Razerline Eclipse Runabout 5.3

Some years ago, TrailerBoat ventured west to test a number of boats, one of which was the 4.7 Eclipse from Razerline. It was one of the more comfortable rigs we had tested in that size and it went well in the waters it was originally designed to traverse. That is, short sharp chop of the type that the coast along the southern parts of Western Australia experiences.

The 4.7 is still part of the Razerline line-up, produced by Seaquest, and there have been many additions to its stable since then. The 5.3, the subject of this test, is one of them.

Measuring 2.3m across the beam, the amount of available cockpit space will be welcomed by those trying to get a couple of different functions out of the one boat. It will easily fish a family of four and, although tested with an 80hp engine, with its recommended maximum horsepower of 115 bolted on the back this rig would really fly. Skiing and boarding for the family is well within the realm of possibilities with this relatively small rig.

SENSIBLE DESIGN
The helm setup features a split dash with access to and through the perspex windscreen via a rebate in the dash. With the screen opened, you find yourself right over the ground tackle and anchor well, making for easy hauling and deployment. A neat tray at the back of this rebate is handy for putting gear in when running around at speed to prevent it sliding off the dash onto the deck. The wraparound windscreen sweeps back close to the helm seat, providing plenty of protection for those behind it.

Seating was on swivel, nylon framed padded seats that were mounted on stowage boxes fixed to the deck. These boxes, opened from behind, were a suitable distance from the wheel, but because the seating was fixed swivel rather than on a forward rearward slide, one could not rest back in the seat and steer comfortably. A slide system of the helm seat should be standard rather than optional. The helm dash and the dash in front of the passenger are supported by a post to the deck. It has a cross rung that makes up the foot rest and, behind this, crates of safety and fishing gear could be stowed.

 Sidepockets run along the back two-thirds of the cockpit to the aft corners of the hull and the transom bulkhead is filled in on the front, offering dry stowage via a vertical hatch in its face. The crank battery is fixed in place inside.

A walkthrough transom is featured on the port side, secured by a smart heavy-duty perspex door fixed with stainless steel hinges. It opens out onto a full marlin board that features a ‘Western Australian’ boarding ladder. We have given the ladder that title because WA boatbuilders know what their customers want in this department. Vertical ladders with thin round rungs play havoc with the insteps of the feet when boarding loaded with dive tanks, weights and wet suits. It is just too hard! What we found on the Razerline is a ladder that is angled, has very wide foot treads, and plenty of them, therefore making boarding a lot easier. The handrails used when boarding are suitably heavy-duty.

The test boat was fitted with a collapsible canopy that could be easily removed by undoing a couple of stainless steel wing nuts. Your elbows will often strike the wing nuts when manoeuvring this boat over rough water, so an alternative should be investigated.

PERFORMANCE
With its 80hp Yamaha four-stroke motor, this rig is just 5hp over the recommended minimum, but performed admirably even though the tacho revved out to only 5100rpm. A re-prop would lead to better performance throughout its range, from hole-shot to top-end speed.

 The engine ran smoothly and handled plenty of trim out before ventilation of the propeller occurred. The mechanical steering was easy at a variety of trim levels and top speed was in the vicinity of 62km/h.

The Eclipse performed well in the chop at the front of Hillarys Boat Harbour. Typically of any runabout, with the helm well forward of where the boat rocks on the water surface (longitudinal centre of gravity) some of the ride was bumpy when the boat was pushed hard into it, more so than if it were a centre or rear console design. That’s part of life when you decide on maximum cockpit space in a small and economical boat. You can always slow the boat to handle the chop but you can not always readily find a fatter wallet for the next best option!

This boat will well suit those happy to cruise around estuaries and lakes in plenty of comfort with plenty of space for company.

HIGHS