Allison Bass Master 133

The lion's share of the estuary and freshwater fishing boat market belongs to the manufacturers of aluminium boats. Their versatility, robust nature and price are key factors in their stronghold of the market.

Until recently, few fibreglass boat manufacturers had developed into this 2.0-4.0m pocket boat market. But the ever-increasing popularity of lure fishing the estuaries and the significant numbers of native fish reintroduced into our waterways have changed all that. Small boats are now big business.

Recently the builders of fibreglass boats have seized the opportunity to develop their own rigs to fill this significant part of the market. Unlike their aluminium counterparts, fibreglass boat builders have the ability to develop complex hull designs featuring smooth rounded hulls with sparkling gelcoat finishes.

A GOOD STABLE MATE
The Allison Boat Company in Brisbane has just released a 4.2m fibreglass rig destined for the freshwater and estuary market. The Bass Master 133 is a tri-hull fibreglass boat which boasts stability, performance and rock-solid structural integrity.

The hull is along the same lines as the whaler-style hulls, which have been very popular on the US market for many years.

The area between the bottom of the hull and the fibreglass deck inside the boat is made up of a network of bearers and stringers. No timber is used, which significantly reduces the chance of osmosis or fibreglass rot setting in.

For a boat this size, the Bass Master certainly has a well-constructed hull and deck. The non-skid finish of the deck is easy to keep clean, and there are even scuppers at the transom which create a self-draining deck.

The boat is rated to 35hp, though the 25hp two-stroke Yamaha fitted to the boat has little trouble getting this craft underway. The boat sits level at all times, and even with just one person sitting at the tiller there are no bow-high problems.

The large surface area of the hull offers stability both at rest and on the move. The stable platform is particularly beneficial when lure casting. Several anglers may be casting lures in all directions and moving around the boat, so keeping balanced is very important.

A SOFT SMOOTH RIDE
The key factors in the Bass Master hull's performance are the three 'keels' or sponsons which are always in contact with the water. These offer support for stability and ride and are deep enough to cut through moderate chop.

In between the three 'keels' you have two tunnels which trap air and water spray, giving you a drier and softer ride. While zipping about over a bit of wind chop and the odd wake of a passing boat, I initially found myself slowing down for a few of those harder bumps. But as I gained confidence in the boat, it wasn't a concern.

Keep in mind that many larger dams have quite open expanses of water and a reasonable wind chop often develops. The design of the hull takes much of the jarring effect out of the bumps.

When trolling around the dams or in the estuary, the cathedral hull glides effortlessly through the water, making it ideal for use with electric outboards. The shallow draft of the hull and the quiet running enables sneak attacks on those fish which lie in the shallows, whether they be flathead along a sand bank or bass amid the lilies in a shallow cove.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
The deck of the boat is open and straightforward. A pedestal seat is attached to the deck at the tiller and another one is located behind the casting platform at the bow.

The simple layout of the deck is attractive in a number of ways, in that you can leave it open or customise it to your liking.

Storage is found under the casting platform, which is the full width of the boat. There is sufficient room here for lifejackets, ropes, an anchor and some gear. In this model there are no sidepockets so you will need to attach rodholders.

If you carry quite a bit of gear you may like to throw in an extra tub to keep it all neat and tidy.

If I was to make a criticism of the Bass Master it would be that the sides of the boat appear to be a bit low. But when you look at some of the other boats set up for this style of fishing you see that the entire deck of the boat is built up level with the gunwales, except a cockpit for driving, so I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to.

Aside from the initial purchase price, the advantages of fishing in a small boat are numerous. A boat like this is easily manageable behind most small four-cylinder cars and is a snap for one person to handle at the ramp and on the water.

The Bass Master is just as capable of providing a good day out on the water for three anglers as it is for one. Once you put a few bodies into the boat you soon appreciate the stability of the Bass Master and its ability to get up and on the plane without fuss.

Engine sizes of 15hp-25hp are quite sufficient for most uses. You will only need to upgrade to 30-35hp outboards if you regularly have several adults aboard and plan to cover great distances at speed.

I would suggest that starting off with a base model is a good move. You'll get a soft-riding stable platform to fish from without paying for a load of extras. But there's no doubt over the course of the next season, input from dealers and the public will result in a deluxe model which will incorporate the best options.