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Challenger Boats moves up to Cummins MerCruiser

Challenger Boats, the successful New Zealand design and build company, is extending its popular fibreglass range with a new 720 Hardtop powered by a Cummins MerCruiser 2.8 litre QSD turbo-charged diesel.

Challenger Boats has built its enviable reputation as an outboard-powered boat company. This is the first time they’ve created a craft with a sterndrive engine – and they’ve done an excellent job.

“The boat has come together exceedingly well. It’s live up to everything we’d hoped,” said Challenger Boats’ owner Tony Hawker. “The torque from the engine is wonderful, you just drive through the waves even when we have six people on board.”

The four cylinder Cummins MerCruiser produces 210 hp at the propeller and shone during recent test runs.

With the boat weighing 2,200 kgs with two people and a light load, the Challenger 720 Hardtop reached a maximum speed of 39.9 mph (64.2 km/h) at 3880 rpm. Better yet, fuel consumption was first-rate.

REVS	SPEED		FUEL
RANGE	MPH	KM/H	LPH
1250	8	12.9	3.3
1750	12	19.3	9.2
2250	16	25.7	14
2750	22	35.4	18
3250	28	45.1	26
3880	39	62.8	40

The Cummins MerCruiser lifted the boat onto a plane at about 16 mph (26 km/h) and with the 720 Hardtop - like all Challenger boats - having a strakeless, semi-deep V hull the ride was smooth, quiet and comfortable in all conditions.

With a 215-litre underfloor fuel tank and hardtop protection, Challenger’s latest offering is a true blue water boat.

“At 35 kilometres an hour that’s 12 hours of cruising, so it’s perfect for exploring the outer islands for some game fishing,” Tony said. “We’ve had it out in some fairly high seas and it can take the weather. From a design and power point of view, the boat performs exceedingly well.”

For more information visit www.challengerboats.co.nz. Media enquiries to Jonathan Revitt on 08 8267 6888.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavours to instil "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Kayot, Lowe, Lund, Maxum, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables.

For more information, visit www.brunswick.com or www.mercurymarine.com.au