A custom-built Matilda Bay 32 all the way from WA will share the marina with Twin Disc Pacific’s demo vessel, Revolution, showcasing the Twin Disc, Seakeeper and Seatorque range of products at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 24 to 27 May on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Visiting Australia from Twin Disc’s US headquarters to attend SCIBS will be John H. Batten, CEO and President of the company, celebrating 100 years this year.

The Matilda Bay 32 is a compact, versatile cruiser and the ideal crossover for families and fishos. It’s the product of the childhood ambition of Chas Milner, a Perth-based broker who oversees the construction of Matilda Bay boats in Murwillumbah in NSW.

“It’s our prototype and the development boat – a spacious little motor yacht with two berths forward, L-shaped lounge that can convert to a bed, galley and a large aft deck that can be fitted with seating as a family picnic boat,” said Chas.

“We set out to build a Baby Boomer boat for couples wanting to enjoy boating in their retirement with just a single engine and thruster, but we have been amazed at the interest from people moving up from large tinnies and 28ft fishing boats, looking for something more family-friendly.”

The Matilda Bay 32 is economical to own and operate, capable in any sea state. Handcrafted and built with a custom modular interior, with exquisite timber trim, solid acrylic benchtops and fully lined accommodation area, it is far from a basic boat. It can be built to charter or self-drive survey and is ideal as a runabout for waterfront living.

“We can build to any spec, right up to fully optioned to the highest level. The first boat is a hardtop, sports sedan with bow thruster as standard, however a flybridge can be added and you could install a half tower for game fishing if that’s your passion.”

The first boat has a 370hp Yanmar inboard diesel engine while the second boat will have twin outboards on a Pod.

The link with Twin Disc Pacific goes back to 2016, when Chas attended the Sydney International Boat Show and was blown away by the stability and ease of use of the Seakeeper 5 on show.

Thinking a Seakeeper would be ideal for the Matilda Bay 32, extending its usage beyond the calm waters of bay or lake, Chas waited until 2017 and the arrival of the Seakeeper 3 onto the market. The Seakeeper 3 was designed to eliminate roll on boats 30 to 39ft.

Twin Disc in Perth fitted the Matilda Bay 32 with the Seakeeper 3, plus a full-length vinyl wrap with Seakeeper branding just a week ahead of the debut of the Matilda Bay 32 at SCIBS 2017.

“The difference the Seakeeper made was phenomenal,” explained Chas. “There is no roll at all.”

With the Seakeeper 3 installed, outboard or inboard engine, the Matilda Bay 32 is priced from $395,000.

Visitors at this year’s SCIBS will be able to see the Seakeeper 3 in action onboard the nifty Matilda Bay 32, and the first model of the Seakeeper 2 which was launched at the Miami International Boat Show in February and suits boats 27 to 32ft.

Available for on-water demonstrations during SCIBS, Revolution, the 47ft Twin Disc vessel, will give visitors the hands-on experience of the Twin Disc Quickshift transmission, industry-leading Express Joystick electronic controls and EPS position hold system, including continuous and fully-proportional hydraulic thrusters, while appreciating the stability afforded by the Seakeeper 9 installed.

Revolution and Matilda Bay 32 will be on display at the end of F Arm of the Marina at SCIBS, 24 to 27 May.

More at www.twindisc.com.au  and http://matildabaymarine.com.au