Crownline 180BR Review
CROWNING GLORY HITS AUSSIE WATERS
One advantage of buying an imported boat is that they tend to be well equipped for the money. Often they are also built well, feature quality components, and come nicely presented.
The first Australian dealer for this range is Sydney's TR Marine World. Interstate dealers will be appointed over the next few months, but TR's Ian Tricker is reporting strong interest in the boats since they made their debut at the Sydney International Boat Show.
The 180BR is available in both sterndrive and outboard variants, and both enjoy rakish styling in a heap of colours (Ruby Red with optional race graphics pictured). Look past that, though, and you'll find a hull with 'glass and composite stringers, through-bolted fastenings and flawless moulding, according to the company.
The bowrider pit is spacious and finished in supple marine vinyls with sports colour schemes. The swept-back screen has a wide walkthrough to the helm position (choose from back-to-back seats or pedestals), while the rear lounge has lift-out Igloo cooler.
Cockpit walls are enclosed with sculpted sidepockets, and there's a rear sunpad over the engine room and a neat-looking boarding platform moulded into the stern.
With a deadrise of 18° at the stern and a long, sloping bow profile, the boat rides very well, while a planing plank at the rear boosts lift for lower planing speeds. Vented chines reduce drag and help with directional stability, especially at speed.
Crownline says its hulls are predictable handlers and are stable at high or low speeds.
But what's most impressive about this model is the list of standard features included in the price. Compare this to what you get on your bog-standard 'glass bowrider and then look at the bottom line on the Crownline: tilt-adjustable sports wheel, auto bilge pump, chrome vents, stainless pop-up cleats, grabrails and screen supports, rack-and-pinion steering, hour meter, full Faria gauge suite, two-speaker Sony CD, 12V accessory outlet, sports seats, ski tow eyes and boarding ladder, two-tone hull, canvas bimini with boot, vented ski locker, fire extinguisher, carpets, lockable glove compartment, removable cooler and stacks of drinkholders. Not bad, huh?
On the "con" side, there's no anchor well and no established second-hand market Down Under, so it's difficult to estimate how well they will retain resale value. Pricing may also be subject to the fluctuations of the Aussie dollar against the Greenback.
The 180BR can pack up to 225hp, and you can fit eight people aboard for a day's cruising and skiing. The engine is fed by a 102lt tank and the hull weighs 526kg for a modest all-up towing weight. TR fits Aussie-made trailers under their boats, too.
More info, tel (02) 4577 3522 or visit www.crownline.com.
Specifications: Crownline 180BR
HOW MUCH?
Priced from (BMT): $34,990 w/ 3.0lt 135hp MerCruiser
GENERAL
Hull type: Monohull bowrider
Material: Fibreglass and composite
Length overall: 5.5m
Beam: 2.3m
Deadrise: 18°
Weight: 526kg (hull only)
CAPACITIES
Fuel: 102lt
People: Eight
Rec/max hp: 225
For more information, contact TR Marine, 4 Curtis Rd, McGraths Hill, NSW, tel (02) 4577 3522 or visit www.crownline.com
Originally publushed in TrailerBoat #185