2019 Stejcraft SS64 BR review

Stejcraft, a long-standing Australian fibreglass boat-maker, was founded in Melbourne in the early 1970s. Ownership of this iconic brand has remained in the same family throughout, with founder Sam Catanese passing on the business to his son Tim around 10 years ago.

All Stejcraft boats are now made on the Gold Coast and exported worldwide. Overseas markets are proving lucrative for Stejcraft, thanks to a favourable export exchange rate and increasing demand for quality Australian-made craft.

During our sea trial, Stejcraft's Tim Catanese was abuzz with the news of an order of 15 Stejcraft bowriders from a single Florida boat dealer. With this level of demand from local and overseas markets, Stejcraft looks set to prosper.

In Australia, Stejcraft boats are available through a nationwide dealer network. Customers can choose from eight different Stejcraft models comprising a mix of fishing cuddy cabs, half cabin overnighters and sports bowriders.

The SS64 presented to boatsales for this review is the largest of three Stejcraft bowriders. There's also a brand new 5.5-metre MerCruiser sterndrive-powered model called the SS55 SD, and a smaller version of our test boat, the outboard engine-powered SS58.

Gold Coast Stejcraft dealer Wyld About Boats has SS64 Bowrider packages starting from just $71,500. This is a terrific price for a 6.4-metre sports bowrider, and Stejcraft hasn't skimped on features to achieve it.

The standard Stejcraft SS64 package is paired with a 150hp Mercury four-stroke outboard engine (which is good for 40 knots-plus) and a dual-axle Dunbier galvanised steel trailer with mechanical brakes.

The entry rig also comes with a trick-looking, centre-opening, toughened glass (not Perspex) windscreen with overhead bimini, a comfortable bowrider seating compartment with vinyl upholstered cushions, a pair of deluxe pedestal helm chairs, an L-shaped lounge seating area aft, and a short squab seat/storage box behind the helm chair. That's more than enough seating to accommodate the boat's maximum eight-person capacity.

There's also an innovative aft-facing seat out on the full-width boarding platform that is designed so you can walk around, and in front of the outboard engine.

The standard boat comes in a white gelcoat for the hull and deck, and with clip-on carpet to the cockpit and walkway flooring. OceanGrip foam rubber is used to accent the side panels in the boat, and to surface the full-width rear boarding platform/swim deck.

There are plenty of storage lockers scattered throughout the boat, including a full-length ski locker under the bench seat on the port side.

Fronting the skipper is a mid-height console unit with a blacked-out fascia and brushed alloy fascia panels to accommodate engine instruments and a 7.0-inch multifunction display. A sports steering wheel takes centre stage, above a broad foot well recess.

On the passenger console opposite there is an open storage recess above a very large, enclosed, and lockable glove box.

Our test boat was tricked-out with an optional black hull and interior with green striping and engine graphics, along with a larger 175hp four-stroke V6 Mercury outboard engine.

The demonstration boat also gained black OceanGrip foam rubber flooring throughout (instead of carpet), a wind shield/door in the bowrider walkway, a chemical toilet up in the bow compartment, a removable Dometic icebox aft, a folding bimini and sock, LED cockpit lighting, and pull-up stainless steel cleats amidships.

With the above extras, the package price for the Stejcraft SS64 BR rises to $79,990, but that's still great value for a full-featured, turn-key 6.4-metre family sports boat.

The Stejcraft SS64 is made using modern fibreglass construction techniques at Stejcraft's factory in Arundel on the Gold Coast. There is no timber used so there is nothing to rot.
The stringer sub-frame is made from composite cored fibreglass and vacuum moulding is used to produce individual components to save weight and boost efficiency.

Pretty much everything bar the toughened glass windscreen and fixtures are made in-house. There's even a CNC machine to shape and cut the supplied OceanGrip foam rubber flooring to suit individual boats.

Each hull is foam-filled (between the hull and inner liner) to dampen hull slap and to provide flotation to meet Australia's Basic flotation standard.

Fixture and fittings are all made from 316 grade stainless steel, including the cup holders and grab rails, the bow roller and cleat, the pull-up cleats aft and amidships, and the telescopic transom boarding ladder.

The SS64 uses a tweaked version of the 6.5-metre, 21-degree vee hull used successfully beneath Stejcraft's long-running Monaco half cabin. It has a fine entry to smooth out the chop, combined with a gentle stem rake for excellent performance in a following sea. Wide chine flats aft provide rock-solid stability.

Stejcraft's Tim Catanese makes no bones that he has designed and produced the SS64 to challenge the US-imported bowriders from the likes of Bayliner, Glastron, Four Winns and so on. To that end, the finish and fit-out of the in the Stejcraft SS64 is first class.

The Stejcraft SS64 is definitely a good looking boat, too; it has eye-catching external graphics and a flash, luxurious looking interior, complete with a sports car-like blacked-out dash and helm position, along with lots of comfortable seating and storage areas.

The OceanGrip rubber flooring, which dresses up the interior beautifully, is an option, but we are told that almost all customers opt for the OceanGrip over the standard clip-in carpet.

In terms of layout, the SS64 is wildly different to regular Aussie bowriders. The U-shaped bow seating and storage area is par for the course with this type of boat, but the rear seating layout is substantially different – and innovative.

Most US rivals have an L-shaped cockpit lounge behind a pair of bucket helm chairs, but the SS64 also has a small seat/storage box behind the helm chair, and similar seat/box outside the cockpit on the broad, full-width boarding platform.

This port side boarding platform seat is not to be used when the boat is underway, but it is a great spot to sit when the boat is anchored up to watch the kids swimming out off the stern of the boat.

The full-length ski locker also runs beneath this external padded seat so you can reach in to retrieve your skis without having to disturb the rest of the crew/family sitting around the L-shape cockpit lounge.

A series of OceanGrip-floored steps on the starboard side provide excellent access out to the rear boarding platform and ladder.

Storage lockers are scattered throughout the boat to cater for gear. There are compartments under the seats at the bow, along with large storage spaces within each console. Then there's the 2.0-metre ski locker under the port side cockpit seat (stretching all the way aft to the transom) and storage space in the battery locker under the starboard side boarding platform.

The SS64 is has carpeted cockpit side storage pockets, a spacious glovebox and various storage nooks scattered about the boat.

The optional, removable Dometic icebox under the transom lounge doubles as storage, but only when you don't need to feel it with ice and cool drinks.

Unlike most of its US rivals the Stejcraft SS64 has a proper Aussie-sized anchor well. It can even be fitted with an optional electric drum winch so you can drop anchor from the helm at the flick of a switch.

The two helm chairs are very comfortable and offer sports car levels of thigh, kidney and back support, which is just as well because the SS64 handles superbly and hangs in very tightly when carving tight turns.

The helm chairs swivel 360 degrees and slide fore and aft so you can position them perfectly. They also have flip-up front bolsters so you can perch up high and look over the windscreen for low-speed manoeuvring.

Underway it's best to drop the bolsters and sit snugged down, sheltered from the wind with a clear view through the toughened glass windscreen, and with the sports steering wheel and side-mount throttle close to hand.

Our sea trial on the Gold Coast was held in blustery weather conditions so we did bounce about a bit in the resultant chop and mixed-up seas near the Seaway entrance.

However, the SS64 handled the conditions with aplomb, the agile handling and instant throttle response from the big Mercury 175hp outboard engine enabling us to zip between the waves and power out of wave troughs.

The SS64 is designed as an inshore sports family boat, but the hull has the performance and prowess to run offshore for a spot of whale watching, social fishing and more.

Underway the 21-degree vee hull is safe, well balanced, very stable and very dry. We took barely a drop of water over the bow throughout the test. Not once did I have to clean my sunnies – the mark of dry boat in my book.

The SS64 is rated for a single, extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard to a maximum of 225hp or 280kg in weight. In reality, however, you'll never need that much grunt. We pulled a top speed of 47 knots in our test boat, paired with the 175hp Mercury four-stroke.

Unless you plan on going powerboat racing - or will regularly load up the boat with six to eight people, then 175hp will be ample for social tow sports applications.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 200L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 281.8nm

The Stejcraft SS64 is a terrific new Australian-made sports bowrider and a genuine rival to the imported bowriders that have been flooding the local market in recent times. The Stejcraft SS64 is built to world class standards, wonderfully finished and outfitted, and very capable on the water.

This stylish new craft is also great value for money, packages starting at a rival beating $71K with a Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboard engine.

Specifications
Model: Stejcraft SS64 BR
Length overall: 6.47m
Beam: 2.45m
Draft: 500mm (outboard up)
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Hull weight: 1020kg
Weight on trailer: 1750kg (with fuel)
Maximum power: 225hp
Maximum engine weight: 280kg
Engine as tested: 175hp Mercury V6 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 200L
Passengers: 8

Priced from: $71,500 with a 150hp Mercury extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls, dual-axle Dunbier galvanised steel trailer with mechanical brakes and spare wheel, bimini cover, stereo system with Bluetooth and four speakers, inshore safety gear pack, boat and trailer registrations, and on-water tuition.

Price as tested: $79,990 as above but with an engine upgrade to a 175hp Mercury V6 four-stroke outboard, black hull and interior with SS graphics and green engine striping, OceanGrip flooring and accents, chemical toilet, removable Dometic icebox, LED cockpit lighting, walk-way windshield door, and stainless steel pull-up cleats amidships.

Supplied by: Wyld About Boats