Spotlight: Australian Master Marine 7800 Halo

Could the new AMM 7800 Halo be the ultimate offshore fishing trailer boat? This latest heavy-duty plate alloy craft from Brisbane's Australian Master Marine was custom outfitted to create the ultimate, no-expense-spared trailerable fishing boat.

With its custom dual-axle alloy AMM off-road trailer (with huge 16-inch wheels, heavy-duty suspension and fat tyres) this remarkable boat package can also travel to far-flung coastal fishing destinations Australia-wide.

The new AMM 7800 series Halo centre console/walkaround is the second in the series we've tested, and we were blown away by the performance and fit-out of the debut 7.0m model back in 2018. Now bigger and unquestionably more capable, the 7800 series boat will be sure to impress serious offshore anglers.

Sadly, we were not able to step aboard the new Halo model before it was shipped off to its excited new owner. We can, however, delve into the design, build and fit-out of the new craft, illustrated with a range of photos supplied by Yamaha Motor Australia. 

Halo hardtop

The AMM 7800 Halo is named for the design of the alloy hardtop situated above the dual width centre console helm station. Without any rear support struts, the white coloured hardtop appears to "float" above the black-framed windscreen like a protective halo.

it takes a little imagination to picture this in your mind, but from a distance, the white hardtop does appear to be suspended, unsupported above the helm station. 

The absence of rear support struts on the Halo hardtop allows the skipper and first mate to step out from the helm station without impediment. 

There's also improved visibility aft, and to each side of the boat which should make close-quarter manoeuvring easier for the skipper.

Hull and engineering

The AMM 7800 Halo is built above Australian Master Marine's standard 20-degree deadrise deep-vee hull. Refined and fine-tuned over many years, this heavy-duty, strakeless hull bottom design is a proven performer. 

I was not able to run the AMM 7800 Halo, but I have run the same hull previously, having tested AMM's regular 7800 Tournament model. This big, half cabin boat delivered a smooth, comfortable, stable ride. 

The Halo version will handle and perform slightly differently, but I would expect it to be equally excellent, equally capable in the rough stuff offshore.

The 7800 series hull is a distinctive design with a pronounced, raise sheer-line above high topsides, a fine entry shape at the bow, reverse angled chines, and a full-length keel bar and external keel cap. 

Layout and design

All AMM plate alloy boats can be built with various console shapes and sizes. The AMM 7800 series Halo presented here is fitted with a dual-width centre console, although it could also be described as a centre cabin given that this custom outfitted version contains a vee berth seating/sleeping space inside the console/head compartment.

The console/cabin also has an electric flush toilet, useful storage space, and access to the electrics and wiring. 

As noted, the Halo model is fitted with a specially designed hardtop above a modern helm and dash layout. Key features include a port side offset steering wheel and controls, tempered glass front windscreen, and a huge, flat fascia panel for flush-fitting a pair of large electronics displays. 

You can order AMM centre console and centre cabin craft with a single level floor from the bow to the stern, but most have an elevated front casting deck like the 7800 Halo, along with a deep, self-draining aft cockpit with wide side decks and full-length side storage pockets.

Like the 7800 Halo, most AMM built craft are made with a full-height, flush rear transom wall - with or without a transom door, along with a full-width external boarding platform to provide unrestricted access to the front of the outboard engines.  

Other standards include a bowsprit anchor well, a large transom live well, underfloor kill tank, above floor transom battery/storage platforms, welded tie-off cleats all-round, and a variety of built-in rod holders and rocket- launcher rod racks. 

Custom features and fit-out

As noted earlier, this debut AMM 7800 Halo centre console was outfitted with all manner of custom features and accessories. 

Electronics gear includes a pair of giant Garmin GPSMAP 8416xsv 16-inch displays with fish finder, GPS, radar and autopilot capabilities.

The two big Garmin flat-screen displays were fitted to complement and incorporate the full Yamaha Helm Master EX digital boat control system, giving the owner the full suite of Helm Master features and functions including digital electric steering, joystick control, autopilot, FishPoint, StayPoint, DriftPoint, pattern steer and more. 

Read more about Yamaha Helm Master EX here.

The launch model AMM 7800 Halo was also rigged with a deluxe Hella LED lighting package, which included a light bar on the hardtop, courtesy lighting, deck lighting, a cabin fan, and blue underwater lights. 

A very large custom lean-seat/storage box was also fitted to accommodate a pair of bucket helm chairs and two aft-facing chairs. 

The latter was located above a large storage compartment that housed two massive ARB Elements 60L fridge/freezers. Each was secured individually on lockable heavy-duty aluminium trays that slide out into the aft cockpit space.  

To keep the hull ship-shape — or more accurately on an even keel (so to speak) — the debut AMM 7800 Halo was also fitted with a Seakeeper 1 gyro stabiliser system mounted under the aft cockpit floor. This stabiliser system worked a treat on the AMM, with tests revealing boat roll and rocking was reduced by 83 per cent. 

Other options fitted to upgrade the 7800 Halo included an electric anchor winch, bunk infill cushion, 150L freshwater deck wash, raw-water deck wash, a larger live well, 300L sub-floor fish/icebox with pump-out, Udeck foam rubber flooring throughout, Zipwake trim tabs, and a fuel tank upgrade to 550 litres. 

Power and performance

With 500hp on the transom, you would expect the 7800 Halo to be pretty quick — and you'd be right! According to figures supplied by Yamaha, this beast of a boat will rocket to a top speed of 49.1 knots. Now that's shifting along for a recreational boat of any size. 

By all reports the boat engine combination was also agile and responsive through the mid-range, as you would also expect. 

Those big V6 Yamahas are good looking jiggers too and having experienced/run them before, I can tell you they deliver smooth, but strong, even power from idle right through to wide-open throttle.  

The latest V6 Yamahas incorporate all the latest tech as well, such as digital electric steering for effortless control, Yamaha's TotalTilt trim system which lifts the drive legs clear of the water, Yamaha Helm Master EX integration, NMEA 2000 capability, a one-piece engine top cowl for easy removal, a 70-amp alternator, freshwater flushing port, variable trolling rpm, and the option for engine flushing using an onboard freshwater tank for moored boats. 

The AMM 7800 Halo is a blisteringly quick boat, but blasting along at close to 50 knots is certainly not the most economical way to run. For maximum fuel efficiency, the Yamaha data records a more gentle boat/engine cruise speed of 22.8 knots at 3000rpm for a duel engine fuel burn of 44.3L/h. This combination delivers a maximum range of 95 per cent of the optional 550-litre fuel tank of 268.9nm.

The new AMM 7800 Halo is a great looking boat and a sublime offshore sport fishing package, particularly when paired with those wonderful Yamaha 4.2-litre V6 outboard engines and the Helm Master EX boat control system.

I would love to have tried out that Seakeeper gyro system too, but circumstances did not allow for that on this occasion. 

But what does it cost? Well, with all those bells, whistles, toys and what-not, this particular AMM 7800 Halo is a rather costly boat package. AMM did not disclose the actual price, but will be happy to talk to potential customers. You'll find them at www.australianmastermarine.com.au.

Specifications
Model: AMM 7800 Halo
Length overall: 8.2m
Hull length: 7.8m
Beam: 2.5m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Bottom/transom/topside alloy: 6.0mm/6.0mm/4.0mm
Weight with engines: 2650kg (est)
Weight on trailer: 3350kg (est)
Engines: 2x 250hp (max)
Fuel: 240L/550L (opt) 
Passengers: 8