Pre-loved Boats: West Bay Sonship 72 Pilothouse

In late 2009 we started on a quest to find a boat that would accommodate our wish list. It had to satisfy both the mechanical wants of my husband and the interior qualities I was looking for. It needed to be an entertaining/family boat that would accommodate everyone comfortably and be stable enough to cruise up and down the East Coast in all weather plus run if needed. 

We spent six months researching boats in America looking at more than 200, managing to narrow it down to 20 and heading off to the USA in search of our dream boat. The one we found was Next Adventure, a 72ft West Bay SonShip Pilothouse motoryacht. She wasn’t in our picks, a broker had just listed this boat and it was the first one we saw. It was love at first sight and after looking at all the others she stood out 100 per cent – the other boats did not have the outside entertaining/living areas that work so well here in Australia.

XMAS SHAKE DOWN

Our first big family trip at Christmas time was to the Hawkesbury River system, near Sydney. Unable to contain our excitement we invited all the kids, their partners and friends. It was a full boat. Setting off from Port Stephens a rod was hung out the back looking for Next Adventure’s first marlin, but the line got bitten off halfway for no strikes.

The trip was in 2m seas but the stabilisers worked perfectly and it was a dream voyage. We eased into our cruising adventure by staying a night at the Royal Motor Yacht Club (Newport) before heading off into as many little bays as we could find. The next day with six onboard we dropped anchor at The Basin and put a few lines in, sitting on the rear deck and enjoying the peace and quiet.

It was then on to America Bay for a few nights when the weather came in and we enjoyed many a drink in the flybridge, which has fully enclosed clears and seats 10 in comfort. The following days were spent jetskiing, fishing, scooting around various bays in the tender and generally relaxing. With nine people aboard there was plenty of room for everyone to get away and do their own thing, but spacious enough for all to come together at meal times.

Dropping a few guests off and picking up others for the remainder of the holiday it was lucky Next Adventure had a washing machine and dryer – they got plenty of use. The dishwasher in the galley was also a blessing and worked perfectly.

Since then, we have stayed many a night on her in North Arm Cove at Port Stephens and even had 40 people on her for a New Year’s Eve party. With the flybridge, large open saloon and three dining areas Next Adventure worked ideally for all concerned.

The master stateroom is aft and takes up the entire 19ft beam of the boat. It has a king-size bed and an en suite with a bath that functions beautifully. The two queen staterooms both have en suites and the four 6ft single beds forward also have their own large en suite. All staterooms have TVs and speakers working from the saloon’s entertainment system are fitted in the flybridge and wetbar area.

New 660hp Cummins QSM 11s were added in 2009 and suited
my husband’s desire for a quick 21kts if needed as well as economical cruising at 10kts. The engine room is spacious and has excellent access to all parts. With a fuel polishing system, two generators, and two sets of house batteries (each bank with its own charger) that are also charged underway by the alternators, there is enough to keep any true boatie happy.

In July 2012, Next Adventure had a touch-up with the addition of new clears, electronic toilets, tinted sun cover for the rear wetbar, general refurbishment of the tender, replacement of all house batteries, new floor in the galley, all bright work redone, and service of the desalinator and generators plus an antifoul.

She is now ready for another family holiday, for new owners to enjoy, as we certainly have since first stepping aboard and owning Next Adventure.

SPECIFICATIONS: WEST BAY SONSHIP 72 PILOTHOUSE

FOR SALE $1,250,000

YEAR BUILT 1996

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Semi-displacement monohull

LENGTH 21.94m

BEAM 5.8m

FUEL 7575lt

WATER 1544lt + desalinator

ENGINE 2 x 660hp Cummings QSM11

CONTACT Grant Torrens International Marine for full specifications or drop in at the marina on Sovereign Islands and personally inspect this classic lady. Phone (07) 5577 2299 or email: sales@granttorrensmarine.com.au

Originally published in Trade-a-Boat #438, April 2013.