DUPLICITY
Text by Barry Thompson
What do a Kiwi superyacht owner and a franchise owner for one of New Zealand’s most recognised house brands have in common? They both have an infinity for quality, style and perfection in their business ventures and their ‘toys’. They are also both owners of a Dickey 36 Semifly.
In 2017 I reviewed Sassy, which the owner purchased as a tender for his superyacht. It is an impressive boat and since then, the Napier-based builders, Dickey Boats have had a complete order book. The 36 is one of five models in the Semifly range, from 28 to 45ft. Vamos is the latest Dickey 36 to be launched, and like all before it, the finish is to an exceptionally high standard.
“My wife and I looked at just about everything on the market in this size range, both imports and local, but as soon as we visited the factory in Napier and talked to Jason Dickey and his team, we knew this was the boat we wanted”, says the owner of Vamos.
After some discussions regarding layout, colours and engine choice, the boat was ordered, and 18 months later, the keys were handed over in December 2022. Vamos is the latest Dickey 36 launched, with a more in build or on order.
Due to business and other commitments prior to Christmas, the owners of Vamos had very little chance to use the boat, and when they did, the weather was against them. However, the time we have had on the water has just reinforced that we made the right decision», says the owner.
SAME BUT DIFFERENT
While a lot of the new Vamos is the same as Sassy, there are some quite significant changes. So it was time to relook at this much sought after model. Although the review is based around Vamos, I have included some references to Sassy where applicable. Vamos is the 11th Dickey 36, with #12 launched in January and there are a few more in build. The owner of Vamos, like the owner of Sassy, is an experienced boatie, and this was certainly not his first venture on the water. He is a typical Kiwi, who started with small trailer boats, and his boats got bigger and bigger over the years. While waiting for the delivery of Vamos, he made the best use of his Boston Whaler 285 Conquest, which was sold when the Dickey 36 finally arrived.
Visually, the two Dickey Semifly 36s are very similar at a glance but with significant differences on inspection. Vamos is finished in dark green with stark white top. Sassy is a very dark blue with a cream super-structure. Vamos has a full width aft boarding platform, whereas Sassy has a flush transom and game poles.
The cockpits of both boats are similar but with changes around the transom area. Being customised builds the layout choice is up to each owner, and while Sassy is very much highly speced for fishing, Vamos is more of a crossover fisher with cruising comforts.
In the centre of the transom on both boats are a bait station with a live bait tank and storage lockers on either side. While Sassy has a large foldable ladder fitted to the port side due to no boarding platform, that space on Vamos is taken up with a transom gate. Dickey will add built-in seating and a cockpit table if you prefer more seating and don’t require the bait station option. The retractable Sureshade bimini was specifically requested by the owner and custom fitted to Vamos.
The cockpit layout includes plenty of side tray storage for rods, gaff, tag pole and a dive flag. The cambered deck has been designed to not only be able to fit the engine under but also means any water that does enter the cockpit is expelled to the sides and runs straight back into large scuppers. Teak is an option, but both boats are finished inside and out with Flexiteek. Lighter and cheaper, plus it looks almost like the real deal.
When you need to access the foredeck, Dickey has made it easier with cockpit steps on either side, wide side decks and well placed handrails on the cabin top.
DARK & LIGHT
Being a semi-custom boat, as an owner you not only have the choice of fabrics but, in some areas, to change the layout. Interestingly the configuration of both Vamos and Sassy saloon areas are much the same. However, while Sassy is dark with a rich mix of double-stitched Tasman Antique Oak leather and darker timbers, Vamos is a light, bright and uses soft marine vinyl. Cabinetry is all high density plastic laminate. Two distinct colour and fabric options that reflect the owner’s diversity of choice. Both blend into their particular environment, and while not over the top in style, they are tasteful, practical and not flashy.
With the rear windows and door open, the saloon and cockpit merge almost as one. Another difference between the boats is that while Sassy has a port side folding window to the cockpit, Vamos has a lift up hopper window. The useable seating space on the forward cockpit lounge has increased when the window is open. It’s small details like this that differentiate the two boats.
Once inside, you can see that both owners enjoy entertaining and appreciate their comforts. To port is a large U shape settee/dinette with a central table. It is fixed in Sassy, and Vamos can be dropped down to form another berth.
The starboard side features an aft galley, complete with Corian surface, oven, electric stovetop and ample storage. There’s a small fridge opposite under the dinette settee, with the freezer back in the cockpit. The saloon side windows are fixed, so any extra ventilation comes via a pair of roof hatches. Air con or an Eberspacher heater are optional.
The dash has been customised for both owners, with Sassy displaying a single 22» Simrad MFD and Vamos a pair of Garmin GPS Map 12». Either way, there is still ample space left to show your entertainment, safety and navigation equipment, such as Fusion sound system, Simrad autopilot, CZone display, ICOM VHF and controls for the Sidepower bow thruster and Zipwake tabs.
TWO CABINS - ONE HEAD
The most significant difference between the two boats is the accommodation area forward.
Vamos has one large double berth to starboard with a small settee opposite. The owners of Vamos were specific about maximising the headroom and light is the forward area, including an upsized overhead hatch. The forward cabin in Sassy has two upper berths and a starboard lower that transforms from a single into a double thanks to a slide-out base.
The second cabin runs athwartships under the saloon. Cosy and comfortable with plenty of storage in a hanging locker, separate bins, and even a small settee. Sassy’s accommodation offers flexibility for two couples, or mum and dad and a few kids, or the owner and four fishing mates.
Both cabins share the same head shower space, with its large walk in shower cubicle, raised bowl on a Corian surface and electric flush head. Clean, well vented, practical and with surprising space.
ALL ABOUT THE BUILD
The Dickey 36 is built on aspace frame construction that gives an incredibly stiff hull with no reverberation anywhere. The boat has a very low CofG that does a lot to the way the boat rides, trims and handles in any sea. I found that the Dickey 36 didn’t need a lot of trim and had a low transition onto the plane. The plumb bow shape means there is plenty of buoyancy to keep the bow up in a following sea. Zipwakes add an extra degree of trim.
SINGLE ENGINE
Regarding the power source, both boats run a single Volvo Penta D6. However, they are very different engines. While Sassy has a D6-400 with a DPH drive, Vamos is powered by a D6-440 with a DPI drive. This engine was released in 2019, a year after Sassy was launched. The DPI is the newest Duoprop drive with electronic steering and a clutch pack, which makes it much smoother than the more clunky DPH. While the engines are based on the same in-line six-cylinder D6 5.5-litre block, over 75% of new components are found in the 440.
So what is the speed variance? Sassy has a top speed of 28 knots and Vamos 31 knots. When it comes to fuel consumption at maximum rpm, Sassy burned 80 lph / 2.6 lpnm @ a maximum of 3569 rpm. The range is 340 nm based on a 10% reserve of the 1000 litre fuel capacity. At the same rpm, Vamos is faster at 33 knots and uses 88 lph / 2.7 lpnm for a range of 300nm with a smaller 800-litre fuel tank.
When Sassy was first in the water with a light load and
clean bottom, it did record 31 knots. While the D6-400/DPH is still available, owners would likely choose the
new generation D6-440/DPI. Dickey makes engine access very easy, with almost the entire cockpit sole lifting on an electro/hydraulic ram.
POWER MANAGEMENT
One of the most significant differences between Sassy and Vamos is the change from AGM to Lithium house batteries. The engines run two alternators, one for the house batteries, the other for the start batteries. The Lithium batteries have greatly improved the available power aboard and the overall useability of the boat. The stand-alone Mastervolt Power management system has resulted in a lot more available
power for a lot longer. This has also seen Dickey move away from gas appliances with the extra power available through the Lithium Ian batteries, seen a change to an electric convection microwave, induction cooktop and bbq. There is no gas aboard.
Lithium Ion batteries also have a high energy density, offering savings of up to 70 % in volume and weight compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.
OUTSTANDING
Vamos joins a select fleet of Dickey boats and is another outstanding example of the brand. I doubt you could build an alloy boat any better. Dickey Boats are continually evolving so every new boat that comes out of the factory is slightly different and reflects the latest marine systems and technology available.
The Dickey 36 has the seakeeping pedigree to match its eye-catching looks, coupled with a meticulous finish and presentation. Vamos, like Sassy, is faultless in every respect.
SPECIFICATIONS
Design Name: Dickey Semifly 36
Boat Name: Vamos
Price: POA
Year: Launched 2022
Builder: Dickey Boats
Designer: Dickey Boats
LOA: 11.95m
LOH: 11.25m
Beam: 3.46m
Deadrise: 18 deg
Displ (Dry): 6100 kg (dry)
Max Speed: 30 knots /33 knots
Construction: Aluminium 6mm/4mm
Fuel Cap: 800 litres
Water Cap: 200 litres
Engines Make: Volvo Penta D6-440
Drive Train: DPI
Thrusters: Sidepower SE60
Trim Tabs: ZipWake 450
Lighting: Hella
MFD: 2 x Garmin GPSMap 12
Management: C-Zone
Windlas: Lewmar VX2
Ent System: Fusion
Underwater: Lights Bluefin P3
Flooring: Flexiteek
Contact: dickeyboats.com
