Reflex Chianti 635: Review

Reflex is a long-standing New Zealand boat builder with a popular range of fibreglass trailerboats up to 6.4m. The Reflex Chianti range is now available in Australia through Stefan Boating World on the Gold Coast. We spent some time in the 635 half cabin model and came away impressed with the boat’s handling, performance, layout and value for money.

OVERVIEW
- A newcomer with pedigree
Few Aussie boaters will be familiar with Reflex Boats, yet several models from this established New Zealand boat manufacturer have been available in Australia before, albeit marketed as Haines Travellers and built by the Haines Group in Brisbane.

Reflex and the Haines Group have enjoyed a cross-Tasman working relationship stretching back to 1987 when a deal was signed allowing Reflex to manufacture selected Signature models in New Zealand and to sell them alongside its own Reflex brand. The agreement between the two companies also gave the Haines Group access to Reflex designed hulls, and it was these Reflex designs that formed the basis for the subsequent Haines Traveller range which the Haines Group introduced during the 1990s.

When the Haines Group stopped production of the Travellers a few years back, the door opened for Reflex boats to be sold in Australia in their own right. The Gold Coast’s Stefan Boating World has now picked up the local distribution rights and the full range of Reflex Chianti models are now available – from the entry 450R runabout to the flagship 6.4m Reef Runner.

Our test rig is the Chianti 635 half cabin. It sits one below the Reef Runner model in the line-up but is built around what is essentially the same hull, but with a traditional half cabin layout instead of the Reef Runner’s walkaround cabin.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A budget beater with lots of kit
While prices are rising on many of the U.S. imported craft now hitting our shores due to the lower Aussie dollar, pricing for craft from across the Tasman has remained relatively stable in recent years – and in fact there are some real bargains to be found. The new Reflex 635 is a prime example. At Stefan Boating World on the Gold Coast package prices for the 635 start at just $49,999 with a Yamaha 115hp four-stroke outboard and quality tandem axle (locally made) Oceanic trailer.

Less than $50k is a remarkably low price for a 20-foot half cabin – and we are not talking about a back-to-basics, trimmed out boat here. The 635 comes standard with plenty of accessories and equipment – including a big open plan, two-berth cabin, seating for five people, cockpit carpet throughout, lots of above and below floor storage space, underfloor foam flotation (to Basic Standard), rod holders and under-gunwale rod racks, bait bin with cutting board lid, padded cockpit side bolsters and side storage pockets, bimini top, stainless steel rocket launcher, boarding ladder and ski pole, hydraulic steering, dual batteries, and a five-year structural warranty.

The Chianti 635 is a bit of a looker too. The proven 20-degree deep vee hull is topped with a sleek looking cabin deck structure and curved windscreen – although the standard screen is acrylic, not glass.

There were no options fitted to the test boat, but it was upgraded with a Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft (25”) outboard, and deluxe model Oceanic trailer fitted with alloy wheels, spare wheel and carrier, and plastic guards.

The upgrades lift the package price to $54,999 – but that is still an absolute bargain for a big 6.0m trailerboat. Budget another $3K or so for electronics and you will be ready to hit the water.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- A big twenty footer
For its designated model length the Reflex Chianti 635 is a big boat with a lot of space inside. It feels more spacious and roomy than many competitor craft and this is due largely to the extra wide 2.5m beam – which allows for a lot more width and open space in the cockpit.

The open-plan cabin is also extra roomy and the vinyl upholstered cabin berths are super-sized at 2.12m long with a maximum individual width of 690mm. Fit the optional infill cushion and you have one very large double bed.

There are moulded storage lockers under the berths, extra wide cabin side pockets, and provision for an optional chemical toilet to be fitted in the centre, between the berths, underneath the wide cabin/foredeck access hatch.

The ceiling and cabin surrounds are neatly carpet lined and a clip-on canvas cover conceals the wiring behind the helm.

On the foredeck, easily accessed via the cabin hatch, is a good sized anchor well, with cleat, bow sprit, bow roller and split S/S bow rail.

An anchor winch is available as an option.

Under the floor of the cabin is a long, shallow locker. A much deeper, even bigger locker/kill tank is situated slight further aft, under the cockpit floor and between the helm seats.

Moving to the helm area we find a traditional pedestal mounted chair for the skipper with a back-to-back style seat box set-up for the forward passenger. Both work very well. The helm chair is height adjustable, swivels 360 degrees and slides fore and aft for maximum comfort.

There is also a forward bolster on the seat which flips up and back out of the way so you can stand and drive the boat without being cramped up against the front of the chair.

Your overall vision from the helm position is excellent although there is some distortion when you look through the screen due to the curvature of the single acrylic windscreen pane.

The all-over windscreen grab rail is another welcome and standard inclusion.

The helm setup uses a side-mount throttle box, well placed and angled sports steering wheel, and ample room on the fascia for instruments and a medium-sized flush-fitted fish/finder/GPS combination unit – though there were no electronics fitted to the test rig.

The forward passenger seat box – with forward and aft facing seats – is practical in that it provides extra seating and additional storage. The storage area is accessed by pulling the front section of the box forward (see photo).

We understand this standard seat box can be exchanged for an optional version which incorporates a cooker/stove and sink with water tank.

The rear cockpit layout is designed mainly for family boating, but it will work well enough in fishing applications. We particularly like the bolt-on stainless steel framed padded cockpit side bolsters. You can lean comfortably against these bolsters with your feet tucked securely under the above floor side storage pockets.

Between the side pockets and the padded bolsters is a horizontal rod storage rack, while the surrounds are neatly carpet lined.

The cockpit itself is large. There is over 2.2m from the cabin area to the transom, and around 1.8m from behind the pedestal helm chair.

General cockpit features and equipment includes two drink holders, four rod holders, ski pole, removable rear quarter seats, a battery master switch, access to the bilge and bilge pump under the outboard well, moulded rear boarding platforms with optional ladder, and a bait box in the centre of the transom.

We would have preferred a larger bait box as it could then have been rigged as a live-bait tank. Similarly, we were not happy with the position of the batteries on the floor under the starboard side quarter seat. They need to be moved away so you can walk fully into the transom corner when fishing over the transom.

ON THE WATER
- Excellent trim range, great ride, sporty performance
The hull beneath the Reflex Chianti 635 is a beauty. The 20 degree deadrise deep vee hull offers a comfortable ride with excellent stability at rest, along with sporty handling and performance.

More impressive though is the Chianti’s excellent trim range. The boat loves to run bow high with the outboard trimmed out and the hull skimming along on its keel – at which point it is quick and economical.

Encounter some heavy chop and you can trim the engine and the bow well down so the sharp bow entry shape can slice through the oncoming waves. A bit of negative trim also keeps the hull rock solid through high speed slalom turns.

With the Yamaha 150hp four-stroke on the transom, the Chianti 635 is great fun to drive too – accelerating quickly from low rpm into the mid range, and through to a top speed of 40 knots at 6000 rpm.

You can order the Chianti 635 with a smaller 115hp Yamaha four-stroke, and this will save you a few bucks – but we would recommend 130hp as a minimum. Yamaha’s new F130A four-stroke might well be the perfect power unit for this craft, and may provide the best combination of performance vs purchase price and economy.

VERDICT
- An excellent family all-rounder and a bargain buy
When it comes to 6.0m fibreglass cuddies and half cabins buyers are spoilt for choice. There is no shortage of them, and the boats on offer range from sparsely outfitted Chinese imports through to high quality, high end local craft costing close to $100K. That you can buy such a well-equipped boat such as this Reflex Chianti for $50K to $60K (depending on options) is remarkable.

The Reflex Chianti 635 is a ripper boat and an excellent buy. If you’re in the market for a versatile 6.0m family/fishing half cabin you need to give this one serious consideration.

LIKES
>> Good hull
>> Excellent helm position
>> Wide trim range
>> Sharp price
>> Padded coaming bolsters
>> Provision for toilet but needs privacy curtain.
>> Strong performance from Yamaha 150hp

NOT SO MUCH
>> Batteries on floor under rear quarter seat
>> Transom design works but is a little dated
>> Could do with a larger bait box/live well

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.7/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.6/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.7/5.0
On the water performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.9/5.0
X-factor: 4.5/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
5.7kts (10.5km/h) @ 1500rpm
6.6kts (12.2km/h) @ 2000rpm
9.5kts (117.7km/h) @ 2500rpm
15.8kts (29.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
20.1kts (37.2km/h) @ 3500rpm
25.8kts (47.8.1km/h) @ 4000rpm
30.0kts (55.5km/h) @ 4500rpm
32.9kts (60.86km/h) @ 5000rpm
35.5kts (65.7km/h) @ 5500rpm
40.0kts (74.0km/h) @ 6000rpm (WOT)

Specifications:
Price as tested: $54,999 including a Yamaha 150hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard, deluxe Oceanic tandem axle braked trailer (with alloy wheels, spare wheel and plastic guards), inshore safety kit for six adults, and boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $49,999 including a Yamaha 115hp extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard, Oceanic tandem axle braked trailer (with galvanised steel wheels), inshore safety kit for six adults, and boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 6.15m
Beam: 2.5m
Hull weight: 950kg
Towing weight: Approx 1700kg
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Maximum power: 200hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 150hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 180 litres
Maximum Persons: Six

Supplied by:
Stefan Boating World
Phone: (07) 5665 8400
Email: email@stefanboatingworld.com.au
Website: www.stefanboatingworld.com.au