Precision 58

They’ve still got it,” commented my partner as the brace of familiar boats steamed for Lizard Island after a long day of gamefishing on the Great Barrier Reef, each carving a purposeful swath across the Coral Sea, white wake trailing astern, their high bows parting the ocean. In particular, she was referring to two Precision 65s, Jo Jo and Brilliant Company. The latter I tested some five years ago.

Despite plenty of water under their flybridges, the Precisions still cut it amongst the current crop of big gamefishing boats. They look as good off Cairns each as they do beside the bevy of luxury live-aboard boats that are tied to Marine Mirage during the off-season. And they will hold their own at big-city ports further south, too.

But their timeless quality, which you won’t find on many production boats built for the short term, isn’t confined to those powerful hull lines. There is also something enduring about their engineering, like the especially robust deck hardware. In fact, Precision 58 No. 2, tested here, had a lot of long-term attributes for extended live-aboard boating.

To begin with, the living area on this 58 is amazingly generous, gaining 200mm of internal beam in the saloon over the 65 due, apparently, to the wiring being ducted below decks or further outboard in the new hull knuckle just under the rub rail. Surprisingly, there was also something grand but timeless about the interior by way of cream, buff and beige soft furnishings. The deft touches are courtesy of interior boat designers Sheets Ahoy, while the faultless leather upholstery is the work of the best local artisans that Precision could find.

So Precisions still have what it takes to get noticed. If not due to physical attributes, then the customer interest is borne out of the fact that these are semi-custom boats with hulls built to survey and, should you desire, the necessary bilge manifold and other bits and bobs could be retrofitted so the boat could be put in charter.

Either way, all the key elements – seaworthiness, tankage, speed and range – are geared around offshore boating. And while there is nothing groundbreaking in respect of design, this is a highly evolved boat with tried-and-proven fittings and systems. Think of it as a good, strong, honest Australian cruiser that will rise above the pack now and in the long run.

BUILDING BLOCKS
Founded in the west some decades ago, Precision headed east about five years back when it was made by AMDAC near Newcastle before moving to the Gold Coast, where the yard now employs about 20 people. It is not, at this stage, as it once was, a high-volume production boat builder, but instead it concentrates on making just a few boats each year. The 48 and 53 haven’t been released yet, but the 58 tested here is heading to Mackay and the 65, as mentioned, has been on the water for some time. The 58 hull, which was tank tested in Launceston, I’m told, is identical to that of the 17m, of which some 30 were built from the early 80s.

Phil Curran designed the hull for crayboat fishing in the west and now a keel is an integral inclusion, as is the knuckle under the gunwale, and prop tunnels to reduce shaft angles from 14 degrees to 10 degrees.

 The test boat was swinging big props, 32 x 41-inch Teignbridge five-bladers and 3.5-inch survey-standard shafts for optimum cruising efficiency, and further research and development went into the rudders compared with 58 No. 1. The result is a more lively and agile boat. The lay-up remains constant with all solid GRP below the waterline with balsa-cored sides and foam-cored decks, longitudinal glass-encapsulated foam stringers. The great engineering is the result of long-term employees renowned for as much.

Because it is a semi-custom boat builder, there are interior options on the 58: internal staircase; open flybridge; bunks instead of an island double bed in the bow; aft galley; and five different engine packages from the standard 1015hp C18 Caterpillars seen here to 1500hp MTUs for a projected near 40kt ride. Given the price advantage, Precisions with the big horsepower may well excite American buyers.

But as tested with C18s and enclosed bridge, and survey-compliant ladder from the cockpit, 58 No. 2 was a comfortable combination for serious coastal cruising and, should the bug bite, big gamefishing. If you want a tower, no worries, the flybridge has been designed to take one, thus no tower legs need to be fixed on deck. The boat would also accommodate outriggers, a game chair and davit, with support structures built into the boat.

There’s external engine room access under the step to the saloon and the huge engine bay has a full gelcoat finish, watertight bulkheads, with the C18 Cats spaced far apart for optimum manoeuvrability. The boat’s made to carry two generators and a desalinator. The 3000W Mastervolt invertor can run the fridges, entertainment systems, lights and cooking amenities for eight hours. The Cats’ alternators were upgraded, I’m told, to 110-amp models, and all the boat’s wiring is colour-coded and numbered.

I noted double Racor fuel filters for each motor, dripless shaft seals, enclosed sea strainers for the Cats, and a 17.5kVa Onan generator with gas-water splitter for the boat’s air-con and everything else that’s AC-powered. The boat had a 14.5hp bowthruster, 75lt hot-water service, 850lts of water in a polyethylene tank, a decent 500lt holding tank (push-button empty) and a single 5000lt alloy fuel tank with remote shut-offs.

The Precision engine-ventilation system comprises two big fans with air/water separators to ensure the motors breathe clean air. Sound insulation helped keep running noise in check and there are bilge, fuel, blackwater and fire alarm systems. There’s not a lot else to say other than it’s a serviceable boat with seriously good engineering to go the distance.

OUTDOOR LIVING
The 58 has an Aussie-sized cockpit, with room to swing a game chair or numerous deck chairs, an outward-opening marlin door that doubles as a thoroughfare to the optional teak-slatted boarding platform, with heavy-duty swim ladder and hot/cold shower. There are fresh and salt water deck washes, 24V DC systems and courtesy lights, thick teak decks, sidepockets for gaff storage, hawse pipes and over-engineered cleats.

Such is the freeboard and low centre of gravity of the 58 that the cockpit feels really safe and well removed from the ocean, which should appeal to mums and anglers, though it is a long reach to the water. Livebait and kill tanks are optional, but the portside amenities centre with Corian cutting board, sink, storage and garbo are standard.

Gamefishers might specify more bait storage and freezer space, but for cruising the 150lt top-loading 24V fridge/freezer is fine and there is a second cockpit fridge for drinks. With the lids closed the amenities centre works as casual seating, as does the moulded storage area below the flybridge ladder.

Underfloor in the lazarette was a lot of weight by way of fuel, eight low-maintenance 200-amp house batteries, and the water tank, with limited room leftover for stowing water toys, dive gear, crab traps, etc. Knowing the potential for leaking hatches, I’m not keen on having batteries below cockpits. But at least the separate engine-start batteries were back in the watertight engine room. A nice high step to the saloon should also ensure it remains dry even when the cockpit is awash.

The side decks were backed by considerate rails and one of the strongest and sturdy bowrails I’ve tested. Deck cleats and fairleads are seriously big, you get a heavy-duty Muir windlass, stainless steel rub rail, and 70m of 10mm chain linked to a 45kg anchor. The bowsprit with teak trim and stainless steel roller are the icing on the cake, providing scope to sit and do drinks. Foredeck space is such that you can carry a decent jet RIB or tinnie. Fenders, mooring lines and impressive owner’s manuals, kept in a locker in the bridge, are all part of the standard package.

BRIDGE CLIMB
The climb to the enclosed bridge is easy. The air-con doubles as a demister and there is, of course, reverse-cycle mode for winter. There is also an impressive 2.1m of headroom, yet the hardtop doesn’t look top heavy. The forward-mounted central Navigator helm seat can be replaced with twin chairs, while the U-shaped crew lounge for four to port in cream leather converts to a skipper’s double.

The dash has been designed to house 15-inch screens, with four-station intercom, CCTV to the engine room and cockpit, and separate sound system with CD player. There was a spotlight, wipers with washers around the armour-plate glass windscreen, Bennett trim tabs and 24V bowthruster, Caterpillar electronic engine-monitoring panels, electronic shifts, chart locker and a lovely Edson cast-alloy wheel. The boat’s main control panel and 24V breakers were on the bridge beside the skipper, plus I noted a red night light for long passages, and wet bar with fridge and sink.

The Victorian ash floor with beech inlay matches the light and bright beech cabinetry throughout the boat. Good views extended forward across the bow to the horizon, while double aft doors opened to the big aft deck with room for a table and chairs. A three-person lounge is built-in here and the rails are nice and high for safety. A plug-in remote and yours truly proved capable of taking command of the boat when fishing - I didn’t put too much water aboard in reverse – and would be handy when berthing. Indoors and outdoors, this is a great bridge, especially for cruising couples in the twin helm seat option.

INDOOR LIVING
The tremendous width of the saloon and ceiling height defies this craft’s 58 specification and, being on the one level, the galley, separate dining opposite, saloon and entertainment area act as one big lounging/entertaining/living space. Practicality echoes in the timber floor with removable carpet runner, privacy is gained by dropping the white blinds and the high-gloss beech joinery that sparkling under the 24V lights provided some chic.

There are seating options, but I liked the L-shaped lounge/daybed to port with views out the aft window and loose coffee table, both opposite the entertainment centre with 100cm LCD television and dry bar with wine and glass storage and icemaker. Floor space was seriously big for cocktail parties and it made moving through the boa a snap. A ceiling grabrail would be handy, however.

I judged the dinette to be capable of sitting four or six with loose chairs and it would be ideal for serving buffet lunches. A neat touch: the table retracts at the push of a button to improve the thoroughfare, which will be appreciated by caterers, cooks and crew charged with feeding the troops from the galley. Traced by expansive Corian counters with fiddle rails, the portside galley is a gem. Amenities range from top-loading 90lt freezer and two sub-counter 150lt fridges to a drawer-type dishwasher, 1.5 sinks and a spread of Miele appliances including convection microwave, four-burner hob and extractor fan. There was a concealed garbage bin, intercom, four 240V outlets for appliances, storage for cutlery and crockery, and a pullout pantry and spice rack. Open the floor hatch and you can jump down into a massive hold ideal for stowing long-term provisions, with room to mount more fridges and freezers, tools and so on. Nothing out of the ordinary, but again all very well executed.

EXECUTIVE RETREAT
Four steps concealing the washer/dryer lead to the high-volume accommodation plan. The day head immediately to starboard is handy to the living areas. It also services the two guest cabins, but the preference is for a VIP guest’s ensuite these days. As far as I could see the 58 hasn’t that option.

That said, the three-cabin/two-head layout has some architectural highlights, such as the owner’s cabin to port being amidships, away from the chines, with a plush island double bed, dresser area, lined hanging locker and opening portlight. And the two bathrooms, with travertine floor, Tecma loos, groovy fittings, extractor fans and hatches, and huge shower stalls, don’t hold back on luxury.

The owner’s bed was dressed with a metallic gold bedspread and stylish fabric bedhead reminiscent of that in an upmarket hotel, the VIP guest’s queen-size bed in the bow had a trick brown and metallic blue spread and suede headboard, while the starboard cabin with bunks looked no less smart. I found opening hanging lockers and drawers, rummaged around under the floor, and looked closely at the vinyl soft-touch headliners. Whereupon I must conclude that the 58 is an extremely well-made boat with great attention to detail in both engineering and finish departments. All that was left was the drive...

PERFECT QUEESLAND
Steering is hydraulic power-assisted with just three turns lock-to-lock, giving off-the-wheel handling and the hull, with deadwood keel, was predictable in the meek sea. But even on Lake Pacific the boat had a sense of purpose, as though it belonged at sea where it will rise head and shoulders above the production-made pack after years of long-range cruising. With full fuel and water we were down 40-60rpm from top revs, but 2260rpm still gave a fast top speed of 33.4kts. I am told you can expect 36kts with half fuel, so even with the base motors 58 No. 2 was a sprinter. Quick out of the blocks, the boat went from stop to full noise in 14 seconds.

Though speed isn’t so obvious in an enclosed flybridge, I did notice how smooth and quiet the cruise was at 2000rpm and 28.8kts, where the Cats use 300lt per hour for a 430-plus nautical mile safe cruising range from the useable 4500lt supply. At 80 per cent load and 1900rpm, the boat did 25-26kts for 270lt/h and a 450-nautical mile safe range. Had I a spare few million then this is where my mind is presently at. Here, then Hamilton Island, Hinchinbrook and back to Lizard Island.

HIGHS

LOWS