Blue Fin Firecat 495

Another is the new Firecat 495. The two boats have a similar interior layout but the hulls are quite different. The Drifter is designed strictly for smooth-water applications and has a flat bottom pressed alloy hull for maximum stability at rest. 

The Firecat, the subject of this report, has a rounded bow and full vee-bottom hull for a better ride in choppy bay waters. At 4.95m, the hull is also big enough for forays offshore in good weather conditions.

For example, in most competitor craft, the electric trolling motor bracket/mount is an optional extra. It is standard on the Firecat. 

There are plenty of other standard inclusions as well – such as the 90-litre polyethylene live well, carpeted front and rear casting decks, full length rod locker, 85-litre underfloor fuel tank, Fusion RA-50 Audio system with speakers and Ipod dock, 800g/ph bilge pump, rod holders, a pair of deluxe seats (with four seat positions), LED cockpit lights, two transducer brackets, and two-tone paint and decals.

With the above standard fit-out, single axle Blue Fin trailer, and powered by a 90hp Yamaha two-stroke, the Firecat 4.95m is priced from $29,990. That’s pretty good value given the standard inclusions, the size of the boat, and its capabilities.

Of course most anglers will want to customise their boats with extra gear and electronics -- and this was the case with the test boat. Options fitted included a Minn Kota electric trolling motor, built-in tackle trays, Humminbird 788 fish finder, 4mm hull bottom upgrade, custom vinyl hull wrap, carbon fibre-look dash, upgraded steering wheel and Fusion stereo, and a boarding ladder

The cost of these upgrades and additions lifts the as-tested price by a few thousand dollars, but the major addition to the cost is the upgrade of the engine from a 90hp Yamaha two-stroke to a 115hp Yamaha four-stroke. With the latter the Firecat comes in at $42,990.

Do you need four-stroke power? No you don’t -- but a four-stroke does have a number of benefits -- such as smoother, quieter operation, better economy and lower emissions. I would probably opt for a four-stroke, but go with a smaller 90-100hp model for this boat as it does not need 115hp.

The bow deck is a substantial 1.78m square, providing plenty of deck space for stand-up casting or fly fishing. Underneath are several storage lockers -- including one on the port side which contained the optional tackle storage drawers.

A general dry storage locker is opposite, while the anchor is situated under the forward part of the casting platform and not up on the bow.

Importantly, the anchor sits on a secondary false floor which is carpeted to reduce noise and rattle.

A point of note was the absence of bow or stern cleats. Stern lines can be secured to the rear grab rails, but the forward rails on the test boat were too far aft to be used as an effective tie-off point for the anchor.

On the port side, separating the bow and stern decks is a full length rod locker. It is positioned at the same height as the casting decks.

The side coamings on this boat are ultra wide (215mm) so you can comfortably fit flush-mount rod holders and a down rigger or two.

Freshwater anglers might also consider fitting a second fish finder on the bow -- so you can refer to the display on the fish finder and then use the electric trolling motor to position and hold the boat over a likely fish haunt.

With catch and release competitions the norm, rather than the exception these days, more boat manufacturers are fitting decent sized live wells. Blue Fin is no different and most anglers will be more than happy with the Firecat’s 90l polyethylene live well situated on the trailing edge of the bow casting platform.

The live well has a divider in the centre for fishing two-up and keeping each angler’s catch separated.

The Firecat has a side-console configuration -- with the console situated opposite the rod locker, and within the recessed centre section of the boat.

To my way of thinking the console is a little small for a 5.0m boat and there is limited space for mounting electrics. On the plus side, the console is mounted, or suspended from the starboard side deck so you can place your feet comfortably underneath the console while driving.

The deluxe-upholstered and nicely-padded helm seat is well placed and you can reach the steering wheel and side-mount throttle with ease.

Two seats come standard with the boat, along with an extra in-floor seat base beside the console, and another up on the forward casting deck.

In the stern of the boat you’ll find the starting battery and fuel filter in a locker under the rear deck along with more general storage space and access to the bilge and bilge pump.

The Yamaha 115hp is a quiet and smooth motor and with its electronic fuel injection, it is quite punchy in the mid range. I believe the engine was mounted a bit too low on the test boat, but it was still able to pull a top speed of 40 knots.

The Yamaha outboard was mounted on a pod-style hull extension with a tread-plate boarding platform. Oddly, I noted some flex or movement in the port side of the platform when I stepped aboard the boat from the beach. I doubt this would affect the structural integrity of the boat, but it was a little disconcerting.

The hull underneath the Firecat is reminiscent of a traditional long boat in the sense that it has quite a narrow beam in relation to its length. This kind of design is generally very seaworthy and comfortable -- and this was true of the Firecat.

In choppy Gold Coast Broadwater seas the Firecat was stable, surefooted, and surprisingly soft riding -- although the low topsides meant that it took a bit of spray over the forward quarter when running just off the wind. Through slalom turns the Firecat maintained a solid grip on the water and there was no engine cavitation. With these attributes the Firecat can double as a social ski-boat

As an overall package I was impressed with the performance of the Firecat -- to the extent that I would happily take it offshore to fish close-in coastal waters.