![]() ![]() Steering is through a Latham hydraulic system incorporating a customised Italian steering wheel with leather trim, and the controls include a modified Force Stainless trimbox, a Latham Marine shift handle and a Mercury Hot Foot accelerator peddle. The '60s-style purple pinup girl sets off the speaker covers and adds to the hotrod theme, but it's the Livorsi digital GPS and speedo set into the back of the driver and passenger seats that serve to educate (and scare!) the back seat passengers. Black, purple and silver is the theme throughout the boat, with just enough of the purple to add zing without going overboard. In front of the driver is a set of Livorsi gauges with Rex Marine purple bezels. As you settle into the moulded silver-carbon seats you'll find a black moulded-dash spread out before you. ![]() There is, however, a world-class finish of concourse quality. The 21° deadrise, combined with a flat running-plank incorporating three steps, one lifting strake and one stepped chine, all offer race winning performance.Ī new deck mould has been added to the bowrider section of the F24B, and the rear section has been modified to accommodate the 1075 motor, stealing 350mm from the rear cockpit area. The lot is vacuum bagged for a top final finish and superb structural integrity. The hull is hand-laid Vynilester resin, with a high-performance Klegecell foam core finished with FGI black gelcoat. This most impressive of showboats was naturally based on the Force racing hull, which has evolved over years of testing by Rod and is based on a proven formula. Family and friends would be welcome, but the family pet better spend the day at home. ![]() While it's superbly finished, the layout is user-friendly and the materials are hardwearing and practical. It was a tall order, but one a custom-boatbuilder like Rod - a man with a flair for class and a desire for perfection - grabbed with both hands. There also had to be an Esky and a quality sound system. There would be no burning one's arm on an exposed exhaust or straddling a bar to get comfortable. With the biggest stock motor available, it had to be safe for passengers and have the creature comforts necessary for a day on the water with a bunch of friends. It was to be a social boat but capable of being raced. When Damien went to Rod and Kelly at Force he asked them to build their best boat ever. He naturally gravitated towards the Force hull because of his experience in the raceboats, which he says are the best because they are so well rounded, and able to perform in all sorts of water conditions. The thrill of sitting backwards in a fully race-kitted, 1500hp Force F24 is the subject of many conversations for Damien, and he decided he wanted a boat in which he could share the thrills with other people. More recently he has been lured back into the sport to team up with Mark Cranny, driver and owner of Hell Bent, Hell Raiser and True Blue. His skiing career was then put on hold for several years when he damaged his shoulder after hitting a log during a race. During the '80s he was dominant behind Top Gun, and was Australian Open Men's Champion in 1991. He was a skiracer himself for many years, going back to his days as a lad being towed behind his father's boat, Corruption. As the observer on True Blue, Damien is part of Team Hell, which recently took out the Open Men's World Water Ski Championship in Belgium. So while this isn't your average boat, Damien Matthews isn't your average boaty. From the $15,000 Gibson Powercurve exhaust system to the new design bow section, it's all about bling and action. Nothing has been spared in the quest for extreme speed, a superb sound and sensational looks. This is the brainchild of boatbuilder Rod Bickerton's imagination and owner Damien Matthew's wallet. ![]()
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