Best Aluminium Fishing Boats | Australias Greatest Fishing Boats 2014
Australians have an insatiable thirst for tinnies and plate-aluminium fishing boats. Whether as a vessel for their favourite beverage or as their fishing vessels, tinnies – in both forms – are responsible for many youthful indiscretions and some incredible memories. Since Australia’s Greatest Boats first started, the alloy fishing boats category continues to serve up the most variety and often polarises the judging panel. This year proved no different.
Unlike the fibreglass fishing boats, which were all locally built, the aluminium fishing boat finalists have a decidedly international flavour. However, the differences between these top tinnies extend far deeper than mere country of origin. Four of the finalists featured a fully enclosed glass house, while the Quintrex boat trod a more traditional path sticking with the ubiquitous cuddy cabin architecture with front and side clears that locals flock to in their droves. The low slung Crestliner might initially seem out of place in this field of high-waisted cuddies with only its upright windscreen offering protection from the prevailing conditions. But looks can be deceiving. At the other extreme sits the Sailfish Canyon Master. As big as a block of flats yet considerably more seaworthy, it’s towed comfortably behind larger SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or VW Amarok ute.
BEST ALUMINIUM FISHING BOATS
Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk WT
The Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk WT has an American fishing tournament theme but transforms into a terrific family fisher/ski bowrider thanks to a simple flip-over rear lounge which converts to a casting platform. What a ride!
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Quintrex 650 Trident
In the aluminium boat world, Quintrex is an Aussie icon. Some years back it also formed the first variable-deadrise hull, the Millenium hull, and now it’s taken that design even further with its recent Blade Millenium hull, as fitted to the Quintrex 650 Trident.
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Stabicraft 1850 Supercab
Aussies have taken to Kiwi plate-alloy boats in a big way and one of the most popular brands is Stabicraft. The pontoon-style boat builder's Stabicraft 1850 Supercab is a terrific hull. On this model, the intrepid Kiwis took the features we liked and then added more beauties. It’s a very efficient hull on the water with seagoing abilities
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Bar Crusher 615HT Gen2
Bar Crusher is back to defend its title with the Bar Crusher 615HT Gen2. The Melbourne-based plate-boat manufacturer blew us away last year after winning the title for the second time. The hull has a high-tech design producing more efficient lift and delivering better running capabilities.
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Surtees 6.1 Game Fisher
The Surtees 6.1 Game Fisher is an armour-plated battlewagon. Take this boat for a spin and you fall straight into attack mode – the faster you push, the better this boat likes it! And yet, as we motored through the Gold Coast Broadwater we saw the Surtees’ softer ride.
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Sailfish Canyon Master
The Sailfish Canyon Master powered catamaran was a welcome addition to this year’s plate-alloy fishing boats division. The Sailfish Canyon Master’s seagoing ability is off the scale. No wonder the judges all came in from the trials with eyes wide open and jaws on the ground.
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