EVER since I was 10 years old I have always owned a boat of some type or another. My first boat was a 3.2m masonite boat (yes masonite) on a home made trailer, and I bought that boat for the princely sum of 30 quid (about $60 - or maybe now $80, allowing for inflation).
I now have a four metre aluminium boat with a 25 hp motor, and with a growing family who also enjoy fishing, I can see me having to look for a bigger boat sooner than later. The thing is, in this size range, knowing which way to go and what to look for is not an easy matter.
When looking for a boat there are a few things that you will have to take into consideration. For example, What are you going to use it for ? How many people do you need to carry ? Can your car tow it ? What accessories can I put in it or on it? And, how much will it cost ?
Peter Horrobin commissioned me to write this review on the Bermuda 152C for Martin Gunn of Mercury Marine and Bermuda Sportboats and as a preamble, Martin invited me over to have a look at their extensive boat range and test drive the 152C, a new addition to their fleet. Martin explained to me the reason behind the building of the Bermuda Bluefin 152C was that they already had half cabin aluminium boats in the 19 foot range but up until now, no cabin boats in the 15 foot range.
When I first saw the Bermuda Bluefin 152C perched up on its trailer, I thought. “what a great looking fishing boat”. Appearances can be deceiving sometimes, but after I had taken it for a run I wasn’t disappointed.
The Bluefin 152 C is 4.75 metres long (that’s 15 feet 2 inches for those of you who still work in imperial measures - hence the ‘152’. The ‘C’ bit refers to the cabin.).
Beacuse the cabin is in the form of a cuddy-cab, it still has plenty of room in the back to comfortably fit a family of four. If you are anything like me, three or four people can get to be a bit of a crowd for serious fishing , but at least the carrying capacity is there for more family oriented days too.
There are two under-floor compartments up front, in which life jackets and other safety gear could be stored, along with an anchor well just below the front hatch. The side pockets along each side of the boat could store items like paddles and small rods.
When driving boats with forward controls, I like to be able to stand up and look over the front and see the bow. The upholstered swivel seat was set far enough back not to restrict me from doing this at any time and this seat has an identical mate on the other side, with a removable bench seat along the back of the boat for additional passengers. For myself, I’d probably have this seat out for most of the time to maximise the fishing room.
The 60 HP Mercury outboard motor had no trouble in getting the boat up onto the plane and if you are a family that fishes and also likes to water ski, this boat could be for you.
FISHING ESSENTIALS
The Bermuda 152C comes fitted with two aluminium rod holders, a split bow rail and also short side rails that you could clamp another couple of rod holders to. Another option that opens up if you remove the rear bench seat is that you can install one of Bermuda’s purpose built live bait tanks. They have a great one which incorporates a nylon cutting board.
I found the transom height of 1.12 metres very practical, as when I am fighting a fish in open water, I like to brace myself against the transom, and at no time in the 152C did I feel like I was going to fall overboard. The stainless steel side rails add even more security.
The level carpeted floor is a great advantage, assisting in keeping your balance and preventing wet feet from slipping. It also tends to deaden the sound of anything that may be dropped, and this quietness can make a big difference when breaming at night.
The Bermuda 152C comes fitted with a bilge pump, a cruise log, battery box and battery switch, water separator, a four gang accessory switch block, an underfloor stainless 65 litre fuel tank and navigation lights. This particular boat was recently shown at the caravan show at Rosehill, fitted with a canopy and it attracted a lot of attention.
The Bermuda 152C is an excellent fishing and family boat and if you are interested in having a closer look, contact your nearest Bermuda/Mercury dealer.

SPECIFICATIONS Bermuda 152C
Length 4.75 Metres
Beam 2.04 Metres
Depth 1.12 Metres
Construction Pressed Alloy
Bottom 3.0 mm
Sides 1.6 mm
Approximate Weight 365 Kgs
Maximum Motor Hp 60 HP
COST- Boat, Trailer & Canopy RRP $21,761.00
NB: Motor supplied on test was a Mercury 60 HP