MARAUDER 8.4 OWNERS ASSOCIATION Inc

SECRETARY - Mark Becroft - 7 MANRESA CLOSE, MANUREWA, AUCKLAND. 2102.

Ph 2678922, - Mob. 0274780125, - Email - marauder.owners@xtra.co.nz

THE “MARAUDER 8.4” YACHT

The Marauder is a large volume Cruiser / Racer, great for Coastal Cruising, is Offshore capable yet still fast and exciting for serious club racing

Designed by ALAN WRIGHT in 1976 the Marauder was a new direction at the time. With its seven eighths fractional rig, wide stern, huge volume interior and large cockpit Alan had come up with a winner. The seven eighths rig has a substantial spar, well stayed and while the mast can be tuned with the back-stay for upwind performance in stronger winds, it is not a light bendy rig as such.

With a beam of 3.08 metres the boat is pretty stiff while the relative light displacement gives them a buoyant sailing motion. Performance in heavy weather is excellent with the yacht able to carry its full mainsail into the upper wind limits before having to reef down.

Marauders are a great all-round performing yacht with no bad habits or vices. They make excellent big volume family cruising boats and are still at home in club racing. The interiors vary in design and it's said that no two are alike. Most have the standard New Zealand style cruiser/racer layout with twin quarter berths and head forward. Some have the head aft and a larger double berth forward. Galleys can be aft forward or on the side.

Owners reports are all positive. A large volume family boat that feels safe for family cruising with the kids. Many owners are older couples who find that the room available, full headroom and ease of sailing makes them very comfortable without being too big to handle. Two people can sail them with ease.

Marauders come in timber or G.R.P Fibreglass. The first G.R.P Marauder was exhibited at the Auckland Boat Show in 1978. There are about 120 + fibreglass models around and a few dozen wooden boats were built.

There have been a couple of notable Marauders. In 1990 and 1998 Bob Wise competed with 'Wisecrack' in the single-handed Trans Tasman race. While in 1999 Kerrin Muir and Ruth Whal took 'Kid Charlmain' on a 3 year world circumnavigation with no problems.

The Marauder Owners Association runs a fairly active program that encourages boats to race with their own club during the year while coming together for the World National Championship and a few other on the water events during the summer sailing season.

During the winter months educational or ashore social events are held that range from talks on rig tuning, propellers, motors and maintenance to Go Cart Racing and Rain Forest train rides.

The club produces an excellent magazine called the 'Marauder Mainsheet' and tries to feature a members yacht each issue. These issues can cover the history, an engine swap or a complete interior refit.

Members are spread throughout the country. Most are based in the Auckland/Northland region. The association is based in Auckland because of the large number of boats located in the area. Members from provincial centres are invited to crew on a local boat when attending Auckland area events.

All owners are encouraged to join the MARAUDER 8.4 OWNERS ASSOCIATION Inc. The social and educational benefits are reason enough but more important is the fact that a strong owners group helps to maintain the $ value in our boats. An Owners association that is active keeps the profile of the boats high which is reflected in the resale price….