NEW BOATS - Clipper Hudson Bay 50

Clipper Motor Yachts will show the first of its new Hudson Bay sedan cruiser range, a Hudson Bay 50, at the Sydney International Boat Show this year.

“We are really excited about this new range,” said Clipper Yachts Australia (CYA) managing director, Brett Thurley.

“The company has spent a great deal of time and energy to ensure they combine the classic lines, for which Clippers are renowned, with the relaxed lifestyle aspects of a sedan cruiser,” he said.

Thurley says other builders have produced sedan-style motoryachts that focussed on a dayboat layout, rendering the boat “very one-dimensional”.

“We have combined a layout and features that will focus on families getting away and staying onboard, while offering a comprehensive range of contemporary features,” Thurley said.

“These include a combined teppanyaki and lava rock barbecue, sliding sunroof and large portlights in the hull that provide incredible light to the accommodation suite.

“As with all Clippers, the new Hudson Bay comes fully equipped with a hydraulic swimplatform standard, Raymarine E140 navigation aids, GPS, fishfinder, autopilot, bowthrusters, a stainless steel anchor and 100m of chain all standard equipment,” he said.

The new Hudson Bay 50 is designed around a single-level family and entertaining area stretching from the aft cockpit and protected by a generous overhang of the hardtop through the galley and saloon and dinette, says CYA.

The bluewater hull is constructed in solid handlaid fibreglass below the waterline with cored fibreglass above. Deck and hardtop are infusion moulded with a honeycomb core to maintain strength while reducing weight.

The hydraulic swimplatform can be lowered to make swimming on and off the boat simpler or to launch water toys.

The transom includes two entry gates — one on either side. The cockpit includes a transom lounge with Sunbrella fabric for the sun worshippers and a second L-shaped lounge around the port side with folding dinette table. On the starboard side is an entertainer’s centre: a teppanyaki flat plate barbecue along with a Miele lava rock barbecue grill, icemaker and fridge combo, and a wetbar sink. The cockpit — except for the transom lounge — is well shaded by a long hardtop overhang.

Wide walkaround sidedecks lead to the forward deck and anchor locker.

Entry to the saloon is two steps up to a sliding stainless steel framed glass door. A deck hatch below the steps offers access to the engineroom.

The saloon, with wraparound windows and sunroof, includes a well-equipped U-shaped aft galley featuring Smeg appliances, four-burner cooktop and convection microwave oven, double stainless steel sink with mixer taps and under-bench refrigeration. A three-seat lounge stretches along the starboardside of this space. Flip-up bulkhead windows open to serve the cockpit just in case the cockpit entertainment unit is not adequate.

The light and airy saloon features a dinette with L-shaped seating to port, a single step up from the saloon floor. CYA says the sense of light and air is enhanced by the standard glass-panelled sunroof that slides open at the press of a button.

The helm position of the Hudson Bay 50 depends on the accommodation option. This model offers two accommodation design options: three cabins and two bathrooms; or two-cabin/two-bathroom layout. The helm in the two-cabin option is in the forward centre of the saloon with a starboardside companionway, while the three-cabin option has a central companionway and a starboard helm position.

As with all Clippers, CYA said the helm is fully equipped standard with a Marine Tech low-back helm seat, complete set of engine instruments, electronic throttle and gear controls, hydraulic steering, engine and bilge alarms and Raymarine E140 multifunction display.

The two-cabin accommodation option provides for a large master stateroom amidships and double forward. The three-cabin variant, built around a central companionway, offers the master stateroom amidships on the port side, a twin-berth starboard and VIP stateroom forward.

“We believe this new sedan range will offer Australian families the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor living and accommodation for weekends away,” said Thurley.

“It combines gorgeous exterior styling that exudes class and timeless elegance, with Clipper’s bluewater cruising credibility.

“The hull design shares many features of the proven Cordova range, making it equally comfortable cruising at 12kts or speeds up to 26kts,” he said.

Power is provided by optional twin 480hp Yanmar or 440hp Cummins turbo-diesel engines. The boat is also equipped with an Onan 11kW generator.

For further information, contact Brett Thurley, phone (07) 3890 5000; 0419 788 000 or email: brett@clippermotoryachts.com.au

QUICK SPECS

Hudson Bay 50

Material: Handlaid fibreglass and cored topsides
Type: Monohull
Length overall: 15.88m (inc. swimplatform)

Beam: 4.7m
Draft: 1.06m
Weight: Approx 19 tonnes

Fuel: 1892lt
Water: 567lt

Holding tank: 189lt

Renderings: Clipper Hudson Bay 50 sedan cruiser; HB 50 two-cabin; HB 50 three-cabin.