Pioneer 180 Sportfish

OVERVIEW
- Pioneer's great finish and fit-out attracting plenty of interest
South Carolina's Pioneer Boats is a small, family-owned US manufacturer of mainly centre-console boats from 5.4m through to 6.7m. Available locally for a few years, the Pioneers are just now hitting their straps and becoming increasingly popular with Aussie boaters and fishermen.

Quality of finish and fit-out and an emphasis on safety are key features of Pioneer boats. These foam-filled craft (to Level Flotation standard) are virtually unsinkable and the examples that we have laid eyes on have been very well finished with high quality fittings and fixtures used throughout.

Pioneer boats are manufactured without any timber (so no rot) and the underfloor fibreglass stringers are bonded to the hull in a grid configuration using a special technique to maximise strength.

Pioneer's "Reverse Cap Deck Adhesion Process" sees the deck of its boats affixed to the hull while the hull is still in the mould – a technique claimed to provide a more secure and more water-tight bond.

There are about ten models in the Pioneer boat range. Most are fishing oriented models, including the subject of this report, the 180 Sportfish centre console.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Good price, great value
Providing good value for money is the secret to success in the boating game these days and Pioneer are certainly stepping up to the plate, so to speak, in this regard.

Pioneer's Gold Coast dealer, Nitro Marine, has the 180 Sportfish centre console on offer for $45,630 – and this includes a super smooth four-stroke Mercury 100hp long-shaft  (20") outboard and single-axle Dunbier braked trailer with 14-inch machined alloy wheels.

Also included in this price you'll find boat and trailer registrations, an inshore safety gear pack for five people, dual 720cca batteries (in console with dual battery switch), 12/24 volt electric trolling motor plug, Tanglewood beige/brown solid hull colour, pop-up cleats, saltwater wash-down kit, bow cushion, flush-fitted console tackle box, and side-deck rod rack inserts.

The above features are listed as options on the US website for Pioneer Boats, but Nitro Marine includes them in its standard boat package for locally sold models.

Other standard features include a seven-year hull warranty, 45-litre live-bait tank, self-draining cockpit, 500gph auto bilge pump, hydraulic steering, fish box, forward removable ice box and cushion, four rod holders, cup holders, navigation and courtesy lights, compass, S/S destroyer style steering wheel and a reversible bench style helm seat.

Options available, but not fitted include a Fusion sound system, bow casting chair, trailer spare wheel and bracket, boarding platforms, anodised aluminium framed T-Top, and a full boat cover.

The T-Top is a $3800 option that we suspect most people will add to the standard package as it will provide sun shelter, extra rod storage and can be used as a base for mounting radio aerials and overhead lighting, etc.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Plenty of move-about room, seating and storage
The 180 Sportfish has an interior layout that will suit both family boaters and fishermen. At the bow there is a large, elevated casting deck (roughly 900mm long x 1.45m wide) with a deep storage locker underneath.

This elevated foredeck area is covered with a full width, clip-on vinyl upholstered cushion to create a comfy bow seat/lounge area.

Surrounding the forward deck are very wide, foam-filled coamings, while the anchor locker (with hatch) is located on the prow and easily accessed.

The anchor well is of a reasonable size, but the opening to the well is small and designed to accept a sand anchor lowered vertically into it.

There is no bowsprit and therefore no means of keeping the anchor in a ready-to-drop position.

A removable polyethylene ice box is strapped neatly to the floor in front of the helm console – and will cater for your cool drink needs. The box has a matching cushioned seat top providing additional bow seating.

The helm console is a broad unit, but there is still plenty of space either side to walk back and forth to the bow.

The console is topped by a perspex windscreen and has a side door on the port side leading to a spacious safety gear storage locker – and the two onboard batteries and battery master switch.

On the front face or wall of the console you'll find flush-fitted tackle storage drawers – a very handy feature for anglers.

There is no option for a glove box – which is a little disappointing given there is no shelving or side pockets in which to place your keys, mobile phone, etc.

On the dash there are two standard drink holders. At a pinch you could keep your keys and phone here, but it is not very secure and they would be likely to bounce out when running in heavy chop.

The fascia has plenty of space for engine gauges and a flush-fitted GPS/fish finder, while bracket-mounted electronic gear can be secured to the top of the dash, alongside the included marine compass.

The stainless steel “destroyer” style steering wheel is offset to the port side with the binnacle-mounted throttle alongside it. The port side positioning of both means the skipper runs the boat from the port side, leaving space to starboard for the co-pilot.

This helm arrangement is opposite to most Aussie boat helm set-ups – but is actually very practical because it enables the throttle box to be kept on the right hand side of the steering wheel.

The helm chair is a bench style unit mounted over a stainless steel frame. The back-rest is reversible so the crew can turn and face aft while fishing.

The seat frame is also designed so that you could squeeze a storage box or bait bin of some kind beneath it – and keep it clear of the rear cockpit.

The side coamings in the 180 Sportfish taper in width from the bow to the stern. They are very wide at the bow, but then narrow toward the stern – though they are still wide enough for installing additional rod holders – over and above the four that come standard.

Under the gunwales, recessed into the side decks, the 180 Sportfish has rod rack inserts – which will cater mainly for light-weight threadlines and baitcasting outfits.

We believe most people will want additional rod storage and will spend the extra $3800 for the anodised alloy overhead T-Top – which has a built-in rocket launcher.

The alternative would be to affix vertical racks to the sides of the helm console – though this will impose on the walkway space.

The stern and rear cockpit layout is a compromise between the needs of the fisherman and the family boater. There is sufficient deck space behind the helm chairs for a pair of anglers, but the low cockpit freeboard and moulded transom corner jump seats make it difficult to fish directly over the stern of the boat.

On a positive note there is an excellent 45-litre live-bait tank under the port side corner seat, with storage space under the seat on the starboard side.

ON THE WATER
- A brisk performer with great stability and easy handling
The Pioneer 180 Sportfish is designed for bay work with forays to a dozen or so miles offshore. To that end, the hull has a shallow to moderate 15 degree deadrise to maximise stability and fuel economy – both of which are excellent.

Ride comfort has not suffered all that much with the reduced vee shape because the entry at the bow of the hull is still very fine – so it cleaves through short chop very well.

To be honest, had we not known that the transom vee angle was just 15 degrees, we would not have picked it. The test rig felt like a deeper vee because the ride was pretty comfortable through most of the test.

As noted, the test rig was also very stable and easy to handle. The Baystar hydraulic steering worked a treat, and the hull could be thrown about with abandon.

With regard to performance the Mercury EFI 100hp four-stroke was well matched to the hull. The test rig accelerated strongly from displacement speeds and pushed through to a tops speed of 34 knots – which is about perfect for this style of boat.

If you intend fishing with a crew of three or four people – or want to ski behind the boat – you might consider a bit more power, but we can't envisage a situation where you would need the maximum recommended power of 140hp.

VERDICT
- A well priced, quality built coastal fishing package
The Pioneer 180 Sportfish is best described as a great all-rounder. The interior layout will suit bay, coastal and impoundment fishermen, and there is plenty of seating and features for family boating.

The hull is very safe, very seaworthy, easy to handle, and light-weight so it will be a breeze to tow behind a family car. Combine these features with the excellent build quality, great fit and finish, and keen package price, and you've got a first class family fishing boat. 

LIKES
- Good stability
- Economical hull shape
- Quality finish
- Easy handling
- Foam-filled and self-draining
- Keen pricing
- Compact, light, easy to tow

NOT SO MUCH
- Low freeboard in rear cockpit
- Narrow anchor locker opening
- No glove box or side pockets
- No helm grab rails

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.6/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.5/5.0
On the water performance: 4.6/5.0
Value for money: 4.8/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

PERFORMANCE
2.9kts (5km/h) @ 1500rpm
4.1kts (8km/h) @ 2000rpm
5.8kts (11km/h)@ 2500rpm
7.5kts (14km/h) @ 3000rpm
15.2kts (28km/h) @ 3500rpm
19.4kts (36km/h) @ 4000rpm
22.7kts (42km/h) @ 4500rpm
26.9kts (50km/h) @ 5000rpm
31.2kts (58km/h) @ 5500rpm
34.0kts (63km/h) @ 5900rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price: $45,630 including Mercury 100hp EFI four-stroke long-shaft (20") outboard with Mercury analogue engine gauges, Dunbier single axle braked trailer with 14" alloy wheels, Tanglewood hull colour, dual battery upgrade with master switch, boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety kit for five people.
Length: 5.44m
Beam: 2.31m
Hull weight: 500kg
Towing weight: Approx 1300kg
Deadrise: 15 degrees
Draft: 280mm
Maximum power: 140hp
Engine as tested: Mercury 100hp EFI four-stroke
Fuel: 136 litres
Maximum Persons: Six

Supplied by:
Nitro Marine
Phone: (07) 5532 5812.
Email: sales@nitromarine.com.au
Website: www.nitromarine.com.au