Carbon Fibre Edencraft Formula 233

Fibreglass Edencraft fishing boats need little introduction for any serious trailerboat angler. Built in Geelong, Victoria, these boats have an epic reputation, and none so more than the Edencraft Formula hull.

At the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show, anglers got to see the latest Edencraft 233 Formula Carbon. As the name suggests, this trailerable fishing boat uses composite carbon fibre construction materials.

Carbon fibre Edencraft 233

Edencraft principal Alan Ball is no stranger to composite materials. Although he’s been with Edencraft boats for six and a half years, he has a background in composites manufacturing technology. He started building composite rowing sculls in the ’80s and describes this manufacturing technology as his forte.

He says the concept for the Edencraft 233 Formula Carbon began with design concepts for lesser components. For example, boats were fitted with carbon fibre boat windscreens. These items took some time to perfect.

Satisfied with the results, Alan found a “nice carbon” material he was happy to use in a fishing boat hull, so he decided to step up the process.

“The first composite materials were the windscreen and wind deflectors, and cabin doors,” says Alan. “People like quality and don’t mind paying for things that are done properly. We started introducing little bits of composites in our boats and now that it’s gone to this stage, we’ve got it onto the next level,” he says.

Being a first of its kind, however, he concedes that the construction process was somewhat nerve-racking.

“When you lay the carbon down you can’t see what you’re rolling so you build the boat from the outside in,” says Alan. “You really don’t know what the boat is going to look like until it comes out. It’s a little bit nerve racking,” he says.

“You’ve just got to have the balls big enough to have a go,” he says. “I think it’s a first in a fishing boat in Australia,” he adds. “So I thought, why not, let’s do it. Show the other guys how real boats are made.”

Price

What’s the Edencraft 233 Formula Carbon price? $190,000 approximately, for the boat Trade-a-Boat saw at the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show. This specimen was fitted with twin 300 hp Suzuki outboard motors, was fully optioned, and was glistening with stainless steel.