Stabicraft 2150 Supercab
A strong and durable fishing machine from across the Tasman- The engineering excellence in these boats can only be admired.
- The curved tempered glass wind screens offer a good distortion free peripheral vision
- A windscreen wiper and washer as standard fit in a boat is good to see.
- Ambient noise from water slap on the hull is quite noticeable
- A full covered in floating transom under the boarding platform would increase flotation, planing area and ride comfort in short sharp chop
OVERVIEW
Stabicraft is likely the most prominent of those imports, if not for the number of units coming to our shore but for their looks. They offer something different to the beholder, and to some, beauty might not be that something. But if you can get your mindset over the general appearance of a heavily-angulated box-sided hull, one can get to appreciate some of the ingenuity in design and quality craftsmanship that these boats exude. There’s plenty of both here!
Dealer-fitted options on this boat consisted of Lowrance’s HDS10, Fusion and GME Radio and four rod holders which added up to $5260. The base boat started out at $97,060 and with these additions the till rings at $107,757.
The internal walls of the cabin have neatly-finished stowage pockets and the area is lined with soft marine carpet. While masking the glare of raw aluminium it also provides a certain amount of sound deadening to quieten the ambient noise of water slap on the hull.
Our 2150 was fitted with an electric Stressfree Anchor winch and access to its wiring and mounting plate is via the hatch in the forward bulkhead in the cabin. A roof hatch lightens the area and will provide welcome ventilation during still nights.
Stabicraft’s design theme across their cabin range is one of openness and accessibility and they have followed this trend with this Super Cab. The helm station is attached to the front bulkhead and starboard cabin liner with no structure below. This makes the cabin easily accessible and well ventilated.
The fascia of the helm station is large and easily accommodates the 10-inch screen of the combination GPS/fish finder. Switching is within easy left hand reach and a brow at the forward end of the helm hosts the Yamaha engine management instrumentation. The throttle is a binnacle type and sits on a flat built into the cabin liner.
Above the helm and installed across the underside of the forward end of the hard top is a VHS radio and Fusion’s stereo system.
This hard top is supported at the rear by two heavy duty pillars and lighter duty frames in the front corners as well as one central. The windscreens all round are tempered glass which is rounded on the ends on the front two panes for distortion-free vision forward, and window in front of the skipper is fitted with a windscreen washer and wiper. The side windows have a sliding pane for ventilation to those seated at the helm and passenger seat.
Grab rails are aplenty on this boat with a good wrap-around style rail for the seated passenger, a monkey bar under the hard top for those standing and one each side of the cabin attached to the rear pillar. A run of rod holders adorn the rear edge of this hardtop welded in place and at an accessible height for an average sized person to reach.
There are four speakers attached to the Fusion stereo and they are fitted above the helm station and in the overhang of the hard top for those working on the cockpit deck.
The skipper’s helm chair is mounted on a post whilst that for the passenger is on a box that has a rebate in its rear end with removable cushion that has a built-in back; a good place to rest the legs or wile away the hours watching the lures popping out of the waves. Removing this cushion we noted the seat box is rotaform plastic moulded which was a bit of a surprise considering this manufacturer's extensive crafting skills with aluminium. Still, it was sturdy and rigid on the deck and its stowage area within, which is water resistant, will be handy for sure.
Extensive side pocket stowage is available down each side of the coamings at a high level off the deck.
A flooding kill tank has its hatch in the aft end of the deck and the effort that has gone into the design and engineering here and elsewhere in this boat really has to be seen to be appreciated; incredibly well thought out, robust and neat. A removable aluminium hatch prevents objects sliding on the deck from falling into the aft bilge which is fitted with the usual bilge plumbing.
‘Super Fish Transom’ is the name of the design of the general engineering of the aft-end of the boat. A prominent bait-rigging station sits mid beam elevated off the deck to allow access to the bilge and across the underside of the transom. We would have liked a couple of hand rails here like those fitted to the rigging station of the 1850 model but no doubt all of that is do-able at the ordering stage. The transom bulkhead is cut away on each side of this rigging station to allow easy step through and the apertures are filled in with sliding gates which when removed are inserted into racks on the underside of the station out of the way.
In the bottom of this module the cranking battery is fitted with enough room for a second back up if you require that option. The isolation switch and deck lights are attached to the front and corners here.
The livebait tank sits above that and it features a panoramic viewing window and the contents, accessed from the top are prevented from escaping by the cutting board which is hinged as a lid. A couple of rod holders complete the unit in what is one of the more practical work stations we have seen on a trailer boat.
Over the bulkhead the boarding platform is full-beam width, fixed onto the stern while the engine pod provides the support for it.
The scupper system is an ‘elevated sock’ type which effectively reduces any chance of water seeping onto the deck until the sock is released for drainage.
A ‘New Zealand’ style boarding ladder is fixed to the starboard side of the boarding platform and folds down and stops at a good usable angle for those requiring it. This style of ladder is seen on many boats imported from that country into this. It is designed in part for divers wearing fins so they can access the runs by sliding the finned foot in from the side.
The deadrise measured at the transom is 20 degrees and that at the forefoot of the keel line is more like 17 giving it a good cutting edge. The deadrise at the bow rises to wide flat chines that run aft and halfway back they curl into a reverse. Good planing capabilities come from this design both for hole shot and maintaining the plane at low speeds.
The barge sides of these hulls are perpendicular, the bottom sections being sealed compartments on both sides while the top half is where the stowage pockets are situated in most parts of the inside.
The hull bottom thickness is 5mm whilst the sides are 3mm. The inherent strength throughout this hull is increased enormously due to the angular construction but the dry weight of the hull still only weighs in at 1000kg. With a tow weight of 1850 kg all up it is still within the realms of the likes of Mitsubishi’s Pajero and Toyota’s Hi-Lux and Prado as a tow vehicle.
For those looking for a boat to suit a professional application, there is an option of a 6mm bottom and 4mm sides.
Hole shot was effortless; no doubt thanks to the broad planing area and aggressive chines on the hull.
The deep V of the hull gave it a good cut over chop we were able to manufacture but also allowed the high-planing hull to lay into hard turns at speed offering a comfortable ride to those on board.
The lesser horsepower will be easier on the pocket as well with instrumentation on board telling us that cruising at 19 knots and 3200rpm consumes only 16.8 lph. Given the full 200-litre tank on board that’s a lot of sea travel; just under 12 hours in fact. WOT put out 38 knots at 5800rpm with consumption at 36 lph and bringing the throttle back to a point where the hull was about to fall off the plane we were running at 13 knots and 2100rpm with 15.5 lph consumption.
There are many common denominators with Stabicraft hulls. Stability (that’s where it got its name in part), strength, practicality, good soft ride in heavy chop are just a few. While they don’t take on the look of the average boat they are far from average when it comes to those mentioned attributes and many more. There are a lot of Stabicraft owners in this part of the Continent and we haven’t heard any complaints from any of them. You won’t hear any from us!
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0
LOA: 6.7m
Beam: 2.32m
Weight: 1850kg towing
Engine: Yamaha 150hp (F150 AETX)
Fuel: 200 litres
Berths: 2
People Day: 7
Telephone (07) 3265 8000
Email: billh@northsidemarine.com.au
Website: www.northsidemarine.com.au
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