ProCraft are fast gaining recognition within boating circles in South East Queensland. The well turned out fibreglass hulls are produced by a renowned southern Queensland manufacturer of many years standing, then transported to Coastal Powerboats of Burleigh on the Gold Coast where they are fully fitted out and equipped with motors.

The end product shows the result of using top-shelf products. All stainless work is US sourced to ensure longevity, the best upholstery is used and emphasis is on quality throughout rather than just saving dollars. The ProCraft range also offers great value for money, as will be seen later.

The reviewed 6.2 Walkaround Hardtop was presented on a Dunbier trailer and was finished in a gleaming white gel coat with contrasting dark blue stripe just below the decks. Powered by a 150 Suzuki 4-stroke, this boat was a treat to drive and a pleasure to be aboard. In many respects it had great potential as either a family-oriented day or weekend cruiser, or as a dedicated rig for a group of keen anglers to run offshore in search of a feed of fish.

Up front the impressive metal work started with a strong ladder to allow easy entry or exit at a beach or dock. A sturdy bow roller and associated anchor hatch were easily reached via the flat area up front of the cuddy, or by opening the cabin hatch which was just aft of the anchor well.

The ProCraft’s wide walkaround area on the outer section of the cuddy cab is very user friendly thanks to the ample hand holds offered by the hard top’s superstructure, and it’s easy to reach the bow area. However, most people would likely attend ground tackle via the cuddy cab’s hatch which was wide enough to make things easy.

The attractively styled cuddy cabin came equipped with elliptical windows and was set up with very comfortable deeply padded V berths with storage space under them which, at their rear, came with bulkhead foot rests for skipper and mate. The cabin featured full-length and quite wide overhead shelving, and with its open access was very well ventilated, light and airy. Floor depth was excellent while the twin options of having a Porta Potti up front as well as a bunk infill to enhance the sleeping area would also have appeal to buyers.

A sleek moulded fascia extended full width across the front of the cuddy cab and then extended aft to become part of the internal side area of the craft. Up front it was joined by the craft’s windscreen and side windows, the latter extending almost all the way back to the framework linked to the moulded hard top. Clearly, both skipper and mate would be well protected from the elements in this area. However, I also liked the option of opening one or both of the sliding windows aft of the windscreen and opening the zip-equipped clears above the dash area if the day was a hot one. In general terms the layout was very user friendly, with plenty of comfort all round.

The side moulding/fascia section came equipped with a grab handle and locking glove box for the front passenger, while a larger area extending down in front of the skipper formed a convenient dash area for instruments and gauges. Uppermost were paired Garmin gauges (GMI 20s) to monitor every function of the Suzuki 150, and immediately below was a 12” Raymarine sounder plotter unit. The ignition key was lower and set to port of the steering wheel, with a set of switches to starboard. Forward controls for the engine were handy by the skipper’s arm, on the side.

Completing the round-up of major features for the skipper was the marine radio and sound system set up at the front of the hard top, easily reached yet entirely out of the weather. The hard top also sported six rod holders at its rearmost section.

At the helm area, skipper and mate were pampered by deeply upholstered wraparound bucket seats on pedestals. These were very comfortable, and I noted full visibility from both skipper’s and mate’s seats.

Cockpit features were suited to both family boaters and keen anglers. A non-skid floor was standard, with any water draining into a sump aft for removal via a bilge pump. Up front, between the seats, was a decent sized under floor storage box ideal for either extra kit or the catch of the day.

The cockpit proper was quite large, had an interior side depth of 83cm and came with 3m long side pockets. It also featured a comfy, backrest-equipped, four person aft seat which could be lifted up out of the way to provide extra work room when fishing was a priority. Gunwale grab handles, two rod holders per side plus drink holders were all in the right places. A bait tank to starboard plus a locking boarding gate next to a stainless ladder were also transom features.

At 7m overall length with a 2.5m beam, the ProCraft 6.2 Walkaround was a solid craft, as noted by its 750kg dry hull weight. Power options were from 130-175 horsepower, and the 150 Suzuki on the test boat had not the slightest problem powering the rig yet offering handy cost savings over maximum power.

The hull planed easily at 14.8km/h at 2500 rpm; 3000rpm returned 20.5km/h, 4000rpm saw 37.3km/h while 5000 rpm recorded 62.4km/h. Speeds were recorded with two persons aboard.

The 2.8L 4-cylinder 150 Suzuki 4-stroke was virtually soundless at idle and only when pushing up around the 4500 to 5000rpm mark did it make its presence felt with some deep growling. I found the engine responsive, willing to perform virtually at all revs and a great match for the ProCraft hull.

Ride and handling were excellent. In modest chop within the Gold Coast Seaway the deep V glass hull moved freely and without any bangs or wallops, which was much as I expected. Handling was fingertip easy thanks to hydraulic steering, and despite the considerable size of the rig even a newbie to boating would be comfortable behind the wheel.

The ProCraft was quite stable and even with two of us on one side it wasn’t inclined to lean, thanks to a hull configuration which featured large reversed outer chines plus a flat central planing plank. As a fishing craft I’d see the ProCraft’s attributes earning it full marks as a useful offshore rig, yet the big seven person hull would be equally suited to bay and estuary work as well.

The ProCraft 6.2 Walkaround hardtop was keenly priced by Coastal Powerboats (07 5568 0904). With a 140hp Suzuki fitted the hard top is offered with Dunbier tandem trailer plus safety gear and registrations for around $55,990. mark. The rig as reviewed complete with deluxe Raymarine unit, 150hp upgrade, stereo system and bow ladder would come home for $72,265. Further information is available at www.procraftboats.com.au .