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Sea Jay 4.58 Stealth with Yamaha F70 4-stroke
Steve Morgan | First Published: November 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Of course we don’t do it enough – take fishing rods on a boat test – but when we had the opportunity to test the new Sea Jay 4.58 Stealth and the Moreton Bay forecast was atrocious, it didn’t take long to get the bass gear out and hit the road for a dawn start at Lake Somerset.
Streaker Navigator 6100 with Mercury 135HP 4-stroke
Steve Morgan | First Published: November 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
The acquisition of Melbourne based Streaker boats by iconic Brisbane boat builder Cruise Craft hasn’t attracted all that much attention. Maybe that’s a good thing and maybe it isn’t, but from a consumer’s point of view, having the brand under the Cruise Craft roof is nothing but positive.
Extreme 645 Game King
Mark Saxon | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
I couldn’t help but feel a little bit excited when I first laid eyes on the Extreme 645 Game King. It happened when I was standing on the main ramp in Port Macquarie, about to get a firsthand look and test run on the boat with Jason Herbert from Hastings Marine.
Quintrex Stealth Hornet 530 is a smooth ride
Steve Morgan | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Let’s face it, there has been a time in all of our fishing journeys when we wanted a Quintrex. If you were an offshore boater, it might have been a centre console, but if you were an inshore angler, it’d probably be a Hornet. For many years Hornets have been swarming in waterways across Australia.
Whittley CW2150 with Yamaha 150 four-stroke
Steve Morgan | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
It’s not every day you get to test a boat that can be made into a configuration that allows the installation of a bow mounted machine gun. Granted, it’d be great for when you get to the secret snapper spot and your so-called ‘mate’ that you took fishing last week is anchored up, hooked up and pretends to not speak English.
A smaller fibreglass fishing rig
Wayne Kampe | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
In the last few articles I have emphasized the need for potential boat owners to have a very close look at their fishing needs prior to making a decision on a new boat. As part of the last article, I discussed the pros and cons of owning both alloy and glass craft and, in fact, I was actually drawing upon my own fishing life. Unable to decide exactly which boat would suit us best, we had two – glass and alloy!
Stessco Breezeaway 480 is a breeze
Steve Morgan | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
What do you get when you cross arguably Australia’s most popular mid-range outboard with an aluminium hull configuration that’s favoured by recreational anglers Australia over? You get the Stessco Breezeaway 480 powered by Yamaha’s sensational F70 outboard.
Brooker 420R Discovery 2017
Gary Brown | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Are you looking for a boat to take the family out for a fish in the freshwater chasing a few trout, bass, estuary and golden perch, or in the saltwater targeting bream, flathead and whiting? The Brooker 420R Discovery 2017 with a 30hp 2-stroke Mercury outboard is definitely a rig to have a look at.
4.4m Sidewinder Micro Cat
Gary Brown | First Published: July 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
The unique 4.4m Sidewinder Micro Cat is an extremely versatile boat that will have you going over a bar and getting into very shallow water with ease – and this boat has been designed with the not just the angler in mind. It could be used by motor and quad bike users, hunters, campers, divers and for BBQs. Or you could stand and cast lures along the edge of mangroves, wash boards of oyster leases, wharves, mud and sand flats and weed beds. The list is endless.
Selecting the right boat for the job part three
Wayne Kampe | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
In the last couple of issues I’ve cast the net pretty wide in regards to selecting the correct fishing craft for the job. Initially I covered vital issues such as freeboard, sea keeping capability, ride quality and fishing room, as these are essential considerations in selecting a just-right rig for most fishing activities an angler might have in mind.
Clark 449 Rebel Centre Console – a great canvas to work from
Peter Jung | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
I have done a number of boat tests on the Queensland-manufactured Clark Aluminium boats and the thing that has stood out on each occasion is the value for money they represent.
McLay Sportsman 591 with Suzuki 115hp
Steve Morgan | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
What better way is there to test a New Zealand built aluminium boat than in New Zealand-like conditions? Sorry Kiwis, but the only way I could describe the nasty storm we drove the McLay 591 Sportsman into on the test day was “New Zealand like”.
Haines Hunter 675 Enclosed
Steve Morgan | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
It took us a while, but we finally talked Phil Pierias and the team from Port Phillip Boating Centre into taking us for a spin on their Yamaha-powered Haines Hunter demo boat – the 675 Enclosed.
Stacer Crossfire 509
Steve Morgan | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Melbourne Marine Centre loves pimping up Stacer hulls. We tested one a while back when Andrew Stephen and the guys optioned up a Nomad to within an inch of its life. It was a build that focused on practicality, with plenty of exposed checkerplate amongst the creature comforts.
Whittley CR2180 is a real rocket ship
Steve Morgan | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
What do you get when you cross a fishing boat with a luxurious cruising boat and then add some extra horsepower? The answer is Chris Odgers’ Whittley package that we took for a spin recently out of the Patterson River on Port Phillip Bay.
Yellowfin 7400 with twin Suzuki 115hp
Steve Morgan | First Published: June 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
It’s fair to say the John Stav from JV Marine loves his Yellowfin boats. In fact, there’s a full range of the hulls in stock in the JV Marine yards. Built in the Telwater factory in Southeast Queensland, the northern boat is eminently suitable for taking on nasty southern seas.
Selecting the right boat for the job part two
Wayne Kampe | First Published: May 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
In last month’s issue I covered a lot of ground in considering some of the more important factors that can influence the selection of the right fishing boat for a given fishing situation. Pretty obviously this is one mighty big topic given the differing fishing scenarios that exist and the fact that we use virtually everything from paddleboards to big ocean-going rigs to chase our fish!
Bar Crusher 730HT with Suzuki 225hp 4-Stroke
Steve Morgan | First Published: May 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Victorian built Bar Crusher boats have definitely carved themselves out a solid niche amongst discerning plate aluminium boat buyers nationwide.
Selecting the right boat for the job
Wayne Kampe | First Published: April 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Boat selection sounds simple enough, although it would take pages and pages to cover all the variables involved! Instead, I will confine my comments to cover some of the more important things involved with finding the right fishing boat for the job!
Yamaha launches new 25 and 90hp models
Steve Morgan | First Published: April 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
At the recent Yamaha Dealer Conference and Media Launch at Couran Cove on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Yamaha proudly announced a suite of new products, but the highlight for media and dealers alike was the unveiling of their new 25hp and 90hp models. These outboards effectively complete their four-stroke range, which now offers everything from 2hp to 350hp.
Brisbane Marine is a growing boat bonanza
Tag | First Published: April 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Brisbane Marine is a business on the rise with a growing stable of brands, service and sales second to none, to now offer boaties a one-stop shop for all their boating needs.
Bonito 5m tiller steer with 90hp Suzuki
Steve Morgan | First Published: April 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Built on the banks of Queensland’s famous Jumpinpin, fibreglass Bonito boats have carved a nice little niche for themselves in both the commercial and recreational fishing markets. There’s a handful of crabbers that put serious miles on their Bonitos in their local area – running 150hp tiller steer outboards. That’s on the 5.6m version, which we’ve tested over the years at Fishing Monthly, and you can Google “5.6m Bonito” to see the article and videos.
Savage 525 Scorpion Pro with a Suzuki 115hp four-stroke
Peter Jung | First Published: April 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Hazelwood Pondage in Gippsland Victoria is an artificial lake created to provide water to cool the Hazelwood Power Station. In recent times it has become better known as the home of barramundi in Victoria. The barramundi fishing is only a recent addition and the pondage has always had many recreational uses. On this occasion, it was the perfect venue to test out the Savage 525 Scorpion Pro, as the weather on the coast was less than ideal.
Taking the boat off the trailer at home in five steps
Wayne Kampe | First Published: March 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
Boats are meant to go on and off trailers – at the ramp, that is. And while the boat is in the water, it’s pretty easy to give the trusty trailer a once over to see that all is well.
SeaJay Velocity Sports 550 – a big, versatile tinnie.
Steve Morgan | First Published: March 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
It’s a real lucky dip when we get to take a boat out for a test. Sometimes we’re cursed with billiard-table flat seas. Other times we are blessed with a bay that looks like a washing machine. It’s these rough days where you can really find out what a hull can do. After all, there’s no such thing as a crappy ride on a calm sea.
Consider your options for a final boat fit out
Wayne Kampe | First Published: February 2017 » Regular Features / Boating /
So you’ve got your own boat. As it’s coming from the factory, there are options aplenty. Customisation of features is something that a lot of makers are putting across the table these days. The options can be highly attractive too, with factory spec sheets showing such goodies as live wells for bait and catch (plumbed or otherwise), extra seats with accompanying spigots, drink holders, berley buckets, custom wraps, a bimini, storage bins, rod lockers, rod holders, rod racks, cleats and rails, cockpit lighting, deck wash and side pockets.
Don’t overpower that boat!
Wayne Kampe | First Published: December 2016 » Regular Features / Boating /
It’s a strange thing about human thinking: bigger seems to be better and faster seems to be more fun! Maybe it harks back to primitive times, when brute strength and fleetness of foot ensured survival.
McLay 651 CrossXover – family friendly fishing machine
Peter Jung | First Published: December 2016 » Regular Features / Boating /
New Zealand plate boat manufacturers McLay Boats continue to make inroads into the Australian market with their quality aluminium trailer boats. Their range includes everything from tiller steer styles to cuddy cabins and hard top cruisers. All are manufactured with fishing and recreational boating in mind.
Tame those boat ramp terrors
Wayne Kampe | First Published: December 2016 » Regular Features / Boating /
In contrast to purchasing a first motorcar, boat ownership seems to involve a bit of stress. First there are new rules to consider. There’s the boat ramp – the place where the boat will enter or leave the water. Who would believe that boats pass each other on opposite sides to cars? Or that a beacon’s shape and colour dictates on which side the boat should pass, when moving towards or away from a major port. These scenarios both seem to cause worry, especially for the new boat owners in our ranks, so we’ll look at ways to overcome those concerns.
Quick Quintrex F481 Hornet
Wayne Kampe | First Published: December 2016 » Regular Features / Boating /
Quintrex offer so many fantastic boats that it can be difficult to nominate a particular rig most suited to a specific task. If there’s a need for a rig that will double as a competition craft fully ready to hit the starter line, or ready to be used by sports anglers to test their skills wherever the opportunity presents (in estuaries rivers or impoundments), the four person F481 Hornet Trophy will fit the bill nicely. It’s 5m in length with a 2.3m beam and a feisty 90hp Yamaha four-stroke on the transom.
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