Purpose built in 1980 as a commercial trawler, the 80ft all-aluminium vessel faithfully served a range of owners and purposes before finding its current owner Bob Stanton. Island Club is arguably one of Sydney Harbour’s premier corporate charter boats.
Following an intricate engine installation, ‘MV Island Club’ is now boasting two new 350mhp Yanmar 6HA2- HTE Series marine diesel engines and Yanmar YX120 series marine transmissions that have transformed the 68 tonne vessel’s performance on the water and delivered a fuel saving Bob Stanton is extremely happy about.
“My new Yanmar diesel package has greatly improved my hull performance and reduced my fuel costs by a third,” said Bob Stanton.
“Our standard 4 hour cruise used to burn 150 litres with our old diesel engines, and now my new Yanmars only use 100 litres for the same cruise. MV Island Club now has smoother acceleration, less exhaust emissions and an improved top speed from 9.5 knots to 11 knots.”
To many, Bob Stanton is more renowned for his success as one of Australia’s professional golfers on the international circuit. However, Bob has managed to roll his love of golf into a leading corporate events business that offers corporate golf, game fishing and boat charter events to clients across Australia.
Bob purchased ‘Island Club’ late in 1989 and proceeded to transform the entire boat into a luxury-class charter vessel. Following a complete interior re-decoration and engine overhaul, ‘Island Club’ was re-launched in 1990 and spent the next 18 years in service around Sydney Harbour in the busy summer months and up at the Whitsundays during winter.
A loud knocking noise coming from his old diesels in late December 2007 confirmed Bob’s worst fear – the engines were calling it quits. It was time for Bob to look for an engine replacement.
“My criteria for the new units were that I didn’t want electronic engine management, they needed to be heavy duty and they had to mate up successfully with my existing dry exhaust system” said Bob.
And if that wasn’t enough, the installation was also going to prove a challenge as the old engines going out, and the new Yanmars going in, had to go through a hole that was cut in the hull adjacent to the engine room.
“We literally cut a hole in the port side of the hull to fit our new Yanmar diesels,” said Bob.
“I had a great team of people involved in the installation from Mobile Marine Repairs in Taren Point, the local authorised Yanmar marine dealer. Plus we also worked hand in hand with Steve Parsons from Power Equipment who was also involved in the process. We removed the old Volvo diesels and Cummins gen set to fit my new Yanmar 6HA2 -HTE diesel engines, new Yanmar YX-120 series transmissions and a new MASE gen-set, also powered by Yanmar.”
“We also took the opportunity to strip the floor of the engine room and fix any corrosion before we replaced the new engines and transmission packages,” said Bob.
“MV Island Club was off the water for approximately two months which allowed us to give her a fresh coat of paint, replace the drive shafts, and re-pitch the propellers. Our new Yanmar package had a similar weight to the previous diesels so we didn’t upset the balance of the hull.”
The Yanmar 6HA2- HTE model is an in-line six cylinder marine diesel engine that displaces 13.14 litres and has a dry weight of 1650 kgs with the factory fitted Yanmar YX120 marine transmission. Rated power output is 350 mhp (259kW) at 1950 rpm. Cylinder block inspection hatches are standard equipment to facilitate maintenance together with a centre mounted fuel injection pump, mechanical governor system and 500 hour service intervals. The 6HA2 series is an IMO certified product with full classification certification to NK/ ABS/LR available if required.
With the new Yanmar 6HA2- HTE engines taking care of all propulsion requirements, onboard power is supplied by a three phase MASE IS 34T diesel generator set. A total of 36 kVA of power is delivered to a range of critical appliances including fridges, commercial galley, air conditioning, all communication equipment and a
5 kW emergency steering pump.
Bob Stanton understands that quality of service and reliability is the key to keeping his corporate and special event clients happy. In doing so, he has spared no expense to ensure the heart of his beloved ‘Island Club’ performs every bit as good as she looks.
Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorised Australian, PNG and South Pacific distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial diesel engines importing product from Yanmar plants in Japan, Asia, USA and Europe. With an extensive marine dealer and branch network, Power Equipment has the expertise and experience to assist commercial vessel owners and boat builders for both new installations and repowers. Power Equipment also distribute the Yanmar powered MASE diesel marine generators range and Gori high quality folding sailboat propellers.
MV Island Club charters can be contacted on www.bobstanton.com.au
For further information on this story contact:
Michael Blair
National Marine Sales Manager
Power Equipment Pty Ltd
Tel (03) 9764 0711
Fax (03) 9764 0678
Email power.equipment@yanmar.com.au
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