Alaska suits us down south

Outside areas are Downunder-oriented but inside the Alaska 57 is conventional. Photo / Supplied

This may sound like the start of a classic joke: a Chinese-built boat that's been "tweaked" by an Australian and comes with a North American name. But the curiously named DHS Alaska 57 Pilothouse demands to be taken seriously.

Built and largely designed by the Shanghai Double Happiness Yacht Co (hence the DHS) on the upper section of the Huangpu River, the Alaska 57 has been extensively styled to appeal to Australian and New Zealand owners.

These modifications are largely the work of the company's Australasian distributor, Leigh-Smith Cruisers, especially principal Dean Leigh-Smith, and reflects the way we tend to go boating in this part of the world.

Where these "local" models differ from those exported to Europe and the United States is mainly in the outdoor living spaces, especially in the cockpits and boarding platforms.

While Kiwis and Aussies will want to fish from any style of boat and in any stretch of water larger than a bathtub, our northern cousins have no such interest because of a scarcity of fish and a colder climate.

As a result of Leigh-Smith's efforts the Alaska 57 is very much tailored to boating in our waters.

The large boarding platform, with a powerful 800kg rise-and-fall section, is a good example. Large enough to accommodate a reasonably sized tender, it still has enough room left over to cater for swimming, fishing, diving and waterskiing.

Able to be lowered to a depth of 60cm, it provides an ideal launch and retrieval pad and can double as a swim platform or picnic area. Downunder boaties tend to want to remain outside and enjoy the fresh air and our surroundings.

Leigh-Smith's influence in the cockpit and up on the flybridge reflects this. Protected by the full-length top deck overhang, the larger-than-usual raised cockpit is an ideal spot in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch. The spacious flybridge is equally hospitable. With shelter from a hardtop and clear to the front and on the sides, it is easily reached from either the cockpit or from the main helm station below.

Recognising that, on a passage - and quite often at rest, too - this is the most popular spot for guests to gather.

Leigh-Smith has ensured there is plenty of comfortable seating here. A cherrywood table and teak decking complete the picture.

Further aft there is an outdoor galley - with electric barbecue, sink, refrigeration and storage, and a large raised sunpad.

The interior, in contrast to the outdoor areas, seems considerably less modified for boating in this part of the planet. The decor and layout have a pretty universal appearance although, in common with many Chinese yards, DHS do offer a fairly large degree of customisation.

In this case, the saloon has a fairly intimate feel, partly because quite a lot of the 57's 17.6m LOA has been dedicated to a spacious forward area.

The latter is four steps up from the saloon and incorporates the main helm station, the galley and the dining area as well as companionways to the flybridge and accommodation areas further forward.

The decor is traditional for this style of boat: darkened cherrywood panelling offset by white furnishings and curtains. A bar, including an icemaker, fridge and wine cooler, is close at hand in the lounge-like saloon, as is the 42" flat-screen TV.

With panoramic views, the dining area is also likely to prove a popular place - at anchor and while the 57 is being steered from the main station opposite.

As one would expect, the station is fully equipped with the latest instruments and electronics.

If backing up on a fish or reversing into a tight marina, you can also control the 57 from the cockpit using the remote throttle, gears and thruster control.

The Alaska 57 comes with a three-cabin layout.

There is a large, full-beam master bedroom amidships, a queen-sized guest cabin in the bow and a Pullman-style "kid's cabin", all exceptionally well-appointed. There are two separate heads, an en suite for the master cabin and a day head with a second door to the guest cabin.

Although the Alaska 57 has not been powered for outright speed, it does get along. Power is from a pair of 11.1-litre, 670hp Cummins QSM 11 670 HO diesel engines, running through ZF 325-1A (2.037:1 ratio) gearboxes and conventional shaft drives, and spinning 4-blade propellers.

The designers have made full use of the generous 5.1-metre beam to mount the engines further apart than usual and this gives great low-speed handling and manoeuvrability.

Interestingly, they have also installed a 1500-litre fuel tank on the outside of both engines, obviously for balance.

At first glance, a brace of 670hp diesels - even if they are high output - seems a little on the miserly side for a 17.6m 30-tonne trawler-style passagemaker.

However these engines do appear, in this case, to be sufficient, especially if you are not in a huge hurry.

At a maximum 2250rpm, they will move the boat along at a respectable 24 knots.

More important is range.

If you are happy to move along at a sedate 8.7 knots, you won't have to replenish the 3900-litre fuel tanks for 1400 nautical miles.

If you want to move more quickly, the Alaska 57 Pilothouse will happily cruise at a reasonable 18 knots.

And, if you want to go faster, there are always larger engine options.

Alaska 57 Pilothouse

LOA: 17.6m

Beam: 5.1m

Draft: 1.2m

Displacement: 30,000kg

Construction: GRP

Engines: Two 670hp Cummins QSM 11

Max speed: 24 knots

Cruise speed: 18 knots

Fuel capacity: 3900 litres

Water capacity: 1200 litres

Want to know more?
Check out Barry Tyler's review of the Alaska 57 Pilothouse in the July/August issue of Pacific Powerboat magazine.