BIG SURTEES LANDS IN AUSTRALIA

Surtees said its newest and biggest boat, a 7.3 Gamefisher/Sportfisher model, has arrived in Western Australian waters for the first time.

Perth-based Aquasports Marine has been importing Surtees boats for the past 12 months, and has just taken delivery of the New Zealand-built boat which has already been sold.

“Sales have been going very, very well. In fact, we’ve got another one of these 7.3s arriving shortly because we’re confident it won’t be sitting in the showroom for very long,” he said.

Over the last 15 years or so, Surtees said it has earned an international reputation for building boats which feature high quality, stability, safety, and practical features.

For example, all welds are intended to be inspected, so they are covered by a clear finish rather than paint.

Surtees boats come with a “secret weapon” in the form of self-flooding ballast tanks. These give the boat stability at rest, while the soft, deep-vee hull and spray-deflecting chines help lift the boat out of the water for what is said to be a smoother and more comfortable ride.

“Surtees are built and marketed as the perfect fishing boats, and they are,” said Di Toro. “But they also make brilliant all-rounders.”

The new owner has selected a Mercury 250hp Verado to power his new boat.

“It’s the perfect outboard for what’s a pretty big boat,” added Di Toro.

“Not only has the Verado got all the power you’ll need, it’s unbelievably quiet and it’s a very low-emission engine. Those are important features for the customer who’s taking the boat to the new marina at Jurien Bay.”

Di Toro said the quality of a Surtees boat is its main selling point, but he believes that the current exchange rate between Australia and New Zealand makes the brand even more attractive.

“We are effectively getting a 20-25% discount against other brands and it’s a very high quality product as well,” said Di Toro. “How do you go past that?”

Visit www.aquasportsmarine.com.au for more information.