Kiwi Clipper cruises in comfort

The Cordova 45 offers customised interior options for the galley, forward stairs and sleeping layout. Photo / Supplied

The Cordova 45 offers customised interior options for the galley, forward stairs and sleeping layout. The clean lines and obviously good seakeeping of the hull are matched with a host of practical features. While most of the passagemakers that reach these shores seem intended for an international audience, the Clipper Cordova 45 has a distinct Kiwi flavour.

That might seem a strange thing to say about a boat that is built in China by an Australian company. Yet, it is precisely because of this Australian influence that the Cordova range is proving so popular both here and across the Tasman.

Cordova models range from the 45, through the 48, to the 52 and 60. Although the 45 and 48 are almost identical (the latter has an extra metre amidships, a slightly longer flybridge, an extra head/shower and is usually twin-engined powered), it is the smaller model that appears to have struck a chord with Kiwi buyers.

Of the eight Clipper Cordova 45s to be ordered so far, two have been sold here by local agent Phil Gilbert from Gilbert Marine. The first (indeed the first 45 to be built) is Libertar. She is based in Auckland. Another, Shilo, now calls Picton home.

There seem a number of reasons for this popularity. One is undoubtedly the price tag. Most Cordova 45s are powered by a single engine and this, together no doubt with the fact they are manufactured in China, means they have a price tag here of well below $1 million. That certainly isn't the case with many of the other trawler-style motoryachts of this size.

Another possible reason for their popularity is their traditional looks. At first glance, Libertar reminded me of those Sterling 36s that were so popular here a decade or so ago; albeit one that had enjoyed an extensive modernisation programme.

The clean lines and obviously good seakeeping of the hull are matched with a host of practical features. There is a nicely substantial boarding platform, for example; ideal for those who like their fishing and diving. There is also a large aft deck that not only provides welcome shade and shelter from those below in the cockpit but also ensures there is plenty of space to store the tender: well out of harm's way and easily launched with a simple davit.

However, it is possibly in the 45's saloon that the Kiwi influence is strongest. Unlike many of these Southeast Asia-built vessels, the Clipper range is not a one size fits all affair. Instead, they take a semi-custom approach; within some pretty strict parameters, clients can customise their own interiors. There are basically three layouts to choose from and the differences centre around the position of the galley, where the forward stairs are placed and the nature of the accommodation.

Libertar's "Kiwi-style" layout features seating opposite the dinette whereas a Cordova 45 with a US layout would see this starboard area occupied by an entertainment centre.

As Pacific MotorYacht editor Barry Thompson notes in his review of the 45, the Kiwi layout gives a better seating arrangement and more storage opportunities. It also creates an additional, if temporary, saloon berth as the settee can slide out and transform into a large single berth.

The dinette opposite can also do the transformation thing with the table dropping down and creating yet another double berth.

Libertar also has two cabins. There is a twin single cabin to port, a large double cabin forward and a shared en suite between the two.

Libertar's galley is well forward to port, opposite the lower helm but, unlike some other vessels with a forward galley, everything here is on the same level. Clipper's willingness to semi-customise is again evident at lower helm station.

Libertar's owner does most of his driving from the flybridge so this lower station is basically a compact affair. There is a "one and a half" bench seat with a fold-down front. In rough weather, this allows the skipper to stand and basically use the seat as a bolster.

Because the main station is up above, there is just a single Raymarine E120 screen in the saloon but two on the flybridge. No doubt because of the less clement weather in the south, Shilo's owner has gone for an almost exact reverse of this arrangement and there is a large, more squared off lower station to accommodate the two screens.

In both cases and in keeping with this style of vessel, there is a handy sliding door adjacent to the lower station. This gives instant access to the wide side decks and foredeck areas; very handy when mooring or anchoring.

No one expects a trawler-style boat to be a speedster but Clipper offers a variety of engine choices with Yanmar and Cummins as the favoured brands.

Both Libertar's and Shilo's owners selected single 480hp Cummins QSB engines and this has given them a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of about 14.5 knots.

There is also the option of twin Yanmar 315s. These will give a faster cruising speed of around 14 knots and a top end of about 19 knots. However, the efficiency isn't anywhere as good.

And that is probably a pretty good pointer as to why both Kiwi owners chose the single engine: on her delivery voyage from Auckland to Picton Shiloh averaged 9.5 knots and used just 29 litres of diesel per hour: that's very economical boating.

Thanks to Clipper's use of heavy lead layered foam with perforated aluminium for engine room insulation, the 45 is also a very quiet boat. Trials in Auckland indicated sound levels of just 65-72 dBA in the main saloon while underway.

With an LOA of 14.8 metres, a Cordova 45 will comfortably fit into a 15-metre marina. And, while she might not be the fastest vessel on the harbour, she will certainly be one of the most comfortable.

Clipper Cordova 45

LOA: 14.80m

Beam: 4.38m

Draft: 1.20m

Displacement: 16.5 tonnes (mid trim)

Construction: GRP & coremat

Engine: 480hp Cummins QSB

Max speed: 14.8 knots

Cruise speed: 9.5 - 10.2 knots

Fuel capacity: 2280 litres

Water capacity: 1330 litres

Price as described: $930,000

Want to know more?

Check out Barry Thompson's review on the Clipper Cordova 45 in the January/February issue of Pacific MotorYacht magazine.