Fun and game-fishing

The new Ramco Renegade on the Kaipara in full family boating mode.

Ramco has thrown down the gauntlet to other boat manufacturers as it develops models that appeal to the family as much as the serious fishing/diving market that has always been its territory.

The newest version of the company's Renegade 6.5m trailerable boat is a stylish, safe and high quality product that is intended to appeal to the whole family as much as the serious fishing/diving bloke. A hard-top version is also under development.

That Ramco has been able to achieve a successful crossover in this market is a testament to the latest boating techniques and technology. The design and manufacture, the Yamaha four-stroke outboard motor, electronic fit-out and equipment are all examples of the advances being made in family boating.

Cosmetically, the painted alloy hull is colour co-ordinated with the Yamaha silver outboard - the painting including the bow safety rails and rocket launcher. All this gives the Ramco an upmarket appearance, yet it retains all the practicality of an aluminium boat.

This is a boat on which the family can spend a full day just enjoying their time on the water, or be used to target sport and gamefishing competitions. The way this Renegade is set up, the addition of outriggers transforms it from funboat to gameboat.

The family friendly layout includes a cabin with double bed, with centre infill for a toilet along with fibreglass king/queen back-to-back seating. There's a walk through transom that is essential for hardcore diving but is also great for sea biscuiting, skiing, wakeboarding and snorkelling.

It has the latest Fusion sound system with anti-shake so the CD player will still crank out solid gold hits or Thomas the Tank Engine stories while the boat is under way.

For the keen fisho or diver, the featured equipment includes a rocket launcher, rod holders, the latest Lowrance depth sounder and GPS chartplotter, long-range underfloor fuel tank and a bracket to hold tuna tubes or dive bottles.

The walk-around deck, designed for gamefishing, also makes life easier for family boating when anchoring or providing a bit more breathing space for the kids.

The hull has plenty of V for a soft ride, wide beam for stability and high gunwales that make it dry and help to prevent breaking waves from coming aboard. It has a reliable outboard and an electronic package that will let the skipper know where he is at all times.

With safety being the priority for family boating, Ramco is focused on providing the highest possible levels of safe boating.

It was one of the first boating companies to join the Coastguard and Marine Industry Association CPC scheme. Under the scheme, its boats have to meet specified safety features and have a level of equipment suitable for all types of boating.

Whether its family boating or serious fishing, fuel economy is something welcomed by all. The F150 Yamaha powerplant is quiet, efficient, and uses low amounts of fuel that could only be dreamed about five to 10 years ago.

It's a particularly smooth outboard, featuring a unique counter-balancing shaft that practically eliminates vibration.

Handling ashore is greatly assisted by the multi roller Voyager trailer, making launch and retrieve straightforward. When the family is involved it has to be as simple as possible.

As an all-round package, this latest offering from Ramco shows a new approach by the company. New production facilities are coming on stream this year and the broader appeal of new models will be followed with interest by boating fans.

The new model will be on show for the first time during the Ramco Cup contest on Lake Taupo from March 10 to 12. That means it won't be at the Auckland International Boat Show at the Viaduct Basin that runs at the same time. But it will be at the NZ Boat Show at Green Lane from June 2 to 6.

Details on www.ramcoboats.co.nz