Hosking trailer

The Hosking heavy-duty trailer was custom built for the Finnmaster and is among the biggest boat trailers the company has built to date. Riding on three axles and braked using an adjustable Al Ko IQ7 Extreme electricover-hydraulic system, the trailer features an electric winch and is rated for 3.5-tonnes.

The Finnmaster on the trailer weighs-in right on the 3.5-tonne limit dry and with a beam of 3m falls inside the 3.1m maximum width limit. Flags must be displayed and there are minor restrictions on when and where the rig may be towed. Richard tows the Finnmaster behind a diesel-powered Toyota Landcruiser.

VERSATILE COCKPIT

The cockpit is large enough to please serious anglers, with a wide swim platform for easy access to the water. There’s ample underfloor space and good access to the water and fuel tanks, pumps and batteries: two house and two start. Richard fitted the salt and fresh water wash downs in New Zealand.

An aft station is a factory option that came with this boat. Richard says it’s great when setting and retrieving the longline and it would be equally useful if you enjoy setting the odd cray pot.

Cockpit seating can be configured in various ways. There’s a drop-in table, stored under the cockpit when not required and even an option to convert the cockpit into a large double berth. A ‘camper’ style awning is a factory option, so sleeping outside is quite realistic, especially since the boat has diesel heating with outlets throughout.

Fenders, fender storage, covers and mooring lines are standard. The fender basket moulded into the cockpit side would probably accept smaller 8.2-litre dive bottles too.

OFFSET WHEELHOUSE

An offset wheelhouse provides a decent walkway up the starboard side to the foredeck. Access is easy from the cockpit or via the sliding door next to the helm. On the other side, the side deck is much narrower but still negotiable with a bow rail for security and handrails along the wheelhouse roof.

On the bow there’s the obligatory padded sundeck with removable cushions and a decent anchor locker, split bow rails and a Lofrans Project capstan.

The boat’s 3m beam creates a relatively spacious wheelhouse. Nicely finished, the interior displays modern, hardwearing fabrics, attractive wooden cabinetry and trim, teak floors to match the decks and a practical floor plan that fits in a useful galley to starboard and a raised dinette to port with facing seats to accommodate four. The front seat has a reversible backrest and the dinette converts to a narrow double berth.

The helmsman gets an adjustable bucket seat with a bolster. If you are tall enough, you can stand up to drive, poking your head through one of the sliding roof hatches.

Two sliding roof hatches open wide for excellent airflow, especially with the three-way sliding doors open as well. Close the doors, windows and hatches when it’s cold – the skylights still let in plenty of light, though they are equipped with sun shades.

Finnmaster has managed two generous double cabins below. The guest cabin extends under the pilothouse sole and raised dinette. Curtained off from the companionway, it provides a useful dressing area with a seat and a hanging locker. The bow cabin offers a decent-sized double berth, shelving, a hanging locker and the privacy of a door.

For a trailer boat the bathroom is a good size, featuring a plumbed toilet (65-litre holding/black water tank) and shower,

complementing the shower in the cockpit. Pressurised hot water is courtesy of the Yamaha’s cooling system via a heat exchanger.

There’s plenty of stowage throughout the Pilot 8 for everything you need for a weekend away.

SOLIDLY BUILT

The Finnmaster gives the impression it’s very well made. Interior fit and finish is excellent and while it’s not flashy inside, there is more than a bit of Scandinavian style in evidence.

The hull is solid GRP with plenty of material going into the build: the longitudinal beams are massive, says Richard. Closedcell neoprene rubber has been glued to the inside of the hull for sound and cold insulation. Finnmaster says the hull is designed to deal with moderately thick ice – an indication how strong it is.

To save a bit of weight the decks and cabin structure are foamcore composite.

IMPRESSIONS FROM THE HELM

The helm is a comfortable place to sit and the glasshouse provides good all round vision, especially forward over the bow. I like the sliding side door, too, which is handy when coming alongside. The Finnmaster gets along at a good clip and its ride and solid feel belie how fast it is travelling. I found myself having to check our speed on the GPS because 30 knots did not feel like 30 knots and the big V8 easily propelled the Pilot 8 into the high thirties despite being full of fuel and water with five adults on board.

A 19° deadrise and reasonably fine entry made easy meat of the usual Hauraki Gulf chop. Judicious use of the trim tabs and engine trim balanced the hull nicely; it was as well behaved running with the waves as punching into them. Downturned chines turn the spray away, and while there was the occasional slap in a quartering sea, the chines certainly helped the boat grip the water in the turns. She lays over in the turns like any deep-vee boat, but the Pilot 8 is pretty nimble when you throw it around. An Engbo bow thruster makes berthing easy too.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the driving experience was the Yamaha’s strong throttle response and seemingly effortless performance, whether tootling along at 18 knots or blasting at 38 knots. The Finnmaster Pilot 8 feels bulletproof and is a pleasure to drive. B