Pre-Loved Extra - Bang for your Buck

Comfort is fast overtaking cigarettes and booze as the addiction of the 21st century, and once the luxury of space and comfort is sampled, it almost becomes impossible to return to “normal” life. From the teak swimming platform and up the Euro-styled stairs, one arrives on the vast aft sundeck of the Vitech 57 and wonders who to call to get the party started.

As a priced-to-sell trade-in, in top condition and boasting a huge range of very desirable equipment, it seems unlikely that this performance cruiser will not find a new home very soon. The aptly named Haven 

Vitech cruisers are built in Taiwan and blend high-quality fittings and build specification with contemporary Euro styling, the result being a smart and well finished cruiser, which has aged surprisingly little since 1992.

The 57 Sundeck (erroneously marketed in Queensland as a 60) is an aft cabin layout, the huge sundeck interconnecting with the equally huge flying bridge, a few steps away. Forward and down is the impressive and sumptuous saloon, which further steps down to the split-level galley and dinette. The immediate perception is vast spaces, bright and airy, all trimmed in high-quality teak paneling with laid teak floors.

Guests will enjoy a VIP guest double in the bow and a twin cabin also forward, with a shared head and shower, while the owners luxuriate in the full-beam aft cabin with en suite. It is all soft crème padding, teak doors and floors, downlights and tasteful décor items right through the boat, all contributing to a very muted theme.

The enormous and comprehensively equipped U-shaped galley is open to the saloon and will entice budding master chefs. A large six-seat dinette to starboard doubles as a huge serving area for the galley. The main saloon has a very large U-shaped sofa to starboard and storage to port. Club chairs would add to this excellent and bright entertaining space. There is no lower helm so the saloon is a complete entertaining space, ventilated with sliding side windows or the reverse cycle air-conditioning system.

MAN OF STEEL
The window frames, doors and gunwale strips are a superb feature in mirror-finish stainless steel, as are the stylish oval profile railings and portholes. Clearly Mr Vitech considered his stainless steel to be a significant feature, and it is. The aft sundeck and flying bridge have teak replica carpet for a luxury finish, however, the other exterior decks have almost new laid teak. No faded gelcoat either, as a recent respray has Haven in “Bristol” condition. The forward deck has a nearly new Davco hydraulic crane and chocks to suit a Brig inflatable. A stainless steel anchor, Nilsson winch and fender holders complete the foredeck package.

Haven has benefitted from a huge number of expensive upgrades in the last few years. The very astute broker, Andrew Moore, has taken the vessel to “turnkey, add the groceries and go” status by having engines serviced, a full survey, new bimini top and clears, and complete detail inside and out, even including newly upholstered mattresses.

Vitech hulls are handlaid GRP, with a deep-vee entry, planing strakes and flattening aft for stability and speed. She will slice small chop with ease, rides confidently in rolling swells and slips easily onto the plane.

The bulletproof Detroit V6 turbo-diesels are smooth and willing, their 550hp sprinting Haven to a genuine 22kts with a very relaxed 17-knot cruise. Detroit’s are renowned for their reliability, cost-effective parts and real power grunt when the levers are pushed forward. One is also mercifully spared from some of the electronic nightmares of latest-technology engines.

Hydraulic controls, hydraulic steering and a new Simrad NX45 GPS, plotter and sounder will steer you on your journey. A 16kVa Kohler generator is smooth and quiet and will power air-con and galley equipment, while an inverter will deal with the TV for quiet nights aboard.

FIND YOUR SPACE
Once moored, a range of enticing spaces await. With the tender launched, the foredeck has a very smart teak deck for sunbathing, as well as the potential for languishing on the roof of the aft deck. Wiser owls will be out of the sun, either on the aft deck or huge flying bridge, both areas enclosed with clears and both offering panoramic views to watch the world drift by.

One might sit at the dinette and use a computer, snooze in the saloon with a latest-release movie playing, or entertain the dedicated partygoers on the back deck. Rain or shine, whatever the choice, it is a world of comfort and luxury, and once enjoyed, it would be very hard to return to anything else.

FOR SALE
If you’re interested in a value-for-money luxury cruiser, contact Andrew Moore Marine, Royal Motor Yacht Club, 46 Prince Alfred Parade, Newport, NSW. Phone (02) 9979 8222 or email: andrewmooremarine@bigpond.com.au

[CREW’S VIEWS]
The big excitement comes with the price — only $375,000! Having tested many multimillion-dollar boats in the same category, I can assure you that nothing will be lost in the translation. This big Vitech represents a quality lifestyle investment and she awaits your inspection.

(QuickSpecs)
VITECH 57 SUNDECK

FOR SALE: $375,000
YEAR BUILT: 1992
MATERIAL: GRP
TYPE: Planing monohull
LENGTH: 57ft
ENGINE: 2 x Detroit Diesels (1390 hours)
RATED HP: 550 (each)

From Trade-a-Boat 429, July-Aug 2012. Story by Tony Mackay.