2019 McLay 651 CrossXover review

Kiwi aluminium plate boat builder McLay is one of those companies offering a blend of fishing smarts with creature comforts. It does so with the CrossXover range of boats, a line-up of half-cab and hardtop models that are more suited to family pursuits such as tow sports than other members of the McLay family but aren’t afraid of heading offshore in the right conditions for a spot of fishing.

Best of all, the entire CrossXover range has underfloor buoyancy and foam-filled coamings that help the boat float level even when it is full of water – an important safety benefit should the worst ever happen.

The boat we’re testing here is the McLay 651 CrossXover hardtop version that features a weather-protected wheelhouse and a clever cabin that give it loads of family appeal.

The McLay 651 CrossXover is the range-topper of the current five-model CrossXover line-up. It has the same size cabin as the smaller 611 CrossXover hardtop that it shares its core engineering with, but has a 150mm longer wheelhouse and 350mm more rear cockpit space.

The cabin design is pretty clever, as it can transform from a wet-weather refuge into a fine-weather overnighter with little effort, and can include an electric-flush toilet.

McLay describes the CrossXover as its built-tough adventure hull, meant to get families out of the living room and onto the water.

Warragul Marine Centre does boat, motor and trailer starting packages for the McLay 651 CrossXover priced from $84,290, fitted with a 150hp Suzuki DF150A four-stroke outboard engine and stainless steel prop, and sitting on a Dunbier Loader Pro dual-axle galvanised drive-on trailer fitted with mechanical hydraulic brakes and a spare wheel.

As tested with its full-fruit fit-out, though, a larger 200hp Suzuki four-stroke with drive-by-wire controls, electronics including VHF and 27MHz radios mounted overhead, a Garmin GPSMAP 1222xsv Touch 12-inch chartplotter/fishfinder, Fusion audio and more, the price jumps to $135,000

That price also includes features such as a 200-watt solar panel system, a raw water deck wash, cabin bunk extensions that create a 200cm-long flat space, a centre bunk infill that hides the electric-flush toilet, Zipwake auto trim tabs, Garmin radar, and rubber tube matting on the checkerplate aluminium cockpit floor.

A nice touch, though, is that the cabin comes fully lined – jump inside and you won’t see any exposed metal.

Australian-delivery boats land here with the unpainted but sanded and acid-washed aluminium surfaces coated in Nyalic, a clear, protective hardcoat that protects the metal from corrosion. A spray can of the stuff comes with the boat so owners can touch up the inevitable scratches and dings.

The McLay 651 CrossXover’s hull is made from 5mm-thick 5083 marine grade aluminium plate for the bottom, and 4mm plate for the sides and topsides. The keel is reinforced with a 10mm-thick section right along the waterline, and a reverse chine runs down each side.

Below the 4mm checkered plate used for the floor, the CrossXover uses a welded aluminium rib and stringer system built around a 175-litre fuel tank, and an in-built flotation tank to aid buoyancy. The gunwales are foam-filled to give the McLay 651 CrossXover level, not basic, flotation – a safety feature quite unique in the aluminium plate sector.

The deck drains to a sump in the transom that’s visible from anywhere in the cockpit, which empties via an 1100 gallon per hour bilge pump.

The McLay 651 CrossXover is a rather smart-looking boat. Long in the waterline and low, with a low bow profile and its shapely Kardashian-esque portofino transom, it hugs the water to look fast, even when standing still.

Our test boat has a SARCA anchor fitted to a Lone Star GX-2 anchor winch and pulling into a double roller bowsprit. The bow is framed in a low rail that runs back towards the wavebreaker-styled cabin top.

Our test boat also has an optional beaching ladder that flips up and forward from the bow. We’ve grumbled about the one on the high-bowed McLay 701 Gen2 Cruiser being a little short, but with the lower nose of the 651 CrossXover it works well.

The hardtop adds a nice proportion to the McLay 651 CrossXover, running far enough aft to keep the forward four seats comfortably out of spray and weather.

The cabin is large and fully lined so as to not show any aluminium panelling. It has a 150cm-odd twin V-berth that can expand into 200cm berths with optional infills (the footrests for both the skipper and first mate lift out to make space for them), and a centre infill covers the electric-flush head to create one big sleeping space.

It’s a small criticism, but the head and shoulder space to access the cabin is quite small. This won’t be a problem when anchored up, but in rough weather with the boat pitching and tossing, getting in and out could be a little tricky.

Our test boat includes an eight-rod rocket launcher overhead, integrated into a platform for the Garmin radar system’s radome.

In a smart move that helps with refuelling, the fuel cap is located right in the centre of the transom.

The business end of the McLay is a pleasant place to sit. The wheelhouse includes a deep, curved two-panel windscreen, with a single windscreen wiper fitted as standard to the driver’s side.

A pair of comfy Axis swivel seats with flip-up bolsters and fore-aft adjustment sit to either side of the console. On the skipper’s side, the carpeted console has plenty of room to mount a large touchscreen as well as the digital gauges for monitoring the 200hp Suzuki DF200AFX four-stroke outboard engine.

Overhead, the brow of the wheelhouse’s roof has space to mount both VHF and 27MHz radios, and a Fusion audio system.

The rubber-rimmed stainless steel steering wheel is set low so it doesn’t interfere with reading the digital dash. Switch banks are mounted low to either side, meaning you’ll have to duck and look to find the power switch for the bilge pump or the deck lights.

To starboard is a huge storage pocket with the throttle and trim controls for the outboard engine.

The skipper’s chair also has a mount for a detachable cupholder that sits inside the companionway to the cabin. We’ve already said this space is tight, but with the cupholder in place it is even tighter again.

Over on the crew’s side, there’s a large glovebox set below a deep, lined storage pocket, and a twin USB recharging port. Unlike the McLay 701 Gen2 Cruiser we’ve also tested, the handrail on the dash in front of the seat lacks a soft covering – it’s exposed aluminium tubing.

As well as a mobile phone cradle and another big side storage pocket, this side of the console has a cupholder that’s angled forward, so don’t overfill the coffee cup.

Both seats have storage space below; in this case the skipper’s features two drawers and a 12-volt oven with a large storage area accessed by the hinged rear cushion, while the crew side has space for an 80-litre icebox (or in this case a 12-volt fridge/freezer) below.

Two sliding side windows provide airflow, as does a large forward hatch in the cabin.

The McLay 651 CrossXover has a surprising amount of space stretching back from the wheelhouse.

A pair of low seats facing the transom back onto the wheelhouse chairs. Deep side pockets with good toe space beneath them run down each side, however, you miss out on a second, upper level because the gunnels on all CrossXover models are foam-filled to provide buoyancy. Grumble now if you will, but if ever the boat is swamped ...

If more seating is needed, the flat transom has an adult-sized swing-down padded bench seat that also exposes the SOPAC-style doors used to access the battery banks located well above floor level. It’s cleverly packaged, but it means accessing the battery isolator switch is a bit of a chore.

The floor is unpainted checkerplate aluminium. With a bit of sunlight around it can cop a bit of glare, and a bit slippery when wet, so our test boat was fitted with reed-style rubber matting.

The gunnels are broad and offer 720mm internal freeboard, and coated in Ultralon rubber surfaces to make them soft-touch. There are also thigh-height cushions inside the gunnels.

Alloy rod holders are also welded directly into the gunnels. Combination cup/sinker holders – made from black plastic rather than alloy and not self-draining – cheapen the look a little.

Out back, the transom includes a removable bait board with a drawer, and a starboard gate at the rear of a plumbed and aerated live bait tank pulls up and out to create a step-through section. Raised cleats that are welded into place look industrial-strength, but sit proud and could one day snag a line if you’re fighting a fish.

Behind the transom, a large, flat duckboard runs across its full width. If you’re chasing a fish, you can easily move past the outboard engine that’s mounted on a plate at the rear of the platform.

If you’re using the boat for a family outing, well, there’s little to talk about apart from the macerator-equipped electric-flush head in the cabin. There is no optional table to drop into the middle of the cockpit floor.

The McLay 651 CrossXover is a very easy boat to drive. On the run down to Wilsons Promontory’s Refuge Cove off the coast of central Gippsland, it powered through the following sea in conditions that could have been quite difficult in a lighter alloy boat.

On the way back, four up and heading almost directly into the oncoming 15-knot north-westerly, the CrossXover’s smaller size was apparent as the bigger, heavier McLay 701 Gen2 Cruiser slowly pulled away into the distance, its weight allowing it to handle the choppy conditions much better.

The McLay 651 CrossXover’s deep vee hull, with its quite fine bow entry, cuts nicely through the swell and chop, although launch it off a wave with a bit too much pace on and it will land with a bit of force. The extensive cabin lining, though, and heaps of buoyancy foam throughout make it a landing that’s felt rather than heard.

The McLay 651 CrossXover uses SeaStar hydraulic steering linked to the Suzuki 200hp four-stroke outboard engine. It’s a little slow if you need to reef some lock on quickly, but the upside is that it feels very nicely weighted, and the more relaxed helm makes small adjustments easy.

Out back, the Suzuki DF200APX outboard engine is an honest unit, feeling well-suited to the size of the hull, even with four passengers onboard and a near-full 175-litre fuel tank bogging it down. Fuel use was very good on test considering the work was all done four-up.

Performance

Maximum cruising range based on 95% of 175L fuel tank: 137nm @ 4000rpm

Just like its slightly bigger and hardier 701 Gen2 stablemate, the McLay 651 CrossXover represents a lot of boat in standard form for not a lot of money.

Spec it just right, and for around $100K you will get one of the safest and comfortable 6.6-metre boats on the market – level flotation goes a long way in my book – that won’t be afraid to head offshore when it is not being co-opted into family-friendly duties in enclosed waters.

Specifications
Model: McLay 651 CrossXover Hardtop
Length: 6.6m
Beam: 2.30m
Draft: 0.6m (engine up)
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Bottom and transom alloy: 5mm (10mm keel runner)
Topsides, decks and coaming alloy: 4mm
Weight: 1000kg (dry, est)
Weight on trailer: 2100kg (est)
Height on trailer: 2950mm (est)
Engine: 150hp (min), 225hp (max)
Engine on test: 200hp Suzuki DF200APX four-stroke
Fuel: 175L
Flotation standard: Level
Passengers: 6

Priced from: $84,290 including bowsprit with rope guides; self-draining anchor locker with hatch; bow rail; 3x welded aluminium cleats; painted top and side stripes; Nyalic protective coating; eight-rod rocket launcher; four alloy rod holders; plumbed and aerated live bait tank with see-through window; curved two-pane windscreen with driver’s side wiper; sliding windows in wheelhouse; Ultralon soft-touch rubber on the gunnels and transom; cabin hatch and shelves; fully lined cabin and wheelhouse; cabin windows; dash handrail; 2x upholstered helm chairs; rear boarding ladder; hydraulic steering; 1100gph bilge pump; navigation and anchor lights; Dunbier Loader Pro hydraulically braked dual-axle trailer with spare wheel; 150hp Suzuki DF150A four-stroke outboard engine with stainless steel prop

Price as tested: $135,000 including 200hp Suzuki DF200APX four-stroke outboard engine with stainless steel prop; Dunbier Alloy Supa Rolla with electric brakes and boat catch; cabin storage hammock; ftransomGarmin GPSMAP 1222xsv Touch 12-inch chartplotter/fishfinder and Fantom radar; Zipwake auto trim tabs; Lonestar GX-2 anchor winch; cockpit canopy; gunnel cup/sinker holders; beaching ladder; Fusion audio; roof-mounted solar panels; under-seat 65L Evakool fridge; 40L transom-mounted icebox; 12v oven; travel cover; underwater squid lights; cockpit floodlights; Hella light bar

Supplied by: Warragul Marine Centre