Allison 455 Arafura SC

In 2009 Allison’s Bruce and Susan Allison made the decision to switch from fibreglass to Aluminium boat building, following increasing competition from overseas fibreglass imports. They felt that with aluminium they could offer local buyers a product that would have no real overseas competitor -- and this has proven to be a shrewd move.

The Allison Alloy Plate range started with just a couple of models, but has now been expanded to around a dozen boats from 4.55m up to 6.3m.

For this test we thought we would start with the entry model, the 455 Arafura Side Console.

The Arafuras are sturdily built with a 4mm plate alloy hull with 3mm topsides. Underfloor, the hull ribbing is stitch-welded with longitudinal stringers aft to reinforce the transom. For additional rigidity the side decks and gunwales are fully welded.

To keep costs down, the floor is carpeted plywood, not sealed aluminium. Vacant cavities under the floor are filled with foam to provide flotation.

The Arafura models are well outfitted straight from the factory. Standard features include a carpeted, self-draining anchor well, bow and stern rails, two removable and folding pedestal chairs, bilge pump, four rod holders, wide side decks, two transducer brackets, and an 80-litre underfloor fuel tank.

Of the factory options available, the test boat was rigged up with a transom-corner live-bait tank, an extra seat base on the casting deck, and a two-tone coloured hull.

And the price? As tested, with a Yamaha 60hp four-stroke, Dunbier trailer, factory options, Lowrance HDS-5X sounder, bimini (not fitted), safety gear and registrations, the Arafura is well priced at $31,995.

Without the options, and with a two-stroke Yamaha 60hp motor, you can pick up the Arafura 455 from just $29,279.

Also worthy of mention is that you can order the Arafura with lower topsides. I would consider this if I was going to use the boat only in sheltered waters as the reduced cockpit freeboard would not be as much of an issue, and the lower topsides would be less likely to lean, or list into the wind in a cross breeze.

The forward casting deck is 1.2m long by 1.7m across at its widest point. Underneath you will find two good-sized dry storage lockers for safety gear, clothing, etc.

Impressively, Allison has resin-coated and then carpeted the undersides of the hatches in the casting deck to prevent mildew and rot. The underside of the plywood floor also receives a coat of resin to seal the timber.

In the rear cockpit there are two 1.5m long side pockets for addition storage. The side pockets are elevated above the floor so you can wedge your feet under them to stand securely against the side decks.

I expected to find a storage shelf under the console unit for keys, charts, sunglasses, etc., but there wasn’t one -- which is a bit disappointing given the attention to detail in other areas.

There was a hatch on the front of the console to access the wiring -- but no shelf and nowhere really to put small stuff except in the lower side pockets.

The console unit itself is moderate in size with useful grab rails, a perspex windscreen and enough space for standard engine instrumentation.

A small sounder/GPS can be flush-fitted into the fascia, but only if you have two engine gauges. In the test boat the depth sounder was bracket mounted on the top of the dash -- and this is your best option if you will also be fitting a marine radio.

Included in the standard inventory are two lift-out, swiveling, pedestal mounted seats -- and they are pretty comfortable too. The seats have folding back-rests and plenty of padding.

I suspect the seats would absorb water however, so you’d want to remove them and keep them indoors after each outing.

Other notable features include 670mm of freeboard in the rear cockpit and a full width, elevated rear battery shelf.

The performance of the Allison suffered as a consequence, mainly at low to middle rpm. It was a bit flat or doughy from a standing start and through the mid range -- although it managed a credible top speed of 27 knots.

Maximum power listed for the Arafura 455 is 70hp, and I would probably opt for the extra power to cope with the added weight of extra gear, people, full fuel, etc.

Having made the above comment, if the 60hp Yamaha was fitted with a smaller propeller I suspect the boat would have been more agile.

Through a range of manoeuvres, jumping back and forth over the camera boat’s wake, the Allison proved to have quite a comfortable ride, indicating that it would handle short, sharp bay chop with ease.

The bow entry shape of the boat is quite sharp, but the hull flattens quickly coming aft to a transom vee of just 15 degrees. Even so, the boat was only moderately stable at rest and a bit tender underway, listing slightly to starboard with just the skipper onboard.

I can’t make any comment on whether the Arafura will be dry, or how it will run in a following sea due to the calm weather conditions -- but judging by the shape of the hull, and from a previous test of the slightly larger Allison 470, I would not expect to be disappointed.

The test boat could have used a bit more power, but you can certainly get by with a 60hp outboard.

As an all-rounder, for a mix of river, bay and coastal fishing, the Arafura is well suited, and I would expect it to provide great service for many years.