19 Sep
With its good sea-handling, quality appointments, safe walk-around decks, and genuine weekender credentials the RYCK 280 fulfilled this Sydney couple’s boating wish-list.
As his very successful career as a senior manager with an iconic luxury Australian jewellery brand was winding-up, Richard Broug activated a long-held plan.
“The first item on my retirement business plan was to get a boat license and buy a boat,” he reveals to Current Torque.
That item is now comprehensively ticked off with his RYCK 280 sports day boat due to arrive in Sydney at the start of next month.
Richard’s RYCK, hull #132, a highly specc’d version of the fast, versatile and stylish centre-console design, was delivered only a year ago. At 8.8 metres or nearly 29 feet with a draft of 0.91 metres with the Mercury Verado 350hp engine down, it’s proved ideal for accessing the 3,400 square kilometres of Moreton Bay and its more than 360 islands. The RYCK’s Owner has since decided a Sealine C335v, with more saloon space and cabins is better suited to his needs, and Richard is the beneficiary of that decision.
“I’m a relative boating novice,” he confides. “But doing my homework and getting advice from the Paspaleys, (Paspaley Pearls where he was formerly General Manager of Global Retail), was: “‘a Bill Dixon designed boat gives it a big tick, and its German production by Hanse gives it reliability,’” Richard recounts. For the record, Paspaley Pearls operates a fleet of 14 vessels from 22 to 52 metres between the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory to as far south as Broome in Western Australia. So, they have a pretty good idea of marine design and engineering.
“The thing that appealed to my wife Susan and I is the level of options on the RYCK we purchased,” he tells Current Torque. “It has two Isotherm (drawer) fridges, (one either side of the cockpit lounge), there’s the stovetop gas-burner with a sink, which I think for a dayboat is absolutely ideal,” Richard explains
A test run in the RYCK 280 was organised with Windcraft’s ever-helpful and highly experienced Queensland Sales Manager Gavin Ward on a choppy Moreton Bay.
“I was impressed by the stability of the hull and the way it handled,” Richard reports. There are around 250 RYCKs plying inshore and offshore waters from Copenhagen to Melbourne, where their good sea-handling and safe walk-around decks are greatly appreciated by Owners.
The stability factor is a result of the RYCK’s reverse plumb bow that ensures a smooth ride in a head sea as it splits the wave horizontally, dividing the water to each side. Quickly up on the plane the twin-stepped hull mixes air in with the water passing under the hull to cut down on drag.
For Richard, as with many of us, spending time on the water is a panacea for many ills. “It tends to make any problems you have wash away,” he says. “Because when you’re out there, you feel a real connection to nature and it’s hard to put into words how it puts things into perspective. Boating is also a social thing, and that’s very much part of the appeal,” he acknowledges.
He and Susan’s first voyage will be discovering a little bit more of the Hawkesbury and nearby beaches and secluded coves in Pittwater. “We are also keen to do an overnighter,” he cheerily informs us.
The RYCK 280 ‘s accommodations set it apart in this category of day boat. It’s a couple of steps down into the forward cabin through a sliding door, and the interior with its Nordic style wood finishes is stylish and practical. To starboard is a separate toilet with hand basin and storage cupboard. To port of the steps is a galley cabinet for a microwave and up front is a generous vee-berth, with infills to make a queen-sized bed.
Richard has checked whether he can stretch out his tall 1.86 metre frame in the RYCK’s bow cabin and answer is a comfortable yes
“I feel very privileged to now be able to explore what are some of the most beautiful waterways in the world,” he adds.
Current Torque suggests Richard and Susan might enjoy The Boathouse Hotel Patonga which has three private moorings available for use, located in front of the hotel in Patonga Bay. But then the RYCK can easily host up to eight people across three deck spaces including the large shaded rear cockpit with comfortable lounge and removable table at the stern, a bow lounge with twin sunbeds and the well-laid out helm area with its nicely stitched helm chairs.
On a perfect lazy summer afternoon, the choice would be to indulge in a long lunch then relax after a refreshing swim, cool drink in hand. As the summer sun sets Richard and Susan could stay out overnight or zip back to a marina.
He’s already secured his berth at Empire Marina at Bobbin Head, “C1, the best berth in the marina,” a mere 13 minutes’ drive from he and Susan’s home.
Lists are being drawn up, including one for board games during nights in a quiet anchorage. “It’s almost like furnishing second home and what conveniences do we want to have,” Richard enthuses. The RYCK’s 40 knot performance and 100 plus nautical mile range means they will be able to temporarily locate their ‘second home’ in some of the world’s best cruising grounds.
It’s a good dilemma, part of the ideal business retirement plan.
More information:
