the Boating New Zealand article here

Boat review: Elite 17.8m mid-pilothouse
“
Such personal
touches are possible
only with a custom
build....
Ocean Elite, the 17.8m
Elite mid-pilothouse
designed by Bill
Upfold and built by
Lloyd Stevenson
Boatbuilders.
perfection,
”
custom-made
Words by John Eichelsheim Photos by Will Calver
78
Boating New Zealand July 2014
When an Auckland couple came to commission their new Elite motoryacht, 16
metres was too small, 18 metres was too big – but 17.8 metres was just right.
B
rian Tubman had always wanted to commission a new
boat and be involved with the whole project. He got
his chance when he and his wife Margaret decided to
upgrade their 16m Elite mid-pilothouse, purchased
secondhand several years before.
They wanted another boat from the Elite range but
were unsure whether to build new or buy secondhand.
“Margaret and I looked at several nice mid-pilothouse
launches, but for various reasons none of them quite fitted the
bill,” says Brian. The couple wanted a larger boat, but it still had to
fit their 18m marina berth. Upfold’s 18m Elites were too big for the
berths and his 16m models were the same size as their old boat.
So they went with a new Elite to get exactly what they wanted,
including a length of 17.8m, to fit the Tubmans’ 18m marina
berth – just.
A year after signing up the project, Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders
delivered Ocean Elite in November 2013. Hull construction is Elite’s
glass-balsa-glass composite over a marine ply liner and timber
frames. The hull started life upside down before it was turned over
to complete the interior, composite decks and superstructure. Top
quality resins, glass and paints were used throughout.
Getting involved
Brian and Margaret thoroughly enjoyed the entire project.
“We loved being involved,” says Brian, “and Lloyd [Stevenson]
was great at keeping us up with progress, including Friday updates
and a photo diary.”
By going from one Elite to another, Brian had a clear idea of what
he wanted, especially in the selection of the boat’s electronics.
“It was an opportunity to fit the very latest gear and position
it where I wanted,” says Brian. Everything, including the main
switchboard, is controlled from the helm, because he had liked
that ability on his previous Elite.
On that boat Brian had three, smaller dedicated displays,
but this time he’s opted for two large Raymarine Hybrid Touch
multi-function displays on which to display navigation, fish finder
and radar data. They also display live feeds from three onboard
cameras. The displays can show a full range of engine status and
performance data, which is also available on the Caterpillar digital
displays either side of the wheel.
“New split-screen technology allows me to see all kinds of data
simultaneously, so there was no need for dedicated displays for
fishfinder, radar and chart like I used to have,” says Brian. He can
set up his twin displays in many configurations. When fishing, he
displays chart plotter and fish finder in full screen mode.
The autopilot is also Raymarine, along with digital wind speed
and direction indicators mounted over the windows. A Jabsco
spotlight is controlled remotely from the helm, as is the Cummins
Onan genset, the Volvo interrupter trim tabs and a Sidepower bow
thruster. Brian can also monitor tankage levels – fuel, water and
waste water – from the helm.
“I like to have everything at my fingertips rather than having to
go from place to place to monitor things,” he says.
With so many of the boat’s systems controlled from the
helm, it is a busy piece of real estate, but it’s laid out logically.
Everything is easily reached, thanks to the two-person, benchstyle helm which seat slides back and forth electrically to
accommodate different leg lengths.
One of the pilothouse settees is wider than normal – as per
Brian’s request – so it’s a great spot for a snooze. There’s clever
rod storage in racks under one of the bridge settees. Brian also
Ocean Elite’s mid-pilothouse design has the saloon mid-level between that of the galley and flybridge, for an overall lower profile. ABOVE: Brian and Margaret Tubman.
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79
Expanding Elite family
L
loyd Stevenson Boat Builders has completed 19 Bill Upfolddesigned Elite motor launches and has number 20 in build at
its East Tamaki yard. Ocean Elite is Elite number 60 designed
by Bill Upfold and Elite Marine Design. Most Elites are resident in
New Zealand but a few examples live in Australia.
requested a double fairlead with twin anchors: one for fishing; the
other, for overnight use. Such personal touches are possible only
with a custom build – an aspect Bill Upfold obviously enjoys when
working with clients on a new design.
“Each Elite is slightly different from the last, incorporating
improvements learned from previous boats and the input of
individual customers,” he says. “Ocean Elite works well for its
owners, who were able to really put their own stamp on it.”
Bright and breezy
Margaret took on the massive task of choosing the boat’s interior
décor. The process, while mostly enjoyable, wasn’t without its
moments, she admits.
“I shed a few tears along the way and there were periods of
intense frustration when nothing seemed to be going right.”
Sometimes, she says, she was daunted by the scale of it all – and
the responsibility – or simply struggled with colours or couldn’t
find the right materials.
Ocean Elite’s builders, Lloyd and Tracey Stevenson, helped with
the décor process.
“Lloyd and Tracey were wonderful, helping me out when I
got stuck, suggesting products and suppliers, fabrics and even
combinations of colours and materials that had worked for them
in the past,” says Margaret. “I made my own choices, but they were
80
Boating New Zealand July 2014
ABOVE, FROM LEFT: Margaret and Brian Tubman, boatbuilder Lloyd
Stevenson and designer Bill Upfold, seated in Ocean Elite’s saloon, a feature
of the mid-pilothouse concept. INSET: The owner specified all controls and
monitoring systems on the helm – it’s busy, but efficient.
great support and as the process went on I became more confident,
more sure of what I wanted, so it became easier. There was still a bit
of agonising, but I’m very pleased with the end result.”
“The difference is in the details,” says Lloyd. “The [build]
quality is always there, but builds differ from one another in
specification and minor construction details. This is a simpler
Elite than some we have built and more complex than others, but
it’s what the owners wanted.”
Margaret’s tears were worthwhile, because the result is a
wonderful balance of light, neutral colours, interesting motifs
and a mix of fabrics, marine vinyls, timber finishes and leather
that really works. The deep-pile carpet used in the saloon and
pilothouse was an inspired choice.
Margaret specified semi-filled grain for the teak panelling,
cabinetry and trim, which gives a semi-satin finish that looks great.
Completely redesigned for clarity and simplicity,
aSeries with LightHouse II makes everything easier
Pinch-to-Zoom with fluid touch screen control
More Powerful with smarter touch controls and all
new features
™
Experience Visionality – with the CHIRP
™
DownVision equipped a68, a78, a98 and a128 models
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TOP: The dining area, just inside from the cockpit and aft of the fully-spec’d
galley which features instant boiling water and a dishdrawer. MIDDLE RIGHT:
The flybridge seating and luxurious helmseat. ABOVE, FROM LEFT: The
owners’ cabin, utility area and one of two en suite toilets.
NEWa9/a12
Completely redesigned for clarity and simplicity,
aSeries with LightHouse II makes everything easier
Pinch-to-Zoom with fluid touch screen control
More Powerful with smarter touch controls and all
new features
™
Completely
redesigned for clarity and simplicity,
Experience Visionality
– with the CHIRP
™
DownVision equipped
a68,
a78,
a98
and
a128 models
aSeries with LightHouse
II makes everything easier
Network with any LightHouse-powered MFD
Pinch-to-Zoom with fluid touch screen control
More Powerful with smarter touch controls and all
new features
™
Experience Visionality – with the CHIRP
™
DownVision equipped a68, a78, a98 and a128 models
06/06/2014
Network with any LightHouse-powered MFD
Taken together, the boat’s living spaces project a feeling of luxury
and space, while large glazed areas ensure plenty of light and
210 x 275 aSeries (UK) a9 a12.indd 1
11:14
excellent sight lines, no matter where in the boat you are seated.
In the galley Margaret also took a leading role, choosing the
Hi-Max work surfaces, tweaking the layout and sourcing topFor more information, go to www.raymarine.co.nz
210 x 275 aSeries (UK) a9 a12.indd 1
06/06/2014 11:14
quality kitchen appliances.
The galley is a large, user-friendly space with full-size
appliances, including a five-burner gas hob, Belling under-bench
oven, Fisher and Paykel dish drawer and microwave, built-in
fridge and in-bench freezer. The instant boiling water outlet
is more commonly found in high-end domestic kitchens and
Contact your local Raymarine dealer or call
swanky offices than in boats, but Margaret is particularly proud
L&B: Auckland 09 415 8303,
of it, and we enjoyed hot drinks on demand. When the Cummins
Whangarei 09 438 6353, Tauranga 07 927 9270
Onan genset is not operating, the boiling point runs off the
www.lusty-blundell.co.nz
inverter. This also powers other 240V appliances in the boat and
210 x 275 aSeries (UK) a9 a12.indd 1
audio-visual equipment, including a cellphone booster so the
Lusty & Blundell
owners can Skype with family.
105 x 297 aSeries (UK).indd 1
07/03/2014 14:43
Discrete zones
As with all of Bill Upfold’s mid-pilothouse designs, Ocean Elite is
Auckland 09 415 8303, Whangarei 09 438 6353, Tauranga 07 927 9270 www.lusty-blundell.co.nz
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a vessel of discrete zones. There’s the fishing/wet zone on the aft
platform; the cockpit zone; an aft dining area and galley, plus the
private rear cabin and en suite bathroom/day head, claimed by
Brian and Margaret. The raised main saloon is on the next level
up. The for’ard companionway leads from the main saloon to the
guest accommodation below: two cabins, one with bunks; the
other with a generous double berth, plus the guest bathroom.
The design makes clever use of otherwise dead space behind
the shower, which is used for storage and to house the washing
machine and airing cupboard.
Up top there is yet another zone comprising the pilothouse,
helm station, a social area with plenty of comfortable seating,
overhead hatches for light and air, and stacking rear doors to the
aft deck, which has undercover seating. The tender is stowed here
0714-80
82
Boating New Zealand July 2014
on a cradle and launched with the Steelhead electric crane.
Even the entertainment system is split into zones with separate
controls for each, as are the temperature settings for the Webasto
diesel heating. Brian and Margaret plan to use their boat year-round.
Separating dirty from clean
With more than 45 hours on Ocean Elite’s pair of 567hp C9
Caterpillar engines, Margaret and Brian have clearly enjoyed the
boat over summer, including regular family trips to Great Barrier
Island and shorter getaways to Kawau and Waiheke Islands.
The cockpit’s sliding cavity doors mean the space can be
completely closed off from the water, making it ideal for Brian and
Margaret’s grandchildren who are regular guests aboard Ocean Elite.
Brian enjoys fishing, as the boat’s outriggers, rod lockers and
Elite 17.8
mid-pilothouse
➤ loa 17.8m
➤ beam 5.4m
➤ draft approx 1.2m
➤ construction glass-balsa-glass
composite over marine ply liner
and timber frames
➤ weight approx 23000kg
➤ engine 2 x Caterpillar C9 576hp
➤ fuel 3000 litres
➤ cruising speed 18-20 knots
➤ max speed 26.5 knots
➤ packages from POA
➤ designed by Elite Marine
Design, ph 09 530 8501
www.powerboatsnz.com
➤ boat built by Lloyd Stevenson
Boatbuilders Ltd, ph 09 274 7680
www.lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz
FROM FAR LEFT: Lloyd Stevenson, Ocean Elite’s builder, on anchoring
duties. Owner Brian Tubman had firm ideas on the boat’s electrical systems,
having developed his ideas on his previous vessels. The barbecue in the
cockpit for al fresco dining. ABOVE: The pristine engine room, home to the
twin Caterpillar C9 engines. Accessed through a heavy door in the guest
cabin, the engineroom also houses the genset, SeaRecovery watermaker,
fuel system and automatic fire extinguishing system. RIGHT: Boating’s John
Eichelsheim demonstrates the easy-clean fibreglass liner in a bin.
generous refrigerated capacity indicate, but he was keen to separate
‘dirty’ zones from ‘clean’ ones. Ocean Elite’s wide swim platform
is partially enclosed by quarter rails, making it an ideal fishing
platform. The bait table mounts on a removable staple, keeping
the messy bits out of the cockpit, and there’s the usual Elite live bait
tank set into the platform with additional underfloor lockers on
either side. These feature pullout fibreglass liners for convenience
and easy cleaning. Saltwater and freshwater washdown outlets are
located at the rear of the cockpit on the port side close to the fishing
action; the second pair of outlets is further forward.
Pristine machinery
The well-lit engine room is pristine, as though it’s never been used.
The vast machinery space, accessed through a heavy door in the
guest cabin, houses the engines, genset, Sea Recovery watermaker,
fuel system, automatic fire extinguishing system and all the usual
equipment you’d find on a luxury 48-foot launch.
Lloyd Stevenson Boat Builders took as much care in this hidden
zone as it did elsewhere in the boat, right down to the cabling,
plumbing and labelling of components. Servicing any of the boat’s
systems should present no difficulties because access is so good,
“Even the entertainment
system is split into zones...”
and there’s plenty of light and space to work with.
Ocean Elite’s Caterpillar C9 engines are well forward in the hull,
so the shaft angles are close to optimum and there is no need to
run the five-bladed Teinbridge propellers in tunnels, as Bill Upfold
specifies for some of his designs. Full speed is around 26.5 knots
in cruising trim while 18-19 knots at 2150rpm is a comfortable
all-day cruising speed. Bow thrusters help with close quarters
manoeuvrability, and the aft station in the cockpit is useful when
berthing since the tender obscures the helmsman’s views of the
cockpit and rear corners. The cockpit camera is useful here.
Under the cockpit, the lazarette provides plenty of stowage for
large items, accessed through a pair of hatches in the floor, while
smaller items are stored in one of the many enclosed lockers a
round the sides of the cockpit.
Happy families
The pilothouse is the signature feature of this design and the
social focus of the boat, especially when underway, so the
helmsman won’t feel isolated.
“The boat is great when we go away as a family,” says Brian.
“Margaret might be down in the saloon reading a book, or chatting
with the girls, while the men are up in the pilothouse and the
grandkids are gathered around the dinette playing games, but
even though we are scattered all over the boat, it’s easy to keep
track of everyone.” B
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