AN OWNER’S VISION REALISED
With a long history with McLay Boats, when Stewart & Henrietta Vaughan started researching their next boat they found it hard to go past the brand that they already had a great affection for.
 This new model for McLay Boats, but it is fifth and to date the largest McLay that the Vaughan family has owned. The back story to how the 851 came about, involved a close collaboration between designer and builder Steve McLay and engineer and owner, Stewart.
Initially Steve was asked if he could take his 801 and extend it 3/4 of a meter to 8.8 LOA. The answer was not recommended, as the length to beam ratio was already out to the maximum. The best option was to start from a ‘clean sheet’ and develop a new larger model. The 851 hull is not only longer, it is wider than the 801, although still retains a very similar 18 deg deadrise hull.
