When AUT’s Earth and Oceanic Sciences (EOS) Research Institute put out a tender for a new research vessel, price was only one factor. Above all it needed ruggedness, reliability, stability and space while still being suitable for occasional towing to remote locations. It chose the Osprey 850.
Lloyd Elliot has been building Ospreys in Nelson for nearly two
decades, and they feature prominently in many tourist snapshots.
This is because most of the water taxis in the Abel Tasman National
Park are Ospreys, and anyone who has walked, biked, or kayaked any
of the trails in the region will not forget the site of one of
these sturdy vessels loaded with a dozen people, and almost the
same number of kayaks, pulling up onto the beach.
When combined with a pair of reliable, quiet, and economical
150hp Honda four-stroke outboards, the Osprey 850 hardtop is a
package that will provide the AUT School of Applied Sciences and
EOS with years of hard work and safe operation. The boat was built
to AUT’s very detailed requirements, but is essentially an extended
version of the standard Osprey 800 hardtop. Specific changes
included a raised cockpit floor with built-in scuppers to make the
boat self draining, and an extended lockup cabin to allow the
university to safely secure expensive hydrographical equipment.
Size and space
The big cabin provides shelter from the elements in all
conditions, while moving the toilet to its own cabin facing the
cockpit makes the most of the interior space. The university wanted
a vessel able to safely take up to 12 people with gear, and this
boat certainly has the capacity. The choice of black paintwork
around the cabin was a decision based on AUT branding, which was
still to be added at the time of our initial photoshoot.
All Ospreys are pontoon boats, with a pleasingly rounded hull
shape. A hallmark of the Osprey pontoon’s profile is a ledge welded
all around the outermost edge, which serves three functions – a
bumper strip when docking, a sturdy walkway all around the boat,
and a hand hold for swimmers or divers in the water. The pontoon
itself ensures the boat is unsinkable, and all Ospreys can be built
to full survey requirements. This vessel will of course be put into
Safe Ship Management, and she is rated to carry a dozen
occupants.
Seen from the dock, the boat’s size is not immediately apparent,
but once you step aboard the cockpit space reminds you that her
hull length alone is 8.5m, with an overall length of 10.5m. Her
beam at 2.55m is just outside the standard trailer-legal width,
with special considerations needed for taking her on the road.
However, she will primarily be based at Auckland’s Gulf Harbour and
will not take to the road very often.
Fishing research
Everything about this boat is built for extreme toughness. The
hull thickness is 6mm, and the pontoons are double-skinned with
twin layers of 3mm plate. The dry weight of the bare hull is
1600kg, and with engines, equipment, and a full load of fuel in her
twin 250-litre tanks she weighs about three tonne.
This would make a fantastic fishing boat, although she is, of
course, destined for higher causes (which will also include fishing
for research purposes!). The cockpit is huge and uncluttered, and a
tube mat covers the floor area. Gunwales are high and wide,
providing a safe barrier for leaning or sitting. Rod holders dot
both gunwales, while the pontoons provide a wide parcel shelf
running along either side. A bait board in the transom sports seven
further rod holders, and is built sturdily enough to act as a
towing point for sonar buoys and other equipment. The deck is
self-draining through scuppers in the corners of the transom, and
there are four dive-bottle holders in the side parcel shelves.
The huge boarding platform is uncluttered, and it is easy to
step around the motor control cables. This boat features T-style
boarding ladders on both sides, as serious diving will be one of
the regular activities. A large transom step-through is built into
the starboard side, with an alloy door able to be securely closed.
Oversize bollards are welded onto each stern corner for towing
purposes. The triple bank of batteries is securely tucked away in
separate compartments high off the deck in the transom.
AUT’s specifications
Between the cabin and cockpit are some custom features built to
AUT’s specifications. On the port side is the separate toilet
compartment with electric macerator. In the centre under the tube
mat is a 200-litre live-bait tank with aerator for keeping
specimens alive. This is complemented by a smaller portable
live-bait tank, which can be removed fully-laden to transport more
delicate specimens back to the laboratory aquarium. On the
starboard side is a saltwater sink, with a Maxwell pot hauler built
into the side of the cabinet. A gantry is fitted into the cabin
top, and this can be swung out when needed for heavy lifting
purposes. The cabin door neatly slides in behind the toilet
compartment, reducing the space occupied and keeping it out of the
way.
The cabin roof has been extended to shelter part of the cockpit,
but this blocks access to the standard rocket launcher mounted on
what would normally be the rear of the cabin.
Stepping into the cabin is a further eye opener, as it is
completely lined with charcoal-coloured carpet. This played havoc
with the photo shoot, but means there will be no glare from any
interior surfaces. The skipper’s seat is an unusual slimline design
– the skipper half sits and half leans against it. It looked
awkward, but after driving the boat for a while it proved extremely
practical and comfortable.
The dash is dominated by a huge 10-inch Lowrance HDS10. This
top-of-the-range unit provides high-definition broadband sounder
functionality as well as integrated chartplotter and Lowrance’s new
broadband radar. The unit is networked to the digital engine
management system as well as the fuel tanks, providing a complete
digital display solution. A separate Garmin GMI-10 digital display
is dedicated to engine management and can display both engines’
performance data on the same colour screen.
Serious work
The huge windscreen is kept clear by twin wipers, and a stroke
of genius is the inclusion of a fresh-water spray on each wiper to
remove any salt crystals and mitigate sun strike. Behind the
skipper are sink and storage cupboards with carpeted shelves. This
boat is not intended for extended away trips, so a full galley has
been left out. Both side windows slide open for fresh air,
visibility and communication.
One downside of a large cabin layout like this is the limited
rearward visibility, and the skipper has two blind spots behind him
on either side. In real terms, this should not be an issue, and the
radar can be used in conditions where 360-degree awareness of
surrounding vessels is required.
On the port side is a fold-down table, with a seat against the
rear of the cabin and a reversible seat on the forward side. This
allows up to four people to sit facing forward while underway,
while for serious work the seat is swung around to face the table.
An inverter is installed to power several laptops and other
equipment as needed. The forward cabin has twin upholstered bunks,
allowing occasional respite, and there’s room for all the necessary
safety equipment.
Out on the bow, an alloy fairlead holds a Sarca anchor,
controlled by a Quick Aster winch. Thanks to the ledges on the
outside of the pontoons and a grab rail along the top of the cabin,
it’s easy to walk around the full-width cabin to get to the bow
area, if that’s ever necessary. A full-size hatch in the cabin roof
also gives access to the bow.
On a dime
After a week of extreme weather, including the tragic Albany
tornado in Auckland, it was something of an anticlimax to get the
boat out on a fantastic sunny and calm summer’s afternoon. The good
conditions meant we had less chance to test the rough-water
handling of the big boat, but a commissioning trip in the rough
earlier in the week showed that the boat could cope well in the bad
stuff.
Despite the boat’s weight, the twin Hondas seemed to have
adequate power, but bigger power plants might have been justified
if the budget allowed. As was to be expected of a boat this size,
acceleration was not quite leap-out-the-hole, but it was no slouch
and the speed was soon close to 30 knots. This will be a serious
workboat, so outright speed is of less concern than economy and
overall performance.
Handling was extremely good, with the pontoons providing
excellent stability both at rest and while underway. We pulled some
very hard turns and the boat simply dug in and turned on a dime.
The advantage of such a big hull is that you can try manoeuvres
that would be risky or uncomfortable in a smaller boat, with the
weight and stability simply carrying it through.
The hull has a 23-degree deadrise at the transom and, despite
the pontoons acting as ultra-wide chines, the ride is comfortable,
with the big 850 powering through smaller chop easily. The carpeted
interior and rigidity of the hull provided by the pontoons ensure
that hard, loud landings are not a feature.
The 850 is supplied on a Hosking tandem trailer with stainless
steel brakes and sense brake control. It was supplied through
Brokerage Marine in Auckland’s Westpark Marina, with after-sales
service a factor in its AUT tender win.
The last word
The final product has once again affirmed Osprey’s pedigree in
building stylish and sturdy boats that are well up to the rigors of
everyday use. Osprey has also built a successful export network in
Australia, with its boats being sold in New South Wales and
Queensland. The build quality and finish are of the highest
standard, and while this size boat is not suited to most
recreational users, there is a range of smaller models built to a
similar standard.
For more details on Osprey boats contact one of its dealers or
visit osprey.co.nz.
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Photography: Norman Holtzhausen