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Boat Test: Stacer 469 Outlaw Side Console
  |  First Published: August 2013



Stacer’s new Outlaw 469 Side Console is a smooth-looking rig blessed with an excellent ride and a handy turn of speed. It’s a prime example of the sorts of turnkey packages that Stacer is now offering. With just a few options the buyer has a trailer craft that will suit many different fishing situations, from rivers and estuaries to impoundments – and even a run offshore in the right conditions.

Classy 3mm thick straight sides give the Outlaw a contemporary ‘plate look’ appearance. There’s also smart storage, fishing features and comfort levels that have lifted Stacer to a level of competitiveness that’s necessary to compete in a very tight market .

It’s apparent that Stacer has invested a large amount of R&D in the Outlaw. The result is a winning formula that’s available in tiller steer, side console and centre console configurations from 4.43m to 5.48m. There are currently 12 models available.

Layout

The Outlaw 469 has an open anchor well up front, optional electric motor pad to port, grabrails further aft abreast the raised casting deck up front, and an open cockpit area aft, with the side console taking up little fishing room. The layout provides room for at least four anglers to fish in comfort (note that this boat is rated for five people).

Up front there’s useful dry storage under the 28cm high casting deck. Aft of the anchor well there’s a large hatch with flat floor to accommodate an electric motor battery, and it can accommodate items up to the size of smaller ice boxes. Completing forward dry storage capability are two side-opening hatches abreast of the rig’s recirculating, tournament-sized catch well. All floor areas within the outlaw were carpeted.

Down within the main cockpit area, seating consisted of twin bucket-style pedestal seats for the skipper and first mate. There’s another floor spigot forward and to port of the rail and windscreen-equipped side console. I thoroughly endorse the concept of such flexibility in seating as it provides easy weight distribution to counter sea conditions or to simply make fishing easier on the day.

Seating on the test boat was pretty much ideal. At first glance the skipper’s pedestal seat looked too high to be comfortable behind the wheel set into the vertical rear section of the side console, but driving the craft proved otherwise. Leg room beneath the side and floor mounted console was ample and, although I needed to reach down to the wheel a little while driving, the overall helm position was adequate. Adjustment to lower the seat would only involve shortening the pedestal in the workshop, should a customer require that small modification.

Console features consisted of a set of upright rod holders within easy reach to port, while on the top level and tucked right behind the windscreen were a glovebox with a clear lid, Lowrance Mark 5x sounder and cup holder. Speedometer, tachometer and trim and fuel gauges were mounted on a lower level. It was compact, neat arrangement which allowed easy reference at a glance. With BRP forward controls for the 75 E-Tec mounted on the side of the hull beside the driver, it was a pretty cosy yet functional driving position.

Cockpit features

Twin plastic rod holders were located in the 20cm wide side decks along with a fuel filler to port to service the Outlaw’s 77 litre under floor fuel tank. Side pockets some 1.4 metres in length were handy for smaller item storage yet intruded only marginally into the cockpit area. A further storage area plus additional, and important, features were located aft of the skipper’s and mate’s seats under another useful fishing platform at the transom area.

To starboard was a large compartment suitable for the dry storage of bags of clothing, safety equipment, tackle boxes or similar items. The central compartment housed the engine battery and isolator switch with a live bait well (an option again) and a useful compartment for the likes of knives, pliers and smaller tackle trays set beside the plumbed well.

Side grabrails, aft cleats plus a boarding ladder and handrail completed the transom area features. In all, it’s a practical, angler-oriented layout that would suit both weekend fishers and dedicated tournament anglers.

Performance, Ride and Handling

Engine ratings for the robust 422kg, 469 Stacer Outlaw hull ranged from 50-75hp. The 75 Evinrude E-Tec promised to deliver plenty of performance, and was certainly not found wanting. The craft planed at 15.8km/h at 2600rpm, 19.5km/h at 3000rpm, 49.4km/h at 4000rpm, 61.7km/h at 5000rpm and topped out at 65.4 km/h at 5300rpm. The speed runs were carried out in the Southport Broadwater in light northerly chop with two aboard the Outlaw.

The ride quality indicated that Stacer is onto a winner with this craft. Heading into waves coming in through the Seaway while travelling at a speed of 40km/h (incidentally, the outer section of the Seaway was breaking, a very nasty business) saw the craft rising easily onto the metre-high swells and then come down off them with hardly any impact, and certainly no water coming aboard or making a pest of itself.

Stacer’s Evo Advance hull design, plus some fairly substantial hull weight (422kg without the motor) are factors influencing the excellent ride. A look at the Outlaw’s 3mm thick hull with its flat sides revealed a vee of 14 degrees, four strakes each side of the central keel plus an interesting concave area just above the waterline. This concave area saw the flat sides actually curving inwards in a smooth hollow just above a reversed chine formed where the craft’s sides were joined to the bottom section. This curved lower side section was far from usual, but in combination with other hull features there’s no doubt it contributed to the ride quality. Powering hard into turns saw no side slip, and no prop cavitation at all.

While the 75 E-Tec was brilliant, not all owners will require top power on their Outlaw. A 60hp engine would still provide plenty of get-up-and-go with only some top-end performance lost.

As far as stability was concerned, the Outlaw was very pleasing. The relatively shallow but solid vee hull with its beam of 2.22m and practical configuration all combined to ensure excellent stability underway and at rest. Family anglers would find this feature reassuring, while keen fishos would be able to work from either front or rear platforms plus the main cockpit area in harmony.

SUMMARY

Stacer has put some solid runs on the board with their 469 Outlaw. It’s new, and will cater to many angling situations with plenty of comfort. The craft’s 820mm high exterior freeboard, interior side depth of 650mm plus inherent stability will all contribute towards sea-keeping ability. From holiday angling to competition fishing, the Outlaw appeal to a wide range of people.

The finish was very good, with full but smoothed welds. Note that the two-tone paint job on the test craft was optional, with a single colour being standard. The general fit of panels, upholstery and overall presentation was very good. A three-year hull warranty applies.

On a Stacer alloy trailer the 469 Outlaw would come home from around $26,990, depending on options selected. The test craft was supplied by Whitewater Marine of Ashmore Queensland, and you can reach them at (07) 5532 4402 or on the net at www.whitewatermarine.com.au .

Facts

SPECIFICATIONS

Hull length4.73m
Length on trailer6.30m
Beam2.22m
Hull construction3mm alloy sheet, sides and bottom.
Hull deadrise14º
Hull Weight422kg
Fuel75L
Power50hp-75hp
Test engine75hp Evinrude E-Tec Long Shaft.
Capacity5 adults
TowingLarge four-cylinder wagon, family six.

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