Senator RH770: Turning an 8m Hardtop Into an Adventure-Ready Boat You Can Live On For Days
What does it take to turn an 8-metre hardtop into a boat you can live on for days and trust when adventure takes you well offshore? Meet “Dusty Moorings”, Grant’s adventure-ready Senator RH770. Designed for multi-day missions, long-range capability, serious fishing, plus days cruising the Marlborough Sounds. This rig is the definition of purpose-built.
👉 See our full walkthrough of this RH770 on YouTube
At The Helm
The helm of this RH770 is loaded with kit designed to make navigation safer, easier and more efficient.
Up front is a Garmin GPSMAP 8416xsv display for navigation, paired with the Garmin Fantom 24 radar on the roof for night-time, weather and obstacle awareness. For sonar, we’ve fitted the GSD 28 module running a TM275LH-W 1kW transducer for deep drops, plus a GT51 for shallow-water fishing.
Because Grant and his family spend a lot of time fishing around the inner Marlborough Sounds, he’s gone with the Garmin Kraken trolling motor on the bow, ideal for casting around mussel farms or straylining in the shallows. On the roof sits the Flir night-vision camera, giving infrared capability for safe navigation after dark.
Yamaha’s CL5 gauge and HelmMaster panel sit neatly to the right of the helm. And rounding it out is a serious Fusion sound system with signature series speakers, amp and subwoofer. Completing the helm is the Scanstrut wireless phone charger plus wiper and winch controls.
Smarter Navigation with Yamaha HelmMaster Level 4
Powered by Yamaha’s F350, this is our go-to setup for the RH770. Lightweight, fully integrated and backed by Yamaha reliability so you can focus on the adventure, not worrying about the gear.
Fitted to this boat is Yamaha HelmMaster EX Level 4 - the complete, all-features option of Yamaha’s control system. This includes the HelmMaster joystick fitted in the cockpit, giving you full control without having to return to the helm.
It also includes features that can hold your position (FishPoint), keep the boat pointed in a set direction (StayPoint), or control your drift while fishing (DriftPoint). Plus its built-in autopilot (Heading/Course Hold) can set a safe passage and navigate you to that destination.
Two standout functions that make longer trips noticeably easier are Heading Hold and Track Point. With these autopilot tools managing your course, you don’t have to constantly correct the wheel, reducing fatigue so you arrive fresher and ready for your chosen adventure.
HeadingHold – Locks your course and automatically keeps the boat running straight until you take back control with the touch of a button, or manual control over the wheel.
TrackPoint – Paired with your Garmin GPSMap, you can choose a destination and the autopilot will create a safe route. Once you engage TrackPoint, the wheel locks and HelmMaster does the steering for you.
Built for Range: Fuel Upgrades
To support Grant’s extended missions, including places like Milford Sound, he’s upgraded to a 450L fuel tank and we added a custom rooftop jerry can rack capable of carrying six 20L jerry cans. That’s an extra 120L on hand, which could add an extra 120km to his range.
A Cabin Designed for Multi-Day Comfort
Inside the cabin, comfort and functionality are front and centre.
The bi-fold doors open to blend the cabin and cockpit. The port side pop-up lounger and reversible backrest give multiple seating and dining options, whether you’re watching your lures or sitting at the table. Under the seating area is an ample storage drawer, plus a 12V fridge for the essentials. The table also drops down to form a full bed for overnighting.
For overnighting, it isn’t short of those home comforts:
Gas hot water
A freshwater shower
Memory foam upgrade in the V-berth
Lighting and USB charging ports throughout
Helm Seat Configuration
Senator have refined the helm box seat into six different key options. Grant has opted for the four-drawer helm box with a two-burner gas cooker and sink. The helm seat folds forward to create a full workstation - perfect for meal prep or making the morning coffee.
Next-Level Fishing Layout
One of the standout features of the stern is Senator’s central bait station.
Four rod holders, two cup holders, and a built-in knife block
A split chopping board
On the right, a saltwater sink for bleeding your fish (or doing the dishes)
On the left, a rubbish bin (you can also optional tuna tubes here)
Large watertight tackle drawer
Easy-access battery locker (with 12V start and dual 6V house batteries for Grant)
Access to fuel filter and serviceable parts
This combined with twin walkthroughs with removable drop-in gates, extended duckboards and transom cages make this the ideal spot for fishing.
Final Thoughts
Grant’s brief was clear: a hardtop capable of multi-day adventures, long-range travel and serious fishing, without sacrificing comfort for. Dusty Moorings delivers on every front, with a highly integrated helm, Yamaha HelmMaster Level 4 control, extended fuel capacity and a cabin layout designed for genuine overnight living. Brought together as a cohesive, purpose-built package, this Senator RH770 is an impressive example of how the platform can be tailored to meet a varied menu of adventures.
