2018 Brisbane Boat Show's top 10 trailerboats

New to Australia is Bayliner's smallest cabin boat, the VR5 Cuddy. Launched to compliment the hugely successful VR5 Bowrider, the cuddy model is built using the same "beam forward' hull and deck design that has the maximum beam carried well forward to boost interior storage and living space.

Accordingly, the VR5 Cuddy is deceptively spacious for its low-profile shape and 6.2m overall length. Inside it has a luxurious two-berth forward cabin, deluxe helm station with comfortable bucket chairs, a re-configurable, wrap-around cockpit seating layout, foredeck and engine box sun-pads, and loads of storage space.

The Brisbane display boat, powered by MerCruiser's 4.5-litre 200hp V6 petrol sterndrive engine, was priced at $85,990.

More information: www.cworthymarine.com.au

New Zealand's Blackdog Cat range of single-engine alloy catamarans is now available in Australia. A selection of these innovative-looking craft were on display from dealer Aussie Boat Sales ACT/NSW, including an entry 4.1m side console fishing model.

Similar to its larger siblings, the Blackdog Cat 4.1m has a broad alloy deck separated by thin, wave-slicing pontoon tubes said to provide a very soft ride with unrivalled stability and safety.

On the stand, the Blackdog Cat 4.1 looked to be an excellent fishing boat, with loads of interior deck space, ample freeboard, an elevated casting deck, low-profile side console helm station, and a raised foredeck providing shelter from wind and spray.

Packaged with a Honda 60hp four-stroke outboard and trailer, the Blackdog Cat 4.1 SC is priced from around $38,000.

More information: www.aussieboatsales360.com.au

Leading Australian boat builder Cruise Craft displayed its latest model at the Brisbane Boat Show, the Fish 360MCC. Built and designed for anglers to fish 360 degrees around the boat’s perimeter, the Fish 360M is a terrific new model armed to the teeth with good gear and fishing equipment.

The Brisbane show boat on display was ready to fish, complete with Sea-Deck rubber matting to the wide bow and stern fishing decks, dual Garmin multifunction displays, a dual-width centre console and helm lean seat, overhead bimini T-top, aft coaming bolster, kill tank, live well, deluxe bait board, wide and flat side coamings, ample freeboard, and more.

Paired with a Yamaha 175hp four-stroke outboard, the Fish 360M officially gallops to a top speed of 40 knots.

Package pricing with a Yamaha 150hp outboard starts from around $80,000, but rises to about $119K for the fully kitted display rig.

Click here for our full test on the Cruise Craft Fish 360M.

More information: www.wynnummarine.com.au

New Zealand's Extreme Boats has added a Walkaround model to compliment its popular 795 Game King fishing cruiser. The new model shares the same tough 7.95m x 2.8m wide beam, deep vee (and water ballasted) plate alloy hull as its sibling, but with a walkaround centre cabin structure to allow anglers to fish from the bow.

Similar to the Game King, the new Walkaround has a full hardtop and semi-enclosed helm station and saloon to provide all-weather fishing protection.

There's also a vee berth in the forward cabin, ample seating and storage space, a vast self-draining rear cockpit, high topsides, Portofino-style transom with alloy caged boarding platforms (to safely fish right out back), and a mammoth 400L sub-floor fuel tank.

Packaged with a Mercury 300hp Verado V8 four-stroke outboard and tandem-axle aluminium trailer, the heavily optioned Brisbane display boat was priced at $225,990.

More information: www.brismarine.com.au

The Quintrex 420 Renegade SC has been on the market for a couple of years, but it caught our attention at the Brisbane Boat Show as an excellent entry fishing boat package with BMT prices starting at around $21,000.

Similar to the larger Quintrex 460 Renegade SC we have tested previously, the entry-size Renegade side console is a terrific boat for boating and fishing on coastal bays and harbours, lakes and impoundments.

The Brisbane show boat was nicely outfitted with carpeted bow and stern elevated fishing decks and a deep centre cockpit floor with dual lift-out pedestal chairs.

The starboard side helm console is compact, but the dash and fascia are big enough to accommodate engine instruments and a bracket-mounted electronics display.

The 420 Renegade SC accepts longshaft outboards ranging from 30hp to 50hp, and uses the traditional, and proven, variable deadrise Quintrex Blade hull bottom for a comfortable, stable ride.

More information: www.brisbaneyamaha.com.au

Newly arrived from South Africa is the SeaCat 565 Centre Console. Designed for rough water coastal fishing (they launch 'em straight off the beach over there), the SeaCat is a tough, no-nonsense, dual-engined fishing catamaran.

Key features include sealed, foam-filled hull sponsons (with foam-cored stringers), completely separate engine, fuel and battery systems for reliability, and high bows for tackling big waves head-on.

Anglers will appreciate the broad interior fishing decks with generous storage areas, padded coaming bolsters, and the large centre console helm station with enclosed recess to shelter electronics gear.

The boat on display at the Brisbane show featured a trick-looking hull wrap, a pair of Suzuki 70hp outboards and a console T-top with stainless steel frame and aft-facing rocket launcher.

More information: www.reefmarine.net

Bundaberg's Sea Jay Boats expanded its production plate centre console range this year with the addition of the Sea Jay 630 Vision. This big, wide-beam boat is armed with Sea Jay's moderate vee, reverse chine Samurai hull – built with 5mm bottom sheets and 3mm topsides.

The 630 Vision also has a welded, 3mm checker plate internal alloy floor, elevated forward casting platform, big and wide side coamings, built-in alloy rod holders, cockpit side pockets and a full-height transom with enclosed battery compartment, tackle drawers, kill tank, bait tank and starboard side transom door.

There is also a dual-width centre console helm station with tinted windshield, ice box/helm seat and an optional overhead T-top bimini.

Packaged with a Yamaha 150hp four-stroke outboard, tandem-axle Redco trailer and a range of options and upgrades, the Brisbane show boat was priced from around $80,000.

More information: www.stonescornermarine.com.au

Haines Signature has expanded its bowrider range with the launch of the 580BRX. Making its debut at Brisbane, the new model slides into the Signature range alongside the existing Signature 580BR model.

The new 580BRX shares the same proven variable deadrise, concave-shaped vee hull of its sibling, but has a completely different interior layout.

Key features include a redesigned dash and helm layout, a comfortable moulded bow seating area, and a U-shaped, full-cockpit perimeter seating layout aft.

A Simrad GO7 XSR fish finder/chart plotter is included, along with a JL Audio Bluetooth stereo with dual speakers.

The 580BRX also has a sub-floor ski locker, Igloo marine icebox, multiple drink and rod holders, boarding platform and ladder.

For mixed water sports encompassing fishing, cruising and tow-sports, the Signature 580BRX should fit the bill admirably.

More information: www.amcboats.com.au

The Gold Coast Boating Centre stand had a big selection of Stessl Boats on display, including a ripper custom side console model called the 460 Xtreme.

Priced from $28,750 with a 60hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard and Dunbier trailer, the 460 Xtreme was rigged with stacks of great gear and equipment – including a side console helm station, checker plate alloy floor, checker plate casting deck and foredeck, removable deluxe pedestal chairs, and a bow-mounted Minn Kota electric trolling motor.

There was also a full-height transom with enclosed battery storage platform, cockpit side pockets, welded coaming rod holders, a starboard side live bait tank, and aft boarding platforms.

With these features and more, the Stessl 460 Xtreme looks to be an absolute weapon of a boat for bay, harbour and impoundment fishing, similar to the Stessl 485 Apache Pro we tested recently.

More information: www.goldcoastboatingcentre.com.au

Surtees has added a model to its Workmate range of plate alloy cuddy cabins. New for 2018 is the 540, complete with a hardtop and a full deck-to-hardtop windscreen providing shelter from the elements.

Similar to most Surtees models, the 540 Workmate has a water-ballasted vee hull to combine excellent stability with a soft ride, along with a rugged, fully welded plate alloy construction featuring 5mm bottom sheets and 4mm topsides.

Internally, the 540 Workmate has an open-plan helm and cuddy cab storage area, a large rear cockpit, plenty of freeboard, safety gear and general storage lockers, and ultra-wide side and rear coamings.

Packaged with a Yamaha 90hp four-stroke outboard and a Redco trailer, the Surtees 540 Workmate is priced from $54,000.

More information: www.northsidemarine.com.au