When David McKain was looking for a new boat he thought he would stay with a fibreglass model. But the space, durability and ride quality of the DNA 515XC pontoon model convinced him otherwise, and he is now an aluminium boat convert.
David McKain has owned only three boats in the past twenty
years, and the first two were both fibreglass. Each was his pride
and joy for about a decade, and McKain has been fiercely loyal to
that construction material. So when the family grew up and he was
looking to downsize, it seemed his next rig would be an obvious
choice. However, he had some very specific requirements for his new
ride, and, he believed, a moulded fibreglass boat was not going to
be sufficiently customisable for his needs.
He started to look at options in aluminium and soon came across
DNA boats, based near Nelson. Jason Elvines, managing director of
DNA, says they have spent several years developing their
standardised hull designs in both monohull and pontoon
configurations. These form the basis of their dozen or so models,
some of which are also available in kitset form for DIY experts to
build themselves.
By using the latest in CAD software and CNC cutting machines,
they have the ability to custom build every single boat. The
extremely fine tolerances of the CNC machine enables them to create
interlocking full-length frames, while also allowing them to
incorporate unique design features most conventional alloy boat
builders are unable to achieve.
Custom criteria
McKain started with the DNA 515XC cuddy series. The X
designation of the DNA range indicates a pontoon boat, and this
model features a stylish stepped pontoon profile tapering gently
towards a slightly squared- off bow. McKain says what attracted him
to this model was the substantial cockpit space, larger than most
of its competitors in this length.
The pontoons provide stability at rest, while the 20-degree
deadrise provides smooth-riding performance. In the DNA hull the
pontoons lift just clear of the water when underway, reducing the
wetted area and hence lowering drag while still being there to
provide buoyancy when the going gets tough. So McKain’s second
criterion, namely a soft-riding boat, also got the big tick.
Unlike many blokes’ fishing boats, this is clearly a joint
venture between McKain and his wife Meg, and it was refreshing to
see her as excited about the new boat as he was. The third
criterion, due to a back injury some years ago, was additional
secure handholds all over the boat. For the same reason, a rocket
launcher wasn’t practical, so Elvines designed a miniature ski arch
on the transom with four rod holders.
An option in the 515XC is an underfloor fuel tank, but the
McKains elected to go with two of the new 45-litre tote tanks. This
boat will be based at their bach in Rotorua and, rather than tow
the whole boat to the petrol station, they will just take the tanks
out for refilling. The transom has therefore been set high enough
for these tanks to slip neatly underneath and out of the way.
The McKains opted for the Targa top and clears to give shelter
from the sun and rain. One of the cool things a CNC cutter can do
is a custom cut-out, and they opted to have the boat’s name, Te
Namu (sand-fly), and a graphic of a trout fly of the same type cut
into the arch supporting the top. Although the top is removable,
there’s no height issue at their bach so they opted to have the
arch bolted on rather than mounted with hinges and clips. The Targa
top has plenty of head height, even for those over six feet tall,
and extends far enough forward that the clears drop down almost
vertically to the windscreen.
Things to consider
Something looked slightly uncommon in the cabin layout and it
took a few seconds to work out what one of Meg McKain’s most
unusual customisations was: the passenger seat (a moulded plastic
unit mounted on a huge under-seat locker with a supplementary
rear-facing seat) is set further forward in the cockpit than the
skipper seat. This ensures the passenger can reach the handholds
and foot rests while also ensuring the rear-facing seat doesn’t
occupy much in the way of cockpit space. Looking at how this works
I can see the benefits of this asymmetrical arrangement, and it’s
something other designers should consider.
One final option the McKains selected was to have the entire
boat, inside and out, apart from the treadplate deck, Nyalic
coated. This is out of concern for the sulphur dioxide sometimes
present in the air in Rotorua, and since the boat will be stored
there most of the year they wanted to inhibit any corrosive
effects. Of course, the Nyalic makes the boat gleam like it’s been
polished, and it will continue to gleam for years to come.
When it came to powering the vessel, David McKain chose to keep
the Yamaha 115hp four-stroke from his previous boat, as it had
relatively few hours on the clock. Although right at the upper end
of the recommended horsepower for this hull (75 to 115hp), a bit of
extra power is usually preferable to being underpowered. The 115hp
is one of Yamaha’s best-selling models and is generally regarded as
being extremely reliable and economical to run. This is a decision
McKain is unlikely to regret.
DNA built the boat to the McKains’ exact requirements. One of
the advantages of this custom-build process is the ability to see
the quality of the workmanship as it all comes together, and McKain
says they received regular updates and photographs of the hull as
it was assembled – no dodgy welding hidden under the deck when the
client is watching the entire process! Also, although the boat is
designed on the CAD system and the client gets to explore the
design beforehand, during a custom build like this the client can
choose to change aspects of the boat as it progresses. This is much
easier to accommodate than retro-fitting any changes to an
already-built hull.
Open throttle
It was a very pleased couple that took delivery of their new
boat in mid-February, and it was during their couple of weeks of
shakedown trips that we caught up with them. Since their boating
will be almost exclusively fresh-water, and often in shallow water
at that, they have the motor mounted perhaps slightly higher than
is optimal. However, this allows a shallower draught for coming in
to shore, while the stainless prop ensures an occasional powered
clean-off in the mud will not cause undue harm.
We managed to get out onto Lake Karapiro on a brilliant sunny
afternoon, and once we’d dodged the numerous jetskis and
waterskiers, we headed up the lake. The boat proved to have amazing
handling. Cutting through the huge skiboat wakes was no problem,
and the chop down at the rowing club end of the lake hardly worried
her. At low speeds the pontoons come into play, stabilising the
entire hull.
Once clear of the rowing lanes and jetskis we opened the
throttles and hurtled out of the blocks. Well over 30 knots came up
in seconds, and the curved chine, located just under the pontoons,
kept spray well away. The boat rides on those chines under normal
conditions, giving a smooth and stable feel.
The 515 does not have any planing strakes, nor does it need any,
as the chines serve this purpose. Tight turns with no side-slip are
also possible thanks to those same edges, with the pontoons
providing extra grab when pushed very hard. Holeshot performance,
with the big engine, was quite extraordinary as one might expect,
but I believe it would be good even with a more modest power
plant.
Since this boat will mostly be used for trout fishing on Lake
Rotorua, stability at low speeds and in a wind and chop was
paramount. The pontoons take care of all of this, and even three
large adults leaning far over one side simply settled the side
pontoon slightly further into the water.
Spot on
The cuddy cabin area is for storage only and, unlike some boats
of this style, it does not have a step-through to the bow. However,
the split windscreen swings open and access to the anchor well is
easy while still standing fully supported inside the cabin. If
access around the bow is required, a flat walking area has been
recessed into the pontoons and covered with non-slip padding.
The helm seat, a plastic pod-mounted unit, was comfortable. The
steering was incredibly light, almost as if it was a powered
hydraulic unit, so clearly the motor position and trim is just spot
on. A modest Garmin 500C colour fishfinder is fitted, as is a VHF
radio.
The entire deck is treadplate but, for bare-foot comfort, a tube
mat has been fitted over this. Two additional seats with padded
squabs are set in each corner of the transom, and access to
the boarding platform is by stepping onto these. The outboard motor
pod and boarding platforms on either side is a single unit, with a
slight gap between the hull and boarding platform. An alloy T-style
boarding ladder is fitted.
The last word
This is the first DNA boat I have reviewed, and I have to say
I’m impressed. The ride quality was excellent and the stability
equal to, if not better than, the best in its class. Performance
was exceptional. The build quality was also very good, and the
precise CNC cutter means there are no sharp edges to the
aluminium.
For more details visit dnaboats.co.nz or give Jason a
call on 03 542 3977. DNA Boats will also be at the Hutchwilco New
Zealand boat show from 17 to 20 May, so visit them on stand
B136.
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Photography: Norman Holtzhausen