The Explorer Blue Water 6000 handles well, has seating for seven and a surprising amount of practical stowage.
While most of my boating friends own GRP or alloy trailer boats, one, a mad-keen salt and fresh water fisherman, swears by his rigid inflatable boat or RIB.
Although decked out with a powerful outboard, loads of fishing gear and, on occasion, some fairly hefty mates, it has no trouble speeding to and from the fishing grounds - and accommodating the fiercely competitive fishers once there. It is also easy to tow with a family sedan, easy to handle when out on his own and pretty economical to run.
While most RIBs are pressed into duty as patrol or work boats, or as tenders to far bigger craft, an increasing number are now, like my mate's, being bought primarily as pleasure craft.
One company benefiting from this trend is Kumeu-based Explorer NZ. Although best known for their jet-driven RIBs, they also produce outboard-powered models.
Their latest offering is the Explorer 6000, a 6.5-metre member of the company's 6000 Series Blue Water range (the others being the 6m, 6.3m and 6.8m models). The GRP hulls for all four are formed in the same mould, a sliding plug at the transom end being positioned where needed for each model.
Like many New Zealand boat manufacturers, Explorer NZ is very accommodating when it comes to trying to meet their customers' needs. As a result, all of the models in the 6000 Series Blue Water range are available in a variety of configurations: console waterjet, console sterndrive, console outboard and open tiller-steer outboard.
In addition, each console is available in two different heights. The taller one is designed more for those who like to drive while standing; the shorter, for those who prefer to sit.
One of the most common drawbacks of centre consoles is a lack of space for instrument gauges, controls and the like. That is certainly not the case with the 6000 Blue Water. There is easily enough space on the sloping dash for a 12in MFD screen and all the usual engine gauges, while the console's upright section is perfect for a VHF and switch panel.
Explorer NZ also offers the 6000 Blue Water with a variety of seating options. At the console, one can choose either a double moulded bin base (with cushion seat and storage under) or a pair of twin swivelling pedestal seats. For those opting for the former, it is a relatively simple operation to set this up as a fully functioning fridge/freezer.
On its outboard-powered models, Explorer also offers the option of a rear jump seat on either side of the outboard well. Add in a small cushioned seat in the bow and one theoretically has seven seats, not bad for a 6.5-metre open RIB.
There is, again for a RIB, a reasonable amount of stowage on board the 6000. There are dry storage lockers in the console and under the forward facing console bench seat and wet lockers in the cockpit sole, fore and aft and within the transom.
The 6000 Blue Water's standard anchoring system is a GRP fairlead glued on to the tube. However, the company also makes provision during the build process for a stainless steel post and anchor capstan (just aft of the bow seat) to be added later.
Aft, outboard-powered versions come with a small boarding platform either side of the engine; the inboard models have a full tube-to-tube platform with drop-down ladder.
The cockpit sole is finished with anti-skid rubber panels and drains either by self-draining into a lower sump (and an automatic bilge pump) or through the large scuppers in the transom.
Lack of shelter from the elements is another obvious disadvantage with open RIBs and Explorer has addressed this by installing a very robust stainless steel bimini frame, complete with a fabric top and optional drop-down clears.
The well-designed frame also provides sturdy hand holds for those who prefer to stand while under way.
A complementary stainless steel roll bar arches between the rear jump seats and this, along with the bimini frame, is where most will choose to mount their rod holders. It is also the attachment point for ski and wake board ropes and a detachable bait board.
The versatile 6000 Blue Water has been designed to accommodate a single 150-200hp outboard or a petrol or diesel inboard through either a sterndrive or jet unit.
In recent months, Explorer has delivered one with a 220hp Mercury QSD 2.8 (via a Bravo sterndrive), one powered by a 260hp Yanmar BY2 and Hamilton jet unit (for the owner of the LoMoCean designed 32m Black Pearl) and our test boat, powered by the latest Mercury 150hp four stroke outboard.
On a test run on the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour, the latter reached a maximum speed of 40 knots at 5800 rpm while burning around 55 litres of fuel an hour.
Throttling back to a less thirsty 4000 rpm gives a more sedate 27 knots and a far more economical 23 litres an hour. Combined with the 6000 Blue Water's 200-litre fuel tank, one could, at those revs, cover more than 200 nautical miles before refuelling.
Acceleration is also excellent, helped by the relatively large 3-litre engine and three-blade 17-inch pitch Enertia stainless propeller.
Explorer recently made a few changes to their Blue Water hull, raising the sheerline at the bow by 100mm and adding a new narrow tube design forward. The result is a further improvement in rough water handling and an extremely dry RIB. Handling is also excellent and the 6000 is nimble on the controls. Although tabs are not standard they are worth considering, especially for those adding clears to the bimini.
Explorer 6000 Blue Water
LOA: 6.5m
Beam: 2.47m
Internal beam: 1.4m
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Construction: GRP
Engine: Mercury 4S 150hp
Maximum speed: 40 knots
Cruising speed: 27 knots @ 4000rpm
Fuel capacity: 200 litres
Price as described: $67,000
Want to know more?
Check out the comprehensive boat test on the Explorer 6000 Blue Water in the July/August issue of Pacific Powerboat magazine or at www.pacificpowerboat.com.