TROPHY 2152 (DIESEL) REVIEW
TEST: TROPHY 2152 (DIESEL)
We keep hearing about how new outboards have revolutionised boating with greater fuel economy and usable power. Modern two- and four-stroke engines certainly do offer much but while outboards have been in the spotlight, advances in diesel technology for trailerboats have been generally overlooked.
Enter the new Trophy 2152 Walkaround with common-rail technology in its trusty inboard. Common-rail has brought new levels of economy and power to the faithful diesel motor and - just as the motoring public has taken to diesel in this country - we might be about to see it accepted as enthusiastically by Australia's boating public.
I admit that I'm a diesel convert from way back - my 4WD and family cars over the last decade have all been oil burners. The attraction is in the fuel economy and the torquey power offered by diesel, so when the Trophy's 2lt Cummins MerCruiser kicked over it was with that familiar rattle from the enginebox.
The principal behind common-rail technology is that it provides fuel from a reservoir or accumulator - the common fuel-rail - to the individual injectors at very high pressure (typically up to 2000bar or nearly 30,000psi). The high-pressure fuel is fed via electronically-controlled injectors into the cylinders where the cylinder pressure ignites the fuel. With higher pressure comes better atomization which means the fuel can be regulated more efficiently for better power and economy. With some systems this allows up to five injections per stroke. Not only that, but common-rail also allows for small amounts of fuel to be injected prior to the main injection, softening the explosion for a quieter motor.
DIESEL FISHING
The Trophy brand is the dedicated fishing branch of Bayliner from the United States. The range was established to differentiate these dedicated fishing models from the more family-oriented Bayliners.
The design behind the Trophy 2152 Walkaround uses a unified set of fibreglass stringers that are bonded to the hull and deck during construction to form a single structure. The hull is extremely strong and stiff, so much so that Trophy offers a 10-year warranty.
But first things first - let's take a walk around the walkaround.
The layout is all about fishing and getting to the fish. The high padded gunwales give good support for fighting fish and there are footholds to get right in close. The decks either side of the cabin seem narrow but they're still wide enough to transverse to the bow; a high rail runs forward from amidships to help keep you on board. The whole boat can be easily accessed if you need to chase big ones around.
Despite the walkaround taking valuable space from the cabin, it has room for two bunks or seating for four around a removable table. Step down through a lockable folding door and you'll find ample storage and a standard onboard toilet.
At the helm, you'll find a moulded dash with space for a large navigation screen in a rounded raised section. The display is a suite of Mercury SmartCraft instruments along with switch and fuse panels and controls for the Lenco trim tabs. There is a stainless steel wheel and the skipper gets a sturdy pedestal seat and a recessed footwell. The matching passenger seat is set on a storage box with a slide out Esky-type cooler below. The hardtop sits firmly on solid stainless stanchions and features a four-space rocket launcher and built-in cockpit lighting. A weatherproof panel for radios is set into the hardtop above the crew.
A 60lt plumbed bait-tank is also moulded into the raised deck of the helm area. Other features include a raw water washdown, dual-batteries, and under-deck cleats. Big plumbed fishboxes are set into the rear cockpit floor and drain overboard for easy cleaning.
In the cockpit the enginebox takes space from the rear centre-section. Even so, there's plenty of room either side to get right up to the transom, and it doesn't impede fishing room at the stern, particularly given the need to keep tight lines clear of the prop anyway.
HANDLING AND RIDE
Getting underway is a no-fuss if somewhat sedate procedure. At low speeds the sterndrive has a slow response to turning the nearly two tons of loaded boat. Once on the plane the Trophy has a big boat feel which is enhanced by the industrial sound of the diesel motor at lower speeds chugging through the water. At top revs it sounds purposeful and perhaps more like other engines. However, at no stage is the noise offensive or loud - it's just different.
The Cummins MerCruiser will get to 33kts (61kmh) and makes you feel like it would happily cruise at that speed until the 327lt of fuel in the underfloor-baffled tank was consumed - presumably half way to New Zealand. The heart and soul of this boat is frugal economy. At 4000rpm the fuel use should be 20lt/h, which is pretty impressive. Cruising speeds will deliver 6-8lt/h and trolling at 800rpm consumes 1.2lt/h.
Handling at speed is predictable and safe. The boat turns sharply and is very manoeuvrable on the plane. On our test day on the seas off Sydney there was a nasty chop and a slight swell but the pedigree of the Trophy shone through. The hull is made for offshore work and it doesn't disappoint.
Given the level of fitout the price is very competitive in the 6m fishing category. Match that with the economy and torque of the common-rail motor and Trophy is on a winner.
On the plane...
Quality finish
Superb fuel economy
Safe and predictable
Dragging the chain...
Low-speed manoeuvring
No readout for the trim tabs
Specifications: Trophy 2152 Walkaround
HOW MUCH?
Price as tested: $88,000
Options fitted: Extended hardtop, 2lt Cummins MerCruiser diesel engine
Priced from: $69,890 with 190hp V6 petrol and bimini
GENERAL
Type: Diesel-powered monohull fishing boat
Material: Fibreglass
Length: 6.58m
Beam: 2.46m
Weight (with motor): 1588kg
Deadrise: 19°
CAPACITIES
Fuel: 322lt
Rec. max. HP: 220hp
ENGINE
Make/model: Cummins MerCruiser Diesel QSD 2.0lt
Type: Four-cylinder, common-rail, turbo
Rated HP: 155
Displacement: 2lt
Weight: 250kg
Propeller: 21in
SUPPLIED BY
Avante Marine
210-212 Silverwater Rd
Silverwater, NSW, 2128
Tel: 1300AVANTE / (02) 9737 0727
MANUFACTURED BY
Trophy Sportfishing Boats
Cumberland, Maryland
United States
Originally published in TrailerBoat 265.