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Taking the crown

Prestigious Crownline boats and its centre console fishing derivative, Finseeker, are the latest in premium watercraft to arrive in New Zealand direct from the USA.

Prestigious Crownline boats and its centre console fishing derivative, Finseeker, are the latest in premium watercraft to arrive in New Zealand direct from the USA.

Built at its state-of-the-art Illinois facility, Crownline offers Kiwi buyers’ exceptional quality and features, and dynamic performance on the water at a competitive price point. The impressive boats are distributed throughout Australasia exclusively by EuroCity Marine in Napier, and sister retailer, Auckland’s Bensemann Boating Centre.

The Crownline design language immediately impresses with a beautiful blend of sportiness and sophistication available across an impressive six model lines and more than 30 individual configurations.

Starting with the Sport Series SS Bowrider designs, the entry-point into the brand delivers a perfect combination of form and function. These elegantly designed stern drive bowriders have proven especially popular in their home market and provide the perfect way to enjoy a summer’s day out on the water.

Moving up the range, the Eclipse series offers premium practicality for families that enjoy a multitude of water activities such as skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, or just cruising. The Eclipse series aren’t bowriders but perform like a sport boat with style enhanced by Crownline’s patented responsive F.A.S.T. tab hull design.

The F.A.S.T tab hull (short for ‘Fin-Assisted Safe Turn’) utilises vented chines to aerate the running surface and reduce drag. Fin-like tabs keep the vents from producing spontaneous handling quirks. The hull sticks in turns, is responsive to trim, and really airs out at speed. Chopping back the throttle and you can feel the vents working as the boat glides along for quite some distance before settling off plane.

Both the XS and XSS models are proving popular additions to the Kiwi market, delivering versatility and a fun and satisfying ride. Crafted to provide more usable space, these boats arrive with outstanding layouts and handy features such as electric convertible sun lounges, deluxe bucket seats, spacious head compartments with handheld showers, and relaxing bow, cockpit, and transom seating. Through and through, the Eclipse line-up is the complete package.

Topping the Crownline range though are its stunning overnight cruisers. Contemporary styling is suitably supported with sumptuous interior materials and fitout. If you’re a regular to overnighting, these feature-rich cabins offer a refreshing alternative more akin to apartment accommodation than utilitarian quarters. Enjoy the day, then spend the night in the luxurious cabin with shower, sink, vanity, and a porcelain toilet with electric flush.

Crownline is unapologetically a premium proposition. So, if you’re after a more specific tool for effective fishing, Finseeker may be more to your taste.

Well and truly designed for fishing, yet with plenty of seating around their centre console set-ups, Finseekers’ remain comfortable for families and guests, and offer more clear deck space. With a sharp forward entry, a 20° dead rise, and large freeboard, comfort and safety are well catered for, without compromising room to cast and catch.

Customers can also be sure that the service at EuroCity Marine and Bensemann Boating Centre will be as impressive as the boats they offer for sale.

The marine business is a rapidly expanding addition for Napier-based entrepreneur, Terry Elmsly. A well-respected Audi and Skoda dealer in Hawke’s Bay, Terry acquired Auckland’s established Bensemann Boating Centre with an eye to transforming the business.

Key to that transformation will be an extensive commercial property development (see page 90) to better showcase Crownline, Finseeker and the other brands he represents, including Volvo Penta, Honda, Parsuns and Asis Boats.

To check out the Crownline and Finseeker offerings in stock now: www.eurocitymarine.co.nz/stockTo enquire about sea trials or sales, visit Bensemann Boating Centre, D/12 Clearwater Cove, Hobsonville, Auckland 0618 (phone 09 416 2190) or EuroCity Marine, 120 Prebensen Drive, Onekawa, Napier 4110 (phone 06 835 8810).