2022 Stacer 429 Sea Master review

Stacer has updated its model range for 2022, launching new models, upgrading others, and introducing a series of option packs for most boat types.

Most larger, 4.2-metre-plus Stacer boats are also now available as standard, no-frills packages or as deluxe, full-featured SE or Special Edition models.

The base boats have few standard features, but customers can upgrade these standard craft with a choice of three different option packs, each of which combines a number of Stacer's most popular individual options.

In contrast, the new Special Edition models leave Stacer's Gold Coast factory with all the features contained in the three options packs. Buying this deluxe SE model straight up is more cost effective than buying the base boat and optioning it up separately.

The Stacer deluxe SE package is new for 2022, and available with the Sea Master runabouts, Wild Rider bowriders, Crossfire centre and stern console boats, and the Sea Runner cuddy cabins.

For this review we have secured the smallest "Special Edition" Stacer model, the 429 Sea Master SE, paired with a 60hp Mercury longshaft (20-inch) four-stroke outboard engine.

The Stacer 429 Sea Master is one of five forward windscreen runabouts in the Stacer range, and the perfect size boat for boating newcomers, retirees and downsizers.

For the record, the larger models include the 449, 481, 499, 519, 530, and 589 Sea Master. Each is available as standard, basic boat, and as a Special Edition model.

West Australian Stacer dealer Bluewater Marine (Bunbury) has standard and SE model Stacer 429 Sea Master boat packages available.

Pricing starts from $30,374 for a base boat when paired with a 60hp Mercury longshaft four-stroke outboard engine; a bimini cover; single-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical over-ride brakes; inshore safety gear kit; boat and trailer registrations.

Our Special Edition test boat is priced a bit higher, but gains a GME VHF marine radio; Fusion audio system with speakers; hydraulic tilt-adjust steering; upgraded steering wheel; overhead bimini cover with envelope; cockpit lights; burley bucket; ski pole; transom bait board (it fits into the ski pole mount); upgraded Maritime sport helm seats; and a deluxe, folding rear lounge with backrest.

Riding on the same aluminium braked trailer, the Stacer 429 Sea Master SE has a drive-away price of $35,329.

If you don't need all the bells and whistles included in the SE model, buying an optioned-up base boat may suit you better.

As noted earlier, base model Sea Masters can be optioned up individually or via a selection of three different option packs. They include the Entertainer Pack, the Angler Pack, and the Travel Pack.

The Entertainer Pack adds the bimini and envelope, front and side clears, the deluxe rear lounge and backrest, Maritime Sport helm seats, and the audio system.

With the Angler Pack you gain the burley bucket, bait cutting board, ski pole and marine VHF radio.

The Travel pick includes hydraulic steering (instead of mechanical), and a tilt-adjustable, upgraded sports steering wheel.

The Stacer 429 Sea Master has an overall length of 4.36 metres, a beam of 2.1 metres and a hull weight of 414kg. Packaged with a 60hp Mercury outboard engine and single axle trailer, I would anticipate the towing weight to be around 800kg, making this boat an easy towing proposition for a light SUV or family car.

The 429 Sea Master is made from 3.0mm pressed aluminium, while the hull bottom is stretch-formed into the intricately curved, concave shaped Stacer Revolution hull.

Similar to the Blade hull underneath Quintrex alloy boats, the Stacer Revolution hull has a very fine, wave cutting entry shape which flares outwards to the chines. This variable deadrise, concave shape smoothes out the chop, whilst suppressing spray.

The transom and smooth, plate-look topsides are also made with 3.0mm pressed aluminium that combines with the sub-floor cross-rib structure, the carpeted plywood floor, and the full-length keel to provide the hull with strength and rigidity.

At 4.29 metres of centre line length, the entry model Stacer Sea Master is one of the smallest "proper" boats on the market, in the sense that you drive it up front with a steering wheel and remote controls and not down the back with a tiller-arm.

For most people, the diminutive Stacer 429 Sea Master is also perfect as a first-time boat. It has a seaworthy, high-sided vee-hull along with a versatile interior layout.

This all-rounder configuration allows you to try your hand at sheltered water fishing, day boating, social tow sports and more.

Refined over many years, the Stacer 429 Sea Master is one of the best of the current crop of alloy runabouts on the market. It's a smart looking, but functional boat with lots of practical features.

Similar to many rival runabouts, the Sea Master has a curved, centre opening windscreen and a recessed/lean through dash to make it easy to reach forward to the moulded plastic anchor well on the foredeck.

There is no hatch to the anchor well, but there is a decent sized cleat, bowsprit and bow roller, along with bow rails to hold onto the craft at the beach or boat ramp.

Back at the helm, the SE model Sea Master has two lift-out, upgraded pedestal helm chairs fronting a simple, but practical dash.

The Maritime sports chairs slide fore and aft, swivel 360 degrees, and have flip-up front bolster so you can find a comfortable driving position.

The steering wheel is close to hand, and tilt adjustable so it too can adjust to suit sitting or standing while driving.

The carpeted floor at the helm is also recessed a step down from the aft cockpit so you can stand at the helm and reach down to the side-mount throttle and the top of the steering wheel.

Above the steering wheel there isn't a lot of dash space. There is provision for flush-fitted engine instruments, but multifunction displays need to be bracket-mounted.

The dash/fascia layout on the port side is identical, but set-up with a lockable glove box and a pair of cup holders.

There are no side pockets at the helm, but there is a large safety gear storage space under the dash/windscreen.

Behind the helm chairs the cockpit floor stretches about 1.5m aft to the full-height, squared-off transom wall.

It is flanked by 190mm wide side coamings, low-set stern rails, and three-quarter length, elevated side storage pockets.

Cleverly, the padded transom bench seat can be moved forward to a position in the centre of the boat. This allows passengers to turn around and face aft to fish over the stern, or to act as an observer for tow sports.

The rear bench seat can remove completely, making it possible to stand up against the 560mm high transom with the seat backrest doubling up as a padded coaming bolster.

Other notable features include recessed cup holders; a pair of plastic rod holders; port and starboard side stern cleats; elevated transom storage platforms; a telescopic transom boarding ladder; burley bucket; bait board; external gunwale rubbing strip; bilge access hatch; and a sub-floor battery compartment.

Having the battery stowed beneath the floor shelters it from the weather, but I worry about what might happen if the boat was swamped with water. I'd prefer to have the battery mounted clear of the cockpit floor, up on one of those elevated transom platforms.

During the 2022 Stacer media launch I tested a number of different Stacer models equipped with the latest Revolution hull.

Sea conditions on the Gold Coast Broadwater were mixed up for this multiple boat launch, with lots of wind chop and boat wakes to jump over. Pleasingly, I found that the Revolution hull shape worked exceptionally well across a range of boat sizes, including the entry-sized Stacer 429 Sea Master.

As noted earlier, this variable deadrise hull bottom has a concave shape, starting with a sharp entry at the stem and keel. The hull then twists and flattens as the alloy sheets rise out to meet the chines. This sophisticated (for aluminium) hull bottom design cuts through the chop, but also provides buoyancy to dampen spray.

The upshot of all of this is that the Stacer 429 Sea Master is one of the softest, driest riding boats in its class; a ripper little rig for bay, harbour and estuary boating.

With the maximum allowable engine size of 60hp, the Stacer 429 Sea Master is not especially quick at the top end, but it accelerates onto the plane with plenty of vigour and feels responsive through the mid range.

Performance data supplied by Stacer reveals the 429 Sea Master test boat achieves a modest top speed of 29.1 knots at 6000rpm.

The boat/engine combination is most economical with the Mercury burbling away at 4000rpm. At these revs, the boat is cruising at 17 knots, and the engine is burning just 9.8L/h for a resultant maximum range on 95 percent of the included 55-litre fuel tank of 90.6nm.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 55L fuel supply: 90.6nm at 4000rpm

The Stacer 429 Sea Master is an excellent little runabout, refined and fine-tuned over many years to be the best it can be - and as a consequence - one of the best entry-sized forward windscreen runabouts available.

This neat, tidy, attractive boat package is ideal as a first boat for fishermen and families keen to get out on the water.

And with the turn-key Special Edition package, the Stacer 429 Sea Master comes standard with most of the kit you need to enjoy your new boating lifestyle.

Priced from: $30,374 including a Mercury 60hp longshaft (20-nch) four-stroke outboard engine; bimini cover; single-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical over-ride brakes; inshore safety gear kit; boat and trailer registrations.

Price as tested: $35,329. As above but with a GME GX750B VHF marine radio; Fusion RA70N audio system with speakers; hydraulic tilt-adjust steering; upgraded steering wheel; overhead bimini cover with clears and storage envelope; cockpit lights; burley bucket; ski pole; transom bait board (to suit ski pole); upgraded Maritime sport helm seats; and a deluxe, folding rear lounge with backrest.

Supplied by: Bluewater Marine (Brunbury)