Mustang M43

With the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show looming, the greatly expanded on-water display areas will soon be gobbled up by new arrivals on the Australian boating scene. While the large trailerboat market has seen some impressive expansion, new models and developments in big boats has really hit full throttle and a new range of Mustang cruisers are among the most impressive.

INTERIOR LIVING
Most manufacturers have vied for as many markets as possible to maximise their sales and Mustang is no different.

The roomy forward stateroom of Mustang's M43 features an island double bed with step-up access from each side. A surrounding shelf against the hull liner, which can be reached while lying on the bed, acts as good storage for personal items. A half-height wardrobe with a pair of drawers below is situated near each bottom corner of the bed and under the foot of the bed is a large double-latched drawer. A very large ventilation hatch is installed directly over the bed, while a spread of mirrors at the bedhead adds to the sense of space.

Access to the head is in the aft port corner of the stateroom. The head has a flexible shower rose and plenty of room to bend over and use the hand basin. A moulded seat allows you to sit down to wash up should you be in rolling seas..

There is also head access from a portside door off the short companionway, which runs midships.

 The starboard cabin is fitted with a wide double bunk. A short wardrobe and set of drawers at one end of the berths should hold enough clothing for a week away. On the floor, under an overhanging wall, a raised box opens to reveal more storage space..

The staircase leading down from the saloon lifts up to give access to plumbing and wiring. With some bulkheads to prevent containers sliding around this would be a good place to stow provisions for an extended trip.

At the top of the staircase a polished timber bulkhead with a flat top extends well back to the hardened glass windscreen for the usual magazines and charts we tend to have scattered about. The corners of the opening to the staircase in this bulkhead are sharp, though, and with no grabrails nearby travelling from the head and berths in bumpy seas will potentially be dangerous. This needs addressing.

There is plenty of space for lounging around in the saloon. The port side of the saloon features a polished table that converts to a double bed. Six adults could comfortably sit at this table and the L-shaped starboard lounge would seat four. It, too, converts into a double berth.

A unit in the aft end of the saloon hides the bar, which has secure bottle storage. Below this unit there's a set of drawers where you can rack up wine glasses and champagne flutes. There is also an icemaker and a fridge/freezer.

 The wraparound galley on the opposite side has an imitation granite bench and wooden fascias. There's a dishwasher and a rubbish bin beneath a lid flush in the bench. The cooker has a large and small element under a glass top, but because there isn't a safety rail you will have to settle for microwave food when cooking on the run..

Double glass doors exit onto the cockpit deck. The step, which will prevent deck wash from entering the saloon, provides access to the engines.

The engine room is spacious enough to allow for an adult of average size to squat down in. The strainers are right at the entrance so can be viewed without having to climb down inside. The Kohler generator is installed in the aft port corner and easily accessed. A companionway with an aluminium checker-plate deck leads forward for access to the belts and pulleys at the forward end. The battery bank is bolted down on the starboard side of the room and access to those should be done only when the engines are cool.

Each engine sits above its own sump and access to the gearbox, shafts and seals is excellent.

FISHING FROM THE DECK
An external icebox is installed to port under the ladder to the bridge. A Eutectic freezer is fitted on the other side of the saloon entrance. A lockable compartment against the saloon bulkhead opens into a deep void, in which rigged game rods could be stored upright. A rod rack could be installed here to prevent them from banging together. This section is drainable externally.

Tackle drawers are installed in the face of both steps leading to the forward walkway.

 While a purposed-built baitrigging station is not available as an option, other than the standard cutting board under the fold-back transom coaming, there is enough flat space in this area to put one together to suit personal needs.

Sidepockets in the cockpit liner are hidden behind flush-fitting hatches. Short gaffs and boat hooks could be installed in these areas.

The transom bulkhead features a couple of compartments that could serve as livebait wells or storage for wet-weather gear. Another in the port corner opens to a freshwater sink and extendable, flexible hose.

A wide door in the starboard corner opens under a fold-back coaming to allow access onto a marlin board that won't suit many fishermen because it extends too far aft. The fishing line will rub against the back of the board, eventually cutting off fish that are straight down.

The transom door will handle a 1000lb marlin, so the board would be obsolete anyway. Besides, one that size will impede heavy handling of the boat astern when backing down.

The nylon baitboard has a gutter and drain, making it an ideal place to prepare messy baits. Hot and cold freshwater outlets (with hose) are installed on the inside of the aperture for the access door. Should the marlin board remain, you will be able to utilise a telescopic fold-down ladder rebated into the marlin board and hidden under a hatch in the timber inlay.

 The kill tank of about 150lt is drainable to the outside of the boat via its own port.

LIFE UP TOP
The ladder to the flybridge makes for easy climbing, and leads to an aperture in the flybridge deck. The aperture has a rubber-sealed stained glass hatch, so the skipper can see who's coming and going. There are plenty of grabrails surrounding this hatch.

The helm chair is central to a large console, while the passenger chair is to starboard. In terms of electronics, the M43 comes with Furuno's NavNet VX2 system running C-Map cartography, controls for the Maxwell anchor winch, bowthrusters and the Furuno Nav Pilot autopilot.

The hardtop over the flybridge features a number of grabrails so you can move around easily in a rolling sea. A canvas shade off the back of the flybridge deck has a set of clears inserted so the skipper can see the aft corners when backing into a dock.

Plush seating on the bridge makes for a smart party area. That seating has storage below and could sleep a couple more bodies and, if thirsty, you won't need to track downstairs; there's a refrigerator installed in the side of the helm console. The air conditioning compressor is installed in the compartment at the front of the flybridge and there is further dry storage here for other gear.

 Coastal storms kept us in the Broadwater for this test but there was still plenty of big waves and chop to contend with, which it did with minimal fuss. It remained very dry on the super structure. The Mustang is very responsive on the throttle and has more than enough power, offering brilliant holeshot. It was also very responsive and direct on the throttle when backing down, but the marlin board bulldozed a lot of water. The manufacturers say marlin boards on future models will be located 50mm higher up the transom.

A 2120rpm cruise at 18.6kts will consume 60lt/h per engine. A 2200rpm fast cruise at 23kts will consume 63.5lt/h per engine, while a 2670rpm top speed of 29.9kts will consume 105lt/h per engine.


HIGHS