2022 Makocraft 481 HD SUV Patriot review

Overview

Makocraft is a brand on the move - literally and figuratively. The well-known aluminium boat maker has changed Queensland premises in recent months and expanded its boat range to satisfy a broader market.

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Makocraft is now headquartered in Oxenford, Gold Coast, but has a manufacturing plant in Geelong, Victoria where its small open boats are produced.

As well as all manner of V-nose punts and tiller-steer dinghies, the Makocraft boat range includes pressed and plate alloy models with a mix of side console, centre console, runabout, cuddy cabin and centre cabin configurations.

The pressed alloy boat range runs through to 5.2 metres in length, with larger boats produced using the heavier duty plate alloy construction technique.

Makocraft's offshore-focused 5.91-metre and 6.31-metre plate alloy Cruiser Cabs and Island Cab centre cabins have been particularly popular in recent times (particularly with the deluxe "Black Ops" pack), but the smaller pressed alloy boats are winning over budget boat buyers and anglers seeking a "one-size fits all" type of boat.

Such a craft is the mid-sized, super versatile 481 HD Sports Utility Vessel (SUV), set up with a side console configuration and Makocraft's new Patriot Edition options pack. This terrific fishing all-rounder is the subject of this review.

Price and equipment

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV is configured as a very basic, tiller-steer open boat in standard form. This allows anglers to add features and option packs as desired, and to suit individual budgets.

For our purposes here, however, we asked Makocraft to provide a price for a standard boat package, but with the addition of the side console helm station and forward controls.

The 481 HD SUV is rated for a maximum of 60hp outboard engine, but this can be upgraded to 75hp if the boat is optioned with a full-height outboard engine well.

While the 60hp outboard engine is the maximum rating, it is also a realistic minimum for most boating and fishing applications.

You might consider a 50hp boat for lightweight, tiller-steer set-ups, but I would advocate a minimum 60hp outboard engine for side and centre console configurations.

Packaged with a Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke outboard engine and single-axle Dunbier galvanised steel braked trailer, a side console-equipped 481 SUV starts from about $30,000.

This price includes an unpainted hull; full length, carpeted plywood floor; anchor well with cleat; flat foredeck; two lift-out pedestal seats with four in-floor sockets; cockpit side pockets; bow handles; 220mm-wide fully welded side deck coamings; rear boarding step and rail; transducer bracket; and transom grab handles.

Our test boat was upgraded with plenty of options including the mid-level Patriot Edition pack that bundles a number of the most popular options in a single package.

Tick the Patriot Edition option and you get a painted hull and deck; side console glove box, cup holders and USB port; rear casting deck and splash well; 60-litre (upgradeable to 80 litres) underfloor fuel tank; electric motor bracket; four rod holders; aft grab rails; a Garmin fishfinder/GPS; and an accessories kit (navigation and anchor lights, bilge pump, switch panel, battery box and isolator switch).

With all of the above kit, the Dunbier trailer and a choice of Tohatsu or Mercury 60hp four-stroke outboard engines, the Makocraft 481 HD SUV is priced from $39,990 ex. Gold Coast.

Hull and engineering

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV has an overall length of 4.85 metres, a beam of 2.2 metres and a hull weight of 440kg. Packaged with the side console, Tohatsu 60hp outboard engine and Dunbier trailer, I would anticipate the towing weight to be between 850kg and 950kg, making it easy to tow behind a family car or light SUV.

The hull is made using the pressed alloy method, which has sheets of aluminium wrapped around a cross-rib structure supported by a heavy-duty keel along with transom corner gussets and bracing struts.

The hull, transom and topsides are made with 3mm marine grade alloy and combine with the sub-floor alloy framework and full-length carpeted plywood floor to provide ample strength and rigidity for this type of craft.

The underfloor voids and cavities are filled with sufficient block foam flotation to meet Australia's Basic flotation standard.

The Makocraft 481 SUV uses what Makocraft describes as its "Outer Edge" hull that combines a moderate vee hull shape with wide outer chines to provide a good balance between ride comfort and stability at rest.

Design and layout

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV is available with tiller-steer, centre console and side console configurations. Our test boat was optioned with the side console helm station that I think is most ideal for inshore fishing applications; this boat is ideally suited to fishing choppy bays, harbours and freshwater impoundments.

The helm console is on the larger side for this style of boat, but I like that as it provides the skipper with a bit more shelter from the wind when running at speed; the clear acrylic windshield is tall enough to flow the air over the seated skipper. 

The console is simple in design but practical. There is ample space for a marine radio, engine gauges and switching, along with fascia panel space for the optional Garmin multifunction display.

The helm console is open underneath to provide room for your feet, but this space can also be used to stow a decent-sized tackle box or perhaps a small icebox.

The standard, plain plastic steering wheel is well placed on the console with the side-mount Tohatsu throttle lever equally well situated alongside, secured to the side coamings.

I found the driving position very comfortable while seated, as I could slide the helm chair forward to reach the steering wheel, whilst retaining full back support.

Other console features include optional cup holders, and a grab rail surrounding the windscreen. While this is a welcome addition, you can't grasp this rail properly because the rail is used as the top mounting/fixing point for the windshield.

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV comes with two comfortable pedestal seats which can be moved to any of four positions around the boat. Extra chairs are optional.

The extra-wide side deck extrusions are also quite comfortable to perch on as they are positioned 640mm above the cockpit floor, which also makes for a deep, safe interior cockpit.

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV has options for bow and stern casting decks. Our test boat was rigged with just the rear deck, providing a single level floor space forward for two people to stretch out in swags.

The absence of a front elevated platform does reduce the storage space, but there is a safety gear bin under the floor up front, along with two compartments in the rear of the boat, one of which contains the starting battery, boxed for protection.

The Makocraft 481 SUV also has short side storage pockets for stowing tackle trays, deck lines, small nets, and more.

Other features in the rear cockpit/transom include an outboard engine splash well, optional rod holders, battery master switch, and access to the bilge and bilge pump beneath a centre hatch in the aft platform.

Whilst on the subject of hatches, it is worth noting that all hatch lids are carpeted front and back to protect against mould and rot.

On the water

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV has a conventional, shallow vee hull bottom in keeping with a small, lightweight aluminium boat. That said, the entry at the bow is quite sharp, providing the cutting edge you need to smooth out the chop when running into a head sea.

The shape of the forefoot and stem is designed to ride smoothly and safely out of wave troughs whilst also shedding water out to each side of the boat. The spray chines at the bow extend aft to amidships before widening substantially to provide lift and stability.

At the transom, the broad, reverse-angled chines stiffen and stabilise the hull laterally whilst also working to plane the hull quickly.

During the sea trial of the test boat in mixed up Broadwater sea conditions, I found the Makocraft 481 HD SUV to be a well mannered, nicely balanced boat. It responds quickly to changes to trim, so you can trim it down to soften the ride into the waves, then trim it back up to run safely, securely with the wind and the waves behind you.

If I was planning on a fair bit of coastal offshore work in the Makocraft 481 SUV, I would probably opt for the full-height transom and outboard well, but for mostly inshore work, the lower transom and aft casting deck works a treat.

The hull itself is more than capable of running offshore, particularly given the high, safe topsides and full bow shape.

With two adults on board, the test boat proved to be quite agile with the Tohatsu 60hp outboard engine on the transom without actually being fast. We achieved a top speed of just 27 knots, but the torquey three-cylinder Tohatsu delivered enough oomph in the mid-range to provide adequate overall performance.

If you fit the full-height outboard engine well for offshore applications, the Makocraft 481 SUV can be optioned with 75hp for more performance, but the penalty is a big jump in weight between the various 60hp and 70/75hp powerplants. I'd be inclined to stick with the smaller engine to keep the weight off the transom and thereby maintain the boat's excellent handling and balance.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 60L fuel supply at 4000rpm: 121.4nm

Verdict

The Makocraft 481 HD SUV is a terrific new fishing boat package for both newcomers and old-timer anglers. This versatile open boat is easy to stow and tow, big enough to tackle bay chop and ocean swell, and small enough to fish estuary flats and freshwater impoundments.

For mixed inshore/coastal fishing, the 481 HD SUV is a classic Aussie all-rounder, and a very good one at that.

With package prices starting at around $30,000 with the side console and a 60hp Tohatsu outboard engine, the Makocraft 481 HD SUV is also good value for money.

Specifications
Model: Makocraft 481 HD SUV Patriot Edition
Length overall: 4.85m
Beam: 2.2m
Depth: 1.2m
Hull weight: 440kg
Weight on trailer: 900kg (est)
Alloy: 3.0mm (bottom/transom/topsides)/4.0mm bottom (opt)
Maximum power: 60hp (20-inch longshaft)/75hp (opt extended motorwell)
Engine as tested: Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke
Fuel: 60L (opt)/80L (opt)
Flotation standard: Basic
Passengers: Five

Priced from: $29,990 including a Tohatsu 60hp longshaft (20-inch) four-stroke outboard engine with non-feedback mechanical steering; digital engine gauges; Dunbier single-axle galvanised steel braked trailer.

Price as tested: $39,990. As above but with the Patriot Edition pack including a painted hull and deck; side console glove box, cup holders and USB port; rear casting deck and splash well; 60L (upgradeable to 80L) underfloor fuel tank; electric motor bracket; four rod holders; a Garmin fishfinder/GPS; aft grab rails; and an accessories kit (navigation and anchor lights, bilge pump, switch panel, battery box and isolator switch).

Supplied by: Makocraft