Boating New Zealand
05 12 Topic : Yacht Reviews
Dibley Marine Design Weekend Warrior
Auckland-based designer Kevin Dibley describes himself as 80 percent sail, 20 percent power, although he has formal training in both disciplines as a graduate of the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology, Connecticut, USA.
The Weekender 7.7 is a representative of Dibley’s 20 percent: a simple, light trailerboat built at Craig Partridge.
Yachts Ltd in Kerikeri. It will be on display at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, just to the left inside the main gate, beside the mussel fritter stand. That’s appropriate, because as a weekend boat, it will be regularly required to catch a feed.
The Weekender 7.7 was originally commissioned by a client of Craig Partridge Yachts, but when the client’s circumstances changed, the foreman, Ian Harvey, liked the boat so much he took it over as his own, as a weekender for two or for a fishing trip for the boys. There is plenty of room for four to fish, or six at a pinch, and generous toe-kicks with wide coamings for good angler support.
The interior is fully lockable. There’s a simple galley with a two-burner stove to starboard, some locker space and a small sink. The helmstation is forward to starboard with a nicely shaped helm console to take all instruments and the Raymarine chartplotter.
The enclosed, fully plumbed, electric head is to starboard, with privacy coming from a pull-out plastic screen sometimes seen on showers. A wide opening leads to the vee berth with padded shelving running above. The interior is nicely finished with a teak trim which doubles as handholds.
The Honda 225hp outboard is plenty of power to lift the 1800 kg boat smoothly on to the plane, and to speeds of up to 39 knots.
“With this project, the key was to keep it simple, light, and achieve high speeds in total control in adverse conditions,” Dibley says.
– Rebecca Hayter
