McLay Boats CrossXover Series video

Launched earlier in 2014 at the Auckland Hutchwilco Boat Show, the CrossXover series of aluminium fishing / crossover boats from McLay Boats is now available in Australia.

This versatile collection of alloy trailerboats from New Zealand is built tough – as you’d expect – by Steve McLay’s company, based way down in Otago on the South Island, where rugged conditions demand boats which endure. The finish of these beauties is anything but rugged, however.

MCLAY CROSSXOVER BOATS

Comprising four models from the compact McLay 561 CrossXover to the 611 with hardtop and curved glass screen, each hull features 5mm chines and a full-length 5mm keel strip, but topsides gleam with Nyalic clear coat, plus paint.

The thinking behind the McLay CrossXover Boats series was to provide an affordable range of McLay vessels suited to a diverse range of activities, including fishing boats, family boats, dive trips or days towing water toys.

Each CrossXover has a large cockpit and enclosed cuddy cabin, but with the added safety of increased buoyancy.

Tucked within those wide, high gunwales are around 400lt of expanding closed cell foam for extra buoyancy, and this is in addition to underfloor chambers created by the sealed checkerplate cockpit sole. Boaties considering a CrossXover for fishing purposes will want to note the Portofino-style transom which provides space just forward of the outboard.

CROSSOVER APPEAL

When fitted with optional safety rails on each corner, this creates valuable extra fishing room, and a handy spot to launch diving adventures from when combined with the solid swimladder.

As pictured above, the McLay 561 CrossXover model can even be fitted with wakeboard racks up high on the bimini, alongside the rocket launcher. Hence the name, CrossXover!

The McLay 611 CrossXover offers the best protection of the four boats, with the skipper and passengers comfortably protected within a roomy hardtop and sliding side windows.

With non-skid on the gunwales and a full bait station on the stern, this boats looks ready for action.

As mentioned, each CrossXover boat includes a compact vee-berth within the cabin and this can be accessorised with infills to create a double bunk or to house a chemical toilet and privacy screen.

As a collection, McLay’s CrossXover series looks to be a sensible and predictably popular way to strengthen this iconic NZ brand within Australia, where their tough construction and no-nonsense design is sure to find new legions of fans.

PRICE

As of November 2014, Coorparoo Marine (one of four Australian McLay boat dealers) listed CrossXover boats at the following price.

• McLay 561 CrossXover price: $43,500. This package includes a bimini, front and side clears, QLD rego on boat and trailer and a 90hp Mercury four-stroke, all on a Redco braked trailer.
• McLay 581 CrossXover price: $49,700. This is a similar boat package, matched however, with a 155hp Mercury four-stroke outboard motor.
• McLay 601 CrossXover price: $57,200. This package comes with a 150hp Mercury four-stroke outboard motor.
• McLay 611 Hardtop base price: $71,500. This boat also runs the 150hp Mercury outboard motor with the same trailer and rego package.

Visit coorparoomarine.com.au and mclayboats.co.nz for more information.

MCLAY 611 CROSSXOVER SPECIFICATIONS

MATERIAL Aluminium

TYPE Monohull hardtop fishing boat

LENGTH 6.1m

BEAM 2.3m

WEIGHT 780kg

DEADRISE 18° variable

FUEL 150lt

REC. HP 115-200hp