2020 Yellowfin 7600 Centre Console review

This latest Yellowfin 7600 is among the first of the models now available with Mercury outboard power.

Most previous Yellowfins - and certainly those we have tested - have had an Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke bolted to the transom, as Yellowfin's parent company, Telwater, is owned by Canadian company BRP, which made Evinrude outboard engines.

Sadly, and due partly to the impact of COVID-19, BRP culled Evinrude production early this year.

This meant BRP needed to find a new partner to supply and power BRP's various boat brands around the world - including the Telwater brands of Quintrex, Yellowfin, Stacer and Savage.

Similar to BRP, Mercury Marine is a North American company, so it made sense to partner with Mercury - and that's exactly what has now happened.

So, going forward, most Quintrex, Yellowfin, Stacer and Savage boats will come packaged with Mercury outboard engines. This does not preclude boat buyers from choosing another outboard brand, because you can, but the standard or pre-packaged engine in most instances will be a Mercury.

Mercury Marine's outboard engine range stretches from 2.5hp through to the huge supercharged 400hp Verado. From within this exclusively four-stroke engine stable there is one to suit all Telwater brands and models.

Our test boat, the Yellowfin 7600 Centre Console, was paired with a high-end Mercury model, the powerful 250hp V8 Pro XS four-stroke in the extra-longshaft configuration.

Package prices for the Yellowfin 7600 Centre Console start at just $93,442 when paired with a 200hp Mercury Pro XS and a dual-axle Yellowfin alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes.

That's exceptional value for a 7.5-metre heavy-duty plate alloy trailer boat.

The big Yellowfin is also brimming with standard features including a 6mm hull bottom and transom; 4mm topsides; 3mm checker-plate self-draining cockpit; wide, fully welded side decks; bow casting platform; transom live well with viewing window; massive 380L fuel tank; transom door; full-length cockpit side pockets; six stainless steel rod holders; elevated battery storage compartment; transducer brackets; QL trim-tabs; hydraulic steering; and more.

The extra-longshaft Mercury 200hp Pro XS will provide better than sufficient performance for the Yellowfin 7600, but if you would prefer to amp things up a bit the Mercury 250hp Pro XS should fit the bill admirably.

With the larger engine, as tested, the package price rises to about $122,000.

That price includes a number of desirable options such as the deluxe transom bait/fishing station with cutting board and tackle drawers; electric trolling motor plate on the bow; dive ladder; Lowrance HDS16 fishfinder/GPS plotter; Lowrance VHF radio; deck wash; LED lighting kit; and a dual-width Strike chair at the helm with storage box.

Excluded from our test boat price is the folding hard-top and the Evakool icebox under the factory-supplied Strike chair bench seat. Both were custom fitted by the owner of the boat.

That said, I expect these items (or similar) could be custom optioned by individual Yellowfin dealers upon request.

Centre console boats are generally the best for fishing as they have the most uncluttered, usable deck space. Having an "island" style helm station also allows anglers to fish a full 360 degrees around the perimeter of the boat without obstruction.

The helm console in the Yellowfin 7600 is traditional in size, shape and position. It is situated just forward of the centre of the boat, between the bow and stern fishing decks.

The console is wide enough for two people to stand before it, but not so wide as to impinge on the walkabout space to each side, which measures about 380mm.

Further forward, the bow fishing deck in the Yellowfin is elevated 530mm to create a broad, flat casting platform roughly 1.37m long by 1.62m wide.

Steps beneath the casting deck (on each side) make it easy to ascend to the elevated platform, though I am not sure they are really needed. I'd prefer to go without and gain more foot space on the lower-level floor.

Beneath the all-welded checker plate casting deck is a cavernous storage locker held open by a single gas-strut support. There is provision inside for a battery and wiring to run an electric trolling motor, along with ample space for life jackets and/or a safety gear bag.

Our test boat was fitted with the optional trolling motor plate on the port side of the bow, built into the very wide (280mm or more) side decks. These broad side decks/coamings stretch the length of the boat and are topped with non-slip deck tread.

Up at the sharp end of the boat is a decent sized anchor well with an accompanying bollard and bowsprit. A Muir electric winch can be optioned to slot into this space so you can raise and lower the pick from the helm at the flick of a switch.

The helm station itself is traditional in that the steering wheel and controls are centrally mounted on the fascia. I personally think this is a little outdated; I would prefer to see the wheel and throttle offset to the port side. This would then allow more space for the first mate to stand (or sit) alongside the skipper when the boat is underway.

Otherwise, the layout of the console/dash/fascia is fine. There's ample space for switch panels, radio head-units, and flush-fitted electronics displays such as the big Lowrance HDS16 optioned to our test boat.

Other helm-related features include two storage shelves/spaces, and a flat dash area beneath the acrylic windshield to fit a compass or perhaps a bracket-mounted multifunction display.

Yellowfin centre consoles do not come with a standard helm seat, as some anglers prefer to go without to enlarge the rear cockpit.

That said, most customers fit the optional Strike chair with reversible backrest and storage box, though you can fit a pair of pedestal seats.

As noted earlier, the owner of our test boat opted for an excellent after-market solution, fitting an Evakool icebox beneath the Strike chair helm seat.

Behind the bench/box helm seat the welded, self-draining rear cockpit stretches 1.5m back to the transom wall. Take out the bench seat and you've got 2.55m to play with, measured from the aft edge of the centre console.

Either way, there's plenty of deck space for three or four anglers to move about, keeping mind you can also fish from the sides and up in the bow.

Key cockpit features include full-length, above-floor side storage pockets beneath 280mm wide side coamings; 730mm high cockpit freeboard throughout; a port side aquarium-style live well; starboard side transom door (with step); and a battery shelf under the transom sealed away behind a Sopac hatch.

Beneath the transom wall there is enough toe/foot space to wedge yourself into a secure position to safely fish from the boat in rough weather.

Our test boat was optioned with the Quintrex deluxe bait station at the transom. It comes complete with 10 tackle trays stowed behind a lockable front panel, along with an aft-facing rod rack, knife and utensil storage, cup holders, etc.

Other features include six stainless steel rod holders, a checker plate non-slip finish to the alloy flooring, and a sub-floor bilge compartment.

Unfortunately, there is no space under the floor for a kill tank unless you are prepared to down-size the 380L fuel tank.

Having tested this Yellowfin hull before with the full-cabin Southerner model, we knew what to expect from the 7600 Centre Console, and it did not disappoint.

The vee hull bottom has a modest 19-degree angle at the transom, but it is nice and sharp up at the bow, and this refined shape combined with the weight of a 6mm solid plate alloy bottom, endows the big Yellowfin with a comfortable ride and sure-footed performance.

In the centre console model the fore and aft balance in the boat is a little different – due to the different placement of the helm console – but this just requires a slight adjustment to engine trim to achieve optimum performance.

The Yellowfin 7600 feels safe and secure in a following sea, and generally very stable underway. Laterally it feels quite stiff so there is little inclination for the boat to heel into the wind at speed, a common characteristic of large trailer boats.

The Yellowfin comes standard with interceptor style trim tabs anyway, so any list or hull imbalance is easily corrected.

The previous Yellowfin 7600 we tested was paired with a 225hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 two-stroke outboard. Our test boat for this review was mated to a slightly larger, Mercury 250hp V8 Pro XS four-stroke.

It is nevertheless interesting to compare the performance of the two.

In terms of outright speed, our Mercury-powered Yellowfin 7600 Centre Console has the edge over the Evinrude-powered Southerner cabin model, topping out at 43.2 knots compared to 40.1 knots.

This isn't all that surprising as the Southerner model is heavier and there is more wind resistance in the taller cabin structure. The Evinrude also had 25hp less than the Mercury.

Through the mid-range I feel that the older Evinrude might still have the edge over the Mercury with regard to throttle response and sheer explosive grunt.

But this is not always a good thing. The more progressive power delivery of a four-stroke is certainly safer for inexperienced boaters.

Overall, I would consider the two different outboard engines comparable, although they achieve their performance quite differently. This isn't a surprise given I am comparing a two-stroke with a four-stroke.

Performance

Range based on 95% of the 380L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 337.9nm

The Yellowfin 7600 Centre Console is a welcome addition to the Yellowfin boat range. For coastal and offshore sportfishing, this big platey ticks a lot of boxes.

The Yellowfin 7600 is soft riding, safe, strong, inherently well designed. It also bristles with features and equipment, including a self-draining cockpit, wide side decks, plenty of freeboard, a double-width helm console, bow fishing deck, and more.

Best of all, the Yellowfin 7600CC has a starting package price from just $93,442 with a Mercury 200hp Verado outboard and dual-axle trailer.

That's a bargain price for a full-featured 7.5-metre plate alloy boat.

Priced from: $93,442 including a Mercury 200hp Pro XS four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engine, and a Yellowfin dual-axle aluminium trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes and spare wheel.

Price as tested: $121,678. As above but with a larger Mercury 250hp V8 Pro XS four-stroke extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engine; Lowrance HDS16 fishfinder/GPS plotter; Lowrance VHF radio; deck-wash; transom bait/fishing station with cutting board and tackle drawers; electric trolling motor plate on the bow; dive ladder; LED lighting kit (but excluding underwater lights); custom paint to hull and deck; dual-width Strike chair bench with storage box. Price excludes the custom folding hard-top with rod-rack and the Evakool icebox.

Supplied by: Karee Marine