Ocean Max Offshore 21SC

In 2010 Ocean Max Marine launched its first boat, a centre console sport fisherman called the Ocean Max Offshore 24. This big, locally-designed trailerboat received wide acclaim for its excellent handling, performance and build quality.

I tested the big console craft soon after its debut, and found the performance, finish and fit-out to be the equal of the best of imported craft, but with an interior layout suited to Australian conditions.

Following the success of the Offshore 24, Ocean Max has now released a less hardcore, more family-friendly half cabin model called the Offshore 21 Sports Cabin. The new boat is built with the same attention to detail as its predecessor, but in a smaller, more affordable package.

There are plenty of standard features too -- including a 330-litre fuel tank, closed-cell foam underfloor (to achieve basic flotation standard) lock-up cabin with forward vee berth, recessed and fold-away rear lounge seat, Seastar hydraulic steering, live bait tank, twin underfloor kill tanks, 316 grade stainless steel hardware, and more. Check the Ocean Max website for the full list of features.

As you would expect, a number of options are available for the Offshore 21SC, and nearly all of these were fitted to the test boat -- including the more powerful, 225hp V6 Suzuki four-stroke.

Other options included the stainless steel targa and rocket launcher, bimini with front and side clear covers, electric flush toilet with holding tank, electric anchor winch, freshwater shower (with 100-litre bladder tank), saltwater deck wash, boarding ladder and transom door.

With the above options, the Offshore 21SC packages up at $94,500 -- and that’s pretty good value for a full-featured 21 footer.

The test boat was set up mainly for fishing, but for family day boating and over-nighting you can order the boat with the helm chairs mounted above fibreglass storage boxes with galley facilities. Ocean Max has one box or seat pod with a built-in ice box and another that has an ice box, sink and cooker.

Under the floor, between the helm seats, is a spacious storage locker.

At floor level, on each side, So-Pac hatches open to reveal large storage lockers that are ideal for stowing life jackets and other safety equipment.

Drink holders adorn the dash on each side of the cabin entryway.

The instrument panel and facia, a one-piece mould, has plenty of space for electronics and engine gauges. The test boat was fitted with a VHF radio, flush-fitted Garmin GPS Map 750S sounder/plotter, Garmin digital engine instrumentation, and a compass.

The binnacle-mount throttle box is handily placed on a platform alongside the stainless steel steering wheel.

The helm chair was not fitted with a fore and aft slider, but the ergonomics of the helm are such that it is not really necessary; the boat was quite comfortable to drive while seated and standing.

The windscreen on the 21SC looks great, but is not quite high enough to fully shield you from wind and spray -- and this makes the bimini and clears a must-have option.

I also found the absence of any grab rails around the helm a strange omission, given the attention to detail elsewhere.

The lock-up cabin, accessed via a fibreglass bi-fold door and clear perspex hatch, is large and well appointed. The ceiling, wiring cover and cabin sides are lined in carpet, while the berths are upholstered with a patterned cloth.

There is sufficient headroom with 880mm of space over the main part of each berth, and you can stretch out for a nap easily enough as the berths are 1.95m long.

The test boat was fitted with the optional full-flush toilet between the berths, under the centre berth cushion.

Cabin storage areas include the carpet-upholstered side pockets and five smallish, but useful underberth lockers.

Overhead there is a hatch in the ceiling for ventilation. A youngster could squeeze out through the hatch and reach the foredeck, but it is too small for an adult.

Future models will be available with a full size cabin hatch so you can access the foredeck without having to climb around the cabin sides.

The anchor well in the 21SC is massive and can be accessed via two deck hatches.

The test boat was fitted with the optional electric winch and had a big plough anchor mounted permanently on the bowsprit. With this excellent setup, the anchor can be raised and lowered at the flick of a switch at the helm.

The rear cockpit in the Ocean Max 21SC is stepped down from the helm area. A two inch (or so) high lip separating the two areas gave me some grief as I tripped over it more than once during the test. I expect I would get used to it after using the boat for a while.

Otherwise the cockpit design and layout is excellent, particularly for anglers. The cockpit is deep, with full-height freeboard (minimum of 680mm) all the way around the transom.

The excellent padded coaming bolsters are standard, and the side pockets are elevated off the floor so you can use them as toe-rails.

Under the floor, on each side, is a metre-long kill tank to keep your catch fresh. Each tank self-fills and self-drains via a tube stretching underfloor and out through the transom. A bung in each of the kill tanks is removed to allow seawater to flood in or out.

I was very impressed with the clever design of the transom wall. A bench seat built into the wall folds out into the cockpit. The seat and the wall panel behind it also folds down (and can be removed) to provide access to the batteries and bilge area.

The Ocean Max does not have a proper self-draining cockpit, but it does have scuppers in the transom corners to drain water into the bilge -- where it can be removed with the bilge pump.

Other excellent features include the optional saltwater deck wash, and a good-sized live bait tank/icebox on the port side of the transom. Opposite is a transom door with tackle drawers underneath.

Deck hardware includes 316 grade stainless pop-up cleats, and four rod holders.

The test boat was fitted with Suzuki’s highly regarded 225hp V6 and this was more than enough power for this boat. Top speed was just over 40knots and the boat accelerated strongly from idle right up through the rpm range.

Entry level packages are available with power down to 150hp, but that would be the absolute bare minimum. I would recommend a 200hp motor for best all-round performance.

Ocean Max has taken a different route to achieve a similar outcome. The Offshore 21SC has no planing strakes whatsoever, and the vee angle at the stern is modest at around 16-17 degrees -- much less than most competitor hulls. The result is quite a remarkable level of stability at rest; it is absolutely rock solid.

Great stability in a monohull can often come at the expense of ride comfort -- but I was surprised at how well the Ocean Max was able to ride through the chop. It was better than I had expected and this is due to the fine entry at the bow and the absence of the aforementioned planing strakes.

Strakes or running planks are flat, horizontal surfaces which will tend to firm up a boat’s ride. Without them, the full vee cutting shape can work to best effect -- and this was evident in the ride and performance of the Ocean Max.

Offshore, in pretty dreadful conditions, the Ocean Max performed well. It is not the driest boat in this size category, but it handles and rides well, and I could not fault it when running before the sea.

Families will enjoy the Offshore 21SC for its roomy, deluxe upholstered cabin, optional toilet, and multiple storage areas. Fishermen will love the design of the cockpit with its high freeboard, padded coaming bolsters and array of fishing features.

Priced from: $79,900 with 150hp Suzuki four-stroke and Oceanic tilt alloy trailer.
Length overall: 6.3m
Beam: 2.5m
Draft: 400mm
Hull weight: 1,300kg
Towing weight: Approx. 2,200kg
Deadrise: 16 degrees (variable)
Maximum power: 250hp
Engine as tested: Suzuki 225hp V6 four-stroke
Fuel: 330 litres
Maximum Persons: Six