Stacer 449 Proline Angler: Fishing Boat Review

Stacer’s Proline series has had a makeover and a good one at that! With the last modification to this successful brand way back in 2007 this most recent re-jig has been a long time coming but as you will read, worth the wait.

OVERVIEW
- Redesign gives more space and bigger casting platforms
Eight years is a long time to have a model rolling off a boat production line but longevity of life of anything in the manufacturing business is the indicator of success; and it is obvious the Proline range has had plenty of that.

All of the Prolines are based on the ‘Striker Series’ hulls and there are now five models to get re-acquainted with. Two of these in the 399 and 429 Proline are base models without all the fruit that gets an avid fisher drooling. And then there are the 409, 429 and the subject of this piece, the 449 that are Proline ‘Angler’ models, finished with the right amount of dressing to keep the aforementioned rod wavers and swoffers sated.

Now, to clear up any confusion the new model 409 Proline Angler replaces the old 399 Proline Angler; the latter reverting to a base model 399 Proline hull.

The changes to this series are quite extensive to say the least! The keel has been relaxed by seven per cent which puts more length of hull in the water which equates to slower planing potential and a softer ride over close chop.

The chines have been widened and brought forward giving the boat an even bigger hull print on the surface. This can only benefit stability at rest and when underway. The former is what the dedicated angler will be looking for when plying his sport and it has allowed for an 11 per cent increase in the front casting deck area on the Angler models and a similar amount of space increase in the ‘Plain Jane’ models.

Bringing chines out and forward without some form of structural change always carries the potential risk of creating a harder ride.  This risk has been countered by engineering a deeper entry point in the hull and it has worked here; the ride is good but this combination of longer keel line, wider chines and deeper entry point has also kept the ride dry.

Sure, the boat will produce spray over the forequarters when punching into wind driven chop but that’s the lot of the small boater. If you can’t put up with what you create, you need a cabin boat.

Equipment wise, what you see is what you get in the standard package.

The front edge is interrupted by an east/west cleat which is far enough away from the carpeted casting deck as not to pose any issues for a fly fisher’s line swirling in the breeze.

The carpet fitted throughout is ‘hook free’  but  still clings well to Velcro straps which, in the absence of a dedicated rod lashing system, is the safest way to carry expensive carbon graphite fishing poles when working amongst dense foliage up the creeks or running for the ramp as a looming electrical storm approaches.

The forward deck has four hatches with the one at the bow opening to a very large rotoform mould lining which makes up the anchor well.

The three hatches across the aft of the deck open into the same void that will take all manner of gear for stowage. We would have liked to have seen some form of draining system to shed water off the casting deck without ingress into the compartment as everything will have to be removed for drying should a lot of water come over the topside from spray or rain.

Standard fit on this boat is six seating positions for the two plush Sea Pro swivel chairs one of which is in the forward casting deck.

Down in the cockpit are four other seat positions with the one on the rear casting platform welded to the bulkhead supporting the platform. Sitting in a chair on the rear deck 300mm above where you would have been if seated at the tiller makes all the difference when distance casting, but it’s also a good place to lean on a bum seat should you get hold of an aftermarket leaning post.

Recessed into the port side of the rear casting deck a hinged nylon cutting board opens to give access to a rotoform live bait tank which is plumbed.

In the starboard corner, a hatch cover provides to access the single standard-size fuel tote tank which feeds the 60hp Evinrude ETEC bolted to the transom. With this little tank, engine hours per trip would not be overly long, so a second tote tank might need to be in your equipment inventory unless you opt for the 70-litre underfloor fuel tank available for the 449.

The central hatch in the rear casting deck gives access to the cranking battery and the bilge where the live-bait tank pump is installed with a thru-hull fitting.

ON THE WATER
- Fast and stable
This boat was fitted with the maximum recommended horsepower motor and it performed exceptionally well with plenty of torque to effortlessly snap it out of the hole and push it quickly through the throttle range to a WOT speed showing on the GPS as 30.4 knots.

Comfortable cruising was at 18.2 knots and the hull could remain on the plane back to 7.2 knots before falling back in the hole.

The engine liked plenty of trim in to keep the bow down during hole shot with one lightweight passenger seated forward.

The stability of this rig has seen a big improvement on the older-style hulls that weren’t too shabby in that department to begin with. A 90-odd kilo angler standing at one of the very front corners of the casting platform did little to upset the general attitude of the boat on the water. Standing on the aft casting platform didn’t upset the boat all all either.

The responsiveness of the boat to steerage is all you would expect when hanging onto a long tiller arm; this style reigns supreme when working creeks either casting and relocating or trolling snags and tree-lined banks.

VERDICT
- One to make the purists happy
Stacer’s Striker Series hulls have sold well for many years and we can see why; the variety of models to suit various requirements rather than ‘one boat fits all’ application is one of the keys to their popularity. And there is plenty of variety in the current range. Those who can extend their budget to get into this flagship will be happy boaters for sure.

It’s a performer all round and will hold its own on big inland waters and coastal estuaries.

LIKES
>> Improved soft ride and stability over older models
>> Hookless deck carpet is an asset
>> Exceptional performance with the 60hp Evinrude ETEC

NOT SO MUCH
>> Needs drainage for forward stowage
>> More stowage for rode when anchored
>> Needs more fuel than in tote tank

Ratings
Overall: 4.7/5.0
Mechanical: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On water performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: 4.6/5.0
X-factor: 4.6/5.0
Performance: 4.7/5.0

Specifications:
Price: $19,319.40 (With 60hp Evinrude E-Tec, trailer, registration and safety gear)
Length overall: 4.59m?
Hull length: 4.54m?
Beam: 2.05?
Depth: 0.91m?
Hull weight: 335kg?
Bottom sides: 3.0mm?
Topsides: 2.0mm?
Maximum power: 60hp?
Maximum engine weight: 121kg?
Engine as tested: Evinrude ETEC 60hp?
Fuel:  Tote tank
Maximum person: Four

Supplied by:
www.stacer.com.au