Maine Entry To Caviar Cruises

Newcastle Herald

Friday May 9, 2008

Boating, Mark Rothfield

IN the US, up Maine way, they fondly refer to their recreational trawlers as "Down Easters". It's because the stout little lobster boats that share their DNA head east to brave the North Atlantic swells.

The Perfect Storm waters.

Down Under, we call 'em caviar cruisers, for they're the preserve of cruisy types with champagne tastes. Lobsters are served rather than caught.

Sabre Yachts, founded in Maine 35 years ago, has so far avoided our radar, but the company has a worldwide reputation for quality. The first Sabre to hit our shores will debut at this month's Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

E Marine Australia is the importer, with principal Jed Elderkin selling them alongside his Back Cove range.

In the Sabre line-up are a 47-foot aft-cabin motor yacht, a 42 fly bridge sedan (also available with an extended hard top instead of a bridge), plus three "hard top express" models 34, 36 and 42.

The latest addition and flagship is the Sabre 52 salon express. At 8-10 knots, which is where trawler yachts operate, they are exceptionally economical to drive. But when conditions demand, the performance of the deep-vee hulls comes into its own.

Typical cruising speeds are in the 20-knot range and they top out at 25-30 knots, depending on the power.

"These sophisticated and truly elegant boats are in a niche of their own," Elderkin said. "And with Sabre's own particular blend of finely fitted interiors, they will be a truly envied craft."

Details on (02) 9417 8671 or www.emarine.com.au.

Virgin trawler

LAKE Macquarie's Auspicious Yachts, the national importer of Mainships from the US, will have just one boat, a 40-foot Trawler, at Sanctuary Cove.

"Its quite an exercise taking a boat like this anywhere," said Christine Szewczuk. "It's a new boat, so we'll truck it up to keep it in showroom condition."

The $610,000 vessel is under contract and will remain in Queensland with its new owner.

Mainship released two new boats at this year's Miami Boat Show, a 42 Trawler Expedition and a 31 Pilot. As well, the 43 Pilot (pictured) and 43 Trawler have both been rebadged as 45s.

Top male a-sail

HE'S from the Central Coast but we'll happily claim Tom Slingsby as one of our own, now that he's added the prestigious Australian Male Sailor of the Year award to his back-to-back world Laser trophies.

The 23-year-old retained the world title on his home waters of Terrigal in January, having won the 2007 world's in Portugal.

He also took gold at the Laser European Championships, silver at the Sydney International Regatta, bronze in the Princess Sofia Trophy and finished fourth at the Olympic sailing test event.

Accordingly, Slingsby has risen to number one in the Laser world rankings. Next stop, Beijing.

Bus to success

ORGANISERS of the inaugural Sail Port Stephens Regatta have described it as a quiet little success.

Some 25 boats and 200 competitors along with family and friends enjoyed the week-long regatta.

The signature event, the NSW IRC Championship, was decisively won by the Corby 49 Limit, owned by Alan Brierty from Western Australia. Premier Cru, owned by Newcastle's Keith Stronach, claimed the PHS title and the Port Stephens Trophy.

The social program was well supported by local business, including Port Stephens Coaches, which bused crews to the nightly functions.

Snag a race

IF you're keen to try match racing aboard a Dart SB3 and grab a free snag, head to Lake Macquarie Yacht Club from noon to 4pm tomorrow. It's a relaunch for local broker Lake Macquarie Yachting phone Terence Robertson on 0414 458 776.

mrothfield@theherald.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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