Stabicraft 2050 Supercab review | Australia's Greatest Boats 2015

The Stabicraft 2050 Supercab is the latest fishing boat from this long-established New Zealand plate aluminium boat manufacturer — and it just oozes versatility.

STABICRAFT 2050 SUPERCAB REVIEW

The Trade-a-Boat crew was first introduced to the sensational Stabicraft 2050 Supercab fishing boat in New Zealand last year for the Kiwi Kings feature. We blasted around the beautiful Bay Of Islands, chasing monster kingfish, kahawai (Australian salmon), snapper and a vast array of other delights.

We all returned the same verdict: “This boat just has to go to Australia’s Greatest Boats competition as it is one of the most versatile sportsfishing weapons on today’s market.”

The freshly redesigned fishing boat features the best of Stabicraft’s never ending research and development regime. The Kiwis were never known to sit on their hands or rest on their laurels and it has been amazing to watch the constant evolution over a long period of time. The result is a superb fishing boat like the Stabicraft 2050 Supercab.

It’s also interesting to note how much acceptance Stabicraft has enjoyed in the Australasian markets and the broad spectrum of clientele.

Stabicraft is famous for a number of things. Firstly, there is the huge amount of inherent safety with that ring of large compartmentalised positive flotation tanks, formed from plate aluminium. Then there is the stability, aided by the flotation, but also thanks to the unique hull designs with aggressive chines and beamy dimensions.

Stabicraft boats were once the ugly ducklings of the fishing boat world but are now more like a beautiful swan for all who venture to sea. These are offshore-capable fishing boats, that also appeal to the family, particularly from safety and layout aspects.

There is also a terrific acceptance in many commercial applications for Stabicraft 2050 Supercab boats, such as safety and rescue services, law enforcement, fisheries and other working ventures.

The all-new Stabicraft 2050 Supercab features the company’s Arrow Pontoons which see the hull modified, particularly around the shoulders and entry, to reduce hull slap. The Game Chaser Transom allows you to back up on a marauding pelagic at speed, at the same time creating greater buoyancy at the stern for larger outboards. And the elongated hull plates now run all the way to the back of the pod, in effect creating a longer running surface for bigger boat capability.

Another stroke of design brilliance is the transom baitstation, which puts the large and solid baitboard at a comfortable working height and the lack of a front lip allows for easier filleting of the day’s catch. Under all that is a fully enclosed battery, electrical and plumbing compartment that is well off the floor and out of harm’s way. On either side are folding seats that double up as steps to the rear platforms and ladder.

The Stabicraft 2050 Supercab truly has one of the ultimate rear deck layouts and can only be properly described as a fishing workstation. The big, deep deck and wide coamings, combined with checkerplate floor and full-length sidepockets add to the workability of the Stabicraft 2050 Supercab.

Enclosed hardtops are certainly the flavour of the month and the Stabicraft Supercab is a ripper. The huge one-piece windscreen allows unrestricted viewing of what lies ahead and gives ultimate protection from the elements whether cold, hot, windy or becalmed.

Dash and helm facilities may seem a simple matter but they can be quite tricky to get right. Stabicraft shows that it not only builds the boats, it gets out and uses them, as is evident by having the correct dash angles for viewing instruments, along with the capacity to fit the large screen sonar and navigation units of our modern sportsfisher. Seating, steering and even throttle positions are all comfortable and where and as they should be.

The Stabicraft 2050 Supercab performed really well, up there at the top in the whole raft of scoring criteria for all of the judges. But the fact that it took out the highest score rating in the telling X-Factor category means that it was the one fishing boat in the range that made all of our judges go “Wow!”

The majestic 150hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard motor blitzed the capable offshore contender out of the hole and up to thrilling top speeds evenly and confidently over the full rev range. It is smooth, quiet, fuel-efficient and ultimately dependable, giving huge offshore range to the seafaring Stabicraft.

The Kiwis are famous for their plate aluminium fishing boats, so you need to build a tough, dependable package to make it in their market, where bar crossings are an everyday reality. Stabicraft has clawed its way to the top in both Australia and New Zealand with a long, safe history – a new breed of trailerable offshore battleships like the Stabicraft 2050 Supercab will ensure that they stay there.

If you want one you’d best get your order in soon – wait too long, and you might be too old to enjoy it from the tail end of the order list.

STABICRAFT 2050 SUPERCAB RATING

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