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While the name Cougar may not be familiar to many, performance-boating enthusiasts will certainly be familiar with it.
Formed in 1969, Cougar has a reputation for cutting-edge technology and for winning mono and multihull powerboat designs. A Cougar was the first catamaran to win an offshore powerboat race
and the company is still heavily involved in the Honda one-class race series (the largest in the world) and the Pro Vee (a class for the original Thunderboats).
Cougar designs and manufactures a wide range of boats, and the relatively newly-formed Tauranga-based Cougar Marine New Zealand is now building some of its RIB models here. While many of these are destined for overseas, a number are being sold locally - squarely aimed at fans of "go fast" boating.
The local company launched their first boats, the R8 and R9 centre console models, in late January, and a R10 twin-outboard centre console will soon follow.
So will the new Cougar R11 cabin. In yet another example of Kiwi marine innovation, the R11 cabin has been developed by Cougar Marine New Zealand and the first example will be shipped to Cougar headquarters for evaluation for the UK and European markets.
Brothers Chris and Adrian Hanley, and Wellington businessman and offshore racer Grant Smith, had good reason to set up the local company.
"Cougar Marine UK was looking to expand its production using an overseas builder," says Chris Hanley. "We did the deal and, within less than six months, we produced our first two boats."
Hanley says the company expects to produce around 50 boats a year, with the RIBs appealing to "everyone from the superyacht owner looking for a fast tender to local buyers looking for a sleek, sexy, sport RIB".
The smallest RIB in the range is the R8. This features an 8m x 2.44m, stepped, 24 deg GRP hull. It is the same hull that's used for the Formula Honda 225 class, with some alterations to the positioning of the strakes to improve handling.
The second local Cougar is the R9, which is 500mm longer than the R8. Everything forward of the rear seats is identical. The big difference between the two models is that the R8 is designed for single outboard installations, while the R9 will take inboard stern drives.
Both boats are fitted with hypalon tubes, which are tapered, adding to the aerodynamic profile of the boats. A variety of colour choices are available. Hull construction is GRP composite with foam stringers and Kevlar for extra strength.
Those who follow offshore powerboat racing will have already seen the two RIBs at work: Cougar Marine is providing the R8 as the start boat and the R9 as a dedicated medic boat for the 2008 season.
Powered by a single Mercury Verado 250, the R8 is an adrenaline junkie's dream, reaching 67mph (108km/h) at 6400rpm. Yet, given those revs and with a change in propeller, the magic 70mph could be within reach.
Thanks to the supercharged Verado, acceleration from a standing start to maximum speed is ultra-quick. The boat literally leaps on to the plane, with no hesitation or "bump" spots. Working the trim while accelerating keeps the boat responsive and easy to control. Even cruising across a confused sea in a 25-knot breeze, the R8 proves predictable and surprisingly comfortable.
The RIB is well-balanced, running fast yet softly across the sea.
The soft ride does come as a bit of a surprise - not due to the hull design but because of the unusual-looking sculptured saddle seats. At first glance, these look destined to do serious damage to delicate parts of the male anatomy. Yet, as those who have been aboard during the often-rough offshore season can attest, they actually work well and are surprisingly comfortable.
Cougar Marine NZ is also considering offering a more traditional double bolster arrangement as an option.
Both boats feature a centre console with plenty of cockpit seating behind the helm and forward. The standard seating layout allows for six behind the console and two ahead. In the R8, when the rear bench seat is raised, there is a massive storage area complete with a cooler, water tank and transom shower.
There is plenty of stowage in the R9's console, under the straddle seats and in the floor lockers.
Stainless steel handholds double as back rests and are securely bolted to the deck for maximum strength.
The console features a carbon-fibre dash with ample space for the electronics. Cougar offers optional Raymarine packages, and instrumentation is all Smartcraft.
Ahead of the console is a moulded bench seat with a storage bin beneath. There is also a large floor storage locker, big enough for a couple of dive bottles and a dive bag. There is a moulded anchor locker in the forepeak and a large stainless-steel Sampson post; a windlass is optional, as is a dedicated anchoring fairlead.
Another option is a U-shaped lounger in the forepeak with cushions and a central table that drops down to transform the whole area into one giant sunpad. The reasonably large cockpit is self-draining and, in the R9, has a Flexiteak sole for a more upmarket look.
A full Boat Test of the R8 and R9 by Barry Thompson appears in the latest issue of Propeller Magazine.
Contact Marine editor Mike Rose on (09) 483 8284; 021 735 015 or email: mrpr@xtra.co.nz.