Factory News

Factory news is in two sections - the first is BOATS that deals with new models. The second section, GENERAL it tells you what else is happening at the CruiseCraft factory.

BOATS

Fourth Generation Absolutely Moresome - CruiseCraft Outsider 595

It's new - completely new, from the lead in the design pencil that drew it, to the new CruiseCraft badgework flashing down the side quarters.

It's absolutely awesome, or perhaps that should be 'moresome' and is destined to be as significant to the CruiseCraft brand as the brilliant Outsider 625 which precedes it.

The entire hull has grown higher towards the bow and that's what gives it such a pronounced sheerline. It's even higher than that on the current Outsider 625.

And in the fourth generation Outsider, (following on from the first generation 510 and 580 and 750 models back in the early 1990’s; the second generation Outsider 650 and 550 models in the mid-90’s and the third generation Outsider 625 and 625 models of the noughties), there's a significantly finer entry and greater bow flare.

There are almost 20 different mouldings in the Outsider 595 which is basically a three piece construction - a fully moulded hull with a longitudinal girder system that becomes foam filled; a fully moulded fibreglass floor liner that extends gunnel to gunnel; and then the top deck structure.

The carpet now clips out; the below floor storage box between the front seats has become a small flood box located at the rear of the cockpit which allows fishing mess to drain directly through the transom.

A 190 litre underfloor fuel tank shifts further forward for better weight distribution

The rear lounge bench seat can easily be removed to give unfettered access to things like the dual battery boxes, oil reservoir, bilge pump, live bait and deck wash pumps.

The moulded underside of the rear lounge seat now faces towards the cabin, protecting the upholstery. Beside it are the switches for the live bait tank, deck wash and other ‘back end’ accessories. The dash is now huge. It can host a Lowrance HDS10 with room to spare top, bottom and sides or you could fit two HDS8s there - a sounder and plotter. Hip hugging helm and navigator seats are fitted. And the entertainment controls now feature an Ipod dock in front of the navigator.

For full details and specificatins, visit the www.cruisecraft.com.au web site.

Explorer 485 and Explorer 530

CruiseCraft continues to lead the recreational boating market with the release of two new Explorer models – the “big boat feel” 530 and an innovative 485 with a walk-through screen and foredeck.

The Explorer 530's sheer line, the raised hull profile and the below water geometry which includes a wide waterline beam, stamp the Explorer 530 as being a vessel with excellent rough water credentials.

There also is another innovation in the design of the fibreglass deck liner – the internal section that forms the cockpit floor and sides.

The new design lessens space that otherwise would be wasted between the inside and external sides of the vessel. And yet there still is sufficient space to accommodate foam that makes the hull safer, stiffer and quieter. The new design also translates into a much wider helm area and more cockpit space.  So while the new Explorer measures 5.3 metres (not counting the bowsprit), don’t be surprised if you think you are at the helm of an Explorer 625.

CruiseCraft Explores The Hardtop

CruiseCraft has taken the covers off - (or perhaps that should be, 'put the covers on' - its latest version of the awesome Explorer 685.

The newest addition is the Explorer 685 HardTop.

Available with full height, toughened fixed glass and sliding side glass windows, or with zip-off clears using CruiseCraft's innovative sail track system, the hardtop is a two piece moulded system with a smooth gelcoat interior liner.

The model gives boaters a greater choice of shelter on Explorer 685 models with purchasers still able to order the Explorer 685 with a stainless steel targa bimini, rather than the HardTop.

Common features to both variations are the laminated front glass panels, high quality stainless steel hand rails and rod racks.  A single wiper is standard with the full height glass version only. For those who want even more protection from the elements, an optional stainless steel sliding extension allows a canopy to be extended out over the cockpit.

The additional cost of the HardTop over the conventional bimini targa canopy is only a nominal margin considering customers also get electric auto-retracting trim tabs as part of the package.

Explorer 485 and Explorer 530

CruiseCraft continues to lead the recreational boating market with the release of two new Explorer models – the “big boat feel” 530 and an innovative 485 with a walk-through screen and foredeck.

The Explorer 530's sheer line, the raised hull profile and the below water geometry which includes a wide waterline beam, stamp the Explorer 530 as being a vessel with excellent rough water credentials.

There also is another innovation in the design of the fibreglass deck liner – the internal section that forms the cockpit floor and sides.

The new design lessens space that otherwise would be wasted between the inside and external sides of the vessel. And yet there still is sufficient space to accommodate foam that makes the hull safer, stiffer and quieter. The new design also translates into a much wider helm area and more cockpit space.  So while the new Explorer measures 5.3 metres (not counting the bowsprit), don’t be surprised if you think you are at the helm of an Explorer 625.

As usual, CruiseCraft has included a host of features as standard fitment – things like a split bow rail, windscreen grab rail, a rear boarding ladder, stainless steel road holders and non-feedback steering system.

The Explorer 530 has been designed with the capacity to be towed by a family six cylinder sedan, or many of the soft-roader, all wheel drive vehicles on the market.

With a recommended motor of 115 horsepower, the Explorer 530 on a trailer will tip the scales at around 1600kg. That’s a major benefit for those people currently towing Explorer 500’s who will not have to change their towing vehicle if they upscale to the Explorer 530.

The new Explorer 485 pictured below is a sleek new addition that sees a walk-through design applied to the Explorer layout which maximises cockpit, rather than cabin space.

Research undertaken by CruiseCraft showed few people actually over-nighted in the cabin area of its Explorer 500 and Regal 475 models.

The company therefore decided to add the practicality of a walk-through design and massive storage areas instead of bunks. The massive gear stowage areas of the Explorer 485 maximise the available cockpit space – no need to leave any baskets, bags and towels on the cockpit floor when there are massive storage areas under the foredeck. For novice boaties, the walk-through design will make managing the vessel at boat ramps and anchoring in the shallows of a beach, an absolute breeze.

The Explorer 485 maintains the hull geometry of the larger Explorers – the 530, 575, 625 and 685. So while the overall package is more compact, the on-water performance and seaworthiness reflect the outstanding characteristics of the larger models. With a string of standard features, including a 60 litre underfloor tank and recommended engine of 70 hp (but you can go to 90hp), the Explorer 485 is clearly packaged as the most attractive option on the market for first time boaties who demand higher quality and bigger boat heritage.

Executive 630 Cruises On To The Market

By John Daffy

CruiseCraft created a new class of sophisticated compact cruiser with the launch of the innovative Executive 630.

The luxuriously equipped Executive 630 went through almost two years of development and the result is simply outstanding. With below water lines derived from CruiseCraft's industry leading range of offshore Outsiders and Explorers, the Executive 630 matches rough water capabilities with a premium level of interior design and appointment.



Here's a vessel with award-winning lines, very high sides, particularly across the shoulders as well as what surely must be the largest duckboard ever unleashed on to the market for a vessel of this size. Class, style and practicality packaged together beautifully.

The galley a superbly sculpted moulding integrated into the port side and forming the base for the navigator's seat (and yes, you're right, a spirit stove is located beneath the seat). An ultra-wide backrest is fixed flag style allowing it to be swung out of the way into a portside recess and giving full access to the stove, servery area and sink.

Beneath the navigator's seat is a storage area the size of Aladdin's Cave but CruiseCraft's design expertise sees two access doors provided so treasures can be re-claimed from either end. Convenience in the CruiseCraft tradition.

The Executive 630 sets a different direction to the very successful Executive 700 cruiser by having a translucent slide-away cabin door complete with one of those neat locking systems which snap into place when it's fully open or when fully closed.



The helm chair also is a super-wide model and mounted on stainless legs to allow an icebox with a padded top to slip under it proving enough cool room space for a long weekend away. It also provides an additional seat to the luxurious wrap-around corner lounge. Six people in comfort - not a problem.

One of those CruiseCraft double shelf style glove-boxes (more like enough room for the entire ball gown, clutch bag, high heels and glass of bubbly girls, not just the gloves), sits in front of the navigator's seat.
Enter the cabin by using a couple of smoothly curved steps and you see where those high sides came from.
Cabin height is outstanding, in fact, almost upstanding, and the side pockets are almost wide enough to form bunks. Well, not really, but you get the point. These are side pockets wide and deep enough to swallow those kit stuff bags which inevitably find their way on to boats.

The seat cushions are a faux suede which blends tastefully with a plush cabin lining. Not one of those static-ridden brothel-nylon jobs that glisten in the sun, but more up the lambs wool end of the scale, but obviously in a more durable synthetic blend.

That emphasis on style and tastefulness extends into the side pocket trimmings and new cockpit carpet. Even the front and side clears are tinted to match! And those clears - magic. That's because CruiseCraft is now using a sail track to locate them - smooth, taut and terrific.

The Executive 630 comes with a 220hp Mercruiser - a trip with five adults aboard as well as enough support gear to conduct a Team CruiseCraft Family Picnic Day saw an easy cruising speed of 40km/h (that's 25mph) maintained at less than 4,000 rpm, but more importantly, provided enough bottom end grunt to launch straight to the plane without having the play shuffle the passengers.
The ride - it would be easy to say ' typical CruiseCraft ride comfort and stability' but unless you've experienced real offshore conditions and seen a CruiseCraft bow riding easily to meet on-coming crests, or holding its head steadily as it races across troughs, you probably won't appreciate how really good that is.

A few weeks earlier, The Gorgeous One and I had claimed an Executive 630 for a weekend afloat.
When you've trekked the bay, cruised the Moreton Island shoreline, stuck the nose outside the South Passage Bar, spent a night aboard, cooked, showered and done the moonlight drinks bit and TGO still wants to keep talking about the boat and whether it will slide by a drive-through garage rather than the niece's latest achievements or her impending holiday overseas, you know this is a vessel with unique appeal. Tremendous appeal.

When TGO is more interested in talking about the practicality and size of the wet box storage area that also forms a backrest to the duckboard, or the duckboard-mounted utility board and rod holders and why the vessel feels so solid underway, you know it's a vessel that impresses a very astute judge.

And when it's time to head home and you can't lever her out of the helm seat, you know it's a lay down Misere that there will be serious discussions coming with a CruiseCraft dealership.

While purchasers will more likely focus on the outstanding stainless work, the fresh water and deck wash systems, dual batteries, electric anchor winch, full instrumentation, sound proofing of the engine, cup holders everywhere, mood lighting and a myriad of other features, it's knowing that this vessel has blue-water capability that will bring a smile to the face of owners.

(And that particularly includes folks who are not prepared to give up offshore reef fishing just because the family insists that the next vessel be a luxuriously appointed cruiser rather than a fishing vessel).
The Executive 630 - a sensational body with a CruiseCraft soul. Now that's the basis of a beautiful relationship!

Full vessel specifications are available on the www.cruisecraft.com.au web site.

GENERAL

Factory Commissions Liner Lifter

CruiseCraft has a policy of continual improvement in all aspects of the business.

That is why the company commissioned the installation of a liner lifter, pictured here.

The lifter now enables one person, rather than two, to raise the liner - that's the main internal moulding - into the hull. In doing so, it reduces the likelihood of damage to the hull and liner as well as providing a safer and cleaner working environment for staff.

Precision Milling In Research and Development

CruiseCraft now is using a robot-controlled milling machine to precisely cut foam blocks into the shape of fibreglass components for new models.

The strategy is enabling CruiseCraft to develop new designs efficiently, cost effectively and with the flexibility to implement design improvements quickly.

The new design resource is being used on parts as small as bait boards and as large as boat decks.