2020 Boating
EXTRA
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS
2020 Boating EXTRA FISHING MONTHLY MAGAZINE
Welcome Aboard This supplement to the magazine is the first we have tried with the new, national format. It was born in the beginning of the COVID age when we heard the news that there would be no boat shows in 2020. We wondered how people would get to hear about the new boats and boating products without visiting their local convention centre? We often compiled features about various boat shows in the state based titles, so why not have a crack at a national one? At the same time, it only took a few months of the new format magazine for us to run out of space. We can only print a 132 page magazine that’s stapled together. Any larger than this and it has to be bound a different way. That’s time consuming and would extend our time-
to-shelves considerably. So this supplement was born. With the easing of Queensland COVID restrictions, we are now able to get out and complete more tests – there are plenty in the Boating Extra to keep you excited. It’s a mix of new boats, new electronics and some business profiles, as well as the boat tests that we love doing. Remember that there are video boat tests to go with each one we have done in the magazine – scan the QR codes on the test page or just look them up on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel. We know that y’all love to do research before making the big jump and buying a new boat, so we are proud to be a part of that process. Who knows, you may just like something inside here? And make sure you tell your dealer that you read about it in the Fishing Monthly Boating Extra – we write, produce and print it 100% in Australia and are proud of it. – Steve Morgan
You’re going to love your new Savage. The oldest name in Australian boating, knows how to build strong, reliable units that are a workhorse out on the water. They’re built tough to get you where you want to go and then get back to where you need to be. With a great day’s fishing and fun in between. Time proven design features offer strength, durability and safety at prices that seem like ‘mates rates’.
Savage Built Tough. Find your closet savage dealer at savageboats.com.au SAVFMMSTEVE001
2 2020 Boating EXTRA
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
NEW RELEASE
BOAT S NOW AVAIL ABLE
SEE YOUR LOCAL
DEALER FOR DETAILS
WWW.HORIZONBOATS.COM.AU
2020 Boating EXTRA JOHN CRAWFORD MARINE
The used boat specialists
The boating market is running hot and it’s great to see so many families new to boating enter the market to enjoy the spoils that boating has to offer. There hasn’t been this demand on the trailer boat sector since pre-GFC days. However, if you’re new to the boating market make sure you go with a reputable dealer who won’t take advantage, someone like Matthew Hodson, owner of John Crawford Marine. John Crawford Marine is Queensland’s used boat specialists located at 1029 Manly Road Tingalpa, Brisbane. Since 1964, they have specialised in the sale of late model used trailer boats. If you are looking at buying a used trailer boat, John Crawford Marine recommends 7 key things to consider: 1. The hull must have an Australian Builders Plate if built post 2006. From this, determine if the motor is overpowered and
Bonito
what carrying capacity does it have – will it fit your family? Is the motor overpowered? 2. Is title of the hull/motor and trailer guaranteed? Dealers should provide you a PPSR certificate for each of the hull/ motor/electric motor and trailer. If buying privately, do you own PPSR title checks – never trust the seller in this instance. 3. Ensure you receive an on-water demonstration, have the dealer/private seller show you how to launch/retrieve/get on the plane/trim the hull/understand load and balance/maintenance tips. 4. Is the trailer roadworthy? This doesn’t mean registered, this means sound, fit and safe to be on the road. A dealer should be servicing the trailer prior to you towing home. If buying privately, what condition are the wheel bearings/brakes/tyres? 5. Registration doesn’t prove ownership. Divorce/finance/caveats can become very messy, are you buying it from the owner? A dealer should have the right paperwork in their office procedures to ensure you don’t buy someone else’s headache, leading to your heartache! 6. Price is always subjective, but you should factor in your purchase risk. A cheaper price may not mean cheaper in the long run. At John Crawford Marine, you are assured of title, warranty, registration transfers, on-water tuition, servicing of the trailer, and much more. 7. Finally, be prepared and don’t let your emotions dictate your decisions. Have a list of questions that you ask each boat seller for ease of comparisons, if you miss out on the one you love, don’t despair,
Sportsfishing Boats AUSTRALIA
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there will be another one pop up in due course. Remember it’s buying a boat, the process should be enjoyable. W
johncrawfordmarine.com.au johncrawfordmarine
SURTEES
Workmate and Game Fisher upgrades
Surtees have been building boats for over 27 years! The Kiwi boat builder is proud to be the first to offer a lockable water ballast, so the hull performs amazingly even through a rough chop, which is typical over the ditch. A smooth and comfortable ride is what makes a good Surtees, but also the latest improvements of their Workmate and Game Fisher range offer some great new features on the boats. The Offshore Transom accommodates for the extended trips with a bigger fuel capacity – up to 400L on a 750 Game Fisher and even the smallest hardtop in the range, the 540 comes with a 100L Underfloor fuel tank. Live bait wells are now standard, a dry battery compartment in the middle and the models 575+ come with a fold out rear seat as well. But not just that, this year Surtees updated their dashboards with flush mounted sounders with a clean and sexy black surface. They are super practical and every button is easily accessible to operate trim tabs, window wipers, bilge pumps or drum winches all from the helm. SiQ technology comes as standard, with safety at the forefront of every Surtees. Tough Deck™ provides one of the strongest hull designs in the world with two fully sealed safety buoyancy compartments, for complete confidence when out on the water. Combined with a 10-year hull warranty, the handcrafted boats are available with a wide range of customisation options allowing fishos to personalise their boat to their exact requirements. Surtees give a 10 year hull warranty and have proven to be incredibly popular and are recognised by fishermen all over the world for their quality, safety, stability and practical features. W
surteesboats.com surteesboats surteesboats
HORIZON BOATS
Horizon’s new plate
Bonito Boats Steiglitz Qld Roger 0438 886 813
STABLE AT REST NO TIMBER SELF DRAINING DECK SOFT DRY RIDE
For more information contact:
MARINE CARE QLD Redland Bay - (07) 3186 5270 www.marinecareqld.com
BILLS MARINE Cairns – (07) 4051 6733 www.billsmarine.com.au
bonitoaustralia@outlook.com
www.bonitoboats.com.au 4 2020 Boating EXTRA
system that has evolved from our commercial boat division. It has a full height, internal grid underfloor structure and a popular, reverse chine in the hull,” he continued. So, from now forwards, Horizon dealers will be able to offer their popular Getaway Cuddy Cabins, Northerner Side consoles,
Twelve months after Horizon Boats moved to their new factory in Coomera, Queensland, the brand has launched their Horizon Plate range to the public. Adding to the existing, extensive and affordable catalogue of craft, we asked Horizon Sales Manager, Mark Johnson, why it was time to expand. “Our new factory has the space and the technology to manufacture these new Horizon Plate boats, so we have taken the opportunity to upgrade our product range to reflect this,” Mark said. “The hulls are made using a ‘Grid Core’
Pacific Centre Consoles, Seabreeze Bowriders, Sunrunner Runabouts and Sportsfisher Centre cabin models in bold new 4mm plate designs, as well as in the standard configurations. “We know that some customers prefer one brand or style of boat and the introduction of these new models will give all Horizon customers and dealers the opportunity to move into plate boat ownership with all the great features that Horizon boats are known for,” he said. Horizon’s increasingly broad manufacturing base has expanded with their move to a new factory. Currently employing 26 people, it seems to be growing every month. W
horizonboats.com.au horizonboats horizonboats
RAYMARINE
Axiom+ delivers more to anglers
Raymarine Axiom+ is a powerful new series of multifunction displays (MFDs) for anglers, cruisers and sailors. There has also been an update to Raymarine LightHouse™ Charts cartography, bringing new levels of clarity and control to marine navigation. The successor to Raymarine’s awardwinning Axiom® line of MFDs, Axiom+ is engineered for speed, responsiveness, and future expansion. Available in 7, 9, and 12” display models, Axiom+ comes performancetuned with a powerful quad-core processor for fast chart redraws, multi-channel sonar views, and augmented reality navigation. Along with the upgraded Axiom+ line, Raymarine is unveiling a new electronic catalogue of LightHouse Charts. LightHouse Charts are crafted from official hydrographic sources – the same data used by maritime professionals. LightHouse Charts offer Raymarine users a new level of clarity and customisation, detail, and the ability to explore on-shore destinations, fishing spots, and points-of-interest (POI) data. Each model includes a three-year warranty. With models starting at AUD$1,399 RRP, the Axiom+ will be available through Raymarine dealers and retailers. New LightHouse Charts for Australia are in development and will be released in Summer 2020/2021. W
raymarine.com.au raymarine raymarinebyflir
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
Download FREE
Boat Buyer’s Guide at barcrusher.com.au
BAR CRUSHER EXCLUSIVES:
BR SERIES
C SERIES
Head office 5 Quality Drive, Dandenong South, VIC 3175 Phone 03 9792 2999 Email info@barcrusher.com.au Sales 0408 776 080 Website barcrusher.com.au
HT SERIES
XS SERIES
XT SERIES
2020 Boating EXTRA
BAR CRUSHER BOATS
Bar Crusher – 20 years of innovation When Melbourne-based (VIC) Bar Crusher Boats launched back in 2000, factorybuilt plate aluminium boats were pretty rare in Australia. The situation’s changed dramatically, with plate boats soaring in popularity as they’re relatively light to tow, economical to power, easy to maintain and incredibly durable. In the 20 years since Bar Crusher’s original two-model line-up appeared at boat shows around the country, the range has expanded to nearly 30 models in a number of configurations – cuddy cabin (C), hard top (HT), hard top pilothouse (HTP), centre console (XS), open hard top (XT), walk around (WR), and bow rider (BR). Designed and built for Australian conditions, the CEcertified boats have proved popular right around the world.
FISHING WEAPONS Bar Crusher is a premium Australian boat builder delivering high-performance fishing boats for hardcore Australian anglers. The range spans 4.90m to 7.80m with models suitable for everything from casting lures for bass in freshwater right through to battling big marlin beyond the shelf… and, of course, everything in between. From the 490C through to the 780HT, Bar Crusher’s DNA runs strong with the same exclusive technologies and construction techniques used throughout the range. All Bar Crusher boats incorporate the strakeless Waveslicer deep-V hull for a smooth ride and awesome following-sea performance; expertly-engineered Rigideck sub-floor system (think of the honeycomb structure of an aeroplane wing and you’ll get the picture) for maximum hull strength; and Quickflow water ballast technology for excellent stability at rest. The latter is one of the most recognised distinguishing features of these boats. To explain Quickflow’s purpose, here’s a quick boat-building lesson: most boat design is a compromise. Flatter hulls provide great
Brothers Warren (left) and Peter Cleland launched Bar Crusher Boats back in 2000 and are still involved on a day-to-day basis. They love hearing of the adventures owners have had in their boats! 6 2020 Boating EXTRA
Innovation is one of the keys to Bar Crusher’s success, with an unwavering focus on continual improvement across the model range.
stability at rest, but pound and bang in rough conditions; whereas deep-V hulls can handle the rough stuff, but are typically very rocky at rest. Bar Crusher’s centre-keel water ballast system delivers the best of both worlds. A cavity running the full length of the keel, open at the transom, takes on a large volume of water when the boat stops and lowers the chines into the water for increased stability. The moment the boat accelerates, this water ballast is jettisoned from the hull and the deep-V hull does its job to eat up whatever’s thrown its way. Bar Crusher says it has worked hard to perfect Quickflow to ensure there’s no lag when accelerating – just a smooth and fast transition onto the plane. Bar Crusher boats are loaded with fishing-related features. From the Game Lock coaming and secure toeholds (for a comfortable fish-fishing position), through to rod holders, baitboard, live bait tank, berley bucket and muncher, rocket launcher, SARCA anchor and more, these boats are fullyloaded Fishing Weapons. While other boat manufacturers often charge for these items as ‘extras’, Bar Crusher’s philosophy has
always been that people are going to want them anyway, so the boats leave the factory with it fitted as standard. There’s also the option to personalise your Fishing Weapon and the online boat builder on Bar Crusher’s website – barcrusher.com. au – allows you to do exactly that. SETTING THE PACE Driven by innovation, Bar Crusher’s research and development team is
High-quality, precision welding is inherent to every Bar Crusher boat. Fully-sealed and welded decks ensure nothing can ever get underneath and cause problems down the track.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA tireless in its efforts to set new standards in plate aluminium boat design and performance. This has seen countless design improvements and advancements in construction techniques over the past couple of decades; some of them subtle, and some of them glaringly obvious – like the innovative Gen2 hull design. Introduced around 10 years ago, the Gen2 hull combines key features including a wider negative chine running forward, optimised wider chine aft and the distinctive Delta Flare – a complex V-shaped planing plank that starts wider at the transom and narrows as it runs forward. Every aspect of the hull combines to deliver greater hydrodynamic lift for more efficient planing and improved fuel economy, a higher bow attitude and better spray deflection for a drier ride, as well as
Fitted as standard to every Bar Crusher boat package, the innovative Bar Catch system allows single-handed launch and retrieve, no matter what size Bar Crusher you own.
It was iconic bar crossing images like this that launched Bar Crusher onto the Australian scene 20 years ago.
and fuse boards, and glue-filled heat shrink to cover connections to lock-out the salt air. It’s these little things (the things many boat owners don’t think about, until they have a problem), Bar Crusher has always gone the extra mile to do to ensure many years of hassle-free boating and fishing. This unwavering focus on quality extends right through to the one of the most important (yet regularly overlooked) aspects of any trailer boat – the trailer. Every Bar Crusher boat is factory-packaged on a customdesigned, Australian-made Easytow trailer. The result is a perfectly-balanced package that makes towing safe and easy, and ensures the boat always self-centres and aligns at the ramp. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE Like anything: if you want quality, you have to pay for it. It’s as simple as that. Value extends far beyond the price you
and performance perspectives. If it’s possible and if it passes Bar Crusher’s rigorous testing, it goes ahead! Every industry has a leader – and a successful business is more than just having a good product. From a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, to powerful branding and marketing, to the national dealer network and exceptional aftersales support… everything within the Bar Crusher business (just like its boats) is part of a very wellplanned strategy. PREMIUM QUALITY After 20 years of focusing solely on building plate aluminium boats, Bar Crusher has it down to a fine art. Professionally engineered and built from the highest-quality materials, the experienced and devoted team’s attention to detail is evident in every Bar Crusher boat. Every feature has been carefully considered for Bar Crusher boats are built to perform and everything in them is 100% quality – from the super-strong hull construction right though to the wiring behind the dash.
its performance, practicality, versatility and, importantly, durability. Bar Crusher uses Australian high-tensile 5083 marine grade plate aluminium, precision laser-cutting robotics, and highlyskilled welders using the best equipment
increased stability at rest. Extensive testing has proved the 490, 535, 575, 585 and 615 hulls received significant performance benefit from the next-generation design, while the larger 670, 730 and 780 hulls continue to be built on Bar Crusher’s high-performance deep-V hull. The Bar Catch launch/retrieve system is another innovation that has revolutionised people’s boating experiences. The simplicity and ease-of-use of the Bar Catch (another standard feature of every Bar Crusher boat package), allows for singlehanded launch and retrieve, no matter what size Bar Crusher you own. As one of the few Australian boat builders fortunate enough to have people within its ranks who are passionate and experienced anglers/boaters, many of the design improvements have come from within the business. That said, Bar Crusher also values customer feedback and regularly takes onboard owners’ suggestions, then determines the feasibility from production
might pay for something. It’s the pleasure a quality product brings, the longevity it delivers and the value it adds to your life. For anyone serious about fishing, this is the true value of a Bar Crusher boat. In a similar light, the resale value of
Every Bar Crusher boat is factory-packaged on a custom-designed, Australian-made Easytow trailer that’s perfectly matched to the hull, to ensure the boat always selfcentres and aligns at the ramp.
Above 2 images: The Quickflow water ballast system is one of the most recognised distinguishing features of Bar Crusher boats. Bar Crusher’s Gen2 hull is the next evolution in plate aluminium boat design.
available. All stainless steel fittings (316, rather than cheaper 304) are insulated from the boat with plastic washers or insulative grease products, and hinges and panels are high-tech fibre reinforced composite to provide many years of service. Toughened safety glass is used for the windscreens in the cuddy cabin and hard top boats, with heavy-duty acrylic used on the open boats. The marine environment is unforgiving on equipment and this has always been front-of-mind at Bar Crusher. The factory’s fit-out team uses tinned wire, quality switches
Bar Crusher boats on the used market is unmatched by any other brand. This is testament to the build quality and performance of every Bar Crusher – no matter the miles it’s travelled, the places it’s been, or the fish it’s helped its owners catch! To learn more about these Fishing Weapons, visit barcusher.com.au. W
barcrusher.com.au Bar Crusher Boats barcrusherboats
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA 7
2020 Boating EXTRA much more! The boat pictured is available for $69,990 drive away.
CRUISE CRAFT
The all new nifty F360S
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cruisecraft.com.au cruisecraftboats cruisecraftboats
AUSMARINE
Trailers you can trust Around 18 months ago Cruise Craft released the F360M, and it’s huge success prompted their latest model, the all new small F360S. This 5.68m boat with up to 210L of fuel, can really do it all. It’s small enough to sneak up shallow creeks yet large enough to head offshore. It’s also a under two tonnes, so most medium size cars will have no problems towing it. Packaged beautifully with a Yamaha F115hp, it uses only 16.9L per hour while cruising at just under 40km/h. Even at 65km/h you can get 1.53km per litre of fuel. It also has a huge list of standard features, including full composite construction (no wood), foam filled, dual batteries, Fusion stereo pack, large 130L fuel tank, Easytow custom trailer, 12v charging outlets, massive casting platform with under waterproof storage, huge console with loads of storage, VHF radio, fire extinguisher, EPIRB and
Ausmarine P/L distributes the range of Seatrail Trailers and Seacraft Aluminium Boats in Australia and the South Pacific. Seatrail trailers model range start from small folding trailers for small tinnies up to 3500kg electric braked model large boat trailers. In the range there is a wide variety of PWC trailers and also a range of twin hull boat trailers. Seatrail Trailers are available in 3 frames, galavinised box section, galvinised C section and aluminium I beam. Seacraft aluminium boats range is from 2.1m car-toppers that weigh only 22kg up to 5m fishing/bowrider family boats. No matter where you are in Australia or the South Pacific, please contact your nearest distributor from our website in your region. W
ausmarine.biz
GULFRUNNER 550
HOBIE AUSTRALIA
New Passport and Compass released HOBIE MIRAGE PASSPORT 12.0 The 12-foot Mirage Passport takes you where you want to go with ease and world-class authority with pedal propulsion. When you’re not relaxing in the Passport’s breathable mesh seat, a wider cockpit area with EVA floor padding provides a stable platform for standing and stretching your legs or casting a lure. There’s plenty of real estate to stash equipment on the bow or stern cargo areas and more below deck access through the centre 8” Twist-n-Seal hatch. Anglers will be happy that the Passport 12 has a transducer cavity and scupper for simple install of your favourite fishfinder and a Power-Pole® Micro bracket indent to mount your favourite shallow water anchor. Additional features include steering system with stowable rudder, two fishing rod holders, accessory tracks, and under seat and gunnel tackle storage. The Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 is available at all Hobie Dealerships and selected BCF stores across Australia. HOBIE MIRAGE COMPASS DUO Powered by dual MirageDrives with Glide
Technology and Kick-Up Fins, the Duo’s sleek hull design maximises speed and stability, while greatly reducing drag. The cockpit features comfortable, ergonomic seating, 4 Integrated H-Tracks for accessory mounting, and abundant above and below deck storage compartments to house gear for two. The sleek waterline and Kick-Up Rudder system make for an impressively nimble tandem kayak that’s highly responsive, easy to steer and extremely durable. The roomy Compass Duo is simple to use and adventure-ready, making it the ideal choice for water outings with adults, tikes, and furry companions. The Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 is available at all Hobie Dealerships across Australia. W
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“It’s the little things you don’t see that make a difference”
“Premium boating at an affodable price!” See your local dealer...
GOLD COAST • GOLD COAST BOATING CENTRE – (07) 5576 7388 64 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads – goldcoastboatingcentre.com.au IPSWICH • IPSWICH MARINE CENTRE – (07) 3294 3944 45 Huxham Street, Raceview – ipswichmarine.com.au HOME HILL • PETO MARINE – (07) 4782 1182 15 7th Avenue, Home Hill – petomarine.com.au SUNSHINE COAST • SUNSHINE COAST YAMAHA – (07) 5346 9981 14 Machinery Avenue, Warana – www.sunshinecoastyamaha.com.au
8 2020 Boating EXTRA
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO FIND A STESSCO DEALER NEAR YOU
VISIT WWW.STESSCO.COM.AU
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
If you’re after a Game Fisher that can hit the road as well as the water, nothing beats the Surtees 750. From the signature non-pounding super deep V hull to the stabilising ballast technology and ultra-strong deck system, this battlewagon is arguably the best handling Game Fisher you can pop on a trailer and take to wherever the fish are biting. Surtees 750 Game Fisher. Fish aren’t safe anywhere!
www.surteesboats.com
QUEENSLAND
Northside Marine Boondall, Brisbane
Ph: 07 3265 8000
NEW SOUTH WALES
Watersports Marine Kings Park, Sydney
PH: 02 9676 1400
VICTORIA
M Y Marine Dromana, Melbourne
PH: 03 5987 0900
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Coast Marine Goolwa, Adelaide
PH: 08 8555 2211
TASMANIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PH: 03 6425 2238
PH: 08 9434 1822
Deegan Marine Ulverstone
Chivers Marine Bibra Lake, Perth
2020 Boating EXTRA WHITTLEY BOATS
Boat Show and an exciting new model development program underway, the Whittley Family and I felt the timing was right to create Whittley’s own dealership on the Gold Coast. We want to be known for our passion in sharing the lifestyle that a Whittley boat can offer and build a reputation as the place to go to buy a new fiberglass boat package in South East Queensland, as we have done so in Victoria via the Group’s Whittley Victoria Sales dealership model.”
New premises revealed
Australian family boat builder, Whittley Marine Group, announces that it has established Whittley Gold Coast Sales as the Group’s new boat retail sales and service facility in South East Queensland. The new dealership in located at the Boat Works in Coomera, and stocks a large display of new Whittley packages ranging in price from $39,990 to over $250,000, exclusively supplied with the Group’s leading partners: Volvo Penta stern drives, Yamaha outboards, Mackay trailers and Garmin and Fusion electronics. On site finance and insurance are available through Yamaha’s YMF and YMI services, as well as post purchase service facilities. Laurie Jackson, Sales Manager at Whittley Gold Coast Sales, had this to say about the exciting announcement. “Continuing on from the success of three new models at last year’s Melbourne
leading boating destination; what a way to enjoy the new Whittley boat buying experience on the Gold Coast.” Mr Whittley continued to say. W
whittleymarinegroup.com.au. whittleyboats whittleyboats
SEA JAY BOATS
Sea Jay 483 Bay Seeker
Sales manager Laurie Jackson
The Boat Works is widely regarded as a renowned world class Australian boatyard, with the massive 55-acre site featuring numerous marine related trades, including chandlery, engine service and accessory related businesses and a working marina. “Call in and experience the Boat Works; enjoy lunch at the restaurant, a leisurely on-water demonstration at the private boat ramp and explore the complete range of new Whittley Boats in our undercover showroom. Right in the heart of Australia’s
access to the ample anchor well that is externally drained; keeping sand or mud out of the boat. A heavy duty ladder make getting in and out of the Bay Seeker safer and easier while the sturdy rear boarding platform has a non-slip finish.
The 4.83 Bay Seeker is one of the latest additions to the range from Sea Jay Boats. Built on the new NexGen Adrenalin Hull the 4.83 Bay Seeker is the perfect mix of space, style and performance. The wide body with reverse chines give great stability, while the sharp entry means smoother choppy water performance. The deep sides and fully enclosed transom keep you drier and safer. The split windscreen provides easy
stacer.com.au
Seating is well catered for with fully upholstered bucket seats that swivel and a full rear lounge (with padded back rests) that fold down when not needed. There’s plenty of room for a maximum of five (5) people to sit comfortably. Fishing is made easy with four rod holders included as standard. Keen anglers can add an optional plumbed live bait tank or the bait board options. As is the case with all Sea Jay models the Bay Seeker is built with attention to strength and workmanship. Overall the Bay Seeker is a quality mid range runabout that looks good and performs well on the water. The 4.83 joins the new 4.53 and the 4.28 Bay Seeker sizes to suit a wide range of applications. W
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stacer.com.au
Discoveries UP TO $3800 IN ACCESSORIES INCLUDED ENDLESS
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IN ACCESSORIES INCLUDED ON YOUR NEXT STACER BOAT!
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Discover the Adventure 10 2020 Boating EXTRA
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2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS 19/5/20
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FULL RANGE OF MODELS AVAILABLE...
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QUEENSLAND: Karee Marine 1776 Ipswich Road, Rocklea QLD Phone: 07 3875 1600 email: sales@kareemarine.com.au Web: kareemarine.com.au
VICTORIA: Melbourne Marine Centre 92 Hallam South Road, Hallam VIC Phone: 03 9703 2003 email: info@melbournemarinecentre.com.au Web: melbournemarinecentre.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES: GRE Marine 24 Stoddart Road, Prospect NSW Phone: 02 9898 1010 email: sales@gremarine.com.au Web: gregarine.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bluewater Marine 18 Hawkins Street, Bunbury WA Phone: 08 9791 1499 email: bluwater@bigpond.net.au Web: bluewatermarine.com.au
2020 Boating EXTRA QUINTREX
STACER
It’s time to buy a new boat With the current unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, holidays have taken a back bench for a lot of families. International travel may be impacted for some period of time and there’s a level of uncertainty on when travel will be fully opened back up. Let’s put a thought in your head that may not have cropped up before – why not buy a boat? For the cost of a family overseas holiday you can purchase your own boat to adventure out in every weekend – that’s a whole lot more memories than one holiday can bring! Put the passports back in your drawer, unpack the two weeks’ worth of clothes and enjoy your boat in your own time. COST EFFECTIVE Families save thousands of dollars to be able to take everyone on that ‘once-in-adecade’ glorious overseas holiday. Which is fun while it lasts – but it never does. Buying a boat is a one time major investment that
Explore with Stacer 399 Bolt
you can use as often as you like – you can create a lifetime’s worth of memories with the same investment you would have put into a single year’s holiday. VARIETY OF FUN Just like you can do different activities on your holiday, so too can a boat offer a huge variety of fun for your family – it all depends what you feel like on that weekend? Maybe it’s fishing with the kids and teaching them those vital Aussie fishing skills. Another weekend could be all about the watersports with many of our boat models offering ski poles. Yet another weekend could be all about exploration as you take your boat to secluded locations to swim or snorkel with a picnic in a deserted cove. DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS One of the best parts of owning a boat is the ability to explore different destinations. One weekend you could be finding hidden fishing spots in the mangroves and another
you could be pulling up to a random beach for a picnic. As long as you plan carefully, there’s no limit to the different experiences you can have in your boat. SPUR OF THE MOMENT Got nothing planned on the weekend and the weather is beautiful? Jump in the boat and head out to wherever your hull takes you. The ability to have such amazing experiences with minimal planning is a fantastic aspect of owning a boat – no flights to coordinate, no accommodation to compare, no expensive tours to fork out for. All the hassle is taken out of it, which means more time for you to spend out on the water! So what are you waiting for? Your next boat could just be a couple of clicks away. www.quintrex.com.au W
quintrex.com.au quintrexaustralia quintrexboating
The 399 Bolt is ideal for people who are interested in exploring boating for the first time. A simple boat to own that is inexpensive to run and easy to maintain.
Built with durable aluminium, this boat is tough enough to handle sandy and rocky shorelines. The 399 Bolt makes it easy to ‘Discover the Adventure’ from the water. W
stacer.com.au staceraustralia staceraustralia
We want your day out on the water with family and mates to be the best it can be. So we’ve designed the Fishabout Pro around the things that are important. Like plenty of space. Thanks to a wide beam and more distance between the dash and transom, there’s a stack of elbow room. And for even more space we’ve done away with the motor well that intruded into the rear lounge area. We’ve replaced it with a pod transom so we can mount the engine further back, with useful duckboards either side, and plenty of lounge space. Our famous Blade Hull now has a new improved Flared Bow – the stretch formed aluminium side sheets have more curve that runs further across the length of the boat to deflect more spray away from passengers.
See for yourself at your nearest quintrex dealer, or visit
quintrex.com.au
QXFAPFMM 001
12 2020 Boating EXTRA
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
Celebrating OF ONGOING INNOVATION WITH THE RELEASE OF THE NEW
www.stessl.com.au
2020 Boating EXTRA
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SEACHANGE BOATING X
Haines launch SCBX modular boats FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
It’s reasonably rare that Aussie boat builders take genuinely large steps forward when launching new models. It’s pretty hard to re-invent the wheel when it comes to the 16-footer. It’s right in the hitting zone for a variety of Aussie boating applications. A crabber or cast-netter, lure or bait angler will find a use for it, as will a family who wants a softer ride than a basic tinny. But with the impending removal of Suzuki outboards from their product offering, John Haines and his team at Haines Signature have found the motivation to present a suite of offerings that have been formulating for quite a while. There’s two parts to this story – the launch of Seachange Boating accessories and the launch of the big ticket category within this brand, the SCBX hull and modular accessories range. It may not be obvious, but SCBX means ‘Seachange Boating X’ model. Let’s start with the latter and a budding boat buyer with a pocketful of COVID cash. THE SCBX MODULAR SYSTEM The SCBX boats start with a bare hull,
Nobody will argue the amount of fishing space in the C build, although we assume that most owners would eventually drop in the front casting deck option. 14 2020 Boating EXTRA
made from fibreglass and moulded with their RIVALE technology. For the uneducated (and that included me until the press day), RIVALE stands for Resin Injected Vacuum Assisted Low Emissions. The resin gets sucked into the glass, and Haines claims that it improves consistency and strength of product as well as reducing emissions during the manufacturing process. The end result is the 16 foot bare boat that’s complete with all of the ledges, provisions and attachment points for any of the modular additions that are also available. The mods can be ordered directly from Seachange Boating (seachangeboating.com.au) or from an account partner (which is Seachangespeak for dealer). The upgrades are easy enough for anyone handy on the tools and come with all of the stainless hardware needed to get the job done, but if you’re not confident, then your local account partner can definitely help to get it done. To give the imagination process a little nudge, the team have pre-packaged some popular builds with combinations of options that are suitable for common boating applications.
Top: The CS SCBX build was the premium build on the day. Fitted with a centre console, X-deck flooring and an SCBX Cooler as a helm seat, it left little to the imagination when it came to show off what a premium build would look like. Above: The 60hp tiller was fun to drive and it even had Mercury’s new smart-tiller that’s got a higher IQ than most politicians.
There’s the BA (or Bare Ass) build that takes the core hull and drops in a couple of remote tote tanks and straps them down. “The Bare Ass build can start off as something that you use to build on,” said Haines’ Ryan Lloyd, “you can pick up a cheap tiller steer outboard and trailer off Gumtree and get on the water quickly and then you can upgrade your accessories as time or budget allows. There’s no reason that the BA can’t transform into your dream fishing boat.” Indeed, although the Bare Ass sounds
With Suzuki leaving the building for Haines Signature, the variety of outboards on the SCBX boats on the media day reflected the breadth of power plants that the company will work with moving forwards.
Spartan, it comes with more than just a hull and deck moulding. Standard features include the modular outboard well, eye bolts bow and transom, a bow cleat, stainless handles and, importantly, underfloor storage that can be used as a kill tank. On the test day, there was a Bare Ass set up with a carburetted 50 tiller Tohatsu and an SCB beanbag to sit in. Taking this rig for a spin definitely hinted at some of the hull’s characteristics. For an empty boat, it rode soft. Real
This is the T Version of the SCBX - a couple of thwart seats and a tiller outboard with some serious grunt made this a fun rig to drive and it has the load capacity for some serious camping gear.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA soft. Although it wasn’t a rough day, the Jumpinpin was still funnelling a cool winter westerly through the ocean entrance and it kicked up a wind chop that’d make an open, empty tinnie set up the same way ride uncomfortably. The bow stayed low and cut the chop remarkably well and offered little challenge for the BA. It was remarkably good.
SPECIFICATIONS BASIC HULL Length:................................... 4.85m Beam:..................................... 2.05m Deadrise:............................... 21-33° Horsepower Min:.................... 40hp Horsepower Max:................... 80hp Max outboard:........................ 170kg Transom Height:........................ 20” Hull Weight:................... from 398kg Tow Weight:................... from 926kg BMT Length:............. approx. 6.40m BMT Height:............. approx. 1.70m BMT Width................ approx. 2.40m Capacity:..........................4 persons Max Load:...............................585kg
That’s because there’s some weight in this hull – around 400kg and it sports a variable deadrise with a noticeable look and feel of its Haines Signature 485 siblings. “We’ve taken the shape of the 485 and used that as the basis for the SCBX,” said John Haines, “and this helped us get the ride we needed from this hull.” Bottom line is that the ride is smooth and comfortable, although the 50hp power plant didn’t really excite when it came to seeing exactly what this hull could do. We had to jump to the other end of the range for that and jumped into the SCBX16C iteration for the ride home. Set up with some comfy pedestal chairs and a small side console, it allowed you to drive the 2.1L 80hp Mercury from a solid base, and contrasting the workman-like 50, the 80hp got this hull up and flying. I’ve always liked hulls that you can trim into a chop to cut the water and then let them loose when it flattens out, and rigged with maximum horsepower, the SCBX does exactly that. Other versions presented on the press day included a ‘CS’ model that sported
a centre console, front casting deck and a SCB cooler to sit on. This top end build was complemented with their X-deck material across all of the surfaces you’d walk on. It’s non-slip, looks good and can be easily hosed off at the end of a trip with minimal elbow grease. And finally, there was the ‘T’, a more family-style set up that features both of the optional thwart seats and a bimini
website for you to formulate your upgrading plans. “We know that some people will use factory parts and others will enjoy making their own decks and seats to install. As long as they are doing it safely, then we are happy with whatever result they achieve,” continues Lloyd at the waterside. A surprising hero of the Seachange Boating inventory is their outdoor beanbag. The $250 item is made from 5mm
The SCBX guys call these the “Lego boats” and that’s exactly what they are. Start with this and add parts to your taste.
How many versions of the SCBX are there? Ask a mathematician - the possibilities are endless.
top. Both thwart seats include an in-seat storage area that’s ideal for getting gear up and off the deck that you need to keep dry. But all of this is just half of the story. The hero product for Seachange Boating may be the SCBX hull, but their online store and range of products available either direct or through their account partners have a tale to tell as well. SEACHANGE BOATING ACCESSORIES Even before the birth of the SCBX hulls, Seachange Boating was busy assembling
neoprene wetsuit material to enhance comfort and durability and to reduce fading. “The best way we could control the quality and to get exactly what we wanted was to make this in Australia,” Lloyd said. And contradicting your initial impressions, these units are flying off the shelf. Another fast moving product in the range is an Australian designed and manufactured trim support block. Every
The T iteration is a more family-style set up that features both of the optional thwart seats and a bimini top. Both thwart seats include an in-seat storage area that’s ideal for getting gear up and off the deck that you need to keep dry.
With a solid heritage in Haines’ 485 hull, the variable deadrise makes easy work of wake and wind chop. 33 degrees at the bow flattens to 21 degrees at the transom.
It seems that it doesn’t matter how much you load up a SCBX hull, it handles it all with ease. Three anglers and some camping gear for a weekend on the lake would be a walk in the park.
a range of carefully sourced products that were related to having a good time outdoors or to maintaining the gear you needed to do it. And, of course, there’s the drop-in add-ons that you can buy from the on-line store that you can use to upgrade your SCBX hull. All upgrades come with all of the hardware you need to get the job done and a scannable QR code that gives you instructions from the team at SCBX headquarters on exactly how to do it properly. As an indicator of price, the drop in front casting deck for a SCBX is $1,115 and there’s an extensive parts shop on the
mid-sized outboard in Australia needs one but the development of this simple device is well overdue. So much so that SCB struggles to keep up with demand. Other product partners include Coleman for some camping items, Mares for dive gear and Camelback for staying hydrated. All names you know and which represent quality products. Add free shipping for orders over $75 and there’s plenty of reasons to give the website a visit. See seachangeboating.com.au to see if there’s some gear there that ticks your boxes.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA 15
Build it your way Starting from $11,990* Visit seachangeboating.com.au to learn more.
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2020 Boating EXTRA
MERCURY
Mercury make boating easier with new top end releases 1ST MATE: NEW ‘MAN OVERBOARD’ AND THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM On the water, safety is an absolute priority. Which is why Mercury has developed 1st Mate, the world’s first engine-integrated ‘man overboard’ and proximity-based theft deterrent system. Using wearable technology for up to eight people, 1st Mate turns the engine off or sounds an alarm during a ‘man overboard’ event, and can also send notifications to emergency contacts. If the proximity of the fob is not in range, the system disables or puts the engine in guardian mode. 1st Mate is composed of an intelligent hub, a set of wearable devices, and a mobile app, which integrates with a boat’s propulsion systems. • ‘Man overboard’ monitoring and warning system protects a boat’s captain and up to seven passengers. If the system detects that the captain has fallen overboard, the device sends alerts to the system’s hub, its app and all the passengers’ wearable devices. The system cuts the engines and sends specific instructions to the passengers’ cell phones via the app. The instructions guide the passengers through
18 2020 Boating EXTRA
restarting the engines and safely steering the boat back to the location of the incident. If a passenger falls overboard, the system likewise sends alerts to the captain and other passengers. The captain receives heading instructions to return the boat to the location of the overboard event. • Distress messaging. If a boat’s captain is alone and the system detects that the captain has fallen overboard, it sends a distress message to a list of emergency contacts detailing the GPS location, time and date of the event. • Theft deterrence capabilities vary according to the boat’s engine technologies but in all cases, the system provides engine-locking functions. For boats powered by Mercury outboards with SmartCraft technology, the system not only requires an ‘unlock’ command from the captain’s app
or wearable device, but also requires engines that have been removed from the boat to detect a ‘handshake’ from the system before they can be restarted. NEW TILLER PROVIDES ‘INDIVIDUALISED CONTROL’ Answering consumer demand for better ergonomics and greater versatility, Mercury has created a new and innovative tiller handle which provides superior control and increased comfort. Compatible with Mercury FourStroke outboards from 40 through to 115hp, Mercury’s new tiller handle is, quite simply, the most adjustable on the market. This flexibility allows both left- and righthanded drivers to operate the tiller with equal comfort and control. That’s because the new Mercury tiller is the only one that not only lets operators swap the shift handle to either side of the tiller, but also reverse the throttle grip rotation. Adding to that, the tiller handle has a side-to-side adjustment of up to 18 degrees port and starboard from centre. Likewise, the driver can also adjust the handle’s vertical angle through an auto-tilt
lock system or a down-stop angle, microadjustment thumb screw. These adjustments work together with a number of touch points and controls on the handle to provide the industry’s most customisable steering and throttle package that allows specific variations to best suit the driver’s body proportions and positioning. Importantly, the tiller handle’s innovations don’t stop with ergonomics. It comes standard with Mercury Troll Control, which allows boaters to dial in precise trolling speeds by tapping a button to increase or decrease speed in precise 10rpm increments. This is a huge improvement on the 50rpm increments that are industry standard. Another new feature is an integrated engine information display which includes visual and audible warnings for engine oil, temperature, electrical and other faults, as well as for instances in which the driver’s safety lanyard becomes disconnected. And for people in colder regions, there’s even an option for a heated grip that offers three levels of warmth for cold weather conditions. Mercury’s all new tiller handle is compatible with: • The 40 through 60hp EFI FourStroke family of engines built since 2006. • The 75 through 115hp EFI FourStroke family of engines built since 2014. A SeaPro version of the new tiller has also been designed specifically for the rigours of commercial operations. It is equipped with all of the horizontal and vertical adjustments of the standard tiller, as well as the integrated engine information display. JOYSTICK PILOTING The joy of joystick piloting is now available to even more boaters across Australia and New Zealand. Mercury Marine’s latest joystick technology is now available down to 200hp, so even more boat owners can enjoy effortless, intuitive piloting when fitting the following engines:
• V-6 3.4L 200hp and 225hp FourStroke outboards with DTS. • V-6 3.4L 200hp SeaPro outboards with DTS. Up until now, Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards was only available for engines 250hp and above. Mercury’s joystick technology enhances virtually every aspect of the boating experience, delivering effortless, intuitive boat control. With only a single hand needed to control throttle, shift and steer, you can simply and efficiently move your boat in any direction – sideways, diagonally, forward, backward. You can even rotate in place. It means beginners to boating can dock or manoeuvre in tight spaces with confidence, despite wind and current. In addition, the system allows the driver to hold a boat in position, hold its heading, or hold its position and heading simultaneously (which is particularly useful when fishing around a structure, or preparing the boat to dock). W
mercurymarine.com.au mercurymarineaust mercurymarine
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
QUIET BY NAME POWERFUL BY DESIGN THE MOST POWERFUL BEST TOP-END SPEED AND ACCELERATION THE MOST EFFICIENT FISH ALL DAY AND THEN SOME THE QUIETEST GET IN CLOSER WITHOUT SPOOKING FISH OWN YOUR SPOT POWER TO ANCHOR REGARDLESS OF WIND CONDITIONS
SUITABLE FOR FRESHWATER ONLY
2020 Boating EXTRA Lowrance
HDS Live and below, Elite Ti2
Next generation equipment WORLD leaders in fishing electronics, Lowrance have released a full stable of next generation equipment to service the changing demands of today’s boaters. LAUNCH OF C-MAP REVEAL Perfect for diving and fishing enthusiasts, C-MAP Reveal brings ultra-high resolution bathymetric data of the sea floor to Lowrance, Simrad and B&G Customers. View the sea floor in a completely new light and clearly identify sea floor structure, along with reefs and ledges to find the best fishing and diving spots. C-MAP Reveal will take your charts to the next level. The C-MAP Reveal charts include all the same data available on their popular Max-N+ charts including, Traditional Navigation Data, High Resolution Bathymetric Coastal Data, Satellite Imagery Data, Genesis Layer Data Four charts are available in Australia and a single chart for New Zealand: Robe to Batemans Bay, Mallacoota to Brisbane, Tweed Heads to Weipa, New Zealand for AU$399 SRP, and Darwin to Esperance for AU$899 SRP. Compatible with Lowrance Gen2 models and above, Lowrance Elite Ti2, Simrad NSSevo2 and above, Simrad GO, Simrad NSO evo2 and above, B&G Vulcan, B&G Zeus2 and above, B&G Zeus2 Glass Helm and above. NEW ELITE TI2 SERIES Lowrance have announced the nextgeneration release of its powerful, yet affordable fishfinder/chartplotter family, Elite Ti2. Delivering enhanced high-resolution sonar functionality, wireless networking and Bluetooth® call/text message display, the Elite Ti2 gives anglers access to features
previously reserved for Lowrance’s premium HDS family of displays. Here’s what’s new with Elite Ti2. Active Imaging Sonar rethinks what anglers should expect from a fishfinder. Offering industry-leading clarity without sacrificing range, it delivers unmatched image quality of structure, fish and bottom composition. Now featuring full connectivity without the hassle of cable installation, Elite Ti2 offers anglers the ability to wirelessly share sonar and charting between two displays, as well as sync waypoint data, and the display’s
network configurator allows for quick and easy set up. Offering greater convenience on the water, Bluetooth notifications on Elite Ti2 allow anglers to keep their phones stored in a safe location while still receiving incoming call and text notifications. Lowrance Elite Ti2 is available in 7-, 9-, and
12” display sizes, and various charting and transducer bundles, ranging in price from $1,299 to $3,599 SRP AUD. GHOST TROLLING MOTOR Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics since 1957, announced the next step in Lowrance announced their next step in the ultimate fishing system to the serious angler - the new Ghost freshwater trolling motor.
for what anglers want in a premium trolling motor. The Lowrance Ghost trolling motor is AU$4999 SRP. NEW FLAGSHIP FISHFINDERS A significant leap forward in fishfinding technology, HDS LIVE delivers powerful realtime sonar, charting and connectivity features including Active Imaging™, LiveSight™, Genesis Live and LiveCast™ smartphone integration. The Active Imaging Sonar allows you to see structure and cover with a new level of refined detail and at a range unmatched by any other structure imaging technology with Active Imaging. Sonar interpretation made simple, Livesight sonar delivers the most detailed views of fish, down to every turn and flip of the tail, as they swim in and around cover. Delivering real-time, custom-mapping capabilities, HDS LIVE harnesses the power of Genesis Live charting, which uses digital
Ghost trolling motor
CMAP
20 2020 Boating EXTRA
Reliable, rugged and built to last, the new ultra-quiet Lowrance Ghost freshwater trolling motor helps anglers fish longer, run faster and get in closer without making a sound. Ghost has a newly designed brushless motor with the most thrust and the longest run time of any trolling motor on the market, plus other benefits including integrated Lowrance sonar options, waypoint anchoring and an industryleading three-year warranty. The combination of reliability, power, efficiency and quiet performance give the Ghost trolling motor a winning combination that ticks all the boxes
depth to create depth-contour overlays on charts. HDS LIVE allows anglers to display important fishing information and entertainment from their smartphones on their 12- and 16-inch sunlight viewable displays. Users can view their smartphone in full-screen or split-screen windows via HDMI connection allowing them to stream video, view Google Maps and fishing data on the HDS LIVE touchscreen — all while their phone is safely stowed. Available in 7”, 9”, 12” and 16” display
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
• 15 years EXTRA in 2020 Boating
Check out www.ausmarine.biz for your nearest dealer PH: (02) 9792 6000 F: (02) 9772 4858 E: sales@ausmarine.biz
Alloy Boats
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Australia/South Pacific • Nationwide network of distributors in each state • Proven long term quality/back-up • Standard features which for our competitors are optional • Unbeatable value for money
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2.1m car topper, 2 adults, max 4hp, only weighs 22kg
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• Suits up to 4m hulls • Roller version available •Ford Bearings & hubs • Web strap winch • Submersible LED lights
3.3m car topper, 3 adults, max 6hp
sizes, HDS LIVE pricing is as follows: HDS-7 LIVE AU$1549.00 SRP, HDS-9 LIVE AU $3249 SRP, HDS-12 LIVE AU $4649 SRP, HDS-16 LIVE AU $6299 SRP, LiveSight TDX AU $1145 SRP, Active Imaging TDX AU $275 SRP. HOOK REVEAL The all-new HOOK Reveal makes fishing easier, delivering powerful performance with proven fish-finding tools including, Autotuning Sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imaging and now FishReveal, which makes fish easier to see by combining the benefits of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging on one screen. Whether fishing a local spot or unfamiliar water, find the best fishing areas with preloaded mapping or map uncharted water – in real time – with Genesis Live. Ranging in price from AU$529 SRP for a HOOK Reveal 5 with CHIRP sonar to AU$999 SRP for a HOOK Reveal 9 with triple shot transducer.
is designed for install alongside a separate CHIRP sonar transducer. The Simrad Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer will be bundled with the bestselling Simrad GO series displays. Both Active Imaging standalone and Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducers can be purchased separately for AU$275 and AU$350 SRP AUD, respectively. THE NEW SIMRAD NSSEVO3S™ The next level in on board functionality is the new SIMRAD NSSevo3S, available in 9”, 12” and 16” models, allows users to experience unprecedented levels of built-in functionality under all conditions using charts, radar, sonar, and more. Every NSSevo3S system supports a variety of sportfishing and powerboating activities. With a built-in GPS receiver and high performance echo sounder, upgraded charting, support for HALO® dome and open array radars, as well as an industry-leading range of Simrad autopilot systems, all your on water activities are covered.
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SNAPPER 425
AL5.2M13 4.2m open water deep vee wide-sided fishing boat. 5 adults, max 40hp
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FISHER 490 SIMRAD ACTIVE IMAGING ELEVATES GO SERIES Active Imaging Sonar is the advanced new scanning-sonar technology that provides incredibly detailed, high-resolution imaging without sacrificing range. Replacing Simrad TotalScan transducers currently available with GO series displays, Active Imaging redefines what an angler can expect from sonar. Active Imaging Sonar provides incredibly clear views of fish-holding structure and cover with all-new levels of refined detail at a range unmatched by any other structure imaging technology. Available in two models — 3-in-1 and standalone — Simrad Active Imaging 3-in-1 combines scanning sonar with a traditional medium/high CHIRP sonar element for easy single-transducer installation, while the standalone transducer
Key features include: iMX 8 integrated processor for superior performance; SolarMAX IPS display with ultra-wide viewing angles (viewable through Polarized sunglasses); Built in high-performance echosounder with 1kW CHIRP; Built-in GPS receiver and wireless connectivity; Industrystandard connectivity to engines, sound system, and more; Control of Simrad sonar, radar, autopilot, and other accessories; TripIntel trip planning and support for automatic routing; Simrad App to connect with smartphones, tablets and internet hotspots. Prices start at AU$3,799 SRP up to AU$7,599 SRP for the 16” model. W
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3m to 6.5m
FOLDING 8
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Hook Reveal 5 SS
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hulls up to 5.6m
$28,999
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AG BOAT PACK E
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ALLOY TRAILERS RANGE FROM 4M TO 6.5M AL4.2M13A
FIB5.7M14TA • Alloy Frame • Alloy Wheels • Ford bearings + hubs • Web strap winch • Submersible LED Lights
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• Dual Axles •Alloy Wheels • Skid Version Available • Ford bearings + hubs • Web strap winch • Submersible LED Lights FINANCE AVAILABLE
ALL PRICES GST INCLUSIVE, EXCLUSIVE FREIGHT, REGISTRATION & DEALER DELIVERY CHARGES.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA 21
2020 Boating EXTRA
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Yamaha Helm Master EX offers single outboard joystick control and more FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
There’s not that many press days where you’re required to do your homework before you go. Normally the process is turn up, have a go of the new product and convey some impressions. Not Yamaha’s new Helm Master EX. It’s an extension of Yamaha’s Helm Master system – a joystick that ultimately lets you drive, hold and manoeuvre a multi engine rig into whatever position or direction you like. Helm Master uses the independence of each outboard in a twin to multi rig setup and some complicated maths to make the boat do whatever you want with a joystick to control it. Joystick is awesome. First up, the ‘EX’ tag stands for expandable and this gives a hint about the
modular nature of the new system. There’s plenty of components to it. Hence the homework. If you’re not up to speed with the basics, you have less time to try the product out. After all, you can read all you like from the manufacturing company, but you need to get an angler behind the wheel to get a real feel for whether the tech will make your life easier and help you to catch more fish. So it was with great pride that Yamaha globally launched the Helm Master EX system in Brisbane, right in the middle of a global COVID pandemic. And perhaps it was fitting that the excitement around this system was contagious. There’s a great live video from the global launch that you can find on Yamaha’s Facebook page (search July 1, 2020 on Yamaha Outboards Australia) that tells the story beautifully. Or you can read on and hear
Here’s the Digital Electric Steering unit. It looks quite like a standard hydraulic set-up, however there’s not a drop of hydraulic fluid in it.
22 2020 Boating EXTRA
Main: If you’re going to launch a globally significant product from Australia, do it right. That’s exactly what Yamaha Australia did, with pre-launch media days, a live public launch digitally and a couple of tricked-out Cruise Craft boats fitted with all of the new gear. Above: Excluding the behind-the-scenes wiring, here’s the stars of the show.
it from someone independent. On the media day, Yamaha’s Stuart Smith proudly announced that we were about to experience a world-first. A joystick controlled single engine digital control and steering system that chucked out all hydraulics and added a proprietary autopilot, brand new touchscreen gauge and electronic key switch for good measure. Sounds like a lot to take in? It is. Let’s break down the Helm Master EX into its components and how you can adopt a basic build right through to the complete package that’ll turn as many heads on the water as your slick Yamaha powered rig will do at the ramp. THE BASICS The Helm Master EX system is compatible with Yamaha Digital Electronic Control (DEC) outboards from 150hp upwards. So if your current Yamaha isn’t flyby-wire and/or is less than 150hp, it won’t work. And it’s not compatible with any other
brands of outboards. Conversely, if you have between one and four digitally controlled Yamaha outboards, then you can start building your system. Yamaha market Helm Master EX at four distinct levels, reflecting the basics of the system through to the tick-every-box setup. And let’s address the elephant in the room right away – price. Feedback from the launch and associated videos showed a broad spectrum when it came to the perceived value. If you were to simplify it into memes, they ranged from “take my money” to “fainted on the floor”. Level one of the system will set you back $9,454.61 while for the whole kit (Level 4) you’ll need $18,802.74 of space on your credit card. Remember, though, if you’re setting up a new boat with the gear, you can delete plenty of options to offset lots of this cost; hydraulic steering, DEC or cable pre-rigging, digital
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA screens, autopilots and even bow mounted electric motors and their associated battery setups can potentially be removed from a quote. Repowering, however, leaves you less to offset. Food for thought, especially since there may be fewer rigging costs associated with the plug-and-play nature of the system. There’s nothing to bleed or calibrate. LEVEL ONE: THROTTLE, SHIFT AND GAUGE With your digital controlled Yammy strapped on the back, Level 1 of EX involves a Digital Electronic Control box, a new CL5 touchscreen display and an (optional) electronic key switch and keyless ignition. This part of the system CAN work with a hydraulic steering setup and your current DEC Yamaha outboard. The DEC does simple things, like allowing you to adjust the friction of the stick and control multiple outboards from a single lever if you have that sort of setup. You can micro-adjust the speed with the press of a button and you can also insulate the boat from accidental activation of the outboard by pressing a button that keeps the outboard in neutral. More complicated features, such as Yamaha’s Trim Assist (that automatically trims the engine to the optimal height) are built into this control. Likewise, trollers will love Yamaha’s Pattern Shift mode, which lets you control troll speed to levels LOWER than idle rpm. This feature slips the engine in and out of gear to achieve the speed that you set. Pretty handy for dealing with situations where the wind blows you too fast on the troll in one direction and you have to punch into it when you turn around. I know I’d rather be doing other things than riding the throttle and shift all day to get this done. Of course, you’re able to easily switch between controls if there’s more than one place on your boat you have them, a flybridge for example. If the DEC is the engine room of the EX system, the CL5 is the customer service department. It’s a new, touchscreen gauge that’s intuitive to use and is the hub of all operations, from basic tasks such as activating the Trim Assist and setting Pattern Shift speeds, right up to more complicated functions that are activated through higher levels of the EX system. We’ll investigate some of these now. LEVEL TWO: DIGITAL ELECTRIC STEERING Level two of the EX system is perhaps the most noteworthy, even if it’s the least obvious
of the EX system. Yamaha’s Digital Electric Steering (DES) looks pretty similar to a standard hydraulic steering system from a distance. It’s when you get closer and see (and hear) it in action that you notice it only looks the same. The brochure claims that there’s zero lag time between the digital helm and the DES and on the test day, these claims seemed genuine. The unit hummed away and performed flawlessly and, even though you could be mistaken for thinking that there were a couple of hydraulic lines routed to the unit, we were assured that they contained nothing more than power and data. At the other end, a digital helm presented us with a unique steering experience. It definitely reminded me of power steering in a car and of other brand of outboards featuring similar features. The difference, of course, was that there’s not a single drop of hydraulic liquid making it work. Additionally, the helm can be adjusted with different levels of steering friction selectable as well as the number of turns from lock to lock. We’re sure that dealers and OEM fitters will appreciate the simplicity of fit-up with all of the DES system. There’s nothing hidden under the transom or console – just wires to plug and play. It lets you fill this space with other toys for your rig. Importantly, Smith pointed out that when the steering isn’t moving, it’s not drawing power and makes no noise at all. “You definitely don’t have to worry about this system draining your battery. It only draws power on demand as it’s turning the engine,” he said. This means that your standard cranking battery is all you need to run the system. LEVEL 3: AUTOPILOT This one is pretty big for Yamaha. It’s their own, proprietary autopilot. Seamlessly connecting into the Helm Master network, the unit’s flush-mounted 8-button simplicity reflects the ease of use of this piece of kit. The autopilot consists of more than the console-mounted controls. There’s a heading sensor that is fitted under the console and a GPS antenna that can mount anywhere that has line of sight to the sky. Like many autopilots, the unit lets you hold a compass bearing or alternatively navigate to a GPS point or route (when linked to a compatible multi function display (MFD). It’s clever enough to slow you down as you approach a destination waypoint and will even help you search for new ground when you’re exploring a new area. Pattern Steer is pretty cool. You can set
Yamaha took an assortment of media out in the test boats before the launch, who were universally impressed with the system and what it could do.
Here’s the whole gang - Autopilot (top left), CL5 gauge (top), Garmin MFD (centre), Digital helm (lower left), Digital Electric Control (lower centre), joystick (lower right), bottle of water and the keyless ignition (between helm and DEC).
the craft to navigate an ever-increasing circle pattern, or to zig-zag across a reef, and while you’re doing it you can adjust the speed with the control or even engage Pattern Shift. Think sounding for new reef or trolling a search pattern for pelagics. While holding a heading, you can tweak your course to port or starboard with the press (or multiple presses) of a button on the console pad and even inexperienced autopilot users like me could pick up the basics in no time flat. You can set the sensitivity on the joystick (if equipped) and control any erratic actions that you may have experienced in other autopilots. You can even use Autopilot with Pattern Shift to the full, hands-free, slowtrolling experience. With the incremental build, we’re naturally headed to the denouement, which is the full manoeuvrability joystick control system. We’ll just call it a joystick in the next section. To enable the joystick, you do need to have all three lower levels of the EX system installed. LEVEL 4: THE STICK OF JOY We’re not sure if Yamaha is clever or cunning, but for anglers, the real advantages of the Helm Master EX system – the ones that really help you catch more fish – are all linked to this unassuming little piece of kit. Flush mounting on the console, this joystick isn’t the first of its kind. And it’s also not the first to offer ‘spot-locking’ (or as Yamaha call it, FishPointing) capability, but it is the first that we know of to offer nearly all of a multi engine joystick function on a single engine rig. Naturally, it doesn’t do everything a multi-outboard system can do, like move sideways laterally or hold a position side on to the wind and current, but what it does offer is a position holding ability with either the bow or stern pointing into the wind or current (whichever is prevailing) and it does so at remarkably low RPM with minimal noise and jerkiness. The test day was reasonably breezy and FishPoint held Yamaha’s centre console Cruise Craft in position flawlessly, mocking the winter westerly that was whipping up more than a few whitecaps. Checking the gauge, 10-15 knots of breeze was offset by 500-600rpm of thrust. Barely idle speed. It’s pretty neat that you can jog a couple of metres in any direction with a quick tap on the joystick in the direction you want it to go. Want to sneak even closer? Tap it two or three times. Each tap and feedback beep will take you a set distance in that direction
as aggressively as you’ve set the system to behave. The joystick’s smarts don’t end there. Yamaha’s ‘DriftPoint’ feature, when activated by pressing the labelled button, keeps the boat’s orientation (heading) at whatever it was set. You can drift with the wind and the Helm Master will ensure that the boat is always sideways to the breeze. It makes for easy captaincy when mates or kids are drift fishing along one side of the boat. The ability to change the boat’s heading with a simple twist of the joystick is what makes this feature even more user friendly. Single outboard rigs will find the ‘StayPoint’ button redundant. On multi-rigs, this will lock you in place WITH the boat retaining orientation (Heading and position). Think keeping a boat a couple of metres off a dock in a breeze blowing you onto it. Yamaha’s engineers haven’t managed to break the laws of physics to get this done with a single outboard. Yet. Finally, it’d be remiss of me not to point out that you can use the joystick as a joystick to drive the boat at speeds under 1,500rpm. Think launching, docking, manoeuvring around marinas and narrow bridge openings. It’s so easy, kids can do it. And they’ll most likely do it was well as an experienced captain. WHAT DID WE THINK? As far as an innovative, practical and exciting system for recreational fishing boats go, Yamaha has nailed it. For the first time ever, we have been offered the option of using a single main motor at very low RPM to potentially hold position in conditions that’d tax the biggest of bow mounted electric motors. The Digital Electric Steering ticks lots of boxes and the plug-and-play nature must have dealers smiling. Initial feedback recoils a little at the price, however we think that as the market is lured into this technology there’ll be no escaping it. Think back to the first angler to buy and use an electric motor instead of oars? These are the leaps we need to make to spend more time fishing and having fun and less time worrying about boat positioning. Others seem concerned about the extra hours on their outboard or the stresses of additional gear changing cycles. Rest assured, Yamaha have thought of this and the system falls well within the duty cycle of the most serious of recreational users. For more information, visit www.yamahamotor.com.au. You can find your closest dealer there who’ll be happy to answer further questions.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
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NEW
TERRITORY 4.53m 4.83m 5.03m
• • • • •
NEW
• • • •
NexGen Hull Centre or Side Console Concealed Anchor Well Mega Casting Deck Extra Ribs for Extra Strength Off Shore Transom Live Bait Tank Deeper Sides Reverse Chines
TITAN 5.90m
• • • • • • • • • •
Samurai Hull Spacious Centre Cabin 360 Degree Fishability Folding Top High Tensile 5083 Plate bottom 50mm Capped Keel Reverse Chines Live Bait Tank Heavy Duty Ladder Hydraulic Steering
QUEENSLAND GYMPIE - WATSONS MARINE 52 Wickham Street, Gympie (07) 5482 2135
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26 Prospect Street, Mackay (07) 4957 3521
5 Hannam Street, Bungalow (07) 4033 8800
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19 Islander Road, Piabla, Hervey Bay (07) 4124 6988
117 Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner (07) 3397 9766
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SAFETY
STABILITY
WAGGA WAGGA – GAVIN CASE MARINE SERVICES Unit 4, 7-9 Nesbitt Street, Wagga Wagga (02) 6921 2972
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PERFORMANCE
NEW
AVENGER SPORTS
NEW
4.68m
• • • • • • • •
NexGen Adrenalin Hull Deeper Sides Wide Body Casting Deck Reverse Chines Live Bait Tank Side or Centre Console Also available in 428 & 448 • Max 75hp • 80 litre Fuel Capacity
BAY SEEKER 4.53m 4.83m
• NexGen Adrenalin Hull • Wide Body for stability • Split windscreen for bow access • Grab Rails on screen • Glove box and drink holders • Enclosed Transom • Also available in 4.28m
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PORT MACQUARIE – CAMDEN HAVEN MARINE 537 Ocean Drive, North Haven (02) 6559 9344
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RUTHERFORD - HUNTER VALLEY MARINE 391 New England Highway, Rutherford (02) 4933 1295
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SWAN HILL – HUNTER MARINE 21-25 Nyah Road, Swan Hill (03) 5032 2320
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ECHUCA – BOATS AND MORE 72 Northern Highway, Echuca (03) 5482 1992
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GEELONG – PORTSIDE MARINE CENTRE 36-38 Geelong Road, Portarlington (03) 5259 1110
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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY CANBERRA – H20 MARINE 4 Whyalla St, Fyshwick (02) 6280 0555
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THOMASTOWN – TRIPLE M MARINE 117 Northgate Drive, Thomastown (03) 9465 8787
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STRATFORD – STRATFORD MARINE 40-46 Dawson Street, Stratford (03) 5145 6169
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SHEPPARTON – BOATS AND MORE 207 Nurmurkah Road, Shepparton (03) 5822 2108
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www.seajayboats.com.au
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Sea Jay 493 Territory with Mercury 90hp 4 stroke FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
It’s not often that the clouds part and the sun comes, out especially for a boat test. We thought we were in for a hiding as we drove down the M1 from Brisbane to Nitro Marine on the Gold Coast in driving rain. I was with Matthew Drinkall, the (very) silent working partner in QFM and the one responsible for nearly every awesome boating shot we have ever taken. And for not missing a print deadline in 27 years … but I digress.
SPECIFICATIONS Length overall:...................... 5.24m Beam:..................................... 2.32m Bottom sheet:......................... 3mm Side Sheet:.............................. 3mm Depth:.................................... 1.29m Floor ribs:.....................................12 Capacity:....................................... 5 Hull weight:............................493kg Max hp:.................................... 90hp Max motor weight:................165kg I try to include him in each of the videos of the boats we test, often with a camera pressed against his face. It’s like a Where’s Wally game… We met Sea Jay’s Garry Fitzgerald at the dealership. Fitzy is all-in as the National Sales Manager and brand advocate for this Bundaberg-based boat builder. He hears a lot of feedback about the boats and is the conduit between the public, dealers and designers at the factory. This Territory is the result of feedback and it proves that the company is agile enough to turn new models around pretty quickly. Indeed, the Territory was born at the 2019 Brisbane Boat Show (you remember when boat shows were a thing, right?) and has spawned demand for more models. The one we tested is the 493, but in an attempt to make length protocols between brands more apples-for-apples, is about to be renamed a 503 Territory, so assume that all of the stats and attributes are transferable between the two. 26 2020 Boating EXTRA
Main: We’ve tested plenty of Sea Jay boats with Yamaha and Suzuki outboards on the back, but black motors matter, too, and this Territory 493 (soon to be a 503) was fitted with the Mercury 90hp 2.1L 4-stroke. Above: With the throttle down, it achieved 63km/h at 5,900rpm at 1.9km/L. Although, the best economy was at 3,500rpm. The ‘Territory’ theory is an open boat with deep gunwales, a full transom and stern weighted seats and consoles. This hull is available in side- and centre-console versions. Like all NexGen Adrenalin hulls, it features reversed chines and aesthetically pleasing plate sides. The Territory in particular, also has additional ribs welded in to support them, 12 in total. Helping to maximise the fishing room in this rig is the concealed anchor well (there’s a cleat and roller up front and that’s about it) that lets you fish as far for’ard as DeCaprio got on the Titanic (BYO Rose). Under the raised casting deck, there’s a heap of room and plenty of hatches to access
it. Upon closer inspection, there’s also an uninterrupted layer of carpet. The hinges are all fitted underneath. Anyone who has stepped, barefoot, on an exposed hinge in the sun will agree that this is a great idea. The console is Sea Jay standard. There’s a small hatch to keep your valuables dry
(like keys, phones and wallets) but no room for flush mounting significant electronics. Outboard gauges will fit. There is room, however, to bracket mount a sounder on top of the dashboard or on a RAM mount beside it. Driving this rig, it liked a little trim. Get it up and going and you get plenty of bow lift when conditions allow. With the throttle down, it achieved 63km/h at 5,900rpm at 1.9km/L. Drop it to 3,500rpm and the economy gets up to 3km/L and you cruise along at 36km/h. With a 90L underfloor fuel tank, that’s a theoretical range of well over 250km. This rig was loaded on a Sea Jay branded trailer (which extends the warranty from two years to three) with mechanical override brakes. With the whole package weighing in around a tonne fully loaded, it’ll be a breeze to tow with anything but a small car. Want more information? You can call Nitro Marine about this rig (which sells for $43,000 as tested from Nitro Marine) or you can visit Sea Jay’s website (www. seajayboats.com.au) for the full story or to find your nearest dealer. Remember, this boat will be sold as the 503 Territory in the future so don’t get confused!
PERFORMANCE RPM........Speed.................. km/L 650.................. 3......................2.0 1000................ 5......................2.2 2000.............. 10......................1.6 3000.............. 24......................2.4 3500.............. 36......................3.0 4000.............. 43......................2.7 4500.............. 49......................2.2 5000.............. 55......................2.0 5900.............. 63......................1.9
Fitzy reckons that there’s plenty of room for dancing up front. We didn’t see much dancing, but he was happy to try and catch a fish for us.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
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Helping to maximise the fishing room in this rig is the concealed anchor well. You can fish from right at the bow if that suits your style.
Sea Jays are always endowed with some kick-ass fold down transom steps. You really need this in the high-sided Territory.
Like all NexGen Adrenalin hulls, it features reversed chines and aesthetically pleasing plate sides.
7 Now that’s a lot of fishing room for a 5m class boat. Note the extra ribs, there are 12 in this version.
The starboard side has a short shelf behind the console to hold essentials.
There’s a plumbed livewell in the port transom. It pumps in and drains out through a line of holes through the transom.
There’s easy bilge access through the floor.
Nitro Marine fitted the maximum horsepower to their Territory, a 90hp Mercury 2.1L 4-stroke. It’s a strong, proven platform that had no problems throwing this hull around.
Okay, so the wide angle lens may make it look bigger than it is, but can you imagine this as your ideal fishing/ crabbing/cast netting platform?
The console is Sea Jay standard. There’s a small hatch to keep your valuables dry (like keys, phones and wallets) but no room for flush mounting significant electronics.
15
There are not too many Territories that are sold without the optional electric motor support plate.
No fewer than five hatches give you access to the storage space under the front deck.
The transom in the Territory is high and clean. There are two access points to the batteries and some storage. On the wet side, there’s a lot of room to step up.
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Northbank 750HT with twin Mercury 200hp V6 FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
Chris Fowler has always had a strong bond with the ocean. From his early years riding the waves and making surfing videos through to his current passion, chasing tuna and other pelagics, whiting and squid, he’s always been particular with his gear. His search to upgrade from his last 6.8m boat led him to the Northbank brand and, in particular, the 750HT (hard top). “This is my first Northbank and I’d seen them in magazines and at the boat show,” he said. “I liked the look of the boat and when I took this model for a test drive, I was sold that day. It did exactly what I wanted it to do … and more.”
up Northbank in history? Chris Fowler’s 750HT comes pretty close to the mark.
Above: Twin white 200hp Mercury V6 4-strokes not only look the part, but provide
SPECIFICATIONS Length:.................................... 7.37m Overall Length:....................... 7.67m Beam:..................................... 2.45m Height on trailer:................... 3.20m Length on trailer:.................... 8.7m Capacity:..........................8 persons Maximum hp:........................ 400hp Hull weight:..........................1650kg Fuel:......................................... 350L Deadrise:.................................... 21º Freeboard:............................... 1.0m Transom length:......................... 25” His last boat let lots of water through to the cockpit, so the layout of the Northbank suited him well. The cockpit remains very dry in all but the most challenging conditions. The test day was anything but challenging – a near-zero wind forecast let us out through the heads and we got to spend a few hours trolling for southern bluefin. We didn’t hook any, but spent the time following flocks of birds, chatting about the rig and marking plenty of fish on the sounder. Like all Northbank 750s we have been in, 28 2020 Boating EXTRA
Main: What do you get when you have a solid crack at setting up the most optionedabundant power to get you there and back with ease. And it doesn’t matter where ‘there’ is! there’s a massive amount of space in this boat. Let’s work from the transom forward. The boat is powered by a pair of V6, 200hp Mercury 4-stroke outboards, which cruise effortlessly and really pin the ears back when you drop the throttles. “They’re really good on fuel, unless you want to punch it, then you’re paying,” Chris said when asked about the economy, “and also I like having two motors when I’m offshore.” The cockpit had been set up by Melbourne Marine Centre to have everything placed exactly where Chris wanted it. There’s a couple of bait tanks, plenty of rod holders, outriggers and some clever storage options in all of the seats – the ones outside feature insulated, dry storage and the ones inside a mix of tackle storage options – all held securely behind closing doors. Chris has all of the shelves filled with the fishing essentials, including ice-filled kill bags on the deck. When we slowed in the vicinity of flocks of birds, the rods went out in his standard spread with ease and we trolled through
tuna marking on the sounder. Occasionally one would break the surface nearby, teasing us constantly. Chris is adamant that the cabin doors are a great addition to the boat and there’s a clever sunshade straight above them that extends protection from the sun a lot further back than the standard hard top does. He joked about being so short that there
needed to be a zip-out section in the middle so that he can access rods in the rocket launcher. It’s there and it works. At the helm, there’s a selection of electronics befitting the no-holds-barred setup. He uses his Furuno MFD to navigate a bracket-mounted unit on the dash to mark fish. And he shows them passing under the boat with the confidence of an angler who has seen many before. The rig travels on a local, custom-built Savage trailer that’s fitted with carpeted wooden bunks instead of the standard rollers. I trailer it behind my 200 Series [Landcruiser] and I’ve got a Savage trailer on the back,” he said, “I wouldn’t have any other trailer bar that one on the back of it.” We’re unsure if we can release the ‘as tested’ price on this rig … the missus may be reading it and we do have to look after a fishing brother. You can get more information on a rig just like it, though, by talking to Andrew Stephen and the team at Melbourne Marine Centre. Thanks for the ride in this weapon of a boat, Chris, we hope that your next trip is more productive than ours. Check out the Northbank Boats website www.northbank.com.au to find your local dealer and to see the full range of Northbank boats that are available.
The 750HT is a big boat, but legally trailerable without OVERSIZE signage and limitations. It’s matched with a locally made Savage trailer with carpeted bunks and he tows it behind his 200 Series Landcruiser.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
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Mercury’s V6 platform has been designed to be narrow enough to permit twin rigging in situations exactly like this.
A big rig needs a solid electric-over-hydraulic braking system.
Chris loves his cabin door. Regardless of the conditions, you can stay warm and dry in the enclosed space.
There’s not an inch of wasted space in this boat, cabin seats have insulated storage underneath on both sides of the cabin doors.
With Mercury’s DTS (digital throttle and shift), controlling a pair of outboards is much easier than in the cable throttle days.
Chris runs multiple brand MFD and sounder combos, but likes his Furuno for graphing fish and a 16” Furuno MFD for mapping and following routes.
Like most boat companies, Northbank uses the for’ard hard top space to good effect.
As a side note, Chris was pretty happy that the southern bluefin seem to have taken up residence outside Port Phillip. It means trailering to catch them just got a whole lot shorter.
There’s a pile of cabin space for the overnighters and for when he has worn out his crew.
We told you there’s no wasted space, even the side door holds some extra gear.
There’s a comprehensive bait station at the transom, although on the test day it was more a lure-wrangling area. Despite plenty of fish in the area, the SBTs wouldn’t play.
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Stessl 560 Trophy with Yamaha F115 4-stroke FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
Growing up in South East Queensland, pretty much the ultimate boat that we all wanted was a centre console. I’m not the oldest angler around, but in the 80s and 90s, a well maintained centre console could get you within reach of tuna, marlin, snapper and anything closer to the shore. They were powered by thirsty, smoky 2-stroke outboards and often came with an auxiliary motor. It wasn’t for trolling – it was for getting home when your big motor kicked the bucket. Fast forward 30 years and the centre console has come a long way. The material they’re made from is similar, but nothing else is. They look good, perform well and with modern outboards and electronics, give you range and reliability like none before them. So, to me, the Stessl Trophy 560 centre console is the modern interpretation of that dream.
Firstly, don’t think that a 5.6m centre console is built for comfort. They’re not. They’re built to fish and fish hard from. There’s 360º access to the water, minimal shade and shelter from the elements, and not a whole lot of room to keep your gear. But there is great fishability, places for your rods, livebait, safety gear and tackle, and importantly, your catch. The Trophy we got to test recently was powered by the Yamaha 115hp 4-stroke outboard. It’s a far cry from the smoky old 2-strokes we used to typically use, the economy is exceptional. Unfortunately, there was limited fuel metering equipment fitted in the test rig, so the only valid performance data we can bring you is that it sits on 61km/h at 5,900rpm. It features Stessl’s new console design, you can tell by the satin black paint and the improved ability for flush mount large MFDs in the dash. There’s also a fair bit of sheltered storage space under the console and it’s backed by a box seat and a seat back that flipflops back and forward to give you a backrest
Main: There’s nothing better than cruising behind the surf line on the East Coast in a winter westerly. The whole ocean is junk apart from right there. Above: This is a trick of the trade – wrap only one side of the boat and you can use it in photo shoots to look like two separate rigs.
SPECIFICATIONS Length...................................... 5.7m Beam...................................... 2.45m Depth..................................... 1.45m Bottom sheet.......................... 4mm Side sheet................................ 4mm Hull weight.............................650kg Max HP.......................................140 Rec HP........................................ 115 Capacity...........................6 persons
The Trophy is right in the hitting zone for anglers who want 360º water access, a brutally solid hull and storage space for plenty of rods. 30 2020 Boating EXTRA
while driving or while fishing. The aluminium T-top is functional, it holds your radio gear above the helm, keeps you in the shade and holds the rods up and out of the way in the rocket launcher. The top folds down if height is an option when you’re storing your rig. Underfoot, the Platerix2 hull is Stessl’s evolution of the rigid, plate aluminium hull. “It has a beamier waterline and larger reversed chines and it’s also available in either carpeted ply or fully sealed aluminium decks. The floor isn’t a structural component,” said Stessl’s Mark Johnson in the on-water test
video. You can watch the full production by scanning the QR code hereby. With the near maximum beam, the Trophy sits above the guards on the trailer. Combine this with high sided gunwales and there’s a real need for the fold-down boarding ladder and the transom door. Thankfully, both of these are standard options. On the water, the Trophy was a breeze to drive. Not particularly trim sensitive, the hull worked similarly throughout the trim range. For me, it may have been the day, but it was a little wet when quartering the chop out on the ocean. Heading with or against the conditions was fine but you needed to be strategic while heading across it. Overall, though, this boat is all about the available fishing space. There’s miles of it – even under the front casting deck, where you’d be easily able to fit a cooler and enough food and drink for a weekend on the water. They’re bulletproof, look good and ensure that you’ll have a never-ending list of mates who want to join you on your aquatic adventures. As tested, this rig came is at $53,000. For more information, see your local Stessl dealer or visit www.stessl.com.au.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA
The console and dashboard are in Stessl’s new satin black and are broad enough to fit all of your marine electronics and helm.
One of the advantages of Stessl’s raised front casting deck is the abundant (if not waterproof) storage that you get underneath it.
The aluminium T-top is folding and allows easier undercover storage, if that’s your thing. The seat box is a great place to store safety gear that you may need at a moment’s notice.
There’s a substantial underfloor kill tank just in front of the transom.
It’s all pretty neat at the transom. The transom door is standard and there’s an underfloor kill tank back there. Deck hatches cover the rest of the access points.
It’s pretty cool to have a live bait tank under the bait station cutting board.
With the 2.45m beam, this hull sits above the trailer guards, which means that you need a good system to get in and out of the boat when it’s loaded. The folding boarding ladder and transom door are standard and essential.
The Platerix2 hull features wider reverse chines and a broader waterline beam.
There’s a built-in anchor well that is easily accessible with the centre console configuration.
The batteries are sheltered by the hatches in the transom.
There’s no shortage of places to grab on to the T-top, or places to store your rods while underway.
The stalwart Yamaha F115 powered this rig to a maximum of 61km/h at 6,100rpm. There was no fuel metering available for other performance statistics.
Even though it’s a substantial console, there’s still plenty of room to easily walk around it. This is the view from the front casting deck.
2020 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2020 Boating EXTRA 31
Craftsmanship Since 1946