From the classifieds: Formosa Classic

By Classic, Formosa means its range of alloy boats built as a simple, barebone packages. However, while cheaper than their Tomahawk and Sea-Rod showroom siblings, the Formosa Classic range is built to exactly the same standards as the more expensive models.

Not only that, the boats feature Formosa Classic benchmarks including hulls that stretch longer than competitors’, decent beam for their length, high topsides, and a surprising amount of internal volume.

To keep things cheap, the Formosa Classics weren’t loaded with equipment out of the factory. Instead, it was up to individual owners to append as much, or as little on their boat as they wanted fitting it out with optional equipment to make it the way they wanted.

Classic models are available across most of the Formosa boat range, although generally not across the larger enclosed cabin models. Standard features are relatively simple, but generally run to 4.0mm marine grease aluminium for the side and bottom sheets, a few rod holders, a carpeted timber floor, and SeaStar mechanical steering – although on some models such as the centre cab this steps up to SeaStar hydraulic steering as standard.

As a local manufacturer, Formosa Marine knows its local waters. The smaller boats are built on top of the “SRT” plate hull that includes custom strakes to help with lift and cornering traction, Formosa’s “Lock-cell Hull Structure” that adds rigidity to the hull, an increased deadrise, and a large reversed chine.

Some models also have the option of Formosa’s Quad4 Water Ballast, a flooded keel system that increases stability at rest and on the move.

Browse through the used Formosa Classic boats on offer on boatsales.com.au, and there are few that remain bare-boned rigs.

By this stage, the boats will have been rigged with chartplotters and fishfinders, biminis and clears and more to make them quite attractive as a used boat.

We particularly like this 2010 Formosa 580 Classic half-cab currently on offer for $46,000 via a dealer.

Despite being a decade old, the previous owner has gone to great lengths to ensure the 5.8-metre boat is set up as a great all-weather fishing rig that won’t be shy of heading offshore in the right conditions to chase tuna.

It has some cool features, including the bimini with clears that extends further back over the cockpit to provide more shade.

A 100-litre fuel tank combined with the low-hour 130hp Evinrude, and a dual-axle Dunbier trailer make this a pretty attractive package.