Spotlight: Stacer 705 Ocean Ranger Hardtop
Stacer's 709 Ocean Ranger HT is a tough, spacious, affordable plate alloy fishing boat. This all-weather, hardtop cabin boat is designed for Aussie boaters and fishermen with a twin-berth forward cabin, sheltered helm station and a massive rear cockpitBrimming with fishing features, the 709 Ocean Ranger is a capable, seaworthy boat with a comfortable, stable hull with a maximum power rating of 225hp.
The Stacer plate alloy boat range has been expanded in recent years to include five different semi-enclosed hardtop cabin models. The 709 series model pictured here sits one below the range-topping 759 Ocean Ranger Expedition. Addition hardtop models include the smaller 609, 659 series models and the standard (shorter cabin) version of the 759 Ocean Ranger HT.
The 709 Ocean Ranger HT is a great size for offshore sport fishing. You will need a decent-sized tow vehicle to haul it about, but this big plate alloy boat is strong, durable, and capable of handling the rough stuff.
Similar to its siblings, the 709 Ocean Ranger is an all-welded plate alloy boat with a 5mm hull bottom and transom, 4mm topsides and 3mm internal tread-plate floor. This combines with an internal keel and a matrix of longitudinal and lateral stringers to provide ample hull strength and rigidity. These Stacer plateys are built tough!
Practical layout
The 709 Ocean Ranger is designed for sport fishing, but it's also family-friendly. Up forward there is a spacious cabin with two full-length berths flanked by cabin side-shelving. There's also a clear ventilation hatch in the forepeak and storage lockers beneath the optional vinyl upholstered berth cushions.
An optional berth infill board and cushion can convert the two single berths into a large double berth.
A full bulkhead separates the cabin from the saloon and helm station. Our test boat was also fitted with the optional, lockable cabin roller door.
Overhead, the large, full-width dash is blacked out to reduce glare and improve visibility through the single pane, deck-to-hardtop toughened glass windscreen.
The fascia panel at the helm has space for a large multi-function display and engine instrumentation. To either side of the sports steering wheel there is provision for the switch panel, radio head units, and more.
Box-mounted bucket chairs are included for the skipper and co-pilot, but our test boat was optioned with an alloy frame under the helm chair to accommodate an optional 70L slide-out icebox.
Our test boat had additional seating at the transom in the form of an optional fold-down bench seat with upholstered bolster back-rest.
A transom step and door alongside leads out to the starboard side boarding platform and boarding ladder.
Fishing features for anglers include the 2.0mm long tread-plate self-draining cockpit, 725mm cockpit freeboard, 285mm wide side coamings, cabin-side outrigger mounting plates, port side transom live well with viewing window, dual transducer brackets, trim tabs, and a 215L sub-floor fuel tank.
Our test boat was also fitted with the optional self-flooding kill tank and the Stacer deluxe bait station - which incorporates a vertical rod rack, cutting board, cup holders and tackle storage drawers.
Power and performance
The 709 Ocean Ranger has a moderate vee hull with a fine entry at the bow to smooth over the chop, combined with wide, reverse angled chines to provide stability and planing efficiency.
The hull is rated for single outboard engines between 150hp and 225hp in the extra-long shaft configuration.
Our test boat had a 200hp Evinrude E-TEC hanging off the transom, and this high-powered motor was not lacking for grunt or top speed; the boat/engine combination topping out at around 40 knots.
From our brief test run, we'd suggest that power in the 175hp to 200hp range should prove ample for most boating and fishing applications.
Price and equipment
The Gold Coast's Whitewater Marine has package prices for the Stacer 709 Ocean Ranger Hardtop starting at $93,990, before rising to $102,590 with the options fitted.
Both prices include a Stacer dual-axle aluminium trailer with electric/hydraulic brakes.
Some of the extra gear on the test boat included two-tone hull paint (blue topsides), an electric anchor winch, lockable cabin roller door, cabin berth cushions and infill, rear lounge seat and back-rest, helm seat frame and 70-litre icebox, a Lowrance Elite 7TI fishfinder/GPS, dual battery system with isolating switch, raw water deck wash, deluxe bait station, kill tank, and 12 months Queensland boat and trailer registrations.
Specifications
Model: Stacer 709 Ocean Ranger HT
Length: 6.9m
Beam: 2.46m
Hull weight: 1133kg
Deadrise: 19 Degrees
Bottom and transom alloy: 5.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 225hp
Fuel: 215L
Passengers: 7
Supplied by: Whitewater Marine, Queensland
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