The following article appears courtesy of tradeaboat

From my best recollection, the first time I laid eyes on the magnificent motoryacht Marabou she was moored on marina arm C at the illustrious Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Darling Point, Sydney.

That was back in 1978.

She was the pride of businessman and staunch CYCA member Keith Storey, a man who made his fortune in the steel industry from 1940 to the ’80s.

Launched in 1973, Marabou was for a long time the most luxurious motoryacht on the harbour, and underwent a major refit in 1990.

A smart, white boat with a flybridge, Marabou was designed by the American Naval Architect Edwin Monk. Since the 1920s, the name Monk has been synonymous for thousands of designs prized for their looks, their liveaboard comfort and their uncanny ability to navigate the often rough and dangerous waters between California and Alaska.

BRACKEN BUILT
Storey wanted a boat that would carry him and his crew safely and in comfort on his many passages into the Pacific, and so he approached renowned Sydney boatbuilder Peter Bracken of Kurnell to construct him a stunning Edwin Monk design, the result of which was the beautiful Marabou.

The first time I saw her I was agog at just how big she was. For her time, at 72 feet in length, Marabou was a big boat by Australian standards. There was nothing on the Harbour or in Pittwater to compare with this remarkable vessel.

A classic by today’s standards Marabou is distinctive, a pleasure to the eye and with a pleasing sheer. She presents as a trawler-style boat, with a high and flared bow and foredeck sloping back to a big pilothouse that offers the helmsperson a clear view of all that is ahead.

Her walkaround deck flows aft to a large cockpit that is ideal for entertaining or simply just lounging in a deckchair to take in any of the many sights this boat can leisurely sail to.

The main deck is teak as are the rails and exterior trim. Her bridgedeck is enormous offering a comfortable pilot and navigation area from which to helm. It also incorporates a large and appealing lounge area around a large dining table for six to eight persons facing both forward and aft, all under a shading bimini that adds to the motoryacht’s line.

Aft there are two davits to raise and lower the tenders. The boat deck carries a 4m Bluefin Deluxe aluminium runabout with a 30hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard and a 2.85m inflatable.

This is not just a pretty boat she is also a rugged bloke’s boat, a gentleman’s passagemaker, a boat that will safely transport her owner, family and friends across the ocean in style and comfort. Still a great looking motoryacht as she nears her 40th birthday, Marabou continues to turn heads wherever she sails.

INNER GLORY
Marabou is and will always be one of my favourite motoryachts. If you reckon she looks good on the outside then you really need to take a look inside.

Everywhere inside she oozes a sense of wellbeing. Her main saloon is tastefully furnished with a blue leather and teak lounge and chairs over a pale grey patterned carpet. Also in luxurious varnished teak are the leather-top sideboards, benches and bureau, a bookcase and coffee table. The whole space reminds me of a gentleman’s den. Open the curtains and from the main saloon the owner and his guests are afforded a stunning seascape from every seat.

Enclosed in the cupboard beneath the full bulkhead bookcase is a stunning wine cooler and storage for glasses and bottles — a must for every fair dinkum boat owner.

Moving forward on the portside and up three steps you enter the pilothouse that also includes the huge galley located behind the helm. Working here the cook can still take in the magnificent views the ever-changing sea continually presents as the boat moves across the water or lying gently at anchor.

Every conceivable kitchen whiz and appliance can be found on this beautiful little ship including a huge Americana-style two-door fridge, Gaggenau oven, dishwasher, freezer, a large pantry and granite bench tops.

Still on the main deck, we move into the pilot or lower helm station and this is where Marabou excels. Her electronic and navigation include a full Brookes and Gatehouse (B&G) Hydra 330 System — speed through water, sea temperature, depth, compass bearing, engineroom temp, wind speed and apparent wind speed and angle, two displays in the pilothouse, and repeaters on the bridge and in the aft cockpit.

Two Racal autopilots, Furuno and Garmin GPS units, navigation computer integrated with the GPS, Danforth compasses, Furuno GY-700 gyrocompass, and two Furuno radars (one a 1525D true-motion radar with autoplotter and video plotter, and the other in colour).

Communications are made using two Codan HF transceivers, Icom VHF, GME electrophone and Icom receiver with remote control, three depthsounders — a colour-video sounder, a B&G digital readout and a forward looking Echopilot — and all this ably supported by six antennae. Everything you need for safe navigation and pilotage.

SWEET SUITES
Back to the accommodation and Marabou is air-conditioned to ensure comfort at all times. Her main stateroom is full beam with king-size bed and en-suite. There are three guest double cabins adjacent to a huge bathroom. There is also a laundry and as you’d expect in a boat like Marabou, all cabins are finished in rich and varnished teak.

Marabou is powered by twin 300hp Detroit diesel engines, which provide a comfortable cruise speed of 8kts at a burn rate of just 35lt/h. Her best speed is 10kts.

Two generators ensure power to the vessel is always available and to minimise the rock and roll she is equipped with Naiad stabilisers. Manoeuvring and docking is a cinch with bow and stern thrusters.

These are just some of the facts regarding this very special boat. There are so many more.

TRIP LOG
Marabou has extensively sailed the Pacific visiting Fiji, New Caledonia, New Guinea, the Solomons, New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Loyalty Islands, and Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.

Her present owner Ron Mattiske and his wife have loved this boat for 10 years and cruised the Australian East Coast many times and for long periods, as far north as Queensland’s Princess Charlotte Bay and Lizard Island, but now it’s time to move on.

“There’s other projects I must pursue. We will miss her but for now it’s time for Marabou to give great cruising pleasure to someone else,” says Mattiske.

FOR SALE
Currently at Pittwater, the asking price for Marabou is $795,000. Direct enquiries to Peter Lovett (phone 0407 072244) or Ron Mattiske on (02) 9918 2035.

(CREWS VIEW)
Marabou is one of a kind designed by the renowned Ed Monk from Seattle. She is a beautiful passagemaker, a motoryacht that provides a pleasureable time on the water even in tough conditions, as well as a soft ride, and at anchor a joy to be aboard. A great-looking boat that will stand the test of time, with appropriate care.

(QuickSpecs)

MONK MOTORYACHT
MARABOU

FOR SALE: $795,000
YEAR BUILT: 1973
MATERIAL: Spotted gum frames and planking to waterline, Oregon above (hull copper sheathed to waterline). Teak deck.
TYPE: Displacement monohull
LENGTH:
21.86m (71ft9in)
BEAM: 5.64m
Draft: 2m
WEIGHT: 62.54 tonnes (dry)
FUEL: 11,119lt
WATER: 2273lt (but unlimited with desalinator)
ENGINE: 2 x 300hp Detroit Allison 8V-71N diesels

From Trade-a-Boat Issue 425, March-April, 2012.

 

Article at left published at time of launching of Marabou in 1973 cites cost of build as $300,000. It also reports the difficulty of launching such a huge boat weighing in at 53 tons.