2018 Stacer 469 Crossfire SC review

Stacer's Crossfire models are multi-purpose vee-hull aluminium boats that cleverly combine a side or centre console helm station with a bowrider-style forward seating area. The boats were introduced in 2016 and have since been copied by other makers, such is the success and popularity of the interior design and layout.

Effectively, the Crossfire is a bowrider boat but without the dual consoles and full-width, runabout style windscreen common to the traditional Aussie bowrider layout. Having a centre, or side console helm configuration opens up much of the space in the rear of the boat for fishing.

There are now five models in the Stacer Crossfire range; the Crossfire 469, 499, 519, 539, and 589. All are available with a side or centre console configuration.

For this review, we secured the entry model, the 469 Crossfire, paired with an Evinrude E-TEC 60hp high-output (HO) DFI two-stroke outboard and a Stacer single-axle aluminium trailer.

The Gold Coast's Whitewater Marine has Stacer 469 Crossfire packages available from $32,500. This price is for the standard boat, but includes the Evinrude E-TEC 60hp HO outboard, single-axle alloy braked trailer, and the slimline side console unit with roto-moulded plastic fascia and wind deflector.

The standard boat also comes with two Elite Pro pedestal helm seats (with four in-floor sockets), a vee-shaped forward bunk seating area/casting platform, marine carpet throughout, overhead bimini with storage envelope, four rod holders, cockpit side pockets, bow and stern cleats, transducer brackets, and a GME VHF radio.

Features added to 2018 model Crossfires include higher topsides for more internal freeboard, fully-welded side decks, a transom corner live bait tank with viewing window, cockpit scupper drainage system, console grab rail, underfloor storage, gunwale bump rubber, soft-feel foam rubber matting to the boarding platform, and the new flared, concave-shaped Revolution 4mm alloy hull bottom.

Our test boat was close to standard but gained two-tone hull paint (red), a Lowrance Elite-7Ti fish finder/GPS, a bow mount electric trolling motor plate, casting deck infill board, and a stainless steel Viper propeller for the Evinrude outboard.

The extras lift the price to $34,890, excellent value for a multi-function alloy family fishing boat.

Other options include hydraulic steering, provision for an electric drum anchor winch, bow seat cushions, bait board/ski pole combination, and a lockable horizontal rod locker.

Anglers can also tick the Crossfisher option that adds a cleverly designed, full-width rear bench seat that folds forward to create an elevated stern casting deck to match the bow platform.

Anglers and family boaters will appreciate the Crossfire's deep, spacious and uncluttered interior, as well as the up-sized forward seating area that reconfigures easily into a large fishing platform with the addition of an infill board.

There is also provision for a lean seat or pedestal fishing chair, big safety gear lockers under the carpeted seat hatches, and low-set bow rails.

Another option on our test boat included a welded plate on the port side of the bow to accept an electric trolling motor. Combine this with the forward pedestal lean seat/chair and you have an excellent set-up for smooth water bass, barra and bream fishing.

The bow seating area is bigger than you might normally expect for a sub-5.0m boat, helped by an anchor well relocated from the foredeck to a locker beneath the centre bow seat. This has enabled the seating area/casting deck to be pushed further forward.

Family boaters will want to tick the option for padded cushions and backrests to create a comfortable seating enclosure at the bow for up to five people.

Adding an extra cushion to the centre infill board will convert the seating/casting deck into a nice big sun pad for lazing about.

The carpeted cockpit floor aft of the bow seating area is open and level all the way to the transom for maximum fishing room and general move-about space.

The helm console is offset to starboard, alongside the side-mounted throttle box, and fronting the comfortable, lift-out pedestal helm chair.

The console unit is relatively narrow, but there is space on the blacked-out roto-moulded plastic fascia for a sports steering wheel, Evinrude engine gauges, a single electronics display, VHF radio, switch panel and more.

A very useful grab rail sits proud of the console overhead.

There is no glove box, but there is a side pocket storage enclosure alongside the pedestal helm chair – and a three-quarter-length cockpit side pocket opposite on the port side.

The side pockets are carpeted so stowed items do not slide back and forth.

More storage space is beneath the helm console, as well as in a handy compartment behind a Sopac hatch on the front of the console unit.

There is also a sub-floor locker between the bow seats, and an elevated shelf at the transom that houses the engine battery.

Above, the thigh-high transom wall stretches the full width of the boat to provide bracing security to fish and move about in choppy seas.

Other notable transom features include an aquarium-style port side transom corner live bait tank, bilge access hatch, and rear boarding platforms.

Stacer's Revolution hull bottom is a marked improvement over its predecessor. It combines a heavily flared, concave, variable deadrise vee shape with wide outer chine flats to provide excellent stability with a smooth ride in choppy water.

No hull is infallible, or course, but the new Revolution hull is pretty damn good – keeping in mind that it is much harder to create a sophisticated hull shape in alloy than it is in fibreglass. To that end, we believe Stacer has done a fine job, having developed a hull shape that works exceptionally well across a range of hull lengths and boat sizes.

The Revolution hull is also easily driven, as evidenced by the near-30 knot performance achieved by our Stacer 469 Crossfire test boat with just a 60hp outboard on the transom.

The test boat also easily rose to plane and cruised effortlessly at 3500rpm for a boat speed of 17.2 knots, and a miserly fuel burn of just 12.2 L/h. Do the maths, and this equates to a maximum range on 95% of the boat's 77L fuel supply of 103.13 nautical miles.

Through the mid range, our test boat felt quite responsive to the throttle, but we would have liked a little more power; 60hp is sufficient for general boating and fishing applications, but for family tow-sport activities we would recommend upgrading to a 70-75hp outboard.

The Stacer 469 Crossfire is a terrific, all-purpose crossover trailerboat, equally suited to family boating adventures, as it is serious impoundment or coastal offshore fishing trips. The hull is safe, soft and stable, easily powered, compact and well priced. We predict this versatile little boat will be a hit this coming summer.

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.2kt (6.0km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.9kt (9.1km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.1kt (11.4km/h) @ 2000rpm
6.9kt (12.8km/h) @ 2500rpm
11.9kt (22.0km/h) @ 3000rpm
17.2kt (31.8km/h) @ 3500rpm
20.5kt (38.0km/h) @ 4000rpm
24.8kt (46.0km/h) @ 4500rpm
28.0kt (51.9km/h) @ 5000rpm
29.1kt (54.0km/h) @ 5500rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
1.0L/h @ 1000rpm
2.2L/h @ 1500rpm
3.8L/h @ 2000rpm
8.3L/h @ 2500rpm
10.2L/h @ 3000rpm
12.2L/h @ 3500rpm
15.7L/h @ 4000rpm
19.4L/h @ 4500rpm
20.7L/h @ 5000rpm
24.8L/h @ 5500rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 77L FUEL TANK: 103.13nm @ 3500rpm

What does the Stacer 469 Crossfire cost?
Price as tested: $34,890 including an Evinrude E-TEC HO 60hp DFI two-stroke longshaft (20-inch) outboard with Viper S/S propeller, Stacer aluminum single-axle braked (mechanical over-ride) trailer, two-tone paint, Lowrance Elite-7Ti 50GX (card) fish finder/GPS, a bow trolling motor plate, casting deck infill board, a four-person inshore safety gear kit, sand anchor kit, and 12 months Qld boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $32,500. As above, but no options or electronics.

Length overall: 4.7m
Beam: 2.24m
Hull weight: 507kg
Depth: 1.24mm
Weight on trailer: 1100kg (est)
Bottom and transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 75hp
Maximum engine weight: 172kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-TEC 60hp HO DFI two-stroke
Fuel capacity: 77L
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Five

Supplied by: Whitewater Marine