With innovation as its hallmark and improved usability throughout, the brand-new Boston Whaler 285 Conquest stakes further claim on the company’s legendary status.
“The new 285 Conquest exemplifies where the Conquest line is evolving,” said Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “It improves upon its predecessor in styling, performance, storage and overall functionality. We listened to advice from customers and dealers, and the result is a Conquest model that will turn a lot of heads.”
The 285 Conquest is engineered with Whaler’s patented Unibond system, which ensures the brand’s legendary unsinkability. Boston Whaler raised the 285’s sheer line while lowering the deck profile to give the boat an even more rugged, seaworthy appearance and feel on the water. The hardtop and windshield have been integrated to provide improved weather protection, and they allow for three distinct variations: an open windshield, an enclosed windshield and a pilothouse.
“We wanted the boat to look strong, but with a sense of luxury out on the water or tied up at the dock,” Berman said. “But this was much more than an aesthetic upgrade. The all-new hull-re-crafted from the keel up planes, handles and flat out runs better than the previous 285. Hardcore offshore anglers will especially appreciate these performance gains. The refinements carry over to the cockpit, helm deck and below, where we’ve improved helm visibility with our integrated tempered glass windshield system, while maximizing storage, elbowroom and headroom in the cabin. The ergonomics and ruggedness of our windshield hardtop system is unmatched in the industry today.”
A good example of the 285 Conquest’s above-deck enhancements is the new patent-pending port lounge. Seating areas here have been raised to improve forward visibility, while an innovative “flip and slide” backrest (with pull-out footrest for facing aft) allows forward or aft-facing configurations. A removable filler cushion or an optional pull-out table provides even more flexibility. New spacious drawer storage beneath the port lounge keeps tackle or other needed items within easy reach in the cockpit. A starboard storage and prep area behind the helm chair has ample space to store large carry-on items or house an optional refrigerator.
The 285 Conquest’s generous cockpit space offers numerous comfort options, including Whaler’s signature foldaway stern bench seat and a port or starboard pull-out seat, all of which can be united around an optional cockpit table for a unique setup ideal for entertaining guests. An optional cockpit sunshade slides out from the hardtop to keep all the festivities nice and cool.

For anglers, a multipurpose live-bait well, rod holders and dual insulated in-deck fishboxes with pump-outs come standard. Premium options such as 12V transom receptacles for electric reels, hardtop-mounted radial outriggers, and Raymarine chartplotter and fishfinder upgrades round out a worthy arsenal for hauling in trophy fish.
The improvements continue in the cabin below, where new materials and finishes create a warm and inviting environment. The deeper hull and a more open layout increase the sense of spaciousness, especially in the galley, which adds a skylight and abundant storage. The forward V-berth effortlessly converts to a dinette table in seconds, and full-width bow cushions and an upholstered headboard in the midberth indicate the 285 Conquest’s dedication to comfort and luxury.
The expanded options list–which includes a low-CO gas generator, large forward sun pad, Raymarine electronics and available pilothouse aft bulkhead–demonstrates Whaler’s commitment to delivering the level of sophistication and sumptuousness its customers expect.
“Boston Whaler customers assume they will get more from our boats than they would from others in the market,” Berman added. “The 285 Conquest, indeed all of our 2012 Conquests, should meet and exceed our customers’ expectations for express walkaround vessels. We expect more from our boats because you expect more.”

Several Sea Ray families found a great new anchorage for a weekend together. They rafted up on a beach inside the Seaway opposite Sea World.
Sheltered and quite deep close to the beach it was perfect especially for the kids.
As you can see as usual everyone had a great time.

At long last I have a selection of photos together from the Tangalooma Easter Weekend.
Despite the dire weather forecast the weekend turned out beautiful. We could see the rain falling over Brisbane but had clear skies most of the long weekend.
Everyone had a great time, especially the children; playing on the sand hills, snorkeling, swimming, jumping, and riding jet skies.
The adults had a great time as well, as you can see.
The final verdict was that Tangalooma is an excellent venue for a weekend away, just check the wind and weather, before you go.

A brand new end-to-end connection system has arrived from Tallon Marine.

The Tallon Receiver award winning accessory system features are:
•    Fast - Can be factory or retrofitted in almost every type of vessel quickly an easily.
•    Flexible - Allows you to run Tallon Chart Table Lamps, Courtesy Lamps, All-Round / Anchor Lights, your own 12/24v powered accessories - as well as Tallon’s full range of non powered accessories, allowing you to preserve your boat’s clean lines and win back valuable space.
•    Strong – Stainless Tallon Accessories have been load tested to 600 kgs/1,320lbs.
•    Stylish - 3 Great faceplate options that blend in with and enhance the boat’s lines.
•    Reliable – Tallon Receivers are guaranteed for life, allowing you to get the very best from your boating for years to come.
The stylish drink holder is sculpted from premium quality marine grade stainless steel for great looks and durability. Holds a wide variety of cups, mugs, glasses, bottles and cans, etc. with high end design to compliment the clean lines and looks of your boat.  It can mount onto any Tallon Receiver and Connector,  so it can be quickly removed or re-located; made from 316 Stainless Steel; 2 drink holders and a sturdy utility hook for keys, bags, hats, etc.  Supplied with a Tallon Connector 2 Tallon drinks coolers.  Ready to use.
Tallon Champagne Flute Holders are beautifully designed and made from durable nylon. Holds two champagne flutes of varying sizes, safely and securely. Great looking in boats of all types. Neutral/Bone.
The Wine Glass and Bottle Holder is made from tough Tallon tested polycarbonate. Ideal for holding a wide range of wine glass and bottles sizes.
The Tallon Bait Table is rugged, reliable and an ideal station for a wide range of uses. Made from hardwearing polyethylene and carefully designed for the demands of the serious fisherman, the table is easily adaptable for leisure use, e.g. a snack bar or entertainer table.  Mountings at Tallon’s standard 300mm centres to allow swapping between Twin Dive Bottle Holder and Rod Holder accessories.  Available in black or white.  Supplied with two Tallon Connectors and ready to use.
Made from marine grade stainless steel, Tallon stainless Rod Holders are stylish and strong, combining great looks with rugged durability. Features: 1 or 3 rod-racks; quick and easy mounting and removal to get back to those clean lines; supplied with Tallon aluminum connectors and ready to use.
Perfect for leisure or commercial use.  Mountings at Tallon’s standard 300mm (11.81”) centers to enable swapping between twin dive bottle holder and bait table accessories, etc.
Tallon Stainless 16 mm loop, vertical or horizontal. Sturdy locking cam for added safety and security. Load tested to 600 kgs/1,320lbs - ideal for heavier duty applications and jobs.

Chart Table Lamps are strong, stylish, reliable and ideal for use in cabins, cockpits, at chart tables, helm stations or over Tallon Baitboards and Entertainer Tables at night. Powerful white Hella marine LED light; power saving - lamp draws less than 2W; switch-on lamp head; will operate on a range of input voltages between 9-31V DC; vibration & shock proof; flexi-shaft for angled lighting.  Supplied with Tallon Power Connector.

The range is extensive and growing. The Dive Bottle Holders have proven particularly popular with our Sea Ray owners.

Special deals on the whole range are available to all our Sea Ray owners. Talk to Michael.

A bunch of Sea Ray Owners are gathering at the Tangalooma wrecks over the Easter long weekend.
We will have boats there from Thursday afternoon, so you are welcome to join us anytime from then till Sunday afternoon.
To travel up with us on Thursday, or to organise to travel with other Owners on another day, call Neil on 0411 097682.
Phone Rob at QMC 5591 7032 on Wednesday for a weather up-date and to confirm the definite venue (depending on weather). Regardless of wind and weather we will be going some where suitable.
Be sure to bring snorkeling gear for Tangalooma.

The decision to try the ever popular Wavebreak Island for our next Sea Ray Owners Club Rendezvous proved, with a few reservations, to be a great success.

By midday, with a pretty terrible weather forecast, we had a row of Sea Rays rafted up with more arriving.

Then the storm hit. For about twenty minutes it crashed its way over us, with rolling storm clouds, thunder and lightening, torrential rain and massive winds. Very exciting! It cleared as quickly as it came and we all enjoyed a pleasant afternoon.
By then we had about twenty boats rafted with a few more nearby.

The water was still a little cloudy from all the rain we have been having and  the wash from the traffic in the Main Channel made it a little uncomfortable at times for the smaller boats but we had plenty of room and were able to raft-up close to the beach.

As you can see we all enjoyed a variety of activities.

Sunday turned out to be just perfect: clear blue sky and a gentle breeze to soften the heat.
As we had hoped quite a few smaller day boats joined us for the fun.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter on the Home Page so we can kep you up to date with future events.

AquaPalooza 2008

All our Sea Ray owners, new and old are invited to our next Sea Ray Rendezvous. This time we are rafting up at the North Western end of Wavebreak Island on the last weekend in November (Sat 29th and Sun 30th). Space will be available from Friday morning if you want to get in early.
All Sea Rays large and small are invited – there will be plenty of room on the beach for our day boats and Bow Riders on either day.
Phone or email (rob@searay.com.au) for details, enquiries or directions.

Eat your heart out Southerners. Sea Ray Owners Club friends enjoyed the last weekend of August at another favourite anchorage, the Basin at the Spit, Southport. Sheltered, quiet and with easy access to car parking on shore this is an idea gathering place for boaties.

All year round boating doesn’t get much better.

Over the first weekend in August Sea Ray owners rafted together at one of their favourite get-aways, McLarens Landing. Last minute organising to take advantage of the promised weather had ten families turn up to enjoy each others company for a couple of perfect days.
A lazy Saturday was spent with the kids playing on the beach or tubing while some adults played with jet skis. An equally lay-back evening was spent enjoying time on each others boats. Later that evening, through their newly installed Bose sound system, Darren and Karren hosted The Sound of Abba aboard their beautiful Sea Ray 455 Sundancer.
It was the maiden voyage for Steve and Anne’s new Sea Ray 525 Sedan Bridge and its amply large cockpit provided a popular venue for card games on Sunday. Meanwhile, the children enjoyed being towed about in their tubes behind Steve’s new Amanzi inflatable. Other children preferred the fishing, some even caught a fish.
The weekend ended with a comfortable trip home for everyone in perfect weather, and with everyone looking forward to the next Rendezvous.

Click on the thumbnails below to see more pictures:

We have made a small selection of the many photos taken at the Australia Day Rendezvous earlier this year. Again at McLarens Landing QMC hosted a wonderfull weekend for our Sea Ray owners. As you can see a great time was had by young and old!

See you at the next Rendezvous!!