Boat Review - Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge

When I asked Australian boating icon and Whitehaven Motor Yachts managing director Keith Hanson the reason behind the name for his beautiful range of premium cruisers and his reply was: “I simply don’t understand why Australians name their products after European destinations; Whitehaven is the number one beach in Australia and one of the top ten in the world! That is as much cause for celebration as our beautiful boats – it’s a symbol of Australia.”

This Whitehaven Sunbridge is a natural evolution of the Whitehaven 6000 Coupe and Flybridge models, but has the most sociable layout of all. She combines all the wonderful features of a superb hull design with the manufacturing ability of one of the world’s finest boatyards.

The Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge is an inviting boat with beautiful facility and a luxurious but practical seagoing demeanour that will win plenty of friends with a more than enticing price.

Whitehaven has packed in a wonderful combination of smart, strong seamanship, time-proven shaftdrives, sensible power and state-of-the-art technology. She is built to the demands of Keith and son Ryan, with the younger fella spending a good proportion of his busy life overseeing construction. Unlike many builders Whitehaven is keen to work with its customers and customising to individual wishes and needs.

Layout and design

Whitehaven yachts packed a wide array of features into a 19m hull (62ft6in) overall, including a rear submersible platform and its ingenious stairwell that folds out as the unit is lowered into the water. To my great surprise there is a transom garage where a 3.2m inflatable tender is neatly tucked away out of sight, with an automated launch-and-retrieve mechanism. Some may will replace the tender with a jetski for a bit more excitement, and the transom provides a perfect staging point for watersports as well as easy boarding.

We step up to the rear deck via a moulded stairwell with teak steps either side of the platform. It’s an ideal outdoor relaxation and entertainment area that’s well-shaded from the overhanging sundeck. The sweeping rear lounge is an ideal spot to sit back and relax, or makes a social hub with crafted teak table and folding chairs.

The portside teak stairs to the sunbridge has a fibreglass storage module underneath containing a Vitrifrigo fridge-freezer. Opposite is another module with a handy stainless steel barbecue and storage cabinet, the unit also housing the Yacht Controller joystick (or there’s the optional mobile remote-control). Both make manoeuvring and docking an absolute breeze from anywhere around the boat – even from the dock!

Bow access is a safe, easy walk on the decks either side, with plenty of depth and strong stainless steel rails all the way to the bow. There are dual rope lockers in the cabin roof as well as a most inviting sunlounge with tilting recliners to catch some rays. Ahead, the Muir windlass and stainless steel ground tackle are sensibly presented, and plenty of large bollards around the whole deck for secure mooring.

Whitehaven 6000 cockpit

Back in the cockpit the twin sliding glass doors beckon you inside. The large saloon windows accentuate a spacious interior where a nice combination of handcrafted joinery, masterful glazing, exquisite trims, appealing textures, premium fittings and an experienced selection of accessories enhance the layout.

Whitehaven follows modern trends with a rear starboardside L-shaped galley. It features Corian benchtops, Fisher & Paykel fridge-freezer as well as Miele cooktop and convection oven with range hood, stainless steel sink with mixer, slide-out pantry, and considerable drawer and cabinet storage. The addition of an island bench extends the preparation and serving area as well as more storage.

To port is a liquor cabinet/bar with wine chiller and cellar rack alongside a lush four-person convertible lounge. The cabinetry is in limewashed oak, the ceilings beige-lined throughout, as well as fawn leather upholstery and blackwood laminate flooring. Moving forward is a lovely portside U-shaped dinette with a solid timber table for a more formal meal. The table support is height-adjustable enabling conversion to a coffee table for a less formal affair.

I really like the starboard helm in front of a utility area lined by handy cabinetry. The forward portion of the cabinets forms the helm seat base, elevating the Besenzoni seats to a wonderful height for maximum visibility and comfort.

The helm adds a sporty feel to the overall presentation, the dashboard combining a terrific selection of quality components allowing full directional and speed control, and easy display of all navigation and systems information. Featured are twin Raymarine e165 multifunction screens showing GPS, plotter, sounder, radar, diagnostics as well as screens for full CCTV monitoring.

The magnificent Caterpillar C18s are harnessed by twin throttle controls with sync ability, plus joystick option. There is a broad array of state-of-the-art accessories too, all beautifully finished with a sporty steering wheel. Hop behind this helm and you just want to head for beyond the horizon.

Cabins

Downstairs the accommodation is simply beautiful. The forward VIP features a huge island bed with wardrobes and cabinetry all set in a wonderful mix of premium trim.

All the staterooms feature similar fitment, with TVs in every room, tons of storage and a feeling of sensible luxury. The forward stateroom has an entry to a large bathroom that doubles as the dayhead, as well as servicing the portside bunk room via another hallway entry. The textures and layout of the bathrooms are inviting and quite beautiful.

Your jaw will drop when you see the majesty of the centrally positioned full-width master stateroom. Like all good things it is simple and exquisite, without being opulent and gaudy. Central is a king bed that. I just wanted to hop in and sleep forever in the lap of luxury! The port side has a full-length dresser with tons of drawer space and even a handy sitting area that could be a desk but has a lift-up top with mirror and jewellery/makeup box. There is a ton of light from large windows either side, including a pair that open.

Engines

The engineroom simply blew my mind! The main entry is via a large watertight doorway off the rear platform, and inside you will be gobsmacked with not only the size of the service area but also the quality of the installation, plumbing and circuitry.

I simply have no more words to say other than it is a pleasure to see the pride taken in assembling an astonishing display of marine professionalism.

The 18lt six-cylinder Caterpillar ACERT C18 marine engines turbo-diesels push out 1150hp at 2300rpm per side through Twin Disc QuickShift gearboxes. Here too are a 17.5kW Kohler generator, twin Racor fuel filters, air-conditioners, 5kW inverter, batteries underfloor, auto fire extinguisher system, and more.

The Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge has a solid fibreglass bottom and balsa core sides, some Kevlar strapping and a vinylester exterior for a dry displacement of about 31,500kg.

I jumped into the helm beside Keith as we took the beautiful hull through her paces and was astounded with the ride in about a metre-and-a-half of swell with some wind chop on top. I looked at Keith and his simple statement “it ain’t Tupperware” rang true as the magnificent hull displayed all the power and ride of a true thoroughbred.

Keith’s enormous experience in offshore powerboats and cruisers has been reflected in this masterful driver’s boat that loves to run around 23kts cruising.

The Trade-a-Boat verdict

The Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge offers the ultimate on-water lifestyle in the lap of luxury. It has been engineered for smooth, dry performance in all conditions, and with an interior layout and finish for those who appreciate the pinnacle of quality. Whitehaven Motor Yachts are backed by a national network of dealers.

Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge sea trials

Twin 1150mhp Caterpillar C18 ACERT marine engines, four people on board.

* Sea-trial data supplied by the author. Range based on 10 per cent reserve and
fuel-burn figures combined for both engines.

Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge specs

Whitehaven 6000 Sunbridge price: $2.5 million 

Price as tested

OPTIONS FITTED

Hydraulic swimplatform, electronics, and tender with 20hp Honda

PRICED FROM

$2.3 million

GENERAL

MATERIAL Fibreglass

TYPE Monohull

LENGTH 19.1m overall

BEAM 5.33m

DRAFT 1.47m

WEIGHT 31,500kg (dry)

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (NIGHT) 6+2

FUEL 5500lt

WATER 800lt

HOLDING TANK 300lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 2 x Caterpillar C18 ACERT

TYPE Six-cylinder turbo-diesel

RATED HP 1150 (each)

DISPLACEMENT 18.1lt (each)

SUPPLIED BY

Whitehaven Motor Yachts

PO Box 751,

Main Beach, QLD, 4217

Phone 1300 758 896

Email info@wmy.com.au

Web wmy.com.au

See the full version of this review in Trade-A-Boat #473, January 2016. Why not subscribe today?