Seaquest Razerline 6.4 Olympian

Ah, the Olympic Games - that world-renowned event that confronts us every four years, that extravaganza that pays homage to the elite of every race and every sport that involves speed, agility, strength, stamina and all-round fitness.

So inspired, West Australian alloy boatbuilder Sea Quest has produced its own Olympic hero, in the guise of a 6.4m Razerline model. This boat is designed to run the race not just against the ever-increasing range of alloy boats on the market but also against many of the fibreglass models that compete in the same market share stakes.

The Razerline Olympian 6.4m has all the hallmarks that any discerning boat buyer looks for when investing in their recreational or professional fishing and boating future; this rig is odds-on to take out gold.

THE WARM-UP
Riding out to the Jumpinpin Bar with a good 30-knot south easterly would test the stability and dryness of any boat. The Olympian held up well in the comfort stakes, to the relief of all aboard. Too bad the camera boat wasn't an Olympian too - the passengers in the following rig looked like drowned rats by the time we got inside the Bar. But to the winner go the spoils... I wasn't budging for anyone and was first aboard the 6.4m for the trip home!

The bow section on the Olympian features a massive anchor well and a solid long bowsprit. It could be accessed via the cabin roof hatch or by way of the wide walkaround path surrounding the cabin. Solid grabrails along the edge of the hardtop made for safe transit to and from the bow section either way. The roof of the hardtop was uncluttered and would be a good stowage spot for a small rubber ducky or perhaps a couple of swags for an extended trip.

 The spacious cockpit can be reached by jumping down off the coamings. The expanse of the coaming area will be appreciated by many fishos - it can fish six bottom anglers with ease.

Big sidepockets down each side hold large fenders, while the transom bulkhead has been filled in and features a hatch for the oil bottle and another for a pair of batteries. It is rebated near the bottom and provides a handy and comfortable bolster against which to stand or lean when fishing.

A transom gate opens to allow access onto the full width pod featuring a large and robust drop-down boarding ladder. A pump secreted behind the liner of the transom gateway feeds the live bait well under the permanently fixed baitboard.

The deck features a huge killtank that is bunged and drained externally. The bunghole allows water in to keep the catch fresh, and it can be drained when on the plane or bunged again to retain its contents. It has the capacity for some big fish and plenty of 'em.

SPARTAN COMFORT
Raeline helm and passenger seats consist of strong stainless tubing frames and comfortable padded bases and backs. They swivel but do not slide, which can result in the helmsperson getting sandwiched between the helm and the base of the seat. This problem could be fixed easily enough when ordering your boat.

The bases of both seats are modules fixed to the deck and the helm station liner providing incredible strength and rigidity. There's ample headroom under the hardtop. The hardtop features a rocket launcher outside, and inside has an overhead console holding two radios and a CD player above the triple-paned hardened glass windscreen.

Side windows ae heavy duty Perspex and feature a sliding window for ventilation. Those planning on spending time in the northern waters of this country might consider an opening skylight in the hardtop to pump ventilation into this area as it could get a little stifling on calm days.

 The helm station also has plenty of space for large-scale electronics, either in the fascia or on the mantle under the screen. This could be further enhanced by putting the compass under the screen where there is less room so as to utilise the fascia for those electronic cabinets.

Getting into the open, airy cabin is easy and there is enough legroom in the well for three people. The berths could sleep two at a squeeze. No sidepockets in the inner cabin equates to no backrests when seated. Our test boat lacked under-berth stowage but hatches can be fitted.

ATHLETIC POWER
The Mercury 175hp Saltwater Series outboard provided brilliant hole-shot and very rapid acceleration. The Seastar helm pump and Hydrive ram at the engine make an impressive combination, preferred by engine supplier Onshore Marine for overall smoothness and compression.

One could throw this rig into full high-speed broadside turns with no loss of control. Direct steering throughout high-G manoeuvring was evident. Pulling off the power suddenly or going astern, the transom door was watertight, something that we found wanting in this boat's big brother, the 7.2m rig we tested a year ago.

With a strong wind on the beam I thought I would be looking for the trim tab switch, as high structures such as the hardtop over the hull tend to list a boat dramatically in this type of weather. While some list was evident, it was within comfortable parameters. Potential customers could have them installed at the factory if they wanted them.

Overall, the Olympian 6.4 took a good thrashing out in the slop, and dealt with it very well. The power and handling show that this rig has a big future in the sportfishing arena. With a lot of room to fit options such as out- and downriggers, deck winches and the like, you could run some offshore sorties in comfort and security. With wind on the stern it carved up the chop at just under 70kmh on the home run. The Razerline 6.4m gets across the finish line ahead of many in the same price bracket and is well worth a test run.


HIGHS