Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC 2024 Review

Overview

Oceanworx launched just two years ago, but this relative newcomer has already made an impact with its tough, high tensile plate alloy boats, along with its full-featured, sharply priced line-up of lightweight pressed alloy models.

We tested one of each recently, the Oceanworx Axcess 5.3CC and the Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC, so here’s our take on the mid-range pressed alloy open centre console boat, the Squadron 4.8CC.

The Squadron 4.8CC is one of 10 pressed alloy boats in the Oceanworx range. The others include the 4.3OP and 4.5OP tiller-steer models, the 4.3SC, 4.5SC, 4.8SC and 5.2SC side console boats, the 4.5CC, 4.8CC and 5.2CC centre consoles, and a new twin console/bowrider hybrid called the 5.2FX.

Our 4.8CC test boat is marketed as the “sit-down” centre console model as it is fitted with an optional bucket helm chair over a Roswell Marine seat suspension mounting base instead of a regular two-person helm seat box.

This single helm chair layout won’t suit everyone, but it works a treat if you fish single-handed or rarely have more than two people onboard.

Our test boat was also fitted with the maximum-rated outboard engine, a 90hp Mercury longshaft mounted to a traditional outboard engine splash well instead of the half pods/hull extensions commonly fitted to rival brands.

Oceanworx does not skimp on the fittings, features or fit-out. The Squadron 4.8 Centre Console is positively bursting with good standard gear and equipment; there's even a fish finder/GPS in the form of a Lowrance Hook Reveal 9.

Other notable standard features (as well as the usual stuff) include a transverse, plumbed live fish keeper well beneath the front casting deck; bow mount electric trolling motor plate; plumbed transom live bait tank; full carpet throughout; paint inside and out; four welded alloy rod holders; carpeted (front and back) hatch lids; and stern cleats.

Packaged with a 60hp Mercury outboard engine and a Dunbier single-axle galvanised steel trailer, the Squadron 4.8CC is well priced at $44,900 via Tweed Heads-based Oceanworx dealer, Missing at Sea.

With the larger 90hp Mercury, along with a Lowrance HDS12 fish finder/GPS upgrade, the Squadron package price rises to $61,990.

The higher package price also buys you the “sit-down” bucket helm seat setup complete with a Roswell Ride suspension seat base, as well as an anchorwell hatch lid; console rod rack; console grab rails; Roswell stereo; four splash well vertical rod holders; the MotorGuide Xi5 Pinpoint 12-volt 55lb thrust electric trolling motor; under gunwale lights; and an elevated stern casting deck.

Standard boats have the deep middle cockpit area extended back to the transom, and an outboard splash well to provide more depth/freeboard for coastal offshore fishing.  

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC has a centreline hull length of 4.8 metres and an overall length of 5.1 metres. The latter includes a small bowsprit and the welded rear portside boarding step.

Across the beam, the Squadron is 2.2 metres wide, while internally there is 1.78 metres of usable space between the 160mm-wide side coamings.

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC has a 3.0mm pressed alloy hull bottom and transom, along with smooth 3.0mm topsides with a single pressing above the wide, slightly reversed angled chines.

A welded chine extension/spray rail runs from the stem back to amidships to deflect water and spray away from the boat.

Internally the Squadron has a carpeted timber floor above an underfloor bracing structure which includes a full-length internal keel along with transverse bulkheads and welded vertical ribs/bracing struts at regular intervals to support the alloy sheet topsides.

The hull has a sharp entry shape at the bow, stretching aft to a modest transom deadrise of around 15 or 16 degrees. With this conservative hull shape, the Squadron achieves a nice balance between ride comfort while underway, and stability at rest.

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC has a dry hull weight of about 450kg. Rigged on a single-axle Dunbier Centreline trailer with the 90hp Mercury, the complete package should weigh about 950kg.

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC has a traditional inshore/offshore centre console layout with an elevated front casting deck forward of a 680mm-deep centre cockpit area with a double-wide centre console helm positioned amidships.

Our test boat was optioned with a short aft casting deck, but standard boats have the deep cockpit extended all the way aft.

The front deck is 1.34 metres long with a maximum width of 1.85 metres. This is large enough for it to incorporate several storage bins, as well as an excellent plumbed live fish well straight out of the factory.

The forward-most casting deck storage compartment is both deep and wide to cater for safety gear, dry clothing, and other items.

The front storage compartment was also optioned with a welded mounting bracket/platform to take the 12-volt deep-cycle battery needed to run the optional Motorguide electric trolling motor.

The trolling motor is mounted on a plate off the port side bow, alongside a decent-sized anchor well optioned with a sturdy "stand-on" hatch lid.

There is about 400mm of floor space between the elevated front deck and the alloy helm console so you can circle around the console to easily remove rod/reel outfits from the optional vertical console rod rack. 

The console itself is wide, and tall enough to provide some wind shelter for a seated skipper, so a windshield is not really required. That said, there is an acrylic windscreen option if you are set on having one.

With the "sit-down" console/seating configuration, the helm layout is designed to have just the skipper seated or standing behind the helm and centre-mounted steering wheel.

When the optional console side grab rails are fitted, you can stand two people side by side, but it won't be comfortable for a long stretch out to the fishing grounds.

The Roswell Marine Ride seat suspension base works well in smoothing out the bumps, but I personally would opt for the regular two-person wide helm seat box.

As well as the optional grab handles, the console has a full-width gear storage shelf and a two-tier fascia to accommodate the central steering wheel, throttle box, engine gauges and switches.

The upper fascia panel is enormous, large enough for two mid-sized 9.0-inch multifunction screens, or one very large one.

Our test rig was optioned with a flush-fitted Lowrance HDS12, but there is panel space for a much larger unit, and overhead dash space for bracket-mounted gear.

Behind the helm console is 1.84 metres of floor space back to the optional elevated (by 375mm) transom fishing deck.

The overall floor length between the two raised platforms is about 2.6 metres by 2.02 metres wide across the carpeted floor.

Elevated cockpit side pockets stretch aft from amidships, beneath the 160mm-wide side coamings.

The rear fishing deck is quite short, but it wraps around the outboard engine splash well so you can stand and fish from a heightened position in each of the transom corners.

Having raised front and rear decks is ideal for inshore/impoundment fishing, but I would probably opt for a full-depth cockpit for coastal offshore fishing.

Other features here include the port side plumbed live bait tank; starboard side storage bin; four optional vertical outboard well rod holders; bilge/engine battery access hatch; stern cleats; carry/drag handles; transom transducer plates; and a port side transom boarding step.

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC has high topsides and a deep cockpit to make it well-suited and safe enough for a mix of inshore and coastal offshore fishing.

The hull is designed for this purpose, being quite stable at rest, but with enough vee angle up at the bow to smooth out the ride through the chop.

That said, the test rig is still a small boat at just 4.8 metres long, so you do need to throttle back when the conditions get lumpy when running offshore.

In general, however, the Squadron 4.8CC is seaworthy and safe underway, and responsive to trim and throttle application.

With two people standing aft, behind the helm console, the test rig does feel slightly stern down, but this isn't an issue underway as you can tuck the nose into the waves using the engine trim.

This slightly stern-heavy running attitude is also welcome when running before the sea as the hull surfs easily down the waves with the engine set at mid-trim.

Our test boat was rigged with a 90hp Mercury 90hp outboard engine, the maximum rating for this 4.8-metre Squadron boat package.

The Squadron will work decently well with a smaller 60hp or 75hp outboard engine, but I would opt for the larger motor for the extra grunt.

With the 90hp Mercury the test rig was quick to plane and to accelerate through to a top speed of 34.3 knots; that's ample pace for a 4.8-metre inshore/offshore tinnie.

The boat/engine combination was most economical when cruising at 3500rpm for a boat speed of 19.6 knots and a fuel burn of 13.3L/h. This translates into a maximum theoretical range on the 80-litre fuel tank of around 112nm.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 80L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 112.0nm

The Oceanworx Squadron 4.8 Centre console is a terrific inshore/offshore allrounder, combining a full-featured interior fit-out with a seaworthy, durable, lightweight alloy hull.

The Squadron 4.8CC is also very good value, with ready-to-fish package prices starting from just $44,900 with a 60hp Mercury outboard engine, and including the awesome plumbed live fish well.

Specifications
Model: Oceanworx Squadron 4.8CC
Length overall: 5.1m
Hull length: 4.8m
Beam: 2.2m/1.78m (internal)
Weight: 450kg (est, hull only)
Weight on trailer: 950kg (est)
Alloy: 3mm (topside/bottom/transom)
Engine: 60hp (min)/75hp/90hp (max)
Engine as tested: 90hp Mercury four-stroke long-shaft (20-inch)
Fuel: 80L
Passengers: 5

Priced from: $44,900 including a 60hp Mercury longshaft (20-inch) outboard engine with mechanical steering; plumbed live fish well; Dunbier Centreline galvanised steel single-axle braked trailer

Price as tested: $61,990 including upgrade to 90hp Mercury outboard engine; Roswell Marine Ride seat suspension system; Roswell stereo; Lowrance HDS12 fishfinder/GPS plotter; MotorGuide Xi5 Pinpoint 12-volt 55lb thrust electric trolling motor; anchor well hatch lid; console rod rack; console grab rails; under gunwale lights; 4x splash well vertical rod holders; elevated stern casting deck

Supplied by: Missing at Sea