On any given Friday just after work, you might catch a glimpse of Travers Beynon, aka The Candyman, out on his new boat, accompanied by his wife, and a posse of bikini-clad babes to take his newly rebuilt offshore racing boat for a high speed run along the Gold Coast coastline. Then again, he might completely change it up and you will find his wife and children onboard as they set off down the Coomera River through the Broadwater for a cruise.
WHY A CIGARETTE® BOAT
At age 18, Travers obtained his boat license and bought his first boat, a Dancraft with 175 Evinrude and foot throttle, named Maniac. He spent a lot of time cruising up and down the Broadwater and skiing behind it on Carrarra River. By 19, Travers had moved to America for his modeling career, and he spent time in Miami Beach, Florida.
He remembers his first experience of a Cigarette® boat. “I was laying on the beach (South Beach, Florida) when I heard this loud noise, which instantly put a rush of adrenalin through my body. As I looked up and out to the ocean, I saw a boat shaped like I hadn’t seen before. It looked slick, sounded insane and was very fast!” During his time there, he would often walk along the beach and remember the constant rubble of the Cigarette® boats travelling across the ocean at high speed. He was mesmerized by the sound, muscle and power, and promised himself that when he earned enough money, he would buy his own Cigarette® boat.
Over the years, his work life consumed his time, travelling the world for his modeling until 1997. He then returned to Australia where he spent all of his time growing the business FREECHOICE and his property portfolio, so he never had the time to think about buying a Cigarette® boat. In 2017, Travers decided it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream, so he purchased an old school offshore racing Cigarette® boat from the USA and arranged for shipping to Australia. He could see the potential in this boat if he were to “pimp” it out.
With only a few days between the boat’s arrival and the infamous 2017 Candyman party at the Coomera waterfront mansion, Travers had the boat wrapped including the full hull in gloss black by Gold Coast Wraps. The Gold Coast Wraps team worked for three days around the clock to have it done on time. The boat was then put in the water and engines fired up for the first time only a day before the party. The boat was very hard to manoeuver at low speeds; it was never designed to go slow, which was a requirement for Traver’s entrance. So, Peter (Muddy) McGrath from 222 Marine (same people as the racing team, 222 Offshore) sourced some smaller props to make it easier for the boat to go in and out of gear. The next day, Travers boarded the boat and made his now famous grand entrance to the party, which has since been well documented in international tabloid press.
RESTORATION PROJECT
After the party, it was time for his first offshore outing. The boat hit speeds of 120km per hour. Travers realized that the hull wrap was not going to hold permanently at those speeds. Another problem occurred on the return trip up the Coomera River the starboard engine began to smoke as the boat limped back to dock. It was then that Travers decided it was the time to undertake a bare hull restoration of the boat. He immediately made plans to strip the boat, repaint the hull, and fit out the boat in true Candyman-style.
The boat was lifted from the water at Gold Coast City Marina and transported by semitrailer to 222 Marine, where the wrap was stripped and the engines removed. The hull was then sent back to The Boat Works precinct to be resprayed at Spraytech Marine. The paint is Awlcraft 2000 SE Black base coat (three coats) with an Awlcraft 2000 Clear over the top (three coats)
Everybody says that painting a boat black is a bad idea, from being too hot to touch to sun damage, and fibreglass contracting and expanding, and causing damage. However, The Candyman brand is black and gold, so it had to be black. “It does not get as hot as we expected. The seats, where your skin is in contact, is a black carbon- fibre look vinyl, and surprisingly, this is half the temperature of the plain black vinyl.” The boat has a full custom cover so while unused the black is almost completely covered so temperature swings during the day and night is minimised while stored.
The boat was then returned to 222 Marine. “They were the perfect partners to look after the mechanics of the boat,” according to Travers. “After removing the engines and stripping them down, it was found we had broken a valve rocker bracket, which fortunately did not do any damage to the head. So, all the valve rockers and brackets where replaced and rebuilt.”
All new helm electronics and gauges were added, as was the unique Candyman theme cockpit trim installed. An elaborate Candyman branding design was undertaken. The “Candyman” and “Cigarette® Racing” boat logos, motifs and slogans were embroidered on the new black and carbon-fibre UV resistant vinyl upholstery, and across the high sheen hull.
Brand: Cigarette® Racing
• Model: Top Gun 38 • Year: 1999
• Length: 38 foot (11.5meters) • Beam: 8 foot ( 2.4meters)
• Fuel Capacity: 800litres • Weight: 6.5 tonnes
• Props: 5-blade Hering offshore race props 16.8 x 31
• Gauges: Livorsi • Electronics: Simrad
• Steering wheel: Custom-painted gold Carlotta
• Sound system: Clarion head unit, 4x 8inch subwoofers, 6x full range 6inch
• Cabin lighting: LED with a party mode for overnight stays
• Engine blocks are GM 598cid (9.8 litre ) • BDS super chargers
• Carby’s are 2x Holly Dominators, four barrel (per engine)
• Built by Frank McComas from Scorpion Racing who is a veteran in offshore racing engines • Dynoed at 1000hp each
• Full toilet/shower and sink facilities (However, the water tanks have been emptied to save weight for more speed.)
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INTERVIEW WITH THE CANDYMAN – TRAVERS BEYNON
Why did you choose this particular boat?
I own the FREECHOICE tobacco store franchise, which has over 300 stores around Australia, so it had to be the Cigarette® boat brand. The boat suits my style and personality. The power, the look, especially the engine cover with the large blower scoops, made for an easy decision.
What was the most difficult aspect of the restoration and how long did it take?
Timing all the parts and separate contractors was difficult seeing as everything was being done at the same time. There was a lot involved, such as full cockpit and cabin re-trim, lighting, painting, gauges and wiring, engine removal and re-install, and new graphics. The timing and logistic movements of the hull were subject to the availability of cranes, travel lifts and semi-trailers. The restoration took six weeks from start to finish.
What do you think the value of the boat is now that it’s restored?
Priceless! I would never consider selling it, just like my car collection. They all remind me of goals I set to achieve them.
What is the top speed?
Top speed currently is 75mph (120km). Hering Propellers are currently making us some custom props that should put us closer to low 90s (150km ). That’s pretty impressive for 6.5-tonne boat on water.
What is the most difficult aspect of handling this boat at high speed?
Girls screaming! But seriously, reading the coming waves offshore is definitely the most difficult. It requires a lot of attention to speed and throttle control as the boat jumps out of the water.
What is your plan for the boat, can you race it?
It is set up as a recreational boat, so it is not suitable for racing. But I’m definitely considering getting into offshore boat racing in the future. I have raced an Audi GT3 for a couple of years, so it might be time to try racing boats.
What do your wife and children think of the boat?
My wife loves going out on the boat, more for drinking champagne and tanning, than for speed. My children love going out on the boat for the speed. Their catch-cry, “Go faster, Daddy!”
How often do you go boating these days and where do you go?
We head out on the boat every second or third weekend. Depends on who and how many people are on board, I like to get out offshore where the boat is in its element. The best time on the boat is the moment you hear and feel the props come out of the water. 6.5 tonnes can fly; it is called “Send it”. We also like to anchor just off Wave Break Island to go for a swim.
What is it like living on the Coomera River?
I’m lucky enough to live very close to the Gold Coast City Marina and The Boat Works precinct. This area is world-class for all my boating needs. Only thing I would say is we need more water access to 98 RON fuel.
How do you see Gold Coast as a boating tourism destination?
In general the Gold Coast needs to bring back more glitz and glamour to this beautiful city, which has so much potential. To improve the boat lifestyle, we can introduce beach parties in the Broadwater, encourage more super yacht owners, and definitely more restaurants, cafes and bars that boats can pull up to. I would also like to see boats over 8m able to do the same speed as smaller crafts in the Coomera River. Currently at the 6-knot limit, the wash from my boat is rather large. when I increase the speed this creates far less wash that will reduce damage to properties and the riverbanks.
From my perspective, the waterways are well run. The Gold Coast Water Police, we have found, are friendly and are out doing their job to keeping the waterways safe. The Gold Coast Volunteer Marine Rescue are also a great asset to the Gold Coast marine community. We have had mechanical issues in the past and have used their service.
We just have to ask: do you have any advice about having sex in the cabin of a boat?
I don’t know. My cabin is not big enough for all my girls, but I assume A/C is a must and make sure you’re well anchored.
By Andy Kancachian
/jul-sep2019
