Hudson Bay baby a real head turner

Hudson Bay 350 © Promedia

The 'baby' of the new generation of Hudson Bay pleasure cruisers, the Hudson Bay 350, is currently in-build at the company's yard in China and due to hit Australian shores before Christmas.

Clipper Motor Yachts General Manager, Brett Thurley, said the sleek sedan cruiser is superbly designed with a modern flair and 'will turn heads at any marina or anchorage'.

He said the first HB350 will be powered by a Volvo 260 hp electronic, shaft drive diesel engine giving her a cruise speed of approximately 14 knots.

Priced from $399,000 Thurley said the vessel represented exceptional value for money and would open up the world of comfortable, live aboard cruising to a sector of the market that would usually be excluded because of the entry price.

"This vessel is stylish, comfortable, economical and provides most of the 'must haves' included in its larger siblings just in a more compact package and we are very confident it will resonate with a big sector of the market," he said.

"This is the perfect vessel for weekends away or weeks away bobbing around Moreton Bay or Pittwater and for those who wish to venture further afield she will easily handle coastal cruising."

The HB 350 has an owner's cabin with a queen bed, hanging lockers and extra storage. A clever bathroom design allows for a separate stand up shower with fixed screen door and separate vanity cabin to starboard while a large electric toilet, sink and vanity cabin is to port. There is a 150 litre holding tank.

The galley is located on the starboard side of the saloon along with a highly functional double, forward facing cruising seat which is located at the front of the saloon opposite the helm. The galley features a square stainless steel sink, Corian counter top, 2-eye cooker, Webasto Inox refrigeration and freezer and microwave.

A 4kw generator provides more than enough power to run the galley and other systems on the boat including a full Raymarine electronics package

The enclosed saloon area is all on one level with the cockpit for ease of entertaining and wide opening saloon doors see the indoors and the outdoors seamlessly merged. An electric sunroof above the saloon and hatch above the owner's cabin provide ample ventilation.

Thurley said the HB 350 has heavy engine room insulation, a bow thruster, hydraulic trim tabs, hydraulic steering with Isotta helm wheel, electronic engine controls and a Garmin glass cockpit 12 inch GPS plotter/fish finder and engine management readout.

There is LED lighting throughout including navigation lights a VHF radio, shore power and battery charger, automatic electric and manual bilge pumps, hot water boiler and chain counter.

"Don't let the aggressive price tag mislead as this is a large volume and feature packed motor yacht that can be customized to an owners desired options specifications. The finishes and styling will raise the bar for this niche of smaller sedans" said Thurley.