ANGLAPRO PREDATOR 19 REVIEW

ANGLAPRO PREDATOR

There is a lot going for the Anglapro Predator 19 tinnie. It’s easy to maintain, economical to run, and is certainly a worthy inclusion in the Anglapro lineup.

When Derek Rodway from Good Times Marine in Sydney’s south launched his own brand of aluminium estuary fishing boats five years ago, he knew what he was doing. In a market saturated with little tinnies, Rodway saw an opening for a strongly-built and good-looking fishing boat aimed squarely at the angling fraternity.

Such was the success of Anglapro boats that he was soon being pestered at boat shows about including bigger, offshore fishing boats. Succumbing to demand, he spent three years on the Anglapro Predator range – the 16ft centre cab and 19ft cuddy cab versions the first to be unveiled.

ANGLAPRO PREDATOR SERIES

The new Anglapro boats seem well-priced with a starting point for a boat, motor and trailer package around $54,000. Our test boat had a few extras and an upgraded 140hp Suzuki four-stroke, which took the price to $62,000.

On the trailer the Anglapro Predator 19 looks determined and well-proportioned. Design includes a cuddy cab with a walkaround to the bow and plate-style flat sides that give the boat its tough appearance. The bow has a moderately angled entry and flare, with prominent spray rails to dissipate water underway. A deep-vee in the bow section runs back to an 18-degree deadrise, while the undersurface incorporates running strakes and prominent chines pressed into the hull to assist planing and stability at rest.

CONSTRUCTION

Utilising 5mm bottom and 4mm topsides of 5083-grade high-tensile aluminium and a fully welded stringer section under a fully welded floor, the hull is built to withstand the rigours of a hard life at sea. The boat can be ordered with a painted checkerplate floor that would be very practical and easy to clean when fishing, or with fitted carpet for more comfort underfoot as in the test boat. There is also the option of having a self-draining deck with a raised floor.

At the transom are a port gate, central bait table with sturdy legs and four rodholders, while to starboard is a bait tank with the option for it to be plumbed. At floor level, plastic hatches neatly cover the battery compartment and a storage area. It was pleasing to see that alongside the centreline are two large fish boxes in the floor capable of holding metre-sized catch.

Access alongside the cabin is wide enough to allow easy movement forward or to fight a fish that wants to drag you around the boat. Once in the bow there is a quite usable space and a removable padded seat on top of the cabin for relaxing or to do some bottom bouncing.

The split bowrail allows easy boarding and things are kept simple with an open anchor locker capable of holding plenty of rope, chain and a decent-sized anchor.

COCKPIT

By their nature centre cabs are always going to be a compromise and in the case of the Anglapro Predator 19, fishing room has taken precedence over space in the helm area.

An arch over the entry to the helm station incorporates a rocket-launcher with six rod slots that can be easily reached from the cockpit. I like the way it is designed to fold down to reduce height for storage. The bimini has its own stainless steel supports and does a good job of protecting the area from the elements.

Both skipper and passenger get bucket seats mounted on narrow aluminium boxes with openings at the front to store things like lifejackets, mooring lines and so on. There are footrests forward of both positions and both seats swivel around so the crew can keep an eye on lines when trolling, or to open up the space for relaxing.

A two-piece acrylic screen extends over the dash and there’s a handy grabrail around its top perimeter as well as another one welded to the dash for the passenger.

Entry to the cuddy cabin is through an opening to port. Once inside, I found sitting room for an adult on either side towards the rear but none farther forward where the height drops away. Derek told me that in running the boat with his family of three young children, he found that it is a good space for them to have a lie down or to entertain themselves while he was fishing.

HANDLING AND RIDE

Gear selection is effortless with Suzuki’s digital control and we were soon underway across the bay, where only a slight breeze had left a smooth track for us to test the handling and speed of the Predator.

The grunty 140hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard motor had us on the plane without fuss at 12kts and we were soon at an effortless mid-range cruise of 20kts at 4000rpm. Without much weight in the boat it felt quite light and buoyant at these speeds and was very responsive into turns, leaning progressively with the big chines biting in to track smoothly.

Acceleration is smooth through the range and trimmed right out, we saw 34kts on the GPS at the engine’s top end, 6000rpm.

As we made our way out through the heads we found offshore conditions were also fairly flat but managed to find some rougher water close to the cliff line. Although the hull is a bit noisy it handled the chop well with no jolts from the ride or rattles from fittings as we headed into the sloppy conditions at around 30kts. The Anglapro responds well to trim adjustment in different seas, so a more experienced driver will get more out of it than a set-and-forget user.

The Predator is quite stable at rest and we found the cockpit allowed plenty of fishing room for two anglers to cast lures towards the wash without getting tangled together ­– a third angler could have found an extra perch in the bow.

THE VERDICT

Anglapro has adopted a systematic approach to the launch of the new Anglapro Predator 19 and without rushing things, it has produced a simple and strongly-constructed fishing boat with some concessions for family days on the water as well.

While the centre cab version offers a level of weather protection that will appeal to a lot of southern anglers, the Anglapro Predator 19 is also available as a centre or side console for those looking for an even more hard-core fishing machine. Derek also welcomes buyers wanting to customise the standard layout for specific features.

HIGHS

• Strong construction

• Good stability at rest

• Spirited performance

LOWS

• Windscreen bar at eye level

ANGLAPRO PREDATOR 19 SEA TRIALS

Anglapro Predator 19 with single Suzuki DF 140 and three-blade 14in x 19in propeller

*Sea-trial data supplied by the author.

ANGLAPRO PREDATOR 19 SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE AS TESTED

$62,000

OPTIONS FITTED

Engine upgrade (Suzuki 140hp outboard motor), spray rails and sounder upgrade

PRICED FROM

$54,000

GENERAL

MATERIAL Plate-aluminium alloy

TYPE Monohull 

LENGTH 5.9m    

BEAM 2.42m

WEIGHT 1700kg

DEADRISE 18°

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (NIGHT) 2

REC. HP 115

REC. MAX HP 150

FUEL 150lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Suzuki DF 140 outboard

TYPE Four-cylinder, four-stroke outboard motor

RATED HP 140   

WEIGHT 170kg  

DISPLACEMENT 2044cc

GEAR RATIO 2.59:1         

PROPELLER Three-blade 14in x 19in

SUPPLIED BY

GOOD TIMES MARINE

2 Toorak Ave,

Taren Point, NSW, 2229

PHONE +61 2 9524 6999

EMAIL info@goodtimesmarine.com.au