What do you do when you see a random number from overseas pop up on your phone? Most of us ignore it, assuming it will be a scammer. Not Jarrod Hall from PureKraft boats, he took the call, and the result is a stunning custom 800 HT from this boutique Bay of Plenty builder. Freddy Foote jumped aboard before the boat was exported to the US to its owner.
It all started with a phone call from a US number one Sunday morning last year. The caller, was a gentleman from California, enquiring about a custom boat for a range of fishing adventures off the Californian coast for his wife and children. “I was pretty glad I took that call!” says Jarrod Hall of PureKraft Boats. “It actually sounded too good to be true to start with. He found us on the internet and liked what he saw, so we kept talking.” After some initial discussion, multiple emails and phone calls, an order contract on a full custom 800 HT was signed up and the build began. “The spec of the boat changed a few times during the build. We would send progress photos and videos through. He’d come back to us and say ‘the boat needs more stuff, could we add this, and add that…’. So we added quite a lot of additional equipment and custom features.” Once the boat was built, the buyer didn’t see his boat until July this year when he flew to New Zealand for a quick two-day visit after a holiday in Fiji to see the finished product. “We booked him into the Trinity Wharf Hotel in Tauranga, and we pulled into the wharf with the boat and that’s when he saw it for the first time.” “We took him for a blast on the boat and he was pretty rapt with what we’d built for him. The following day we took him and his son fishing. It was blowing 35-40 knots, but they caught some fish and were most happy with how the boat performed.” The owner does a variety of fishing off the Californian coast, targeting a number of species, depending on season. The boat has been set-up with a pot hauler, as he does a lot of crab fishing. And when in season, he does a lot of Salmon fishing. Amongst that, a lot of general bottom and game fishing off the Californian coast.
Depending on what the client wants, engine options on the 800 HT are quite open including twin 175hp/200hp four stroke outboards, and a diesel stern drive model. This owner wanted the maximum horsepower option, so a couple of Yamaha F300hp four strokes were bolted to the transom. Joystick ability was wanted, so the twin Yamaha F300hp four-strokes were added, complimented with Helm Master controls. Interestingly, the Helm Master joystick was fitted in close proximity to the pot hauler on the starboard side, so he can have increased control and manoeuvrability when hauling his pots. Access into the cockpit from the boarding platform is via the starboard side, with a drop in door to close off. Underneath the walkthrough you’ll also find a live bait tank with viewing window. Across the other corner is a sink, with a pull out fresh water hose (plumbed to a 40 litre tank), while a salt water wash down hose is located in the centre below the bait station. The custom bait station has a tackle drawer underneath, as well as a built in bottle opener and internal cap catcher. Very innovative! Below the bait station is a central locker to house battery systems. No switches needed here, there are remote switches located at the helm for engine and house battery master switches as well as an emergency parallel switch.
Moving further forward into the cockpit, the aft facing port seat can convert to a recliner by easily pulling the base of the seat out. Below that is a large 110-litre removable chilly bin which pulls out on a slider. Further refrigeration is located under the helm seat. Speaking of keeping things cold, this 800HT was also fitted with an innovative air-conditioning system. It gets hot in California, so as well as side windows, and roof vents to help with air flow, a small air-conditioning system blows cool air up into the back of the seat, with a vent at the helm blowing cold air in the direction of the skipper. Extra ventilation comes in the form of sliding side windows, as well as roof hatches above. Above is a bimini shade cover that extends out over the cockpit, with a rocket launcher above to compliment the many rod holders already scattered around the cockpit. There are some neat handwasher’s built into the coamings. Simply lean over the side, hit the button with your knee, and a jet of water will come out over the side allowing you to wash your hands. No more fish fingers.
Underfoot, custom SeaDek flooring is fitted which is a nice feature. Other flooring options such as synthetic teak are also available. Storage is plentiful with double row side shelves located on both sides of the cockpit. There are additional storage pockets around the helm area, and for bigger items, or the days catch, there is a large self-draining underfloor locked between the helm and passenger seating. There’s even a locker for Jandals! Or Flip Flops for our American readers. The electronics package is, as one would expect on a boat this fully-featured, a comprehensive one based around the twin screens that occupy a large portion of the leather wrapped dash. The helm features two large 16” Garmin displays, Zip Wake Trim tabs, Yamaha engines instruments, and wireless phone charging. Fusion audio, which is connected to speakers in the cockpit and helm area, as well as the Subwoofer located in the forward cabin. There is access around the side decks to the foredeck, which is finished with a nice high, and curved bow rail. The space to be utilised for casting.
Up front in the cabin, you’ll find a traditional vee-berth with infill, with a toilet located under the forward squab. For US regulations, the toilet is plumbed to a 100 55 litre black water holding tank. A sliding door closes off the cabin for privacy and can provide extra security for then the boat is not in use or stored. And don’t forget the 12” subwoofer located in the forward bulkhead. Underway, the 800 HT was no slouch… achieving a top speed of 48 knots during the review! Best cruise was 3500rpm at 28 knots, using 59 litres/hour, giving a range of 269 nautical miles. For a boat of its size, the 800 HT was nimble, accelerating from 0-20 knots in 5 seconds & 0-30 knots in just under 7 seconds. Well balanced, it turned effortlessly and corners tightly, the ride was very quiet, the 18 degree deadrise and 6mm 8mm alloy hull making light work of the chop we faced in the Motuihe channel on test day. The driving position was comfortable either sitting on standing, with a fold down foot rest for the passenger seat. Visibility forward is excellent, the whole windscreen is a curved one piece, with dual wipers on hand should any water get on the screen.
Overall, an absolutely epic boat – fully customised to suit the owners exacting requirements. By the time you’re readying this, the owner would have taken delivery of his boat in the US, however, talks have already begun about the next boat and yes, it will be bigger. We will wait with baited breathe to see what creation the Purekraft team come up with next.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Price as tested NZD $590,000
- Priced from NZD $400,000
- Type HardTop
- Construction Aluminium
- LOA 8.30m
- Beam 2.65m
- Deadrise 18- degree
- Height on trailer 3.61m
- Trailerable weight 3500kg
- Test Power Twin Yamaha F300 fourstroke
- Power options Outboard
- Propeller Yamaha SS 15 .” x 19”
- HP Range 350-600hp
- Fuel Capacity 540L
- Trailer Triple Axle Alloy Trailer
- Manufacturer PureKraft
PERFORMANCE
RPM | KNOTS | L/H | L/NM | RANGE (NM) |
1000 | 5.1 | 9.4 | 2.0 | 304 |
1500 | 7.1 | 15.4 | 2.2 | 263 |
2000 | 9.1 | 27.4 | 3.1 | 290 |
2500 | 13.7 | 36.2 | 2.7 | 215 |
3000 | 22.0 | 45.8 | 2.1 | 273 |
3500 | 27.9 | 59.2 | 2.1 | 269 |
4000 | 32.8 | 81.7 | 2.5 | 228 |
4500 | 37.0 | 100.1 | 2.7 | 210 |
5000 | 41.3 | 125.4 | 3.0 | 188 |
5500 | 45.0 | 158.1 | 3.5 | 163 |
6000 | 49.4 | 197.0 | 4.0 | 143 |
6150 | 47.9 | 192.3 | 4.0 | 142 |
