2018 Cruise Craft Fish 360M review

Responding to the newfound popularity of the centre console configuration, and the subsequent invasion of big, trailerable fibreglass centre consoles from the US, Cruise Craft has launched its own fishing centre console called the Fish 360M.

Based on the proven 595 series hull, the Fish 360M is a gorgeous-looking 6.0m open boat with, as its name implies, the ability to fish 360 degrees around the perimeter of the boat.

The debut of the Fish, or F360M, follows the launch of the rival Haines Signature 788SF centre console last year. Both of these locally produced fibreglass console boats were introduced to give Aussie boat buyers an alternative to the US imports currently flooding the market.

The two locally produced centre console boats are built to Australian road rules and design regulations, with a maximum beam within the 2.5m legal limit. By comparison, many of the rival US imports are over-width at 2.59m wide (or more) and are subject to towing restrictions and regulations in most states.

Cruise Craft's Fish 360M is not as big as many of the imported models, and will likely prove more popular due to its lower cost and more manageable size.

At 6.35m long and weighing 2140kg on an Easy-Tow (2200kg rated) tandem axle trailer, the Fish 360M is big enough for coastal and offshore fishing, yet small enough to tow behind a regular dual-cab 4WD ute or SUV – and to park in the driveway.

You can also expect swift, yet economical performance from the Cruise Craft as it can be powered with sub-200hp Yamaha four-stroke outboards. Our test boat came paired with Yamaha's smooth-running 175hp in-line four-cylinder unit.

Brisbane's Wynnum Marine set up and supplied our test boat. Package prices start from $80K, complete with a smaller Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) in-line four cylinder outboard and a Cruise Craft (by Redco) tandem axle galvanised steel trailer.

The standard boat comes equipped with a range of cool design features and factory gear, including composite construction (no timber), an elevated bow casting deck with storage lockers, wide and flat coamings encircling the boat, a two-person width centre console helm station with storage compartment and alloy framed lean seat post, a factory paired Yamaha four-stroke engine with hydraulic steering and dual batteries, side coaming rod and gaff racks, starboard corner live bait tank (plumbing optional), transom door, tackle storage trays, transom padded coaming bolster, and more.

Safety features include a self-draining rear cockpit, auto-bilge pump, VHF radio, EPIRB, fire extinguisher, and hull flotation foam to Australia's Basic Flotation Standard.

Our ice blue-coloured test boat was the first of the new models off the production line, outfitted for dealer and boat show displays with most of the factory options available.

A standout accessory at first glance is the soft-feel SeaDek foam rubber flooring. It looks a treat and adds colour and vibrancy to the interior, as well as being easy to clean.

The test boat was also rigged with an alloy-framed bimini T-top (with rod rack), coloured hull topsides, an LED lighting package, premium bait cutting board, raw water deck wash, extra rod holders, 110L removable icebox/cooler (not shown), plumbing to the live bait tank, and offshore safety gear pack.

Electronics included dual Garmin 7410xsv 10-inch multifunction touchscreen displays (with fish finder/GPS plotter/mapping), and a four-speaker Fusion Apollo marine stereo system.

With the above gear, and packaged with a black painted (and galvanised) Easy-Tow tandem-axle trailer and the larger Yamaha 175hp outboard, the tow-away price for the optioned test package rocks in at a premium $116,790.

The Cruise Craft Fish 360M combines a proven 20-degree deadrise vee hull with an all-new deck and interior layout.

The cockpit, whilst raised a little to incorporate a self-draining system, still has ample freeboard to suit local sea and weather conditions. There is a full-height transom stretching across the stern of the boat with a minimum freeboard height of 640mm. This rises to around 650mm along the sides.

Anglers will also appreciate the padded aft coaming bolsters and the toe/foot bracing support beneath the aft storage boxes, and the half-length, slightly elevated side storage pockets.

Horizontal rod storage racks, not fitted to our test boat, will be included above each of the side pockets.

The side coamings are nice and wide with a full width of 190mm. This measurement narrows to 115mm alongside the recessed aft coaming rails – but there is still plenty of width to install extra rod holders over and above the four stainless steel ones included.

Pop-up stern cleats ensure there is nothing along the rear deck to snag fishing lines other than a large, optional and removable bait board fitted to our test rig.

In the starboard transom corner the square shaped, black coloured live bait tank will cater for a dozen or more slimy mackerel-sized baits.

A transom door lies opposite on the port side, beneath which is a handy set of three built-in terminal tackle storage drawers.

The dual batteries (with VSR) included in the standard package are housed and protected on a platform behind a starboard side Sopac transom hatch.

A centre hatch provides access to the bilge for servicing and maintenance, while an underfloor kill tank takes the day's catch.

Behind the included alloy framed helm/lean seat there is only around 800mm of open deck space back to the transom wall, but anglers will also fish from the sides and the 1.5m long by 1.8m wide forward casting deck.

The bow fishing deck is elevated 270mm above the main cockpit floor. This allows for the inclusion of four sub-floor lockers; three for safety gear and general stuff, and a deep centre ice box/storage bin.

There is also a decent-sized anchor locker on the bow, complete with a bowsprit, bow roller, bollard, and provision for an electric anchor winch.

Cruise Craft claims there is more than 700L of storage space/lockers onboard, and we can believe it. In addition to the noted storage spaces, there is a large compartment inside the console, accessed by lifting up a forward hatch. At a pinch, you could fit a chemical toilet into this space, but its more likely use is as general storage.

As well, there is space/provision for the included EPIRB and fire extinguisher on the front of the console, along with a lockable glove compartment.

Overhead, there is ample fascia and dash space to accommodate two large displays and engine instrumentation.

There's also a pad for a compass, flat dash space opposite for an extra bracket-mounted display, and a clear acrylic windshield situated at just the right height to provide wind and spray shelter.

The steering wheel and binnacle throttle is offset to the port side to allow a companion to stand or sit comfortably alongside the skipper.

The two-person width padded bench helm-lean seat is quite comfortable and there is a sturdy stainless steel footrest stretching the width of the console for both the skipper and first mate.

The only negative here is that the lean seat in the test boat had a fixed backrest. We would expect a reversible backrest in upcoming models to allow you to sit and face aft to fish over the stern.

Sea conditions for our test on Brisbane's Moreton Bay were pretty well glassed-out, but from previous sea trials of this proven 20-degree deep vee hull, we know it is smooth, stable and dry underway.

The only question for us then was whether coupling the hull with a centre console instead of one of Cruise Craft's regular cabin configurations would change or upset the balance of the boat. Pleasingly, we saw no evidence of this, and noted that the boat felt lighter and more agile.

The Fish 360M also proved to be quick to plane with the Yamaha 175hp four-cylinder, outboard on the transom, and there was ample power through the mid range.

Figures supplied by Yamaha show that the boat can run to a top speed of 39.9 knots at 5700 rpm. This is easily quick enough for a coastal and offshore fishing boat, but you might consider upgrading to the larger 200hp Yamaha for tow-sports applications.

The Yamaha 175 is a smooth, quiet, economical engine. Paired with the Fish 360M the lightweight Yamaha burns just 20.5L/h at 3500 rpm to give the boat/engine package a maximum 202nm range on 95 per cent of the standard 210L fuel tank.

The Cruise Craft Fish 360M is a welcome addition to the fibreglass centre console fishing boat market. There is no shortage of imported models to choose from, but locally made GRP centre consoles are as rare as hen's teeth. It is great to see the introduction of a first-class new model from an iconic Aussie boat builder.

Whilst the Yanks are experts at designing and building centre console fishing boats, this new Fish 360M from Cruise Craft is a terrific new boat, certain to give the US imports some stiff competition.

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.8kt (7.0km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.4kt (10.1km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.3kt (11.7km/h) @ 2000rpm
7.9kt (14.7km/h) @ 2500rpm
15.3kt (28.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
20.8kt (38.6km/h) @ 3500rpm
25.5kt (47.3km/h) @ 4000rpm
30.1kt (55.8km/h) @ 4500rpm
33.6kt (62.3km/h) @ 5000rpm
37.7kt (69.9km/h) @ 5500rpm
39.9kt (73.9km/h) @ 5700rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
3.0L/h @ 1000rpm
5.2L/h @ 1500rpm
9.5L/h @ 2000rpm
13.5L/h @ 2500rpm
16.6L/h @ 3000rpm
20.5L/h @ 3500rpm
27.4 L/h @ 4000rpm
33.8L/h @ 4500rpm
45.1 L/h @ 5000rpm
59.2 L/h @ 5500rpm
63.8 L/h @ 5700rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 210L FUEL TANK: 202.42nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications: Cruise Craft Fish 360M
Price: $116,790 including a Yamaha 175hp extra-longshaft (25") in-line four cylinder four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, digital controls, and a 2,200kg rated Easy-Tow painted (and galvanised) steel braked trailer, 12 months registration and an offshore safety gear pack. Notable options included blue coloured hull paint, SeaDek foam rubber flooring, dual Garmin 7410xsv 10" multi-function touch screen displays (with fish finder/GPS Plotter and mapping), Fusion Apollo MS770 stereo, alloy framed bimini T-top (with rod rack), an LED lighting package, premium bait cutting board, raw water deck wash, extra rod holders, 110L icebox/cooler, and plumbing to the live bait tank.

Priced from: $79,990 with a Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft (25”) in-line four cylinder four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, digital controls, and Cruise Craft (by Redco) tandem axle galvanised steel braked trailer.

Length overall: 6.35m
Beam: 2.44m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: 1070kg (est)
Weight on trailer: 2140kg (est)
Maximum power: 200hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 175hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 210L (with dual filler)
Flotation: Basic standard
Maximum persons: 6

Supplied by: Wynnum Marine