Wanna ride around Sally

By ROBIN BAILEY

It looks European, but the newest Mustang to reach our shores is as dinkum as any Aussie can get.

The stylish 4600 Sports Top arrives in New Zealand after winning Modern Boating magazine's Australian Powerboat of theYear and Cruiser of the Year awards.

This year's recognition of the 4600 continues a long line of successes for the Mustang company, which produces around 250 boats a year in the 28ft to 48ft range.

These include the Australian Marine Industry Federation's Boat of the Year, Cruiser of the Year and Family Boat of the Year awards in both 2000 and 2001 for the hugely popular 3800 Sports Cruiser, forerunner of the 4600.

Laurie Collins Marine owners Frank Coggan and Noel McKenzie acquired the exclusive New Zealand dealership for Mustang late last year.

They believe the reputation the Gold Coast-based company has built on its home ground, since it was restructured in 1996 by present owner Gary Garoni, will be repeated on this side of the ditch.

Coggan: "There is nothing remotely like this boat being offered for sale here at present. It's a big, sports hardtop, luxury boat, the sort of powerboat that is more familiar in Europe. It comes totally specified ready to drive away, a turnkey operation with a 10-year structural hull warranty.

"It is not a traditional Kiwi type of custom-built powerboat. The buyer doesn't have to keep ticking the option box because the 4600 comes with heaps of features, all included as standard. There is a hydraulic swim platform, hydraulic engine hatch, bow thruster, outdoor barbecue, icemaker, three LCD flat-screen TVs, surround-sound stereo/DVD entertainment system, zoned air-conditioning and an electronic package that includes radar, GPS, sounder, genset and autopilot. There's even an RIB tender aboard, plus all the safety gear from EPIRBs to lifejackets."

The first 4600 in the country has twin electronic Caterpillar 450hp diesels on a V-drive shaft. Owners willing to wait around 12 weeks for colour or power options can also choose from either Volvo or Cummins diesels.

There are two air-conditioned double staterooms, each with its own separate en suite at either end of the big and luxurious saloon. Then there is the galley, with its huge storage space, twin circular sinks, recessed fridge, microwave, two-burner hob with range hood, timber cabinetry and granite benchtops.

Coggan, who has been on the local boat brokerage scene since 1986, believes the market is right for the Mustang range, and says the 4600 will quickly prove a popular choice for buyers at the top end of today's market.

"Lots of people smile when I tell them I got into the business just before the 1987 crash," he says. "But that was not a bad time for buying and selling boats. Sure, some of the corporate craft hit the market at fire sale levels, but generally everything remained pretty stable.

"Buying trends have certainly changed in the years since 1986. Imports of production boats at that time were anathema to the Kiwi boater looking only for rugged utility and performance. Gradually the local builders' standards have improved to the stage where many of our major producers can match the level of the best of the imports."

He adds that because of our limited production runs, matching the big international guns is difficult, which is why custom building is still a large part of the local market. It is also why the Europeans like Bavaria and Beneteau are finding a market here and why the Australians Riviera and Mustang will similarly find their own particular niche.

The Mustang 4600 is produced in both Sports Hard Top and Soft Top versions.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Mustang 4600.

Sports Top Length: 14.75m (48' 5").

Beam: 4.3m (14' 2").

Draft: 1m (39").

Deadrise: 18 degrees.

Cabin head room: 2.1m (7').

Bridge clearance: 4m (13' 2").

Fuel capacity: 1880lt (496 gals).

Fresh water: 600lt (158 gals).

Top speed: 30 knots at 2800 revs.

Price: Sports Top $874,250 (plus GST).