Hallett Scorpion

Released at the 2000 Melbourne Boat Show, it took Trailer Boat a long time to get around to testing Hallett's Scorpion (about a year, in fact)... But it was worth the wait.

Built by Danny Timewell at Hallett Boat Co.'s factory in Boronia (Vic), the tournament-oriented Scorpion is the flagship of the company's range.

As an increasing number of skiboat manufacturers are doing these days, Hallett has designed both an inboard and outboard version of the stylish craft, offering a choice for buyers from each persuasion.

Testing both versions on a windy day at the National Water Sports Centre at Carrum (Vic) recently, it was immediately apparent the in vogue Scorpion did not just 'talk the talk', but proved unequivocally it could also 'walk the walk'.

LOOKING THE LOOK
Resting calmly beside the floating pontoon, the Scorpion inboard testboat looked, from the outset, as if it would have a bit of sting.

Measuring 5.7m in length, beam 2.2, and powered by a 270hp MerCruiser, this boy's toy was itching to be driven - hard.

Its cobalt blue and gunmetal grey metalflake design against the immaculate ivory gelcoat, tinted windscreen and plush, charcoal grey and navy velour interior - trimmed in hot pink accent piping to match the embroided Hallett logos - screamed style... Not to mention "hurry up and get in!"

The transition from stepping out of my Celica into the comfortable driver's seat of the Scorpion, went virtually unnoticed. In fact, if there wasn't water all around, one could be justly mistaken for thinking they were behind the wheel of a sportscar - with the sunroof open or the top popped, of course.

Sliding the adjustable seat into position, and adjusting the steering column to suit, enabled a clear view of the dash and its array of gauges. Apart from the standard gauges - speedo, tacho, engine temperature, fuel and volt meter - there was a neat multi-function digital display. Firstly, this electronic unit is a clock, but pressing the mode button it displays water depth, water temperature, engine hours and is also a trip meter.

A quick turn of the key in the ignition - located to the right of the wheel, beside the bilge pump switch - and the MerCruiser rumbled smoothly to life. One hand on the sportswheel, the other on the gear lever in front of a perfectly-placed arm rest, lead foot on the accelerator pedal, a quick check of the rear view mirror (momentarily forgot I was in a boat!) and we were off and cruising.

ON RAILS
The boat sprung effortlessly onto the plane, with minimal bow lift, and sat there comfortably at around 1800rpm. Even though the test day was quite windy, both driver and passenger were adequately protected by the height of the sturdy windscreen. Comfortably seated, vision was excellent looking directly through the tinted screen, rather than having to stretch or slouch in the seat for an unobstructed view.

Creeping up to ski speed, at around 58kmh, the boat raced across the bumpy surface of the water as if it was mirror-smooth. Despite the windy conditions, the boat's wake was flat - indicative of its tournament-based conception.

Pedal to the metal (or more aptly, the quality marine carpet which lined the boat) the Scorpion reached a GPS-recorded speed of 77.7kmh at 4600rpm. Vibration and noise was almost non-existent, thanks to quality engine mounts and a well-insulated and upholstered engine cover.

Throwing the boat into hard turns at full noise, it turned as if it was on rails. Left, right and figures-of-eight, there was no hint of sliding or spinning out. The Scorpion copped everything that was thrown at it - and handled it with ease. Grab handles, located throughout the boat, for passengers were certainly a clever design idea, not to mention one that would get a lot of use with adrenalin junkies behind the wheel.

One-finger steering made driving the boat even more pleasurable, while its quietness when underway allowed conversations in a normal voice, rather than screaming.

SMART THINKING
Other clever ideas incorporated into the Scorpion inboard's design is a unique centre step in its rear boarding platform. This step sits just below waterline, acting like a ladder to aid boarding from the water.

An 85lt fuel tank lies behind the full-width rear lounge, with storage available either side of the tank for lifejackets and the like.

More storage is available in trimmed pockets either side of the lounge, in nets on the side of the engine cover and in full-length, recessed, mesh pockets running along both sides of the interior.

The back of the dual observer seat opens on hinges and a gas-lift strut to reveal a roomy ski locker, with a light, for storage of skis, wakeboards and other gear. The base of the observer seat also lifts to reveal another storage compartment.

There's also a storage pocket under the driver's arm rest for mobile phones, wallets, or other smaller items, and a map pocket in the back of the driver's seat.

Drink holders are also dotted throughout, including in the back of the engine cover for passengers sprawled out on the lounge.

As usual, a range of options are available to customise the craft specifically for its owner. (The boats also carry a concealed ID plate, specifying when the boat was built, who it was built for and how it was fitted-out.) Pretty much everything seen in the testboat, however, was standard, apart from the engine upgrade to the 270hp MerCruiser.

Options range from exterior and interior colours and personal graphics, radio/CD player and bimini top right through to an in-floor icebox, low-profile windscreen and wakeboard ballast tank.

Even in its mildest form, though, the Hallett Scorpion is raring to go!

Hangin' out
Hallett's outboard version of the Scorpion was designed to be driven just like an inboard skiboat.

As Timewell puts it: "Once it's in the water the motor can be set and forget."

The hull differs slightly from the inboard version, for the obvious reason of allowing the boat to get up on the plane carrying its rated 150-250hp outboard.

Apart from the different powerplant, though, the only obvious difference between the two versions is the extra-roomy cockpit. Seating, storage, dash features and the like are, where possible, almost identical.

A rope guard attached to the rear-mounted skipole, which also incorporates grab handles, is another of Hallett's innovative design ideas. Wet rope storage is available in moulded compartments in each corner of the transom. Scalloped-out compartment lids allow ropes to be stored while still attached to the pole, with no fear of the rope flying out while underway. The other compartment could be filled with ice to chill a few cans.

The testboat, powered by a Mercury 225hp EFI outboard spinning a social prop, rose onto the plane with a small amount of bow lift and cruised quietly at 2200rpm. At ski speed the Merc was still only pulling 3000rpm, while its top speed at 5500rpm was 86.5kmh - all of this without even touching the trim!

Adjusting the trim to see how much faster it could go, the revs rose to 5800rpm and the GPS recorded a top speed of 103.2kmh. Not too bad at all...

Priced from $34,990 with 150hp EFI Merc.