2020 Formosa 595 SRT Pro Deck Boss Centre Console review

Brisbane's Formosa Marine Boats has revamped most models for 2020, in addition to trimming some model lines and expanding others.

The enormously popular centre console range, for example, now totals eight models stretching from 4.95m to 7.95m in length.

Model names for most boats also have changed to reflect the true length of each vessel. The previous 580 series boats are rebadged as 595s; similarly, the old 620 series boats now have a 635 model designation.

Having noted the above, the latest Formosa models don't just carry new stickers on their smooth plate alloy topsides.

Most boats now have sharper, deeper vee hulls, along with re-designed consoles, cabins and walkarounds, re-configurable seating areas, and general improvements to fit and finish.

For this review, boatsales.com.au has secured one of Formosa's most recent centre console models, the Formosa 595 SRT Pro with the enlarged Boss centre console, and powered by the evergreen Yamaha 150hp four-stroke outboard.

Package prices for the Formosa 595 SRT Pro Centre Console start from around $72K complete with a Yamaha 130hp outboard, dual-axle braked trailer (with Towcatch), console T-top hardtop with radio box, bait board with bait tank, and a base-model Garmin fishfinder.

That price is specifically for the "Pro Deck" version. This model comes with a self-draining, welded tread-plate Pro Deck alloy floor and forward casting deck.

A cheaper model is available with a plywood floor and marine carpet overlay. If you don't value the Pro Deck's self-draining system, you can save a few dollars with the standard floor.

All 595 models come with an 800mm wide centre console helm station with folding windscreen; 4mm plate alloy to the transom, hull bottom and topsides; underfloor box section construction; a 200-litre underfloor fuel tank; forward casting deck; bow electric motor mount; noise dampening carpet to the open anchor well; transom door; boarding platform and ladder; four built-in rod holders; bilge pump; underfloor buoyancy foam; battery tray and isolator switch; white painted hull; and more.

Our test boat was loaded with options, chief among them being an engine upgrade to Yamaha's extra-longshaft F150.

As well as the Pro Deck interior alloy flooring, the test rig also came equipped with Formosa's new Boss centre console with walk-in front toilet/storage compartment, accessed from the bow.

The Formosa 595 SRT Pro Centre Console on test also gained Formosa's Quad4 - four-chamber water ballast system; Aquatic Weaponry hull graphics; internal paint upgrade; modified transom; Savwinch anchor winch; extra rod holders; underfloor kill tank; raw water deck wash kit; fold-down aft bench seat; berley bucket; safety kit; boat and trailer registrations; and more.

Electronics gear included a Garmin 8412 multifunction touchscreen display incorporating GPS, radar and fishfinder capabilities, along with a Garmin VHF, CZone digital switching system, Rokk wireless phone charger, underwater LED squid lights and a battery charger.

With the electronics, extra features, and larger Yamaha engine our test boat drive-away price increased to a substantial $85,000.

The key feature of our test boat is unquestionably the wider, deeper console with its forward access toilet compartment. This is a no-brainer option for families that like to spend lots of time out on the water.

From the bow casting deck, a door opens from left to right on the front of the console to reveal the head compartment. You need to duck your head to step inside, but there is a recess in front of the optional toilet to provide ample space overhead once you have stepped down into it.

Privacy may be an issue with the toilet compartment door open, but polite crew members will logically make sure they stay aft in the boat when someone needs to use the loo.

Other bow features include the 1.2m long by 2.2m wide elevated tread-plate casting deck, trolling motor plate, and a carpeted anchor well with welded bow rail and roller.

There is also ample freeboard so anglers can safely stand and fish from the bow.

Our test boat was rigged with a large storage locker under the bow deck that fits an optional icebox.

The helm station further aft is standard in design with a centre-mounted steering wheel and starboard side throttle. I personally would prefer to have the wheel and throttle offset to port to make it easier for a crew member to stand alongside the skipper.

Otherwise, the helm is well arrayed. There is ample space for electronics and engine instruments, and the overhead T-top hardtop provides sun shelter and a radio box.

The T-top and the windscreen are both hinged so you can fold them down to squeeze the boat into a garage.

Behind the dual-width helm seat box (with reversible backrest) there is sufficient cockpit space aft to the full height of the transom wall.

General features here include the optional fold-out bench seat with storage locker behind it, wide side decks for the four included rod holders, optional bait board/bait tank, underfloor kill tank, full-length side pockets, battery box, and a port side transom door and step.

The transom layout on the test boat uses the standard "Single Access" version of Formosa's Active Transom design.

You can also choose between Dual Access and Full Access versions of the transom, the latter with the entire transom wall folding down to provide unrestricted boarding and fishing access over the stern.

The Formosa's 595 series hull has a slightly deeper vee through the length of the boat than the previous model, although any difference in ride comfort is difficult to pick up without a direct boat-to-boat comparison of new versus old models.

That said, I was impressed with the handling and ride of the Formosa 595 SRT Pro Centre Console. The hull is smooth and surefooted in bay chop, comfortable at modest cruise speeds offshore, as well as being very stable at rest and underway.

Our test boat was fitted with Formosa's Quad4 water ballast system that provides a boost to stability at rest. Four open hull tubes below the waterline fill up to add displacement when the boat is sitting dead in the water, then drain back out when the boat gets back underway.

I have tested the Formosa 595's predecessor with both the Yamaha 130hp outboard engine and the larger F150. The latter is the better option. The 130hp motor is sufficient, but for the hull to shine the extra power of the larger outboard engine is recommended.

As tested with three adults on board, we achieved a top speed of 36 knots and a comfortable cruise of 23.2 knots for a fuel burn of 26.3L/h.

Range on 95% of the 200L fuel supply at 4000rpm: 167.0nm

The Formosa 595 SRT Pro Deck Boss Console is a coastal fishing boat first and foremost, but the addition of the optional toilet compartment opens the boat up for general family boating applications.

Just knowing there is a toilet onboard will provide comfort to youngsters and female crew; it will allow them to relax and to properly enjoy the boating and fishing experience.

Overall, the Formosa 595 SRT Pro is an excellent fishing/family boat. It combines comfort, safety, durability and performance on the water with a spacious, versatile centre console interior layout.

Specifications
Model: Formosa 595 SRT Pro Centre Console
Length: 5.95m
Beam: 2.45m
Deadrise: 19 degrees
Hull weight: 820kg
Weight on trailer: 1600kg (est)
Bottom and transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Engine: 130hp (min)/175hp (max)
Engine as tested: Yamaha 150hp four-stroke
Fuel: 200L
Flotation standard: Basic
Passengers: Seven

Priced from: $72,000 including a Yamaha 130hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard; Formosa (Redco) dual-axle galvanised steel braked trailer with Towcatch; a folding T-top hardtop with radio box; bait board with bait tank; base-model fishfinder.

Price as tested: $85,000. As above but with a larger Yamaha 150hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard with stainless steel prop; Boss console with walk-in front toilet compartment; Formosa Quad4 four-chamber water ballast system; Garmin 8412 MFD (incorporating GPS, radar and fishfinder); Garmin VHF radio; CZone digital switching system; Rokk wireless phone charger; underwater LED squid lights; battery charger; Aquatic Weaponry hull graphics; internal paint upgrade; Savwinch anchor winch; extra rod holders; underfloor kill tank; raw water deck wash kit; fold-down aft bench seat; berley bucket; safety gear kit; boat and trailer registrations.

Supplied by: Formosa Marine Boats