Allison Angler 195

It's difficult to find a serious offshore fishing boat for under $40,000 these days - particularly one over six metres, and constructed of fibreglass.

But hallelujah, I've just discovered the Allison Angler 195. Although the Angler 195 doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles commonly associated with contemporary offshore battlewagons, it still has all the essential ingredients to get you out fishing alongside the half-million dollar sportsfishers.

Located at Horizon Shores Marina in Queensland, Roy Jervis Marine (which supplied our test boat) is currently selling brand-new, the Angler 195 with a 135hp Mercury outboard and Dunbier tandem trailer for $35,595. In my opinion, that spells value with a capital 'V'. Of course, there are a few essentials that need to be added for the serious offshore angler (ie: sounder, GPS, radio, compass and perhaps a rocket launcher). But even with these options added, the final pricetag can still be under $40,000.

Our testboat was fitted with a 200hp EFI Mercury outboard that turned the Angler 195 into an absolute rocket. At full revs, spinning a 17-inch stainless steel prop, we hit 86kmh, while at 4000rpm we were cruising at a more economical, but still sprightly, 54kmh. On these figures, the standard 135hp two-stroke should provide ample power. But for those who relish a bit more get up and go, a 150hp would be just about perfect.

Bar crossings aren't one of my favourite pastimes - especially one as notorious as the Jumpinpin Bar. And with the bar looking particularly nasty on our test day, I decided not to chance the 195 preferring to give it a good run in and around the breaking water, which was still quite exhilarating.

TEST OF CHARACTER
The Angler 195 showed good integrity as I played around the sloppy, confused water that made up the bar entrance. It displayed excellent spray deflection, with only the occasional drop of windblown spray making it onto the windscreen. Stability at rest was good and it held in nicely during tight turns, with no signs of cavitation. The only thing I found lacking was hydraulic steering (this would be another option to add to the essentials' list).

The EFI Mercury fitted to the testboat was extremely quiet, especially at low revs... At idle you could hardly hear it running. The EFI outboards provide outstanding acceleration out of the hole, and although not standard, may be worth consideration even in the smaller horsepower range. (The smallest EFI Mercury is currently 150hp.)

The Angler 195 has a more traditional engine well rather than a pod, which are commonly used these days. The well configuration means if you buy a boat with an overall length of 6.0m, you get a six-metre boat; not a five-and-a-half metre boat and a pod. A fuel filler situated in the engine well keeps petrol out of your cockpit and away from your rego stickers.

A boarding platform is located against the transom on the portside and is supported by stainless steel rails. The boarding platform allows easy access to the boat from the beach, or from the water.

ROOM TO FISH
The cockpit on the Angler 195 is absolutely huge for a six-metre boat. Seven square metres of fishing room means you certainly don't have to fish alone. Padded seating is located in each transom corner, with removable seat bases. This allows you to tuck right into the transom corner while fighting a fish, which would be a very comfortable and safe position.

Good-sized sidepockets run the full length of the cockpit, providing ample storage for gaffs, tagpoles and the like. Space between the sidepockets and the cockpit sole allows positioning of toes. One small concern is how the sidepockets lead to the battery trays. If you hosed your sidepockets clean, you would end up with all sorts of rubbish around the batteries. The cockpit layout is clean and uncluttered and ready for personal customisation. A large hinged hatch in the cockpit sole provides access to the bilge.

The gunwales feature four flush-mounted stainless steel rodholders and two plastic cleats. Now, I don't know who invented plastic cleats, but they should be shot. They couldn't pull the skin off a custard and I was very surprised to see them fitted to an Allison boat.

Both the helmsman and passenger are treated with Softrider pedestal seats. I am very impressed with these suspension seat s... They are comfortable and provide for good vision through the perspex windscreen.

The helmstation is basic but functional, with a sports steering wheel and flush-mounted temp, speed, tacho and trim gauges. As I mentioned earlier, no electronics or compass had been fitted to the testboat, but the dash is huge and will easily accept whatever electronics you choose. Even CRT sounders will fit and a compass mount is already moulded into the dash.

A stainless steel grabrail is positioned on the dash in front of the passenger seat, and another stainless rail runs right around the windscreen.

'INDECENT' EXPOSURE
There is no bulkhead between the cockpit and cabin, so access is easy but may leave you a bit exposed to the elements on overnighters. The cabin features a good-sized V-berth with storage below, and deep padded sidepockets. There is a recessed well at the aft end of the cabin between the two pedestal seats, which to me looks like the ideal place to position an icebox.

There are no sidedecks around the cabin, which maximises interior space but means the foredeck must be accessed through the cabin. This is done via a good-sized hatch in the cabin roof. Up front is a large anchor well with lockable lid, stainless steel bowroller and cross bollard. There is also a lightweight stainless bowrail with reef anchor pot.

The Angler 195 looks quite smart on the water and the two-tone hull matches the interior upholstery nicely. If you're looking for a fully-loaded turnkey battlewagon, the Allison Angler 195 doesn't fit the bill. But if you're a budget-conscious buyer who would like to customise a boat to your personal needs, then this boat is definitely worth a look.