2020 NauticStar 231 Hybrid review

Getting the balance right in a boat that can serve up family fun one weekend and a feed of fish the next is always going to be a tough call.

Related content:

Many have tried, adapting boats by adding bow lounges and comfy seating areas in a package that still supports a decent fishing platform, but rates the family as a distant second.

In a sense, the US-built NauticStar 231 Hybrid is a boat that puts the family ahead of fishing. How? It’s one of those rare examples where a boat is set up so that most of the compromise is placed on its role as a fishing boat and not a family entertainer.

But deep down, it’s still a damn good fishing boat.

Sydney-based MarinePartners has the NauticStar 231 Hybrid priced from $117,000 fitted with a 200hp Yamaha F200 FourStroke outboard engine. Adding a galvanised Boatmate trailer adds $12,000, making a boat, motor and trailer package priced from $129,000 delivered in Sydney.

The standard boat is a looker. A titanium paint job on the outer hull is standard, instantly giving the NauticStar 231 Hybrid presence on the dock, as is the T-top with a black canvas infill.

Our test boat, though, comes with a few options including the Sport package (swim platform, Bimini top and Infinity audio system), a more deluxe leaning post, Lenco trim tabs, a Minn Kota RT80 trolling motor, swim platform, low-pressure washdown, an extra Yeti icebox, bow table and a dual battery set-up. Our outboard engine was also fitted with a stainless steel propeller.

Because the hull is foam-filled, the NauticStar 231 Hybrid has plenty of positive floatation. Not only does this make it safe – the hull will float level if it is swamped – but you can load it with up to 10 people. Unless you’re taking in New Year’s Eve fireworks, though, no one is ever going to pack elbows that tightly.

The NauticStar 231 Hybrid is an almost 7.0-metre centre console boat built to serve families first, but with a nod to fishing.

No wood is used to build the NauticStar 231 Hybrid’s hull. The boat is built in three layers consisting of the hand-laid outer hull, a box frame fibreglass stringer system, and a one-piece hand-laid moulded self-draining deck that is first bonded in place and then attached to the hull with stainless steel fasteners.

The hulls are coated in marine-grade vinyl ester before being finished off with a “precision sprayed” gelcoat. Voids are foam-filled to provide positive flotation, and each hull is tank-tested before it leaves NauticStar’s factory to ensure it is watertight.

Similar to other NauticStar Boats models, the NauticStar 231 Hybrid features a stepped hull that mixes air in with the water passing under the aft section to reduce friction. Combined with the skiff-like aft section of the hull – the deadrise at the transom is only 13 degrees – and planing pods, the NauticStar 231 Hybrid is quick up onto the plane and once there rockets along over the water.

Up front, the boat’s deep-vee hull features a wave-piercing 35-degree deadrise that helps with rough-water performance.

The NauticStar 231 Hybrid features near-vertical sides on its aft section that run to almost the full beam, helping to maximise interior space but still provide good-width coamings.

One thing the Yanks do really well is clean lines. Apart from a pair of low rails in the bow lounge, the NauticStar 231 Hybrid has no visual clutter along its topdecks, and pop-up cleats recess neatly when not needed.

The boat’s self-draining cockpit means the bilge is not easily visible, so the NauticStar 231 Hybrid is fitted with a 50-litre-a-minute automatic bilge pump.

Long and low, about the only criticism you can level at the NauticStar 231 Hybrid as it floats alongside the jetty is its asthetics; the low topdecks and tall T-top make it look just a little top-heavy.

The boat’s layout is typical for a bowrider, with a comfy U-shaped lounge with backrests, under-seat storage (there’s a drained killbox on each side) and cooler box up front, a jump seat in front of the console with storage below, a dual-width centre console, and three jump seats across the transom with fold-down seatbacks.

The hull’s design means the bow takes on a geodesic rather than curved shape, with a large platform forward that contains the anchor locker (there's no bowsprit or anchor rode cleats forward) and optional 24-volt Minn Kota trolling motor (so you don't really need to use the anchor). The bow seating follows the same geodesic path as the leading edge of the bow, and on our test boat includes a SeaDek-topped table that drops down to fill in the bow platform.

A pair of fold-out backrests at each end of the bow lounge create forward-facing lounges.

The lounge with its Syntec vinyl-covered removable cushions (you can remove them to use the area as a casting deck) and fixed backrests is comfy and spacious, with room for four adults. Each side has a low stainless steel grab rail mounted on the topdeck, and four stainless steel cup holders are recessed around it.

The NauticStar 231 Hybrid uses its wide beam to full advantage, providing plenty of walk-around space around the centre console. The front of the console has a jump seat with a lifting squab to reveal a plumbed 60-litre livewell.

A side door to the console opens into an enclosed space that’s large enough to contain a head – an essential item if the boat is to double as a family entertainer. It’s a small, cramped space that’s large enough for children to use as a changeroom, and adults at a pinch.

The console backs onto the helm station looking more like a comfy leaning post than seats for skipper and first mate. Below it is a 90-litre icebox. The fabric cover on the black powder-coated T-top looks the business, and there are four rocket launcher-style rod holders on its trailing edge. Another four more vertical ones are on the back of the leaning post.

There is also rod storage built into a pair of side pockets, and two stainless steel rod holders recessed into the aft coamings. More coaming rod holders are needed if you’re going to use this boat for fishing.

Three jump seats with folding backrests that sit flush to create a platform line the transom. To starboard is the battery storage box, under the centre one is a 100-litre livewell, and under the starboard one is a recessed bucket that the brochure says is for storing a casting net – the Yanks sure do love sourcing their own bait. Check your local fishing restrictions to see if they are legal before investing in one.

With the transom seats folded flat, the transom becomes a deep and wide casting platform interrupted only by the recessed pod for the outboard engine. A stainless steel rail-framed starboard boarding platform is standard.

Bilge access is via a hatch built into the floor of the outboard engine pod.

The helm station on the NauticStar 231 Hybrid is a really nice place to sit. The helm doesn’t have traditional bucket seats behind it, and instead uses an extremely comfy dual-width bench that’s more like a premium leaning post with a seating option than it is a seat.

Standing or sitting, it’s easy to get comfortable.

A stainless steel wheel with height adjust is mounted to starboard, with the throttle controls mounted on a binnacle in the centre of the dash – this plays it safe, as anyone walking past the helm can’t accidentally bump it.

The dash is very upright and split into two levels. The lower level has the wheel and throttle control, as well as a digital display for the 200hp Yamaha F200 outboard engine and Lenco trim tabs. Below the helm is a storage slot. On the first mate’s side are the toggle switches for the boat’s electrics below a pair of cupholders – mounting the latter above the electronics switchboard isn’t the best design. There’s also a good-sized sealed, locking glovebox.

A SeaDek footrest is recessed into the lower section of the console.

The upper part of the console is a wide, gently curved space that on our test boat is used to house analogue instruments for the outboard engine, and the controller for the Infinity audio system. Any owner with a yen for twin touchscreens sitting side by side will be more than catered for.

The upper dash is covered in SeaDek to stop things placed there sliding around, a low wrap-around windscreen that provides plenty of wind protection for the helm, and is interrupted only by the recessed analogue compass binnacle.

The alloy T-top sets a nice contrast against the white of the fibreglass. It is wider than the dash, making it feel less cramped than if it was built in flush with the console. On the move it is rock-solid.

Sadly, because this is a crossover boat bridging fishing and family, by default most fishing-friendly features are hidden out of sight. Hunt around, though, and you’ll find them.

The only problem with hiding them away is that when it comes time to using them, it’s not intuitive. Cumbersome livewell covers have to flip up to provide access, and the bow lounge cushions have to stow away somewhere – this is where the enclosed head becomes something of a default dumping ground.

Both live wells are plumbed and controlled via the electronics switchboard on the helm station. However, because both are hidden away, it’s difficult to monitor the welfare of your bait.

Get down to business, though, and the wide sidedecks provide plenty of uninterrupted fishing space around the entire boat. Low step heights onto the forward and aft casting decks make for easy access, even while fighting a fish.

However, there are only two rod holders recessed into the coamings. They’re angled, too, so if you plan on using rod holder brackets to increase the number of rods you have in the water, you may need to go down the path of a custom job.

Of note, the side decks do not recess to provide toe space beneath them. This only creates a problem if you’re attempting to lift a heavy fish out of the water and want to brace yourself against them.

I’ve sailed the odd skiff in my time but never driven one at high speed across Sydney Harbour.

With just two of us onboard and the powerful and economical 200hp 2.8-litre four-cylinder Yamaha F200 FourStroke outboard engine humming behind us, the NauticStar 231 Hybrid jumps onto the plane with ease. Once up, there’s noticable side-to-side movement as the almost flat transom follows the waves and swell. On almost flat waters its fine, but hit a bit of Sydney Harbour chop and you’re throttling down to stop the motion becoming violent.

This is a quick boat. Conditions didn’t allow us to fully open the taps, but chasing one of the other NauticStars on test we hit 33.6 knots without too much effort. The deep-vee hull up front helps to cut through chop and flatten the water, with the large bow flair making the boat surprisingly dry given its relatively low freeboard.

Adding to the excitement of driving the boat fast is the fact you sit or stand high behind the helm, with the low internal freeboard heightening the sense that you’re skimming along close to the water’s surface.

The SeaStar steering is light and smooth, although a little slow given the chuckability of this boat if you want to have a bit of a play on the water.

The optional Lenco trim tabs aren’t really needed under normal operating conditions. The only time you will likely need them is when the weight distribution is out of balance, such as having one of the two forward kill tanks full, or to push the nose down to punch through messy chop.

Performance

Maximum range at 95% of 280L fuel capacity: 251nm at 3500rpm

Stability at rest is excellent when walking around the boat’s cockpit. There’s a bit of movement up front as you move from side to side, although the forward section of the hull quickly moves to full beam to help minimise lateral movement.

The NauticStar 231 Hybrid is an ideal boat for enclosed waters such as Sydney Harbour. On a good day it’s a fast, efficient and engaging boat for making the most of cosseting conditions.

In a sense, though, it’s a boat that sides more with family than it does with fishing, which probably goes a long way to explaining why NaticStar markets the 231 Hybrid as a crossover boat rather than a fishing boat full of family-friendly compromise.

In this instance, everything points to family before fishing, even if deep down it has all the features that keen anglers want. You just have to go digging for them.

Specifications
Model: NauticStar 231 Hybrid
Length: 6.93m
Beam: 2.59m
Draft: 0.33m (est)
Deadrise: 13 degrees (transom); 35 degrees (bow)
Weight: 1200kg (est)
Outboard engines: 200hp (rec)/250hp (max, with SeaStar steering)
Transom height: 25-inch
Fuel: 280L
Livewells: 57L (console)/102L (aft)
Passengers: 10