2018 Melbourne Boat Show Feature Fishing Monthly Magazine

boats & kayaks proudly presents...

SPECIAL EDITION

106 Bar Crusher 575C versus 615C 108 Sportsman 19 Island Reef with 115hp Yamaha 110 Custom Stacer Outlaw 449 with Mercury 60hp 112 Cruise Craft Explorer 595 114 Revival 590 Cruiser with Mercury 150hp 4-stroke 116 Haines Hunter 585R with Yamaha F200 4-stroke 118 Clark 520 Legend SC with 115 Suzuki 4-stroke 120 Whittley CR2800

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WHAT’S NEW BOATING HAINES SIGNATURE 1 545F

RAYMARINE LIGHTHOUSE 3.4

The new 545F from Haines Signature Boats is aimed squarely at anglers and families.

Measuring 5.45m in length and 2.13m across the beam, the 545F gives you the space to move around freely thanks to its huge open floor plan and a high freeboard for added safety, particularly when it comes to family boating.

The open half cab features windows and bunk cushions with storage underneath, a split dash with walk-through windscreen for easy access to the anchor and a helm console that has room for gauges, controls and state-of-theart electronics up to 12”.

Extra-wide side pockets, a live bait tank and glovebox means there’s plenty of storage space. A 100L fuel tank, four stainless steel rod holders, transom door and a sports steering wheel are just some of the standard inclusions, with plenty of options available.

The 545F is rated to 90–150hp and has a soft and stable ride, and it’s available on a single axle trailer to make towing and launching a breeze.

Price: from $49,990 BMT drive away www.signatureboats.com

Raymarine has announced LightHouse version 3.4, the latest free update to the LightHouse 3 operating system.

Axiom users can now stream entertainment from Netflix and Spotify, as well as access Theyr’s GRIBview precision global weather service app.

LightHouse 3.4 also adds Bluetooth audio output. Connect Axiom’s Bluetooth to your marine stereo system or Bluetooth enabled speakers and enjoy digital audio from your streamed movies and music.

Other features include: Vessel Alarm History and Management; Chartplotter ‘Find Nearest’ Hot-Spotting (use a long-press anywhere on the chart and trigger the ‘Find Nearest’ menu to see points of interest); Chart Tide Mode for tides and currents; fuel management tools; and Network Dimming for MFDs and instruments (one command dims the entire helm).

LightHouse 3.4 is available free at the Raymarine website, or via your MFD’s built-in Wi-Fi if you’re in wireless range. Certain features are available only on Axiom and Axiom Pro. www.raymarine.com

LOWRANCE CASHBACK PROMO

MERCURY’S 6-YEAR 5 WARRANTY

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Lowrance has announced its latest promotion in Australia and New Zealand.

Up until 31 July 2018, Lowrance is offering up to $500 cash back on each SKU across the entire HDS Carbon range.

The Lowrance HDS Carbon adds a highperformance dual-core processor, multi-touch SolarMAX HD screen, dual channel CHIRP and Network Dual Sounder to the proven features that have made HDS multifunction displays the choice of anglers at all levels. The HDS Carbon series includes 16”, 12”, 9” and 7” models.

Anglers in the market for a want-it-all integrated system need a processor that can smoothly drive the high-tech capabilities of HDS Carbon, like StructureScan 3D with SideScan and DownScan Imaging, new FishReveal, dual channel CHIRP sonar, StructureMap and Broadband Radar support.

HDS Carbon takes processing power to a new level with a dual-core processor that allows anglers to switch between applications and simultaneously view independent sonar feeds with ease. www.lowrance.com

SNAP-LOC ROD HOLDER

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The Snap-Loc Rod Holder is a unique, onestep, instant strike Rod Holder that’s ideal for general light to medium trolling and bait fishing. It’s versatile and adaptable to any boat or fishing situation. The Universal Rail and Deck Mount Rod Holder offer many different mounting possibilities.

When you place the rod, either spin or baitcast, into the holder, it pushes the front lever down and locks the rear lever over the top of the rod butt. The weight of the rod is sufficient to firmly lock the rod. Any additional downward weight, even the drag of a sinker or lure, locks the rod more securely in place.

Key features include: additional security lock fitted; most combos can be locked on foregrip or rear grip; clip-in insert allows use of very small diameter rod butts; overhead reel stays upright; heavy-duty vertical and horizontal adjustments; heavy-duty lift and rotate lock for total flexibility and precise rod direction control. The rod holder can be quickly removed and fitted to another mount, and its slip-resistant universal rail clamp fits 1 1/4’ (32mm), 1’ (26mm), 3/4’ (23mm), and 1’ square (26mm). It features stainless steel components and is UV, salt and oil resistant. www.jmgillies.com.au 70

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For 2018 Mercury has announced an extended 6-year warranty for all recreational outboards. This covers everything from the lightest 2.5hp model all the way through to 350hp Verado outboards.

To be eligible, simply have your Mercury engine serviced at an Authorised Service Centre at the recommended servicing intervals and you’re covered by an additional 3-year factorybacked warranty, which is on top of the first three years of coverage.

The warranty is non-declining, meaning that the coverage is the same on the last day as it is on the first. The warranty is also fully transferable, meaning that if the outboard is sold during the warranty period, the second (or any subsequent) owner also gets to enjoy the peace of mind of the 3+3 = 6 year factorybacked warranty.

Mercury’s new 3+3 = 6 year warranty automatically applies for new outboards purchased in 2018. The warranty applies to all Verado, FourStroke, OptiMax and TwoStroke outboard engines. www.mercurymarine.com.au

SIMRAD SPECIAL OFFER

PRODUCT GUIDE

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Simrad has announced its latest deal in Australia, offering a pair of Apex Mako Sunglasses (polycarbonate), valued at RRP$199, with the purchase of any NSS evo3 multifunction display.

Next generation Simrad NSS evo3 multifunction displays feature new SolarMAX HD screens, Dual Channel CHIRP sounder compatibility and an expanded keypad, plus a host of premium features.

The NSS evo3 series include 16, 12, 9 and 7” models. An easy-to-use interface, and support for full operation via touchscreen or keypad ensures trouble-free operation in all weather conditions and while the boat is in motion.

Mako sunglasses produce leading, fashionforward fishing frames catering to those who not only need effective sunglasses but also want to look good wearing them. The Apex is made of tough, warp-resistant TR90 nylon composite material, delivering a light and comfortable feel.

The fit reduces fogging, while rubber inserts in the nose and on the arms reduce slippage.

The offer is available until July 31, 2018. www.simrad-yachting/mako

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Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

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SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE

Double your fun by doubling up your kayak BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

I affectionately refer to my adventurous parents as the ‘Grey Nomads.’ They travel, fish, camp, 4WD and even in their 70s can regularly be found kayak

dad said he had an idea about fitting out the kayaks for SA. I thought, ‘Here we go…’ The rest, as they say, is history.

So, the plan was to join two kayaks together to make a larger craft and here’s why: my folks had previously travelled to SA caravanning and kayaking with Dad’s

in the water, making them less attractive, while also offering additional stability and structure, should they actually get up close and personal with one of the local sharks.

At first I wasn’t too keen about them building a craft to take on the sharks, however I then thought the chances of

The boys were all smiles when their combined kayak setup proved successful on the water.

A feed of blue swimmer crabs in the rear well after a successful mission. fishing the rivers and estuaries. My dad (Ron) is also a bit of a tinkerer.

He added a hoist to one of their vehicles to lift their kayaks onto the roof, rails to the rear of his kayak along with an electric

brother Neville and his wife Michelle, the four of them paddling Malibu Mini-X kayaks. During a couple of their paddle adventures they came across sharks, including one larger specimen, without incident but enough to open

them actually coming face to face with jaws were pretty minimal, while the project would be fun and they would end up with a cool platform to fish and crab from, if we could come up with a suitable design. Dad and Nev

simpler, so we used Dad’s as a reference point and nutted out a basic plan with two struts across the kayaks – one mounted in front of the paddler’s feet and a second one mounted behind the seat.

Although they wouldn’t be venturing into rough waters, the system for joining the kayaks had to be solid and sturdy, so as not to fail or damage the kayaks, while also being simple and relatively quick to install, lightweight and manageable.

Dad came up with two perfect struts from his shed – nicknamed the ‘shed of death’ because there’s so much treasure (junk) stacked up to the ceiling in there – and we were underway. The struts were actually a couple of lengths of aluminium channel that were left over from when they had solar panels mounted on the roof of their house and they were perfect. Tick that off the build list.

When it comes to

mounting items on the kayak, my go-to mounts and accessories are without doubt Railblaza, so I went and had a dig in my Railblaza crate in the shed, coming up

This would be rock solid once fixed in place on the kayak, and the fishing version of the Mini-X kayak has both the luxury of plenty of flat surface space for

The Railblaza StarPort HD is a solid mount option with an ingenious and simple star insert and sliding lock system. with a StarPort HD mount.

This mount is lightweight, solid, secure, and it mounts across a larger area than the standard StarPort with four bolts rather than two.

mounts, as well as access for mounting via a front and rear hatch.

These are important things to consider when mounting accessories on

The front strut also created a storage platform for the crab nets, making more room for the pilots. motor and steering system, and numerous other mechanical and electronic additions. When I visited them prior to their recent South Australia caravan and kayak adventure, my 72

JUNE 2018

their eyes to the presence of these apex predators.

Dad’s theory was that if they join two kayaks together for crabbing and fishing it would give them the added security of a larger profile

decided to join their kayaks together as they would be venturing further in search of blue swimmer crabs. We figured that both kayaks being the same model should make joining them together

It all looked solid during the initial assembly at home prior to the adventure.

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE your kayak: do I have a suitable mounting location?

Can I access the area for mounting? Will it interfere with my paddle or pedal stroke and will it interfere when transporting and storing the kayak?

be added to almost anything you want to attach to your kayak using a StarPort mount.

Job done, these arrived by courier and I passed them onto dad, hoping they would be suitable.

It didn’t take long until the

The Railblaza StarPort HD is a solid mounting point on the kayak.

After a quick call to Jason at Viking Kayaks on the Sunshine Coast I had eight StarPort HD mounts ordered (Part #03-4046-11)

mounts were on the kayaks, the Attachment Adaptors were mounted onto the two aluminium struts and the two kayaks had effectively

separated or joined in minutes by simply sliding the locks on the eight mounts open or closed, then removing or adding the two lightweight but sturdy aluminium struts – a success. We farewelled the Grey Nomads and looked forward to hearing how the double kayak went once they returned.

South Australia is a great place to visit and fish with plenty of kayak-friendly, sheltered waters, unpressured fisheries and shallow, clean waterways. There’s also the snook, KG whiting, salmon, snapper, squid, blue swimmer crabs, razor shells, oysters and plenty more.

Favourite destinations along the way for my folks include Coffin Bay, Streaky Bay and, the location where the double yak had plenty of use, Smoky Bay. The boys said everything went to plan with the double yak and it was almost too

Batteries for the electric motors stowed in the centre hatches and storage for the crab nets on the front strut other kayak under the struts, put the Attachment Adaptors into the StarPort HD mounts on the second kayak and slid the locking switch to lock them in place – ready to adventure.

The test drive went well and the craft was stable. The boys found that they had plenty of working space with the ability to stack their crab nets on the front strut that joined the kayaks. The two motors, one Watersnake 18lb and one Watersnake 24lb, pushed the craft along at a fast walking pace and Dad said one motor would have effectively done the job if the currents weren’t too strong. With crab nets set, the boys had some fun cruising and enjoying the stability of the craft.

When it came time to check the crab nets the boys realised that they again had the benefit of increased

A tasty feed of blue swimmer crabs, destined for sandwiches, Mornay and seafood pizzas session and plans for crab sandwiches, crab mornay and seafood pizzas, along with the squid that the ladies had landed while they were chasing crabs.

A kayak fit-out idea had become a reality, from the idea

even bimini tops. Remember to spend some time exploring what is available from kayak specialists and hardware stores, and spend some time planning your fit-out. The old saying always rings in my ears when I start a fit-out

The struts attached to Ron’s kayak via four mounts, then Nev’s was simply floated under and attached via his four mounts.

– two for the front and two for the rear of each kayak, along with eight Attachment Adaptors (Part #02-404311); this ingenious little star locks into the mount and can

become one super-stable, larger watercraft for fishing, crabbing and exploring. I was pretty impressed with the old bloke’s handiwork.

The two kayaks could be

smooth. They wheeled their kayaks to the water, with the aluminium struts simply laying in the kayak, launched, attached the struts to one kayak, floated the

Michele landing a nice squid – squid were another target species on this adventure.

And they’re off! It was a good day to take the double for a test cruise.

working area and stability, while also having two sets of hands at the ready to sort the crabs and the crabbing equipment. The quality crabbing continued from their previous South Australia adventures, with a couple dozen crabs for the

phase through the planning stages, the construction and finally the field testing. There are so many accessories you can add and fit-out options for your kayak, from seats, coolers, sounders, anchor running rigs and rod holders to sails, outriggers, lighting and

project: measure twice, cut or drill once!

If you keep these few things in mind when planning and implementing fit-out projects, the projects can be almost as fun as getting the kayak on the water to chase a few fish… almost.

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SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE

It’s a widespread revolution at Stacer Boats BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Stacer Boats have recently seen a revolution at their huge factory, with the alloy manufacturer pulling the covers off a brand new hull design for the 2018 model year.

Coinciding with the release of their Revolution hull design, this progressive Gold Coast company has also reduced the number of models in their 2018 range of boats, which is in many respects a revolution in itself! Whereas some manufacturers strive to increase their presence, Stacer have consolidated

2018 has also seen construction now centring around plate, like smoothed side sheets, with increased bottom and side sheet thickness and fully welded side decks being standard fare within the range. Smoothed (pressings free) side sheets are the modern way of catching the buyer’s eye, and let’s face it – those smooth side sections

The Assault Pro irons out a bit of wind chop. Hold onto your hat! based rigs (along with other newly-upgraded Stacer craft). As luck would have it, the day was a shocker.

There were strong winds and frequent rain squalls –

One thing that did brighten up an otherwise soggy time on the sea was the sheer capability of the craft we had at our disposal. From the little Territory 389 right

blew the rain in under the canopies anyway.

That aside, the sheer enjoyment of driving different boats, assessing handling and performance –

A rainy and bleak day failed to dampen the enjoyment of the Stacer small craft line-up, seen here on the beach at Southport.

In a nutshell, Stacer’s Revolution hull has combined the best features from the maker’s acclaimed Barra and Assault Pro craft, and the company is claiming enhanced performance, increased stability plus other desirable features. The new hull features a more concave

their models to simplify customer choice as well as make life easier for dealers to maintain readily identified yet quite distinct craft in their yards.

Some examples of range consolidation include Stacer’s Crossfire and Nomad, which are now

simply beg for colourful wraps to bring on the bling.

The enhanced 3mm minimum bottom and sides ensure extra rigidity and overall strength, while fully welded side decks conveniently eliminate any gaps along gunwales and top side decks.

The Crossfire range featured the new Revolution hull, and there were plenty of smiles from those aboard the 469, despite the rain. the kind of weather that has you scrambling for your rain jacket. Those attendees who hadn’t brought one just had to grin and bear it. With people coming from as far away as South Australia, the show had to go on, so it was all aboard.

up to the feisty 529 Assault Pro Tournament, with its all grunt 150 Evinrude G2 150, there was fun for all.

A couple of the Stacers with biminis were understandably popular, although it didn’t really matter as the wind

often with near maximum loads aboard – cut through the gloom with ease.

THE 2018 RANGE Territory Stacer’s Territory, which comes in 349, 369 and 389 sizes, remains the maker’s

The 389 Territory with its Striker hull retains the title of Stacer’s ideal car topper. It drives and rides beyond expectations. bottom section, and pressing techniques carried over from the well established Evo hull range which ensure inherent strength. There’s also the addition of a raised chine line.

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offered simply as a newly designed Crossfire; the Seaway and Bay Master, now called the Sea Master; and the Nomad Ranger and Sea Ranger, which have become the Sea Ranger.

ON THE WATER WITH THE 2018 STACER RANGE Stacer arranged a date for boating press reps like myself to inspect and drive some of the new Revolution-

A glance at the well-proportioned Stacer Sea Master 499 reveals the depth of sides, rubber gunwale tops and nice lines.

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE cartopper of choice. This year’s models are 160mm deeper, 90mm wider and have welded seats and a steeper deadrise. The timeproven Striker hull remains the build format for the Territory. The bigger 389 model is rated for engines up to 30hp so there’s some performance there as well.

Crossfire In sizes 469, 499, 519, 539 and 569, the new hull shape is a great upgrade for this family fishing favourite.

Standard across the board are increased freeboard, alloy live well with glass window, welded side decks, scupper drainage system, underfloor storage, and

through dash and a flat panel dash section with lip on some models. A factory-fitted drum winch is a popular option for the new Sea Master range.

Wild Rider An entirely new model, the Wild Rider has replaced the Easy Rider range with 499, 519, 539, 589 and 619 sizes now standard. As these

Many of the features in Stacer’s 2018 range can be seen in this shot of the Wild Rider 539 at rest. Note the full height transom, high sides offering plenty of freeboard, and the great proportions of this rig as a whole.

The Wild Rider 619 proved to be a bowrider with bite; there’s 200 horses on the transom there.

Assault Pro The Assault Pro Tournament is the big news in Stacer’s competition-style craft. These rigs feature the new Revolution style hull along with options for dual consoles and expanded live wells (80L), as well as over 30 other options!

Sizes are from 469/509/529 to suit any budget. All come with a 50L live well, rod lockers, extendable front and rear cast platforms, lockable

options for side or centre console drive systems. Drum winches are offered for all versions, including the new fishing iteration, called the CrossFisher. This model sports a raised front platform with space for a 100L icebox under it, a lockable rod locker and extra large transom.

Sea Master In sizes 429, 449, 469, 499 and 519, the new Revolution hull is also standard in this handy-sized runabout with its bucket

are larger craft, the option list is also expanded to take in over 50 different items.

The seven person 619 I drove was equipped with a bimini and envelope which were, fortunately, now standard along with the Revo hull, a drop nose, very smooth rolled side decks, fully welded sheets, 3mm topsides, 4mm bottoms, and concealed anchor well under the bowrider front cushioning. It also has increased underfloor storage

transom, the Wild Rider was a bowrider with bite, being seriously fast and just plain fun to drive.

Sea Ranger The Sea Ranger stays with the Evo Advance hull but now offers buyers additional sizes. In the side console range there are 499, 529 and 559 models, with

With over 40 items on the options list, the Sea Ranger is a serious offshore rig with credentials to match.

Ocean Ranger These are the big hitters in the Stacer range of offshore craft. The are available in both soft top, hard top and centre cab styles, with all three variants gracing the

station with enclosed storage is also a useful option.

All Ocean Rangers feature self-draining floors – a useful feature for offshore work and the clean-up afterwards.

SUMMING UP So that’s the rundown on the new Stacer lineup. In many respects it is

With the rain temporarily eased off it was time to open the 150 Gen2 E-Tec’s taps to see what the Assault Pro could do.

Stacer’s range of Revolution-based rigs exhibit higher and flatter sides, along with bucket loads of bling. hatches and standard thruster brackets.

The 520 Assault Pro was a big favourite on the press day, with the 150 H.O. Evinrude G2 E-Tec really turning heads and treating the occupants to some eye-watering, high speed rain in the face!

pedestal seats up front, and wide bench aft. Sea Masters all feature the standard smooth sides, along with 3mm topsides, rubber gunwale extremities, welded side decks, carpeted floor, storage under the floor as well as under the dash, and a stainless ladder aft. There’s also a step-

space. This big bow rider pretty much has the lot, with everything from a sound system to a recessed ski locker. An optional Angler Pack provides a live well and an aft seating set-up that converts into a useful casting platform. With a 200 Evinrude G2 on the

centre console rigs available in 499, 529, 559, 659 and 709 sizes. New standard features are 4mm bottom and sides on the 449-559 models, 5mm bottoms, 4mm sides on 659-709 with fully welded floors and casting platforms also standard. A self-draining floor with scuppers makes sense on an offshore rig of this quality, as does a raised front cast platform able to conceal a 100L icebox. The Sea Ranger’s big kill tank drains straight overboard, which is useful, and welded rod holders come standard.

There’s also a glass-sided live well along with big cockpit side pockets.

boat yards in 589, 609, 659, 709 and 759 sizes.

Interestingly, all cabins are the same size in all models. These Stacers also come with a strike chair with swivel backrest, swept gunwale, windscreen wipers, optional electric toilet and over 30 other options. It was good to note that the hard top features carpet lining overhead.

An Expedition Version (709/759) is part of the package, and these are built with extended hard tops over enlarged cabins with lockable doors, electric toilets, plus a bow mount plate up front. An aft bait

indeed a revolution, with the introduction of a brand new hull and a swag of new features across the range, from the smallest car toppers right through to the largest of their offshore trailer boats. Unfortunately, press days are always busy events, and between dodging rain squalls and moving between boats for assessment, it wasn’t possible to compile enough notes and photos for a thorough report on any one rig. However, I’m looking forward to reviewing some selected models from Stacer’s new range later this year.

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Advertorial

The world’s easiest fish finder?

It was announced as ‘the world’s easiest fish finder’, which is a big claim to make.

Given that marine technology is advancing at an incredible rate, ease of use is something that can often be missed with some complex features becoming available of recent times.

The Lowrance Hook2, with its additional features, needed to tie high-end specs with ease of use. Has the Hook2 achieved that?

Available in wide range different options, the Lowrance Hook2 comes in five different screen sizes, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 12”. Depending on the size screen you pick, the units are also available with three different sonar capabilities – Bullet offers traditional sonar with a GPS Plotter, SplitShot, which offers DownScan and Sonar with GPS mapping. Lastly the TripleShot which offers, SideScan, DownScan and Sonar with GPS mapping. So basically, there are plenty of options! For me, I went with a Hook2 9” TripleShot unit, which I mounted into a kayak.

When it came to the installation, I had it all set up within about 30 minutes. It was simple. There are two cables, one goes to a battery and one goes to the transducer. Both plug into the back of the sounder unit and it’s done! For the kayak,

It’s a great feeling when you can see the fish on the sounder and then catch them!

I went with a 12amp battery and mounted the transducer off an arm screwed into the rear of the kayak.

The first thing I noticed upon turning the unit on was that the menu is incredibly simple to understand. If you have used a smart phone, it’s much the same. The HDS units also offer a similar set up, which is what it initially reminded me of.

I’m used to touch screen, and I have been using a touch screen sounder for a few years now. One of my concerns was if it would be easy enough to navigate around with the use of buttons. The intuitive layout of the menu meant that it was easy and you didn’t have to scroll through a large list of items either, which is a pet hate of mine.

My first trip out with this sounder was an eye opener.

Hooked up on the kayak, I fished an area I had fished plenty of times in the past, but never with a sounder. I took this opportunity to sound around looking for structure that I had not seen or fished before. Using the SideScan, I found a small boat wreck and then proceeded to catch a number of bass off it. I was sold at that point. I had caught fish that I definitely would not have targeted without it. I ran my settings on auto out of the box. It provided me with clear definition on side, down

These fish were showing predominantly to the right side of the kayak, so the author knew exactly where to cast.

Just plug and play!

Two plugs in and away you go. Simple and easy!

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The Hook2 made finding schooled fish a breeze.

and standard sonar. All I changed was the colour palette.

I was able to customize my screen to show exactly what I wanted too, such as the size and layout of each panel, depth, temperature, time, speed. It can be configured to personal tastes, which is great!

So what’s it worth? The Hook2 price range started from $159 for the 4” version. I did a comparison of other similar spec units of a range of brands and the Hook2 came in best at price and features. There’s no other sounder out there under $1,000 that can do what these can!

My favourite thing about this sounder is that it is just easy.

Easy to install, the settings can be left on auto. Basically, you don’t need a degree to run it! When I take my kayak out, it’s usually a spur of the moment decision to have a quick flick.

The last thing I want to worry about is taking time to set up my sounder. The Hook2 is perfect for this scenario, and the more I use it, the more I enjoy it. I could go on about how good it is, but at the end of the day, you have to see for yourself! Get down to your local boating store and have a play with one.

They are going to be a very popular addition to the Lowrance stable. A sounder that combines, usability, with high-end technology, what’s not to love!

For more information on the new Hook2 range, or anything else from the Lowrance stable, visit ww2.lowrance.com/en-au.

- Nabeel Issa

SEE MORE, FIND MORE,

CATCH MORE

SPECIAL OFFER

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SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE

Mercury’s 4.6 litre 4-strokes from 200 to 300HP FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

You will have read earlier in the year about the big Mercury launch Fishing Monthly attended in Miami, Florida. At that time, the American outboard giant released a naturally aspirated 4-stroke outboard platform with large capacity (3.4L), abundant mid-range torque and fantastic efficiency in a package whose looks divided customers. Some loved it and some were a little standoffish when asked what they thought about the futuristic design.

Fast forward a couple of months and it’s like déjà vu, only this time on the Gold Coast in Queensland and in conjunction with the Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific region Mercury Dealer Conference.

Mercury were very serious about keeping this

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Top: If the AMS (Advanced Mid Section) of the Verado was made of glass, this is what you’d see - latest technology balancing to reduce noise, vibration and harshness and integrated power steering. All AMS is silver, so you can pick a Verado build from a mile away. Below: Here’s where the power is generated. The 4.6L V-8 builds upon the 3.4L platform with two extra cylinders in the 4-valves-per-cylinder, double overhead cam design. Importantly, there’s no service required for the life of the valve train, keeping costs down.

JUNE 2018

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1: At the initial launch of the modern design of the 3.4L in Florida, there was divided opinion about the styling.

Fast forward to the Aussie launch and everyone now loves the shape. But they love the performance even more. 2: Just like their smaller brothers, the new V-8 4-stroke Mercurys are available in black or white. Any of them with this silver mid section (called AMS or Advanced Mid Section) is a Verado iteration. These will replace the current 200-300HP L6 Verado line-up. 3: In the USA, saltwater boats usually run the white motors and the freshwater dudes choose the black. Both colours are available in the standard range and they all can be fitted with the custom colour panels, just like the V-6 3.4L models. 4: Usually, Mercury designs a motor and then beefs it up to become a commercial workhorse Sea Pro version. In the V-8 design process, Mercury started at the SeaPro and then worked down to the recreational models. This means that their DNA is tough! product under wraps until the 18 May embargo date. At the launch event for the dealers, mobile phones and cameras were banned!

Media were allowed a little more flexibility, but I wouldn’t want to be the guy who broke the official embargo date. So here’s some news that we’ve been sitting on for nearly a month!

Mercury have built upon – literally – their 3.4L platform and have now released an 8-cylinder version of the 6-cylinder technology.

Displacing 4.6L and massively lighter than the L6 Verado lineup, there was no reason to keep any of the original Verado 200-300HP engines in the range – as well as the entire direct injection OptiMax 2-stroke outboards. All of these will now cease to be available after stocks run out.

The same way the 3.4L

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performs when you punch the throttle down – Mercury have packed in more torque throughout the rev range, particularly in the mid-range, which is the part of the curve where you’re pushing your rig up and onto the plane.

On the dealer test day, everyone was talking about how, irrespective of the load carried, these motors threw the craft up and onto the plane.

Turning the capacity into horsepower is the four valveper-cylinder, dual overhead cam design. And as with all modern Mercury platforms, they are designed to require no valve train servicing for the life of the engine. That’s one of the main reasons that these four strokes will be cheaper to service than ever before.

VARIOUS VERSIONS On paper, there seems to be many iterations of the platform to suit all of the market segments that these motors will service.

VP of Sales, Randy Caruana, explained one of the differences in design.

Now there’s a twin rig with a whopping 9.2L of displacement. This Southern Formula is right at home in its natural environment - the ocean. And at the dock, you can push a button on the VesselView and open an exhaust port to make these Verados sound just like the V-8s that they are. Boat porn excellence.

Pro XS isn’t just for bass boats. It’s for anyone who wants lighter weight, better hole shot and optimum performance at a small price premium.

killed the L4 Verados, this 4.6L platform has killed the bigger OptiMax and smaller L6 Verado outboards.

Forever.

Let’s take a few steps back, though, and recap the benefits of this platform, as it shares so much with its 3.4L siblings.

UNDER THE HOOD There’s a saying in boating – and in fact for most engines – “there’s no replacement for displacement”. By now, you’d have deduced that these V-8s have a 4.6L capacity.

How does that compare with the models they are making obsolete? Well, the 200-250HP OptiMax were a 3.0L engine and the supercharged Verados only 2.6L. Where you feel the difference is how the motor

“Previously, we’d created a platform and then derived a commercial grade SeaPro model for the commercial market. In this case, we designed the commercial motor first and then created the recreational derivatives,” he said.

The V-8 4.6L motors will be available in 250 and 300hp in a CMS (conventional mid section), or AMS (advanced mid section which will be the new Verados). The Pro XS models will span 175 to 300hp where the 175hp is a V-6 3.4L and 200, 225, 250 and 300 are the V-8 4.6L. The cool thing is that no matter whether you are re-powering from a OptiMax or Verado with cable, hydraulic or electro-hydraulic steering, all current versions of

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE Mercury compatible steering will work with these motors.

Keeping your current steering and SmartCraft gauges will help keep your repower costs down. A lot.

LIGHT WEIGHT One of the first questions on everyone’s lips after the unveiling was about weight.

To really be competitive in the smaller boat marketplace,

were taken on a ride by Kris ‘Captain Risky’ Hickson in a 225HP Pro XS version on his 19ft bass boat, unanimously stepped out of the boat with the same windswept smile.

“That guy knows how to drive a boat,” was usually followed by, “that torque just pushed me back into the seat.”

And these were experienced boat dealers.

The V8 package is surprising light weight and compact. This 225 Pro XS weighs in at the same weight as the V6 it replaces. And it plugs straight into your current Mercury rigging - whether you run Verado or OptiMax.

Dealers in particular love the cowling access panel. You can check and fill the oil from here and also remove the cowling with a one-pull handle.

It beats hanging over the back of the boat if you’re trying to do this with the boat on-water. it needed to be significantly lighter than the L6 Verados they were replacing.

The answer was greeted by silence and nodding of heads. The 4.6L weighs in exactly the same as the lightest of the motors it replaces. A 250 ProXS 4.6L weighs the same as an OptiMax 250 Pro XS at 229kg.

Wow. “We’ve had some of the professional bass anglers running these motors on Lake X in Florida recently and they all had just one question – ‘when can I get one?’” said the Mercury Professor, Robin Senger while detailing the performance advantages of the ProXS platform in his Fishing Monthly video interview (scan the QR code hereby on your smartphone to watch it).

A CMS 250 4.6L is a staggering 49kg lighter than an L6 Verado of the same horsepower.

That’s a performance increase equivalent to chucking a small adult (or large child) off the back of the boat - permanently.

IMPRESSIVE TORQUE When I was reporting on the 3.4L 175-225HP platform earlier in the year, I said that they “delivered the same hole shot and ‘sit down’ style punch in the 2,000 – 4,000rpm range that makes you smile and giggle.”

Well, add another 1.2L of displacement for an extra 14kg of weight and it only strengthened my opinion.

Interviewing dealers who

EXCELLENT ECONOMY Kris himself admitted he was still getting used to the lack of weight on the transom but marvelled at the economy improvements over his

means that I can go father with less pain at the fuel pump.

Watch out New Zealand,” he exclaimed.

You can see both of their interviews by scanning the QR codes on this page.

AMS, ASC, ARO If you’re researching this new motor platform, there’s a few acronyms that you’ll need to know. Lots of it is the same technology that we reported on in the 3.4L, but let’s recap.

ASC: Adaptive Speed Control. This is a paradigm shift where the throttle governs the RPM of the engine rather than the amount of fuel delivered. It means that if you set it to 3,000 rpm, it’ll automatically add or subtract throttle to keep the motor at 3,000 rpm.

When you turn a corner, you usually have to add throttle yourself to keep revs high. ASC does this for you and improved

Do you love it or hate the look of it? Starting down a 4.6L V-8 ProXS in the wild. current Verado Pro 225.

“I’d use around 113 litres per hour at wide open throttle, but I’d struggle to use over 80 with this motor,” Kris remarked.

He went on to mention that the lack of weight in the rear end meant that he could now fish shallower water and access areas that he’d been unable to with the L6 Verado.

Al McGlashan had similar feedback. He’s been running a pre-production V-8 for a little while now and has spent more time running them than anyone else on the test day.

“I’m excited by the extra range that I get. This motor uses 20% less fuel than my L6 Verado and to me, that

share this ability and the inspection hatch is on all models in the platform.

SOUNDS LIKE A V-8 Lastly, I’m sure that you’re wondering if these motors actually sound like a V-8?

Well, they do and they don’t. Apart from the mean, V-8-sounding Pro XS versions, the exhaust is geared for quietness over turning heads at the ramp.

But if you have a Verado version, there’s a sneaky button that you can push on your Vessel View that opens one of the exhaust ports and most definitely created that distinctive V-8 tone.

That will turn heads… and it automatically kicks back into

Gun ABT angler, Kris Hickson from Manning River Marine, wore a 4.6L for the launch week. I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t want to take it off. The Pro XS weighs the same as the OptiMax model it replaces and a whopping 60kg less then the L6 Verado that he usually runs. He also reported over 20% less fuel used at WOT. the driving experience.

AMS: Advanced Mid Section. This is the part of the outboard between the powerhead and the gearbox.

AMS is what turned a supercharged 2.6L Verado into a smooth, whisperquiet outboard.

AMS in all of the 4.6L outboards is silver. Whether the motor is black or white, a silver mid section means that it’s a Verado. And it means that the noise, vibration and harshness of the powerplant is at a minimum.

ARO: Advanced Range Optimisation. Mercury’s Chief Technology Officer, David Foulkes, explained this to me in Florida at the 3.4L launch.

“Basically we have an algorithm that works out which area of the rpm versus engine load we could change for the benefit of fuel economy, and we wanted to apply that in as

wide a range as we possible can so that you get the biggest benefit,” David explained.

“The secret is, however, to be able to switch between the standard mode and a leaner air-fuel mixture mode and for the customer to never know that they’ve made the switch. We’ve patented a series of algorithms to make that customer experience exceptional.”

It means that these motors share the exceptional fuel economy of the 3.4L platform.

SNEAKY COWL HATCH How’s this for unique? The ability to remove a cowling with a handle and a single unlatch point is innovative.

Add to that a point to check and fill the oil under the same lid and you have a point of difference that users will really appreciate.

Owners of the V-8s will

‘quiet mode’ at a pre-set rpm.

It’s audio-bling at the push of a button.

AVAILABILITY Released after the 3.4L platform, expect these engines to be in-country from July onwards.

Demand will obviously be high initially, so Mercury’s Nicholas Webb gave some advice to customers who want the latest technology first.

“Put an order in with your Mercury dealer as soon as you can. Supply will improve over time, but your Mercury dealer is the key to earlier supply,” Nicholas said.

So how did I enjoy my first V-8 motor launch experience?

Fantastic! It’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry with lighter, faster, quieter and more technically advanced motors than ever before.

As a customer, it doesn’t get any better than that.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE

Steve Morgan tests the new Mercury 4.6 litre V-8s at the Australian dealer and media launch on the Gold Coast.

Al McGlashan has put more hours on the new V-8 than any other Australian media after running one in secret recently. Hear his views on the motor here.

“Professor Mercury”, Robin Senger, explains the differences between a standard mercury 4.6L 4-stroke and the Pro XS platform.

It wouldn’t be a V-8 Pro XS if Kris Hickson wasn’t running one. Hear what ‘Captain Risky’ thinks about his time in charge of the 225 Pro XS. JUNE 2018

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KRIS OAKLEY MARINE – THE GOLD STANDARD Amongst all the boat and marine dealers in Melbourne is a marine service business setting the standards for others to follow. Kris Oakley Marine in Dandenong South has a reputation of setting the highest standards and for quality work that sees this business continue to grow each year.

I had the opportunity on a recent visit to Melbourne to catch up with Kris Oakley himself and find out what drives him to be the best is his field and to maintain his Suzuki Marine Gold Service status.

Although Kris Oakley Marine has the ability to service any brand of outboard motor, Kris has always favoured the Suzuki brand and has focused his business around it. I had to know why Suzuki? Kris instantly had a smile on his face and then explained that it is a culmination of factors.

First and foremost is the quality of the technology and the constant drive to improve that the Japanese brand has.

Only a small team of three, but you can trust the experience and expertise of the crew of Kris Oakley Marine.

GOLD SERVICE DEALER

The main business for Kris Oakley Marine is servicing and re-powering.

“We are not about trying to sell a boat, motor and trailer package, we are about ensuring that the correct motor in good working order is on your boat and that all other factors are covered to ensure hassle free day enjoying our waterways is had,” he said.

An annual boat service with Kris not only consists of a service of the motor, but a full inspection report on the trailer, batteries and boat accessories. This attention to detail and quality has resulted in Kris Oakley Marine receiving Suzuki Marine’s highest service rating as a ‘Gold Service Dealer’. They are one of only two in Australia.

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Kris Oakley Marine is the preferred service provider and advisor to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard in Victoria.

The example he gave was the 175hp – 140hp Suzuki range: exceptional power to weight ratio and the offset driveshaft is innovation at its best.

Secondly is the reliability of the motors. Kris fits and maintains Suzuki outboard motors on a number of Victorian Coast Guard and Water Police vessels. He explained that the ultimate test for any outboard is to use them in a commercial environment.

“Between the vessels they have accumulated over 15,000 hours running time over a ten year period,” Kris said. “In that time there has not been one major failure with the motors that has caused the vessels to be off the water.”

Kris puts this reliability down to the quality of the Suzuki outboards, service scheduling, preventative maintenance and using genuine parts and oils.

This also translates across to the recreation sector.

“We find that if our customers do the 100 hour or the 12 month Suzuki service schedule and follow our service

Kris Oakley Marine has been recognised for their service standards by Suzuki Marine, rating them as a Gold Service Dealer, one of only two in Australia.

and preventative maintenance plans, they get the same results, with reliable and trouble-free boating the end result,” he said. Kris has built his business around this and has numerous testimonials from organisations like the Volunteer Coast Guard and the Victorian Water Police, on the quality of his work and the service they provide.

Preferred Service provider As mentioned Kris Oakley Marine is the preferred provider for the Carrum, St Kilda, Werribee, Frankston and Hastings Coast Guard stations as well as the Suzuki powered Water Police vessel, that patrol Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay.

Kris has based his business around the quality, innovation and performance that Suzuki Outboards offer.

His other key client is Melbourne boat builder Bar Crusher boats, who he shares a building with. He does all of their engine fit-outs and pre-purchase checks for their clients.

“Bar Crusher has been a great association for us.

Peter and Warren Cleland are great businessmen, build quality boats and I appreciate not only their business, but the knowledge they have passed on to me over the years,” he said.

No doubt some of their success can be contributed to the hard work Kris and the team have done fitting motors to their boats.

If you are looking at a new Suzuki and have one that you want Kris and his to look after for you, you can contact them on (03) 9794 5524 or check out their website www. krisoakleymarine.com.au or drop in and visit him at the business at 5 Quality Drive, Dandenong South.

If you are wondering around the Melbourne Boat Show, you can also catch up with him at the Bar Crusher stand at number C4. He is always happy to answer any questions or point you in the right direction. – Peter Jung

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MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE

58th Melbourne Boat Show is set to go off!

Now in its 58th year, the Melbourne Boat Show is one of the biggest events on the calendar for keen boaties and fishers alike.

This year’s show will be on the weekend of 28 June to 1 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

Despite being based in Queensland, Fishing Monthly love getting down to the show each year and being the first to see some of the newest boats on the market, because we’re as keen as you are about life on the water!

With over 21,000 visitors expected to attend this year, the show will enjoy a Thursday to Sunday window, and with

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Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 28 June - 1 July 2018 Thursday, 28 June 10.00am – 8.00pm Friday, 29 June 10.00am – 8.00pm Saturday, 30 June 10.00am – 8.00pm Sunday, 1 July 10.00am – 6.00pm

around 120 exhibitors expected to take part in the show, you might well need that time to see them all.

Each year, there are quality products and services from all sorts of exhibitors at the show, but Fishing Monthly has some firm favourites that just seem to go above and beyond expectation every year.

First up, we recommend you get down and take a look at the Mercury Marine stand. With recent additions to the Pro XS range, the introduction of V6 4-strokes and lightweight EFI 4-strokes, some fantastic warranty deals, and so much more, these space age gadgets need to be seen to be believed. Make sure you take a wander

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE through this Mercury display of Bunningssized proportions!

In the last few year, Melbourne Marine Centre have introduced Australia to some pretty amazing rigs from overseas, and there’ll be plenty of amazing boats to feast the eyes at this year’s show! See some of the great innovations from the Bulls Bay Boats and Pioneer Boats from the US, some proud Aussie favourites from Northbank Fibreglass Boats and Stacer Aluminium Boats, and much, much more!

Hobie Cat Asia Pacific has always got some interesting and innovative designs to

showcase, and not just for the kayakers!

Hobie have products for stand-up paddle boarders, pedalboarders, and some fantastic accessories that can be used in and out of the kayak. Make sure you stroll through the Hobie area and make the most of their interactive displays.

The Hard Korr Lighting stand will definitely attract plenty of attention with their range of boat lighting that is now available. If you’re looking for some lighting solutions, make sure you check out what they have on offer – they’re some of the most powerful lights on the market,

and offer some of the best value for money!

If you want to see just how luxurious a boat can be, and how much power you can put on the back of it, you must check out Harris Pontoons Australia. They offer a range of pontoon boats suited to… just chilling out! That is until you get one onto the plane. They really are out of this world,

so make sure you give them a visit!

So there you have it – some of Fishing Monthly’s favourites at the Melbourne Boat Show. But this list doesn’t even scratch the surface! The only way to see what you’re missing is to head on to the Melbourne Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre and see it all for yourself! – FMG

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MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE BAR CRUSHER BOATS STAND NUMBER C4

other manufacturers charge as extras), every Bar Crusher boat is factory-packaged on a custom-designed trailer, which ensures towing, launching and retrieving is a breeze.

Self-centering and aligning perfectly every time, Bar Crusher’s innovative Bar Catch® system also allows for single-handed launch and retrieve.

Whether you’re a first-time boat buyer or have owned 10 boats and you’re looking for your next one, drop by and say g’day to the team and pick-up a copy of Bar Crusher’s boat buyer’s guide to assist with your research.

For more information, visit www.

barcrusher.com.au.

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Just as the MCG is the home ground of the mighty Richmond Tigers, the Melbourne Boat Show is the home show of Bar Crusher, where they always see a strong presence from the iconic Aussie fishing boat brand.

Bar Crusher will have an impressive fleet of Fishing Weapons on display – from the popular folding-roof cuddy cabin (C) series, centre console / walk-around (XS and WR) series, award-winning hard top (HT) offshore series, right up to its hard top pilothouse (HTP) series.

Expected to take centre stage at the Melbourne Boat Show is Bar Crusher’s 615BR, which was launched at last year’s event. Pulling triple duty as the ultimate family boat, fishing boat and sports boat, the 615BR is a dual-console bowrider design, with a walk-through windscreen providing access to a comfortable forward lounge that quickly converts to a large and functional casting platform. The fold-away rear lounge, interchangeable baitboard/skipole and other innovative features make it a truly versatile boat – whether it’s towing the kids around in a ski biscuit or waterskiing with friends on the river, casting lures for bream on the Gippsland Lakes or chasing snapper on Port

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Phillip Bay. Designed and built for Australian conditions, all Bar Crusher boats incorporate exclusive innovations such as the Waveslicer® deep-V, non-pounding hull for an ultra-smooth ride, Rigideck® engineered sub-floor system for maximum hull strength, and Quickflow® water ballast technology for excellent stability at rest.

All models from the 490 through to the 615 are also now built on Bar Crusher’s industry-leading Gen2® hull. This design 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. The result is greater hydrodynamic lift for more efficient planing and improved fuel economy, a higher bow attitude and better spray deflection for a drier ride.

Extensive testing by Bar Crusher’s R&D team has proved the 490, 535, 575 and 615

receive significant performance benefit from the next-generation hull design, with the larger 670, 730 and 780 models continuing to be built on Bar Crusher’s high-performance deep-V hull.

Renowned for quality construction, superior performance and maximum fishability (with a range of standard features

Don’t miss Boats & More’s stand at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show! Not only will there be a great range of fishing boats, ski boats and Seadoo’s on display, but you will also have the chance to win your choice of either a Garmin Striker

innovative and functional ski boats for over 40 years.

There will also be two Seadoos on display including the GTR 230 and the top of the line RXT 300. There will be some fantastic deals to be had on the full range of Seadoos.

There will be a range of Suzuki and Mercury portable engines on display. These will be available to purchase with a portable engine trolley, making them easy to transport home from the show.

A full range range of Mercury, Suzuki, Evinrude and Seadoo products are available from Boats & More. They are also at

BOATS AND MORE STAND NUMBER E9

Plus 9SV Fish Finder valued at $899 or a Liquidforce Trip 142 Wakeboard with Trip boots, valued at $849 simply by visiting the stand.

On the aluminium side of things there will be a huge range of Clark boats on display including the Cod Catcher SC and Tiller, Bay Hunter, Fishmaster SC, Dominator, Sunseeker and Legend models.

There is sure to be a boat in the Clark range to suit any fisher’s needs.

There will also be a range of Anglapro boats on display including the Sniper, Getaway and Outlaw models. The Anglapro boats are built tough with their XCore construction.

On the fibreglass side of things, there will be a range of Haines Hunter boats on display including the 565 Offshore at an unbelievable price and the 625 Offshore Hard Top. For the first time, Boats & More will be displaying the full range of the Australianbuilt and highly regarded Camero Ski Boats.

On display will be the Legend, Vision 21i, Vision 21v and CRX22 models. Camero boats have been building Australia’s most

Compleat Angler, which have stores in both Shepparton and Echuca.

Be sure to see the friendly team at Boats & More. They are sure to be able to tailor a package just for you.

For more information, visit www.

boatsandmore.com.au.

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EVINRUDE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Evinrude will have a huge range of their latest outboards on display at the 2018 Melbourne International Boat Show – and its one not to be missed with an exclusive offer for boat show customers.

Make sure you pay a visit to your local Evinrude dealer during the show to have access to an Australian-first offer when you purchase a new Evinrude.

Cranbourne Boating Centre will have the latest Evinrude engines on display suitable for multiple transoms and JV Marine World will also be displaying a range of Evinrude models as well as Quintrex BMT (boat, motor, trailer) packages.

Evinrude National Account Manager Jason Draeger said he couldn’t yet reveal the promotion they had secured for Melbourne Boat Show customers.

“It is a huge offer which I don’t think has ever been available for Australian customers before and we are excited to launch it at the show. It will be an exclusive offer during boat shows only for a very limited time, so there has never been a better time to buy,” he said.

“There will also be a range of Evinrude To page 86

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JV MARINE WORLD

From page 84

ETEC and G2 outboards on display which we are happy to say meet all Australian emission regulations.”

According to the new Australian exhaust emissions standards, only clean-technology outdoor power equipment and marine engines can be supplied to the Australian market after 1 July, 2019. Evinrude direct injection two-stroke engines meet these new regulations with all engines sold today.

Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboard engines actually have the lowest total exhaust emissions of all combustion outboard engines and are the most fuel efficient marine engines available.

They consume up to 20% less fuel and produce up to 30% more torque than competitive outboard engines, while providing the most effortless user experience

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The biggest stand at the Melbourne Boat Show will once again belong to JV Marine World.

JV MARINE WORLD STAND NUMBER D7

in the industry.

For more information on the complete Evinrude range visit www.evinrude.com.au or contact your local Evinrude dealer.

EVINRUDE STAND NUMBER VARIOUS

They will be displaying a monster range of Quintrex boats (Australia’s number one selling boat brand) to suit all applications.

From open tinnies, side consoles, bow riders, runabouts, cabin boats and offshore fishing boats all at unbeatable prices. The new release Apex Hull range will be on display as well as the new release Yellowfin 5800 Hard Top for the avid offshore fishers looking to take on all conditions. If you are yet to see the new Apex Hull design, make sure you get over to the JV stand. It has more

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stability, internal storage and larger casting platforms. Apex have taken aluminium boat construction to a whole new level.

Need a new outboard? JV is especially excited for this year’s Boatshow having just joined forces with Mercury Outboards.

To page 88

JUNE 2018

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MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE From page 86

The new V6 range of 175hp, 200hp and 225hp Mercury motors will be on display for the first time in Australia! The new 3.4L V6 range are the lightest and most powerful 4-strokes on the market in this horsepower range!

Anyone looking for the power and torque of the Direct Injection Evinrude ETEC outboards, JV Marine will have a great range on display, including the ground

breaking G2 outboards!

In fibreglass boats they are taking the largest range of Revival boats to the show than ever before. Made in Melbourne to suit southern waterways, these boats have taken huge strides forward in their design and construction, and are still one of the most affordable boats on the market.

This year’s show will see the release of the 590 Bow Rider and a 530 Cuddy. There will be cruisers in the 590 and 640 range.

And the always popular 525, 580 and 640 Fisherman models will be on display.

For those who like to go fast there will be the Kawasaki Jetski range and the American made Four Winns Bow Riders.

For the best deals in boating make sure you visit Australia’s largest boating retailer JV Marine World. www.

For more info, visit

jvmarine.com.au.

stability at rest, and additional lifting to assist with faster planning times.

They will have the new Sea Master, Cross Fire, Wild Rider and Assault Pro on display along with Outlaws, Prolines and Rangers.

As always, the popular Northbank boats will have great presentation at this year’s show again. They will have some new features on display fitted to the boats this year showcasing Northbank’s and MMC’s continued improvements in refining the boats to meet customer demands. Both Northbank and MMC are only too happy to speak with potential customers and help them build their forever boat.

MY MARINE STAND NUMBER D15

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MY MARINE

The two boats to make sure you check out at the show are the 600C and 650HT. Patrick Dangerfield will also be in at the show on the stand giving a hand on Saturday, so drop by and grab an autograph or selfie with one of the leading players in the AFL today.

They will also have some fantastic deals going on Mercury 4-stroke outboards. So if it’s a repower you need, make sure you come and see the team at MMC. Mercury have certainly improved their larger HP engines with the release of the new game changing V6 and V8 4-stroke outboards and we will have them on display on our boats at the show.

The all-new 1550 Frontier is the complete package for a fisho who wants the best in a side console fishing machine.

Measuring at 15.5ft (4.7m) makes the 1550 Frontier an easy-to-handle sized boat no matter the occasion. Boasting a full complement of features like 80L fuel tank, casting deck, live bait tank, front electric motor bracket, 3 Shimano tackle boxes makes the 1550 Frontier unparalleled in the sub 5m boat market.

POLYCRAFT

Boat shows are a great way to check out the latest and greatest fishing and boating products all under one roof, with boats, motors, associated electronics and gear all represented and on display.

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MELBOURNE MARINE CENTRE

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Melbourne Marine Centre will have on display a great range of boats from Stacer, Northbank and Pioneer, all powered by Mercury Outboards.

Winning 2018 Stacer Vic/Tas Dealer of the Year has been very positive for MMC, and recognition that they were proud to receive. They will have the new models from Stacer on display, which feature the new Revolution Hull.

The new Revolution Hull features a concave V at the bow that maintains its aggressive shape through the length of the boat. This has improved the performance of the hull making it softer riding and drier when underway. The BIG reverse chines on the outside of the hull provide exceptional

They are also working with the guys from Salt Guide, Aaron Habgood and Gawaine Blake. They will have a site within the MMC stand promoting their online tutorial website, Salt Guide, along with some apparel from Patrick Dangerfield’s Reel Brand. www.

For more info, visit

The perfect boat for Victorian bays and waterways, and for light offshore work, the full range of Stabicraft hard tops 1850SC to 2400SC and runabouts will be on display.

Surtees brings us the 750 Game Fisher with twins – the range of hard tops and folding roof models, which is an Australian

So if you’re in the market for a new boat then it makes sense to check out what is on offer at this year’s Melbourne boat show.

Victorians love their boating almost as much as they love their footy, and Polycraft has an ever growing list of Victorian Polycraft owners enjoying the unique benefits of our soft riding and easy to maintain range of boats.

Polycraft boats can be found on the Aussie Boat Sales stand at the show, with models ranging from 3m to 5.3m as well as company representatives to help with inquiries.

AUSSIE BOAT SALES STAND NUMBER E14

melbournemarine.com.au.

MELBOURNE MARINE CENTRE STAND C7

first. We will see the much awaited all new Surtees 5.4 HARD along with the popular Surtees ‘Built To Fish’ range.

The all new luxury Parker range of cruisers and runabouts will also be on display.

For more info, visit www.

mymarine.com.au.

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JUNE 2018

ABS is basically a one stop shop for anything boating related and as the Melbourne Metro dealer for Polycraft boats, stock a range of these super tough iconic Aussie built boats at their Williamstown premises.

Also there is a chance to win a Polycraft To page 90

WINTER TIME =

TUNA TIME Arm yourself with the ultimate

!

Ready for action now at Bar Crusher HQ:

780HTP ONE ONLY! TOW AWAY TODAY $159,500

NORMALLY $179,500

Designed and built for long-range offshore sportfishing, the 780HTP’s fully-enclosed pilothouse offers complete protection from the elements while its super-strong hull will eat up whatever weather is thrown its way. Powered by twin 150hp Suzuki engines.

670HT FROM $79,990 Delivering exactly what hardcore anglers demand, this ultra-tough sportfishing machine will handle everything you – and the ocean – throw at it! Voted Australia’s Greatest Boat, the 670HT is an absolute Fishing Weapon.

615C FROM $59,990 Designed for inshore and offshore fishing, the 615C is one of the most popular models in the range. This versatile cuddy cabin boat is widely acclaimed as the perfect all-round boat for Australian conditions.

Other models ready to tow away today:

585HT, 615HT & 730HT, 490C, 535C, 575C & 670C Visit the showroom to see a huge range of Fishing Weapons starting from $34,990.

Call to speak with Matt Damian or Jason

0408 776 080 03 9792 2999

BAR CRUSHER EXCLUSIVES:

Download FREE Boat Buyer’s Guide

barcrusher.com.au

C SERIES

HT 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

HTP SERIES

WR SERIES

XS/SC SERIES

Follow us:

JUNE 2018

89

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE From page 88

300 Tuff Tender boat and Honda outboard engine for everyone who attends the 2018 Melbourne Boat Show. To enter scan your QR code at all six passport stands located inside the venue.

To register your QR Code, simply go online using the link provided on your ticket, or at the designated iPad tablets located at the entrance doors to the Show.

Good luck, and don’t forget to come and visit us at the Aussie Boat Sales stand at the Melbourne Boat Show.

To learn more about Polycraft, go to www.polycraft.com.au or call Aussie Boat Sales on (03) 9397 6977.

STREAKER MARINE STAND NUMBER C3A

Suzuki Marine is excited to be bringing some of its most recent release 4-stroke outboards to the Melbourne public including the revolutionary and innovative DF352A and its flagship outboard, the DF350A. Both of these feature never-before-seen outboard technology including contra-rotating props, dual louver system and dual injectors and

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

RAYMARINE

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

What turns a chartplotter into a multifunction display (MFD)?

Performance, technology and connectivity. In this spirit, Raymarine is pleased to announce LightHouse version 3.4, the latest free update to Raymarine’s LightHouse 3 OS software system, which will be on display at the Melbourne Boat Show.

Laden with upgrades and enhancements, LightHouse version 3.4 brings to your helm functions and digital services previously reserved for mobile phones.

LightHouse Apps are an exciting new way to expand the power and capabilities of LightHouse OS. Axiom users can now stream entertainment from Netflix and Spotify, as well as access Theyr’s GRIBview precision global weather service app.

With LightHouse Apps, Raymarine is making it easy for marine technology partners and app developers to integrate with Axiom and LightHouse 3 OS. And Raymarine will continue to expand LightHouse Apps with future support for Seakeeper gyro stabilizer control, Mazu satellite communications and more! LightHouse Apps are only available on Axiom and Axiom Pro Bluetooth Audio Output LightHouse 3.4 also adds Bluetooth audio output from Axiom and Axiom Pro MFDs. Connect Axiom’s Bluetooth to your marine stereo system or Bluetooth enabled speakers and enjoy digital audio from your streamed movies and music.

Bluetooth audio is only available on Axiom and Axiom Pro There’s plenty of other new features of LightHouse 3.4 as well, and you can check it all out at the show.

For more info, visit www. raymarine.com.au.

Not only will they be showcasing a large range boats from Australia’s most premium brands, but their friendly staff are always willing to have a chat, share their knowledge and help make your life better with a boat.

This year, Streaker Marine will be showcasing the brand new model from Streaker Boats, the 650 Streaker hard top.

This is the unveiling of a never-beforeseen model and it has certainly turned up to play. Jam-packed with all the goods like the reliable Yamaha F250XCA and, a crowd favourite, the Easytow Alloy trailer. You will not be disappointed!

Streaker Marine will be displaying five models from cult favourite Cruise Craft. To add to their already knowledgeable team, Nathan and Justin Nicholls from Cruise Craft in Queensland will be there to show customers exactly why these boats are the real deal.

And the one you’ve all been waiting for, Quintrex! With never-before-seen deals on your most loved models you will want to stop by and have a look at what we can offer. The highlights this year are the F390 Explorer Outback SC with the new Outback Hull, the 470 Stealth Hornet and the 5800 Yellowfin (soft top).

Everyone has different needs when it

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

STREAKER MARINE

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

If you are thinking about getting on the water then this year’s show is well worth a visit, especially to the Streaker Marine stand.

RAYMARINE STAND NUMBER B11a

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JUNE 2018

comes to boating, so Streaker Marine tailormake their boating packages to suit you. They have very competitive finance and insurance rates from YMF and YMI available and all boats purchased at the 2018 boat show will also come with a private, half day on-water boat handling course in your new rig.

What a time to be alive!

For more info, visit www. streakermarine.com.au.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••

SUZUKI MARINE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••

An exciting array of new release outboards and show-stopping boats from The Haines Group brands will be on display at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

are designed to be robust, easy to use and versatile, making them the ideal choice for large boats, whether for commercial or recreational use.

They’ll also have on display their DF100B – a lightweight, fuel efficient and powerful outboard that’s 25kg lighter than the DF100A, opening up Suzuki’s mid-range

SUZUKI MARINE STAND NUMBER E9a

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE outboard category to even more customers and a wide selection of boats. With exclusive boat show deals across their entire range, see them at the Suzuki Corporate stand or one of a number of dealer stands, including Boats & More, Bar Crusher Boats, Cranbourne Boating Centre, Geelong Marine World, Leisure Sports Marine or TRE Motorsport. www.

For more info, visit

suzukimarine.com.au.

transom rating up to 500hp (twin).

They’ll also have a great range of boats on display from Tournament Pleasure Boats with their dealers Geelong Marine World and Cranbourne Boating Centre. From trailerable sports cruisers to day cruisers and fishing boats, Tournament’s range of boats are perfect for Victorian conditions as they’re designed to withstand the harshest of Australian conditions.

HAINES SIGNATURE STAND NUMBER E6C

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

HAINES SIGNATURE

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

From Haines Signature Boats, you’ll see one of the biggest ranges on display for some time, including their new release 545F, a versatile, practical fishing boat that offers heaps of deck space with its open floor plan.

Whether it be Suzuki power for your boat, a complete boat package to get your family out on the water or you’re a serious angler set to brave all conditions, The Haines Group has a product for you at this year’s show.

See these and more at The Haines Group stand. www.

For more info, visit

485 SCORPION

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

www.horizonboats.com.au

signatureboats.com.au.

WHITTLEY MARINE GROUP

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Also at the show will be their 788SF, which has been making waves since its release in late 2017 and has been a key feature at the shows it has visited so far.

This Aussie-built centre console has set a new benchmark in the local fibreglass fishing boat market since its launch and is a formidable bluewater sports fishing machine that is available as a hard top and with a

CREATE YOUR ADVENTURES

Victoria’s largest fibreglass boat builder, Whittley Marine, is set to expand its 2018 Melbourne Boat Show presence with more new Whittley boats on display than ever before. Whittley will be showcasing the sharpest fibreglass boat packages at Victoria’s premier boating event.

Gary Honeychurch, VIC Sales Consultant, is very excited about the show.

“Whittley is back at this year’s Melbourne show in a big way, showcasing almost every model that we produce,” he said. “We have the best prices on fibreglass boat packages in Victoria, with the largest range.”

“I encourage all boat buyers to check

WHITTLEY MARINE STAND NUMBER D3

To page 92

For more information visit

or call your nearest dealer Chelsea Yamaha

13 Ashley Park Drive Chelsea Heights Victoria 3196 Phone 03 9772 1277 robert@chelseayamaha.com.au

Michael Parker Marine

4 Erica Court Albury NSW 2640 Phone 02 6043 1578 mick.parker.marine@bigpond.com

Swan Hill Power Products 40 Nyah Road Swan Hill Victoria 3585 Phone 03 5032 2116 warren@shpp.com.au

Wonthaggi Motorcycles & Power Equipment 48-52 Inverloch Road Wonthaggi Victoria 3995 Phone 03 5672 3500 sales@wonthaggimotorcycles.com.au

JUNE 2018

91

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE From page 91

out a Whittley, because our range offers something for nearly every fibreglass boat buyer’s needs.”

Whittley will display the most comprehensive trailerable fibreglass model ranges in the industry, across the company’s five model series. At the show will be the CRUISER (CR), a five strong model range of stern drive powered sports cruisers, the SEA LEGEND (SL), with its deep vee offshore performance fishing hulls with luxury appointed cabins, the CLEAR WATER, which is an affordable outboard powered family fishing packages starting at $39,990, the EXCESS (XS), a lifestyle oriented water sports packages, and lastly the FISH FINDER (FF), which is the hybrid

fisher/cruiser designed to accommodate the family and angler.

Yamaha will be powering the complete range of Whittley’s outboard powered boats at this year’s boat show. Whittley’s stern drive powered boats are exclusively fitted with Volvo Penta, featuring an all alloy block and freshwater cooled engines.

All boat show packages will be sold exclusively with Garmin and Fusion electronics and matched with custom designed premium Mackay alloy and steel trailers. All boats feature Whittley’s premium five year hull warranty.

“If you’re looking for a premium brand name package, at an affordable price with a show deal and premium advice and service, come and speak to our dedicated team of

ackle t h c u m Is too ugh? o n e y l r a pdates on not ne

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JUNE 2018

passionate boaties. We won’t be beaten on fibreglass packages in Victoria at this year’s show,” Mr Honeychurch added.

Whittley will also have finance and insurance experts on the stand to discuss Stratton Finance and Club Marine Insurance options to help make your boating dreams a reality.

The advanced Whittley Pulse System will also be on display, allowing patrons to experience a hands-on understanding of the system and how the functions integrate into a new Whittley boat.

The Melbourne Whittley Cruiser Club (Whittley Owners Club), will also be on hand at the stand. The Whittley Cruiser Club offers the opportunity for Whittley trailer boat owners to visit great boating destinations throughout Victoria with the club.

“Trailer boating is fun, one weekend you can be touring the Gippsland Lakes and the next cruising along the River Murray. A Whittley provides a unique experience as you can simply hook on behind a suitable tow vehicle and tow anywhere anytime and your holiday starts from the moment you get in the car with your family. With our range of vessels you do not need overwidth signs, flags, flashing lights or restrictions like many imported boats. You are not stuck in a marina berth, you can get out and change the location of your private water front beach house every weekend,” Mr. Honeychurch said.

Whittley is also offering a number of new initiatives for first time boat buyers who purchase at the show, on top of great sound advice. Working with key storage companies, both wet and dry storage, boat

handling courses and service centres around the state to tick all new boat buyers boxes to ensure a proper introduction into boating for first time buyers.

“We appreciate that for a first time boat buyer, making the right choice is difficult, there any many things to overcome, but it can be mastered. Things like, where to store the boat, where do I obtain a boat operators license, what vehicle is needed to tow the boat, and also the fear of using it. We have some great experienced

sales staff who can assist in this process, and offer great services like dry stack and a personalised on water hand over, to show new boat owners all the little tricks to successful boating,” added Mr Honeychurch.

For all sales enquires in Victoria, through Whittley dealer Whittley Victoria Sales, please contact Alan Whittley on 0421 170 192. www.

For more info, visit

whittleymarinegroup.com.au.

Club Marine logo_NEW.pdf

3/7/06

5:10:31 PM

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WE HAVE A LARGE RANGE OF BOATING ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE

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93

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE •• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

CHELSEA YAMAHA

CHELSEA YAMAHA STAND NUMBER B5

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

For this year’s show, Chelsea Yamaha has expanded its floor space to over 500 square metres to display a selection of their premier built boats.

Leading off with the premier brand, Haines Hunter will be displaying the custom 675 Offshore, along with 565 Offshore, the 595 Cruiser, 585r, 595 Offshore and the 535 Profish. All of these boats have been packaged for the show to give great value for money along with

finance rates at a low 4.99%, so now is the time to get on board.

From Queensland, the aluminium range of boats of Horizon and Stessl will be on display. Horizon Boats build their own range of approximately 80 different models and are one of the oldest family aluminium boat manufactures. Horizon also builds the Stessel range of plate boats.

Scott James the director of Horizon will be on hand at the show to help with any questions on the technical and build specifications.

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JUNE 2018

Stessco boats, also from Queensland, will also be displaying part of their range of boats, so if you’re in the market for an aluminium boat, make certain you come and check these boats out before making any purchasing decision. You will find a better built boat at a really affordable packaged price. The director, Donovan, and Manager, Adrian, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Chelsea Yamaha will also have a large range of the Yamaha motors for you to

view. If you’re looking to repower, you’ll find great boat show deals on these motors at the low 4.99% interest.

Boat covers and trimming will also feature on the Chelsea stand this year, and the trimmers will be there for questions you may have and show their work on

each of boats. So for any trimming needs, come and speak to the in-house trimmers at Chelsea Yamaha.

For more info, visit www.

chelseayamaha.com.au.

Craftsmanship Since 1946

S N O P A E W R E T A W E U BONLDISPLAY AT MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW WHY CRUISE CRAFT? POWERED BY YAMAHA - FACTORY FITTED FOAM FILLED - STRONGER, QUIETER, SAFER COMPLETE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION - NO WOOD! ZERO TOWING RESTRICTIONS - NOT OVERWIDTH!

VIC DEALER Streaker Marine 461 Mountain Highway, Bayswater VIC 3153 sales@streakermarine.com.au 03 9729 8288

www.cruisecraft.com.au

COME SEE STREAKER MARINE AT THE 2018 MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW 28 JUNE - 1 JULY

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE • • • • • • •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

SOUTHERN FORMULA

• • • • • • •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

Maritime Global, the manufacture of Australia’s premiere fibreglass boat brand, Haines Hunter, is excited to announce the development of an all-new brand Southern Formula. Southern Formula is manufactured within the same facility as Haines Hunter but is a completely new brand and model range aimed at the hardcore fishing market.

Southern Formula caters to a completely different demographic to the Haines Hunter brand and combines ‘old school’ looks with modern performance and, importantly, modern build quality.

The Southern Formula 24 was recently released to media and select industry at a Mercury event on the Gold Coast and all were blown away by its striking appearance and amazing ride and handling. A 21° deep vee hull with massive freeboard and an amazing looking wave breaker was a head turner.

“I see many people refurbishing old Haines Hunter boats and really finding out when it’s too late how much work and expense is involved to get the job finished,” Managing Director John Haber said.

“We are combining our history and old school look into a newly developed offshore performance hull that accommodates the weight of a 4-stroke engine, modern electronic packages and has ample free-

SOUTHERN FOMULA STAND NUMBER B16

board, massive cockpit space long range fuel capacity and wave breakers.”

Southern Formula can be a DIY package that will suit rec anglers or the commercial sector wanting to outfit and customise the boat as they wish. They will also be available

TAKE YOUR PICK with these Yamaha Melbourne show-stopping deals.

as a full turnkey factory package from the Southern Formula dealer network Australia wide. They have a basic flow-coated finish and none of the luxuries and trimmings.

The advantage of these new boats is they have a proven pedigree and built to the quality standard and finishes expected from Maritime Global. The designers have taken

$20 OFF PER HORSEPOWER

FREE RIGGING AND CONTROLS

ALL YAMAHA OUTBOARDS

Get your hands on more power for less with $20 off per horsepower between the F2.5 and F90 range.

Choose Yamaha Power and receive free Command Link gauges & controls.

F115 to F350 models only.

Make your dream a reality with a 4.99% comparison rate finance on all new Yamaha Outboards.

For full details, visit Yamaha at the Melbourne Boat Show 28.06.18 to 01.07.18. 4.99% comparison rate is available on all new Yamaha Outboards to approved applicants of Yamaha Motor Finance on a term of 24 to 60 months. Annual percentage rate is 2.87% with an application fee of $325.

Comparison rate is based on a 3 year secured fixed rate consumer loan of $10,000. Offer available to private buyers only, while stocks last. Offers advertised are only available at the 2018 Melbourne Boat Show. WARNING: The comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Credit criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Yamaha Motor Finance Aust. Pty Ltd. ABN 29 101 928 670. Australian Credit Licence 394553.

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JUNE 2018

into account all the benefits seen in the older Haines Hunter models, removed all the negatives and improved the hulls to meet modern day build and performance standards.

“The 24 is the boat you want if you’re in the market high performance and a retro look,” said John. “The new brand is priced accordingly to give the buyer the choice of a very basic boat at a competitive price or a highly optioned fishing machine. If the buyer wishes to fit out the boat themselves, all the parts will be available from the online store or it can be done for them in our Aftercare Centre.”

“This is an industry first and I am confident Southern Formula will offer greater choice for boaters searching for this type of rig.” www.

For more info, visit

haineshunter.com.au.

CHELSEA YAMAHA

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW SPECIALS ProFish 535

565 Offshore

A roomy yet affordable cuddy cabin. Great for fishing.

Fantastic family and fishing friendly package.

• Yamaha F150hp outboard • Haines Hunter custom easytow trailer • Stainless steel prop • Garmin ECHOmap 75sv Sounder & GPS

• Yamaha F115hp outboard • Haines Hunter custom easytow trailer • Bimini • Garmin Stryker Sounder/ GPS

IN STOCK NOW!!

$57,790

IN STOCK NOW!!

195 p/w

$

*

585R

285 p/w*

$

675 Offshore

A true go-anywhere do-anything package.

Superior performance in both inshore and offshore conditions.

• Yamaha F200hp outboard • Haines Hunter custom easytow trailer • Garmin Echo 75sv Sounder & GPS

IN STOCK NOW!!

$87,300

• Yamaha F300hp outboard • Haines Hunter custom easytow trailer • Transom upgrade • Garmin ECHOmap 95sv Sounder & GPS

$113,900

IN STOCK NOW!!

313 p/w

$

*

449 Fisherman Side Console Fisherman’s Dream packed with a huge list of features inc Front and Rear casting Decks. The best side console of it’s type.

$139,860

382 p/w*

$

485 Sunrunner Feature full fast back transom. This model has 4mm bottom and 3mm sides.

A REAL FISHING PLATFORM. • Yamaha 90hp 4 stroke • Dunbier trailer

• Yamaha 50hp 4 stroke • Stessco trailer

NEW MODEL IN STOCK NOW!!

$23,290

108 p/w*

$

IN STOCK NOW!!

$42,900

195 p/w*

$

Finance is available to approved personal applicants of Yamaha Motor Finance. Repayments are weekly equivalent of the monthly instalment and paid in 60 instalments in arrears with deposit, an application fee of $395 and annual percentage rate of 9.99%. The comparison rate is 10.56% pa and is based on a secured fixed rate consumer loan of $30,000 for five years. Offer valid until 31/07/2018. WARNING: The Comparison Rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Credit criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Yamaha Motor Finance ABN 29 101 928 670 Australian Credit licence 394553.

* Boat images for illustrative purpose - models may vary slightly

CHELSEA YAMAHA – 9772 1212

13 ASHLEY PARK DVE CHELSEA HEIGHTS – chelseayamaha.com.au

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE •• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

PORT PHILLIP BOATING CENTRE

find another person who can match Phil’s expertise in this arena.

The process from start to finish is one that involves the customer in all stages of

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

Port Phillip Boating Centre will again be displaying a huge range of Haines Hunter Boats powered by Yamaha outboards on Mackay Trailers at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

This winning combination has been very successful over the past 15 years that Port Phillip Boating Centre has been in operation and you would be hard pressed to

Port Phillip BC STAND NUMBER C9

the new purchase, from offering you the best deals at the beginning of the process, through to your involvement with the layout of options, rigging and final fit out. We can also offer you Yamaha Motor Finance and Yamaha Motor insurance to complete the package, along with ongoing service and customer support for your brand new Haines Hunter/Yamaha/Mackay package.

Port Phillip Boating Centre will have the biggest display of Haines Hunter product at the show and coupled with the best customers service and advice, rest assured that we will get you into the right Haines Hunter Yamaha and Mackay package that suits your needs. www.

For more info, visit

the needs of a wide variety of boat lovers – from the Verado’s refined performance, and the FourStroke’s fuel efficiency and rigging versatility, to the competitive edge that Pro XS models provide.

Along with the V-6 3.4L family announced in Feb, the new V-8 engines fill out Mercury’s industry leading portfolio in the 175-300hp range.

portphillipboatingcentre.com.au.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••

MERCURY MARINE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••

The thinking man’s boat!

Unique soft ride, virtually indestructible, little to no maintenance.

MILDURA LUCKNOW WARRNAMBOOL BENDIGO SHEPPARTON TRARALGON WILLIAMSTOWN WODONGA -

Baldwin Boats Bairnsdale Boats Richardson’s Marine Salem Boats Boats & More Gippsland Boat Supplies Aussie Boat Sales Leigh Martin Marine

03 5022 7596 03 5152 3220 03 5562 6373 03 5443 5717 03 5822 2108 03 5174 1223 03 9397 6977 02 6024 6555

Check out the full range of Polycraft Boats at

www.polycraft.com.au

or contact us on 1800 336 603

98

JUNE 2018

As part of the largest single new-product development program in the company’s history, Mercury is introducing nine next-generation outboard engines around the globe.

Mercury, the world leader in marine propulsion and technology, is now offering multiple new V-8 4.6L outboard engine models: the 250 and 300hp Verado, 250 and 300hp FourStroke, and 200, 225, 250 and 300hp Pro XS. Mercury has also released one new V-6 3.4L model: the 175hp Pro XS. Creating these next-generation outboards has prompted Mercury to make a major investment in expanding its manufacturing footprint to satisfy expected demand.

“In Miami, we said the V-6 was step one of our 2018 introductions and we are thrilled to officially announce step two,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “These new V-8 engines, like the V-6, will set a new benchmark in the marine industry in the eyes of the consumer.”

Mercury’s new V-8 and V-6 outboard engines are highly configurable to meet

“These engines are naturally aspirated, durable, powerful and provide options for the consumer that they’ve never had before,” Mr Pfeifer said. “This new lineup aligns with what consumers are asking for and we are delighted to deliver it to them.”

The new 250 and 300hp V-8 Verado outboard engines raise the bar for the marine industry – again. Continuing Verado’s legacy as the most refined outboard engine on the water, the new V-8 platform provides exhilarating performance across the rpm range.

These exciting new engines will be on show at the Melbourne Boat Show this year.

V&TFM editor Steve Morgan has an in-depth look at these new products on page 78. www.

For more info, visit

mercurymarine.com/en-gb/au.

MERCURY MARINE STAND NUMBER C6

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE •• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

YAMAHA

•• • • • ••••••••••••• • • • • • • • • •

PREMIUM BOATING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

rates on eligible repower options over 24-60 months and on all new 2018 WaveRunners over 24-36 months.

Completing the suite of offers is Yamaha Marine Insurance, who are offering a 30% discount on all policies for vessels sold at

On any other brand of trailer

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Exhibiting Yamaha dealerships are also offering exclusive deals at the show; including up to $1,800 off eligible 2.5-90hp outboards and free premium rigging worth up to $3,200 on eligible F115 to F350 models.

Yamaha Motor Finance are making ownership easy with super low comparison

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Yamaha Motor Australia, in conjunction with their Victorian dealership network, are excited to exhibit the latest in Outboard technology alongside some exclusive offers at the 2018 Melbourne Boat Show. With the largest display of outboards covering all horsepower ranges, there will be something for everybody at this year’s boat show. And with all Yamaha engines, legendary reliability and unmatched quality comes standard.

From the popular F25 and F90 to the powerful F350, Yamaha aims to inspire visitors this year by dedicating their display to the various marine lifestyles that can be enjoyed in Australia. From camping to offshore fishing and much more, Yamaha’s display at the Melbourne Boat Show will be sure to capture the best of living an on-water lifestyle.

Complementing the complete Yamaha Outboard range, is Yamaha’s leading range of outboard technology including the Helm Master, the fully integrated boat control system that allows captains to move their large offshore boats with ease, the recently introduced CL-7 (Command-Link 7”) packed with all the features to provide a seamless boating experience, and other Yamaha controls, displays and gauges.

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the Melbourne Boat Show with each new policyholder going into the draw to win one of four $500 Yamaha gift cards. This offer applies to new Yamaha Outboards and WaveRunners.

For more information, visit www. yamaha-motor.com.au/outboard.

For more information or to find your nearest Stessco dealer visit

www.stessco.com.au JUNE 2018

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EXTRA SERVICES AT THE MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW

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So you’ve just boat a new boat and want to know the proper procedures of boat handling or you might be an existing boater who wishes to develop and extend your knowledge and skills in powerboat driving. Why not take professional power boat handling lessons delivered by Professional Powerboat Training?

Professional Powerboat Training’s introductory lessons in boat handling skills and seamanship for the new boat owner or an advancement on skills for those with previous boating experience.

The aim of this lesson is to provide boat owners with the skill and confidence to safely enjoy their boat and to develop and improve vessel handling skills both at the ramp and out on the water.

Skills covered include pre-launch procedures, reversing boat trailer, launching safely and efficiently, use of required safety equipment, close quarter manoeuvring, coming alongside, use of fenders and lines, engine trim, safe boat operation, retrieving vessel back on the trailer, basic navigation and using a sounder and GPS. Another service available on the day will be Marine License Testing! This is

MARINE LICENSE TESTING Courses Days and Times Friday, 29 June Saturday, 30 June Sunday, 1 July 1 course per day Course Duration 3.5 hours and an extra 45 minutes for PWC component Time 11:30 am Cost Boat Licence: $90 PWC: $30 Requirements Please bring your Drivers Licence as a form of ID. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 require three forms of ID. - Passport - Birth Certificate - Medicare Card - Learners Permit

something that a lot of people put off, but now’s your chance to get in and get it done, and you’ll be driving your own vessel in no time!

Booking is essential, so please contact Lyn from the Volunteer Coast Guard by phone at (03) 9598 9092.

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SPECIFICATIONS BEAM – 2.50M DEPTH – 1.45M WEIGHT KG BOAT ONLY – 840KG BOTTOM – 4.0MM SIDES – 4.0MM PEOPLE – 6 MAX HP – 150 SHAFT – X LONG

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JUNE 2018

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• The map and stand numbers have been supplied by BIAV and are correct at the time of printing. However, they are subject to change closer to the date.

Arvor Boats Australia Aussie Boat Sales ACT/NSW Aussie Boat Sales Pty Ltd Australian Maritime College Australian Maritime Safety Authority Australian Motorcycle & Marine Finance Bar Crusher Boats BL Marine Blue Bottle Fishing Blue Nautilus Marine BoatCatch Boating & RV Boats & More Shepparton & Echuca BRP CH Smith Marine Chelsea Yamaha Club Marine Cobalt Boats

C7c B10 E14 A37 E3 D2c C4 D9 A9 A34 D1c B11 E9 B2 B9a B5 D13 D12

CoverCraft Boat Covers Cranbourne Boating /Evinrude Outboards Crawford Marine Every Battery Eyachts-Axopar Furuno Marine Entertainment Fusion Marine Entertainment Systems Garmin Electronics Geelong Marine World Hard Korr Lighting Harris Pontoons Australia Hobie Cat Asia Pacific Hot Tackle Hydra-Light Battery Free Lighting International Paints & Awlgrip Inverloch Marine J V Marine Jeanneau & Glastron

The Axiom MFD from Raymarine is reinventing navigation.

With faster performance, intuitive operation, and leading-edge technology, Axiom delivers unmatched awareness, above and below the water line.

• Powered by the all new, fast and fluid LightHouse™ 3 OS • Available with built-in RealVision™ 3D Sonar • Blazing-fast quad core performance • 4-in-1 wide spectrum CHIRP sonar transducers • Rugged and sleek, all-glass construction for any helm For more information, go to raymarine.com 102

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A1 E8a B9 A21 A13 B9b B16b B16b B3 A2 B1 A28, B6 E10 A15 A8 B4 D7 C6

Leisure Sports Marine Marine Audio Solutions Marine Plus Maritime Safety Victoria MasterCraft McQuarries Fibreglass & fabrications Melbourne Marine Centre Mercury Marine MY Marine Nautilus Marine Insurance Navico Opposite Lock 4WD & Vehicle Accessories Performance Marine Phillip Island Marine Pleasure Cruising Club Port Phillip Boating Centre RACV Marine Raymarine

A39 A33 A6 E3 D3 A3 C7 C6 D15 A12 B15 C8 D2 E13 A24 C9 B16d B11a

Regal Marine Runaway Bay Pontoon Boats Sealegs - Blairgowrie Marina Seaworthy Inspections Sirocco Marine Melbourne Southern Formula St Kilda & Wyndham Harbour Boat Sales Streaker Marine Stressfree Marine Supra Boats & Moomba Boats The Haines Group The Marine Shop Victorian Fisheries Authority Volvo Penta Western Port Marina Whittley Marine Group Wyndham Harbour Yamaha

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the all new generation 2 Etec.

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The proposed standards will bring Australia into line with best practice international standards to reduce air pollution and will apply to exhaust and evaporative emissions from newly imported or manufactured NRSIEE (non-road spark ignition engines and equipment). The proposed standards are performance rather than technology based and in general direct injection will meet all standards.

JUNE 2018

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AUSSIE BOAT SALES

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Based in the ACT, with branches at Bateman’s Bay Marina on the South Coast, Freshwater in Sydney and also Patterson Lakes in Melbourne, the team from Aussie Boat Sales pride themselves on providing a customised service for boaters. Aussie Boat Sales also service customers Australia-wide as one of Redco Trailers’ biggest suppliers, and can deliver trailers and new boat packages Australia-wide.

In the alloy plate range, Aussie Boats has partnered with Formosa and are Australia’s largest dealer of both the Tomahawk and Sea Rod ranges. Together with Ross and Duncan of Formosa Marine, Jason and Johanna from Aussie Boat Sales are stretching the boundaries of the Formosa range with the latest models on display at the show. The growing range in the Formosa line-up means they have a quality plate aluminium boat to suit every customer’s needs and budget.

Jason says they have a lot of repeat customers buying their second or third Formosa, going bigger each time, which speaks volumes about the quality of these boats. Interested parties are welcome to take them on the water to experience the ride for themselves, and that includes customers from Far North NSW to Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide and everywhere in between.

Aussie Boat Sales was just awarded 2017 Formosa Tomahawk Dealer of the Year. This is a great credit to the business and testament to their ability to cater for customers Australiawide, with the massive Honda family offering all the after-sales servicing along with a seven-

type of usage, including in the commercial market and marina-style operations as a hire or work boat.”

Aussie Boat Sales has also just become the main distributor for Black Dog Cat plate alloy twin hull boats coming out of New Zealand in the North Island. The Black Dog Cat range is well known for their build quality, performance and stability in the rough seas of New Zealand.

“We know the Aussie market will love these boats, and after testing them ourselves in New Zealand the performance is unbelievable,” Jason said.

The media and public launch to Australia for the Black Dog Cat brand will be at the Melbourne Boat Show, and the team will have the ground-breaking 630 Enclosed Cab with walkthrough, a 510 Cuddy with folding

rocket launchers and the 410 Side Console with enough room to swing a cat. These boats are ready for demonstration and water tests, and Australian Boat Sales are looking forward to getting them out to all the boat shows this year. For any information contact the team and they can forward video footage and brochures prior to the launch.

All of Aussie Boat Sales’ business partners have jumped on board the aussieboatsales360. com.au website, and when they launch this

Aussie Boat Sales is also one of Australia’s largest Honda Marine dealers, and are major business partners with Garmin, Redco-Tinka galvanised and aluminium boat trailers, Fusion Electronics, Sam Allen Wholesale Marine Products, Minn Kota, Savwinch, Horizon Aluminium Boats, Spotters Sunglasses, Railblaza Deck Hardware, Solas propellers

by AMS, Aussie Boat Transport and Freight, Ozzy Tyres ACT, Dometic Group (Waeco fridges and cookers), Mobile Boat Covers

completely new concept at the Melbourne Boats Show and all the other shows, their customers will be introduced to a completely new experience in buying a new boat. The fully interactive online showroom will take you on boat tours and help you decide on the style and options of the perfect boat for you.

“We at ABS thank all of our business partners for supporting this,” Jason said, “We are looking forward to showing and entertaining our customers with a whole new buying experience.”

and Marine, X-Factor wraps and signage in Sydney, Marine Graphics Ink Victoria, Mid North Coast Trucks - Isuzu - Macksville, Boat Names Australia, and the BIA throughout Australia.

ABS are also partners with Club Marine Insurance, and you can find them at stand B10 at the show, or head to the Aussie Boat Sales Pty Ltd stand at E14. In the meantime, if you want to talk to Jason, you can ring him on 0433 531 226 or visit www. aussieboatsales360.com.au.

STAND NUMBER E14

year warranty.

As well as with Formosa, Aussie Boat Sales is a dealer for Caribbean Boats. Since 1958 Caribbean Boats have had a formidable reputation in the fishing and fibreglass boat market in Australia. Jason specialises in the Trailerboat range of Caribbean boats, and those anglers who know the Reefrunner and the 2300 models know just how awesome these boats are.

Jason is also the sole distributor for the Sidewinder made by Micro Cat Boats here in Australia, and will have the all-new 4m twin cat on display at all the shows.

“It is a great fishing platform and we know that people are going to love the layout of this ingeniously designed boat,” he said.

“You must see it to believe it, and like all our brands it is great quality and at the right price.

This boat is definitely a boat that combines brand new ideas with a no-nonsense welldesigned boat which caters for just about any 104

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• CANBERRA • BATEMANS BAY • FRESHWATER • PATTERSON LAKES

NEW

www.aussieboatsales360.com.au.

0433 531 226

Call Jason sales@aussieboatsalesactnsw.com.au www.aussieboatsales360.com.au JUNE 2018

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Bar Crusher 575C vs 615C, which is best for you? *Manipulated image

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and want a cheaper (by around $10K) rig that’s a little easier to launch, store and handle by yourself, then the 575 may be the rig for you.

If you like to travel more to fish and do it with a couple of mates and want a bigger tank that translates to more range, then the 615 will offer all of these benefits, and it’s

DIFFERENCE TABLE Main: Definitely not the natural environment for a pair of tough-as-nails Bar Crushers, but even a thoroughbred needs a little bit of quiet paddock time, right?

Above: All Bar Crusher hulls feature their unique water ballast system that fills while the craft is at rest and empties quickly as the boat takes off, giving the best of both worlds – stability and performance with minimal beam. through its water ballast system. Both of these boats feature Bar Crusher’s Gen 2 hull design with incorporated water ballast system.

Overall, the Bar Crusher hulls are a little narrower than most hulls for their length, which explains their sea legs. At rest, the water ballast fills up and sinks the

chines deeper in the water, giving the hull greater stability.

When you take off, the water virtually instantly runs out the back of the cavity, vented through the anchor well. It’s a neat system that’s stood the test of time.

“The length beam equation in a bit of a dark

Feature 575C Length: 5.75m Beam: 2.15m Material: 4mm bottom/3mm sides Trailer: Single axle for local trips BMT weight: 1360kg Internal gunwale height: 730mm Height on trailer: 2.15m Horsepower: 115hp Price: from mid-$50K Top Speed: 62km/h@6,000rpm Best economy: 2.6km/L@4,400rpm Theoretical range: 280km Price: from mid-$50K that are options on most other brands.

“These boats come with a bait board, boarding ladder, through transom door, bilge pump, twin batteries, live bait tank, hard top roof,

575C

The 615 is 10cm wider than the 575 and offers an extra 5cm of internal gunwale height.

Doesn’t sound like much but it makes a difference, especially offshore.

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We recently had the opportunity to test a couple of Bar Crushers out on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne; the 5.75m and 6.15m Cabin versions that are incredibly popular rigs in the Bar Crusher range.

Instead of presenting a couple of very similar boat tests, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to look at the similarities and differences in these two rigs to help you make the decision about which one is the best for your fishing and boating needs.

And although there’s only a legal snapper-anda-half difference in length between these boats, it equates to a lot more than you’d think by the time the boats are on a trailer and ready to fish.

BAR CRUSHER 101 Bar Crusher is a Melbourne-made boat that’s famous for its build quality, finish and stability at rest

CO

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

clears and a rocket launcher,” said Matt, “You only need to choose your electronics like sounder, radio and maybe an anchor winch to complete the package.”

WHAT DO WE RECKON? After looking at the differences between these two rigs, there’s a couple of conclusions that

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art that I think we’ve got pretty much right for both these hulls,” said Bar Crusher’s Sales Manager, Matt Urzia, who is much more comfortable 10ft above the water off the back of a wave than he is in front of a camera.

Matt also outlines the standard feature list in these boats, which includes many

FMG

we’ve come to.

Firstly, these rigs’ standard inclusions are, indeed, very generous and the fact that they’re matched with locally made Easytow trailers means that Bar Crusher will ensure that the cradle is suitable for the hull.

Urzia also says that if you want a single axle or twin axle on either rig, that’s legal and achievable.

So, you’d opt for a twin axle if you’re doing a lot of highway miles; or, a single if you need manoeuvrability or use your boat locally most of the time.

We’re particularly impressed with the cleverness of the fold-down hard top and windscreen that allows you to fit these boats in most garages.

If you usually fish with one to two anglers, locally,

615C 6.15m 2.25m 4mm bottom/4mm sides twin axle for longer trips 1500kg 780mm 2.20m 140hp (max. 150hp) from mid-$60K 60km/h@6,000rpm 2.7km/L@3800rpm 370km from mid-$60K price tag justifies the extra abilities.

It’s a simple conclusion and definitely stands up to the ‘boat ramp test’, which is the nautical version of the ‘pub test’.

Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy the features and never break these Aussiebuilt tanks of boats. Make sure that you watch the video review of this comparison on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel - you can do it on your smartphone by scanning the QR code hereby.

For more information, visit www.barcrusher.com. au or talk to the guys at the Melbourne Boat Show.

They’ll have everything you need at both of these places to help decide which is the best Bar Crusher for you in their range.

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You’d also think that the 140hp was faster than the 115hp? Wrong again. The 575 was a little bit faster than the 615 at WOT, even if slightly less economical.

Although both models can be fitted on single or twin-axle Easytow trailers, there’s a good case for twin axle for long trips and a single axle for local journeys. Single axles can also be manoeuvred around easily in a tight garage.

You’d think that the extra 25hp on the 615 would make it less efficient, right? Wrong.

The 140hp Suzuki delivered marginally better fuel economy than the 115hp on the 575.

Erected, the folding hard rooftop offers rod storage and shade. The 575 folds down to 2.15m while the 615 is 2.20m high when folded down.

Both the windscreen and the folding hard rooftop fold down on both models and there’s ample space to flush mount electronics of your choice.

Both models feature an enclosed cabin with bunks for overnight comfort. The 615’s wider beam gives it a little more space.

Bait boards are options on most boats on the market. On the Bar Crushers in this size range, they are standard.

Plumbed livewells and transom doors are also Bar Crusher Standard. Take this into account when comparing boats of different brands.

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for fishing offshore in less than perfect weather.

The console is easy to walk around and has all-round grab-rails for your mates. The helm is offset to the port side and there’s a flush mounted 7” Simrad as standard. All other switches are available and

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Admit it – you’ve all dreamed about it – heading off into the sunrise in a slick, fibreglass American fishing boat. The boat’s landing softly into the small swell, your rod racks are loaded with premium gear and there’s a dozen live baits happily swimming around in the livewell, blissfully unaware of their impending fate. Then you wake up and the alarm is telling you it’s time to go to work instead of the ramp.

Brisbane’s Northside Marine is doing its very best to help you achieve this dream. Stalwart salesman Bill Hull recently talked to FM about how the Sportsman dealership came to be.

“Like everyone, I had the dream of selling this kind of boat, but it wasn’t

PERFORMANCE

Main: There’s no denying that the Sportsman hulls look good on the water – clean lines and an upswept bow make the 19 Island Reef a rig that’ll turn heads on the water and at the ramp.

Above: With the hammers down on the 115hp Yamaha, it’s definitely hold onto your hats time. boats on order – plenty of which were pre-sold to keen anglers in the Brisbane area.

The Island Reef 19 is a great all-round boat to cross over between inshore and offshore waters. Taking it out

SPECIFICATIONS Length.........................................................5.8m Beam...........................................................2.3m Capacity.......................................... Six persons Fuel............................................................. 113L Max hp.......................................................... 115 until recently that things fell into place,” Bill said.

Sportsman is a brand that is only six years old in the USA, but is growing in leaps and bounds. It was a perfect match for Northside, who are meticulous in their preparation of boats to deliver to their customers.

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complete with straps to lock it in.

A couple of non-skid SeaDek pads are at the helm as well – good looking and practical. There’s a livewell in the starboard transom corner and the entire deck is self-draining. I imagine this would be an easy boat

on a nasty test day in Moreton Bay, it demonstrated an ability to drive soft and dry at the right combination of speed and trim. It’s simple and effective as a fishing platform and is guaranteed to turn heads both at the ramp and on the water.

Let’s look at a few of the features. Packages from Northside for this model

start at $60k, which include a Yamaha 115, Twin Axle trailer and a 7” Simrad. We didn’t have the metering available to do the economy figures, but there is data available for a Yamaha 90hp, which will display very similar economy figures.

Delivering 2.6km/L at 4000rpm, the 90 would give a theoretical range of over 250km – ample for nearly every weekend trip you’ll ever do. With the rough conditions, we didn’t get a top speed reading on the 115, however it was spinning an identical alloy 19” propeller, so you can add a couple of km/h for the extra few revs.

From the upswept bow back, there’s a raised casting deck with dry, under-deck storage for anchors and other bulky items. It’s a one-person deal, so it’d be

a great spot to throw casts at pelagic or reef edges while the other angler is at the helm.

The rest of the floor is low and eminently suitable

RPM Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) 1000.............................. 6...............................4 2000............................ 10............................2.5 3000............................ 17............................1.6 4000............................ 39............................2.5 5000............................ 52............................2.3 6000............................ 67............................1.8 *Supplied figures are for 90hp Yamaha with 19” alloy prop. easy to reach. There’s also dry storage underneath the console for your valuables.

The helm seating is flexible, with a removable backrest and space for a cooler underneath –

The variable deadrise and upswept bow mean that you have the best chance of a dry ride with the correct trim and attitude.

to keep clean, with not too many corners to get the blood and guts stuck in. The battery sits in an under-deck compartment.

Of course, you can go crazy on the options list on this boat and add anything from factory T-Tops to cushion packages for the bow, but just as it is, there’s so much scope for fun fishing all over Australia that your head will be swimming with options.

For more information, contact Cameron Bow at Sportsman Boats AustralAsia on 0413 119 051, or you can check out the Australian Sportsman website at www. sportsmanboats.com.au.

Make sure you also watch the video test of this boat to see it in action – there’s a QR code to scan hereby or you can search for it on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel.

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Under the front casting deck there are a couple of dry hatches – one for the anchor and the other for your bulky gear.

The Yamaha F115 fitted on Northside Marine’s Sportsmans are factory fitted but are still backed

by Yamaha Australia for a full local warranty.

That 16° of transom deadrise takes the sting out of landing on windy days.

The stainless steel bar that wraps around the console is handy for the driver and passengers alike. There’s extra storage under the front seat.

The seat back is removable and you can fit a cooler under the seat framing. Vertical rod storage is provided on each side of the console.

A 7” Simrad comes standard with the boat and is covered by a full, local warranty.

Top Left: You can sit a couple more people comfortably on each side of the outboard and the space underneath is also available.

The battery is under the floor hatch.

Top Right: The rear starboard seat hides a built-in livewell with horizontal divider.

Above: Supplied on a hydraulic braked, twin axle I-beam trailer, the Sportsman rig is safe and 100% Australian compliant.

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Custom Stacer Outlaw 449 with Mercury 60hp

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valve caps.

With packages starting from around $27,000, the Outlaw is a neat little boat.

Turn it into the weapon that MMC has done and it’s a touch under $50,000 to drive away.

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

If there’s one thing Andrew Stephen and his team from Melbourne Marine Centre are good at, it’s attention to detail. Every time we test a boat from MMC, it’s impeccably presented and fine-tuned. They’re the same with their customers, which is why they have a growing band of loyal Melbourne customers.

And when they set up their demo boats, there’s always a laundry list of options fitted that turns a good boat into a head-turning rig. We saw it previously with the Stacer Crossfire affectionately named Hodor (watch the video review on our YouTube channel) and here’s a smaller version made up on the Stacer Outlaw 449 hull.

SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall... 4.85m Beam.................. 2.12m Hull Weight........ 370kg Transom............... 3mm Fuel........................ 50L Max hp................. 60hp The boys have turned an entry-level $26K package into an all-singing, all-dancing $50K rig with features that rival much bigger boats.

Fitted with a 60hp Mercury 4-stroke, the rig yields great fuel economy of up to 3km/L, but let’s face it – you’re not buying a rig like 110

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anyway,” Andrew said.

“We just help them check the boxes.”

You can talk to the Melbourne Marine Centre staff more at their showroom and you can visit them online on www.melbournemarine.

PERFORMANCE

Main: Striking both on and off the water, Andrew Stephen and his Melbourne Marine Centre team are always kicking goals with their shop demo boats. And don’t think there’s no market for them – they sell plenty of mega-optioned rigs like this!

Above: There’s no denying that the wrap adds that wow factor – no matter what angle the boat is viewed from. this to travel cheaply. You’re buying it because you want your quality time on the water to be a pleasure to experience.

In that light, let’s run through some of the options that are in this little pocket rocket.

From the bow, there’s a Stress Free anchor winch and MotorGuide Xi5 electric motor, which will keep you in place whether you want to be tied to the bottom or not.

Under the front casting deck there’s plenty of space and it’s split between a livewell and open storage, as well as the batteries for the trolling motor. There’s also a Fusion waterproof speaker mounted adjacent to the livewell. I’m unsure how this will go with constant saltwater spray and immersion, however time will tell.

Step back again and

there’s a rod box on the port side and a well-designed console on the starboard and a pair of helm seats with armrests to complement them. Telwater’s rotomolded consoles keep getting better. This one can flush mount large electronics and there’s clever use of space in the console storage areas, especially in the the one under the windscreen.

The console boasts an array of tech with a Garmin fishfinder, Fusion sound gear and Mercury Vessel View to give you your engine stats.

Fishing in the dark? No worries – there’s a removable headlight, underwater transom lights and underrail LED light bars to make life easy when the sun goes down.

The whole package is vinyl wrapped with a

MMC design that matched Andrew’s company vehicle perfectly – even the

RPM......Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) 840............................6........................ 6.0 1000..........................6........................ 4.6 2000........................ 10........................ 4.3 3000........................ 13........................ 2.2 4000........................ 27........................ 2.5 4500........................ 35........................ 3.0 5000........................ 39........................ 2.7 When asked if these kitted out rigs are popular.

“Absolutely! We never have a problem selling our demo boats because our customers usually aspire to this level of accessories

com.au. Make sure you like them on Facebook as well on the Melbourne Marine Centre page. And if you want to watch this boat in action, scan the QR code hereby on your smartphone to see the full video review.

With the 4-stroke, fifth generation 60hp Mercury behind it, the rig delivered best economy of 3km/L at 4500rpm and 35km/h with 50L of underfloor fuel – that gives a theoretical range of around 150km.

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The rig measures in at about 6m, which means that it’ll fit in nearly all garages and a single axle means that you can manoeuvre it around.

The shaped transom deadrise is a real Telwater trait. You can also see that there’s properly strained livewell inlets and the standpipes drain back to the ocean.

Everyone needs a set of these in their boat – anything from grown men to squid are mesmerised by them.

I’m a fan of simple rod lockers – they let you bundle rods while travelling, although this one will be made longer by cutting out the end of the box to get longer rods in.

Nowadays, there aren’t too many people who would put together a rig like this without a bowmounted electric motor. A stealthy approach and the ability to help position while drifting are core to many modern techniques.

There’s no wasted space up and under the raised front casting deck.

We loved the armrests on the helm seats. And we also liked that all accessories are flush mounted and not hanging out the side on RAM mounts.

Above left: Is the Stressfree anchor winch an overkill? Not if you anchor up and bait fish a lot. Once you’ve had one you’ll never be without one again.

Above right: The rear livewell is more of a bait well, but is plumbed just like the big unit up front.

Every pimped-up boat needs a set of headlights, right? They are remarkably practical while driving at night.

The fifth generation Mercury 60hp 4-stroke works with all SmartCraft gauges, including the flash VesselView 4 at the dash.

Peak economy of 3km/L is also up there.

You can’t see it in this pic, but there’s plenty of storage under the windscreen in a dedicated box!

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Cruise Craft 595EX with Yamaha F200 4-stroke - SC

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Main: At full cry, the Cruise Craft 595 looks, sounds and feels great. It’s what you’d expect from a premium Australian boat builder. And Cruise Craft have a sound relationship with Yamaha – the F200 is an ideal power plant for the type of fishing you’d do in this rig, delivering just under 1.9km/L at cruising speed.

Above: Although the test day on Port Phillip Bay was glamorous, the rough water ability and quietness of the Cruise Craft hull is legendary. We can report that it goes well on flat water! the maximum 200hp. At over 2t on the trailer, it’s not a light rig, however the F200 delivered maximum economy of 1.8km/L at 3600rpm and a comfortable cruising speed of 40km/h.

Want to drive this rig flat out? No worries, it’ll give you a smooth 77km/h at 5900 rpm and 1km/L, so ease up on the throttle if you want less pain at the bowser.

From bow to stern, the

Length.......................................................5.95m Length Overall..........................................6.35m Length on trailer.........................................7.5m Height with targa.....................................3.22m Height with screen..................................2.43m Tow weight............................................. 2100kg Beam.........................................................2.44m Transom deadrise........................................ 20° Transom height..............................................XL Max hp......................................................200hp Recommended hp................................... 175hp Capacity.......................................... Six persons Fuel............................................................. 190L JUNE 2018

store your boat undercover in an area with limited height.

Want to know more about this rig? You can see it at the Melbourne Boat Show or you can watch the video review on YouTube on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube

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If you’re a fan of Fishing Monthly boat tests, you may remember the test that Streaker Marine’s Sean Savage and I did on the $200,000 Cruise Craft 685HT. Powered by a 300hp Yamaha, it’s a dreamboat for plenty of anglers out there, and Sean has seen plenty of them roll out the door ever since. This time, we’re taking one of the smaller Cruise Craft models for a spin – the 585EX with a 200hp Yamaha.

Built in Brisbane to exacting standards and factory fitted with motors and trailers, Cruise Craft boats have a reputation for quality and a price tag to match.

Incidentally, the Cruise Craft factory also makes the Streaker boat brand now in Brisbane. This test is for Streaker Marine. It’s a small world in the boating industry.

The 595EX (Explorer) is the third smallest and third largest fishing boat in the Cruise Craft range. Designed to run a 175hp outboard, the test boat was fitted with

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water up and it carries its beam a long way forward.

That gives it the ability to stay on the plane at slower speeds, which helps while driving in rough water.

When looking at the differences between the base

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build and design quality is obvious and the boat rides quietly on the water. At the helm, there’s ample space for whatever suite of electronics you want to fit to be flush mounted. The helm seating is comfortable and designed to store coolers underneath.

I’m a particular fan of the soft top fitted with a slide out sunshade, especially in northern climates where it’s virtually mandatory to fish undercover. The test boat was also fitted with clip-in carpet, which makes life easier at the wash-down stage, especially if you’ve had a busy day on the fish.

Sean Savage has sold plenty of Cruise Craft packages and rates the 595EX as “The best bang for buck in the Cruise Craft range.”

“And the resale value of these rigs is also amazing.

The fact that everything is plush and factory-fitted means that there’s ultimate

confidence from both the dealers and the customers that everything is done right.

We love selling them,” Savage continued.

“What I also like about the hull design is that it was made from scratch from the

RPM................... km/h.................... km/L 700............................5........................ 1.7 1000..........................7........................ 2.5 2000........................ 15........................ 1.9 3000........................ 24........................ 1.6 3600........................ 40........................ 1.8 4000........................ 45........................ 1.7 5000........................ 61........................ 1.3 5900........................ 77........................ 1.0 *As tested with a 17” S/S propeller model price (packages start from low $90K) and the test boat ($111,850), a lot of the cost is made up of the stainless steel, factory-fitted folding Targa top. Erected, the boat’s height tops out at 3.22m, but folded down you can fit it into a garage with a 2.45m clearance. That’s important if you need to

channel, or by scanning the QR code on the page hereby with your smartphone.

Or, of course, you can chat with Sean and the guys from Streaker Marine.

Their contacts are on www. streakermarine.com.au.

While you’re at it, like them on Facebook on the Streaker Marine page.

At wide-open throttle, like all boats, the economy drops. If you want to go 77km/h at 5900rpm, the fuel calculations become easy – you get 1km/L burned.

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The 595 is supplied from the factory on an Australian built Easytow trailer with twin axles.

Indeed, the whole boat/motor/trailer is factory rigged for the best in quality control.

There’s plenty of cockpit space and removable carpet to aid cleaning after a big day on the water.

Here’s the rear bench seat deployed. The mechanism is strong and neat to pack away.

You can store a few rods or gaffs in the side pocket as well as tackle in the bottom section.

This model comes with a sliding, lockable cabin door for privacy and security.

Now there’s a helm that’ll hold all the electronics you’ll want to put into a $100K+ boat.

Cruise Craft cabins are always a combination of style and practicality. This one takes an optional toilet for a weekend away.

The 20° of deadrise at the transom and a 2.44m beam combine to offer good ride and stability at rest.

Cruise Craft’s bait stations have evolved over the years to this design, and it’s removable for family days.

The slide out shade option on the targa top is wonderfully practical and you can keep your excess rods out of the way above it.

The Stressfree electric anchor winch is bordering on a standard inclusion rather than an option.

Once you’ve had one, you’ll never go back.

Cruise Craft’s Yamahas are factory fitted in Brisbane for the best in quality control.

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Revival 590 Cruiser with Mercury 150hp 4-stroke - SC

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Length.................. 5.9m Length Overall..... 6.2m Beam.................. 2.34m Deadrise.................20° Transom................... XL Fuel...................... 130L Max hp............... 175hp tested for many years now.

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by Sam Catanese of Stejcraft fame right here in Melbourne,” Barney said.

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There’s no doubt that there’s a big market in Australia for a family-cruiser style boat. We’ve tested plenty over the years and there’s something special about being able to spend a night or two on your prideand-joy and then trailer it home. Such experiences are usually reserved for big boats that you need to keep on permanent moorings.

Melbourne’s massive boat dealership, JV Marine, sells Melbourne-built Revival boats and we got JV’s Barney Friend to take us out in a Revival 590 Cruiser.

Recently, JV Marine became a Mercury motor dealer, so the test boat came fitted with a Dunbier trailer and a 3.0L Mercury 4-stroke outboard – a rock solid power plant that’s been tried and

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transom deadrise offered a great ride at all sea angles and speeds. There wasn’t a trim combination that made me feel uncomfortable, even if the hull did sound a little noisy at speed.

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those in the market for a boat like this. As tested, the Revival with 150hp Mercury costs $73,999 – and basic packages on the same hull start from the low $60Ks. You’ll find it hard to buy cheaper in the new

PERFORMANCE RPM......Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) RPM.................... km/h..................... km/L 650............................5........................... 1000..........................7........................... 3000........................ 32........................ 2.1 3500........................ 42........................ 1.9 4000........................ 51........................ 1.8 5500........................ 72........................ 1.2

Main: With its full canopies fitted, the Revival offers a dry and warm ride for the family and the creature comforts to enjoy the environment.

Above:With easy through-transom access from the dock or on the water, the ‘canopy-on’ version is very family-friendly.

Barney said. “We take them through the whole process from ordering through to options and the build. By the end they become your friends and that’s what we like in boating.”

Indeed, the story of this Revival is its versatility. Fitted will an all-round canopy, it’s a comfortable base for a day or weekend on the water. Spend a few minutes removing the canopies and it turns into a boat that’s eminently capable of matching the rest come snapper season. There’s plenty of wet underfloor storage for your catch and options to flush mount the sounders you need to find them.

With 200L of fuel underfloor, the Revival

doesn’t struggle for range.

The 150 Mercury delivers 2.1 km/L at 3250rpm and 32km/h, suggesting a theoretical range of over 400km. Drop the hammers and the rig maxed out at 5500rpm and 72km/h – and drank more fuel – you’d get just over half as far at WOT than you’d get at the best cruising speed – something to keep in mind if you’re worried about pain at the bowser.

It also doesn’t struggle for torque, throwing up the (admittedly empty) hull easily in a few boat lengths.

Height-wise, it won’t fit into a modern 2.15m high garage, but JV can configure it to fit in one with a clearance of 2.35m.

On the water, the 20° of

twin axle trailer with mechanical brakes, this rig will tow well behind most modern SUVs as it weighs in at just under 2000kg.

It is, however, the price that will turn the heads of

boat market.

For more info, drop into JV marine at 878 Springvale Rd, Braeside, give them a call on (03) 9798 8883, or visit their website at www. jvmarine.com.au.

Supplied on a Dunbier, mechanically-braked, twin axle trailer, the Revival is towable by most family SUVs.

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The combination of boarding ladder and step-through transom makes access from the water or on the ground easy.

That’s 20° of transom deadrise to help smooth the ride on a rough trip home.

Custom cut and routed deck coverings look great and are easily cleaned.

There’s a huge wet storage area underfloor that can hold your catch or the swimming gear. It works for both.

Lined side pockets hold a few rods and the tackle that you need to keep quickly accessible.

There’s no space wasted – the passenger has a neat little area to dry-store your essentials.

The cabin access is fairly open and it’s well appointed up front.

The seat-base mounted table is highly functional for family activities, yet stows away in seconds when you want to change the Revival into a fishing machine.

Check out that dash space! There’s plenty of room to mount your preferred combination of electronics at the helm and it seems to be viewable from where you’d fish.

There’s not much to say about the 3.0L Mercury 4-stroke platform, apart from the fact that it’s a great match for this hull. JV staff and customers have really embraced the switch to the brand.

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Haines Hunter 585R with Yamaha F200 4-stroke

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We hope for windy days while boat testing, but not at the speed that Port Phillip Bay dished out while testing this Haines Hunter 585R (runabout), fitted with a Yamaha F200 by Chelsea Yamaha.

As one of the rigs that Rob Neely and his team are setting up for their stand at the Melbourne Boat Show, I was keen on testing its Port Phillip Bay abilities in some breeze.

The 30+ knots and washing-machine-like conditions put a pretty rapid halt to that. Nonetheless, we were able to get the rig out on the water and

eventually find a location where we could do some economy figures.

To put the hull into perspective, I asked Rob why Haines Hunters were such a popular boat.

“Lots of people buy a Haines Hunter and then never buy anything else,” Rob said. “It’s a combination of comfort, stability, economy and resale value.”

Indeed, Rob had plenty of Haines Hunters in the showroom when we turned up at the dealership to pick up the test boats.

By nature, the runabout design is pretty simple.

Runabouts are made with less cabin space and more SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall..... 6.0m Beam.................. 2.40m Hull Weight........ 950kg Transom..................25” Fuel...................... 230L Max hp................... 200

From above you can get a good idea of the amount of room in the sub 6m craft. There’s plenty of space there to get some serious fishing done.

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cockpit to offer serious anglers plenty of fishing room down the back. The 585 definitely has plenty of space, with a 2.4m beam adding to the work area.

The test boat was set up for fishing, with rocketlauncher style rod holders in the targa top, a large bait station and plenty of room in the side pockets.

It was also fitted with the removable side door to help in loading the boat on the trailer and getting swimmers and divers out of

Top: As tested, this is the boat that you get for $113,900 – nearly 6m of Australianbuilt Haines Hunter 585R. With custom canopy and clears from Chelsea Yamaha, it’s well decked out for snapper fishing in the bay and beyond.

Above: Both the hull and trailer are Melbourne-built. The tandem, galvanised Easytow features plenty of rollers to make drive on and off launching easy – even on windy days like the test day. the water when afloat.

Often the importance of a good trailer under a hull is overlooked. The Aussiemade Easytow trailers work well under these hulls and the combination of wobble and keel rollers make it a pleasure to drive on and off, even in windy conditions like on the test day. Dual axles are a must for any rig around 2000kg and this rig will tow easily behind nearly all twin-cab 4WDs. As expected, Yamaha’s F200 delivered exceptional economy, squeezing just under 2km/L burned at 4000rpm and 39km/h.

Combine this with the 230L underfloor fuel tank and there’s a theoretical range of nearly 450km on a single fill. If that’s not enough for you, you’re going to need a bigger boat.

At the helm, Yamaha’s new fly-by-wire digital throttle and shift impressed.

It takes a little to get used to the sensitivity and smoothness of this new system, but once you do, you’ll never want to go back to mechanical throttle cables again.

Overall, you should look at the 585R if you’re more of a fisher than a family weekend kind of

person. It’s designed with plenty of room and storage for all things piscatorial.

But the significant other and kids will be comfortable nonetheless if they want to tag along.

Haines Hunters aren’t cheap – the test rig weighed in at $113,900, however basic packages for this hull start at around $90,000.

Give Rob and the staff at Chelsea Yamaha a call for more information or see them and this boat at the Melbourne Boat Show.

Find them online at www. chelseayamaha.com.au and like Chelsea Yamaha on Facebook.

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The 2.4m of beam combined with a deep vee make this a stable hull that rides well in the rough.

The R in the model name means ‘runabout,’ which translates to plenty of deck space and a smaller cabin. You can see the lid to the massive underfloor kill box between the helm and passenger seats.

The helm includes the Yamaha digital throttle and shift, which is very smooth and impressive. We’d like to be able to mount larger sounders flush into the dash, though.

Lenco trim tabs help you adjust the attitude when running heavy or uneven loads. With the lightly loaded boat we didn’t need them on the test day.

There’s enough cabin room to get out of the weather and it’s no problem to fit an optional portable toilet in there to keep the family happy.

The fold-out rear lounge isn’t full width, but can hold a couple of passengers. The rear bait station slides in and out.

There’s an optional, removable gunwale door and tons of room in the side pockets. The door slides out rather than being hinged.

A clear anchor well door lets in a lot of natural light to the cabin.

Rob Neely reckons that the Yamaha F200s are ‘bulletproof’. We didn’t shoot it to find out, but they are definitely economical, giving a theoretical range of around 450km.

Talk to Chelsea Yamaha about custom stainless targa and canopy/clears combinations.

They have a full trim shop in-house.

Call it a kill box or a wet storage area for your snorkeling gear. Whatever your bent, it’s a handy addition to the 585.

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Clark 520 Legend SC with 115 Suzuki 4-stroke - SC

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SPECIFICATIONS Overall Length... 5.38m Beam.................. 1.35m Depth................. 1.06m Hull weight........ 560kg Min hp.................. 70hp Max hp................115hp Bottom and sides.3mm Max people............. Six offers a greater range of opportunities for fishing and recreational boating.

FIRST IMPRESSION The 520 Legend really gives the feeling of being bigger than it is. The cockpit area is wide and open, with high gunwales and grab rails.

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The Clarke 520 Legend was launched at the 2017 Melbourne Boat Show and has proven to be a very popular addition to their range. We have wanted to test one for a while, but sales have been so strong that it has taken us up until now to find one available to review. Boats and More in Shepparton and Echuca will again have a good range of Clark Boats at this year’s show, with the 520 Legend the headline act.

This is the largest of the Clark boats we have tested for the magazines, as the majority of boats tested in the past have been focused on fishing in our estuaries, lakes and rivers. The 520 Legend

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3.6km/L of fuel burned – that’s nearly 400km out of the boat’s 110L fuel tank and plenty for any day’s fishing!

At the end of the test, Mark Frost volunteered to have a ski behind the boat (the outside temperature was nice,

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dual axle trailer provides better highway towing. It was also set up to be launched and retrieved by one person if necessary, and on the day we drove the boat on and off the trailer with ease.

Always tell your dealer

PERFORMANCE

Main: The Clark 520 Legend SC was a pleasure to drive. It really shows what a well-matched hull and outboard can offer.

Above: Aimed first and foremost at the sportfishing market, Mark Frost shows here how stable a platform the boat is for casting lures. mount a good-sized sounder.

The forward casting deck is also a good size and has a huge amount of storage beneath it.

If there were a single word to describe it, that word would be ‘uncluttered.’ This space and a solid hull design are the base of what proved to be a very nice boat to test.

VERSATILITY EQUALS OPTIONS The Legend is definitely targeted at the sportfishing market. The large forward casting deck, option to put an electric motor on the bow and excellent stability at rest all make it a great platform to cast lures from. Add to that a livewell and plenty of storage for your gear, and you have a boat where 2-3 anglers can comfortably terrorise all the fish in a location like Lake Mulwala, where we did this test.

From a fishing perspective, the additional option with the higher gunwales and width of the hull mean fishing bays and even open waters is possible in the right weather. The bait board, rod holders, cockpit space and live bait tank at the stern of the boat make

soaking a bait or swimming a livey feasible.

From a family perspective, fishing is not the only option.

The bait board is removable and can be replaced with a ski pole, so you can spend a few hours fishing and then tow the kids around on a tube or water ski, depending on their age. To swap the board and pole is simple and takes less than a couple of minutes.

Towing an adult is also no issue, depending on the motor you match with the hull.

RIDE AND PERFORMANCE The test boat had a Suzuki 115hp 4-stroke outboard on the back of it, which is the maximum horsepower for the 520. Simon from Boats and More explained to me that they had sold a number of packages with a 90hp and they had performed well, but running the maximum horsepower opens up the full range of options of the hull. He also mentioned that you could upgrade the 3mm bottom sheet to 4mm plate and increase the rating to 150hp.

Driving this boat is an absolute pleasure. The

transition from at rest to on the plane and full power was smooth and effortless.

Minimal trim was required to get to the sweet spot for maximum output and steering.

Sharp cornering and turning at speed were done easily.

It really shows what a wellmatched hull and outboard offer. The maximum speed achieved during testing was 66km/h, with the most economical cruising range at 3500 revs. At this rpm the package achieved 37km/h at

RPM......Speed (km/h)............Economy (km/L) Idle (850)...................3.................................. 3.4 1000..........................7.................................. 4.5 2000........................ 11.................................. 2.6 3000........................ 16.................................. 1.7 4000........................ 42.................................. 2.8 5000........................ 54.................................. 2.0 WOT (6000)............. 66.................................. 1.7 but the water temperature had a little chill to it). Within five minutes we went from fishing to skiing, and again the motor and hull did this easily.

LAUNCH AND RETRIEVE Boats and More had the 520 Legend set up on a dual axle Alloy Series Dunbier trailer. A dual axle trailer is not a necessity for this hull, however – keeping in mind that a person buying this package is likely to be doing a fair bit of travelling – the

The versatility of the 520 means you can fish in the morning and ski in the afternoon.

what your needs will be when it comes to towing, launching and retrieving. They will know the best option, like in this case; a slightly upgraded trailer provides hassle-free travel and makes it easy to get your boat on and off the water.

CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF It’s hard not to be impressed by the Clark 520 Legend SC. It’s a combination of multiple use options: it’s family-friendly, fishingfriendly, ski-friendly, tows well and is a fabulous boat to drive with good economy. If I was going to ask anything, I would like to see some fishing rod storage, as most anglers tend to have multiple rods.

Some storage out of the way would make the Legend even better than it already is.

As tested, the 520 came in at $52,490. The starting price is $36,990 with a smaller outboard. You can contact the team at Boats and More via their website www. boatsandmore.com.au, or drop in to their Shepparton or Echuca stores. Ask them for a test drive – you will enjoy the experience.

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The Clark package was on a Dunbier Alloy Series trailer. This trailer upgrade offers great towing and an easy launch and retrieve.

The transition of power of the 115hp Suzuki was smooth and effortless.

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The forward casting deck has a huge amount of storage, as well as a large livewell.

There are two side pockets to store all those things you need to get your hands on quickly.

A great feature of the Clark 520 Legend is that the bait board can be removed if not in use, or replaced with a ski pole for a bit of family fun.

The nose of the 520 has a self-draining anchor well and a plate to install an electric motor.

The cockpit of the 520 has plenty of space and multiple seating positions.

There is a live bait tank in the transom if live bait fishing is something you enjoy.

The console is large enough to hold all your switches and gauges, and to mount a reasonably sized sounder.

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Whittley CR2800 – the adventure begins - SC

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The Whittley CR2800 is the largest Australian-made towable boat in its class. At Fishing Monthly we usually take no longer than a day to test a boat, but with the CR2800 we decided to go about it in a slightly different way. Beautiful Lake Eildon in central Victoria was the venue for the test, and the idea was to spend a couple of days using the boat, as we would expect a consumer

boats for many years, and here is his advice.

Vehicle The car you tow with can make all the difference. Alan uses a 200 series LandCruiser for all his larger boat towing, and says it has been the best option for the business over the years. However, these days there’s a number of other cars that are suitable.

Trailer set-up All Whittley Cruiser models come on a custom Mackay trailer, and in the case of the 2800 it’s a dual-axle trailer with electric brakes.

Electric brakes are an essential

SPECIFICATIONS Overall length �������������������������������������������������9.0m Length on trailer ���������������������������������������� 10.10m Height on trailer �������������������������������������������3.30m Width on trailer ��������������������������������������������2.49m Fuel capacity ��������������������������������������������������200L Water capacity �����������������������������������������������100L Dry towing weight ���������������������� approx. 3.35 ton Standard engine �������� Volvo Penta V6-280hp DPS Max hp ����������������������������������������������������������380hp Max people �����������������������������������������������������������9 to do. Stay on board as we explore everything that Eildon and the CR2800 has to offer.

TOWING I can imagine that people would have concerns about towing a boat this big, and fair enough too. The size of the boat is daunting, however being under 3.5 ton and having a 2.5m beam means all you have to worry about is having the correct set-up and vehicle, not whether you need lights, signage and permits any time you want to go somewhere.

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component of safe towing with a boat this size.

The Mackay is also a drive on, drive off trailer; winching this boat by hand would not be ideal. We had no difficulty driving it on and off, it’s just a matter of taking your time. The supplied trailer made that easier.

Think long Alan’s biggest tip for towing the 2800 was to ‘think long’. It is a big boat and you need to give yourself room to turn or turn around. You should also give yourself a little extra space from vehicles in front. Although the trailer

Main: The CR2800 is a compact luxury cruiser with a sleek modern design and look.

Above: Alan Whittley can be very proud of their flagship boat the CR2800. has assisted breaking, you still have over three ton behind you, so stopping on a dime is not going to happen.

LAUNCH AND RETRIEVE As with the towing, some care and a little practice is required when getting the 2800 on and off the water.

It is by no means difficult, however. We launched at the Jerusalem Creek ramp at Lake Eildon, and at around 64% capacity this ramp is safe but not very steep. Other than needing to have the vehicle in the water (there were plenty of smaller craft needing to do the same), getting the boat on and off the trailer was a simple two-person job. Once off the trailer, front bow thrusters assist with maneuverability.

Who would have thought it could be so hassle-free?

A CRUISER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS Whittley Marine has been at the forefront of building cruisers since their inception, and the CR2800 is the

culmination of many years of boat-building experience.

This boat combines a sleek, modern look with a clever use of space, and because the designers understand what boaters want, they provide features and options to fulfil those needs. And feature packed it is.

Above the deck Ladders are situated at the

front and rear of the craft. The forward ladder is optional to provide assistance getting to and from the shore if you are parked on the bank, and the rear ladder gives easy access into and out of the water.

Complementing this is full walk-around side decks with rails at the bow of the boat, and a large marlin board with rails at the rear. The

rails provide some peace of mind for anyone who’s not accustomed to scampering around a vessel.

Above the cabin there is a pack rack for additional storage of larger items, and it’s a great place for any towable products or inflatables to keep them out of the way.

Marlin board The marlin board was most probably the most used area of the boat over the couple of days we were at Eildon. We cooked meals on the BBQ, we cast lures and soaked baits from it, and with the weather as good as it was on the first day, we spent plenty of time swimming from the back of it. The addition of the bait station adds to the fishing component. It has some rod storage and keeps the bait preparation out of the main cabin and away from your food and living area.

Rear cabin The rear cabin is a wonderful space to sit, relax and enjoy your surroundings.

First light at Jerusalem Creek, Lake Eildon. Time to go and explore.

SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE The seating is comfortable and has a couple of table options. The main dining table is stored in the roof of the cabin, which is a fantastic solution for an item that would be very difficult to store otherwise. There is plenty of storage under all the seating and throughout the cabin area, keeping it clear to be the social space it is meant to be.

The lounge and table come together to create a double bed. Full clears can be put in place to keep insects at bay or to keep the weather out.

Galley and amenities If the rear cabin and marlin board are the social areas of the boat, then the galley provides the practical component of spending time on the boat. There is a food preparation area with a sink, a two burner mentholated spirits stove and a fridge. There is an esky under the skipper’s seat for drinks, so the fridge can be used for food items. Cooking utensils also have a place to be stored as well as cutlery etc. The remaining space at the back of the skipper’s seat

Picture yourself waking up to this. The CR2800 is all about experiencing moments like this.

As far as our weekend was concerned, it kept five blokes looking and smelling sharp?

Forward cabin The haven that is the forward cabin has a true sense of luxury. The area has multiple configurations from a seated area with a table to a large bed. There is a lockable door for privacy for people to get changed or simply for someone to chill out and have some quiet time.

Practical things like storage under the seating and a hanging closet for your

for the driver, which is positioned so everything is at your fingertips. The throttle is comfortably positioned and the skipper has great visibility through the cabin windows. Both side windows open to assist with airflow.

You can also pop your head through the electric sunroof if you need to see more while launching or manoeuvring in tight spaces.

The truly impressive feature is the new dash configuration. Housing a 16” Garmin screen, part of

etc.). The menu includes the fuel management system, links to the Fusion sound system and the main screen can be customised to the

the motor and with the design of the CR2800 (all of the Whittley Cruisers for that matter) they have used this space to the max. The comfort and functionality of the rear lounge area is a clear testament of this. Secondly only having the leg of the motor at the rear (not a big outboard) means the transom area is free of obstruction, so it can be used to cook on the BBQ, ski or swim from the back and it also provides an obstacle free fishing platform.

From a performance perspective, you get a lot of motor for your money and fuel economy that is comparable with any outboard motor.

What we found over

LASTING IMPRESSION The CR2800 is the flagship vessel of the Whittley fleet of boats. It is also a significant investment. This investment translates into a boat that offers a vehicle to explore this great country of ours both on land and from the water. The weekend at Eildon was not my first experience with the CR2800, my extended family in South Australia own one and I have spent a little bit of time with them over the years. They have travelled much of the East coast of Australia with the Whittley in tow. It has offered many years of memorable experiences and many more to come.

Ultimately that is what

Sneaking around casting lures for natives is not the primary function of the 2800. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

Lake Eildon is the home of many houseboats. We brought our own for the weekend. has a bar in it storing glasses and on this trip a nice bottle of single malt whiskey. This was to be the reward if you caught a Murray cod over the weekend. Unfortunately it went untouched.

Opposite the galley is a stand up shower and toilet with a privacy door. From a family perspective this offers privacy and the ability to clean up after a days activities.

clothing ensure that the space is kept clear and tidy. There are plenty of windows for natural light during the day and a hatch that can open to allow airflow.

Overall it is a well-planned space that like the rest of the boat begs to be used.

Helm/Skippers seat The hub of the CR2800 is the driver seating area.

There is an oversized seat

the Whittley Pulse system.

The Pulse system is a fully integrated digital switching system that at the touch of your finger, controls everything electronic in the boat from the lights and wipers to letting you know you are low on fuel. It has a number of modes that allow the user to set their craft up for what they want to use it for (cruise, tow, entertainment

users needs.

Other things housed on the dash are the Garmin VHF radio, the Zipwake automatic trim system (no more manual trimming), the battery management system and just to the side of it the toggle for the bow thrusters.

All in all a well thought out helm, that any skipper would be happy to in whether it is a short or long trip.

VOLVO PENTA V6 280HP WITH DUO PROP SYSTEM Not surprisingly the Volvo Penta V6 motor in the CR2800 came up in conversation a number of times during our time at Eildon.

From a useable space perspective there are a number of advantages of an inboard motor. First and foremost is that your cabin and deck spaces are above

the couple of days was that for what is a very powerful motor it also had a great deal of finesse about it. And no I haven’t gone crazy. The Duo Prop system provides an immense amount of grip to the water resulting in excellent trust, acceleration and top end speeds.

However it also allows for lower planing speeds, which means you can cruise around all day with great fuel economy. Definitely something that you would want if you plan to be on the water for an extended period of time. The motor is also beautifully quiet.

One final observation about the inboard motor set up is that lowers the centre of gravity of the boat. This improves the stability at rest and the performance of the hull underway.

this boat is all about. It can be towed from A to B with no hassles, launching and retrieving is hassle free with a bit of practice and the fit out offers plenty of comfort and sophistication. Spending time on this boat for whatever reason is something you are bound to enjoy and something you will want to invite your friends to come along for the ride.

Available from just under $206,000, the CR2800 comes with many standard inclusions. Go to www. whitleymarinegroup.com. au and click on the Cruiser 2800 link. There is a build a boat option that has all the information, inclusions and optional extras that are available.

This boat is well worth experiencing for yourself and has left a lasting impression on me.

This is what experiencing the lake from the water is all about. Finding a quiet nook, sidle up to the bank and cook some breakfast.

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SPECIAL EDITION

MELBOURNE BOAT SHOW FEATURE

Top: The electric sunroof was great for airflow or if you needed a clearer field of vision when maneuvering around tight places.

Below: Every space was cleverly used for storage like the bar at the rear of the skippers seat.

Top: The BBQ on the rear platform was where we did most of our cooking.

Below: The back deck was fitted with a fishing station. Perfect to fish from and to keep bait and tackle out of the main cabin.

Top: The visibility from the skippers seat was fantastic. You had a clear view around the entire boat.

Below: The main dash is impressive in the CR2800.

A Garmin 16 inch screen incorporating the Whittley pulse system is the centerpiece for a one touch approach for the helm layout and controls.

The rear cabin has many configurations including a bed, a dining area with a larger table or a comfortable place to relax as pictured.

The forward cabin is the haven of the boat. It can be closed off for privacy and offers a quiet space from everything else happening on the boat. It also transforms into a comfortable bed to sleep on.

Top: The galley has a duel methylated spirits cooktop and a sink.

Left: The stand up shower with toilet has a privacy door and provides you with the ability to clean up after a days activities.

Right: If the weather doesn’t allow you to use the BBQ the food preparation area in the galley has a cooking station, fridge and plenty of storage for utensils.

Top: Clever storage is a feature of the CR2800. Here the dining table is stored in the roof of the rear cabin.

Left: Navigating your way around the Whittley is made easy with cleverly designed gates incorporated in the design. No need to step over anything.

Right: There is significant storage throughout the CR2800. This ranges from side pockets to storage under the seats, under the skippers seat and under the floor. Everything has a place so that the working spaces can be kept clear.

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JUNE 2018

Cruise, Ski, Fish, Live ...

NEW 2080 BMT PACKAGES from

69,990 *

$

Why is the NEW Release Whittley 2080 such great value?

Because we tick all the boxes, as standard!

3 Australian Made Boat and Trailer q 3 Full Camper Covers q 3 Toughened Glass Windscreen q 3 Pressurized Shower and Sink q 3 Full Length Bunks and Chemical Toilet q

3 Fresh Water Cooled Volvo Engine q 3 Premium Cabin Headlining q 3 Fusion Stereo and Garmin VHF q 3 Garmin GPS/FF q 3 Privacy Cabin Divider q

ALL NEW 2080

For the full range of exciting new Whittley Boats, log on to our website

www.whittley.com.au

Available At Two Convenient Locations, Patterson Lakes (03) 9776 1662 and Somerton (03) 8339 1800

MAKING MEMORIES SINCE 1953 *Manufacturers Recommended Retail Price (MRRP). MRRP is a from price, with all standard inclusions and includes GST. Excludes freight charges, pre-delivery charges, safety equipment and registrations. Boats shown are for demonstration purposes only and may show equipment that is not standard. Contact your local Whittley dealer or log onto the website for more information, www.whittley.com.au.

JUNE 2018

123

A NEW ERA in FourStroke

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