Stacer 449 Bay Master

One reason that often prevents people getting over that line when making the all important purchase for this recreational activity is the cost of accessories which are often optional at additional expense. The Stacer 449 Bay Master has gone a long way to addressing this in a package that will see a lot more families enjoying the water.

And prospective buyers will also be buoyed with the fact that there are a few little extras that one usually sees on an options list that come standard in this package.

The bimini canopy and protective envelope was one of those items that you usually have to dig a little deeper for, but not in this case. Drink holders, a standard-fit glove compartment and Lowrance’s LVR-250U with whip antennae will ease the strain on the bank balance. A couple of rod holders thrown into this bargain will get your gear up off the deck and the manufacturer quotes underfloor flotation as a standard fit but it's really a legal requirement.

The rear Maxi Bracket is a standard on the boat and a telescopic rear boarding ladder attaches to it. An auxiliary engine mount may be purchased as an option and attached to this Maxi Bracket in place of the boarding ladder.

The boat comes with carpet permanently fixed to the marine ply decking and a rear folding lounge. You can leave the lead line at home as Lowrance’s Mark-5X depth sounder comes supplied and, for comfort and safety, the hand rail behind the curved acrylic windscreen won’t cost you any extra. Of note was the fact the Lowrance wasn’t working on the day but no doubt this was due to a glitch in the fitting that would be easily rectified.

At the forward end of that lower deck, a short wall retains safety gear if you wish to stow it there underneath the rotaform insert that is the open anchor well on the topside.

Even though this boat is budget built, the manufacturer hasn’t skimped on the hull shape and design of the topsides. The alloy work across the helm station that hosts the rotaform dashboard and passenger module is athsetically designed with angled fascias and flat top areas on which to place goods and chattels. A deep rebate centrally in the helm station bulkhead allows access through the opening centre of the windscreen to give one better leverage over the ground tackle when hauling.

As mentioned, the hand rails behind the windscreen are a valued standard item.

The Lowrance radio hangs from a bracket under the bulkhead while the depth sounder sits between two raised brows in which instruments may be flush mounted. The depth sounder was prominent for easy viewing as well.

As with other boats in the Stacer range, the manufacturer hasn’t skimped on the use of extra materials when it comes to rolling the gunwales. The coamings on this boat are quite wide which provides for inherent strength and rigidity, plus a good place to park the backside while fishing in calm waters as well as one to hold any aftermarket add-ons.

The side pockets under the wide coamings are three-quarter cockpit length and a good size for stowing tackle trays end on.

The transom bulkhead is also wide fore and aft so each corner here could wear some bling at a later date. A post support bracket is installed centrally here in which an optional bait rigging board may be fitted, along with a plethora of other accessories that are available at any of the marine shops.

The fuel filter, cranking battery and bilge pump are easily accessed under the transom when the rear lounge is in the open position and more so when it is removed.

Telwater really are thinking outside of the square when it comes to appeasing the eye. The Series 3 Evo Hull is already well proven in the rough-water and stability-at-rest’ stakes and most of those visual benefits are below the waterline.

The topssides though are turning heads in the alloy boat building market. Rounded corners, sloping fascias and gentle angles are easy on the eye and, in the majority of cases, add to the inherent strength of componantry. We like the helm bulkhead for that reason but their transoms have really had a makeover from old.

Gone are the looms, convoluted tubing and wiring that used to poke out of the starboard boarding platform. They are now secreted in their tubing which exits into the engine well. Add some nice aft transom bulkhead angles down to the checker plate, rounded corners in the engine well and curvaceous engine power head tilt rebate and you have got an aft-end that many manufacturers aspire to; be they fibreglass or alloy ilk.

This effectively gives one a WOT range of 92 nm (171 km) and a cruise range of 137 nm (253 km) on the fitted 70-litre underfloor fuel tank.

As mentioned earlier, with the correct engine trim the arm effort steering was quite acceptable, and unless you like driving around with the leg trimmed in, which won’t do wonders for the fuel economy, optional installation of hydraulic steering won’t be necessary.

Typically for a boat with its seating well forward, the ride is not as smooth over chop and wash as will be experienced when sitting mid ships or aft of that but there are no surprises there either.

Rather than a boat that will address a range of adverse water conditions it is one that is targeted squarely at the budget conscious and in that respect it hits the bullseye!