2022 Bonito 500 Centre Console review

Overview

Designed originally in New Zealand, but refined in Australia over the past two decades, the Bonito 500 is one of two (soon to be three) craft produced by Bonito Australia in Steiglitz, south of Brisbane. 

The second model is a lengthened version of the 500 called the 560. Both have proven popular with recreational and commercial fishermen due mainly to their tough, virtually unbreakable GRP composite (no timber) construction, and plain yet practical interior layouts. 

Bonito has eschewed the luxury lounge seating and carpeted flooring you might find in expensive US console boats in favour of a more utilitarian interior layout with a low-maintenance, hose-out fibreglass self-draining deck.

The Bonito 500 and 560 are both available with tiller-steer, side console, and centre console configurations. 

Each is designed to excel in coastal bay and harbour waters, the slim profile of these hulls combining with a fine bow entry shape to smooth out the chop. 

Bonito has changed hands a few times during the past two decades. Under new management once more, Bonito Australia will soon be releasing a much larger 660 series model with a super deep-vee hull, and with cabin and console configurations. 

For this review, however, we have secured the latest version of the original Bonito 500, complete with the larger of two centre console helm stations and a front casting deck, and powered by a Mercury 100hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine. 

Bonito boats are sold exclusively from the Steiglitz factory situated between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Each craft is sold as a very basic boat upon which customers can add the options and accessories they need. 

Buyers can even supply their own outboard engine and trailer to further contain the package purchase price. 

Tiller-steer Bonito 500s start from a hull-only price of $19,990. Adding a centre console raises the cost to $22,990. 

Rigged with a Mercury 100hp four-stroke and a single-axle Redco galvanised steel braked trailer, base model Bonito 500 Centre Console packages represent excellent value at about $47,000. 

As noted, entry models are not much more than basic fibreglass shells, but they are well built and come with some important safety and construction features such as a flow-coated self-draining cockpit with one-way ball scuppers; forward anchor well; moulded hatches throughout; 165mm wide side deck coamings, 600mm of cockpit freeboard (transom), a 120-litre fuel tank (upgradeable to 150 litres); as well as 316 grade stainless steel fittings used throughout, including the monogrammed heavy-duty bow roller, tow hooks, recessed flip-up cleats, and keel protection strip.

Our test boat was fitted with a few key options for anglers. They include the larger of two different-sized centre consoles; the shorter of two front casting platforms; an electric trolling motor mount at the bow; two internal side storage pockets (fibreglassed to the inside hull for strength); and transom steps to each side of the half-pod transom/engine well. 

These additions lift the package price to $59,000 with an upgraded Redco trailer, and with the Mercury 100hp four-stroke outboard engine with hydraulic steering, SmartCraft VesselView display, and Mercury's Active Trim system. 

Our test boat was appointed with a range of features required for fishing, but for a mix of fishing and family boating, you might want to add some extra kit.

Family-friendly options include a split, folding rear bench seat with backrest; overhead T-top bimini or hardtop; SeaDek foam rubber flooring; various console lean seats; clip-on cushions for the front casting deck; front of console bench seat/storage; freshwater tank with shower; raw-water deck wash; internal transom wall with storage hatches; and a telescopic boarding ladder. 

Additional fishing options include coaming rod holders; lockable rod locker; custom bait board; through-hull transducer mount; auxiliary battery; rod racks; topsides hull wrap; LED gunwale lighting; Lenco trim tabs; and more. 

Both the Bonito 500 and 560 can also be built to category 2C Survey for commercial applications. 

The Bonito 500 was originally 4.8 metres long and equipped with a regular squared-off transom and outboard splash-well. After arriving in Australia in the 1990s, it was upgraded with a half-pod hull extension that increased the centreline length to 5.0m.

The Bonito 500 is quite a slim boat, just 2.05 metres across the beam and with an internal usable width of around 1.8 metres. 

The 500 series hull has a sharp entry at the bow, but the vee angle at the transom is a modest 13 degrees to help maintain stability.

With regard to construction, Bonito boats are made without any structural timber. The hand-laid fibreglass hulls are strengthened with no-rot fibreglass stringers, while Thermo-Lite composite board is used as the core material in the transom, flooring and structural bulkheads. 

The boats can come with foam flotation to achieve a Level flotation standard, but most boats leave the factory with Basic flotation provided by a series of air-tight underfloor chambers.

As noted, the interior layout is plain, unassuming, but effective, featuring a flat, speckled flow-coat finished fibreglass floor stretching from the bow to the transom. 

Our test boat was optioned with the shorter of two drop-in casting decks, measuring roughly 840mm long with a maximum width of 1.75 metres. 

Two moulded fibreglass hatches in the forward deck open out to reveal a large storage space suitable for safety gear or life jackets, and for fitting batteries needed to power an electric trolling motor.

A moulded base/mount for the trolling motor is situated on the bow, to port of the large anchor well, as is a stainless steel bow roller with the word "Bonito" engraved neatly into it.  

Fold-down cleats are recessed into the side coamings at the bow and stern so the decks remain clean with nothing to snag a fishing line. 

Moving aft, the large, dual-width centre console is modern in design with the steering wheel and controls off-set to port to provide space for someone to stand comfortably alongside the skipper. 

Anglers will appreciate the large, wide fascia panel that can flush-fit a 12-inch multifunction display with space alongside for engine instrumentation. 

I was most impressed, however, with the superb stainless steel grab rail surrounding the console unit, and extending up and above the short, tinted windshield. 

Beneath the helm controls the centre console has two large, open shelves to provide more storage space. I can see larger items such as charts, maps, jumpers, lunch boxes and so on stowed here, but a separate glovebox would be preferable for smaller items such as mobile phones and car keys. 

Alongside the helm station, 1.7-metre-long side storage pockets so sturdy that you can stand on them should cater for fishing items such as hand lines, short gaffs, tackle trays, deck lines, fenders and more. 

Aft of the helm console the cockpit stretches 1.35 metres back to the full-width, full-height (595mm) transom. 

The engine cranking battery is secured and slightly elevated on a pad on the starboard side, alongside the battery master switch, and beneath the bait bin/auxiliary live bait tank. 

The primary live bait tank on the starboard side is a little small for my liking but should be capable of keeping half a dozen yellowtail/scad size baits alive and fresh.

The Bonito 500 has a good looking, well-proportioned hull with high topsides, a fine entry shape, and planing/lifting strakes stretching from the bow to the stern to either side of a pronounced aft planing plank. 

Underway I found this combination of hull features provided a smooth, stable and dry ride on the relatively calm Gold Coast Broadwater, and offshore from the Gold Coast Seaway entrance.

The hull is well mannered at speed and responsive to trim; I could readily drop the nose down to slice through the chop and then lift it back out again to run safely and securely before the sea. 

Thrown into tight, slalom turns and figure-eight manoeuvres, the Bonito 500 handles nicely; it corners sharply, but with just the right amount of propeller and hull slip. 

At rest, the Bonito 500 hull is more tender than some rival craft I have tested, but it stiffens up nicely once you get up and underway. 

With a 100hp Mercury outboard engine on the transom, the Bonito 500 is also pretty quick, accelerating to a top speed of 35.3 knots – ample for a coastal fishing boat.

Given this excess of speed, I'd be tempted to drop back to a 90hp outboard engine to save a few dollars and to reduce the weight on the transom. 

Bonito Australia is not locked into a particular engine manufacturer, so I would consider cross-shopping engine brands to find a lightweight 90hp four-stroke outboard engine. 

Performance

Range on 95% of the 150L fuel supply: 219.2nm at 4000rpm

Dozens of Bonito 500 craft have been produced over the last few decades, many of them for commercial fishing and boating applications. This hull has well and truly earned its stripes and continues to be revered by dedicated Bonito boat owners and enthusiasts; there's even an independent Facebook group for them.

With tweaks to the construction and interior layout, the latest Bonito 500 series is better than ever; the centre console model is terrific for bay and coastal fishing, and you can dial up the interior fit-out, or keep it pretty basic to suit your needs and budget. 

Specifications
Model: Bonito 5.0m Centre Console
Length overall: 5.0m 
Beam: 2.05m
Deadrise: 13 degrees
Hull weight: 550kg
Weight on trailer: 1300kg (est)
Maximum power: 115hp (extra-longshaft)
Engine as tested: 100hp Mercury four-stroke 
Fuel: 120L (std)/150L (opt) 
Flotation standard: Basic (std)/Level (opt)
Passengers: 5

Priced from: About $47,000 with a 100hp Mercury extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine with mechanical steering and analogue gauges, and a Redco single-axle galvanised steel trailer with mechanical override brakes.

Price as tested: About $59,000 with a 100hp Mercury extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine with hydraulic steering, Mercury SmartCraft VesselView display and Mercury Active Trim; upgraded Redco single-axle C-section galvanised steel trailer with mechanical brakes; large-size centre console helm station; front casting deck; electric trolling motor mount; two internal side storage pockets; transom boarding steps. 

Supplied by: Bonito Australia