Mustang 1750 Tournament

A boat for all seasons

It has been said that if you don't like the weather in Melbourne just hang around for 20 minutes and it'll change.

Well, that was certainly true on the day we did the boat test on the Mustang 1750 Tournament. The forecast was for showers clearing and variable winds to 20 knots from the sou'west. Melbourne's weather is definitely changeable and Port Phillip Bay can go from virtually flat to quite choppy in a matter of minutes. It's a place that commands respect when boating, and a keen eye on the weather is necessary for a successful and safe day out. You also need a good, seaworthy boat with a bit of shelter if you want to do your boating year-round.

Our day dawned with the afore-mentioned showers and as I drove to the headquarters of Aussie Boat Sales in Williamstown where we were to pick up the Mustang, I was on the phone to our photographer Stu' Grant to check if he'd brought his jacket and was prepared to dodge the showers that I knew we'd run into at some stage of the day.

While Melbourne's weather can be fickle, it makes for a great place to test boats as all conditions can be experienced in one day, as this proved.

VALUE AND VERSATILE
The Mustang 1750 is marketed as an entry-level (read affordable) fishing boat that can also be used for skiing, or just as a runabout.

Our test boat had been optioned up as a fishing rig with bimini and clears, rocket launchers, snapper racks, a baitboard and split bowrail with anchor holder. There was also a sounder and marine radio. A sensible package for all-weather fishing and a package that I noted was full of good-quality stainless steel gear that looked as though it would stand the test of time - and Port Phillip.

The 1750 was also optioned with the two-tone hull that gives the boat a more sporty and classy look. The two-tone theme of blue and white is also carried through to the cushions in the cockpit and cabin which really lifts the visual appeal of the boat as a family runabout rather than just a purpose-built fisher.

Stepping aboard, I also noted that the test boat was fitted with the all-weather carpet option that can be clipped out for fishing excursions or for cleaning but which further enhanced the family aspects of the boat.

The cockpit of the 1750 is big enough for two or three blokes to fish. There are storage racks along the sides of the cockpit which are padded and have room under to get your feet into. There's also a split-folding padded lounge aft which can be completely folded for fishing or half folded for access via the transom-mounted swim ladder.

Also aft are two self-draining storage lockers that can be plumbed as livebait tanks or simply filled with ice to keep your drinks cold.

Up front, there are two pedestal seats for the skipper and co-pilot both of which swivel and slide. There are footrests for both and room enough for the skipper to stand if that's his preference. Either sitting or standing there's a good view all round through the wraparound screen and clears. Our test boat had two zip-down panels for flow-through ventilation, both of which stayed firmly zipped up for our test.

The passengers all get sturdy grabrails - two built into the coamings in the cockpit and one for the navigator next to the pedestal seat.

I also noticed that the mooring cleats aft were of a good quality and size, and the forward bollard was also a strong unit for mooring or anchoring.

Power was supplied by Honda with a 90hp four-stroke on the back (more on that later) which comes with gauges for speed, revs, trim, volts and fuel.

Speaking of fuel, our 1750 was fitted with the optional 140lt polyethylene fuel tank which is a straight replacement for the 90lt underfloor tank that comes standard.

The bigger tank doesn't encroach on the underfloor storage and is a handy box to tick if you're planning any offshore adventures.

Inside, you'll find a roomy cuddy cabin with a deep footwell so that you sit comfortably in there for a sandwich out of the weather if need be. There are storage racks on both sides and further storage under the bunks. I noted the storage bin covers were thinly-painted marine ply which could have done with a bit more attention to ensure longevity - something I'd attend to if I owned one. Forward is a large hatch for access to the anchor well. The anchor well itself is a separate affair with drainage and there's a little bowsprit with a roller fairlead for the anchor.

ON THE WATER
As the Mustang was already in the water when we got there, it was simply a matter of starting her up and casting off. The Honda kicked over as soon as I hit the key and idled smoothly away from the marina.

The new 90hp Honda is a lovely motor. It positively bristles with acronyms as most motors do these days, but the Honda's are kind of familiar.

Like the company's car motors, the 90 boasts Honda's VTEC variable valve timing which uses low cam lobes to operate the intake valves at low rpm and engages higher cam lobes for high revs. This increases the efficiency of the engine across the rev range. This is combined with Honda's BLAST technology (or boosted low-speed torque if you prefer) which is designed to create an explosive hole shot to get you up on the plane sooner.

The 90 is based on the 1.5lt, SOHC, 16-valve engine from the Honda Jazz compact car. The engine's multi-port programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) is said to provide top fuel economy in a very lightweight (163kg) package.

I have to give it to Honda, the 90 does get the Mustang 1750 up and running remarkably quickly. In fact it caught me by surprise once when I gunned the engine from a standing start. It's a quiet engine, as all modern four-strokes are, and is smooth in its power delivery across the rev range.

The 1750 is a well-behaved boat, it has a 21-degree deadrise that cuts through the Melbourne chop efficiently and smoothly. It also has largish chines that mean it's fairly stable at rest. I flung it into some tight turns at speed and didn't dig in or spin out. I did note a bit of cavitation as I powered on through the turns but nothing serious. As the breeze picked up, so did the chop and I found that driven sensibly, the 1750 handled it well both into slop and with it.

Although the 1750 Tournament is rated to take a 115hp as its maximum engine, I'd doubt you'd need to go that far unless you were planning to run with the maximum six persons on board.

As the rain kicked in, I kept nice and cozy under my bimini and clears protected from the weather as I zoomed around with my photographer shadowing me in a bowrider. Lucky he brought his jacket. The setup of the Mustang meant I was protected from all conditions and I was having a ball. Stuart didn't look so happy and waved me over to tell me he had sufficient shots and was heading back to the marina.

I found a nice cruise of around 22mph indicated at 3500rpm was comfortable and no doubt economical, while a quicker cruise at 4000rpm brought an indicated 28mph. Top speed was 40mph at 5500rpm on flat water with a bit of trim out on the Honda.

Overall, I enjoyed the day out on the Mustang 1750 Tournament, it's a well thought-out boat that boasts quality hardware. It's a forgiving handler and is dry in the rough stuff while still offering a sporty feeling for gadding about with the family.

As set up for fishing you'd be confident that it would get you there and back with a minimum of fuss and at an economic price.

As tested, the boat came in at around $42,000 with a Mackay trailer and all the fruit, but if you got the more basic boat you could get out of it for around low-to-mid 30s which is pretty good shopping for an all-rounder of this size.