Spotlight: 2019 Southern Formula 21
Next model down in the offshore fishing specialist range misses out on little despite its more compact dimensionsThe Southern Formula 21 is the second release in the growing Southern Formula offshore fishing boat family.
Revealed in the wake of the spectacular range-topper, the Southern Formula 24, at the 2018 Melbourne International Boat Show, the smaller 21 is still true to the brand’s ethos; a superior fishing boat for its intended use.
The Southern Formula range draws on the more than 60 years of boatbuilding experience gained by its sister brand, Haines Hunter. The boat’s design borrows from a traditional flared deep vee Carolina-style bow – like the 24, the smaller 21 uses a 21-degree variable deadrise – but improves on it to provide what its maker claims is “better ride quality, better stability, more efficient hull, dryer ride with overall features and benefits internally”.
The Southern Formula 21’s 6.4-metre hull is built around a fully foam-filled hull reinforced with a composite stringer system to make it more rigid. It’s beamy, too, measuring in at the maximum towable width of 2.5 metres.
Made for fishing
A lot of thought has gone into the set-up of the boat. Live bait tanks are built into both sides of the transom, and there is plenty of underfloor storage space, including a kill tank.
Up front, a pair of full-length cushioned bunks fill the cabin, while four storage shelves built into the sides provide plenty of protected storage space. An overhead hatch provides access to the bow.
Heavy duty deck hardware, including a bow roller fitted to a bowsprit and cleats, is standard.
The Southern Formula 21’s floor is fully glassed in and comes with a flowcoated, speckled finish. A dive door mounted into the top deck provides easy access in and out of the water.
The dash in front of the sports steering wheel is flat and angled towards the driver, with what Southern Formula claims is a class-leading large, flat space for flush-mounting chartplotters and instruments, and space for a binnacle control mount. Navigation lights come fitted standard as part of the Stage 1 equipment grade.
Four fishing rod holders are fitted as standard.
Protecting the driver’s and crew chairs is a customised wavebreaker and windscreen.
Plenty of power
The maximum engine rating for the Southern Formula 21 is 300hp, but owners can opt for a dual outboard engine set-up using twin 150hp units – one of the recommended configurations for this boat. Otherwise, owners are encouraged to fit a single 250hp outboard. Mercury is the recommended outboard engine brand.
Under the floor is a 380-litre deck-filler long-range fuel tank that will get the Southern Formula 21 out to the offshore fishing hotspot, and back again.
The Southern Formula 21 also comes equipped with a 1000 gallons per hour bilge pump.
A “Stage 2” package will add an anchor winch, rope and chain kit, better bolster seats for the skipper and crew and stainless steel footrests, two six-gang switchboards, a choice of three tints for the wavebreaker, a fibreglass battery box with shelving and doors, and a passenger grab rail.
The Southern Formula 21 is available either as a hull, a fully fitted out Stage 1 boat or a more premium Stage 2 boat.
Specifications
Length overall: 6.4m
Beam: 2.5m
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Transom height: 30-inch (single)/25-inch (twin)
Engine: 225hp (min)/single 250hp, twin 125hp (recommended)/300hp (max)
Weight: 1400kg (hull only)
Fuel capacity: 380L
Passengers: 6
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