Morningstar Angler 498A: Review

The Morningstar alloy trailerboat range was introduced to the market back in 2013. The four models in the range are innovatively designed and manufactured using the latest construction techniques – featuring a one-piece hull bottom stretch-formed from 5083 grade aluminium, combined with high precision automated robotic cutting and welding.

OVERVIEW
- Bringing technology to small alloy boat building
Morningstar is a relative newcomer to the Aussie boating market with the first boats becoming available in late 2013. The boats are designed in Australia, but produced in Taiwan and sold throughout the world.

Morningstar boats – and there are four different models – look distinctively different from traditional locally-built alloy craft. This is due to the sophisticated construction technique which sees each hull made in a modular fashion from separate pieces and then welded together by robots on an automated production line.

The hull bottom is made from one single 3.0mm (5083 grade) aluminium sheet stretch-formed under massive pressure to create a hull shape with the complex curves normally reserved for fibreglass hulls. With this technique there is no requirement for an external keel (so less welds), but Morningstar do add a separate 4.0mm alloy capping piece to the forefoot of each boat for added strength and abrasion protection.

During manufacture, the stretch-formed hull bottom is combined with the pressed transom sheet and alloy side sheets (or topsides) – which incorporate the gunwales to eliminate unnecessary welds. A one piece, immensely strong stringer grid is then dropped into the hull and provides rigidity to stiffen and strengthen the hull when underway.

Foam flotation is placed in all the vacant spaces within this 'Origrid' underfloor stringer structure to dampen hull noise underway – and to achieve flotation to a Basic standard. Hulls can also be built to Level or positive buoyancy standard on request.

The four models in the Morningstar boat range share the same 4.98m hull, but have differing configurations. Customers can choose from a cuddy cabin, runabout, centre console, and side console. The subject of our test this week is the side console version – called the Angler 498A. 

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Great price and rigged for fishing
The Morningstar Angler 498A Side Console has a versatile design, suited to a mix of estuary, bay, impoundment and nearshore fishing applications. The interior features and equipment levels reflect these objectives.

For inshore fishing, for example, the Angler has a mounting plate at the bow to accept an electric trolling motor, with provision for the battery to power it to be fitted underneath the elevated bow casting deck.

In the rear section of the cockpit there is ample freeboard so you can fish a few miles offshore with a high degree of security. Other fishing features include a 20-litre live-bait tank, lean-seat on the casting deck, and three rod holders across the stern.

General features include a 3.0mm checker-plate alloy floor (glued/bonded to the hull sides – not welded),  boarding platforms, cup holders, bilge pump, 60-litre underfloor fuel tank, twin pedestal helm chairs, bow, side and transom rails, and a cockpit water drainage system which should be great for hosing out the boat after each fishing trip. 

The package price for the Angler 498A with the above standard gear is just $29,999 from Stefan Boating World on the Gold Coast. This price includes a longshaft (20”) Yamaha 70hp four-stroke outboard, single-axle Oceanic galvanised-steel braked trailer, along with boat and trailer registrations and inshore safety gear pack for five adults.

The test rig was fitted with a number of options including a deluxe Oceanic trailer with alloy wheels, spare wheel and plastic guards, clip-in carpet throughout, Lonestar drum anchor winch, bimini with rocket launcher, Sant Marine cutting board, blue painted topsides, dual batteries, additional fuel tank holder, rear anchor holder, Lowrance HDS7 GPS/sounder, and a VHF radio.

The extras lift the price to $34,290 for a ready-to-fish package. This represents pretty decent value for money – though we should point out that the Angler is more compact in size than some other 5.0m boats. The Angler is listed as being 4.98m long, but this is the overall length, and includes the rather long rear boarding platforms. The bow to transom hull length is closer to 4.6m and the maximum beam a relatively narrow 2.0m. 

 INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Conventional, but practical interior
The hull design and construction of the Morningstar Angler is state-of-the-art, but the interior design and layout is pretty standard. This is not a bad thing because the traditional forward casting deck/sunken rear cockpit layout works fine for most fishing applications – especially when you need a boat that is versatile enough to fish inshore and offshore waters.

The forward deck measures roughly 900mm x 1.6m wide and is elevated 345mm above the rear cockpit. Underneath it there is provision for the trolling motor battery and a big storage compartment for safety gear, etc.

Forward of the deck is the trolling motor plate on the port side along with a good sized anchor well with hatch, bow cleat and bow rail. The test rig was fitted with an electric winch to make it easier to raise and lower the anchor.

The rear, lower cockpit is 2.42m stretching from the casting deck back to the transom by 1.78m wide. Combining bow and rear cockpit areas we expect three anglers could fish comfortably from this boat.

As you would expect, the side console is positioned hard up against the starboard side coaming. It is a medium sized console, with space for engine gauges, switch panel, radio and bracket-mounted fish finder.

The console has useful storage space underneath, an acrylic windshield, handy side grab rail, and dash mounted cup holders.

From the skipper’s helm chair the steering wheel and side-mount throttle are very well positioned and the boat is very comfortable to drive while seated – thanks to the fore-and-aft sliding seat base which enables you to move the seat well forward.

The passenger chair can be mounted alongside the helm seat, or moved to an additional seat floor socket alongside the side console – so three seat positions in total.

At the transom of the Morningstar is a flush, full-width, full-height (about 540mm) transom wall. Underneath, behind a quarter height alloy bulkhead is the primary battery on the starboard side, water catchment recess with bilge pump in the centre, and a plumbed live-bait tank over on the port side.

Other rear cockpit/transom features include a side storage pocket on the port side, boarding rails, oversized rear boarding platforms and a boarding ladder.

ON THE WATER
- Great performance from variable deadrise, reverse chine hull
Morningstar’s sophisticated design and construction techniques have given rise to a hull shape with the kind of complex curves and angles you normally find only on moulded fibreglass hulls. The variable (rather than constant) deadrise, concave shape that has been achieved gives the hull a surprisingly comfortable ride with good stability at rest.

Stability is boosted further with a series of planing strakes and reverse angled outer chines. A secondary chine above the first helps to suppress spray underway, and in practice we found the hull took little water onboard – although the test conditions were mild on the day.

In a following sea and through slalom turns, the boat handled well, and felt balanced and sure-footed. The trim range was wide too, so you could trim the bow up to run down the waves, or trim it back down to allow the vee entry shape to slice through short chop.

The Angler 498A is rated for outboards up to 90hp, but performance is more than adequate with 70hp on the transom. With the test rig’s sweet little Yamaha 70hp four-stroke we achieved a top speed of just shy of 30 knots, along with strong acceleration through the low and mid range.

We would recommend 70hp as the minimum for two or three anglers, though you could go as low a 50hp if you intend to regularly fish single-handed.

VERDICT
- A good looking, practical bay fisher built using high-end technology
Morningstar has used the latest in 3D Cad/Cam design, alloy stretch-form pressing technology, and automated robotic engineering to produce a range of boats that are sophisticated in design, practical in nature, strong, durable, and efficient to manufacture.

The Angler 498A Side Console is one of four Morningstar models currently available and it’s a ripper small fishing rig. It looks great, and combines light weight with a solid structure, a practical layout and excellent performance.

LIKES
>> High-tech construction
>> Sophisticated hull shape
>> Comfortable ride
>> Great helm position 
>> $30k entry price
>> Easy access to bilge and plumbing
>> Fewer joins/welds for a cleaner finish

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.76/5.0
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: 4.8/5.0

PERFORMANCE
3.9kts (7.3km/h) @ 1500rpm
4.8kts (8.9km/h) @ 2000rpm
6.0kts (11.1km/h) @ 2500rpm
8.6kts (16.0km/h) @ 3000rpm
14.7kts (27.2km/h) @ 3500rpm
18.3kts (33.9km/h) @ 4000rpm
21.6kts (40.0km/h) @ 4500rpm
24.0kts (44.4km/h) @ 5000rpm
26.6kts (49.3km/h) @ 5500rpm
29.4kts (54.4km/h) @ 5700rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price as tested: $34,290 including a Yamaha 70hp longshaft (20”) four-stroke outboard, deluxe Oceanic single-axle braked trailer (with alloy wheels  spare wheel and plastic guards), Lowrance HDS7 GPS/fish finder, VHF radio, clip-in carpet, Sant Marine cutting board, Lonestar drum anchor winch, bimini with rocket launcher, blue hull sides, dual batteries, rear anchor holder, inshore safety kit for five adults, and boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $29,999 including a Yamaha 50hp longshaft (20”) two-stroke outboard, Oceanic single-axle trailer (with galvanised steel wheels and guards, no brakes), inshore safety kit for five adults, and boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 4.98m
Hull length: 4.6m
Beam: 2.0m
Hull weight: 400kg
Towing weight: Approx 700kg
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Bottom alloy: 3.0mm
Topsides alloy: 3.0mm
Maximum power: 90hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 70hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 60 litres
Maximum Persons: Five

Supplied by:
Stefan Boating World
Phone: (07) 5665 8400
Email: email@stefanboatingworld.com.au
Website: www.stefanboatingworld.com.au