The Ultimate 14ft Boat: Stabicraft 1450 Review 

Dude I love this. I run a 16ft 1967 starcraft that I have fully customized myself. I fish out of Atlantic city NJ USA and to get to an area where you have the potential to catch tuna or mako or mahi you have to be no less then about 25 miles out. My friends think im mentally challenged for sometimes going 40 miles offshore in my boat. But I've caught bluefin now to 92 inches. This year I got into some epic mahi in the 20 to 25lb class. Which usually we don't get in that size unless your 60 to 80 miles. There are allot of ideas you got im going to try. Thanks bro

I would like to make a suggestion to improve the casting bar if you have not already. You should have a padded arced "C" shaped support backrest, bolted or welded to the top of the bar for more comfortable and safe support for the angler. No bruising and or sliding off the rail bar.

Awesome little boat! Wish I could get one here in Florida, USA. Needs a nice T-Top that folds down so it can still be easily stored in the garage and a marine VHF.

hi matt. I saw you at the boat show on Thursday and saw you being surrounded by children. you are really great, true legend, mate.🤙🤙🤙

That overflow setup is bloody cool

270% thought gone into that Matt!! Love the ideas and functionality of such a all float.

Been on a fair share of boats. This one is off the charts! Nice job.

absolutely genius design. I wish there was something like this selling in the states.

What an incredibly laid out practical little battle wagon!! Like another commentator said you could sell these boats so easy in Southern California

That casting rails a winner👌🏽

Pretty mint setup. The only additional thing I'd be tempted to consider for solo gamefishing is some sort of winch setup for those that don't plan on catch and release :)

what an incredible boat, I think I found what I've been looking for...

I really love your setup Matt, unfortunately for me, this boat is way too costly. However, I'll implement some of your ideas into a regular old entry level utility aluminum mod-v hull 16 foot boat (Marlon SWV16L). I was already planning on making some modifications that your boat has, like an all aluminum floor, as well as a better transom area (thicken it up to accomodate 2 or 3 rod holders)... but seeing your setup, I will for sure deepen the front "casting" deck a bit and implement some type of steps or something into the floor to add a casting support bar like you have, which would also have some welded brackets to host a very crude and simple foldable seat (it would retract right in between the vertical posts, so it wouldn't be too thick but hey, at least its a seat!) Seeing your setup, I will need to find a way to thicken up the gunnels and make some false vertical sides to host rods and reels... that little hidey-hole you have on that boat is just too perfect for that and for stepping in and out of the boat!

Sensational design form with function great work,!!!!

Really enjoyable watching great educational video Matt love your work truely one of the best in sharing all the tips and tricks thx ❤️❤️👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺

I have Stabicraft 1450 Frontier in Alaska for Monster Halibut Rockfish Kings and Silver Salmon "I am loving it"

Great set up. I would add a 90 degree outlet at top of the tuna tube to keep hose pipe out of the way. Also integrate some sort of colloidal shade setup.

Love your boat, definitely a weapon looking at that footage on the bar.

Looks like an awesome setup! Love white boats too, only change I would make is getting the motor in white, but it looks good as it is too. The tuna tube is interesting. Probably won't hold a giant Bluefin though. ;)

You sell this rig sooooo easily in Southern California!! Super impressive!

This guy is a talented designer actually

THIS FOR ME IS THE PERFECT BOAT. I WILL HAVE ONE ONE DAY. DREAMS ARE THERE TO HAPPEN.

Great setup love it. Have you ever thought about a grab rail over the windshield

I love it how I can see my boat at the start in the marina

My Stabi 1450 is Formula 1, My Alaska Monster fishing set up :4 x USA Made Avet Reels EX30/2 two-speed lever drag reels with Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Elite Jig Rods - 5'8", 100-200 lb. And 2 x Daiwa BG 8000 with Ugly Stik Tiger Elite Jig Casting Rods- 6' Length, 1pc Rods, 80-130 lb When we fish for Sablefish in 500-800 ft deep I use two Daiwa electric Tanacom 1000 with Daiwa Tanacom bend rods 60-150lb

I agree, that’s a nice 14 footer!

This guys boats are the most thaught out kit Ive ever seen.

Great video, what a way to maximize your space. Same amount of usable space as some 20 ft boats I've seen.

Love that Boat!

Amazing setup. Very envious.

That's choice as aye bro, I've ordered myself one of those rapala magnetic holders cheers for the tip

You and your boat are AWESOME!

Would it make sense to fashion a nice seat to your fabricated casting bar? Love this video… Just now looking at a Stabicraft myself…

Awesome vid. Some awesome ideas for my boat.

Awesome! You made a pure fishing machine:)

Possibly crack the alloy around those outrigger mounts. Nice set up though.

You put a ton of thought into it! Great setup.

need to see more of this boat

i want this boat, not any 1450, this exact setup. pretty much perfect.

Rugged functional practical massive but small.... the market for a boat like this is absurd around the Lake Erie , Northern Ohio area. I'd love to start seeing these in my area, specifically my garage:)

Hey Matt. You mentioned in one of your other Vids that the side console doesn't allow for Bimini top.. Could a Bimini top be made and slipped into where the casting rail is set in the front. . ??

For me I would have added the riptide ultera trolling motor also

I have basically the same Boat but with a Water Jet Engine from a 2021 RXP-X Seadoo and my Top Speed is 60 MPH. When I upgrade the Engine with a Turbo it will be faster 70 to 80 MPH. Also i am not limited from going into Shallow places and can drive right up to the Beach.

Awesome setup Matt, just one thing. You should have fitted the overflow of the Tuna tube 90 degrees starboard, the same as the connector of the live bait tank. That would have given you free access to the tank without the garden hose being in your way. 😉 Btw : It’s so good to see that finally someone uses the handle of that spinning reel on the correct side! 😂

Bloody damn brilliant! Don’t have the option of sourcing a Stabi here, but your other config ideas are definitely going to be incorporated into my 18’ CC rebuild … thanks mate 👌

Thats a sweet little rig!!

Legend, cool inovation 3 in 1.

Glad to see you went with Yamaha for this one Matt, the future of Etec is looking pretty bleak unfortunately

Amazing ideas! Congrats!!!

Well done, well done!

The only thing I would add is a bildge pump

The first Black Marlin I ever raised in the spread faded away when in his excitement the deckie knocked the boat out of gear. Needless to say the Marlin faded away. Been a pet hate ever since.

Good onya Matt , another winner design , so much more than the earlier 389 centre console , which now lives down i Wellington , loved that boat , sold it to buy a bloody old launch , big mistake , `nother story.

Galvanized steel trailers always rust out over time. There's a reason aluminum trailers cost so much more and still sell so well, they last a lot longer. And that 14' boat isn't cracking any trailer.

Very well thought out nice one

Hi, Now I have Stabicraft 1450 Explore. It was worth to waiting last 10 month. This is great boat! Could you please advice me that where can I order the removable casting rail ?

Awesome boat👍👌

Got any further detail about the live bait tank pump and water scoop please? Do you recall size/style of the parts? Do you have an aerator in the bait tank? Very impressed with the setup and totally want to copy it if I can!

very nice...sell them here in Florida

Hi CJ. I am coming to try St Claire River in two weeks. Can you recommend a launch and a general area for this time of year?

Would love to know where you picked up that flooring matt. I ordered my 1450 flat decked as I was going to do some udek or similar, but I just picked up a 1550 frontier with udek so im thinking maybe change it up with the 1450

Super boat a little bit of battleship weight there but superman ripp your bloody arms off stuff.

Great looking smuggler in the background

I want one but is it a wet boat and can it be fitted with scuppers?

Awesome stabicraft mate

Most desirable thing I've seen in a long while!

Hey Matt what sort of output is that live bait pump making? Cheers

Most well thought out boat design I have ever seen. Incredible! Do you market to the US? I believe you would sell a lot of boats. We have no serious fishing boats that are made here in the US in that size range!

BFD happy for you

Are all those rotating rod holders angled 15 degrees? Sorry i am deaf i cant understand Matt as i cant activitate subtitles... thank you for your response

Terrific vid! Thanks!

First, let me say I have been a big fan of yours for years. However, your statement that you set up your boat in your shed at home is B.S. The reason why I know this is that the positions of all your rod holders and cup holders is completely different from standard regardless of bolting a different brand in the existing space and not only that but the bow rails have a different flare at the bow. Given the fact that your positioning is pretty much optimal why the f... are the factory boats not set up this way. For the record I have just finally received my 1450 Stabicraft and yes, it's awesome but it's taking a significant amount of deletion, rewelding and modification to bring back to the ideal.

Lots of “proprietary market speak” . Difficult to compare features from different manufacturers as it’s always apples/oranges. What battery rating ?, bilge pump capacity ?, sonar frequencies?, what radios ?.. that said nice boat, well rigged for fishing ?

I like fishing, but if i have this boat maybe easy for fishing❤️

Matt is it possible to post the link to where I can find the bait board to purchase?

Nice boat. Do you have a fish hatch on it or let it out on the deck? That woyld he a pitty.

What a weapon!

Love these boats but I’ve never been a fan of the width of the gunnels I guess it’s due to the hull design, most my mates would piss on it all day. And it feels like you lose a fair bit of deck space ,seems really narrow.

i saw you at the rodny rams at ti point it was amazng

Hi Matt how do you prevent electrolysis corrosion in a Ali boat like that

The casting deck, grab rail, leaning bar needs 1 foot of side bars at 90 deg. at hip height so you can lean into it or back onto it when fishing port and starboard. . It could even fold inside the fame for storage. And the overflow pump from the tuna tube needs to be moved f=to the left side of the tube so it isn't in the way. You're Welcome.

Matt what size battery are you running for motor, finder and pumps

though the way boats are now with tougher transom's this thing would have a 60 on it but still a mint rig

Any U.S place to buy these boats? What a machine!

they are all good when they are sponsored boats

In my state im only allowed to use 3 rods per person

Matt Watson; A species of fish that can only be found in and on the waters around Aotearoa 😉😄

Hell yer awesome stuff

Even on a modest budget... Proceeds to talk about the most expensive brand of tinnie on the market.

Where did you get the tuna tube and bait tank from? Want to do the same setup on my skiff.

whera can i buy this fishing boat?

Epic!!!!!

any educated guesses of how much this boat would cost with that setup?

Seriously, how many alu trailers crack? Is this really a thing?

Hey just wondering if yours is a pro or a sport specked up? Cheers

How much is this boat?

Hi Matt, How many batteries do you run for this setup?

How much it cost you with that boat Matt?

Pretty much covers everything you need . The main problem should be catching the fish, not tge money to get to it.

What brand of tuna tube is that matt?