Senator Spotlight: An In-Depth Look at this RH770’s Best Features
Every Senator RH770 reflects how its owner plans to use it. This build has been specced for Stephen, based in Nelson, New Zealand. He wanted a boat designed for family adventures close to home and in the Marlborough Sounds, while still being capable for serious offshore missions. From the roof down to the V berth, every detail has been chosen to make time on the water easier, safer and more enjoyable.
The Roof
The roof isn’t just about housing essential antennas, aerials and radar — it’s been turned into one of the best seats on the boat thanks to the Senator Sofa. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or a cold drink while on the mooring, or even to watch for gamefish while trolling.
Supporting features include:
FLIR thermal imaging camera for spotting hazards.
Garmin radar for safe navigation.
Solar panel feeding into the house system.
Airhorn for safety.
Narva scene lamps for tackling fish in the evenings or lighting up jetties at night.
Starlink internet at the back of the roof, keeping the family connected wherever they are.
The Front
The bow has been designed with safe access and ease of use in mind, especially for family boating.
Key features include:
Bow ladder for easy beach access.
Light bar mounted to the bow rail for illuminating the beach, wharf or mooring buoy in the dark.
Lone Star drum winch anchoring system for hassle-free anchoring.
Mooring fairlead positioned to run lines safely to the side rather than through the anchor fairlead.
Large bollard for secure tie-offs.
U-Dek lining for safe footing when moving around the front.
Together, these features make anchoring, mooring, and beach access simple and safe.
The Trailer
Stephen’s RH770 sits on a Balex triple-axle aluminium trailer, built to match its size and weight.
Highlights include:
Automatic Boat Loader system for launching and retrieving at the push of a button - even solo.
Fresh water wash system that cleans the critical trailer components once the boat is parked.
It’s a trailer that not only makes handling easy but also protects the investment.
The Transom
The transom has been fitted with a mix of technology and fishing capability while still keeping family comfort in mind.
Yamaha F350 with digital electric steering for smooth, reliable performance.
Seakeeper Ride automatic boat stabilisation system, which reduces pitch and roll for a more comfortable ride. This makes a huge difference for family trips, cutting down on seasickness and crew fatigue.
Garmin transducers for both shallow and deep water fishing.
Underwater lights for fishing or night swimming.
Extended duckboards with transom cages and twin ladders for safe, easy water access. Also an epic place for fishing.
The Cockpit & Deck
Senator have hit the mark with their central bait station layout.
Rod holders, cup holders, knife slots, and a generous chopping board.
Saltwater sink for cleaning up - great for bleeding fish and keeping the deck clean. Plus a rubbish bin.
Tackle storage and batteries neatly tucked below.
The port side deck seat is a great addition to the cockpit.
A hot and cold shower.
Custom storage solutions, including three tackle drawers in the side.
Squabs that lift to a sink and extra prep space.
The Cabin
The cabin has been designed with the family in mind — a comfortable space for dining, relaxing, or overnighting.
Club seating with upgraded diamond-stitched upholstery.
The Table provides a place for meals or socialising. It also drops down to form another place to sleep when needed.
Twin drawer fridges neatly integrated.
Pull-out storage drawer for extra gear.
USB charging sockets for devices.
The helm box seat from Senator comes is six different options, giving you a configuration that suits you. Stephen has specced the oven, three drawers with the gas hob on top.
The helm station has also been kept clean and easy to use:
Garmin 16-inch display alongside Yamaha gauges and autopilot controls.
VHF radio, fresh water windscreen wash, and heater controls all within easy reach.
Stereo and phone cradle are also close by.
On our RH770s with a single engine, we often fit the Yamaha HelmMaster Joystick on the deck. This lets the skipper step away from the helm and be part of the fishing action, while still controlling the boats reverse to keep lures and jigs vertical, preventing them from drifting away with the tide or current.
The V-Berth
The forward V berth has been upgraded to provide comfortable overnighting for the family.
Memory foam squabs with fabric tops for warmth and softness.
Generous dimensions - 1.9m on one side and 1.7m on the other, with room for taller sleepers.
Gear storage hammock to keep the space tidy.
Overhead lighting and charging sockets for convenience.
Final Thoughts
Stephen’s Senator RH770 has been built with a clear purpose: family boating first, with the ability to handle a bit of fishing when the opportunity arises. From the Senator Sofa on the roof to the upgraded V berth inside, every detail has been chosen to make time on the water safe, comfortable, and versatile.
It’s proof of how adaptable the RH770 platform is — equally at home chasing fish offshore or hosting a relaxed family weekend in the Sounds.
