Biggest Pleasure Boat

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31178, 30 September 1966, Page 16

Biggest Pleasure Boat

r Y.V.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. A 65-foot luxury motor yacht, believed to be the largest pleasure boat built in New Zealand since the Second World War, will be launched at Auckland on Saturday.

The motor yacht, the Dufrense, has been built by M. C. Carter, Ltd., at Penrose, for Mr J. M. Rutland, son of Sir Jack Rutland. A 60ft luxury launch owned by Mr K D. Rutland, Sir .Tack Rutland’s other son, was brought to New Zealand from Holland earlier this year. The twin-engined steel boat was reported to be worth more than £50.000. The twin 400 h.p. diesel en-

gines in the Dufrense are each worth £5OOO. The kauri-hulled boat was designed by Laurent Giles and Partners, England. The Auckland boat-building firm began work bn the Dufrense in May last year. The boat’s decks are of teak while every exterior painted surface has a synthetic cloth finish. The Dufrense is equipped with an automatic pilot, a radio direction finder, an echo sounder and an intercom system. Hot and cold water is provided for the washbasins in each of the four cabins —two single and two double. A 230volt power system has been provided. Concealed lights have been installed in the cabins and saloon. All windows about the boat are armour plated. An automatic fire extin-

guishing system has been set up in the craft’s engine-room, the doors of which are watertight. The Dufresne's cruising speed would be 15 knots, the managing director of the boat-building firm, Mr M. C. Carter, said today. She would displace 27J tons' and was capable of carrying two tons of fuel. He said: “This boat is in world class.”