Review: Assegai 58
Assegai holds a revered place among the world’s game boat aficionados. We were lucky enough to get aboard the last one to be built
I’d have to say, there are mixed feelings as I think about this review. The Assegai 58 is a breathtaking an example of a modern game boat, but it’s the last one to come from Barry Martin’s Gold Coast yard. After 31 years and 18 iconic and much loved Assegai models Barry has closed the shutters on his shed for the last time, having achieved a well-earned retirement.
Our review boat was three and a half years in the making and Deploy is arguably the masterpiece from the Assegai yard. Owner, Sydney businessman Brett Cornish, commissioned the boat after having fished on several Assegais previously.
When he took his wish list to Martin, the plans came back with a length at 58ft. “It was longer than I had imagined,” Cornish told us. “But in practice, the boat handles perfectly and we have all the fishing and live-aboard comforts we need.”
Three and a half years seems like a long gestation period, but as Martin admitted, he promised more than he could deliver and ended up with three boats on the go at once. Deploy was last in line. Perhaps the fussy builder’s high demands created delays when staff hired to handle the extra workload just couldn’t meet Martin’s lofty expectations.
Sharp entry and pronounced flair
THE BUILD
Construction is a unique blend of Barry Martin experience and dedication to a perfect outcome. First, a timber female case was created to which 45 x 21mm strips of Western Red Cedar were temporarily fixed inside the housing to form the hull shape. Layers of tri-axial fibreglass were then hand-laid, and the resin hand-rolled over both sides of the timber to make a powerful, light, and beautifully formed hull. Topsides get a similar treatment, and the construction cases — individual to every boat — are destroyed after use, making each Assegai unique.
This is a painstaking method that few boat builders would attempt in today’s time-poor environment. But for Martin, the effort is worth it for a proven mix of strength, hydrodynamic flow and weight.
Deploy’s profile is beautifully balanced, and the sheerline flows smoothly from the sharp entry to a rounded transom designed for safely and quickly backing in. Underneath, deep chines running from the bow surround prop tunnels and a steep 23-degree deadrise.
Prominent flare and a long foredeck dominate the front section, and an anodised aluminium tower from Black Marlin on the Gold Coast stands tall over the flybridge.
It's a sportsfisher for the ages
ON-BOARD
Entry is across the sides, and similarly to any decent game boat there’s no swim platform to impede reversing down on a fish or interrupt the tag going in.
Beautifully executed teak coamings surround the sides in a circular flow without any sharp edges. Taking centre stage is an American made Murray Brothers game chair polished to Steinway standard, but the rest of the teak-clad deck is clear for quick movement into every corner.
Central to the transom is a large live bait tank with four removable tuna tubes seamlessly included, while to port is an outward opening door for retrieving fish. The rear section of the cockpit allows enough legroom under the coamings for support, but further back are lockers along each side to house lines and fenders. Two hatches in the floor open to large kill tanks with macerators and drains, and grids in the corners cover substantial sums for the scuppers that drain the deck quickly should it fill in rough seas.
A mezzanine deck forward of the cabin bulkhead is somewhat unusual for a local game boat but makes an excellent place to keep an eye on the ocean from a two-seater lounge with a freezer below. On the other side of the offset doorway is an electric barbecue and icemaker hidden in a neatly moulded cabinet.
I like the way the flybridge ladder curves over the barbecue. Access from the mezzanine deck makes it a shorter climb to the flybridge, and the alignment across the boat should be safer in a seaway.
Adventure is on the horizon
THE INTERIOR
Stepping inside the Deploy cabin is a refreshing change from a traditional boating interior. The mahogany table aside, the design uses modern fabrics and finishings, with barely a hint of polished timber at the window trims. Mind you, the complicated outlines of those windows must have been a challenge when bending the mahogany into the desired shape. While we’re on the subject of complex shapes — curves and elliptical angles are so pervasive that it’s a struggle to find sharp edges anywhere. This is sensible boating practice in the saloon, but Martin seems to take a right angle as an insult to his reputation.
An example might be the round-faced pantry fibreglass cupboard doors. Showing a dedication to excellence, each was a labour of love and took two weeks to complete.
The plain-weave fibreglass walls were sanded to a smooth finish and coated in matte ‘Hint of Grey’ Risene two-pack. Periwinkle Blue Italian leather lounges on either side continue the modern, understated theme and offer comfortable seating for around ten. The portside table folds out for dining, and drawers below the lounges have space for tackle and rod storage. Further back, a custom window opens on an electric ram for a flow of breeze and conversation between the saloon and the mezzanine deck.
A U-shaped galley has loads of preparation room on the light granite Corian benchtops and is well equipped for long voyages with two more freezers and fridges. Miele appliances include an induction cooktop, steam microwave, and steam/conventional oven. Hidden air ducts suck cooking smells away, and I found generous overhead cupboards for supplies.
A mahogany table adds a traditional contrast to the styling
One notable feature is the Zip tap for either boiling, chilled or carbonated water at the kitchen sink. With a fresh drink at hand, it cuts down on the number of plastic bottles used when chartering, saving on plastic waste.
A companionway offset to starboard created some interesting design problems when the owner presented his idea to Martin. He wanted an amidships master cabin with enough width to give plenty of luxury and space. The result is a unique asymmetric layout and a turn in the corridor as it approaches the bow cabin. There’s sleeping space below for up to eight with a queen in the master, a bunk in the starboard cabin, and a double with two wing bunks upfront. An additional bunk in the flybridge and the two saloon lounges provide extra beds when needed.
Modern fabrics and furnishings are found throughout
MECHANICAL
As you might expect, the mechanical and electronic components below decks receive Martin’s signature attention to detail. A pair of 18L six-cylinder Caterpillar Acert diesels each churn out 1150hp, which saw ample power for a lively performance.
Two 22.5kVA generators will power everything on board and ensure redundancy to keep things running at sea. There’s more than enough power for all the freezers and lighting, as well as for an air-cooled 375 Tohmei gyro that holds the deep hull stable at rest. And for an unlimited amount of water, an Aquamatic 220L/h water maker keeps the 1000L fresh tanks full.
A hatch under the companionway gives access to a central pump room that is a feature of Martin boats. Separated from the engine room by a collision bulkhead, the space houses pumps and air conditioners in a clean environment that protects everything from corrosion. In addition, all the saltwater pumps throughout the boat are the same Kova model, meaning only one spare is needed in the event of a malfunction.
THE HELM
The helm has a traditional game boat layout but with all the latest electronic assistance. Twin Murray Brothers helm chairs are a comfortable solution for the long hours behind the wheel, but they leave plenty of room for standing when driving forward or backing down on a fish.
Three 19in Hatteland screens are angled for immediate views of the GPS, sounder, and instruments, as well as displays for onboard cameras, a FLIR camera and a 96NM Radar display. Other electronics include Humphree 750 automatic interceptors for trim and Furuno Autopilot. Especially neat are the unobtrusive switches for the Sidepower 240 bow thruster built into the tips of the Palm Beach throttle controls on either side of the wheel.
Ahead of the varnished timber control desk are a fridge freezer and a double berth for the skipper if needed on charter.
THE DRIVE
As good looking as an Assegai most definitely is, their reputation on how they handle and maintain respectable cruising speeds at sea hangs low. Deploy has all the right design features to ensure the last of the marque lives up to the high expectations. The long, lean hull matched to a narrow beam and deep deadrise is the right shape for efficiently cutting through waves. At the bow is a sharp entry and pronounced flair for slicing a path and sending water to the side.
Our review took us along the familiar path under the bridge and out through Sydney Heads into the Pacific. The 58 footer was steady as a rock at speed in the sheltered waters near Bradley Head, and we saw a wide-open throttle speed of 32kt for a fuel burn of 450L/h.
Conditions were an unchallenging slight sea with a slow swell as we proceeded offshore at a steady 23kt cruising speed where both engines consumed around 270L/h. This should give a range of 421NM with 10 per cent in reserve from the 5500L tanks.
Powering up into the swell proved the reputation the hulls have for performance into a sea. The ride was soft and without any rattles or resonance through the structure. The boat turns smoothly and without any wallowing, and it feels just as stable and safe down sea.
Skipper Daniel Klein has skippered many American and Australian boats and rates Deploy in a league of its own. Vision was tremendous, and manoeuvrability was impressive as the boat ducked and weaved in reverse at speed with no water coming over the gunwales in the easy conditions.
THE WRAP
Three years is a long time waiting for the launch of your new boat. According to Cornish, though, the wait was worth it. It’s everything that he and his skipper have hoped for. On their first shakedown trip to Frazer Island, they tagged marlin and landed a good number of tuna on the run down to Sydney.
Deploy isn’t going to sit idle. The big Assegai will be earning its keep with the Pursuit of Giants charter business wherever the fish are biting — you’ll find her in Cairns in the big game season or down on the New South Wales coast for the interclub and Sydney summer fishing season.
This last Assegai closes a significant chapter in the Australian game boat industry. It is a credit to the supreme craftsmanship and dedication to perfection of a master boatbuilder Barry Martin and his equally determined team.
FAST FACTS
PRICED FROM
POA
GENERAL
MATERIAL GRP over western red cedar
TYPE Flybridge Gameboat
LENGTH 17.68m (58ft)
BEAM 5.02m (16ft 5in)
WEIGHT 22 tonnes
DRAFT 1.28m (4ft 2in)
DEADRISE 23 degrees
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE 11 (NIGHT) 15 (DAY)
FUEL 5500L
WATER 1000L
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL Caterpillar C18 Acert
TYPE Turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder four-stroke diesels
RATED HP 2 x 1150hp (2 x 847kW)
DISPLACEMENT 18.1L
WEIGHT 1905kg
GEAR RATIO 2:1
PROPELLER Veem Interceptor 32in x 43in
MANUFACTURED BY/ SUPPLIED BY
Assegai Marine, Horizon Shores QLD