Kevlacat 2400 Offshore: Fishing Boat Review

It was launched back in 1998, yet Kevlacat’s classic 2400 Offshore still looks fresh and modern thanks to a series of important upgrades, along with the timeless design of its sleek looking low-profile cuddy cabin. We tested the latest updated model with power from a pair of super smooth Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards.

OVERVIEW
- Sport and game fishing heritage
Kevlacat debuted in 1984 and has proven to be one of this country’s most successful manufacturers of powered catamarans. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, however, as the company has endured some tough times and changes of ownership along the way. That said Kevlacat has remained stationed on Queensland's Sunshine Coast throughout, manufacturing a range of high quality kevlar/fibreglass composite powered catamarans extending from 5.2m through to the range-topping 9.8m flybridge.

Some powered cat brands are associated with family boating and cruising, others with sport and game fishing. Kevlacat is definitely the latter. Through the late 1980s and 1990s Kevlacat produced some superb trailerable sportfishing boats, culminating in the 2400 Offshore tested here, but including the classic 1987 5.2m Tournament.

This legendary craft was, and remains, a true pocket-sized game fishing boat. From the factory it came equipped with all manner of fishing features and accessories, including a pair of Reelax brand outriggers and a Reelax Moreton Bay game chair. At the time, standard inclusions like these were rare.

With usually a pair of 60 or 70hp two-stroke Yamahas on the transom, the 5.2m Tournament was a very capable, economical and compact fishing boat. It remains hot property on the used boat market today.

Then, in 1998, Kevlacat released the 2400 Offshore as the big brother to the classic 5.2m model. Larger, more seaworthy, more capable, the 2400 replaced an earlier 6.2m model, and has been almost as successful as the classic 5.2.

The 2400 Offshore continues to be a prominent and popular model in today’s Kevlacat range. We thought it timely to revisit the 2400, especially as it has had several upgrades and revisions since last we tested this boat.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- First class fit-out with ample options to customise
All the bugs have been well and truly ironed out with the design, construction and fit-out of the Kevlacat Offshore 2400 — and you would expect no less from a craft that has been in production for nearly two decades.

Much of the original design, layout and features remain unchanged, as the boat was that good to start with. Improvements have been made only where necessary, such as with the size of the dash fascia, which has been expanded to cater for modern, much larger flush-fitted electronics displays.

While there are many options available for customisig the Offshore 2400, the boat is well equipped with many standard features. Among them are the moulded helm seat boxes with deluxe pedestal bucket chairs and aft facing squab seats; a large, uncluttered self-draining rear cockpit with centre and side scuppers (non-feed back in the centre so you can back down on a fish without water flooding the cockpit); dual elevated battery lockers; two live bait tanks (one plumbed); deck wash; boarding platform; rigid fibreglass hardtop with rocket launcher; four stainless steel deck rod holders; hydraulic steering; EPIRB and fire extinguisher recesses; two berth cabin with carpet lined ceiling... and much more.

Pricing for the standard boat starts at just under $160k from the Gold Coast’s Wyld About Boats. This package includes a pair of counter-rotating Suzuki DF140 four-stroke outboards, Sea-Link drive-on galvanized steel trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes, hardtop with stainless steel supports and rocket launcher rod rack, front and side clear curtains, (on sail tracks), and boat and trailer registrations.

As you might expect from a demonstrator rig, the test package was upgraded with electronics gear, including a Furuno NavNet TZ Touch2 12in multi-function display, Icom VHF radio, and Fusion MP3 player with speakers.

The test boat also came with an electric toilet, Maxwell HR8 electric anchor winch (with rope and chain), shower with 60lt water tank, extended boarding platform with gate-style boarding ladder, bait board with stainless steel posts, LED spot lights on hardtop, LED strip lighting to cockpit, and a lift-out transom door.

The engines were upgraded for the test boat. In place of the standard Suzuki 140hp four-strokes, the test package was powered by two Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards with counter-rotating propellers and extra longshaft (25in) drive legs.

With the upgrades, electronics and optional equipment, Wyld About Boats had the 2400 Offshore priced $186,397. This is a tidy sum, but this price is for a boat that is ready to fish (but for a pair of outriggers).

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Neat and functional
Over the years, the interior layout of the 2400 Offshore has been refined to make it as practical and functional as possible. The success of this upgrade program is evident in the size and shape of the cockpit, the height of the freeboard, width of the side coamings, and even in the elevated position and location of the battery lockers. Plenty of thought has gone into the design and layout and it all comes together exceptionally well.

The forward cabin is one area which has always been difficult to get right in a trailerable powered cat, but we believe Kevlacat has made a decent job of maximising the available space.

Behind a lockable bi-fold door there is a good-sized cabin complete with full length (2.0m plus) vinyl-upholstered berths on each side.

A companionway between the berths leads to a ventilation and foredeck access hatch in the ceiling. Space is a little tight in this forward area, however, so given calm seas you will be better served reaching the forward deck by climbing around the cabins sides.

There is a sturdy stainless steel hand-rail on each side of the hardtop to make it easier and safer to climb around to the bow. Of course, if you tick the electric anchor winch option you will be able to raise and lower the anchor without moving from the helm.

The sleeping quarters can be expanded from two single berths into one huge double berth, with the optional infill cushion which fits over the companionway, between the existing berths.

Storage space is limited but the cabin does have a large safety gear locker under the starboard side berth.

Opposite is an even larger compartment or recess which caters for the optional electric flush toilet (or a removal chemical toilet). This deep recess extends well down into the port side hull sponson so above the toilet there is a surprising amount of headroom.

The floor in the cabin has a non-slip fibreglass finish for easy cleaning, but the internal cabin sides, ceiling and wiring cover are all carpet-lined for a neater finish and cosier environment.

A full bulkhead separates the cabin from the helm and rear cockpit. Above it is a flat dash space on the port side for bracket mounted electronics, although there is room on the fascia for a big 12in multi-function display such as the big Furuno TZ NavNet Touch2 fitted to the test rig.

There is also space for engine gauges, switch panel, sports steering wheel recessed radios and the like, while the binnacle throttles are situated on a platform to starboard, where they are easy to reach and operate.

The Kevlacat 2400 is comfortable to drive while seated or standing and there is excellent visibility a full 360 degrees from the helm.

COCKPIT & FISHING FEATURES
- It’s all about the space
Powered cats tend to have a pretty large rear cockpit and the Kevlacat 2400 Offshore is no exception. The distance from cabin bulkhead back to the transom is a substantial 3.4m. Behind the helm seat boxes the cockpit is an equally impressive 2.0m long x 2.3m wide.

Importantly, this space is uncluttered and all usable. Nothing protrudes from the cockpit sides to snag your shirt or shorts so you can stand and battle a fish 180 degrees around the cockpit.

It helps too that the side coamings are a perfect 640mm above the floor, and that you can wedge you feet under the side pockets. There is even foot/toe support beneath the rear transom wall and the central boarding step which leads astern between the outboard engines.

The test rig was fitted with the extended boarding platform with optional gate-style boarding ladder and surrounding stainless steel 'cage' which will make it possible to stand and fish from this platform in good weather, expanding the usable cockpit area.

Fishing features include a plumbed starboard side transom live bait tank, a similar-sized bait box on the port side, four standard stainless steel rod holders (with rubber inserts), deck wash, short, but elevated side pockets, recessed stern cleats, pull-out freshwater shower head (optional) and an optional and removable bait board mounted above the port side coaming.

ON THE WATER
- Additional chine and step adds lift, improves performance
The 2400 Offshore has always been an excellent sea boat, but Kevlacat recently modified the hull to support the extra weight of a newly released model which has a fully enclosed saloon and helm.

The design team felt that more lift was needed in the bow for improved performance in a following sea and to further reduce upwind tunnel slap. To achieve this goal they have now added a new step or chine to the outside of each of the sponsons at the bow (see photo). This new chine is not immediately obvious — until you compare photos of the new boat with older models.

Does it work? This is difficult to confirm without direct back-to-back testing with an older model boat, but there is certainly no adverse affects. Further, the updated 2400 Offshore performed exceptionally well during out sea trial, both upwind and downwind. It rode nice and high at speed with the tunnel clear of the water surface, and there was no sign of the hull digging in or broaching.

And the ride was soft, very soft. The test conditions were, admittedly, calm, but we found that the faster you went, the better the hull performed. Above 4000 rpm the hull felt like it engaged another gear, lifting further out of the water and flying across the chop from crest to crest.

Contributing to the hull’s excellent performance were the two Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards bolted to the transom. Smooth and powerful, the Mercs provided ample acceleration and a top speed of 42.5 knots.

Using Mercury’s SmartCraft digital gauges, we were able to determine that the Kevlacat is most economical when running at a speed of 19.2 knots at 3000 rpm. At this point the engines burn a combined 27.8 l/ph for a maximum range on 95 per cent of the test boat’s 450lt fuel supply of 295.25 nautical miles.

VERDICT
- Class-leading performance and fishing fit-out
It was good to revisit the Kevlacat 2400 Offshore, particularly with the latest upgrades to the interior and hull. This big, trailerable cat is an excellent sea boat, superbly finished, well appointed, and with an excellent cockpit fishing layout.

The Kevlacat 2400 is a big, relatively costly trailerboat, but if you want and can afford the best in trailerable offshore fishing craft, then this time-proven powered catamaran warrants your consideration.

LIKES
>> Smooth riding, stable catamaran hull
>> Excellent rear cockpit design
>> Properly usable toilet
>> Sturdy hardtop with clears on sail-tracks
>> Caged rear boarding platform

NOT SO MUCH
>> Options lift the price up a lot
>> No underfloor kill tank or fish box

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.74/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.6/5.0
X-factor: 4.7/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
4.2kts (7.8km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.9kts (10.9km/h) @ 1500rpm
8.3kts (15.3km/h) @ 2000rpm
11.5kts (21.3km/h) @ 2500rpm
19.2kts (35.5km/h) @ 3000rpm
23.2kts (42.9km/h) @ 3500rpm
26.8kts (49.6km/h) @ 4000rpm
31.5kts (58.2km/h) @ 4500rpm
34.5kts (63.8km/h) @ 5000rpm
38.6kts (71.4km/h) @ 5500rpm
42.5kts (78.6km/h) @ 5850rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
7.1 l/ph @ 1000rpm
10.7 l/ph @ 1500rpm
17.6 l/ph @ 2000rpm
23.2 l/ph @ 2500rpm
27.8 l/ph @ 3000rpm
34.0 l/ph @ 3500rpm
40.1 l/ph @ 4000rpm
54.0 l/ph @ 4500rpm
72.0 l/ph @ 5000rpm
88.2 l/ph @ 5500rpm
113.5 l/ph @ 5850rpm (WOT)

Specifications: Kevlacat 2400 Offshore
Price as tested: $186,397 including twin Mercury 150hp extra-longshaft (25in) counter-rotating four-stroke outboards, tandem axle Sea-link galvanised steel trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes, hardtop with stainless steel supports and rocket launcher rod rack, front and side clears with zip-out panels, hydraulic steering, Furuno NavNet TZ Touch2 12in multi-function display, Icom VHF radio, Fusion MP3 player with speakers, electric toilet, Maxwell HR8 electric anchor winch (with rope and chain), shower with 60lt water tank, extended boarding platform with gate-style boarding ladder, baitboard with S/S posts, LED spot lights on hardtop, LED strip lighting to cockpit, lift-out transom door, dual battery systems and boat and trailer registrations.
Priced from: $159,990 including twin Suzuki 140hp extra-longshaft (25in) (counter-rotating) four stroke outboards, tandem axle Sea-link galvanised steel trailer with electric/hydraulic break-away brakes, hardtop with stainless steel supports, clears and zip-out panels, boat and trailer registrations.
Overall Length: 7.68m
Length: 6.5m
Beam: 2.5
Hull weight: Approx 1460kg
Towing weight: Approx 3000kg
Height on trailer: 3.3m
Length on trailer: 8.4m
Deadrise: N/A degrees
Maximum power: 2 x 150hp
Engine as tested: 2 x Mercury 150hp four-stroke outboards
Fuel: 2 x 225lt
Freshwater: 60lt

Supplied by:
Wyld About Boats
Phone: (07) 5563 2223
Website: wyldaboutboats.com.au