Omm Reef Master 580WA All-Rounder Review

A few issues ago we tested for you Offshore Marine's Reef Master 530WA All-Rounder and if you recall, it was a really neat trailerboat oozing quality and practicality for the dedicated fisho or average weekend boater.

Well, we have just had a run in another of their models, the slightly longer 580WA which displayed all of the qualities of the smaller version.

Generally speaking, boats are not investments that grow in value, but in the case of Offshore Marine Master, they are an asset that holds value well in a resale market where many other brands diminish in worth at various rates; and with this rig, you get to enjoy it along the way.

 

GETTING ABOUT
The walkaround on the 580 was wide enough to traverse at a normal gait to the bow. To get this width without cutting into cabin space, the coamings are rebated once one steps up from the cockpit.
The coamings surrounding the cockpit are wider and will take plenty of rodholders and other bolt-on or recessed accessories such as out and downriggers if you are into that style of fishing.
The layout of the front half of the boat is very practical fishing wise. There is good handrail security on the cabin roof and surrounding the forequarters on the gunwales. If fishing from the bow the bum seat rebated into the front brow of the cabin roof will be a welcome perch when the going gets bumpy.
Two rodholders are mounted vertically in the aft bulkhead of the anchorwell, and these can be used for gaffs and boat hooks and the like. The anchorwell is large and open and a drum winch would fit nicely here if you want to do away with the manual labour of handling the ground tackle.
A small ventilation hatch is installed in the cabin roof and the side walls of the superstructure above it, which forms the side-screens and targa bimini, have just enough slant inwards at the top to make it easier for one to walk around without being pushed off balance in case of shoulder contact.
Surrounding the cockpit are sidepockets aplenty with the exception of the aft port corner where a half-height walkthrough transom door is fitted. In the bulkhead below the walkthrough is a flush-mounted hatch to access the cranking battery. Another hatch in the bulkhead toward the starboard side covers a multi-drawer tackle locker.

 

FISHING FEATURES
A floodable killtank in the cockpit deck is big enough for offshore bottom species and the fuel lines from the underfloor tank to the engine are sealed away in a large diameter alloy pipe traversing this area. This will prevent damage to the fuel lines by toothy critters thrashing around inside.
The transom, generally, is an interesting design with the livebait tank protruding out onto the starboardside platform that houses a permanently recessed burley muncher. It is a reasonable lean to reach out and vertically mash the contents of the burley muncher. But, with looms from the bulkhead to the engine crossing the starboard platform, I would have preferred to see the fuel filter installed externally at this site rather than in the sidepocket in the cockpit for safety reasons, as what space that was left on the starboard platform made it obsolete as far as using it for boarding is concerned.
An ample non-slip finish has been applied to the portside boarding platform where handrails each side assist one up and down the telescopic fold-up stainless steel boarding ladder installed here.
Two inspection ports screw off to access the bilge and the engine mounting bolts if required.
You will also like the practical baitrigging board which has a low-level tray for tools. The entire unit can be lifted off the transom for cleaning or for freeing up the space for other items such as a BBQ.

 

BEHIND THE WHEEL
At the helm, we liked the flat dash top that is fully fenced so stowed gear will not slide off onto the deck. The dash top is the only place where you can install gimbal-mounted electronics and there is plenty of room for large cabinet versions across its beam.
The windscreen is a one-piece wraparound Perspex type which has its aft ends fixed to a targa rising off the aft end walls of the cabin and is fitted with full clears.
We like the helm seating arrangement on the previous Offshore Marine Master tested and the same goes for this one. It can be removed by undoing four bolts and its beam can handle three backsides on a cushioned top which hid a monstrous dry stowage vault. The backrest is padded and supported by a frame with aft-facing rodholders. Another seat is rebated behind the helm seating and its cushioned top opens to reveal a large insulated icebox complete with a tray to keep items out of the ice slurry.
Down in the cabin one has good head height and on this boat, the leg well has been utilised to house a pump-out holding tank in the forward end for the head which sits aft of it. Both are hidden under thick cushioning which covers the rest of the flat area, offering a berth for two people.

 

OUT FOR A RUN
We took the test boat out through Caloundra Bar at the top of Bribie Island where the swell was gentle. We experienced an intermittent fuel flow problem on the day which kept us close to the coast (I might add that this was not a manufacturer's issue but one caused by the subsequent fitting of a fuel filter at a marine centre after the boat left the factory).
As tested with the 140hp four-stroke Suzuki, the Reef Master 580WA All-Rounder performed well and unless you had to carry the full complement of people (six) regularly or had a few that were overweight, it would be an overkill to go for the recommended maximum of 175hp. Holeshot was excellent with two people aboard and the Suzuki had plenty of torque to work the backs of the swell when coming in through the bar.
This boat's 17-degree deadrise at the stern gave it a soft landing coming off the waves and it behaved well in the broaching department when crossing swells at various angles. The variation in the deadrise going forward gave the boat good stability at rest when moving about in the cockpit.
With no speedometer or GPS at our disposal, we guess that the maximum speed would be in the vicinity of 70 to 75kmh WOT.
If you are looking for long-term ownership of a quality plate boat that will do the hard miles at sea, have longevity of life and a 6.3m LOA, put this boat on your wish list and it should be one of the first you test drive. It has been built to impress!

 

WHAT WE LIKED
Practical stowage everywhere
Good ride
Stability at rest

NOT SO MUCH
Fuel filter should be outside on the transom
Cockpit scuppers drains could be larger

 

 

Specifications: OMM Reef Master 580WA All-Rounder

 

HOW MUCH?
Price as tested:   $68, 349
Options fitted:   Electronics, toilet and holding tank, seat/icebox, bunk cushions, cabin hatch and side windows, side coaming padding, front clears, screen on cabin aperture, coloured sides, transom tackle locker, saltwater deckwash, and burley bucket
Priced from:    $59,990

GENERAL
Material:    Aluminium, 6mm bottom, 4mm top and deck
Length overall:   6.3m 
Beam:    2.45  
Weight:    1700kg (dry)

CAPACITIES
Fuel:     200lt
People berthed:   2
People day:   6 to 450kg
Max. load:    795kg (inc. engine)
Rec. min. HP:   115  
Rec. max. HP:   175
Max. transom weight:  220kg

ENGINE
Make/model:   Suzuki DF140
Type:     Four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve outboard
Weight:    186kg
Rated HP:    140
Displacement:   2044cc
Gearbox ratio:   2.59:1
Propeller:    Solas 14-3/4 x 17in four-blade   

 

SUPPLIED BY
Offshore Marine Master,
Shed 3/7 Dual Avenue,
Warana, Qld, 4575
Phone: (07) 5493 5111
Fax: (07) 5493 5110
Email: jasonomm@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au

Originally published in TrailerBoat #239  

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