September has its own particular energy on the water. The worst of winter is behind you, the long days of summer haven't quite arrived, and there's a restless anticipation that makes you want to get the boat ready and start planning. The September issue leans into that feeling, bringing together boat tests, heritage features, and hands-on technical content that sets you up for the season to come. It goes on sale September 1 at your local bookseller.
*Luxury afloat, Australian-made*
The Maritimo M50 is a motor yacht that earns its reputation through considered design rather than showroom glamour. Australian-built but with obvious appeal to Kiwi boaters, it combines genuine long-range capability with interiors finished to a high standard. Our test examines how the M50 manages to deliver space, speed, and seaworthiness in a single package, and why it stands out as a serious option for families who refuse to compromise.
*A homegrown hardtop worth knowing*
Few names carry as much weight among New Zealand fishing families as Senator, and the Senator 550HT makes a strong case for why that reputation has endured. This hardtop punches above its size class for stability and ride quality, and its layout can be configured around however you like to use your boat. Whether the plan involves chasing snapper offshore, a weekend diving trip, or a family cruise, the 550HT adapts without fuss. We put it through its paces to find out why it's become such a compelling choice in its segment.
*Bigger horizons under sail*
For sailors with an eye on longer passages, the Dufour 44 offers a compelling blueprint for modern cruising. Its wide beam carried well aft creates a generous cockpit and a sense of space below that punches above what the waterline length might suggest. Capable along the coast or offshore, it's a yacht that doesn't ask you to trade comfort for performance. Our review looks at how Dufour has distilled what contemporary cruising sailors actually want, without losing the sailing character that experienced owners demand.
*People and heritage on the water*
The best boating stories are never purely about the vessels themselves. This issue pays tribute to Peter Lester, a figure whose contribution to New Zealand sailing has touched generations of participants and left a lasting impression on the sport here. Elsewhere, our Brief History series continues with a sailing focus, and Vintage View turns its attention to the second yacht to carry the name Tawera, a vessel that serves as a window into the layered maritime heritage New Zealand carries on its waters.
*Getting practical before summer*
With the season approaching, there's no better time to get ahead of maintenance, and this issue's technical content helps with exactly that. A DIY guide to engine cooling system servicing gives owners the knowledge to tackle the job themselves before the demand on their engines increases. We also take a close look at the Tectrax boat launcher, an amphibious solution developed with characteristic Kiwi ingenuity, and offer practical advice on targeting John Dory, a fish that rewards patience and technique in equal measure.
Lake cruising gets its moment too, with features that make the case for those quieter days afloat away from the saltwater. Not every great boating memory involves a big swell and a long passage. Sometimes it's a still morning on a lake, good company, and nowhere particular to be.
Rounding out the issue is a look at where electric boats stand right now, and in particular how the industry is addressing the battery range limitations that have held back wider adoption. It's a space that's moving quickly, and the answers arriving are more convincing than many expected.
From refit planning to bluewater dreaming, from a weekend on the lake to the next fishing expedition, the September issue has the depth and variety to get you thinking. Pick up your copy from your local bookseller from September 1.
