Waimatuku is right at the bottom of the South Island and is pretty much the last stop before you drop off the Mainland.
It’s home to HUNTERCRAFT so I was happy to see that the 600 odd km trip was paying off for designer/builder/owner Andrew Owen with plenty of demo’s being taken up,
Including by a guy who’d driven down from Nelson and was planning to use the boat out on some West Coast swamps and of course myself among many others.
HUNTERCRAFT’s Jet Venturer 4200 is ideally matched with a 50hp outboard jet.
The 4-stroke Tohatsu 50hp on the Waimakariri River demo boat is light and quiet and provided plenty of power for the sections we travelled.
“Getting the tunnel design perfected was a mission” says Andrew Owen with many built, trialled and refined.
“You need the tunnel to direct the water to the jet intake whatever the situation…you’re looking for responsiveness and grip” he says. I can vouch that has been achieved.
Being able to mount the engine high on the transom means no part of the jet unit is below the hull so you can really travel the shallows. Tilt up on the outboard adds that extra capability.
Although on the boat for a short period the seats were comfy , plenty of room to spread out , massive watertight bow storage which offers up a great fishing platform or a place to tie down freshly hunted game.
HUNTERCRAFT is another great example of Kiwi design favouring function/practicality over aesthetics and to my mind winning on all accounts.
There’s some great footage on their website and info on their prop models. Happy hunting!
