Eagle Ray 1700

One of the interesting things about doing boat tests for Trailer Boat, Trade-A-Boat and BlueWater Boats & Sportsfishing is the diverse range of boats we get to put through their paces. Just a few days after testing the new custom-built 40ft Pleysier, Shakara, I was off to Noosa to take the 5.2m Eagle Ray for a run.

Now, while these two vessels have very different pricetags, they are both extremely seaworthy vessels and the likelihood of seeing them fishing side by side in a Sunshine Coast gamefishing tournament is quite probable.

Eagle Ray boats are manufactured by the Panorama Group at Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast. The Panorama Group is also known for its fibreglass swimming pools and range of large cruising catamarans which are marketed under the name, Cloud Catamarans. There are presently two vessels in the Eagle Ray range, a 3.8m and a 5.2m. Both vessels can be built to meet commercial survey requirements.

The Eagle Ray's innovative tunnel-hull design is the brainchild of Panorama's managing director, Greg Dodd. When designing the Eagle Ray, safety, stability and softness of ride were Dodd's priorities. The Eagle Rays are manufactured under the watchful eye of Panorama's production and sales manager, Lance Bussell.

I met Bussell at a Noosa River boat ramp where he had just taken a prospective buyer for a test run. The testboat was one of the early Eagle Ray 1700s and was fitted with a 60hp two-stroke Yamaha outboard. Bussell advised that several modifications had been made to the interior layout on current models, but the hull is exactly the same. Each Eagle Ray can be customised to suit individual needs.

ON THE WILDSIDE
As we ran towards the notorious Noosa River bar and I observed a good metre of surf breaking all the way across, my thoughts drifted to the couple of grands' worth of camera gear I had with me and the reluctance I had for going for a swim on this particular day. Still, this is an offshore boat test, so offshore was where we had to go. (Now, there's dedication for you, Mr Sinclair).

As I secured my camera case in the forward locker, I questioned Bussell about the sanity of crossing the bar in this condition. "Don't worry Dave, Eagle Rays eat this stuff for breakfast," said Bussell. At least he's confident in the boat's ability, I thought to myself.

We approached the first set of breaking waves and the Eagle Ray tackled the small whitewater with ease. About halfway across the bar and with three sets of large breaking waves to cross, Bussell turned the boat beam toward the sea and put the engine in neutral. I gave Bussell a questioning look and pondered whether he'd been sniffing too many fibreglass fumes.

A wave broke right beside the boat, and just as I imagined going for a swim with my cameras, the boat lifted and the wave passed by. There was no breaching or rolling. I was impressed to say the least.

Well, what does Mr Bussell have in store for me next, I wondered. As that thought fluttered by, Bussell yelled "Hang on Dave" and it was full throttle straight into two sets of breaking waves.

Now, in most vessels that little manoeuvre would spell suicide, but the Eagle Ray has been designed to go through the wave rather than over it with its wave-piercing bow configuration.

The design is very similar to that of a surf rescue boat. While I did get a little wet, the landing was surprisingly smooth considering the amount of air we got. The self-draining deck and 50mm scuppers ensure that any water entering the boat is gone before you know it.

OFFSHORE PERFORMANCE
Once offshore, the Eagle Ray handled the swells extremely well for a 17-footer and the ride was incredibly smooth. With the chop broadside on, we copped a bit of spray around the console, however a bowrail and set of spray dodgers should eliminate this. I backed down hard and was unable to put the transom underwater.

The 60hp Yamaha pushed the Eagle Ray to 28kt at 5200rpm with three people onboard. The Eagle Ray seemed to pull onto the plane immediately and there was no hole to climb out of.

At speed, the boat rides very flat and trimming the motor did not seem to affect speed or revs. Turning at speed gave the impression the boat was on rails with no need to decelerate pulling into the turns and no cavitation noted.

The Eagle Ray 1700s are already being used by the Noosa and Tin Can Bay Coast Guards which is a good indication of the seaworthiness and integrity of these vessels. The 1700 operating at Tin Can Bay recently played an integral part in the rescue of a family of four on the Wide Bay bar.

KIT AND CABOODLE
The standard Eagle Ray 1700 features a large moulded centre console with windscreen. The steering wheel is mounted on the dash but there is still sufficient room for a sounder, GPS and compass. There is also ample space beneath the console to install a stainless steel fuel tank.

The helm seat is again a moulded unit which incorporates insulated storage in the top, dry storage below and a padded cushion. Passenger seating doubles as storage compartments which are incorporated in the deck moulding. Two seats are located towards the bow and two are located adjacent to the transom. All seats are padded and incorporate sealed storage areas. There is also a sealed forward locker.

The transom itself provides a moulded engine mount, boarding platforms both port and starboard, and storage facilities for batteries and an oil reservoir.

The list of optional extras for the Eagle Ray is long and the company is happy to customise the vessel to suit the individual. The Eagle Ray 1700 can also be configured with forward controls.

Being able to meet 2C survey requirements makes the 1700 a viable commercial craft while still appealing to the recreational diver or fisherman. With a few personal touches, I feel the Eagle Ray 1700 would make a great little sportsfisher for chasing those Sunshine Coast billfish.