Sportsman Island Reef 19 Review

OVERVIEW
Sportsman Boats was established in 2012 by experienced boat builders Tommy Hancock and Dale Martin. The duo were founders — respectively — of well known US boat brands, Sea Pro and Key West. Formerly arch rivals in business, the duo joined forces in late 2011 to create a range of fibreglass centre consoles that would appeal to both keen anglers and family boaters. Our review boat, the Sportsman Island Reef 19, fits this bill.

The Sportsman boat range was launched with a single 7.0m offshore fishing model back in January, 2012, but the range has now been expanded to more than 20 models between 5.2m and 9.5m in length.

According to Sportsman, each new model is crafted using the latest 3D cad/cam construction techniques and with the highest quality materials, fixtures and fittings.

Impressively, the underfloor structure of each hull has the fibreglass stringers incorporated into one single, full length mould, which is then chemically bonded to the inside of the hull. This technique adds strength — and combined with the built-in foam flotation — helps to dampen hull noise and slap when the boats are underway.

Sportsman Boats has chosen to specialise in centre consoles. All 21 models have a centre console configuration, although they have several different lines to suit different budgets and applications.

Our test boat for this review is the largest of two models in the Island Reef range — the Island Reef 19. In the US the Island Reef models are marketed as entry or budget boats, yet we found the test rig to be very well outfitted compared to some locally made competitors.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Our test boat was supplied virtually as standard by Brisbane's Northside Marine. The package includes a Yamaha 115hp extra-longshaft (25") four-stroke outboard and a superb tandem axle alloy braked trailer made to Australian specifications by US builder, Road King.

One glance at the trailer in the photos and you can see it is a tough, heavy duty model with u-bolted alloy framework, stainless steel fixtures and big fourteen inch mag wheels and tyres. The trailer also boasts a boat boarding ladder at the bow, carpeted skid planks/bunks (no rollers) a spare wheel, torsion axle suspension and a heavy duty Vortex wheel hub and sealed bearing system from US company Tie Down Engineering.

Other standard boat package features include hydraulic steering, a Simrad Go7 fish finder/GPS with transom mount transducer, vertical rod racks in the transom and console for a combined ten rods, four stainless steel coaming rod holders, a compact helm console with windscreen, grab rail, and bow seat, a two-person width lean seat, a rear live bait tank with storage locker opposite and a self-bailing cockpit.

With the above features and more, Northside Marine has the standard boat package priced from just $58,862. That's a ripper price for a turn-key 5.8m open console fishing boat.

Our test boat was priced around a grand more at $59,999 — as it was also fitted with a helm foot-pad on the floor at the console, a Navionics Gold Card map for the included Simrad display, along with 12 months registration and an inshore safety gear package.

The most obvious omission from the test boat is a bimini cover of some kind to provide weather protection. Reading from the options list we can note that a regular soft-top bimini can be added for $821 - or you can opt for the deluxe fibreglass T-Top for an additional $3200.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT
We noted earlier there are several different model lines within the Sportsman centre console range. Offshore fishermen will gravitate to the Open and Heritage models, which have deep vee hulls with high topsides and deep cockpits ideally suited to rough water work.

For most other boating and fishing applications (such as bay and flats fishing, impoundment work, and coastal offshore fishing) the considerably cheaper Island Reef models should fit the bill admirably.

The Island Reef 19 does not have the high topsides and interior freeboard of the offshore specific Sportsman models, but it has lots of other great design features.

The hull, with its very fine entry, distinctive sheer-line and moderate 16 degree transom deadrise, provides a comfortable in short, sharp bay chop, along with excellent stability at rest.

Bay, estuary and impoundment fishermen will appreciate the full width forward casting deck with storage locker, anchor well and electric trolling motor plug, broad, low-set, snag-free coamings and pop-up cleats, compact helm console, and the included flush-fitted rod holders and vertical rod racks.

Between the console rod rack and the aft rod holders, there is travelling rod storage space for a total of 10 rod/reel outfits.

The console also has a handy grab rail surrounding a low-set windscreen, along with a large glove compartment, ample space on the dash and fascia for engine instruments and electronics displays, as well as a pair of cup holders.

The destroyer-style stainless steel steering wheel is offset slightly to port with the single binnacle throttle conveniently positioned alongside it to starboard.

We found the test rig to be quite comfortable and easy to drive while standing or seated, though the console and screen is a bit too low to provide much in the way of weather protection. Fortunately the Island Reef 19 hull is inherently very dry. Expect wind-blown spray only in very choppy to rough sea conditions.

With regard to seating, the Sportsman Island Reef 19 comes standard with a two-person width lean seat at the helm (with removable back-rest), along with the forward facing console seat/ice box, the rear quarter seats, and the bow casting platform.

A full size cushion is available as an option to convert the forward deck into a big sun pad.

Beneath the alloy framed lean seat you'll find a very handy (and included) removable 70lt Dometic ice box/cooler with a fish measuring ruler on top so you can make sure your catch is of a legal size.

In the stern of the boat, beneath the cushioned quarter/jump seats there is a large live bait tank to starboard and a split level — or two tier fish/storage box over on the port side. Remove the seat cushions and these moulded boxes can be used as small casting platforms in calm weather.

ON THE WATER
The Sportsman Island Reef 19 is something of a surprise on the water. With its 16-degree transom vee angle, we expected the boat to be very stable, but maybe a little firm in chop. However, once you trim that sharp bow entry down into the waves, the ride onboard softens out beautifully... to the extent that the ride is actually very comfortable.

The Island Reef is also very dry; we did not take a drop of water onboard during the test in calm to mildly choppy conditions. As with all open centre consoles, we would expect to take some spray onboard in rough conditions, but it is nonetheless a very dry boat.

The gradual slope to the stem at the bow also allows the Island Reef to surf up and out of wave troughs safely and securely - whilst any spray thrown up as a result is then directed out to the sides by the spray chines, and the flare in the smooth topsides.

We noted earlier that the Island Reef 19 is designed mainly for inshore bay and coastal fishing, but given the excellent handling, ride and performance of the hull, we would have no qualms about running offshore to fish close-in billfish grounds or hitting the reefs for a feed of table fish.

With regard to performance the Island Reef 19 is quite the speedster. Northside Marine rig this model only with Yamaha's ultra smooth 115hp four-stroke, but it is just about the perfect engine for this rig. The package accelerates strongly and winds out to a top speed of 35.9 knots.

The Sportsman Island Reef 19 is the smallest of a number of fibreglass centre console boats we have tested in recent months, but it is also one of the best. For a mix of bay, harbour, estuary and coastal fishing this is a very fine craft.

The hull is soft, stable, dry and safe, while the interior layout combines enough seating for family boating with ample fishing features for the angling enthusiast. The Island Reef 19 is a ripper new coastal rig, and well priced at just under $60k.

Specifications: Sportsman Island Reef 19
Price: $59,999 with a single Yamaha 115hp extra-longshaft (25") four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, Road King tandem axle Australian specification alloy trailer with spare wheel and torsion axle suspension, a Simrad Go7 fish finder/GPS combo unit with Navionics Gold Card Map and transom mount transducer, helm foot-pad, 12 months registration and an inshore safety gear pack for six adults.

Priced from: $58,862 with a single Yamaha 115hp extra-longshaft (25") four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering, Road King tandem axle Australian specification alloy trailer with spare wheel and torsion axle suspension, and a Simrad Go7 fish finder/GPS combo unit and transom mount transducer.

Length: 5.82m
Beam: 2.31m
Draft: 330mm
Deadrise: 16 degrees
Hull weight: 657kg
Weight on trailer (dry): 1460kg
Maximum power: 115hp (25" extra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Yamaha 115hp four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 120lt
Maximum persons: 6

Supplied by:
Northside Marine
Telephone: (07) 3265 8000
Email: billh@nsmarine.com.au
Website: Northside Marine