Dreaming Is Believing At Port

Newcastle Herald

Friday July 4, 2008

Boating, Mark Rothfield

BABY boomers, start your superannuation. The rest of you, start your Lotto forms, for two highly desirable Johnson motor yachts are coming to Port Stephens on July 12.

There's a 58-footer with a base price of $2 million and a 75 that will set you back $4.6 million (and counting).

Both were designed by British naval architect Bill Dixon and built to world-class specifications in Taiwan. Two "prominent Newcastle businessmen" you know how it is, rich guys and anonymity are the national importers.

Yacht broker Paul Woolmer, who's put his hand up as the marketing man, is naturally full of praise for the marque.

"I've owned and seen a lot of boats and the finish of these motor yachts is as good as it gets," he said.

"The engineering is very solid and the moulding and timberwork are just outstanding."

Unlike many other luxury boat builders, Johnson allows owners to extensively customise the cabin layout and fitout. That's because the saloons are open plan, with few internal fibreglass bulkheads.

Quality marine ply, not chipboard, is used throughout with a choice of eight timber finishes. There's camphor in the hanging lockers to prevent clothes from getting musty.

When a local boat is ordered the Newcastle agents ship off a container stacked with fridges, stoves, water maker, microwave, washer/dryer, plasmas, sound system gear and the navigation electronics. These are then factory fitted but carry a full Australian warranty for servicing.

Cat diesels (800hp) are fitted to the Johnson 58 and the 75 sports twin MTUs (1500hp), giving top speeds of 32 knots and 22 knots respectively.

Woolmer said the Dixon-designed hulls were soft-riding and very forgiving offshore. The 58 and 75 are calling into Nelson Bay tomorrow week on their way south from Brisbane to Sydney. Inspection is by invitation phone Woolmer on 4964 8111 or email sales@johnsonmotoryachts.com.au

Hamilton entries swell

DESPITE all the recent talk about high fuel prices, the yachties aren't listening. Or perhaps they just don't care, since registrations for this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week's 25th anniversary regatta are going gangbusters.

This week the 150th entry was received for the event, which will be staged from August 23-30.

The milestone yacht is an elegant 66-footer called Van Diemen, owned by an expatriate Aussie living in California. It will represent California's Newport Harbour Yacht Club.

Battling for trans-Tasman honours in the South Pacific Cup will be three IRC yachts from Australia against three of New Zealand's best.

Representing the home side are IRC Australian champion Rod Jones in his new Archambault 40 Alegria, Geoff Ross aboard Yendys and Michael Hiatt's Cookson 50 Living Doll.

Entries don't close until August 10. Details on www.hamiltonisland raceweek.com.au.

Gosford golden boy

GOSFORD sailor Tom Slingsby cruised to a Laser class victory in this week's Kiel Week Regatta in Germany, making him a hot favourite for Olympic gold.

The two-time world champ overcame a recent bout of glandular fever to finish on 21 points, 38 ahead of his nearest rival.

Australian team director Michael Jones said the win showed why Slingsby, 24, was the best Laser sailor in the world.

"Tom has won regattas across a wide range of conditions this year and the ability he now has to adjust and win makes him odds on favourite to medal at the Olympic Games."

mrothfield@theherald.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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