MAKING WAVES

Navy review without a hitch

The Navy Review on Sydney Harbour was something else. Perhaps overhyped, it didn't attract quite the boating crowds as forecast and the fireworks appeared something of a made-for-television event and a little disjointed at sea level. But there's no denying the awe-inspiring ships, and the aerial displays were gripping, with more helicopters whirring than ever before. Thank heavens they knocked that proposed floating heliport on the harbour on the head.

Fishy start to season

It's been an amazing start to the fishing season in Sydney, with jumbo yellowfin tuna to more than 80 kilograms jumping on the hook, unseasonably early big blue marlin, reports of mahi mahi or dolphin fish, and loads of kingfish on the reefs. But the harbour and estuary fishing has been no less productive. As if to prove as much, the sound was a mass of rippling Australian salmon almost all weekend. The boiling fish stretched from North to South heads and were marked by squawking silver gulls and ravenous mutton birds. Against a backdrop of clear blue water, with barely any wind or waves, it was a stirring sight and confirmation that the harbour is as healthy as it has been for decades.

Lamborghini-powered Riva

A 45-year-old classic Riva Aquarama built for Ferruccio Lamborghini has just been restored. Instead of the usual twin V8s, his boat was powered by twin V12 Lamborghini engines. After the patriarch's death 10 years ago, the boat was forgotten, but an astute Dutchman tracked it down and had Riva World restore it to its original condition. Its top speed with 700hp in the tail is 48 knots. Eye candy for the classic powerboat buff.

Chris-Craft flagship

The Launch 36 is the latest boat on the drawing boards of iconic American boat builder Chris-Craft. Designed to bring the fun back to boating, the flagship launch features built-in storage for a variety of sports, including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, bicycling, wakeboarding and tubing. Walkaround decks lead to forward seating and a full-sized bow sunbed, while a large U-shaped seat and retractable table converts to a second sunbed in the cockpit. Below decks are berths for five people, a toilet and a shower. "This is the boat I have always wanted to build for my family. [It] ... is really a toy boat for all," Chris-Craft Corporation chairman Stephen Julius says. More from local importer premiermarine.com.au.