Spotlight: Bonito 560XT Performance

Regular Bonito 560 centre consoles are not slow when paired with a 150hp outboard, but Bonito Boats Australia's Adam Gunton has taken the performance of these popular centre console fishing boats to the next level with the release of the 560XT.

Rigged with a Yamaha F200 in-line four-cylinder four-stroke extra-longshaft outboard engine, the new 560XT powers to near 50 knots with an 18-inch pitch stainless steel propeller.

Plans are afoot to fit a larger 19-inch pitch prop to the Yamaha that should see the boat exceed that magic 50-knot number. 

Do you need to go that quick? No, but I reckon it would be tonnes of fun. We have not run this upgraded centre console boat ourselves, but it is clearly ballistically fast - just what you need to beat other anglers out to the fishing grounds. 

To be able to run the larger, more powerful 200hp Yamaha outboard engine, the Bonito 560 series hull is strengthened with more fibreglass added to key areas. 

The hull running strakes are now solid fibreglass, while extra layers of woven roving cloth are added to the base of the hull. 

Double-bias mat is used to add strength (with minimal weight gain) to key transom stress areas to cope with the weight and thrust of the larger outboard engine. 

The Bonito 560XT hull is also foam-filled to make it quieter, safer, stiffer, and more rigid. Foam is optional with standard hulls.

The 560XT's upgraded build does make it slightly heavier than the standard hull, but the extra power of the 200hp outboard engine more than compensates for the weight gain and makes for a smoother ride into the chop. 

Fit F or fishing

Elsewhere the 560XT Performance Pack model is unchanged from standard boats. Similar to the Bonito 500 centre console we tested a few months ago, the 560XT has a slender 2.05-metre-wide, 13-degree vee monohull with a fine entry at the bow to slice through chop.

The interior of the boat is utilitarian in fit-out, with a flowcoated and speckled self-draining deck, along with the option for a front casting deck. 

The new Bonito 560XT was fitted with the shorter of the two available casting decks, complete with a diamond-pattern non-slip surface and two large safety gear storage bins.

For the record, the larger casting deck extends further aft and has four storage compartments. 

Up at the bow, anglers will appreciate the decent-sized anchor well (with hatch), along with the lift-up, recessed stainless steel cleats, and port side electric trolling motor plate.

The 560XT demonstration model was sporting the larger of two centre console helm stations. Key features include a short tinted windshield, a very useful wraparound grab rail, provision for engine gauges and a 12-inch multifunction electronics display, and a larger storage shelf.

The Bonito 560XT was appointed with a dual-width Dolphin Pro2 leaning post with a bench seat and aft-facing rocket launcher rod rack.

Other seating options are available for the helm and aft cockpit. 

Similar to the standard 560 Bonito, the XT is available with stand-on, reinforced elevated side storage pockets (fibreglassed to the hull), two transom live bait tanks, transom boarding platforms, 316-grade stainless steel hardware throughout, battery and isolator switch, bilge pump, and a stainless steel keel-guard protection strip.

Standard 560 models come with a 150-litre or 190-litre fuel tank. To feed the larger power outboard engines, the XT Performance Pack model has a massive 306-litre fuel tank.

Verdict

The new Bonito 560XT Performance Pack centre console looks to be a pretty cool fishing rig. These craft are popular with recreational and commercial anglers, so I expect this new, stronger, faster, smoother model will be well received. 

With its no-wood, fibreglass composite construction (Thermo-Lite board is used to core the transom and floor), the Bonito 560XT is the kind of boat you can buy and expect to last for many years. 

Like the standard 500 and 560 series boats, the 560XT comes with a 10-year structural hull warranty. 

As shown, the upgraded 560XT/Yamaha 200hp package is priced close to $100,000 with a bunch of options, and rides on a dual-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical disk brakes. 

Specifications
Model: Bonito 560XT (Performance Pack)
Length: 5.6m
Beam: 2.05m
Deadrise: 13 degrees
Hull weight: 770kg
Towing weight: 1350 kg (est)
Maximum power: 200hp
Fuel: 150L (std)/306L (opt) 
Passengers: 6

Supplied by: www.bonitoboats.com.au