Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic SC Review

OVERVIEW
Formosa Marine has established itself as a major manufacturer of production-plate alloy trailerboats. The company has been on a steady growth path for several years, and this is set to continue with the expansion of the Australia-wide dealer network, and the regular release of innovative new models like this Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic Side Console.

Formosa builds trailerboats for family boaters, diehard fishermen, and everyone in between. The boat range (with the inclusion of the Sea-Rod models) is now huge - and there is a configuration or layout to suit most boating and fishing activities. We have test more than a dozen Formosa boats.

For anglers, the centre and side console models have always been very popular and the best seller among these hardy, durable models is the Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic Side Console. We tested this terrific little fishing rig on the Gold Coast and only needed some tackle to make this terrific little inshore fisher even more impressive.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
There are five models in the Formosa Tomahawk SC range. They include the 455, 480, 520, 550, 580. Each is available in the Classic configuration or the deluxe Offshore specification.

The Classic and Offshore models differ in that the Offshore boats have a welded, self draining alloy floor, standard hydraulic steering, and a few additional standard features.

The value-driven Classic models make do with a carpeted plywood floor and non-feedback mechanical steering. Otherwise the two lines are much the same. The interior layouts are identical and the boats share Formosa's latest V2 13.5 degree deadrise 4mm foam-filled (to Basic Standard) plate alloy hull.

Our test boat is the Classic version of the 480 Tomahawk Side Console. It does not have all the features of the Offshore models, but it is still nicely outfitted.

Among the standard inclusions is the forward casting deck with underfloor storage, heavy duty alloy bow roller, Tow-catch quick-release towing eye (for easier launch and retrieval), carpeted, marine plywood floor, carpeted anchor well (to dampen anchor clatter) cockpit side pockets, elevated rear battery platform and storage shelf, external boarding platform and ladder, bow and stern rails, a compact side console helm station, and super wide side coamings.

Rigged with a Suzuki 70hp four-stroke longshaft (20") outboard with Sea-Star Xtreme non-feedback mechanical steering, a Redco single-axle braked (mechanical over-ride) trailer, white hull paint, Garmin 5cv fish finder/GPS, battery and isolator, and an inshore safety gear pack, Brisbane's Australia Marine Centre has package pricing for the 480 Tomahawk Classic starting at just $34,950.

Our test boat came with a few additional features - including coloured hull paint, a fish finder/GPS upgrade to a Garmin 75CV, underfloor kill tank, deluxe bait station/bait tank, and a bow mount electric motor bracket.

The standard Suzuki 70hp four-stroke was also swapped out for Suzuki's wonderful new lightest-in-class DF100B four-stroke outboard. With the additional features and engine upgrade, the test package is still excellent value at $41,580.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT
The Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic SC has a typical inshore/coastal fishing interior layout with an elevated casting deck forward coupled with a deep, safe rear cockpit with high freeboard.

The Formosa differs from other brands, however, as the forward platform can be optioned to your preferred height. For inshore and impoundment work, for example, you might want the casting deck up nearly as high as the coamings - which would also boost storage space beneath. Conversely, offshore anglers will likely prefer a much lower forward platform so there is enough freeboard to stand and fish from the bow safely in choppy seas.

In the test boat, the casting deck was only 150mm above the rear cockpit floor - so quite low compared to some other craft. I personally like it this way as you can still stand up against the coamings here with some security.

In the rear cockpit the freeboard is deeper still of course - with nearly 700mm amidships and 670mm between the floor and gunwale down at the transom.

The side storage pockets and rear battery platforms are also elevated well off the floor so they don't get in the way of your feet or shins.

With the helm console offset to starboard, there is ample fishing space as well. There is 2.0m of cockpit space between the casting platform and the transom and about half that aft of the helm console.

The console itself is moderate in size with ample space on the fascia for engine instruments, switch panel and perhaps a marine radio. You could also squeeze in a small flush-fitted electronics display, but the better option is to bracket-mount the display on the dash so it is tucked under the windscreen.

We would have liked to see a glove box or small shelf on the console for stowing items like car keys and cell phones, but these features are optional. That said, there is a short side storage pocket alongside the helm, under the gunwale.

The test rig proved comfortable to drive while seated in one of the two included lift-out pedestal chairs. The steering wheel is well positioned and the side-mount throttle lever is close to hand.

The standing driving position is not as good as the helm chair is then a bit too close to the console. That said, if you want to stand at the helm you can simply lift out the pedestal helm chair and move it to one of the other three pedestal floor seat-sockets around the boat.

The helm console is topped by a short, acrylic windshield with an accompanying bar and hand-rail. The two are at the same height - which makes it difficult to use the bar as a grab rail when you are standing at the helm. We would advocate raising the height of the bar an additional few inches so it is clear of the windscreen. The bar/rail could then be used as a proper hand-hold.

We noted earlier that the test rig was fitted with several options. They included the underfloor kill tank and the bolt-on bait station. Both are recommended for serious anglers. You need the kill tank to stow your catch and keep it fresh, while the bait station is a multi-function unit which incorporates a bait cutting board, small live bait tank, four-rod rocket launcher and tackle storage compartments.

ON THE WATER
The Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic SC will perform adequately with power as low as 70hp. We tested the centre console version of the test rig with a Suzuki 70hp outboard and we achieved a top speed of 27.5 knots. This is certainly sufficient, but hardly exciting. We'd recommend more power, particularly if you expect to also use the boat for family tow-sport activities.

Our test boat package was rigged with Suzuki's latest DF100B - which happens to be the lightest 100hp outboard in its class. It is also a deceptively powerful little unit, the test rig proving agile off the line and accelerating to an impressive top speed of 36.4 knots at 6200rpm.

As you would expect from a modern, state-of-the-art four stroke outboard, the Suzuki DF100B is also frugal on fuel - using just 9.2 l/ph at 3500rpm. This translates to a maximum range on 95 per cent of the 80lt fuel tank of just under 150nm.

With regard to handling and ride the 480 Tomahawk Classic does not disappoint. We have tested this hull before and were pleased to find our initial findings were correct. Once more the 480 hull proved easy to drive, remarkably stable, dry and comfortable in choppy water.

As with any small alloy boat, the ride will firm up a bit if you decide to go wave jumping, but keep the hull in the water, the nose down to allow the fine entry shape to do its job, and you'll find the level of ride comfort to be more than acceptable for a bay and coastal fishing boat.

VERDICT
We mentioned earlier that the Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic SC is one of Formosa's most popular, best selling models. It is easy to understand why. The 480 is small enough to easily tow and to stow, big, strong and seaworthy enough to fish coastal waters, and priced to beat most models from rival brands. This one's a keeper!

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
3.6kts (6.7km/h) @ 1000rpm
4.2kts (7.8km/h) @ 1500rpm
5.5kts (10.2km/h) @ 2000rpm
6.3kts (11.6km/h) @ 2500rpm
7.9kts (14.6km/h) @ 3000rpm
18.0kts (33.3km/h) @ 3500rpm
21.1kts (39.1km/h) @ 4000rpm
25.2kts (46.6km/h) @ 4500rpm
28.5kts (42.75km/h) @ 5000rpm
32.3kts (59.7km/h) @ 5500rpm
34.5kts (63.8km/h) @ 6000rpm
36.4kts (67.3km/h) @ 6200rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY
1.5 l/ph @ 1000rpm
2.2 l/ph @ 1500rpm
3.0 l/ph @ 2000rpm
5.5 l/ph @ 2500rpm
8.1 l/ph @ 3000rpm
9.2 l/ph @ 3500rpm
11.4 l/ph @ 4000rpm
15.7 l/ph @ 4500rpm
19.4 l/ph @ 5000rpm
24.1 l/ph @ 5500rpm
31.8 l/ph @ 6000rpm
32.3 l/ph @ 6200rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95 PER CENT OF 80L FUEL TANK: 148.69nm @ 3500rpm

Specifications: Formosa 480 Tomahawk Classic SC
Price as tested: $41,580 including a Suzuki 100hp four-stroke longshaft (20") outboard with digital gauges, Redco single axle braked (mechanical over-ride) trailer, coloured hull paint, Garmin 75cv fish finder/GPS, underfloor kill tank, deluxe bait station/bait tank, bow mount electric motor bracket, battery and isolator, and an inshore safety gear pack.

Priced from: $34,950 including a Suzuki 70hp four-stroke longshaft (20") outboard, Redco single axle braked (mechanical over-ride) trailer, white hull paint, Garmin 5cv fish finder/GPS, battery and isolator, and an inshore safety gear pack.

Length overall: 5.00m
Hull length: 4.80m
Beam: 2.3m
Deadrise: 13.5 degrees
Hull weight: 520kg
Weight on trailer: Approx 1070kg
Bottom & transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 115hp
Engine as tested: Suzuki 100hp four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 80L
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Five

Supplied by:
Australian Marine Centre
Phone: (07) 3808 7333
Email: sales@amcboats.com.au