An affordable plate-alloy fishing boat

The Sea Class 5200 Centre Console is proving to be one of the most popular models in Australian Master Marine’s (AMM's) new namesake affordable plate-alloy fishing boat range.

Built in the Moreton Bay suburb of Brendale, the AMM plate boats have always been high-end custom products. But the new Sea Class range is all about offering accessibility without compromise to quality.

Designed to bridge the gap between affordable plate-alloy boat and the company’s hardcore custom offshore models, the new Sea Class range comprises tiller; side and centre console; cuddy, centre cab; and bowrider models across 4.5 metre, 4.9m, 5.2m and 5.7m hull lengths.

Usually dressed in stealth black two-pack paint, the pocket-sized Sea Class 5200 Centre Console is described as a serious fishing assault platform with an overall centreline length of 5.60m, excluding the outboard-mounting pod.

The Sea Class 5200 centre console is constructed of 4mm thick, high tensile plate-alloy sides, bottom sheets and side decks, with a full-length keel bar and a 40mm external keel cap. But most purchasers have opted for the upgrade to 5mm high tensile plate bottom sheets.

A minimum of 650mm freeboard, which gives fishing crew security, is an achievement in this modest boat with fully welded, self-draining floor.

AMM adds that the underwater hull geometry offers a soft ride in a wide hull with 2.25m beam for good stability at rest when drifting over reef systems and trolling for pelagics like small black marlin, dolphin fish and wahoo.

A 200lt fuel tank is located under the floor for the maximum 150hp outboard. All Sea Class models have closed cell, built-in foam flotation, as well as large scuppers, 25mm bow and stern rails (32mm is optional), a reverse chine that adds to the performance, and a transducer bracket on the transom.

The hull is backed with a full five-year structural warranty, but no two boats are the same and customisations are still common with Sea Class builds.

The trick options range from wide 900mm centre consoles to RAM-mounted electronics, optional bow mount electric motors, offroad trailers with a freshwater flushing system, LED landing lights and so on.

Basic hull prices for this new best-selling Sea Class 5200 centre console start from just under $19,000, although you can expect to pay up to four times that amount drive away for a fully loaded tournament boat, AMM says. More at australianmastermarine.com.au.