Spotlight: Starweld Fusion Pro 16 SC

The first of the Starweld boats to arrive in Australia is the impressively appointed Fusion Pro 16 SC. Like the 20 or so other models in the Starcraft boat range, the Fusion Pro 16 SC is built for fishing; these craft are enormously popular with bass anglers in the US.

The Pro 16 SC is the smallest of four Fusion Pro models, and the only model with a side console helm configuration. The other Fusion Pros include the Pro 16 DC, or dual console, and the larger Pro 18 and Pro 20 DC models.

Having noted the above, there are several other Starweld boat lines – including the standard Fusion models, along with the Spark, Flex, Flex Pro, and Victory models.

These latter boats come with a mix of tiller-steer, side console, and dual console layouts.

The Dual Console boats have a similar interior design as our locally made bowriders – although most have a casting deck up in the bow compartment instead of a V-shaped seating area.

Design and construction

The 4.8-metre-long Fusion Pro 16 SC is built around the smallest Starweld hull size, but it should be more than suitable for sheltered water fishing applications.

The Pro 16 has a dry hull weight of 420kg, and an expected towing weight of around 1200kg. It is rated for longshaft (25-inch) outboard engines up to 90hp.

Similar to its siblings, the Pro 16 SC has a smooth-sided, fully welded hull made from 2.5mm aluminium sheet.

The basic construction could be likened to our locally made pressed-alloy boats except that there is a complex underfloor welded stringer grid providing much of the hull bottom strength, similar to an Aussie-made plate boat.

The Fusion Pro 16 SC hull is low in profile, with a fine, wave-cutting entry at the bow, stretching aft to a shallow deadrise of about 10 degrees. The relatively wide waterline beam is said to combine with the reverse-angled chines to provide good stability.

Inside, the Fusion Pro 16 SC has marine plywood decks with abrasion-resistant vinyl flooring, while outdoor carpet is used to line the side decks and the starboard side coaming.

First-class fit-out

The layout in the Fusion SC Pro is particularly well suited to Aussie bass, barra and bream fishing.

The fibreglass side console helm is compact and space saving, yet incorporates a flush-fitted Humminbird fish finder/GPS, along with engine instrumentation, a tilt-adjust sports steering wheel, and a side-mount throttle.

Similar to most Starweld boats, the Fusion Pro SC has large bow and stern elevated fishing decks, each with dry storage lockers, and surfaced with the aforementioned non-slip vinyl.

The Fusion Pro SC also has two removable pedestal chairs with multiple floor socket locations, and several built-in cup and rod holders.

Rod storage is taken care of too. There's a lockable, roto-moulded plastic rod locker beneath the bow casting deck, another built into the carpeted, starboard side coaming/gunwale, and a third rod storage area above decks on the port side. 

One of the most notable features for anglers is the large live well located beneath the aft casting deck. Made from roto-moulded plastic, the live well is partitioned so that two anglers can separate their catch during a fishing competition.

There's also a separate section to the live well that accepts a large bucket for smaller baits like prawns and nippers.

The Fusion Pro 16 SC also comes standard with a bow-mount Minn Kota electric trolling motor with a dedicated battery storage space located behind a flap at the base of the front casting deck on the port side.   

The trolling motor is designed to be quickly removed for fishing/boating outings when it is not required.

The 45L stainless steel fuel tank and the ship's battery are located aft, beneath the rear casting platform, behind the near full-width live well.

In closing, I look forward to having a closer look at the Starweld Fusion Pro 16 SC. I expect it to rival locally made boats for mixed sheltered-water fishing applications.

Contact www.sunshinecoastyamaha.com.au for more information and availability.