Author : Barry Thompson
WEEKENDER PLUS
Down East-inspired cruisers have become popular because of their classic lines, and the Newport 460 certainly follows that tradition.
When Sydney based marine engineer/designer Allan Francis started drawing up the Newport 460, he wanted to not just emulate that Down East style, he also looked to produce a very versatile, low maintenance and extremely practical cruiser with its own individual look. While the boat was never built to a price, it still had to be affordable and at the same time there was no shortcuts taken on the quality of the fitout. Boat #1 was at SCIBS for an introductory price of $AUD799,000 and that included the $AUD150,000 of extras that were installed for the show boat. Depending on the engine package and how many ticks you put on the options list, retail is around $AUD950,000.
SINGLE OR TWIN
While the first boat has one very large forward cabin, you can change this to a two-cabin layout. Of the next two boats under construction, one is a similar single cabin arrangement and the third the owner has chosen the two-cabin option. It all depends on what you plan to use the boat for and in this case, the owner only wanted a single cabin, as most of his use will be day tripping with friends and overnighting with his wife.
The forward cabin features a queen size island berth with easy access either side, hanging lockers and copious storage options. There is no en-suite as the large head/shower is also the day head. If you go for the two-cabin layout the forward master stays the same, with a second cabin to starboard with twin upper and lower singles.
The gloss Walnut adds a classic elegant look to the interior and is accentuated by the soft toned fabrics and bench top. There are other timbers available, but I loved the Walnut as it really suits this style of boat.
OPEN SALOON
The 3.5m long saloon is a very social space and will have a broad appeal to those owners that love entertaining. Having the wide bulwarks have meant that you can have a pantograph door beside the helm, so if you need to go forward for any reason it’s an easy access from the dual leather chairs. The facia on our boat was finished in plain white panelling, but you do have the options of upgrading this to a more lavish material. It comes standard with the latest Raymarine navigation equipment and is big enough for a pair of 16” MFDs. Visibility is exceptional with a full width one-piece screen with no heavy mullions to impede your vision. High side windows and the fully open rear doors to the cockpit mean you can see what’s happening around your boat without leaving the helm seat.
While in boat #1 the galley takes up the entire starboard side of the saloon, there are other layout options. While I made comment to Alan that I would add a double passenger seat forward and shortened the Corian counter top, to make the boat a little more social for your passengers when underway. He then informed me that the twin cabin version will in fact have a shorter galley and a forward chair, and this was something he had considered as well.
The aft servery area will also be changed on the next boat, with the bulkhead moved back 500mm, to allow for the redesign of the galley to allow for the extra forward seating and only loose minimal galley area. A larger servery overhang into the cockpit will also be added.
Equipment on board includes a convection microwave, icemaker, fridge and freezer plus dedicated wine storage space. Areas to stow things away are plentiful under the counter in drawers and cupboards.
While in boat #1 the galley takes up the entire starboard side of the saloon, there are other layout options. While I made comment to Alan that I would add a double passenger seat forward and shortened the Corian counter top, to make the boat a little more social for your passengers when underway. He then informed me that the twin cabin version will in fact have a shorter galley and a forward chair, and this was something he had considered as well.
The aft servery area will also be changed on the next boat, with the bulkhead moved back 500mm, to allow for the redesign of the galley to allow for the extra forward seating and only loose minimal galley area. A larger servery overhang into the cockpit will also be added.
Equipment on board includes a convection microwave, icemaker, fridge and freezer plus dedicated wine storage space. Areas to stow things away are plentiful under the counter in drawers and cupboards.
A soft canvas extension from the sedan roof provides some extra shade and weather protection. Drop in some loose chairs alongside the cockpit table and this would be a great area to have your cocktails or evening meal.
CLEAN AND CLINICAL
Released at the 2019 SCIBS, the Newport 460 takes its name from the home of its designer, Newport, Sydney. Based on a planning hull with a narrow entry easing into soft chines, displacement as 16 tonnes. Hull construction is all vinylester resins, with conventional grp decks and superstructure. The full deep bulwarks either side, are not so common on newer Downeast styled boats, so gives the Newport 460 a point of difference.
If there is one word that describes the engine room it’s clinical. Clean, tidy and without too much fuss, just those bits of equipment and engineering that you need to get at easily are visible. Acoustic and thermal insulation is used throughout the engine room and while there is not a lot of head height, you can get around the engine for general servicing.
The Newport 460 comes standard with a Cummins QSB 5.9 @ 380hp, with the option of up-specing to a Cummins 480hp – as we had in boat #1- , a Cummins 550hp or even a pair of twin Cummins 380hp engines.
The single engine runs through a Python drive onto a straight shaft and tunnel. Utilising a constant-velocity joint, the Python-Drive separates the propeller noise and vibrations from the engine, whilst eliminating the need for perfect shaft alignment. Using the Python Drive has allowed the engine to be mounted flat on soft mounts. During my time aboard, I have to say I was impressed with the lack of any mechanical noise through the boat apart from a low engine hum, which was more than acceptable.
The shaft runs through a tunnel onto a 5 blade propeller protected somewhat behind a shallow keel. While we saw 18 knots on the GPS, shortly after my run in the boat the propeller was due to be changed and Allan was confident they would exceed 20 knots.
We started our test run at 6 knots, the limit on the Coomera River for this size boat, with the Cummins 480 running at around 1200 rpm, using 7 lph. It wasn’t until we got out onto The Broadwater that Alan opened up the throttle and we saw 18.0 knots @ 3200 rpm with a fuel burn of 95 lph. When we dropped that back to a more sedate cruise around 12.1 knots, the fuel dropped to 53 lph @ 2600 rpm.
Alan says that when he designed the engineering aspects of the Newport 460 he wanted to simplify everything, to future proof the servicing of the boat. One interesting feature is that all the plumbing runs back into a single pipe so there is only one skin fitting for all waste water. Also, the builders have gone from the traditional two fuel tanks to a single aft tank, so there is no need for fuel transfer systems. It’s all about keeping it simple and offering a lot less maintenance.
Something of a unique feature of the Newport 460 are the water ballast tanks which provide natural stability at rest. When you stop seawater floods into quickly into compartments under the waterline and then when you accelerate in a matter of seconds it all drains away. No need to invest in a Gyro or stabilisers for at rest stabilisation.
SUMMARY
After spending a few hours aboard the Newport 460 I could understand why Alan and his team love the boat so much. It’s a great boat to drive, with no vices and having that customisation ability it’s a boat that you can set up to suit your needs. I would have been happy spending a few more days cruising around The Broadwater. Maybe next time, so I can really experience the overnight abilities of the Newport 460.
If the 460 isn’t quite big enough for you, but you like the style, then Newport have a 550 on the drawing board.
Specifications
- Boat Design Name: Newport 460
- Year Launched: 2019
- Builder: Newport Motor Yachts
- Designer: Newport Motor Yachts
- LOA: 14.0m
- LOH: 12.80m
- Beam: 4.20m
- Displ: (Mid): 16 tonne
- Max Speed: 21 knots (1/2 Loaded
- Construction: GRP -Vinylester
- Fuel Cap: 1300 litres
- Water Cap: 800 litres
- Engine Make: Cummins QSB 5.9 @ 480hp
- Drive Train: Shaft
- Gearbox: ZF with Python Drive
Performance
| RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
| 1000 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 0.64 | 1800 |
| 1200 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 1.1 | 1000 |
| 1400 | 7.6 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 830 |
| 1600 | 8.2 | 15 | 1.9 | 610 |
| 1800 | 9.2 | 19.8 | 2.2 | 530 |
| 2000 | 9.7 | 28.5 | 3 | 390 |
| 2200 | 10.1 | 34.1 | 3.4 | 340 |
| 2400 | 10.7 | 40.8 | 3.9 | 300 |
| 2600 | 12.1 | 53.2 | 4.4 | 260 |
| 2800 | 13.9 | 64.5 | 4.7 | 240 |
| 3000 | 16.3 | 82.7 | 5.1 | 220 |
| 3200 | 18 | 95.2 | 5.3 | 220 |
