One Fine Fishing Boat

New Zealand naval architect and multi-hull specialist Roger Hill has designed the Montebello, a luxury 12.5m planing power catamaran for a group of Gold Coast businessmen who – headed by industry identity Gary Zamparutti – have formed Montebello Yachts. Modern Boating’s Kevan Wolfe takes the cruiser for a test drive. “On the day, the sea was like a millpond off Surfers. I didn’t get to try the boat in the usual swell we get off the coast, however, Hill has a reputation for producing sea-kindly hulls and this boat is a true blue-water catamaran. I had no doubts it would perform well in a seaway. In the smooth stuff the boat was very light on the helm and tracked straight without any input from the driver. The silent exhaust system also makes the boat very quiet underway. The Montebello had the feel of a fine piece of machinery.” Hill has been drawing boats for 32 years in New Zealand as well as in Annapolis in the USA with Bruce Farr and in Lymington in the UK with Rob Humphries.