22 Mar
Owners Lounge: Darren Sayers – Boat: RYCK 280
There are RYCK 280s out on the water from Copenhagen to Miami but Darren Sayers and his family are thoroughly enjoying the unique marine environment of eastern Port Phillip Bay in their fast, stylish, comfortable, and versatile day boat.
Port Phillip Bay is one of the most underrated cruising grounds in the world.
Boasting 260 kilometres of coastline with 132 beaches and a total area of almost 2000 square kilometres making it 35 times larger than Sydney Harbour, Port Phillip is actually not a bay but what’s known as an embayment made up of over 16 distinct bays.
Located in the south-eastern corner of Port Philip is the Mornington Peninsula and picturesque Mount Martha where Darren keeps his RYCK 280.
“Martha Cove in my opinion is the best part of the Bay,” he confides. “And the Bay (as the locals call it), is definitely not a lake,” he acknowledges referring to Port Phillip’s notorious reputation which can see squalls of over 40 knots develop quickly with the passage of intense cold fronts.
“There can be a sharp short (duration) swell, and that’s one of the reasons I chose the RYCK,”
Darren explains, agreeing the boat’s two-step air-cushion hull means it can ride smoothly through most of the chop and “we can see the difference when we are going through the same patch of water, the hulls of other boats are up and down the water.”
Darren’s RYCK 280, hull #130 was built in the Hanse factory in Greifswald, Northern Germany, commissioned in April 2023 and is a highly specc’d version with a Mercury V8 300 hp Verado engine, synthetic teak decking, bbq/grill, wet bar, drawer fridge, T-top and shade awnings. With its distinctive reverse bow, black and grey colour scheme, and purposeful lines the RYCK has become a bit of a favourite among local boaties, and a popular choice for outings with family and friends.
“We like to pull up somewhere drop the anchor, have some lunch, go for a swim,” he details when asked about a typical day out on the acclaimed Bill Dixon design which can host eight people across three socialising areas.
Darren thinks a party of six is about the right number spread-out across the open deck layout which includes the helm station with two branded and stitched chairs, an aft L-shaped lounge with nicely crafted oak table located a few steps away from the swim platform and hot/cold shower. “If my daughter who’s 15 brings a friend they like to hang out on the bow sun lounge. We have a tube we sometimes tow, plus a paddleboard, snorkelling gear and fins,” he says.
The Sayers have plenty of options for their day getaways, with ten sandy beaches within a 45 minute run thanks to the RYCK 280’s top speed of over 40 knots, and easy cruise capability of 25-26 knots consuming 75 litres-per-hour. A draft of just 0.91 metres means the RYCK can nose in close at Mount Martha Beach, Tassells Cove, Safety Beach, Half-Moon Beach or The Pillars and drop the anchor without fuss from the helm.
In its review of the RYCK 280 Motor Boat & Yachting praised the boat’s manoeuvrability, describing it as “one of the easiest boats to drive you are going to encounter”. Darren has found that to be true, adding “it’s such an easy boat to handle, getting it in and out of tight spaces is pretty hassle free.”
The combination of entertaining appeal and the ability to be a genuine weekender courtesy of the generous double berth in the bow and separate head has also earnt the RYCK Darren’s firm approval. He spent New Year’s Eve onboard and says he would happily do it again but plans to spend more days exploring the spectacular coastal scenery of the Mornington peninsula before crisp autumn days turn to chilly winter ones.
“We’ve had one summer on the boat and there’s a long list of people who’ve asked to come out. It ticks that box of getting the family out on it, relaxing and just enjoying being on the water,” he says.
Cruising in his home waters at latitude 38o 19′ South grants Darren the distinction of being the southernmost RYCK 280 owner in the world but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m very happy with it,” he sums-up. “I looked around at all the different models and brands in that category and I’m pleased with my choice.”
That’s a sentiment any RYCK owner from Copenhagen to Miami can relate to.
You can find out more about Ryck here.
