Southwind SF655 Sportsfisherman

For the last few years Trade-A-Boat and Trailer Boat have annually launched a project boat. These exercises see a chosen hull/motor combination fitted out with accessories - usually with the aim of turning a sometimes ordinary boat into an effective sportsfishing outfit.

This year, with the introduction of BlueWater Boats & Sportsfishing, the project boat needed to be a vessel that could not only travel around the country, but could also serve as a functional and practical offshore platform for the team.

Yamaha's SF655 Southwind Sportsfisherman was chosen as the project boat earlier in the year and proceeded to undergo a fit-up ready for its maiden outing at the South Eastern Invitational Game Fishing Tournament at Bermagui (NSW) over Easter.

Since then, BlueWater I has been displayed at various boat shows around the country. In between times, the boat has made a number of offshore jaunts from trolling for billfish to throwing lures at spotted mackerel in Hervey Bay.

Over the past four years or so, I have been involved in the development of a number of Yamaha boats. In other words, my trip to Bermagui earlier this year with the BlueWater crew wasn't the first time that I'd been for a run in a Southwind. Far from it...

It was, however, the first time I had been for a run in the new SF655 with its modified topside and self-draining cockpit, and the first time out in the sort of atrocious conditions only the southeast corner of the continent can dish up.

As its name suggests, the SF655 Sportsfisherman has an overall length of 6.55m. It's beam of just over 2.4m contributes to make it quite a substantial boat.

Derived from the 'old' SR/SF20, I have no hesitation in nominating the hull as one of the most underrated in Australia. If more anglers had the opportunity to be out in these boats in the sort of weather we struck at Bermagui, they would soon appreciate the ability this boat has to handle some pretty harsh conditions.

As with the vast majority of boats, smooth water performance is not a problem. The boat simply up and goes exactly when and where you want it to. Add about 15kts of wind chop to the water though, and you start to appreciate the competence of the Southwind hull.

This is one boat that actually runs better planing in such chop than it does at slower speeds. The difference between it and many other boats of its size is the smoothness of the ride. 

Even though 15kts is not a lot of wind, it's enough to put a few deep troughs on the surface which can be bone-jarring when you jump off the top of one wave or plough into the next.

With a 22° deadrise and a fine entry, the Southwind hull cuts nicely through this sort of water. As you leave the top of a wave, you actually get the feeling of the last foot or so of the hull catching in the water and softly pulling the hull back down so delivering an exceptionally soft and dry ride (more on the reasons why later).

These same characteristics are evident in winds of 15 to 25kts (Yep, we got them, too!) though you tend not to travel as fast in these conditions.

Testing around 80 boats a year of all makes and sizes, I would have to say that the SF655 is one of the best performing trailerable mono hulls I have come across. And my faith in the performance and safety of the Southwind hull was only reinforced during our week at Bermagui. While we had some excellent weather, there were a few days that were not pleasant at all with 30kt-plus winds and 3m of swell pushing through. Not very nice conditions in any size boat.

We did, however, venture out wide on one day. Though with the swells, closer together, deep and with regular whitecaps I can assure you that it wasn't at planing speeds.

While about 8kts was our best speed in these conditions, at no stage did I feel unsafe. Sure, there were a few frothy ones that dropped a bit of water into the back of the boat and up over the cabin, but we were always in control.

What greatly aids in the ride and cushion effect of the SF655's hull is the section that abuts the transom. The hull steps up about 100mm and then curves back down over a distance of around 300mm. In a way, this works like a trim tab though it runs the full width of the boat. I'm not aware of any particular name for this feature but it's best described as a scalloped step. Whatever, it is a definite factor in the overall ride of the boat.

Being a Southwind, the rig is matched to a Yamaha outboard - one of the new 175hp Saltwater Series. A 90¡ V-six engine, the 175 displaces around 2.6lt and weighs in at 198kg.

The six delivers super smooth acceleration and performance throughout the revrange. The only real flatspot being around 1200-1800rpm where the boat begins to lift onto the plane. That said, it is only really noticeable when you're accelerating slowly.

That trait aside, the Yamaha engine is very refined, cruising sweetly around 23-25kts at 3500rpm. A genuine 40kt-plus top-end is available should conditions allow.

The Southwind has a huge fuel tank fitted underfloor, with a capacity of 250 litres. Fill it, and even in the most adverse conditions you have six to eight hours motoring at your fingertips. Quite a reassuring thought.

While there are no complaints about the SF655's hull, I feel Yamaha still has a little work to do on the recently modified deck of the boat.

The good points first: The aft cockpit on the Southwind is massive and I doubt whether too many anglers would complain about the room available.

The SF655 sees the cabin coamings running from the windscreen shortened so you have a good length of gunwale running rearward to the transom. The previous model had this elevated section occupying too much of this area.

The dash is a large, flat area with ample space for all your electronics, with instrumentation moulded into the dash in front of the skipper. It's a classy set-up made even better given that the skipper and passenger are provided with comfortable swivel pedestal seats and plenty of room to move about.

The curved toughened glass windscreen is a definite advantage giving clear unobstructed vision. While inside the cabin, there are twin single V-berths with storage underneath and generous side pockets. 

Provision for a porta-potti is made in the V-berth infill and access to the bow is good through a hatch which also accesses the anchor well.

The aft cockpit features a non-skid, self-draining deck, and rod and gaff racks are situated in the generously-sized side pockets. In each corner of the transom next to the outboard well there is a small cushioned seat with a removable squab.

The latter set-up is my main area of criticism. With the seats removed, this corner section is where you would mostly fish, being able to lock yourself in. Yet there is only just enough room for yours truly and I'm only of slight build.

Secondly, the transom runs down to the deck here with the self-draining vents at your feet. That is, there's no provision for a toe-rail or such. To fish comfortably and get right in close to the transom, you need to get your feet under this area.

One other minor problem, easily corrected, is the size of the scupper vents. They need to be larger - at present, a few scales and bit of grass and the narrow slots soon block up, restricting the flow of water.

Wells in the SF655's transom are huge, making them ideal live bait tanks for quite large baits. Under the floor there's a large kill tank and a smaller under-floor storage area is accessible for within the front cabin.

Aside from a host of standard features, BlueWater I runs a modified version of the standard Southwind rocket launcher and a custom-tinted fully-curtained bimini. This custom work and the majority of the boat's fit-out is the handiwork of Bayswater (Vic) Southwind dealer, Streaker Boats.

It's worth mentioning the trailer on which the rig rests. By Mackay Multilink, the 2001 Series PU600T dual-axle unit is fitted with the maker's new Multi-Stop hydraulic brakes. This system senses the need for trailer braking via the tow vehicle's brake lights . It's a clever set-up that's compatible with the antilock brake systems on many new vehicles and works very well. The trailer retails for $5900, while a standard model in the same Mackay series costs $4200.

After a few teething problems related to the unique demands of BlueWater I, the rig is a delight to tow.

On the fishing side, Reelax Reef Rigger outriggers are fitted, while electrics have been provided by Adelaide (SA) based Quin Marine. Pride of place on the dash goes to a Koden CVS822 1200m dual frequency colour sounder and Simrad RS5900 GPS-chart plotter with C-map cartridges.

The standard Southwind/Yamaha instrument package is quite comprehensive and includes a well-situated switch block for the standard nav lights, bilge pump, cockpit and cabin lights, etc. GME Electrophone takes care of the marine band and VHF duties, and there's even a (removable) analogue mobile phone fitted in the cabin.

Add to these items the rest of Southwind's fairly hefty standard equipment list, and it's an impressive package - though not one just built for show. The boat has already accounted for some fine gamefish.

When heading offshore, you need reliability and performance from your hull and engine and the Yamaha Southwind combination has them in spades. BlueWater I has certainly been decked out well for its intended use, but it's the base boat that really makes the package so impressive.