Classic Craft 5000SL and 5500 Cuddy

About 18 months ago, Quin Marine of Port Adelaide introduced a locally produced 5m trailerable fibreglass boat to the market. Known as the Classic Craft Sports Fisher 5000SF, the boat was an almost instant success, with more than 40 sold up to July 2003.

Buoyed by this success, the builders introduced a larger 5.5m version for extra internal space. It also proved popular, appealing to larger families with its payload capacity of six adults and swifter performance delivered by its recommended 115hp powerplant.

Both the 5000 and 5500SF are strongly-built boats - the transom is a substantial 50mm thick. Hull lay-up is a sandwich of 'glass, coremat and 'glass, and overall finish is first-class - with the hull interior flow-coated, even in hard-to-reach places.

HIGH AND WIDE
The design of both vessels incorporates a straight deck sheer, broad chines with hull strakes, wide coamings and a nice flared bow. All the cleats and handrails are recessed into the hull, and there are no "screw-in" items in sight. Everything is moulded as one, clean unit.

The useable cockpit space measures 1.73m wide by 1.53m long, which is pretty good for a boat of this size. An underfloor fuel tank is optional.

The 5.5m version has much more room. It's an eye-catcher too, with exceptionally high sides - a whopping 81cm from the floor amidships. The beam at the cabin is 1.83m. It has a generous freeboard, moulded aft boarding steps, full-length sidepockets and twin self-draining fish boxes and plumbed bait tanks. The smaller version's freeboard with two adults aboard is 78cm.

STORAGE ABOUNDS
Both boats have nice big sidepockets - the smaller with swiveling seats and the larger with storage modules with swivel chairs on top. Both have drop-down rear lounges, and the engine wells on both are at deck height, which allows the engine cowls a lower profile.

The bimini tops on both models are well supported and strong, with plenty of room underneath to stand and steer. The helm can be enclosed with clears, and there are press-studs about the boat to fasten a tonneau cover.

Because the floor is quite low in the 5000SF, there's ample legroom and headroom inside the cuddy cabin when you're sitting down. There's plenty of dry storage space under the lounge cushions, and another compartment in the bow.

HANDLING A BREEZE
Once released from the winch cable, the 5000SF slid smoothly off the trailer with a gentle shove. It responded immediately to the helm and popped up onto the plane quickly, pushed by a long-shaft 70hp two-stroke Yamaha. The boat strode out to 56kmh at 5500rpm, while it felt smooth and predictable over a short chop, even at speed. At idle, two adults leaning on one side caused the boat to heel over, but there are few 5m monohulls that wouldn't do the same. The Classic Craft 5000SF is a "big" little boat that performs well, is very easily handled on and off the trailer, and is a breeze to tow. Its impressive finish and timeless styling means it should hold its resale value well if looked after.

EYE CANDY
The 5500 Classic cuddy is a real eye-catcher with its high-gloss, almost flawless finish. Topped with a blue bimini to compliment the blue and grey trim, it really looked sweet on the trailer and on the water.

Its 115hp Johnson four-stroke started first pop and ran whisper-quiet, even when pushed out to 6000rpm for 66kmh. The high-sided cuddy galloped over chop and boat wake with scarcely a murmur. It's slightly bulbous topsides, particularly in the bows, helped keep the ride dry, and the chines threw the spray wide.

The Classic 5500 handled the wash admirably, and stability at rest was equally good. That extra half a metre of hull really does make a difference. The boat felt sure-footed and predictable.

GULF WARRIOR
Clearly this capable little boat is well suited to rough gulf waters. It's well designed and built, has a roomy cabin and space to fish four adults. The boat features some neat storage ideas both in the cabin and in the helm seat modules. The 5.5m boat was also equipped with a Muir Freefall windlass to make anchoring less of a chore. Both boats had split stainless steel bowrails.

The 5500 sells for about $39,990 with a 115hp four-stroke, tandem trailer with power winch, electronics, bimini, safety gear and registration - damn good value. The 5000SF starts at $23,800 with a 70hp Yamaha two-stroke, Dunbier trailer and bimini. Both boats can be optioned up by Quin Marine. A good investment!