Stacer 449 Seaway

- Good stability at rest

DISLIKES
- Engine mount bolts should be shielded from fuel tanks in rebate in deck

The pile of gear that has to be added to allow you to succeed in setting up a practical fishing platform often blows the bottom line, so it pays to start low in price on the initial outlay and then; steady as she goes.

As the name suggests, the 449 has a hull length of 4.49m with a beam of 2.05m. It's not a big boat but enough for up to four to go fishing or for a family day out.

The dash area is rebated centrally almost to the base of the opening centre screen pane which allows one to get closer to, and nearly stand over, the anchor for improved leverage on the ground tackle.

Here, the anchor well is constructed of rotaform plastic and remains open to the elements and offers a handy cleat for tying off to.

The inside edges of the top of the curved side windscreens feature a grab rail, and the canvas bimini with an opening envelope to allow anchor access, is fixed to the top of the screen.

The flat aluminium area in front of the skipper is dressed with a rotaform module in which gauges are recessed as well as the non-return mechanical steering wheel. The module's back end is in close proximity to the windscreen and will preclude installation of marine electronic cabinets here.

Two drink holders are attached to the inside of the gunwales near the helm and passenger.

In front of the passenger there is another in the face of a glove compartment hatch while two rod holders are recessed into the top of the coaming on each side of the engine well, servicing anglers in the cockpit.

The dashboard in front of the passenger has a flat top on which a large marine electronics cabinet may be gimbal mounted. Fitted to the test boat was Lowrance’s X52 which is the entry-level, stand-alone depth sounder from Navico.

From experience it is no slouch when it comes to finding fish and gives good readings of bottom and structure, though only in monochrome rather than colour.

At the fore end of this part of the lower deck a short fence retains any gear that might get stowed there and the rotaform recessed anchor well can be seen suspended underneath the short foredeck along with its drain pipe that leads to the hull and out.

Three-quarter length side pockets run forward from the rear lounge area and they have plenty of foot room underneath so as not to interfere with the movement and stability of anglers around the cockpit.

At the rear of the cockpit deck a rebate performs as a bilge and retains the bolted-down cranking battery and a tote fuel tank which sits unrestrained.

We did note that the engine-mount bolts protrude into this space and could cause an issue with fuel leakage should they puncture the fuel tank. An acorn nut over the end would alleviate this issue somewhat.

The rear lounge is removable and its narrow backrest is permanently fixed to the front of the transom bulkhead making for a comfortable rest when leaning against it. Removing the lounge is a simple task of unclipping a pin each end and lifting it out of the boat.

If you just need a little extra room and want to leave it there it may be folded up and retained against the bulkhead with a securing strap.

The engine well on the 449 is quite large and it would make a good area into which a rubbish or fish bin could be strapped or even an external live fish or bait tank. This is especially so on the port side where there is no loom or other fixture.

The hull is manufactured with a 3mm bottom and 1.6mm sides whilst the sheeting on the transom is 3mm also. Being so light, at just 310kg, it performs well with a 50hp Mercury two-stroke.

With the fitted 50hp the boat had good hole-shot and very good acceleration throughout the throttle range to WOT. At that point 5500rpm realised a top speed of just over 60km/h with two adults aboard.

To prevent any aeration at the propeller, the leg had to be trimmed fully in when turning hard at speed which exacerbated the torque at the wheel somewhat. Once straightened up, and the engine was correctly trimmed it handled normal manoeuvring at speed with reasonable ease.

Stability at rest was also acceptable so large bodies moving about when fishing at anchor won’t cause alarm to others on board.

Overall, a well-priced, safe and good-handling boat for the entry-level fisherman or someone trading up from a smaller model.