The calendar tells us Autumn is here but the summer season is lingering nicely in the Marlborough Sounds. The New Year’s parties are a distant memory, the kids are back to school and the weather is finally settling. The Marlborough district has had a mixed summer with some extremely hot, settled days and the odd southerly ‘buster’ thrown in. The yachts and runabouts have been popular than ever before, with a number of  turnarounds reduced to under three hours to accommodate the next charter party. We want to tell you about our new mod cons added to vessels in the fleet and bring to your attention a few specials we are running.

For those of you in the know, the next few months offer the very best of boating in the Marlborough Sounds. When combined with our exciting new graduated discounts, we are expecting a very busy time here. This NEW ‘special’ will see longer charters rewarded with greater discounts – up to a massive 25% saving for all 7 day charters. Our return clients are of course entitled to their standard 10% discount anyway. This special is running until the end of June so be in quick to take advantage of them for next season bookings.

Our new longer charter discounts are as follows,

Latest Summer News updates for 2010

• "Phoenix", the most popular of our launches has had back to back charters through early March, with a few gaps available after that. The new bow and stern thruster has proven to be very popular - not to mention all the other toys!
• "Arnie" (our new Terminator 3.3m) has proved to be very popular and is ideal for servicing the bachs in the inner Sounds. She is suitable for a family party of 2 adults and 2 children – we can arrange delivery to and from bachs if required.
• The "Boat and Bach" package has surpassed all our expectations. Kathie at Kulak Rent A House has over 80 bachs, covering a wide selection of prices, locations and options to choose from and she can coordinate directly with us to ensure that the charter vessel will have a suitable mooring or floating jetty, offering peace of mind and the independence to come and go as you wish. We are also offering Boat & Bach packages in Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds now.
• "Reel Dream" (30ft Crestacraft) has passed through the survey process with flying colours and now opens up the Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds with our new base from Havelock. A stylish ‘large runabout’ she sleeps 4 in comfort and has the power and speed to open up the vast expanse of ‘the other Sound’.
• "Bugamar’s" bookings have exceeded all expectations as the 4 cabin option allows for a group of 8 to cruise in luxury, exceptionally well out fitted, with new sails and a dinghy davit system for extreme ease of use, she really does have to be experienced.
• "U4ria" also caters to the most discerning charter party (ideal for 4) and now features a brand new bow thruster. U4ria has completed her first full season with solid bookings and she too has a few gaps after mid March. Simply let us know your dates and we will let you know as soon as possible what options we have available.
•  All the feedback from "Jumelle" is very positive and our policy of ‘onboard accommodation’ prior to all Jumelle first time charterers allows you to be more relaxed and familiar with the additional systems aboard before setting off.
• New Kayaks and Outboards for hire.
• "Metaxa" (Beneteau Oceanis 390) is for sale in the fleet. Click here for more details on owning a charter boat in our fleet.

Autumn/Winter specials 2010 - click here

• "Long Charter Discounts" - This graduated discount is designed to reward the longer charters with a massive 25% off for charters of 7 days or more. The longer you book for the more you save! 

• "Yacht of the Month - "St Paul" - We are promoting one boat per month this season and "St Paul" is our March/April vessel. Book a charter on "St Paul" during March of 3 days or more and you will receive an additional 5% discount on top of the ‘long charter" specials. St Paul is a proven charter vessel in the charter industry. She has new sails, new colour chart plotters, new dinghy, deisel heater - great value for money! Groups of up to 8 have been enjoying fantastic boating holidays aboard St Paul becasue she has 3 double cabin with the saloon able to sleep 2. A great cockpit with all line run back make it very easy to sail. St paul has full head height through the main saloon, a large galley, a huge aft cabins and forepeak and an enormous cockpit. Book her for March or April and recieve a further 5 % discount on top of our Autumn/Winter specials (see above). Click here to make an enquiry.
• Launch of the Month - "Jumelle" - We are promoting one boat per month this season and "Jumelle" is April's vessel. Book a charter on "Jumelle" during April for and 3 day charter or more and you will receive a 10% discount. For charters booked for more than 3 days the longer charter discount applies.
• "Anzac Weekend Deal" - We are running a special for Anzac Weekend of 3 days for the price of 2 &1/2. You get 1/2 a day free! Arrive at the base for around noon on Friday the 23rd of April and after getting your full briefing you can head straight out of the marina and get your adventure underway. Then arrive back at the marina at 12 noon Monday the 26th of April. As the Anzac Weekend special is 3 days for the price of 2.5, this works out to almost a 17% price reduction so call us to reserve a vessel for you. Click here for more info or Click here to make an enquiry.
• "Boat and Bach" - with "Orion" or "Huntsman"  The ideal runabouts for a group of up to 6, she has the advantage of a cabin to allow you to get out of all weathers – whether too hot or too cold, and this month only all charterers will be offered the option of the ski biscuit at no additional charge. Click here for more info or Click here to make an enquiry.
• Hire a runabout and a Bach in the Sounds. We have a choice of over 80 Bachs with own moorings/ or jetties in the Sounds. They are the perfect spots to get away from the pace of city life. Explore the sounds during the day with your own runabout. Fish, dive, bush walks, water-skiing or just read a book, you have the best of both worlds ashore and afloat.
• For those of you who want civilisation close at hand, we have a great house (sleeps 12) in Waikawa Bay which is 2 minutes from the boat ramp. Plenty of space and parking for you and your crew. Great for kids and family if the men want to head out on the water for some serious fishing, the ladies can relax at leisure and the kids have plenty to do in the area.
• Prices start at $190 (depending on which runabout you choose, which batch and the season) for 24 hrs. Minimum stay at some is 48hrs (depending on time of year). Leave on a Friday afternoon and spend all day Saturday in your own paradise then head back Sunday afternoon.
• The runabouts we use for this special are Orion (left), Huntsman  (centre) and Arnie (right)
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• We have access to over 80+ Bach's in the Sounds here so we WILL have one for you!  Call our staff to enquire on availability on 0800 101 332

on availability on 0800 101 332

 11ft NEW Runabout

 What a great little boat!. Surveyed for 4 people but perfect for two to zip around the enclosed waters of the Sounds here. If your bach is water access only and your budget is at the lower end then this is your access to freedom.

A 3.3m terminator hull, "Arnie" has all the features of a larger RIB condensed into a easy handled runabout. He has a Brand new electric start Tohatsu 18 HP 2-stroke outboard on the back. Not powerful enough to go water skiing behind but enough to get two adults and 2 kids up on the plane and cruising along. She is surveyed to MSA standards and has all the safety features required as do all our vessels.

Systems include, electric start, hard mounted VHF, electric bilge pump, flares, lifejackets, anchor + chain and line, charts, compass, oars, first aid kit, boat hook + more!

Why be stuck at the bach when those bays are only 5 mins away. From only $80 a day.  Go ahead treat yourself!

For enquiries please click here.  Or call our staff to enquire on availability on 0800 101 332 .

"Phoenix" - Resort 35ft

Our most popular launch is our "boat of the month" special. "Phoenix" has a new engine and stern thruster - yes Stern Thruster! Both installed this winter along with a few other upgrades, she is all ready for another successful season here in the Sounds. With a bow and a stern thruster she makes manoeuvring a joy!

Phoenix is surveyed for 10 but 8 is ideal. Peak season rates are $640 per day during peak season so that works out to be only $80 each for 24hrs (accommodation on board), out on the water here in the beautiful Sounds. That's pretty good!