vinyl, creating

a quiet environment when under way. And witness the soft,

rolled edges on every corner – no hard angles to catch you in

a seaway.

he labour of love began when McKenzie and Clement,

detecting a gap in the local boating scene for a 10m Sports

Cruiser, bought the Steadecraft hull moulds in 2007 –

principally because of the design’s sea-keeping reputation.

he marque’s 28-foot Sport and 33-foot Patrol models had

been very popular.

With the hull catered for, fundamental design

considerations included irst-class accommodation, quality

furnishings, the ability to catch and store ish, with reliable

power and exceptional control in a seaway. And, it needed

to be transportable – the boat would be used in Auckland

for six months, and six in Taupo.

Building this irst boat took just over a year and the

end result is a vessel that succeeds on multiple fronts.

Her public debut – at this year’s Hutchwilco Boat Show –

attracted considerable interest.

She’s particularly well-designed for entertaining and

hosting friends.

he galley’s L-shaped island holds a three-burner

cooktop and oven, with waterproof surfaces and splash-

backs. To the right, and below the superbly-upholstered

port settee, is a large slide-out drawer where crockery and

cutlery are stored in non-slip compartments.

For the Admiral’s builders – Hamiltonians Jason McKenzie and

Steve Clement – the 10m Sports Cruiser has been a deeply-

considered project nearly 10 years in gestation.

T

SALUTE THE