JACKAROO 590 CENTRE CONSOLE REVIEW

Every so often we get a few surprise packages when it comes to boats up for test. Smaller manufacturers or industry newcomers are known to occasionally pull out all the stops when it comes to design and innovation on what could be something quite common, especially with centre consoles.

Jackaroo Boats from Coomera, Queensland, has been in the industry for some time, dealing mainly in revamping and refurbishing boats and all kinds of marine gear. Over time, the company has also collected loads of boat moulds and is now producing some very interesting rigs, in particular its latest, the Jackaroo 590 Centre Console.

The boat certainly looked fairly standard from a distance, but on closer inspection I quickly realised it’s different in number of ways, especially in its design and innovation. So much so, in fact, that I wasn’t too sure what to make of it. Regardless, it still looked very interesting and like something I would love to test.

RADICAL CENTRE CONSOLE DESIGN

For a centre console, this one keeps you quite busy when first checking it out. The 590 has a neat appearance with good lines and a very smart-looking hardtop or T-top for the bimini.

Internally, the Jackaroo differs significantly from other centres consoles, with a number of innovative little features incorporated into the layout. The first thing to catch my eye was the bow layout, which consists of high sides and abnormally wide coamings. I found this an interesting layout because the wider-than-usual coamings had sizable built-in hatches on either side which could either be used as storage or kill tanks. With a few more sealed compartments below these, storage in the bow could be called colossal.

A unique setup like this is likely to either have massive appeal or none at all, and while I admittedly quite like the idea because it’s something different and I’ve never seen in that proportion, I personally couldn’t see myself using the big hatches in the bow for fish. If I had the choice I would prefer a standard coaming width running forward.

The next thing to grab my attention was the console design and T-top, which is an absolute cracker. Rather than a standard bimini-styled T-top, Jackaroo has designed its own very slick hardtop version that features some quality stainless steel work combined with an insulated top. It even has dedicated space for electronics like radios and speakers.

The console itself stands much higher than normal units, with a raised seating platform compensating for the extra height. Again, this is something you will likely either love or hate. The setup means you are quite elevated when driving, which I didn’t mind because vision is definitely improved, but in turns at speed you feel as though you need some armrests to hold you in.

In addition to having plenty of space for electronics, the console is also the home of a side door that opens up to a porta-toilet, as well as access to the rear of the electronics and controls. It also serves as another storage spot for gear. Having all of these features built-in is the reason the console is higher than you would expect.

Another simple but appealing feature is the boat’s dual reversible seats which, when stationary, work a treat when fishing off the stern — that’s if you like fishing when seated, of course.

The primary fishing dance floor in the stern is a reasonable size and suitable for bottom bashing and trolling gear. The addition of tackle drawers to the moulded gunwale panels is always welcome and keeps tackle stowed away but still easily accessible.

A good bait board, large kill tank and eski, plus a self-draining in deck, are the balance of ingredients in the stern, which really makes the 590 it quite the ideal fishing setup. 

HANDLING AND RIDE

Prevailing conditions on the day of our test allowed for a launch through the Gold Coast seaway, and although it was the perfect afternoon offshore, there was still enough swell pushing through to get the Jackaroo out of the water on a few occasions.

Sporting a cutting-edge 23° deadrise, the 590 has no quibbles with cutting a decent ride through the swell and chop, and it’s soft and comfortable at all speeds. Heavy deadrises usually produce this type of ride, but you inevitably end up sacrificing a bit on stability and even dryness of ride. The Jackaroo designers, have included one of those unique hulls that produces a good ride throughout, meaning it’s soft, stable and dry. Very nice.

Speaking of the hull, it’s definitely an interesting design. The deep-vee is constant from the bow through to the stern and has quite a curve flaring off to some beefy outer chines, or what could virtually be called stabilisers. This enables a good airflow to pass under the hull without affecting motor performance, and makes planing easier while maintaining stability.

This type of hull design also eliminates the need for extra strakes because it not only aids with lift in the ride, but also curls spray off and away from the boat’s hull.

I liked the ride right from the low down to the top end, but one thing that did concern me was the fact the designers have added weight to the interior of the hull on one side due to what might be an abnormal amount of prop-torque leaning it over. This counter-balancing meant the boat rode beautifully, but to be honest it’s not something I would want added to my hull.

But it’s important to remember that this boat is Jackaroo’s prototype, so a few niggles here and there are really to be expected and no doubt addressed in future examples.

THE VERDICT

As a production boat, I definitely think Jackaroo has a done a good job at producing something quite unique. As I previously mentioned, the 590 is quite different when it comes to design, and I think with some fine tuning and even a standard deck layout as optional, this boat has some very good potential for the future, especially considering its versatility and offshore capabilities.

I like it, and I looking forward to seeing and testing the next one out of the mould .

On the plane...

· Nice soft and dry ride at all speeds

· Hardtop T-top design

· Innovative designs throughout

Dragging the chain...

· Coaming hatches in bow

· Additional weight to hull needs to be sorted

· Height of seating takes a bit of getting used to

JACKAROO 590 CENTRE CONSOLE SPECIFICATIONS

HOW MUCH?

Price as tested: $63,000

Options fitted: Fibreglass hardtop with heavy-duty stainless steel frame; stainless steel custom baitboard; Muir electric drum anchor winch; deckwash; plumbed live bait tank; 210L fuel tank; VHF radio and aerial.

Priced from: $49,500

GENERAL

Type: Centre console

Material: Fibreglass

Length: 6.1m

Beam: 2.35m

Weight: 950kg

Deadrise: 23°

CAPACITIES

People: 6

Berths: None

Rec. HP: 150

Max. HP: 175

Fuel: 150L

Water: Optional

ENGINE

Make/model: Mercury Optimax 150 Pro XS

Type: Direct injection
two-stroke

Weight: 195kg

Displacement: 2507cc

Gear ratio: 1.87:1

Propeller: 17in Enertia

MANUFACTURED AND SUPPLIED

Jackaroo Boats

4/71 Shipper Drive

Coomera

Queensland 4209

Tel: (07) 5519 4674

Web: www.jackarooboats.com.au

Originally published in TrailerBoat #299, September / October 2013