Pioneer 197 Islander

Hailing from South Carolina, USA is the impressive Pioneer 197 Islander centre console. This well equipped, versatile family fishing boat is a great performer and boasts key safety features like a self-draining cockpit and foam-filled hull.

OVERVIEW
- A premium quality trailerboat range from America
Pioneer Boats is a small, family owned fibreglass boat building company based in South Carolina, USA. The brand enjoys a very good reputation in its home country, and Pioneer boats are considered a class or two above the average, mass produced models from the leading manufacturers.

The Pioneer boat range encompasses around a dozen models between 5.43m and 6.73m and with centre console and bow rider (or twin-console) configurations.

The smaller boats are aimed at bay and flats fishermen, but the bigger models suit coastal and offshore fishing – though like many US imports, the Pioneers do not have as much cockpit freeboard as we are accustomed to in Australia.

Pioneer boats have been available locally for several years but remain relatively unknown – at least compared with some of the mainstream US brands. Once word gets out about the quality of finish and fit-out of these boats, we suspect the profile of this brand will rise.

As noted, centre consoles make up the bulk of the Pioneer boat range. Models include the Bay Sport 175 and 220, and the Sportfish 175, 197 and 220.

New for 2014 is a centre console built around the 197 or 6.04m hull, called the Islander 197. Where the Sportfish models are intended as full-on fishing boats, the new Islander centre console targets the family fisher – with more seating, provision for a chemical toilet, and a wider helm console and windscreen for better weather protection.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A great value, well equipped twenty-footer
The Pioneer 197 Islander is priced from $56,724 from Gold Coast dealer Nitro Marine. The package comes with a Mercury 150hp extra longshaft (25”) Optimax two-stroke outboard, Dunbier tandem-axle braked trailer, boat and trailer registrations and inshore safety gear for five people.

The list of standard features is extensive and includes Sea Star hydraulic steering with stainless-steel steering wheel, self-draining cockpit, padded coaming bolsters encircling the cockpit, stainless-steel deck hardware (including pop-up cleats, drink holders, and four rod holders), recessed forward coaming grab rails, bow seat cushion, moulded rear seating with cushion set, helmsman lean-seat with ice box, live-bait tank, insulated fish box, and a 500 g/ph automatic bilge pump.

Factory options fitted to the test rig include the Steel Blue gelcoat colour (white is standard), the impressive anodised aluminium T-Top with canvas cover, rocket launcher and spreader light, 12/24-volt electric trolling motor plug, salt-water deck wash, pop-up fender holders, dual batteries with isolator switch, and a boarding platform and ladder.

The test rig also received a motor upgrade in the form of Mercury’s 3.0-litre 150hp extra longshaft four-stroke outboard with Mercury Smartcraft digital gauges and Mercury’s Vessel View engine management system.

Electronics on the test rig included a Simrad NSS7 touch screen GPS/depth sounder (with Australia wide C-Map chart card and 50-200 kHz transducer) along with a Lowrance SonicHub audio system, and an NMEA 2000 T-connector for connection of addition network devices.

The various options lift the package price of the 197 Islander to $67,600 – which represents great value for a 6.0m boat. Add a VHF marine radio and you’re ready to fish.

HULL AND DECK
- Innovative construction for maximum hull strength and safety
Pioneer Boats are manufactured using the highest grade products and materials. There is no wood used in the build process so the boats will last a very long time – so long in fact that Pioneer offer a life-time structural warranty to original purchasers and a seven-year transferable warranty.

High grade closed-cell foam is pressure injected into all vacant cavities within each boat to fill 90 per cent of the vacant air space between the hull and deck. This exceeds US Coast Guard flotation requirements and ensures the boats are unsinkable and feel solid and quiet underway.

Under the floor of each Pioneer a fibreglass stringer grid is bonded to the hull using a special process designed for maximum strength and adhesion, while the cockpit floor and transom has a PVC composite core material for strength, rigidity and reduced weight.

Pioneer also uses what the company calls a 'Reverse Cap Deck Adhesion Process' to join the hull to the deck. This involves bonding the deck to the hull while the hull is still in the mould. According to Pioneer, this technique gives each boat a water-tight, permanent bond and ensures all hulls are "true to form and will not separate".

Add to this the use of only the finest fittings and fixtures throughout, and you’ve got one beautifully crafted product.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Design and seating suits family boating and fishing
Americans love their centre console and walkaround boats and most are designed to a standard layout which has bow and stern seating areas which can be converted into fishing platforms. The Islander 197 is no different.

Up forward, the Islander has a single-piece, hard-wearing vinyl cushion over an elevated fishing platform. Underneath is a very large, moulded dry storage locker.

The anchor well is up at the pointy end as you would expect, but there is no bowsprit for keeping the anchor in a ready-to-drop position.

The anchor well also has a narrow opening and looks to be designed exclusively for a Danforth style sand anchor to be dropped vertically into it with chain and rope underneath.

The centre console in the Islander is quite a wide unit, noticeably bigger than that fitted to Pioneer’s Sportfish series. This allows two adults to perch on the helm lean-seat, and provides for a portable toilet to be fitted inside or underneath the console, accessed via a door on the port side.

The test rig did not have the portable loo fitted, but it is available as an option.

In addition to the engine and instrument wiring, covered by a neat canvas flap, the head compartment also houses the battery – or batteries in the case of the test boat.

Above decks, the helm console has ample space for electronics and engine gauges, along with the switch panel, compass, drink holders, stainless steel steering wheel (with suicide knob) and binnacle-mount Mercury throttle box.

We did note the absence of any kind of glove box or shelf to place keys, phones, etc., so you will need to look elsewhere to stow these items.

Finding somewhere to stow ready-to-hand fishing gear (nets, gloves, tackle trays, etc.,) will also be problematic as there are no cockpit side pockets. Instead you’ll find a horizontal rod storage rack under the coamings, alongside the helm console.

These racks provide stowage for four small rod/reel outfits, and compliment the vertical rod-rack behind the lean seat and the rocket launcher above the T-Top.

While fishermen may take issue with the absence of side pockets most will love the padded coaming bolsters and the excellent stainless steel tow-rails – both of which will make it easier and safer to stand and fish from the cockpit sides in rough weather.

In the stern of the Islander 197 there is comfortable, padded seating stretching the full width of the boat. The cushions are removable to reveal a small, plumbed live-bait tank on the port side and a fish box/ice box to starboard.

The backrest in the centre part of the seat is hinged so that it can be folded forward to make space for the outboard’s powerhead when it is tilted up.

This stern layout (with moulded seating in the corners) is not great for fishing, but keep in mind the Islander is the family fisher in the Pioneer console range. The 197 Sportfish is the die-hard fishing model.

Other features in and around the cockpit include the scupper drains in the floor, super-wide side coamings, a bilge access hatch in the outboard well, drink holders, pop-up stern cleats, and an external boarding platform with ladder.

ON THE WATER
- Excellent stability and performance from moderate vee hull
The Islander 197 has a conventional vee hull with an 18 degree vee at the transom, and a fine entry forward. This combination provides excellent stability, safe, dry following-sea performance, and a level of ride comfort that is better than you might expect from a moderate vee hull.

In choppy waters on the Gold Coast we found the ride to be quite comfortable. There were no rattles, shakes or vibrations underway as the in-hull foam flotation does much to dampen hull noise.

At rest, the Islander is very stable – and this is probably the stand-out feature of its on-water performance, along with the excellent hydraulic steering.

The Islander 197 is rated for outboards between 135hp and 175hp. Our middle range 150hp Mercury EFI four-stroke (an excellent motor) felt the perfect fit, achieving a top speed of 37 knots with plenty of low and mid range acceleration.

Feeding the smooth running Mercury is a substantial underfloor fuel supply of 275 litres – which will have the Islander running easily all day.

VERDICT
- A safe, versatile open boat for families and fishermen
The Pioneer 197 Islander is a welcome addition to the Aussie market. This versatile family fishing open boat has a great standard of finish and fit-out, excellent build quality, and a very safe, solid performing hull.

We’d happily recommend the Islander as a family day boat, social ski rig and as a coastal fishing boat.

LIKES
>> Great finish
>> Excellent handling and stability
>> Premium quality construction
>> Positive foam flotation
>> Toe-rails along cockpit floor
>> Padded coaming bolsters
>> Provision for chemical toilet in console
>> Rod storage for around a dozen outfits

NOT SO MUCH
>> Moulded rear seating impedes fishing over the stern
>> Low freeboard at transom
>> No bait cutting board
>> Narrow anchor locker opening
>> No bowsprit or bow roller

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

PERFORMANCE
6.7kts (12km/h) @ 1500rpm
7.3kts (13km/h) @ 2000rpm
11.0kts (20km/h) @ 2500rpm
19.4kts (36km/h) @ 3000rpm
23.3kts (43km/h) @ 3500rpm
27.2kts (50km/h) @ 4000rpm
30.7kts (57km/h) @ 4500rpm
35.1kts (65km/h) @ 5000rpm
37.1kts (69km/h) @ 5400rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price: $67,600 including Mercury 150hp EFI extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard with Mercury Smartcraft digital gauges and Vessel View engine management system, Dunbier tandem axle braked trailer, Steel Blue topsides colour, anodized alloy T-Top, pop-up fender holders, swim platform, trolling motor plug, dual battery upgrade with master switch, wash-down pump kit, Simrad NSS7 touch screen colour GPS/sounder combination (with Australia wide C-Map GPS card and 50-200kHz transducer) Lowrance SonicHub audio system with server, Ipod/USB dock and 6.5” speakers, fuel filter kit, NMEA 2000 T-connector, boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety kit for five people.

Priced from: $56,724 with 150hp Mercury Optimax DFI two-stroke, Dunbier tandem axle braked trailer, boat and trailer registrations, and an inshore safety kit for five people,
Length: 6.04m
Beam: 2.5m
Hull weight: 860kg
Towing weight: Approx 1650kg
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Draft: 330mm
Maximum power: 175hp
Engine as tested: Mercury 150hp XL EFI four-stroke
Fuel: 275 litres
Maximum Persons: Eight