December's issue arrives brimming with warm-weather enthusiasm that makes it hard to stay landlocked. Between new boat tests, deep-dive features, practical guides and coastal storytelling, this edition has the feel of a summer already underway. Whether your interest runs to Finnish alloy hulls, Kiwi-built trailerable craft, catamaran cruising or the trucks that haul it all to the water, there's something here to get the blood moving.
The centrepiece of the boat tests is the XO Crossover DFNDR 9 Expedition, which has finally made its way to New Zealand shores. A Finnish alloy hull with a tough northern character, it manages to marry serious adventure-boat thinking with the day-to-day practicality that Kiwi boaties expect. Editor John Eichelsheim puts it plainly: "This is a boat built to be used, not babied." It's a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who has grown tired of boats that look better on a showroom floor than they do on open water.
The Lagoon 43 follows, making a strong case for the modern multihull. Improvements in spatial layout, structural engineering and rig geometry demonstrate how much ground the cat-building world has covered in recent years. For cruising families weighing up whether to take the multihull leap, the Lagoon 43 raises worthwhile questions around comfort, volume and overall balance.
Closer to home, the OceanPro 533 Cuddy Cabin represents a Kiwi alloy builder putting its best foot forward. Stable, well-finished and genuinely versatile, it's a compact hull that rewards a second look. Anglers, divers and families running day trips will all find more capability here than the footprint might initially suggest, and there's a sense that this boat marks the beginning of something significant for the OceanPro name.
A fourth boat makes its debut in this issue: the Pātea 830, a fresh New Zealand-built design that speaks to the country's growing enthusiasm for capable, trailerable boats with genuine character. The feature covers the concept, the styling choices made and the broader philosophy that shaped it.
One of the issue's most practical contributions is the test of the RAM 1500 Rebel Hurricane, a tow vehicle that brings serious capability to a conversation Kiwi boaties don't always have loudly enough. Torque, towing stability and a well-appointed cabin combine in a package that works hard at the ramp and on the open road. Reviewer Brett Patterson captures the balance well: this is a truck aimed at those who want real pulling power without sacrificing the comforts that make long summer hauls bearable. With families loading up boats, camping gear and enough provisions to last a fortnight, the timing of this test feels exactly right.
The features section covers a satisfying amount of ground. Up the Creek: Castlepoint explores the history and distinctive character of one of the Wairarapa coast's most dramatic landmarks. Ngataki Magic pays tribute to one of New Zealand's most celebrated wooden boats, while Belle of the Bay tells the heartening story of a classic Fullers ferry brought back to life. Those with a taste for the nostalgic will find Glorious Hydrodynamic Relaxation, a warm look at classic boats on Lake Rotoiti, a welcome change of pace.
The Christmas Gift Guide returns with carefully chosen options to suit every variety of boatie. A Boating New Zealand subscription remains one of the more reliable gift choices for the boatie who already owns every gadget imaginable.
Practical reading fills out the issue as well. There's guidance on the best jigs for snapper, a look at fitting a trolling motor mount to a 660 Haines, and a thorough examination of cable protection zones and marine protected areas. A helpful identification piece tackles the question of whether that unfamiliar creature clinging to the hull is a marine pest or a native look-alike.
Rounding things out is a Reflections profile on John Mansell, the next instalment in the ongoing Brief History of Sailing series, and a Vintage Viewpoint feature on the 1908 Rudder Cup, including the colourful cast of entrants who helped shape early offshore racing.
The December 2025 edition brings together new boats and old ones, coastal history alongside fishing tips, and serious vehicle tests next to heartfelt restoration stories. It's the kind of issue worth tucking into a bag for the holiday, passing along to a mate, or using as fuel for a few ambitious plans before the new year arrives.
