RIVIERA 43 OFFSHORE EXPRESS THE BOAT OF CHOICE FOR A TV SHOOT OFF THE CAPE POINT

The magnificent new Riviera 43 Offshore Express was the boat of choice for a TV shoot off Cape Point recently and she lived up to her reputation of having everything it takes for the perfect day out in the deep.

While she’s the ultimate luxury entertainer - when the big fish are there for the catching, she miraculously morphs into a sport fisherman’s dream boat. At 49’4 with a 4.7m beam she had more than enough space to accommodate the  “Go  Fish with Lowrance” production crew, Paul Anley (skipper and  owner), Lowrance’s sales director Silan Naicker, F1 powerboat racing champion Paul Shepard and TV personality Carolien van Rooijen.

The purpose of the outing was to target the Yellow Fin and Long Fin Tuna that run thick in the cold Cape waters in winter.  Launching from Hout Bay  and heading off for miles out to sea was a cinch with twin Volvo D6 Diesels with IPS drive. IPS is short for Inboard Performance System - a joystick at the helm allows the easiest manouevering in tight spots - great when you need to turn on a tickey.

After Paul Shepard hooked the first of many Long Fin Tuna (about 36 over three days), the fight was on yet even with six crew members in the huge cockpit at the same time there was still space to spare. This area is specifically designed to drain water quickly and can fit a full game chair (or entertainment table) with space for fish bins on either side. Five rod holders are bolted into the coaming and moulded toe kicks are found around the cockpit.

Carolien’s initial frustration at watching everyone else catching fish soon turned to excitement as she hooked into a magnificent Yellow Tail. She never guessed it would take 2.5 exhausting hours to finally land this beauty with a little help from friend Paul when she lost the feeling in her arms!

And no shame in that considering Carolien’s diminutive size compared with this whopping great fish which finally weighed in at an estimated 90.1kg - having measured 161cm from top to tail!

Despite its immense size the fish was easily brought on board through the Riviera 43’s lockable stern doorway off the platform and after necessary photograph or two it was safely released back into the water. This will no doubt be a talking point for a long time to come – at least until the next “big one” comes along.