Review: Suzuki DF300AP Outboard Motor
The Cruise Craft 685 Hard Top relies on a proven hull formula for performance, handling and ride. It’s a safe boat for heading to wide fishing grounds in the right conditions, with ample range and a hull that won’t wear you out over long distances. Its conservative styling will endure and the quality of build will provide years of service.
Suzuki DF300AP outboard power
A serious fishing boat like the Cruise Craft 685 Hard Top demands equally serious power, so the owner of this Cruise Craft boat opted for a 300hp Suzuki. Cruise Craft boats recommends marine engines from 225 to 300hp, so the big Suzuki outboard sits at the top of the range and delivers scintillating performance.
Planting the throttle was a bit of a surprise as we tested this Cruise Craft in Sydney Harbour. Those feisty ponies get the boat moving rapidly but there is hardly a lift of the bow and little sense of transition to the plane. Put that down to efficient running surfaces and the well-designed hull with ample buoyancy aft to keep the bow planted.
Running a 17.5in prop meant we had great holeshot while still achieving a top speed just shy of 40kt. Across a bumpy Sydney Harbour and out through the Heads we held 25-28kt without any bumping or banging.
The hull is foam-filled and tied together underneath to form a sturdy structure. Having the floor liner fixed to the hull helps but there’s more to it than that. A matrix grid under the floor comprises two longitudinal fibreglass girders with outer stringers combined with bulkheads at the main stress points.
Cruising around the 4000rpm range gave us 25kt and 34.3L/h. So at this speed expect a range of 203nm with a 10 per cent reserve, putting even those elusive fish well wide of the shelf in range in the right conditions. On this Cruise Craft 685HT you can opt for a 370L tank if you need it.
Four-stroke outboards are so popular that they now dominate the outboard market, and relative newcomer Suzuki has made itself right at home near the top for sales and performance.
The 300hp Suzuki DF300AP is big on power and despite loads of new technology still adheres to the adage that size matters; this V6 has a 4028cc capacity, up with Yamaha, but exceeding the supercharged Verado or the two-stroke E-TEC.
Suzuki claims its Lean Burn system can give improve economy 10 per cent over rivals while its lower gearing gives better acceleration when running a bigger propeller.
As mentioned, performance on the Cruise Craft 685 hardtop was impressive, getting the big boat moving swiftly and to a top speed of 39.5kt. More running time on the engine should see a slight improvement and fuel figures were good for a boat this size.
Starting was immediate hot or cold and the motor trolled smoothly with no vibration, smell or spluttering. And at full noise there … um … wasn’t any. It’s quiet right through the range.
Cruise Craft 685HT sea trials
300hp Suzuki DF300AP four-stroke engine, two on board, 70 per cent fuel load. 310L fuel tank (calculations using 90L, 10 per cent reserve).
1000rpm reaches a speed of 4.2kt with fuel burn of 3.4L/hr for a range of 344nm
3000rpm reaches a planing speed of 11kt with fuel burn of 23.2L/hr for a range of 216nm
6000rpm (WOT) reaches a maximum speed of 39.5kt with fuel burn of 99L/hr for a range of 111nm
* Sea-trial data supplied by the author.
Suzuki DF300AP outboard motor specs
MAKE/MODEL Suzuki DF300AP outboard motor
TYPE V6 fuel-injected four-stroke outboard motor
RATED HP 300
DISPLACEMENT 4028cc
WEIGHT 278kg
GEAR RATIO 2.08:1
PROPELLER 17.5in
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL Suzuki DF300AP outboard motor
TYPE V6 fuel-injected four-stroke outboard motor
RATED HP 300
DISPLACEMENT 4028cc
WEIGHT 278kg
GEAR RATIO 2.08:1
PROPELLER 17.5in
MORE INFORMATION
Cruise Craft Boats
1308 Lytton Rd, Hemmant, Qld 4174
Phone (07) 3390 4877