Plane Torque

Stacer has been dabbling in the inboard market for some time now and continues to make “behind closed doors” improvements. Well, some at least; others are more noticeable. The latest 549 Sportster offering retains a few traits of old while subtle modifications are to be found elsewhere. This boat is an update on the Sportster 539.

Of note is the alteration to the bow entry on the keel line, which is now sharper, producing a deeper vee. While this makes for a smoother ride when cutting through chop, the chines from the forequarters aft to the stern have been flattened to provide better stability at rest compared to earlier models. Coupled with the inboard engine’s low centre of gravity, these changes produce a flat-hull attitude when turning hard.

The topside retains gunwales with a wide profile along their length. While this might look a little old fashioned, it helps you with boarding or alighting from the craft when pulled up on a beach. The forward bowrails, while short, have been trimmed back to the forequarters to further aid people traffic over the bow.

The enginebox is quite snug around the motor although access to the belts and pulleys would be a little tight without unscrewing the box from the floor. A fence either side, fixed to the deck forward of the box, provides stowage back to the transom.

The top sunlounge lifts up on hinges and gas struts. Whether by accident or design, it provides a good backrest for those sitting on the transom and dangling their feet in the water. It also provides the perfect wind break when sitting at anchor and fishing off the transom.

The boarding platform also runs full beam and gives a certain amount of protection to the Alpha leg, which is armed with a 19in three-blade aluminium prop. A telescopic fold-down board ladder is situated here, while a standard tow-eye for skiers or boarders sits midway on the transom.

The swivelling helm and passenger seats have a rocking backrest for kicking back and relaxing or to help the ski observer stay on the ball.

A carpeted gate opens below the split-windscreen to access the bowriding area which is large enough to comfortably take three people, or four in a squeeze. There’s stowage in boxes under the plush upholstery and an optional false deck-infill can be deployed over the hatches to convert the bowriding area into a forward casting platform when the cushion bases are removed.

Typically of Stacer, this boat has had plenty of rotomould treatment. The passenger dash insert, as well as that at the helm, is nicely moulded. The bilgepump compartment and the anchorwell are also rotomould-lined. In the deck between the two main seats, running along the keel line, is a full length ski locker that’ll hold heaps of rope and skis. It’s also bunged to drain to the bilge for washing.

Throughout the Sportster’s internals you’ll notice smooth, curved lines in contrast with the hull which, but for heavy pressings in the aft hull sides, is squarish. This is an “aluminium thing” derived from a manufacturing processes in which the materials have to be bent rather than rolled, and the result might not appeal to everyone. It does give the Sportster a “classic” look though, which is not a bad thing at all.

While it needs full trim-in on the leg to avoid cavitation on tight turns, it has plenty of grunt out of the hole. On the throttle during turns, you’ll see why people like inboards in play boats. Torque, and lots of it up and down the rev range, keeps you on the plane in tight corners when pulling wakeboards and skiers — and as far as stability goes, it sits like a brick. 

Stacer 549 Sportster