BREAKING NEW GROUND
While built in Dubai, Ocean Craft Marine’s first full aluminium amphibious boat has a solid Kiwi connection. Not only is the wheelie system supplied by Auckland-based Anura Amphibious Systems, but also the layout and concept of the boat are Kiwi inspired.
Ocean Craft Marine is one of the world leaders in manufacturing RIBs for leisure, professional and military applications. While until now, the only models Kiwis have been exposed to are amphibious RIBs, that has now changed with the arrival of the first Ocean Craft Aluminium 7.1. Local distributor for the brand, Terry Elmsley (Euro City Marine), says that the totally new, full aluminium amphibious 7.1 hardtop has explicitly been designed for the New Zealand and Australian markets.
“Whether you’re targeting fish or wanting to cruise the coastal waters recreationally, this beautiful, built tough, plate boat competes with the best and still has all the comfortable trimmings to accommodate the whole family”, says Elmsley.
He added that this is the first all-alloy hull by the company. To achieve the desired result, Elmsley spent a lot of time working with the Ocean Craft Marine design team to ensure that the 7.1 was ideally suited to the local market, not just on-water performance but also what buyers of larger hardtops were looking for.
“While the first model to arrive in the country is amphibious, we can also offer it as a standard hull without wheels”, says Elmsley.
GROWTH IN AMPH BOATS
While not so many years back, there was only one amphibious drive system using wheels, today, there are three, and they are all New Zealand companies. The originators of the wheelie system, Sealegs, now only install their system on their boats. The other two, Tectrax (all electric technology) and Anura (previously Orion), don’t build boats and make their amphibious systems available to boatbuilders. So when Ocean Craft was looking for an amphibious system, their choice was Anura.
Ocean Craft has used the Anura system for a few years, with the 7.1 running the three-wheel S25, ideally suited to a boat of this size and weight. Power for the S25 system is from a 28kW (40HP) EFI, air-cooled engine. The engine is operated via Control by Wire (CBW) technology. The combination of EFI and CBW provides the hydraulic power unit’s fast starting and instant response.
Custom hydraulic motors deliver travel speeds of up to 9km/h, and all models are equipped with Traction Assist, which provides additional drive capability on difficult terrain.
The Anura user interface provides an intuitive control-by-wire experience with detailed system telemetry made available via the LED display linked to the Mercury outboard via NMEA2000. The user interface components are a compact addition to the dash panel and sit conveniently for easy to hand use. Driving the boat to your property on and off the beach or down the road is effortless. As most users will be located at beachside properties, a continuous runtime of up to 1hr should be plenty. It takes between 3-10 hours to recharge the battery pack.
FISHING FRIENDLY
The layout of the 7.1 Aluminium AMPH is reasonably traditional and much like you would find in most Kiwi hardtops. However, when you first step aboard, noticeable differences set the boat apart from most competitors. Firstly the finish. It is very appealing and gives the boat a specific style. Elmsley commented that the aim was to offer a layout that suited everyone and wasn’t just another alloy hardtop pigeon-holed into the serious fishing market.
“My idea was to offer a boat that would suit divers, fishermen, family cruising and a boat that could be enjoyed on the water in just about any form of boating leisure activity”, says Elmsley.
Hence the cockpit in the first boat has a large engine box in the rear of the cockpit that covers Aruna’s onboard systems. The bonus is you get a massive cutting board and a separate drawer for all you tackle. A washdown pump makes it easy to clean up after a day on the water, and four underwater lights illuminate the surrounding water for nighttime fishing. Fishermen also have the advantage of a 60-litre live bait tank, plus ample rod and drink holders in the flat coamings. The cockpit has two self-draining deep lockers, and the wide side trays will look after your extra rods, gaff and tag pole. Wide side decks are specially designed for easy access to the large flat deck forward. With all the anchoring gear below the deck, the deck is flush, plus with a high solid bow rail, it’s a great place for soft baiting.
So is the Ocean Craft 7.1 Alloy, a fishing boat. Hell yes.
BRING ON THE FAMILY
But it is also a great family boat with six seats in the cockpit and a few more in the cuddy cabin. Two removable tables can be stowed away when not required. There are seats on either side of the amphibious power system box, with both folding forward to give access to the hydraulics of the Anura wheelie system. The starboard seat also folds again to form a flat step, leaving the upholstery underneath and away from being stepped on by wet or sandy feet. It is also a perfect spot to position your bait bin when fishing. I would like a higher backrest in the starboard seat, which could be done by adding a swing door with a cushioned front.
I was impressed with the entire blue paint job, which extends from the chines to the interior and even into the lockers. The deep rich blue paint is offset by an eva foam flooring on the cockpit sole and coamings. This classic look is accented with fore and aft blue trim and adds warmth underfoot, and it is also extremely easy to clean. Fish blood and ground in pillies can be washed away, leaving a pristine surface every time.
Another noticeable feature is the diamond stitching on all the seating areas, plus the side coamings. Thickly padded and ready for fishing action, with a good height and deep toe kicks. Just bring on the 20-pounders.
SEATING FOR SIX
Our power was a Mercury 250 ProXS, which gave a top speed of 35 knots on the choppy waters off Gulf Harbour. We had a half a metre plus swell with a wind lifting off the wave tops. Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to take the boat into the rougher water, due to circumstances, but in the moderate sea it ran well. It’s a big heavy boat that is light on the helm and comfortable to drive. It was hard to find any calm water to record accurate speed and fuel tests but we did the best we could under the shelter of the cliffs between the marina and Weiti River.
PERFECT BALANCE
The Ocean Craft 7.1 Aluminium Amphibious is a complete package with very little you will need to add. If you are a fisherman, a couple of game poles or a big Minn Kota might be
worth considering. There is a wide choice of electronics available from the factory, including radar and autopilots.
It’s a great new addition to the amphibious boat market, providing the perfect balance of luxury, convenience, and functionality.
Performance Data : Mercury 250 Pro XS
| rpm | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
| 1000 | 3 | 4 | 1.4 | 140 |
| 1500 | 6 | 8.5 | 1.5 | 130 |
| 2000 | 7 | 11.1 | 1.6 | 120 |
| 2500 | 8 | 14.2 | 1.8 | 110 |
| 3000 | 9 | 20 | 2.3 | 88 |
| 3500 | 12 | 25.5 | 2.2 | 92 |
| 4000 | 16 | 35.5 | 2.3 | 88 |
| 4500 | 22 | 48 | 2.2 | 92 |
| 5000 | 27 | 55 | 2.1 | 96 |
| 5500 | 30 | 62.5 | 2.1 | 96 |
| 5900 | 35 | 79.5 | 2.3 | 88 |
Range is calculated on 90% of 225 litres.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Design Name Ocean Craft 7.1 Amphibious
- Price $NZ389,990.00
- Year Launched: 2023
- Builder Ocean Craft Marine
- Designer Ocean Craft Marine / Terry Elmsley
- Hull Type Hardtop
- LOA 7.40m
- Beam 2.52m
- Max Speed 35.0 knots
- Construction 8mm Aluminium
- Fuel Capacity 225 Litres
- Water Capacity 60 Litres
- Engine Mercury 250 Pro XS
- Propeller Enertia 16.5 3bld S/S
- Power Outboard 200-300hp
- AMPH System Anura S25
- MFD Garmin 9”
- Underwater Lights Lumitec Seablaze
- Ent System Fusion
