Hawai‘i’s fishermen designed the Makau 23. Over a period of nearly two years they offered their suggestions on details and features, critiqued the construction of the prototype and weighed in on final production model appointments. Anglers and divers alike appraised plans, assessed drawings and analyzed the emerging boat. Hardly a working day went by without a fisherman’s input on the shop floor of the Boatworks, or someone talking story with Master Boat Builder Gary Brookins.
They were clear. They wanted a boat that had extraordinary features, all of them standard. They wanted it to slice, not pound. And they wanted it to be DRY.
Beyond being big, the work deck is safe, dry and strong. You never have to cut the boat to reach components needing service. And there is plenty of room for those huge fish bags!
- The Makau 23 work deck is a one-piece, gunnel-to-gunnel, molded, all-fiberglass/foam cored liner (no plywood, no secondary bonding, no splatter coatings); 18” deep primary stringers are flanged to the hull bottom; stringer tops are integral to port and starboard side-deck panels, providing full, cockpit-length, air-tight buoyancy chambers, making the Makau 23 virtually unsinkable; liner gunnel (side) panels are also integral; like the stringer flanges, they are bonded to the hull sides with expanded foam coring and mechanical fasteners, enhancing hull strength; result is low maintenance, exceptional durability and longevity
- At 7’ 3” x 13’ 3’ (approaching 100 square feet) the Makau 23 work deck is larger than found on most 30 footers
- Knee-high (22”) aft gunnels rise to 27” at the aft end of the command station for full, cockpit-length safety and comfort; toe-kick space under side decks makes landing a fish safe and comfortable; command station height runs from 44” to chest high, pending raised command deck options
- Four full-length deck gutters instantly clear deck water and drain large transom ports with back-wash covers; no standing water or constantly wet feet
- Deck panels and hatches are foam-cored for stiffening (no plywood!)
- All deck hatches are flush-to-deck, trip free and have dog-latches and gaskets
 
- Molded non-skid texture for positive footing; smooth waterways ensure rapid run-off and easy cleaning (again, no splatter coating!)
- Integrally molded, full-perimeter cockpit coaming provides thigh-high leg support and safety; strengthens main-deck panels; keeps deck runoff water out of the boat; prevents "sagging deck syndrome," and accepts optional upholstery bolster padding; in-set from the smooth-finished hull sides, there is ample toe-kick room at the rail when you need it
- Iki’ma (in-hull, live bait well) with rounded interior corners and flush-to-deck hatch; doubles as a beverage cooler for those not carrying bait
- Fish box (800 pound approximate capacity) with 2” insulation is standard (removable to access fuel tanks; see #11, below); gunnel height, high-capacity fish box (approximately 1,400 pounds) is optional (Note: flush-to-deck, trip-free hatch model currently available only with purchase of optional, custom, low-profile USCG Approved aluminum fuel tank)
- Fuel tanks are available in ethanol-proof, rotational-molded plastic (see, www.inca.com); or coated marine grade aluminum (www.rdsaluminum.com). Both are USCG Approved. Our center-line tanks are accessible/removable without compromising vessel construction or integrity when servicing is needed. A 120 gallon capacity single plastic tank is standard for diesel engines; a single 120 gallon aluminum tank is standard for gasoline outboards. Center-line or outboard/side-saddle tanks are optional in aluminum only, with capacities to approximately 150 gallons total; outboard saddle tanks currently available are 45-50 gallon capacity in aluminum only (inquire about details, cost and accessibility).
- Armstrong deck port for easy access to fuel tank fittings and shut off valve; 10" diameter with gasket and T-handle dogging mechanism
- Forward and/or aft below-deck storage compartments (pending engine configuration) for fenders, boarding ladder, scuba or snorkel gear, portable compressor, SCUBA tanks and more; heavy duty hinges, dog-latch and gasket flush-deck-hatches are standard
- Readily accessible wire and cable runs are conveniently reached from up and under both side decks (covering boards) and run from dash to stern and across at transome and in the cabin; secondary wire-runs travel below the starboard work deck from cabin to transom and from dash board forward to the anchor locker as well; open runs travel down the centerline compartment (not all models); all are equally accessible and make installations and boat servicing needs a breeze
- Dry storage compartments below the side work decks are optionally available; inquire about costs and details. (NOTE: Access hatches to side deck chambers may negate the positive buoyancy factor of the compartments.)
Back to top
Main Deck
Strength, safety and convenience are the hallmarks of the main deck. It has standard features that other production-built boats can’t even offer as options.
- Molded non-skid texture for positive footing on all deck surfaces; heavily crowned and sweeping foredeck with smooth waterways ensuring rapid water run-off and easy cleaning (no splatter coating here!)
- "Foot-wide" covering boards (between toe rail and cockpit coaming) ensure safe boarding and exit; provide generous room for two or three pole holders per side; serve as gear or work space usually seen only on bigger boats; step from the cockpit on 12" (and rapidly widening) side decks for safe, secure passage to the bow
- Integrally molded, full-length toe rails for sure footing when moving forward; strengthen covering boards and fore-deck panels; contain in-use fishing gear and tools; a 1.5” outside radius feature eliminates rust-weeping SS chafe guards; toe rails widen to three inches at the command station to receive optional bow-pulpit rail-bases and standard mooring cleats or chocks; provide no-leak, clutter-free decks, stem to stern
- Hull-to-deck joint is bedded and bonded with 3M-5200, providing a structural chemical union; quarter-inch SS through-bolts on 8” centers provide mechanical attachment, as well
- Heavy duty vinyl rub rails are mechanically fastened on 4” centers and reinforce the hull-to-deck joint; one-piece stem-to-stern rub rail base with either an SS cap or colored insert are miter-joined at stem under anchor roller
- Anchor locker is huge and self-draining; means no fore-deck clutter or open-chute storage of precious anchor line and ground tackle; safe and fast anchoring from two hinged and dogged hatch covers (included); hold 600’ of 3/8" line, plus chain lead and a pair of anchors
- Anchor roller (316 SS) is down-angled for a self-launching anchor; provides low-profile storage of all types of anchors without chipping or scratching the hull; a quick-release pin retains anchor when stowed, and prevents the anchor rode from “jumping out” when deployed (see LP and SP models at www.divendog.com
- An 8” pull-up centered foredeck cleat in 316 SS, through-bolted and backed is standard (SS bollard is optional). Both are accessible while standing in the optional fore cabin hatch, making anchoring or mooring simple (and safe) without going on deck
- Port and starboard bowline-chocks for one-cleat mooring from the central cleat are standard. A pair of toe rail mounted mooring cleats is optional; all are 316 SS and through-bolted on toe rails; no chafe guards required with our heavy radius toe rail design.
- Two eight-inch, pullup stern mooring cleats lie flush-to-deck when not in use, for a clutter-free aft deck; 316 SS; through-bolted and backed (see, www.marinehardware.com); no through-deck hawse required; no snagging of fishing lines; no dripping water or bait drippings into the cockpit
- Two six-inch amidships pull-up mooring cleats are standard; they stow flush-to-deck for clutter-free work surfaces; 316 SS, through-bolted and backed; perfect for tying off a big catch or mooring spring lines
- The 15” wide aft deck serves as a bait station, and can be outfitted with three to five additional pole holders, or the optional in-deck sink with faucet; its coaming face can receive a fresh-water, on-deck shower or recessed wash-down outlet with pumps conveniently installed behind in the transom-wide storage compartment
- There is ample space for two or three batteries with master switches, charging systems and fuel filters in the dry and easily accessible aft-deck compartment; this area, or the space below deck right under it, also houses oil reservoir tanks (required for two-cycle Evinrude E-TEC engines), on-board tool or tackle boxes, spare parts and more; sliding and removable SeaBoard® access doors put everything at your finger tips; the sliding door frames are fabricated with rot-and- mildew-resistant white SeaBoard® as well
Back to top
Command Station
The Makau 23 features a 180° wrap-around, chest-high command station with an integral electronics dash, engine controls and helm mount. It also offers choices.
- Port or starboard helm station (your choice, standard; Note: some engine configurations dictate starboard only)
- Reinforced side panels (and decks) for outrigger mountings
- Easy-access for setting side or top-mount throttle/shifter controls (your choice; side mount is standard, top or Binnacle mount is optional)
- Three-inch wide and beveled top cap receives your choice of an optional forward-raked Hawaiian Cab, an aft-raked Sports Cab, a venturi windshield or Bimini-top fittings
- Side-pocket storage compartments are optional in the inner faces of the Command Station (just aft of the dash panels)
- Panoramic vertical and horizontal electronic mounting panels for GPS, fish finder, auto pilot, VHF, CB, stereo, trim tabs, data displays, etc.; all have handy, removable access panels from below or behind and feed into easy-access wire channels under both side decks and work deck; these provide wire/cable/hydraulic line-runs from dash to stern and engine compartment; wire channels also accommodate Makau 23 models with a flying bridge
- Weather-proof and lockable electronic panel mounting areas in the port and starboard companionway (entrance) for 12V distribution panel, bilge and wash-down pump switches, or GPS data-display equipment and more
- Bi-fold entry hatch and a three panel drop-board door, set in 3/8” Plexiglas® or SeaBoard®, with 316 SS hinges and locking latch are standard; hatch rails, drop board runners and threshold are also fabricated with rot and mildew resistant SeaBoard®
- USCG approved navigation lights (bi-color, center-mounted is standard or separate side-mounted lights are optional) provide greater projection and ease of service; the 360-degree, all-around white navigation and anchor light can be installed on the hardtop or be pole-mounted
- Available optionally are raised (11” approximately) platform helm-deck steps, for those wanting an elevated panoramic view (see optional features section); side access openings make them the perfect place to stow mooring lines while underway
- Optional High Capacity Electronics Cabinet; 33”wide x 13” high x 9.5” deep; open-face and center dash-mounted across companionway; provides easy access to extra large screen GPS, radar scope, etc.; end panels will receive flush-mounted VHF, CB or stereo equipment; direct access wiring port to breaker panel; Plexiglass face panel is fully removable; small gear storage tray under for keys, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
Back to top
Cabin
The standard fore-cabin turns every Makau 23 (Center Console Model excepted) into a weekender! There’s a pair of bunks, reclined seating and room for an optional Porta Potti.
- One-piece molded fiberglass cabin interior module (no plywood, tabbing or web coating) is structural adhesive bonded and mechanically fastened to the hull
- Approximately 5’ 4” headroom inside and more in the companionway
- Standard V-berth with two bunks (approximately 6’ long) with an optional athwart ships insert panel converts to a port-to-starboard, king-size berth over 7’ long; upholstered foam mattresses optionally available
- Tri-locker dry storage compartments (port, starboard, forward) are located under bunks and are accessible through large hatches
- Inclined port and starboard seat back; upholstery optional
- Panoramic port and starboard low-profile storage shelves above and outboard of seat backs; hold life jackets, personal gear bags or light-weight boxed supplies
- Starboard bulkhead cabinet accesses the helm and electronics; the port cabinet is for storing whatever you need to keep safe and dry; removable covers make for great access; Mylar mirrors attached to the covers make applying sun screen to your face a breeze
- Lewmar ventilation and light hatch in cabin top is optional (medium profile with 3/8” lens, adjustable and lockable; www.lewmarmarine.com)
- This cuddy cabin provides plenty of room for storing and locking up priceless rods and reels, spear guns or personal belongings while ashore
- In addition to thru-cabinet access, a removable, panoramic overhead panel makes servicing instrumentation, electronics and helm systems a cinch
- A locking bi-fold companionway hatch serves as a gear-tray while underway; when closed and locked to the top drop board, the hatchway forms a secure space and dry space for valuable electronics that can be installed in the side walls of the entryway (also, see #6 of Command Station features)
Back to top
|
