Cruise Craft Outsider 625

Having read David Granville's boat review on Cruise Craft's Outsider 685 (Trailer Boat April 2000), I was champing at the bit to seatrial its brand-new sibling. The Outsider 625 could be just the answer for those requiring the comfort, styling and overall good manners of the 685 - minus its 2300kg bulk!

Tow-vehicle and hitch requirements are substantial for a boat of this size, with larger engine(s), higher fuel consumption, and increased storage requirements - not to mention the 'longer arms' needed to fund the project.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Although final weighbridge certificates were yet to be obtained, Cruise Craft Sales Manager Danny Nichols anticipates that a fully-equipped Outsider 625 will come in at under 1900kg on the trailer. The tow-vehicle on the test day was a Holden Jackaroo, which towed the 625 with ease.

We launched from Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club and headed out on Moreton Bay. Renowned for its bone-jarring short sharp chop the water was disappointingly flat on our test day, with a slight breeze of 5-10kt from the southeast... Hardly enough to prove an Outsider as being capable of living up to its name.

Running straight across the bay, the 175hp Evinrude FICHT outboard fitted with a Viper 14 x 17in stainless prop pulled 5400rpm with a top speed of just under 70kmh.

Inside South Passage Bar, between Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands, a fast-making tide coupled with ocean swell passing through the shallows generated enough bumpy water to get a good feel for the boat. Hard turns from lock-to-lock were effortless despite standard mechanical steering. On the plane and heeled over on either lock into chop and self-generated wash, the ride felt comfortable and the hull reacted positively to the helm.

Running into chop produced spray off the forequarters with very little pushed high into the air. On one occasion, punching through this chop with the wind coming onto the forequarters, a small amount of fine spray managed to reach my sunglasses but that was it for the entire 40nm trip.

FACE VALUE
At 175cm tall my face was above the windscreen when standing at the helm, which is how I like it. Removable clears provide protection from inclement weather.

Like all Cruise Craft products, the high-quality fitout is immediately obvious. The stainless steel work is exceptional and indeed a lot of thought has been devoted to the design stage.

A recessed walkway runs right around the cabin and drains via large ports on either side of the hull.

The boat's bow features a hatched anchor locker, cross bollard and bowsprit with a stainless bow roller.

The cabin hatch allows for easy access to the anchor well and foredeck. The hatch has a recessed sitting area - great for those days when pulling an anchor in sloppy conditions sees one's bum sliding all over the place.

The bimini top incorporates six lined stainless steel rodholders. Deck lights are located either side to illuminate the cockpit when required. The targa provided ample shade for the helm area and clears were attached between the windscreen and the stainless framework. For those sunny days when extra hands are aboard, or when one is gazing astern at the smoking lure trail, an additional canopy may be slid out on tracks from under the main cover. The entire targa is collapsible and may be folded back into the cockpit area if necessary by removing a few stainless bolts.

The strength of this stainless work is exceptional. Riding over chop, I suspended my 87kg (Ed: sounds like you've been grazing in a good paddock, Rick) midway along the rear end of the main bimini and could detect no movement of the main frame.

MAGIC CARPET RIDE
Jumping into the cockpit, quality carpets cover all floor areas. Two stainless handrails are mounted on either gunwale within rebates on the top inside corner of the coaming. Outside of the coaming, recessed cleats make for a streamlined appearance. Three flush-mounted rodholders with rubber caps adorn the port and starboard gunwales.

There are padded cockpit coamings and full-length sidepockets with ornate 'Cruise Craft' insignia that form the fronts of those pockets.

Feet fit comfortably under all pockets, giving anglers a steady leaning post against the sides and stern of the cockpit. Knees are either against padded cushioning or in open space between for maximum comfort.

The cockpit provides a good work area. A padded seat (almost cockpit width) has a collapsible leg which folds, allowing the seat base to rest against the rear bulkhead to provide padding for the knees while working at the baitboard. Look under this seat and you will find the fuel filter, bilge pump and batteries hidden away. A recessed hatch provides service access to the outboard oil bottle, which is filled externally via a filler cap. Above this door a short gate provides access to the transom step.

The starboard-side transom bulkhead houses a huge livewell which has an overflow out of the starboard-side of the main hull. Atop the rear bulkhead an ergonomically-friendly baitboard sits at a good height. It has stainless steel legs that sit in stainless rodholders and the entire unit can be easily removed. It is one of the more practical baitboards I have seen. A deep recess for holding baits or gear is situated on each end of the board. A shallow sink with a bung and drain hose down into the engine well is centrally located. It has a close-down lid, which serves as a cutting board. The main structure is moulded fibreglass with rounded corners.

On the external face of the transom bulkhead a flush-mounted hatch hides a deckwash on an extendable hose. A solid handrail is nearby for those climbing up or down the folding stainless steel ladder, which tucks away neatly into a purpose-built recess in the transom step.

The helm area features Reelax seating to serve the skipper and one passenger. These are a fixed height but adjustable fore and aft by approximately 125mm. Moulded footrests for each seat occupant form part of the cabin bulkhead.

Instrumentation specific to Cruise Craft, utilising black bezels, is neatly laid out on a user-friendly dash. With the recent hiccup at OMC, this style of instrumentation may be subject to change.

WARNING SIGNALS?
The testboat was fitted with a flush-mounted Lowrance GlobalMap 1600. The antenna for the unit is very low profile and was fixed to the top of the dash well forward, under the screen. I would prefer it mounted on the targa, away from obstacles that might interrupt signals. Although I could not detect any breaks in the signal during the test, there is always that possibility when the antenna is positioned under aluminium struts, stays and the like.

A JRC FF50 colour sounder was bracket mounted and within easy reach.

Access into the cabin is via a large opening with a recess in the floor that runs longitudinally. Comfortable upholstered cushions cover storage hatches either side. A central compartment can house an optional marine toilet.

The Outsider 625 is a boat that should appeal to pleasureboating families as well as the serious offshore angler. It is big and stable enough to handle the rigours of outside work but is small enough to poke around the estuaries. And it's comfortable to manage at the ramp by one person and is a breeze with two.

The Outsider's finish and style is exemplary - it's one boat I would be proud to own.