2019 Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin review

As we noted in our launch review of the new Yellowfin Plate models, fishing boat specialist Quintrex has expanded its heavy-duty offshore Yellowfin range from around 10 boats to a mammoth 27 models.

Anglers will be pleased to see that most of the popular configurations are represented, the range comprising a mix of centre consoles, rear consoles, soft and hardtop cuddy cabins, full cabin cruisers, and even a series of centre cabins.

Most of the different layouts are available in 5800, 6200, 6500, 7000, and 7600 series hull sizes. All but the 5800 size has a 6mm plate alloy hull with a fine entry and a 20-degree transom deadrise.

This entry boat we tested some weeks back has a 17-degree deadrise and uses 4mm plate for the hull, transom and topsides.

When given the opportunity to test several of the new Yellowfin Plate boats, I put dibs on the new 7000 series centre cabin. The walkaround/centre cabin configuration provides the best layout for fishing in my humble opinion, and I was keen to find out how the new Yellowfin version would stack up against rival brands.

Brisbane Quintrex has Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin package prices starting from $84,553 with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 150hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) fuel-injected two-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls, and a tandem-axle Quintrex alloy trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes.

That $85K is very good value for a 7.0-metre full plate alloy boat, particularly given the long list of standard inclusions.

For the money you also get the centre/shelter cabin helm station with overhead hardtop and dual-width "strike chair" with reversible backrest and storage box, along with a fully welded checker plate self-draining rear cockpit, elevated side pockets and battery shelving, transom live well, transom door, super-wide side coamings, six stainless steel rod holders, a massive 320-litre sub-floor fuel tank, Zipwake interceptor-style trim tabs, and more.

As you might expect from a new release demonstrator, our test boat was upsized with a larger 200hp Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine, a Lowrance HDS 12 fishfinder/GPS and a range of options that lift the price to around $98K.

Interestingly, the options fitted to our test boat can be bought individually, or as part of Yellowfin's Platinum Pack. This kit includes two paint combinations; cabin cushions; cabin carpet and ceiling lining; a rear dive ladder; several cup/sinker holders; a transom cutting board; raw water deck wash; berley bucket; LED hardtop light kit; GME VHF radio; and a trailer spare wheel, wheel carrier and cover.

The 7000 series hull is the second to largest in the Yellowfin range, but has the same maximum beam of 2.4m and a transom deadrise vee angle of 20 degrees.

Like the larger model, the 7000 series hull has a sharp entry at the bow combined with a strake-free hull bottom and wide chines.

All Yellowfin Plate models are built in a special section of the Coomera-based factory by a hand-picked team of 17 of the company's best boat builders.

Yellowfin-branded boats are built using what is called "Marine Core" plate alloy construction. That means the Yellowfin models use a beefed-up underfloor welded alloy stringer grid in combination with a welded cockpit floor and 6mm hull bottom and 4mm topsides.

This heavy-duty construction makes for a strong, durable and quiet riding boat with none of those irritating rattles and squeaks you will often encounter with lower quality craft.

The Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin has an usual but effective cabin design. Most centre cabin boats have a wide, dual-berth cabin with a small walkway or trench to each side of the cabin structure. The Yellowfin layout is the opposite; the cabin is relatively small, allowing much larger side walkways to allow anglers to move freely between the rear cockpit and the bow platform and anchor well.

With the smaller cabin there isn't space for a pair of berths, but there is a single starboard side bench seat that stretches forward to a roto-moulded safety gear locker that can also accommodate an optional toilet.

At 1.72m long the side bench seat is not quite big enough for an adult to sleep on, but it can certainly accommodate a child. Underneath there is a second, longitudinal safety gear storage locker.

The 900mm of headroom above the bench seat makes it possible to sit comfortably enough in the cabin with your head just brushing the ceiling.

A full-height cover behind the helm shields and protects the wiring, whilst keeping it accessible for servicing.

A hatch in the forepeak provides light and ventilation to the cabin and opens out completely to provide internal access to the bow for anchoring.

Getting into the cabin is easy enough thanks to the wide, half-console width door which opens outwards on hinges. There's also a flap/panel overhead that lifts to increase headroom as you duck under the dash. Having this flap in place does reduce the size of the fascia, but there is ample flat-panel space to starboard, above the stainless steel steering wheel, to accommodate engine instrumentation and a large, 16-inch electronics display.

Our test boat was rigged with the optional Lowrance HDS12 fishfinder/GPS, and there was room to spare.

Above the fascia and dash there is a full-height, three-pane windscreen stretching between the console and the very sturdy, well-built hardtop.

Aft of the cabin/console, the dual-width Strike Chair provides comfortable seating for the skipper and first mate. The chair has a reversible backrest so it can turn about to face aft, allowing you to watch your lines while fishing.

To each side of the cabin structure is around 300mm of walkway foot space, while the forward platform is two steps up from the rear cockpit floor level. Elevating the forward deck ensures any water coming into the boat will drain aft and out through the non-reverse scuppers in the transom corners.

The bow has standing and fishing room for a single angler and for a crew member to raise and lower the anchor from the large, open anchor well in the forepeak.

Alternatively, the boat has the option of a Muir electric drum anchor winch, operated from the helm.

The floor level in the bow area is roughly 300mm higher than the rear cockpit, and there is 310mm of freeboard.

Naturally, the cockpit freeboard aft is much higher with a minimum of 580mm on the starboard corner, beneath the transom door.

At the transom wall and along the cockpit sides the freeboard space between the checker-plate floor and the 255mm wide side coamings is roughly 725mm, ideal for stand-up game fishing.

The 2.2 metre-long side storage pockets and the rear battery storage shelf (it has two batteries behind a Sopac hatch) are all elevated above the floor so you can tuck your feet under them.

There is no option to fit padded coaming bolsters, but they are not absolutely necessary because the high side coamings provide reasonable thigh bracing support.

Standard fishing features include six stainless steel rod holders, a starboard side transom live bait tank with viewing window, and a very large, fisherman-friendly rear cockpit which measures roughly 2.75m long by 2.05m wide.

The battery master switch is conveniently located close to the transom door on the starboard side, within reach of someone standing on the external boarding ladder when the boat is on the trailer.

Platinum Pack options included the deck wash, transom berley bucket and the "must-have" bait board/rod rack which has a clever mounting mechanism that allows it to be removed for storage in less than a minute.

A notable omission from the test rig was an underfloor kill tank/fish box. The Yellowfin R&D department told us their customers rarely use a kill tank so they opted to leave it out and use the extra sub-floor space to increase the size of the fuel tank.

Having tested several Yellowfin Plate boats previously (including the range-topping 7600 Southerner), I expected good things from the Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin and I was not disappointed. The 20-degree, strake-free hull bottom is relatively conventional in design, but it works well offshore.

The Yellowfin's fine bow entry shape and heavy-duty 6mm plate construction combine to smooth over the bumps in heavy chop, while the wide waterline beam and flattened chines help to stiffen and stabilise the hull at rest and underway.

The 7000 series hull does not have a lot of flare in the topsides and yet the test rig stayed dry during our sea trial. The weather conditions were admittedly mild, but within the Gold Coast Seaway there was enough wave action to give the test boat a decent workout.

Underway the Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin feels nicely balanced, safe and solid. Though fitted standard with trim tabs I did not need to use them as the bow of the boat could be trimmed up and down easily enough using just the outboard engine trim.

In windy conditions with rough seas the included trim tabs will be useful for correcting lateral trim, but otherwise they are not really needed.

In a following sea the Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin also proved to be competent, the gradual, or relaxed stem shape at the bow allowing the hull to surf safely out of wave troughs.

With the powerful Evinrude E-TEC G2 200hp mounted on the transom, the Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin is great fun to drive. It is quick, nimble, and rips away from a standing start to a top speed of 40 knots.

Do you need 200hp? Probably not. If a more modest top speed in the 34-36 knot range is satisfactory, then dropping back to a 150hp-175hp Evinrude would save a few upfront dollars.

Performance

Range on 95% of 320L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 295.9nm

The Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin is an excellent production plate alloy boat and a fine offshore fishing rig. It might not have the cabin space of some of its rivals, but it makes up for this with a huge rear cockpit and full 360-degree fishing access around the perimeter of the boat.

The Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin is also strong, durable, soft, seaworthy, stacked with fishing features, and terrific value for money, package prices starting at just $84K.

Specifications
Model: Yellowfin 7000 Centre Cabin
Length overall: 6.98m
Beam: 2.4m
Depth: 1.25m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Hull weight: 1150kg (est)
Weight on trailer: 2000kg (dry, est)
Bottom alloy: 6.0mm
Transom alloy: 6.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 225hp (25-inch extra-longshaft)
Maximum engine weight: 255kg
Engine as tested: Evinrude E-TEC G2 200hp DFI two-stroke outboard
Fuel: 320L
Flotation standard: Basic
Passengers: 7

Priced from: $84,553 with a single Evinrude E-TEC G2 150hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) DFI two-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls, a tandem-axle Quintrex alloy trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, 12 months Queensland boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety gear pack.

Price as tested: $98,502. As above but with an upgrade to the Evinrude E-TEC G2 200hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) DFI two-stroke outboard, along with the addition of a Lowrance HDS 12 fish finder/GPS and the Yellowfin Platinum Pack (two paint combinations, cabin cushions, carpet and ceiling lining, rear dive ladder, cup/sinker holders, transom cutting board, raw water deck wash, berley bucket, LED hardtop light kit, GME VHF radio, and a trailer spare wheel, wheel carrier and cover).

Supplied by: Brisbane Quintrex