Kay Zed Cruises operates a large 60 foot (18.5 meter) vessel 'MV Hobo'. We specialise in catering for corporate groups (25 - 45 persons) but can cater for all manner of occasions. We can provide food, drink and alcohol or offer you our facilities for BYO food and drink.

Based in Auckland, we have hosted many corporate functions, staff parties and evening trips on the Auckland Waitemata Harbour. We also catered for numerous functions and groups during the 1999/2000 America's Cup.

MV Hobo was launched in 1998 and recently completed in 2000. She is an extraordinarily roomy vessel which echoes the traditional 'Baltic Trader' design. With four levels and wide decks for excellent all-round visibility and extensive on board facilities, she makes a perfect venue for day trips, functions and seminars or city-side evening dinner cruises.

Surveyed for cruising between Auckland and the Bay of Islands, Hobo provides an unsurpassable opportunity for leisurely scenic passage-making in grand style. Seeing the land from a metre or two off the water just can't compare to viewing the coast from the lofty heights of Hobo's upper decks.

MV Hobo is surveyed for up to 50 persons.
She is also a licensed premises allowing you to purchase alcohol at our onboard bar or to bring your own by arrangement.

The good ship Hobo boasts many facilities to make you trip more enjoyable. Amongst these are full 230V (household) power throughout allowing you to bring any extra equipment you may desire.
Hobo also has:

• CD stereo system in the main saloon
• 2x TV/VCR units
• Fully equipped galley (microwave, hot-tops, oven & dishwasher)
• Large hooded gas BBQ
• 3 separate heads (toilets)
• Safe decks suitable for children
• Overnight accommodation for 6 (2 double, 2 single)

Hobo was designed by Naval architect John Hacker and built by Bowline Charters. She was constructed in two separate pieces as she is too large to transport as one piece. The steel hull and main levels were constructed in Pukekohe, Auckland, while the superstructure was constructed in Wairau Valley, North Shore, Auckland.

MV Hobo was launched at Orams boat yards, Auckland in July 1998 and fitted out on the water. This was completed in early 2000.

• Waterline length: 18.5 meters
• Beam: 5.4 meters
• Height: 6 meters (waterline to wheelhouse deck head)
• Draft: 1.5 meters
• Displacement: 55 tonnes
• Fuel capacity: 9000 litres
• Fresh water: 3500 litres
• Max speed: 10 knots
• Cruising speed: 8 knots
• Main Engine: 250 Hp 6 cylinder turbocharged 'Gardner'
• Generators: 36 KvA 4 cylinder 'Ford', 16 KvA 3 cylinder 'Kobota'

We (Peter and Cherry Vanderbeke) fell in love with boating when we moved from UK to NZ, and got into it seriously in about 1991 when
we chartered a boat in Tonga and returned to Auckland to buy our first boat, a 25ft Reactor.  Over the years we upgraded to larger boats and we bought Hobo in June 2006.  We are now "corporate refugees", having escaped from our jobs as senior executives in the computer industry some six years ago.  We also own two restaurants, the Turkish Cafes in Newmarket and Ponsonby, and we still do some management consulting work for startups and SME businesses such as Go Virtual Medical. 

For more information on our products and services, please visit our services page
or feel free to contact us with any queries

home | services | special of the month | feedback | contact us