13 Dec
The RYCK 280’s versatility and speed is proving to have its advantages, both in the city and accessing stunning cruising locations on Moreton Bay.
Brisbane’s somewhat convoluted layout, mirroring the twists of the Brisbane River as it meanders toward Moreton Bay makes a water commute an attractive alternative to sitting in traffic.
Mark Robinson has found his 9.51 metre, (31’ft 2”), RYCK 280 fits the bill as a stylish runabout from his home in Bulimba to the New Farm Park River Hub, opened in September last year.
“Getting around by water here is improving with more public access jetties,” he tells Current Torque. “We find the RYCK very handy for getting from Bulimba (his home) to the New Farm markets to pick-up the fantastic fresh fruit and produce on offer there,” he explains.
Mark’s RYCK is equally at home cruising at 25 – 30 knots across the expanse of Moreton Bay, Australia’s largest estuarine bay, usually to Lucinda Bay a favourite spot just south of Tangalooma Point on Moreton Island.
A protected anchorage with large sandbars to the north, south, and west, as well as shallow and crystal-clear water over sparkling white sand, you can snorkel in Lucinda Bay encountering turtles, stingray and some of the nearly 1200 species of fish that inhabit Moreton Bay.
“It’s best in south-easterlies or easterlies,” Mark says of Lucinda Bay. The RYCK’s draft of just 0.53 metres with its big Mercury outboard raised means they can pull-up just metres from the beach.
“Our previous boat was a 42-foot Norman Wright that drew 1.3 metres, whereas with this boat we can lift the outboard and go in as far as knee-deep water,” Mark reveals. “We just bring it into the shallows and if the tide is going out we walk it out with the anchor just so it stays afloat and we can get home,” he continues.
The maintenance advantages of outboards have also proved a bonus, according to Mark. “We can pull the engine out of the water so we don’t have anything perforating the hull,” he notes. “With our previous boats being stern and shaft drives and given the money we spent on maintenance it’s nice to be able to be able to pull all the mechanicals out of the water,” he adds.
Mark describes the RYCK’s performance, easily driven by the Mercury Verado 350hp in one word: “beautiful”. High praise indeed but the ride is controlled by Mercury’s incredibly smooth digital throttle and shift (DTS) and utilises Mercury Active Trim that assists by automatically optimising trim levels, and adapting to turns, hole shots and water conditions. For instance, in acceleration mode the engine is tucked in to minimise bow rise. As the boat accelerates, the system automatically trims the engine out.
The RYCK 280’s hull with its reverse plumb bow also ensures a smooth ride through chop as it splits the wave horizontally, dividing the water to each side.
“With only a few people on-board I usually cruise at 30 knots,” Mark says. “The hull design is great, it sits so flat,” he acknowledges. “It doesn’t sit nose-up and doesn’t feel skittish.”
Locals will tell you the Bay as it’s known is not to be underestimated. Wind against tide can kick up a nasty chop, especially on an out-going tide between Green and St Helena Islands with a NE wind.
“It’s been a bit blowy and rough a few times when we’ve come back,” Mark recounts. “Yes it’s wet if you are sitting on the bow but we put clears up in the helm area and it’s completely dry in behind there,” he reports with satisfaction.
A stand-out feature of the RYCK is its genuine weekender credentials. 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.
“We haven’t done an overnight yet,” Mark confides. “But we’re looking forward to it.” He’s also looking forward to exploring more of Moreton Bay, which encompasses over 3,400 square kilometres and more than 360 islands.
“I haven’t spent a lot of time in the southern part of the Bay, it’s an interesting place to poke around,” he says. “The crabbing down there and the Northern Broadwater is spectacular. Once you get out of the lower Bay islands and up into the open Bay it’s just beautiful. We see dolphins, once we had big turtles swimming around us. I just love it,” he enthuses.
Happily, the RYCK’s social open deck layout means Mark can share such memorable water time with his family and friends. They can relax on the stylish aft L-shaped lounge around the crafted oak table located a few steps away from the swim platform and hot/cold shower. Drinks are stored in a handy drawer fridge, while just forward is a wet sink with sink and two-burner gas stove.
The black GRP T-top shades the cockpit from the harsh Queensland sun, while removable shade awnings extend the sun protection over the cockpit and rear lounge.
“We get out there, put up the rear shade cloth, there’s ample fridges, it’s really good for entertaining up to eight people,” he verifies. “There are four us who often go out as a family but they will often bring friends and you can spread out on the boat including the sun lounge on the bow so there’s enough room,” Mark agrees.
RYCK 280 Owners have told Current Torque the Bill Dixon design enables them to travel quickly and safely to beautiful places and then relax and enjoy their family’s or guests’ company once they arrive. Mark adds another dimension.
“We’re an hour from Brisbane (by water), but we could be anywhere in the Pacific with the beaches we go to,” he explains. “We want try out other anchorages and see more of what this spectacular part of the world offers,” he admits.
It would seem the RYCK has eminently fulfilled its design brief, in providing the perfect platform for seeking out sublime new experiences and leaving just a wake behind.
Windcraft has a RYCK 280 display model available for immediate delivery in Australia/NZ. More info at windcraftyachts.com/ryck-280
