ANOTHER QUALITY SUPERIOR
Probably one of the best-kept secrets in production boat building in New Zealand, Superior Boats has steadily been producing highquality 10-metre-plus GRP boats for over two decades. Hull number one of their latest new model the Superior 1200 Sports Sedan has just launched. Freddy Foote headed along to check it out.
When Leigh Jackson’s wife said he couldn’t buy another boat, he did what any good Kiwi bloke would do, and bought it anyway, and decided to worry about the repercussions later.
“One of my earlier boats was called Devotion. My first Superior, the 1050 was called Decoy. This one I’ve named Defiance, I suspect that the next boat will be called Divorce!” laughed Leigh during our day on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
An experienced boat owner (over 10 boats) and now a two time Superior owner, Leigh liked what he saw being produced out of Superior’s South Auckland factory.
“I’d been to a few boat shows in Australasia and Europe and didn’t find anything that I liked. But then I saw an advert for the 1050 sedan, so I went along and saw Sam and that’s where things started.” “What I liked is that Sam’s philosophy was that ‘Yes, that’s what I build, but what do you want?’ So we managed to tune the 1050 with just a few subtle changes to what I wanted, and in concept the only thing that’s different to the 1050 is that this is bigger.”
Leigh enjoys a mixed bag of boating, with day trips with family to fishing trips with the boys. Extended trips away to Great Barrier Island and as far as the Bay of Islands. The boats layout, design and functionality is that he can be boating leisurely one day, and fishing the next.
SEMI-CUSTOM BUILD
As is widely known, the origins of the Superior hull design is the Jim Young Vindex hulls. This new model the 1200 having its origins as a Vindex 375, with the smaller 1050 have lineage to the Vindex 3000.
A quiet achiever, Superior Boats, lead by Sam Dorotich and his wife Jacquie have a strong following with their Superior range. A small range of three models, the 1050 Sedan and 1050 Flybridge have been staples of the business for the last decade or so, and now a larger model joins the offering – the 1200 Sedan.
“We initially released our 1050 Sedan model a number of years ago to complement our fly bridge model as sedan style boats was what the market was changing to, and it has proved to be quite popular. We really wanted to build a 12 metre version/sister ship to the1050, and having a current client who wanted to go bigger as well meant we could make the investment to build a 1200,” says Sam.
And it’s not just one, a further two of the new 1200 Sedan’s are now in build following the launch recently of hull number one.
Though a production model, Sam say’s he and his team can offer varying levels of customisation to suit owner requirements. “For instance, we’re actually raising the roof profile of the next boat as the owner is two metres tall, and we can do other areas of customisation and features to suit.”
Between Leigh and Sam, they’ve managed to pull together some clever and well thought out customisations to Defiance.
An example, the helm seat is a simple bench seat which provides storage underneath for rum and other spirits storage. Whilst seated on the starboard side sofa, the helm seat provides a handy armrest for more social interaction when at anchor.
“I like the layout, as it’s a more traditional style,” said Leigh.
KIWI LAYOUT
As you step aboard the 1200 Sedan, it’s immediately noticeable that the boat has an accent on kiwi boating and entertaining.
Aft across the transom, there is a sizeable boarding platform with a walk-through into the cockpit from either the port or starboard side. There is also provision to mount a bait board to the stainless steel staple in the centre of the boarding platform. The staple also accommodates the tender when aboard.
Once in the cockpit, in the centre of the transom there is a sink, with a gas barbeque in the centre. Both fresh and saltwater washdowns are also available via a pullout hose, the fresh water fed via a 400L water tank.
In the forward port corner of the cockpit is a large ice chest/freezer, while opposite is another sink. The lift-up glass and bi-fold door connect the galley and cockpit, giving a smooth indoor/outdoor flow which is ideal for entertaining.
Three large deck hatches provide access to the engine room below with plentiful space for maintenance, but also additional storage for miscellaneous items.
The cockpit, finished with teak, is open and spacious and big enough to position a few chairs and a small table to entertain and dine while at anchor, if not dining in the main saloon.
Hull number one of the 1200 Sedan has been fitted with the Yanmar 6LY CR 440hp diesel through a shaft V-drive, though the engine and drive options are open to the owners own specification, however according to Sam the Yanmar engine/gearbox set-up is incredibly good and he tends to steer nearly all buyers in this direction.
With the 440hp Yanmar, it returns a cruising speed of between 17 to 19 knots and a top speed of 28.2 knots. Fed via the 700L fuel tank, it will return a respectable 230 nautical mile range at cruise.
Underway the Yanmar 440 was very smooth, responsive and quiet. Back in the marina and manoeuvring back into the boat’s berth at Pine Harbour, the 4kw Lewmar bow thruster enabled easy berthing.
INTERIOR
Stepping into the saloon from the cockpit, you walk through a bi-fold door and immediately to port is the galley, which is complete with stove top oven, sink, extra bench space as well as additional cupboard and drawer storage. Opposite is the fridge/freezer with additional bench space above.
Forward of the galley is a U-shaped dinette which provides seating for three-four, for internal dining. Opposite is a settee, with the helm seat consisting of a bench configuration with storage space underneath.
The helm consists of a large moulded GRP unit finished in dark grey and sees two Raymarine 9” MFD’s flush mounted above, while below are the engine instruments, anchor control, VHF and C-Zone controls – which enables all of the electronic systems onboard to be controlled from one screen.
Down below, the master cabin is forward and features a sizeable queen berth with plenty of shelving and drawer storage, as well as hanging cupboard storage.
A smaller guest cabin is to starboard which features a double berth, while opposite on the port side is a sizable head compartment with vanity/toilet and separate shower with the head.
The current configuration provides overnight capabilities for 2-4 guests, and while this boat is fitted with two double cabins, single berths can be fitted if required.
No generator is fitted as per Leigh’s requirements, however an inverter AGM house battery bank, two large solar panels on the saloon roof, and a dedicated house battery bank alternator for those inclement days provides sufficient additional power when needed. And whilst no air con, a small diesel heater is fitted to help with those colder evenings.
Priced at around $950,000, the Superior 1200 Sports Sedan certainly provides a lot of boat for your dollar. It presents itself as an ideal stepping stone for those who want to step up out of a trailerboat, but also those who are coming down from a larger motor yacht, but want the convenience of a boat that’s still berthed and easily crewed by just a couple.
What’s more, with clients like Leigh, the number of their repeat customers is growing steadily.
If you are looking to step into a 12m launch, or step down from a larger motor yacht, then a call to Sam and the team at Superior Boats is probably worthwhile.
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall Length 12m
Beam 3.9m
Cruise 19.8 knots
Displacement 7000kg
Fuel 700 Litres
Water 400 Litres
Max Speed 28.5 knots
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KNOTS LNM RANGE
1000 5.9 0.920 680
1500 7.9 2.100 300
2000 12.2 2.900 210
2600 20 2.800 220
3360 28.5 3.300 190
