Our Boat, Moana III

Moana III was designed, and custom built by master boat builder Dick Ward to captain Dan McCarthy's and the owner's specifications.

Big Fish Down Under operates the custom built Moana III Game Boat for Private Charters.

Major refit 2020. Moana is virtually brand new again.
A full paint job, Brand new top of the line navigation electronics, New engines, engineering updates etc.
New luxury interior comfort
The perfect balance between luxury and serviceability
Moana is so well maintained and kept in perfect condition that most people think the boat it is actually a brand new vessel.
The luxurious fully refurbished Moana awaits you.

Moana III was launched late in 2006 to specialize in Fishing Charters Cairns, Game Fishing, Marlin Fishing, Light Tackle Sportsfishing, Reef and Deep Sea Fishing to Great Barrier Reef and beyond to the Coral Sea.
The name Moana means "the vast beauty of the mother ocean" in Polynesian.
At 47 feet of sheer game fishing machine, Moana III Private Charter Boat certainly is the flagship of the Cairns based charter fleet and is Queensland 2B surveyed for operations to 200 NM from the coastline. She is surveyed to comfortably carry up to 12 passengers for day trips,
6 overnight and 4 for extended charters.
 

Moana III specializes in liveaboard overnight or extended charters or day trips for:

  • Heavy tackle Black and Blue Marlin fishing
  • Other Game Fishing, Reef & Deep Sea fishing on Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea
  • Remote Fishing Expeditions to Cape York and Gulf of Carpentaria for ultimate fishing adventures
  • Light Tackle Sportsfishing trips
  • Private scuba diving charters and/or snorkeling charters to the Coral Sea, including the world famous Lizard Island, Cod Hole, Holmes, Bougainville, Shark and Osprey Reefs.
  • Barramundi expeditions to remote locations
  • Luxury private charters for corporate functions and events, day cruising with family & friends and Honeymoon Getaways

Features of Moana III - Private Charter and Game Fishing Boat

 

Fully air conditioned

  • Private stateroom with Air conditioning and ensuite
  • 4 single bunks up forward, 1 extra double in the saloon and 2 crew bunks
  • Beautiful modern fit out
  • 2 showers, 2 toilets
  • TV, DVD and CD Stereo
  • 240V Power
  • Convection Microwave Oven
  • Cooktop
  • 2 Refrigerators and 3 freezers
  • Desalinator - 120 ltrs fresh water per hour
  • washing machine and dryer

Fishing Gear - Fishing Charters Cairns

Moana III is decked out for serious Heavy and Light Tackle fishing!
 

  • Full set of fully custom built world class Laurie Casey fishing Rods. Including 4 130lb giant slayers with Jack Erskine tuned 2 speed Penn International 130 reels. Full compliment of light tackle rods with Penn and Shimano Reels
  • Furuno 1150L Depth Sounder/Fish finder with twin 2kw transducers (50and 200kHz)
  • Garmin 8416 16'in Charter plotter GPS with 48NM radar
  • Garmin 8412 12ín side scan sonar and sounder, GPS
  • ICOM  VHF radio
  • Intercom system
  • 9ft ridged hull inflatable tender
  • Brine Tank
  • Relax Heavy tackle marlin fighting chair

Engineering Department - Moana III Private Charter Boat

The engineering fit out is nothing short of brilliant but still simple:

  • Cruise Speed 22kts, max speed 30 kts
  • Powered by twin Cummins QSM-11s @ 660 hp each set at 580 hp
  • Twin Disc 5114A Quick Shift gear boxes and ES300 Controls
  • 11.5kva ONAN Genset