Eagle Ray 2300

Last year I tested the Eagle Ray 1700, which at the time was causing quite a stir among the boating community. While the Eagle Ray 1700 wasn't the prettiest boat on the market, it was quickly earning itself a reputation as a stable, soft-riding craft with excellent sea-keeping capabilities.

Produced by the Panorama Group on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the Eagle Ray's testing ground is the notorious Noosa River bar. Eagle Ray's Production and Marketing Manager, Lance Bussell, likes nothing better than showing off his boat's seaworthiness on the Noosa bar and like all of Bussell's customers, I walked away suitably impressed.

EAGLE LANDS... AGAIN
The latest Eagle Ray to hit the water is the 2300 and, I must say, it looks a damn sight better than the early 1700. Eagle Ray has really smoothed out the lines on this big centre-console, but has maintained a similar hull configuration to the tried and proven 1700.

The 2300 has an LOA of 7m, but still maintains a legally trailerable beam of 2.5m. In its centre-console configuration the 2300 provides heaps of space both fore and aft of the console. With little customisation the 2300 could be turned into a very serious sportsfisher or dive boat. The potential of the Eagle Ray is also expanded when taking into account that it can be built to survey.

Like the 1700 our testing ground for the 2300 was the Noosa bar. While the bar wasn't at its nastiest on our test day, there was enough whitewater around to bump the heart rate up a few beats per second. No need for blood pressure tablets here, though - everything the bar dished up the Eagle Ray handled with consummate ease.

Punching into a metre of short chop offshore was greeted by an incredibly smooth ride. Even at 30kt I could maintain a seated helm position without having to reach for the kidney harness. Running off a head sea the ride just gets better, although you do cop a bit of spray with wind and sea side-on.

WEDGE-TAILED!
The Eagle Ray's unique hull design, with its outer sponsons, provides excellent stability at rest yet skiboat-like handling when turning. Honestly, the high-speed turns are quite amazing - the Eagle Ray turns on its own length, with no cavitation whatsoever.

The testboat was fitted with a 200hp Yamaha HPDI. These new direct-injected two-strokes from Yamaha are beautiful outboards - providing the acceleration of a two-stroke, but the low noise and emission levels of a four-stroke.

The 2300's maximum rating is 200hp, so it's probably a bit of overkill, however the hull handled the additional weight and power without any problems. I have also driven an Eagle Ray 2300 with a 140hp Tohatsu two-stroke which still seemed to provide ample power.

The 200hp Yammie was spinning a 17-inch stainless prop which provided an instantaneous transition to planing with minimal bow lift. At 3000rpm the Eagle Ray held its planing attitude and recorded a speed of 30kmh on the GPS. Comfortable cruise revs were around the 4000 mark, which saw the GPS hit 50kmh. Top speed was 70kmh at 5600rpm, although the bow did start to porpoise a little at WOT and full trim.

TAKING FLIGHT
Boarding the 2300 from either beach or water is aided by fully-moulded boarding steps on both port and starboard sides. The portside model incorporates a retractable dive ladder and stainless steel grabrails.

Moulded seats in each transom corner are hinged to provide access to storage below. The starboard-side seat houses the battery box and isolation switch, while the portside houses the oil reservoir and deckwash pump.

Between the two transom seats is a removable transom bulkhead which makes access to the outboard easier. Also located between the two seats is an underfloor livewell with Sopac lid. This livewell is basically useless in this location and something Eagle Ray intends changing on future models.

There are only two rodholders fitted as standard, so keen fisherman will want to add more. I feel the gunwales could be made a little wider, which would aid application of additional rodholders - especially the angled variety.

Coaming and sidepocket padding is a nice touch, however the padded coamings in particular could be beefed up a bit. While the sidepockets are a good length I feel they could be dropped down a few inches, thus making use of wasted space and producing toerails in the process.

Some gaff and tagpole racks wouldn't go astray either.

The cockpit is fully self-draining through two 38mm scuppers and a moulded non-skid deck provides sure footing. The deck is clean and uncluttered, with the walkaround the console wide and obstacle-free.

LOST IN SPACE
At first I thought the console looked a little space-age, but I must admit it is growing on me and is actually very practical. The aerodynamic design deflects wind very well and the large screen provides enough protection for the helmsman and one passenger at least. Heavy-duty stainless tube provides a solid support for the moulded hardtop, while radios are mounted overhead in the console.

The dash on the testboat included a Navman tricolor sounder, Apelco GPS, Yamaha digital gauges and a sports steering wheel offset to starboard. The gear and throttle controls were recessed on the starboard-side of the console and fell to hand quite nicely. I thought the dash could be a little bigger, especially if you are going to mount some serious electronics. As it stands you would probably be restricted to a good-sized combination unit.

Two Sopac hatches in the face of the console provide access to a dry storage compartment with a surprising amount of room.

The helm and passenger pedestal seating appeared to be good quality, although I found them to be a little squeezy. Come to think of it I have had this problem on a few boat tests lately - maybe it's time I went on a diet. Seriously though, both pedestals could do with a footrest as they are mounted quite high.

Forward of the console is another padded seat, with storage below accessed by yet another Sopac hatch.

A small step in the forward bulkhead aids access to the foredeck and the enormous anchor well. The bowsprit features a stainless bow roller but could probably do with a cross-bollard, even though there is a cleat in the anchor well. Other stainless cleats are located fore and aft on both sides, with a stylish bowrail completing the hardware.

Launching and retrieving the 2300 is a snap thanks to the drive-on/off trailers custom built for Eagle Ray by Special Trailers.

RAY OF SUNSHINE
All in all I thought the handling and performance of the Eagle Ray 2300 was outstanding. Okay, the interior could do with a little refinement and a few personal touches. However, with BMT packages starting at $41,500, this seven-metre boat is excellent value for money.

Oh, I almost forgot, a little scoop for Trailer Boat readers - if centre-consoles aren't your cup of tea, then stay tuned as there is a half-cabin version of the 2300 on the way...