Trying out a fisherman’s

cruiser

By John Collins

I must admit to being a little nonplussed at being requested to follow my nose to Pittwater, north of Sydney to try out the Kingston “Angler”, a diesel-powered open displacement launch. Though being a lover, and owner, of displacement type boats, I still have an aversion to the completely open variety, preferring the few creature comforts provided by a small cabin.

On joining one of the Kingston’s builders and stepping aboard, I found it hard to dispel the impression that I was standing inside a disembowelled liner. The amount of room was indeed vast. Here was a small boat one could actually walk inside. A good five paces from bow to stern, none of the shuffling around things and stepping over gear that one gets used to on small craft - The sole was completely clear of all obstructions except for a small !£? “ i n * r a e J the ,Y eS ~m ca e , a tWO c yl inc^er Lister diesel, of 25 hp.

My chaperone started the engine and reversed out of the marina berth. There was very little vibra tion and virtually no mechanical noise, just a comforting throb from the well-muffled exhaust, just enough to let you know that every thing was functioning correctly.

A quick trip to a nearby wharf to buy some film brought to light another big plus for the Kingston, When tying up, one does not have to scramble around precarious, nar row, side decks, or through forward hatches designed for midgets. One simply ambles to the appropriate side of the bow and drops a line around a convenient piling.

With a length of 19 ft, and not much less on the waterline, the dis placement speed should be around eight knots. In fact the builders claim that 15 knots can be achieved with the 33 hp diesel The boat doesn’t actually plane,' which ac-

Coplt. Oh P 75

Cont. from p 73

counts for the very comfortable ride, but a little over-powering brings the boat enough extra speed to allow her to run for cover in dirty weather.

Since it was early morning and Pittwater is virtually an enclosed waterway, there was no chance to try the performance in any sort of a chop, however cutting across the wakes of other boats indicated a very stable ride. Indeed, with my 12 stone riding on one gunwale there was no indication of any difference in trim at all.

Steering is by tiller which is at the

same time light and very positive.

The helmsman can either stand or sit on the full width seat in the stern where he is within easy reach of the throttle and gear lever.

After a couple of hours of delightful pottering around, I had to rethink my attitudes toward open boats, at least to the Kingston. That huge self-draining floor had heaps of advantages. The addition of a surrey-type sun top would make it an ideal and economical resort or sight-seeing boat. • //■you must have your cabin, bunks, toilet, stove and all there's always the Kingston 580 with the same hull and choice of engines.

Taa Or Ansett For

Pacific Routes?

There is a growing need for one of Australia’s domestic carriers to be licensed for regional carriage in the Southwest Pacific, Mr Alasdair Buchanan, director of the Tonga Visitors Bureau, told the recent seminar organised by the Townsville College of Advanced Education (PIM, Oct, p 24).

Mr Buchanan is also a director of PATA and president of the Pacific Islands Tourism Development Council.

“Qantas must be given full credit for its efforts in developing the out bound Australian tourist market to the islands,” he said.

“But Qantas is a long-haul car rier, and this raises the important question of whether Qantas, while developing its long-haul role, can continue to operate what, by com parison, is a short-haul regional market in the South Pacific.

“Giving a licence to one of Australia’s domestic carriers would complement Qantas services.

“The domestic carriers have the equipment, the distances are suited to the equipment, and most regional airports either now or in the near future will be able to handle 727 aircraft.

“The islands of the Southwest Pacific should be to Australia and New Zealand outbound markets what the islands of the Mediterra nean are to the European market.”

Mr Buchanan also suggested that the most meaningful step toward regional co-operation in the South west Pacific would be for the Australian Tourist Commission to take the initiative in organising a “Discover the South Pacific” pro motion during 1978.

Union S Ro-Ro Ship

For Islands Run

The Union Steam Ship Co of NZ Ltd is to introduce a roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) ship to the Auckland- Pacific Islands service in December.

The ship chosen, the Marama, has been on the trans-Tasman service for nine years.

The Marama will replace the con tainer ship. Union South Pacific, which is on charter. The Marama will operate on a fortnightly fre quency from Auckland to Lautoka, Suva, Apia, Pago Pago and Nukualofa.