Robalo launches in Aus
National launch of new breed of quality U.S. fishing and crossover boatsThe local importer of the popular Chaparral pleasure boats has launched the Robalo brand Down Under.
Robalo is a boat manufacturer with a 44-year history of building quality fishing boats for the U.S. and world markets. The company was taken over by Chaparral 12 years ago to broaden its range. Previously, it was owned by the mighty Bruswick Corporation.
According to new Robalo importer, Scott O’Hare from Chaparral Australia: "Buck Pegg (the founder of Chaparral) is a keen blue-water fisherman and wanted to have a range of more fishing-oriented boats to complement the Chaparrals, so he bought Robalo."
The Robalo range consists of around 13 boats from 18 to 30 feet in three different configurations. Within the line-up are centre-console boats, walkaround/cabin boats and dual-purpose, dual-console bowriders. All boats feature a high level of standard equipment for fishing and recreational activities.
At a national launch this week in the picturesque Victorian coastal town of Port Albert, Chaparral Australia showed off a selection of the new Robalo boats.
The impressive lineup consisted of two centre-console boats, the R180 (18’4”) and R200 (20’7”), two crossover bowriders, R227 (21’6”) and R247 (24’0”) and the big R265 (26’1”) walkaround/cabin sportfisher that boasted a pair of Honda 250hp four-strokes.
Mr O’Hare said at the launch that the whole range of Robalo boats will be available to the Australian boating public through the existing local Chaparral-dealer network.
Initially, the Robalo range will be offered with Honda four-stroke outboards (both single and twin setups on the larger boats), but Mr O’Hare said that other engines were available ex-factory.
At the launch, we were able to put the Robalos through their paces over two days both inshore and offshore and came back mighty impressed.
The boats’ handling and ride were first rate, as were the level of fit and finish, and standard equipment -- including toilets on all boats, heaps of sensible storage, stainless-steel and alloy fabrication, and the obvious Chaparral DNA and attention to detail that the company has become known for.
Watch in the near future for full tests of the Robalo range starting with the R227 bowrider/crossover next week.
For more information phone Chaparral Australia on (03) 9397 6977 or go to www.robalo.com
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