When an operator of one of the biggest and most successful tourism operation fleets in New Zealand and Australia puts their stamp of approval on a marine engine, it’s proof of a reliable product. Explore Group repowered a hard-working 24m ferry with their first Yanmar 6AYM engines back in 2012 – a decision that has led to a fleet-wide preference for Yanmar.
Explore Group is a premier marine tourism operator offering exceptional experiences across New Zealand and Australia. Established in Auckland in 2000, the company has expanded its operations to include the Bay of Islands, Hamilton Island, and Airlie Beach, providing a diverse range of maritime adventures.
Since 2012, Explore Group has put its trust in Yanmar’s marine propulsion to run its larger cruise and ferry vessels.
With a fleet comprising of America’s Cup charter sailing yachts through to 29 metre ferries and cruise vessels, Explore Group is commitment to delivering unique and high-quality maritime experiences.
Such a commitment to quality tourism offerings is as much about what goes on in the engine rooms of the fleet as it is in the dynamic and competitive world of tourism.
William Goodfellow, Managing Director of the Explore Group, explained; “We’re a big fleet in NZ with Auckland and the Bay of Islands, including Fullers Bay of Islands, as well as Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach having recently bought Whitsunday Ferries in the Whitsundays Queensland, Australia,” William said.
“Our first experiences with Yanmar was with smaller engines on our racing yachts and we always had a good run with them.
When we had to repower a commercial 24m ferry back in 2012, our primary concern was reliability. We were one of the first customers in New Zealand to run the new 20-litre Yanmars and we’ve loved them ever since,” he said.
William’s mention of the “new 20-litre Yanmars” is in reference to the now well-established 6AYM series of six-cylinder, four-valve, direct injection and turbocharged commercial engines that deliver up to 911 horsepower at just over 1,900rpm.
These have become a firm and super reliable favourite of commercial operators worldwide – and for good reason.
The 6AYM not only caters for a range of horsepower needs, annual operating hour options and high or low speed vessels, but it does its job with superior economy, low emissions and stable performance.
Stable performance refers to an engine that delivers less speed reduction against sudden load changes, among other benefits of this engine designed around Yanmar’s eco-diesel solution technology.
The 6AYM also proves itself through incredibly linear torque and power outputs (along with a smooth fuel consumption graph), ensuring it is fit for purpose in virtually any commercial vessel application of applicable horsepower.
“Putting the same Yanmar engines into our fleet also has advantages of a consistent engine type across all vessels which helps keep servicing regimes conformed,” William said
Torque, Trust & Tourism: Explore Group’s Fleet-Wide Shift to Yanmar Power
“Putting the same Yanmar engines into our fleet also has advantages of a consistent engine type across all vessels which helps keep servicing regimes conformed,” William said.
“Our outer Great Barrier Reef and dinner cruise vessel in the Whitsundays works pretty hard and servicing can be a challenge in such regions, so the reliability of the Yanmars and ease of servicing is what we’re all about there. Here in New Zealand, we run the Yanmars in our 24m and 29m ferries and again, it’s that reliability that is key to us.”“All of our fleet new builds in this size range are spec’d with Yanmars and we have completed repowers on existing vessels that received Yanmars as well.”
The Yanmar advantage keeps its promise with commercial operators like Explore Group day in, day out. It’s little wonder then that the 6AYM series engines are a favourite of Power Equipment’s Yanmar lineup.
See where the Explore Group can take you in New Zealand at exploregroup.co.nz or in Australia at exploregroup.com.au
