Robalo R160 Centre Console: Fishing Boat Review

Good things come in small packages. Take this new R160, one of Robalo’s latest 2017 models, which aims to broaden the brand’s base. Small enough to perform the role of saltwater crossover fishing boat, and with real bluewater potential, this 16 footer could well take over from where the old Haines Hunter 445F left off.

OVERVIEW
- The smallest boat in Robalo’s made-for-fishing range
I’ve spent a lot of time offshore in small trailerboats. I’ve fished the Eastern Seaboard, and in competitions, often heading wider than the rest of the fleet. I’ve owned tinnies and a Seafarer V-Sea and spent many years venturing east in Haines Hunters including the classic 445F centre console.

It is against this backdrop that I jumped aboard the newly released Robalo R160, the smallest centre console from the American sportfisher brand and, in fact, the smallest boat in the combined 47-strong fleet offered by parent company Chaparral and its Robalo marque.

In a parallel world of bigger and bigger centre consoles, powered by racks of high output outboards, with engines up to 400hp and even beyond, you have to wonder what the thinking is behind this modest R160. For this little boat bucks today's trend to bigger fishboats.

The intent is clear — to get more people into the so-called Robalo Nation or family — and with a rig starting price of about $45k driveaway, this little centre console has sway. It was that price ticket that helped propel me to Williamstown on Port Phillip Bay on a day when others were calling it too wild and woolly for boat testing. With a 51-year-history, Robalo (and Chaparral) build serious saltwater boats. I was keen to put that heritage to the test.

Along with an interesting hull design, the R160 has positive foam flotation so it remains level and upright in the event of swamping. There’s a self-draining cockpit (with a sub-90hp outboard), Kevlar in the lay-up, and a composite transom just like the company’s big centre consoles and walkarounds, which now range up to 30-feet and, yes, run racks of outboards.

But even on this modest R160, you can see the beefed up stainless-steel deck gear, find loads of clever storage initiatives, and tap into a range of hardcore fishing features, at least in the option’s list. Our test boat had some key upgrades for this very purpose, boosting the as-tested price but still keeping it keen.

Importantly, I found a boat with a defiant attitude on the water, a reassuring ride that helped me tame a blustery Port Phillip Bay, and inherently good manners. Yes, the R160 would be perfectly capable offshore in the hands of a couple of keen fishos. I’d happily be back on my feet, one hand on the grab rail, the other on the throttle, and heading wide again in this entry-level centre console and smallest boat in the Robalo/Chaparral family.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A value proposition from $45k driveaway
You can get an R160 from the Robalo importers for $44,999 with a base 50hp Honda outboard on an Easytow trailer. That’s impressive value for a new 16 footer — effectively making it a great alternative to a used boat — and you get plenty of inbuilt features like casting platforms, fold-away seating, flip-over backrests, and that Robalo DNA with self-draining foam-filled hull and so on.

Our test boat was priced as $50,000 with a Honda 60hp engine upgrade and Easytow trailer and registrations. This included additional upgraded fishing features such as the must-have live well with console rod holders, side storage rod ‘boxes’, tilt helm steering, fold-down windshield, stainless steel wheel with crank knob, extra rod holders, anchoring hardware and, importantly, a fuel tank upgrade.

The standard R160 comes with a modest 45-litre fuel tank, but our test boat had the upgraded 70-litre supply. This comes via a simple polyethylene above-deck remote or ‘portable’ tank under the centre transom cover, which doubles as part of the aft casting platform.

You could strap another tote tank into the boat if you planned on heading wide all day, but with the little three-cylinder BF60 in 20in shaft length, with just a 1.0lt displacement, you’ll be hard pressed to burn 70 litres with a mix of running and trolling.

Now, if you want more power, no problems. Since our test, the local Robalo agents have repowered this rig with the four-cylinder 1.5lt 80hp Honda BF80 and report improved performance around 40 knots (speedo reading), which is about 20 per cent faster than the BF60.

If you can afford the extra few thousand ($54k rig price) and plan to carry family and a big load often, then fit the bigger engine. The boat carries the extra 55kg of engine without issue, the importer told us in a post-test report.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT
- A classy centre console with some good integral design features
The R160 has a really nice line, with good freeboard (55cm) in the bow traced by non-skid decks and gunwales that are wide enough to stand on, punctuated by internal grab rails and rod holders.

There isn’t a dedicated anchor locker per se, but a large forward casting platform under which is an insulated fish box, quasi anchor-storage area, semi-dry storage area, which drains overboard.

The forward live-bait tank under the ‘mother-in-law’ seat ahead of the centre console is a must-have addition for fishos and, with the rod holders either side, the whole forward portion of this R160 becomes the perfect spot from to which to pitch bait.

I imagined standing up here, one hand grabbing the internal stainless grab rail, my hooked live bait swimming in the tank, the rod in my hand, as we gunned it back to the FADs to lob a bait for a big dolphin fish.

The extra rod holders up here also mean you can run around with a rigged popper, some light flick sticks and a heavy-tackle outfit at the ready, too. Put you gaffs, snapper net, and longer rigged fly rods in the side under-gunwale rod storage pockets and you’re set.

The wide walkways either side of the centre console make this a very accessible bow-to-stern sportfisher for fighting big fish from a dead boat. And thanks to the hull form, this R160 doesn’t lurch as you move about its decks. That’s quite unlike a 445F.

The centre console is a simple affair with grab bar, drink holders, room for engine gauges and flush mounting at least a 12in MFD, plus a proper waterproof switch panel with 12V charge plug, and upgraded Jensen stereo. The fold-down grab rail around the console reduces the rig’s storage and towing height.

The leaning post with flip backrest means you can sit down and face aft while on the ‘anchor’. There’s proper dry storage in the moulded seat base, which is actually a full-sized esky. If not stacking the drinks on ice then you can stash your camera, clothes, lunch box and personal effects here.

Access inside the console is behind the front ‘mother-in-law’ backrest, to more dry storage and the mid bilge. There’s also handy storage recesses in the dash for personal effects behind the windscreen, plus a dedicated storage spot for a 20lt bucket under the portside aft seat base, and yet more storage under the starboard aft seat.

However, the R160 doesn’t have underfloor fuel storage, and the upgraded 70lt portable plastic tank does grab your attention, being bright red sitting strapped in on deck under the central rear hatch. But this is about the only compromise in this maxed-out little boat and I reckon it’s a pretty safe set-up all the same.

With the aft seat backrests folded flat — they powder-coated alloy framework — you get a full-beam casting platform across the transom. This way, two anglers can fish from this boat, fore and aft, flicking lures around snags, coral bommies, drop-offs and so on. Robalo also offers a forward casting seat and electric motor mounting option.

Other times, the entry-level centre console can double for family flings, with seating with plush upholstery for four and the option of a bimini top for shade among the considerations. There’s a small inbuilt swim step and grab bar to help you from the water, rear drink holders aka lure holders, and a reassuring amount of inherent freeboard for fishing and family use.

You can get an optional tow bar for watersports, in which case the engine upgrade would be useful, and the optional bow rail might be worth considering, I’d have a set of telescopic outrigger poles in the side pockets with flush gunwale bases for sure.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Hydro Lift hull and great construction
Robalo uses the same construction for this baby as its big bluewater boats — Kevlar reinforcing, vinylester resin, composite transom layup, foam-filled fibreglass stringers, premium gelcoat and that foam-filled positive level-and-upright flotation.

You also get the premium stainless steel hardware and through-hull fittings, waterproof connectors on the wiring looms, easy bilge access in the self-draining hull, and quality pumps and components in general. The 66lt fish box is foam insulated and drains overboard, while the 61lt live well has LED lights.

Backed by a 10-year transferable warranty, the self-draining hull uses a so-called Hydro Lift design. There is only 15 degrees of deadrise, but the boat didn’t bang on our test. The R160 runs in fine fettle and its fine bow slices the swell at cruising speeds really nicely.

The high-lift hull runs nice and level, while the moderate vee means you also get a stable fishing platform. You can walk around and step up to the casting platforms with confidence, where my old 445F would be teetering.

The hull design (see the photo of the boat on the trailer) has extended aft running surfaces almost like pods either side of the outboard engine. These generate lift and buoyancy and, along with a planing plank, reverse chines and strakes, the relatively short hull has a long waterline.

It’s a terrific small boat design that generates lift and buoyancy and runs really well at a wide range of speeds.

ON THE WATER
- Performance that defies physics
On paper, you see the moderate vee and expect you will need to drive the boat in a mindful way, especially in the windy weather we now had smashing Port Phillip Bay.

Step aboard and you notice the stability from the moderate vee, advance the throttle and the Hydro Lift hull is certainly eager. Time to plane is somewhere between three and four seconds.

With the three-cylinder 50-70hp factory rigged Yamaha engine options, the R160 returns a cruise speed of around 18-19 knots at 4000-4500rpm. So it’s not fast but it is friendly.

The official figures with a Yamaha 50hp say 27 knots top speed, with a Yammie 70hp you get 32.5 knots, and with the four-cylinder 90hp Yamaha you will see 37 knots top speed and a 24-knot cruise.

But with the Honda BF60, the local agents say they have since seen 33 knots. With the BF80, they were looking at around 40 knots.

We had non-feedback mechanical steering, which was acceptable, but the BF80 option has hydraulic upgrade, which would be very nice.

One-up without a lot of gear, the R160 with BF60 glided up to planing speed. It was perhaps drier than other centre consoles thanks to the flared bow and high-lift hull design that has you running nicely at mid speeds.

Indeed, the stand-out feature for me was the smooth ride due to the fact the boat holds moderate planing speeds while running nice and level. Unlike my old Haines Hunter, which knew only two speeds, flat out and trolling, the R160 has a much broader performance range.

Meantime, there wasn't any pounding at these moderate cruise speeds, perhaps because we weren’t getting ridiculous air, and when the hull did launch it landed without that hard chine smash up front. The dealer seemed comfortable driving seated for the photos for this test, whereas we’d be standing and into it.

VERDICT
- A first-class fibreglass centre console ride
This latest entry-level addition to the Robalo line-up is a spirited centre console with slippery performance and a heck of a lot of fishing potential. We tested the Robalo R180 Centre Console
previously, but this R160 is $30k cheaper and batting in a different little league. Still, the potential for fun afloat is undiminished and, yes, you could fish this boat hard.

You could muck around mangroves for barra, ghost around the Hervey Bay flats with fly, chase flathead on the Broadwater, tackle kings in Broken Bay and Sydney Harbour, hit the FADS for dollies and marlin, head to Bermagui for yellowfin on The Shel, then catch snapper, before heading west for trout on the alpine lakes. Add an electric to the bow if you like.

As tested with the BF60, the R160 would make a great one or two-up sportfisher. You can also buy the bare hull here in pre-rig form for a Yamaha or Mercury fit-up. On the Easytow single-axle trailer, the boat sits really low like a ski-race hull and will tow beautifully.

While 16 footers are largely overshadowed by bigger 20-foot plus centre consoles these days, there’s a lot of practicality, affordability and fun to be derived from the Robalo R160. The boat’s performance and pedigree is more impressive than some other small centre consoles with less evolved hull shapes. And the high-quality build and construction is class leading.

LIKES
>> A very smart entry-level centre console with keen pricing
>> Efficient Hydro Lift hull has keen performance through the rev range from modest horsepower
>> Terrific design integration, fishing features, comforts and uncluttered decks
>> High quality construction, saltwater proof fittings, top-shelf electrics and so on
>> Foam filled, self-draining 16ft hull is virtually unsinkable

NOT SO MUCH
>> A locally designed boat of this length would have a dedicated anchor locker
>> Could do with some struts on the forward deck hatch
>> The above deck fuel tank is a compromise to maximise sub-floor foam flotation
>> Hardcore fishos might want 19-21 degrees of deadrise but they won’t get this boat’s great stability

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

Specifications: Robalo R160 Centre Console
Price as tested: $50,000 with 60hp Honda BF60 four-stroke outboard engine and options as detailed above.
Priced from: $44,999 with a base 50hp Honda outboard on an Easytow trailer.
LOA: 4.98m
Beam: 2.13m
Bridge Clearance: 1.93m
Deadrise: 15 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 70lt
Max HP: 90hp
Engine on test: Honda BF60 three-cylinder 998cc 60hp four-stroke outboard with 20in shaft length
Dry Weight w/ engines: 726kg (plus trailer)
Weigh on Road: About 1200kg
Passenger Capacity (NMMA): Six persons

Supplied by:
Chaparral Australia
Anchorage Marina
The Strand Williamstown, Vic
Tel: (03) 9397 6977
For more information see www.robaloaustralia.com.au.