30 years ago, my soul existence was based on how many longtail tuna I could catch in my home waters of Moreton Bay. Even though I used to chase them out of a 12 foot Stessl punt with a 20 hp tiller steer outboard, my dream boat was a centre console with double that horsepower.
Sometimes I was invited to go and chase tuna on Rick Grimmer’s renovated Haines Hunter rocketship with a 150HBP Merc tower of power on the back. It was all fun.
Fast forward to 2023 and the centre console has evolved a long way, from the remarkably efficient motors through to the insane electronics and the level of comfort and appointment in the modern centre console needs to be seen to be believed.
On the aluminium side, New Zealand’s Surtees makes a hull as good as any and that are obviously designed, used and built by anglers. The water ballast system in the hull takes in water to a keel mounted tank and can be optionally retained to give the boat more mass and better ride in rough conditions.
Step back, though and you can appreciate the design of the test boat and that Northside Marine have ticked all of the options to make this rig a fantastic platform to fish local waters.
The imported 610 Pro Fisher came on a twin axle Redco (locally built) trailer and was fitted with a Yamaha F130 4-stroke outboard. Maximum horsepower for this rig is 150 and that motor should be seriously considered by those serious about putting together their ultimate centre console rig.
As is, it’s a relatively economical craft, achieving as good at 2.4km/L at optimal cruising speed of 36km/h at 3,900rpm. You get a whole kilometre less per litre at WOT, but that’s typical of pushing an outboard to the limits.
With the 200L underfloor fuel tank, expect a maximum range of over 400km if you’re trying to drive it economically.
It’s the level on interior appointment, though, that very different from the centre consoles on the 90s. On the trailer, you board via a sturdy transom step that folds up neatly and unobtrusively. Every step is rubber custom decking - and that includes if you walk around the gunwales!
You’re confronted by a neat seat/icebox/tackle draw station that has a reversible backrest. In front of that is a wide console with a big, canvas T-Top with plenty of rails to grab onto while travelling. The dash is massive and hill hold any or all of the electronics that would be sensible to fit.
The helm is comfortable and practical, even though I’m spoiled now and prefer the fly-by-wire engines, it’s smooth enough to drive.
Walk around the console and there’s an elevated front casting deck with some substantial storage underneath. Storage is often the bugbear of centre consoles, yet the Surtees doesn;t waste an inch. Even under the bait station where a typical NZ Tinnie would have a battery hatch, there’s a large tackle storage area.
The batteries are situated under the console.
Most owners of a fishing boat like this would drop a Minn Kota or one of the new Garmin Krakens up the font to help with virtual anchoring and boat control. Get the shaft length right and this would be out of the way while chasing stuff that needs propulsion faster than the electric could deliver.
And the colour? Definitely a head-turner at the ramp.
As tested, this boat came in at $120,573 from Northside Marine, although you’d probably be spending the best part of another $10K on a quality electric motor and battery combination to truly make it the ultimate fishing machine.
Reach out to Jason Comino for more details or a test drive or visit www,northsidemarine.com.au
PERFORMANCE
RPM Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L)
Idle
1000 4 3
2000 7 2.6
3000 16 1.1
3500 31 2.1
3900 36 2.4
4000 40 2.2
5000 53 1.6
5900 64 1.4
SPECIFICATIONS
Length 6.10m
Beam 2.26m
Sides 4mm
Hull 5mm
Max HP 150HP
Fuel 200L
Water ballast 340L
Transom deadrise 19°
Capacity 6 persons
Tow weight 1,360kg
11 окт 2023
