The addition of an outboard motor was to allow beach and shallow water access from the rear with ease.

"Since we opened our new showroom at The Boat Works on the Gold Coast, consumers have been regularly asking for Yamaha outboard powered packages for our larger cruiser models," Laurie Jackson, sales manager at Whittley Gold Coast Sales, says.

"The Research and Development team at the Whittley Factory have worked closely with feedback from customers, to design outboard versions of our popular CR models.

"The key was to be able to trim the engine up, as well as minimise the room lost on the large rear swim platform. Consumers can also enjoy a weight reduction in this new outboard (OB) model over the traditional sterndrive model, which makes the package lighter to tow behind a suitable vehicle."

Jackson says the CR 2600 OB ticks many of the boxes that Australian families want in an all-round weekender package.

"The removable rear clears enable maximised airflow for those hot days, and the lockable cabin door mid ship means valuables can be kept safe while the boat is docked. Being under the legal towing beam of 2.5-metres means that customers can trailer their boat, nearly anywhere, anytime, with a suitable tow vehicle."

More storage at the rear of the boat is made available where the sterndrive once went without compromising large areas of the swim platform space. The leg and prop can also be tilted up out of the water, lowering maintenance during mooring.

Stepping on board, it is plain to see that the CR 2600's tightly drawn lines and subtle curves continues in the traditional style of Whittley Boats. Making the most of its 2.49-metre beam, the CR 2600 is very spacious. The helm console with twin seat provides you with an impressive view through the panoramic windscreen.

"The new Whittley CR 2600 OB combines the award-winning quality of the sterndrive version, with the widely known benefits of outboard power," Neville Whittley, managing director at Whittley Boats, says.

"The outboard version offers additional storage and cabin space, while still providing a wraparound swim platform at the rear of the boat.

"Customers can enjoy increased reliability and lower service costs from an outboard engine; one of the many reasons why we have seen outboard powered packages continue to increase in popularity.

"We certainly look forward to showing customers our latest outboard powered cruiser model online and in store when restrictions permit it."

The new model was set for release to the public at this year's Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in May. With the show being postponed, Whittley Boats has made available detailed videos of the new model online and potential owners can take a virtual on-screen tour of the boat.

The latest model from Johnson Yachts in Taiwan is scheduled for completion soon. The yard is currently working on interiors for the new Johnson 70 craftmanship in time for its impending launch.

Bill Dixon of Dixon Yacht Design is responsible for the exterior styling, while Design Unlimited will handle the interior design.

The first Johnson 70 is being built on speculation. Hull No. 1 will have the Skylounge layout with four staterooms on the lower deck, including a full-beam master suite amidships. It is one of two new models (the other being the new Johnson 115 flagship) in build at the Taiwanese shipyard.

This year, Vitters launched a 50 metre modern classic named Meraki. This classic ketch was designed by Hoek Design with interior by Rhoades Young Design.

The owner is an experienced sailor who planned to sail in remote areas and race the yacht, so the design work of Meraki started with the development and optimisation of its hull, deck, and interior layout with a focus on performance, reliability, and comfort.

The design team included sailing legend Chris Bouzaid on hull shape and Clay Oliver who oversaw the optimisation of the underwater appendages. The project involved extensive research, in which the team compared different hull models, beam length ratios, and keel designs, and utilised velocity prediction programs, computational fluid dynamics analysis and tank testing.