BOATING Built in Taiwan at the Kaohsiung based yard of New Ocean Yachts, the Whitehaven 6000 Coupe is based on the same hull as the 6000 Flybridge, but without the enclosed bridge. “The reaction to the Coupe at the Expo was superb and in fact better than I was expecting, because the volume and the elevation of the boat is such that it satisfies people who are maybe dedicated to flybridge only, but can now see the 6000 Coupe as more than just a compromise between the two styles. “We offer a robust bluewater coupe that provides everything a flybridge does and more,” says Keith. Ryan Hanson, who manages the boat building projects in Taiwan for Whitehaven Motor Yachts, explained that they now have three models based on the 19.6-metre hull platform, the Flybridge, the Coupe and the soon to be launched Sunbridge. “We will be following this with a 20.11-metre Bluewater 6600, which features an extended cockpit and mezzanine, plus there are plans for a smaller 16.5-metre Flybridge and Coupe 5500, which will bring the range to six models”, added Ryan. More are already in the design stages. Released at the recent Gold Coast Expo, the Whitehaven 6000 Coupe was unquestionably one of the star attractions on the marina and attracted considerable interest. While Keith admits they didn’t sign any deals at the show, he was confident that orders for both the new Coupe and the Flybridge would follow. Cool Cover Like the Flybridge, the mezzanine of the Coupe is all about entertaining and has been set up with an aft seat and teak table. Moulded units with Corian surfaces conceal a barbecue fitted to the starboard side and a drawer type fridge/freezer opposite. There is also an aft helm station complete with Yacht Controller joystick, a drop down 32” television that comes out of the roof, and the whole area is illuminated by a Hella floodlight. Access to the boarding platform is either side of the central seating, where there is a separate door to the engine room and boot for the tender garage. This is big enough for a 3.2-metre AB RIB and Honda 20hp outboard, which is easily launched on a roller system. There is an option of a hi/low platform if preferred and then the dinghy garage can be converted into a massive storage space. A very cool option ($AU18,300) in the cockpit is the Sureshade electrically operated rear awning extension, which extends the overhead shade by over two metres. Made from a durable Sunbrella material, this stayless awning retracts back into the moulded roof and is hidden from sight when not in use. Wow Factor What you experience when entering the interior sets the tone and with the Coupe you will not be disappointed. It has that wow factor, with a modern contemporary interior, in sync with the beach house mood the designers wanted to achieve. The light oak timbers, offset with the darker sole and light coloured fabrics provide a friendly and fun atmosphere, which make this a pleasant place to be. If oak is too light for you, then there are plenty of other options for interior timbers, such as walnut or teak, as well as some very interesting blends. The same easy transition between exterior and interior spaces which was so evident on the Flybridge has been carried through in the Coupe. The most obvious difference between the Coupe and the Flybridge is the Coupe has a forward sliding sunroof and two rear skylights. When the sunroof is open, it certainly creates a grander feeling of space. There’s also no staircase and the forward lounge space now includes a helm. With the ability to customise the interior layout, you can do just about anything you like. With the staircase eliminated from the Coupe, this has allowed a better utilisation of space, such as bigger galley. 94 Pindara Magazine 2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven
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