GOLD COAST BOAT SHOW: 10 Top Trailerboats

At the 2017 Gold Coast International Boat Show, visitors were treated to a display of the latest and greatest trailerboats from local and overseas manufacturers. From small alloy tinnies through to offshore fishing boats and wake-surfing sports bowriders, there was something for everybody. Here are 10 of the best…

CHAPARRAL SURF SERIES
Featuring Volvo’s innovative forward facing sterndrive (which has two forward facing, counter-rotating propellers) and Malibu Surf Gate wave-making system, the new Surf series models from Chaparral are pitched as the ultimate recreational towboats for wakeboarding, tubing and skiing.

In the Surf series there are five classy looking, superbly finished models, and three of them were on display at the 2017 GC Boat Show.

The display boats (fitted with a range of options) included the 227 SSX Surf ($157k), the 244 Sunesta Surf ($167k), and the 257 SSX Surf ($204k).

All models have a deluxe bowrider interior layout, sweeping curved, centre opening windscreens, ample seating and storage space, plenty of cockpit freeboard, and big, wide rear boarding platforms.

More information from Brisbane dealer Australian Marine Centre on (07) 3808 7333. See www.chaparralaustralia.com.au.

EXTREME GAME KING SERIES
New Zealand’s Extreme aluminium boats have been available in Australia for several years now, and are become increasingly popular with offshore fishos.

These full plate-alloy boats are very well outfitted, and beautifully finished. The hulls have mirror-smooth paintwork and smooth, clean welds. The build quality and standard of finish on these boats are key selling features.

On display at the Karee Marine standard at the GC Boat Show were two stand-out models, the stylish 645 Game King Hardtop (pictured) and the 795 Game King. Both are wonderfully appointed, outboard powered hardtop cabin cruisers for family boating and offshore fishing.

Notable features include wide beam deep vee hulls, spacious cabins, enclosed helms, and large cockpits with plenty of freeboard.

The Extreme 645 Game King is priced at $100k on a tandem-axle Dunbier trailer with 150hp Mercury four-stroke, while prices for the big 795 Game King kick-off at around $189k with trailer and Mercury Verado 300hp four-stroke outboard.

More information call Brisbane dealer Karee Marine on (07) 3875 1600. See www.extremeboats.co.nz.

FORMOSA 580 X TOMAHAWK BOWRIDER
Brisbane alloy-boat builder Formosa was well represented at the GC Boat show with more than a dozen models on display. Stand-out craft included the big 660 Tomahawk Offshore Hardtop, and the family orientated 580 X Tomahawk Bowrider.

Recently introduced, the Formosa X Bowriders are cross-over models designed for a mix of family boating and coastal fishing. To that end, the boats have elevated helm stations so skippers can comfortably stand at the helm, along with spacious bow and stern cockpits with fold-out bench seating.

Another neat feature is the hardtop/wake-board tower with grab rails, rod storage rack and ski-pole/tow-point. Cleverly, the hardtop folds down for garaging.

With a 200hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard, and a tandem-axle Tinka alloy trailer, the 580 X Tomahawk bowrider is priced around $70k.

More information at Brisbane dealer Australian Marine Centre on (07) 3808-7333. See www.formosamarineboats.com.au.

HAINES SIGNATURE 495F
Haines Signature used the 2017 Gold Coast Boat Show to launch the 495F, a family cuddy cabin successor to the long-running 493F and 492F before that.

Displayed by Brisbane’s Australian Marine Centre, the 495F has a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a re-designed dash, more storage space, a slightly larger rear cockpit, and a cleaner looking cabin design.

The 495F is a very pretty looking boat with a proven variable deadrise hull shape that offers a very soft ride with excellent stability and solid performance with 60hp through to 90hp four-stroke outboards.

The 495F is top value too. With a Suzuki 90hp outboard and single-axle alloy trailer, the boat show package was priced around $45,000.

More information at Brisbane dealer Australian Marine Centre on (07) 3808-7333. See www.signatureboats.com.

HORIZON 474 STRYKER XPF FREESTYLE
Horizon Boats is another popular Aussie alloy-boat brand that was well represented at the GC Boat Show.

Horizon dealers displayed models ranging from small open, tiller-steer dinghies through to family bowriders and console fishing boats.

Among the latter was the impressive new 474 Stryker XPF Freestyle, a versatile family/fishing model with a wrap-around bowrider seating area which converts easily into a large, sturdy fishing platform.

The XPF Freestyle also has a side console helm layout, removable pedestal seating, a spacious, deep and carpeted rear cockpit, wide side decks and lots of storage space.

Rigged with a 60hp four-stroke outboard and single-axle Dunbier trailer, Gold Coast dealer Marinetune had this sweet little Horizon boat package on special for just $27,590.

More from Gold Coast dealer Marinetune on (07) 5576-7388. See www.horizonboats.com.au.

JEANNEAU MERRY FISHER 695
For many years, French builder Jeanneau was best known in Australia for its production sailing yachts, but this renowned boat builder has a long heritage of powerboat manufacturing stretching back to 1963.

Today’s line up of Jeanneau powerboats includes the Merry Fisher series of outboard-powered cabin cruisers. The 695 Merry Fisher model was displayed at the GC Boat Show, and while it was released a couple of years ago, the innovative design of this boat remains contemporary.

The Merry Fisher 695 has an enclosed saloon and helm station with an open plan forward cabin, saloon seating and dinette table and plenty of internal and cockpit seating and storage.

The Merry Fisher sleeps four, accepts outboard power between 150-175hp and weighs around 2.5 tonnes on tandem-axle trailer.

The boat show model was rigged with a Mercury Verado 175hp four-stroke outboard, Boeing tandem-axle trailer, and priced from $130k with a number of options.

More information at www.jeanneauaustralia.com.

QUINTREX FREESTYLER
The Gold’s Coast Surf Coast Marine and Broadwater Boating displayed a range of new Quintrex models at the GC Boat Show. Chief among these were several boats from the new Freestyler range of sports bowriders.

Freestylers on show included 510 and 610 series models on the hard-stand, and a 530 Freestyler demonstration model on the marina waterfront for customers to sample. Unsurprisingly, the new boats drew plenty of attention from the public and the press.

As the photos show, the Quintrex Freestylers have a unique pickle-fork bow shape, which carries the wide beam right up to the bow for more interior seating and storage space.

The boats also have a lot more internal freeboard, slick new windscreen and helm designs, as well as the brand new Quintrex Apex hull bottom – which promises to be something special. We will have more information on these new models next month after an official media launch.

QUINTREX FRONTIER
Debuting alongside the new Freestyler Quintrex models on the Surf Coast Marine stand were two boats from the new Quintrex Frontier series. These beamy side console open fishing boats are aimed at hard-core bass, barra and bream anglers and are outfitted accordingly.

During the GC Boat Show we spotted 490 and 570 series Frontier models. Each was equipped with the new Quintrex Apex hull bottom, along with large, bow and stern carpeted casting decks, lift-out pedestal chairs, bait storage bins, and a new coaming design with a raised, contoured profile.

As with the Quintrex Freestylers we should have more information on the Frontier models and the full 2017 Quintrex range in coming weeks.

SAILFISH 2800 PLATINUM
Offshore anglers and powered cat enthusiasts visiting the GC Boat Show will have been drawn to the big Sailfish Catamarans displayed by national dealer Webbe Marine.

On hand was the latest incarnation of the best selling 7.9m long S8 Hardtop and the still larger 2800 Platinum (pictured). These two big sport fishing cabin boats have been updated this year with the new Sailfish Hydroflow GEN3 hull, which has re-designed chines and the waterline length extended by 150mm for more lift in the stern and quicker hole-shots.

Key features include soft riding, super stable hulls, trailerable 2.5m maximum beams, uncluttered self-draining cockpits, live wells, bait boards, rocket launchers — all the gear and equipment you need for offshore sport fishing.

With dual Honda 135hp four-stroke outboard power and custom trailer, the Sailfish S8 is priced from$184k. Package prices for the larger 2800 Platinum start at around $260k with a pair of 150hp Hondas on the transom.

More information at
www.webbemarine.com.au.

SEA FOX 226 COMMANDER
The 226 Commander is an excellent coastal fishing boat and one of the most versatile models in the US-built Sea Fox boat range.

Packaged at the GC Boat Show for around $103,500 (with trailer and Evinrude E-TEC G2 250hp H.O. outboard) the 226 Commander is great value too.

For the money you get a nicely finished centre console sport fisher with an easy riding moderate vee hull, with excellent stability and close to 50 knot performance from the 250hp maximum power outboard.

Interior features include a comfortable bow seating area/fishing platform, overhead hardtop with rocket launcher and radio box, console head compartment with chemical toilet, loads of storage space, and a suite of fishing features, including underfloor kill tanks, live well, padded coamings and multiple rod holders and storage racks.

More information from the Australian dealer JSW Powersports on (07) 5529-2616. See www.seafoxboats.com.au.

More at

Gold Coast International Boat Show.