Best Fibreglass Fishing Boats | Australia’s Greatest Boats 2015
There’s a fishing boat for every angler in our premium field of contenders. The first stage of the Australia’s Greatest Boats 2015 competition is the Fibreglass Fishing Boats category and the boats here come in all manner of shapes and styles, the range reflecting the broader market.
This year’s contenders are the Caribbean 2300 Outboard, Haines Hunter 675 Offshore Hard Top, Savage 585C, the Robalo R227 (on of a handful of American boats to compete in AGB over the years), and the Arvor 605 Sportsfish from Europe. There’s a boat here for everyone, whether you’re after an offshore gamefisher, a family crossover, inshore cruiser or a flat-out speed demon. But the bottom line is these fibreglass fishing boats do one thing: provide fishy-ness and fishability. And more fishing.
Previously, we’ve staged this spectacle at many great boating destinations, but it seems often the best is right under your nose.
This year we chose Lakes Entrance – on the beautiful Gippsland Lakes – commonly referred to as the Victorian Riviera. We also changed the timing to early November, given that it was Victoria after all, and were greeted with sun-filled days and just enough swell to make things interesting offshore. We even caught a few snapper to boot.
What’s especially interesting about this best boats contest is that we’ve seen how participation drives manufacturers to produce better boats to suit the public.
Australia’s Greatest Boats promotes innovation and rewards quality, while showcasing the world’s leading marine brands. There are boats to suit all budgets and reflect every style, ensuring even better value for money when you hit the yards to spend your hard-earned.
Furthermore, you’d be amazed at how many improvements have been identified and put into full production after our team casts a critical, and fully independent eye over these fibreglass fishing boats.
And it’s not just boats that improve with time and testing. We were very pleased to see representatives from both Yamaha and Honda Marine in attendance, providing advice and technical backup on their magnificent outboards. Naturally, there was also a vast array of the very latest marine electronics and accessories fitted to these fishing boats.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the five best fibreglass fishing boats for Australia’s Greatest Boats 2015 as we put them to the ultimate test.
BEST FIBREGLASS FISHING BOATS 2015
Haines Hunter 675 Offshore Hardtop
Haines Hunter is a name that will have any fisho bursting with excitement. The Haines Hunter 675 Offshore Hardtop is the evolution of the wonderful 650 R hull that won at the inaugural Greatest Boats 2010 event. And here it is: the boat the judges rated the top fibreglass fishing boat for 2015.
Read the review | Watch the video
Caribbean 2300 Outboard
History tells us the Caribbean 2300 hull is the one to beat for ride and comfort. Our judges scored it highly on X-Factor, an interesting response to a hull with such origins and pedigree. But will the new 2300 Outboard layout upset the balance or add to an already impressive package?
Read the review | Watch the video
Robalo R227
Some might be surprised to see the Robalo R227 at this event. However, look under the seats and open the lockers and you will find the backbone of a proper fibreglass fishing boat. She certainly proved a worthy contender, winning both the Innovation and Ergonomics sections.
Read the review | Watch the video
Arvor 605 Sportsfish
One of Europe’s finest fibreglass fishing boat builders came to this event to raised eyebrows and inquisitive looks. However, the Arvor 605 Sportsfish looked great running in and out of the difficult Lakes Entrance bar and impressed many more onlookers than just our judges.
Read the review | Watch the video
Savage 585C
The Savage 585C fibreglass family fishing boat came to prove a point it was more than just a solid value proposition. It rated really well in Handling and ride, Stability at rest, Ergonomics and Value for money, making it a well-rounded and very versatile boat package. But could it battle its way to the top?
Read the review | Watch the video
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