Steve Leonard, the originator of the Deltacraft range of boats, with fellow boat builder John Gale are setting out to recreate the Deltacraft Islander in a 2010 guise.

The new boat is a metre longer than the old ones and fitted with a rear gate and a lovely shape to the transom with an full width moulded landing platform. Accommodation includes a larger shower/toilet cabin, larger modernised galley, 50mm (2 inches) more headroom taking it to nearly 1.9 mtrs, around 6' 3". The cockpit is huge seating 8 and sleeps 2 with 3 sleeping in the cabin all on full length bunks.

A new deep full length keel with ballast stiffens the boat up enormously and designed hull alterations make the new boat the best ever. With the Volvo 3 cyl engine driving a 4 blade propeller the fuel usage is expected to be only 1.5 litres per hour at hull speed, for its weight and size this makes it a most economical boat to run, thus the most eco friendly.

The range starts with the normal moored version with built in ballast, of which over 600 were built.

The water ballasted trailerable version makes a great caravan on the trailer (the water automatically drains out at the boat ramp) ensuring that the boat is light enough for a Holden or a Falcon to tow.

An open version is also available as a fishing, work or party boat.

Full Waterways approval for commercial use as overnight hire is available.

A special deal is offered on the first few so if you are interested call Steve on 04 2145 5471 or email him at .

It is a lot of boat for the money. Trade-in Deltas welcomed.

The Official web page of the new model is now open at this link.

How sad to see only two Aussie built yachts on the marina at the recent Sydney Boat show, among hundreds of imports.

It seems we have seen the collapse of this once thriving industry - Australian yacht building. No more Swanson, Cole, Sonata, Boomaroo, Careel and dozens more, no swansong, no discussions as we flock to buy a new imported boat .

I was told by Allan Steber of Stebercraft that we have to unite Aussie boatbuilders to fight the 'enemy' - the imported boat. Allan heads the BIA Manufacturers Division and seconded my admission to the BIA because my business partner and I have started Deltacraft again after a 20 year break.

We will give these imported boats a run for their money!

Boatbuilders Unite! We can build 'em better than the overseas guys can. Steve Leonard.

I bought a new Deltacraft Mark II back in 1983 and have had it ever since. I have been extremely happy with the boat and have never seen any reason to change it.

Recently I was heading down Middle Harbour from near Roseville Bridge towards Bantry Bay when I saw a boat that looked somewhat similar to mine in some ways, but then different in other respects.

I went for a closer look and Steve Leonard, who sold me my boat and who I had not seen for 28 years, was on board. The boat was the prototype of the new Deltacraft and I must say it was very impressive.

Allan Bridekirk, Killarney Heights.